Sensing something was amiss, Mingyu thought for a moment and decided it would be better to have Madam Gao serve Hongli, so that Xueying wouldn't take advantage of her. After all, she was currently in postpartum confinement, and Hongli had been abstaining for quite some time; if word got out, she would be branded as a sick woman.
"Please trouble you, Granny, to go and summon that Madam Gao."
After a while, the tea gradually cooled down, and Mingyu and Madam Gao chatted and laughed as they sat at the table together enjoying their breakfast.
"What brings you here, Madam Zheng?" Madam Gao asked directly, without beating around the bush.
“I’m currently in postpartum confinement and can’t serve Your Highness.” Seeing that Madam Gao’s expression changed, Mingyu quickly added, “Your Highness has been without anyone to take care of you these past few days. I was thinking that it would be better if I, your younger sister, could serve Your Highness.”
Seeing Mingyu's reaction, Madam Gao was delighted and served Mingyu half a bowl of porridge, saying with a smile, "Sister is so considerate to her younger sister." Then, as if remembering something, she asked doubtfully, "But isn't there also that concubine?"
“Since that’s what you think, then we’ll have to let Xueying come.” Mingyu picked up the bowl of porridge and savored it.
“But that prince hasn’t come to my Langyue Pavilion for a long time…” Gao thought, Hongli rarely came to her place, and probably wouldn’t come anytime soon, so she guessed that he looked a little disappointed.
"Don't worry, little sister, I have a way," Mingyu put down her bowl and whispered a few words in Gao's ear.
Upon hearing this, Madam Gao was overjoyed and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sister."
Until just before dinner, Hongli went to visit Mingyu as soon as he returned to the mansion.
Seeing Hongli playing with his son in the cradle, Mingyu smiled and said, "Your Highness, look how much our son looks like you."
Hongli gently touched his son's nose and said, "He does look somewhat like him."
Seeing that his son was sleeping soundly, Hongli sat down beside him and gently took Mingyu's hand, saying, "Thank you for all the hard work while I was away."
"All I could do was give the prince a son." Mingyu smiled modestly, then added as if remembering something, "As for Madam Gao, she has been managing the inner quarters all this time, working tirelessly."
Hongli smiled approvingly at Mingyu, "It must be hard for you to be so considerate of others."
"It's alright. The Gao family members are not in good health. Why don't you go and take a look at them, Your Highness?" Mingyu replied with a smile.
Hongli thought that Lady Gao had indeed done a lot for the affairs of the inner quarters, and after hesitating for a moment, he said, "Very well."
After his son and Mingyu had fallen asleep, Hongli went to Langyue Pavilion.
Lady Gao was lying on the bed when she heard the maid softly call that the prince had arrived, so she got up.
Hongli stepped across the threshold, greeted Madam Gao with a curtsy, and found her to be quite charming and elegant. He smiled and said, "Thank you for your help these past few days."
Madam Gao knew that Hongli was referring to managing the inner quarters, and she was overjoyed, but she calmly said, "Your Highness flatters me. It has been a long time since I've seen you at Langyue Pavilion."
"I came to see you when I heard you were sick, Mingyu," Hongli said, taking her hand and sitting down.
Madam Gao sat up slightly and said, "It's nothing, I just caught a cold a few days ago, but I'm feeling better recently."
"Thank you for your hard work. Please rest here tonight."
Lady Gao happily called to the maids to set out dinner, saying, "Your Highness, it would be nice if you stayed for some dinner."
The servants set out the dishes, and Lady Gao and Hongli enjoyed their dinner, chatting and laughing leisurely, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Hongli received these favors from all sides in the inner quarters, sometimes strolling in the east courtyard, sometimes chatting and laughing in Langyue Pavilion, and things were peaceful.
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