"Granny, they just went out for a while, it's nothing." Madam Yin stood up.
"Princess, please sit down. Are you still vomiting badly today?" Granny Liu walked over to Madam Yin and helped her sit back down. The Fujin had entrusted Madam Yin to her, so she dared not neglect her. The Fourth Prince's offspring were already few, and although Madam Yin did not seem to be very popular with the master, the little grandson in her belly was the root of the Aisin Gioro clan.
"Much better. I even felt the baby move a little yesterday." Madam Yin smiled happily. She had lost a lot of weight because she hadn't had a good appetite lately. And because she was already beautiful, the addition of her slightly sickly and delicate appearance gave her an even more delicate and frail charm.
"The princess is so beautiful. When the little prince is born, he will surely be a picture-perfect figure," praised Granny Liu.
"Granny, the Master just sent someone to tell me to pack my clothes and go stay at the estate for a while in a couple of days," Madam Yin tentatively mentioned to Granny Liu. The young eunuch had only relayed the Fourth Master's arrangements, but hadn't clarified who else was going, or if she would be going alone. How many maids should she bring, and should she bring the nannies and eunuchs bestowed by the Princess Consort? Without knowing these details, she felt uncertain. She was naturally pleased with the Fourth Master's arrangements, but didn't want to offend the Princess Consort unknowingly. Therefore, she wanted to use Granny Liu to inquire whether the Princess Consort was aware of this matter.
"Your Highness's pregnancy seems to be progressing steadily. Staying at the estate for a while would be a good way to relax and would also benefit the baby. However, this old servant still needs to inform the Fujin (the wife of the deceased) to see if she should go with you." Granny Liu was genuinely unaware of this matter.
"Then may I go to the Fujin's place with the nanny? I have received a lot of care from the Fujin these days, and I should pay my respects more often." Madam Yin was secretly pleased, thinking that she had asked the right question this time.
Granny Liu naturally agreed. She was originally placed by the Fujin (principal wife) to serve Lady Yin, and even if Lady Yin didn't say anything, she would have reported it to the Fujin.
Ye Ying brought breakfast and served it to Madam Yin. Because she was happy, Madam Yin ate more than usual.
After the meal, Madam Yin, supported by Ye Ying, followed Granny Liu to the Princess Consort's quarters in the back courtyard.
"This servant greets the Princess Consort!" Upon seeing the Princess Consort, Madam Yin, supporting her waist, curtsied.
"Sister, get up quickly! You are pregnant now, there's no need for such formalities." The Fujin ordered Li Mama to quickly step forward and help Yin Shi up. Although she said this, she still accepted Yin Shi's greeting while seated.
"Sister, please sit down. Is your appetite better today?" The Fujin (principal wife) learned about Madam Yin's daily condition from Granny Liu.
"I've had a poor appetite since I was little, and it's not entirely due to pregnancy," Madam Yin said gratefully.
"Granny Liu, talk to Doctor Bai about Princess Yin's appetite. It would be best if he could find a way to encourage her to eat more," the Fujin instructed.
"Yes, this old servant heard from Consort Yin that Master is going to take Consort Yin to stay at the estate for a while. Should this old servant go with her?" Granny Liu voiced her question. She was sent by the Fujin (principal wife), and now that the Fourth Master was taking Consort Yin out, how should they, the "Fujin" (principal wife's) people, conduct themselves?
After hearing this, the Princess Consort remained silent for a while, then asked Madam Yin, "Whom does my sister wish to take?"
Lady Yin straightened her back and said softly, "Besides paying my respects to the Princess Consort today, I also wanted to ask her for her permission on who I should take with me."
After hearing this, the Princess Consort smiled and said affectionately, "Sister, you don't need to ask me about this. You can take whoever you want. The Prince has already told me that he will take the First Prince, the Third Prince, Princess Niu, and you, sister, to the estate in three days."
When Madam Yin heard that Lanqin was also going, a hint of unease immediately appeared in her eyes.
"I am new here and don't understand many things. Please, Madam, do not hesitate to teach me." Madam Yin only sat on half of the stool and then leaned outwards.
“Sister, don’t overthink it. Since you’re going to the estate, you must always put the Master first. And since you’re pregnant, he’ll naturally pay extra attention to you. Granny Liu has served several pregnant princesses before; she’ll go with you anyway, which puts my mind at ease,” the Fujin said. Actually, she had been considering this matter before Madam Yin arrived. She wasn’t surprised that the Fourth Master was taking Lanqin, but what did it mean to take the pregnant Madam Yin with him? Wasn’t this a blatant slap in her face?
Regardless of whether the Fourth Prince had any suspicions, or who he suspected, this issue, upon closer examination, still implicitly reflects the Fujin's poor management of the inner court.
"Yes, thank you for your concern, Madam." Madam Yin stood up again and curtsied.
After seeing Madam Yin off, the Fujin walked to a potted camellia in the room and carefully admired the flower.
"My lady, since the master has become suspicious, let's avoid suspicion and not let that Granny Liu go with us." Chunliu took a round fan, walked behind the Fujin, and gently fanned her. It was almost June, and the temperature had already begun to rise sharply.
“That’s precisely why it’s best for Granny Liu to leave! Avoiding suspicion now would only raise more doubts. Besides, taking care of Madam Yin is my duty.” The Fujin raised her hand, plucked a camellia, held it in her hand, and admired it from side to side.
"Has Granny Li returned?" the Fujin asked again.
"Not yet. I've already asked Xiahe to make arrangements at the gatehouse in the back courtyard. As soon as Granny Li returns, someone will surely come to report," Chunliu said.
“Honghui is already eight years old, it’s time to choose a haha bead for him. My nephews can keep him company.” The Fujin muttered to herself. She wouldn’t normally say these things to the maids Chunliu, Xiahe, and others, but she only told them after Li Mama left.
"Madam, do you intend to send the Duke's two young masters, or the eldest master's, or the second master's young master's?" Chunliu had grown up with Ulanara since childhood. At her age, she should have been married off long ago. Although she was a maid, she had lived in a luxurious mansion since childhood. Now she was in the prince's mansion and looked down on ordinary people. However, because she had no connections, she could not marry a good Manchu. Therefore, she was too lazy to go out.
“My eldest brother’s second son is ten years old this year, just the right age; my second brother’s second son is also eight years old; and my fourth brother’s eldest son is nine years old this year. These three children are all about the same age as Honghui, so it would be best if they could come together,” the Fujin said. However, her tone was not so certain. Would the Fourth Prince agree to have all three of her nephews from her maternal family come to accompany her in her studies? And what about the family members? Since Father’s death, her illegitimate brothers have become increasingly unruly.
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