"This concubine greets the Fujin (Madam)." Seeing Mingyu sitting in the main seat in the front hall, Madam Gao immediately approached and curtsied.
"Gege, get up and sit down," Mingyu said.
"Your belly is becoming more and more prominent, and I am truly happy for you. It is a blessing for our Fourth Prince's household that you will be able to give birth to a legitimate son safely," said Madam Gao, standing up and sitting in the guest seat.
"Thank you for your kind words. I also hope to give birth to a legitimate son safely. What brings you here today?" Mingyu asked.
“Madam, the twelfth lunar month is almost here. We need to start cooking the Laba porridge in our household, and then there’s the Laba Festival. I think we should celebrate this year properly. After all, Madam is pregnant,” said Madam Gao.
"So it's such a trivial matter. You don't need to report these things to me; you can decide on them yourself," Mingyu said.
“Madam, you are pregnant with the eldest son, so I think the manor should be lively. Since the Prince is not here, it is my duty to liven things up for you,” said Madam Gao.
"You've put your heart into it. You can decide what to do," Mingyu said with a faint smile. "The Qing Dynasty is currently at war with foreign tribes, so it's not advisable to go too far. The court is currently engaged in foreign wars, so let's prioritize frugality."
"Yes, it is the Fujin who has considered everything so thoroughly. I was only thinking of making things lively for the Fujin," Gao said with a forced smile.
"Is there anything else you need?" Mingyu asked.
"My lady, I'm all right now," Gao said.
"Then you can go back now," Mingyu waved her hand and said. "I'll leave the affairs of the manor to you. Unless it's something important, you don't need to ask me."
"Yes." Madam Gao raised the handkerchief in her hand, curtsied, and then left with the help of her maid.
“Madam, Princess Gao has put her heart into this, why are you discouraging her enthusiasm?” Zi Xun said.
“It’s not that I’m trying to discourage her, but it’s really not the right time to be ostentatious. The imperial court is currently at war with foreign powers, and the Prince is still on the battlefield. If things are too public in the mansion, wouldn’t that invite gossip?” Mingyu said.
Meanwhile, Madam Gao, supporting Yin'er's hand, looked indignant. She had been trying to curry favor with Mingyu, but instead, she had been met with this cold shoulder. She had kindly gone to discuss this matter with the Fujin (the wife's wife) to please Mingyu, but unexpectedly, this had happened.
"Princess, our Fujin is truly virtuous." Yin'er said this deliberately when she saw that Madam Gao was unhappy.
"Yes, I was humiliated. Sigh, there are only a few people in this mansion, so what's the big deal if it gets lively? I was just looking for an excuse to have some fun since the Prince wasn't here. But they still like to pretend to be all virtuous and gentle," Gao said angrily.
“You’re right, Princess. Don’t be angry, Princess. Let me accompany you for a walk over there to clear your head,” Yin’er said.
Madam Gao nodded and then took Yin'er's hand and walked towards the garden. As they approached, Madam Gao heard a burst of laughter; it turned out that Madam Su and Yongzhang were playing there.
"Sister Su is so lucky, she has nothing to worry about and gave birth to the Prince's first child. I, on the other hand, have worked so hard and have nothing to show for it." Madam Gao looked at Madam Su and Yongzhang, who was almost a year old, in the distance, and felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.
"Princess, shall we go back?" Yin'er said quickly upon seeing this.
"What are you going back for? Come on, let's go say hello to Sister Su." Madam Gao said, pulling at her handkerchief.
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