In the days that followed, Lanqin began a life of eating and drinking like a pig in bed every day. Bechuk was cared for by the wet nurse in her own room, who would bring him over to Lanqin to see every day during the day, and the wet nurse took care of everything else.
Cui Niang and Nian Xue stared at Lan Qin, determined not to let her do anything that was forbidden during her postpartum period, such as reading, getting out of bed, or taking a bath and washing her hair.
"I'm suffocating and filthy like this!" Lanqin shouted from the bed in dissatisfaction. But Cui Niang and Nianxue ignored her as if they had no ears. Fourth Master had specifically instructed them not to stay with Lanqin during her postpartum period, but to make sure she had a proper postpartum recovery.
"My lady, you've only been lying down for two days, there are still twenty-nine days left. Why don't I tell you a story?" Seeing that Lanqin was really bored, Cui Niang had no choice but to smile and say.
"Ah, I wonder how those girls on the estate are doing. If they were here, I could have them put on a show for me." Lanqin immediately deflated when Cui Niang reminded her that she still had 29 days left to lie down. She thought to herself, what's the use of your little stories? Aren't they just stories of talented men and beautiful women? They're all the same.
"Yes. If Your Highness wishes to hear a play, perhaps this servant can speak with you and see if we can invite a troupe to perform a few shows for you in the South Courtyard," Cui Niang said earnestly. Considering the Fourth Master's favor towards Lan Qin, this request wasn't too unreasonable.
"No, why make such a commotion? Actually, I just want to read a book in peace and quiet." Seeing that her orders were ineffective, Lanqin had no choice but to change her strategy and looked at Cui Niang pleadingly.
Seeing Lanqin's pitiful appearance, Cui Niang couldn't bear it any longer and said softly, "Then you can only watch for half an hour. When the time is up, I will definitely take it away."
"Alright, half an hour it is. Quickly go and get me that 'Collection of Wrongful Convictions,' which I placed in the third row. It should be the seventh book." Lanqin had to tell Cui Niang and the other maids this way so that they could accurately find the book they wanted, since none of them were literate.
Cui Niang personally went to fetch the book Lanqin had asked for, and Lanqin finally calmed down, sitting on the bed with the book in her hands and reading. Cui Niang, meanwhile, sat by the side with her embroidery hoop and winnowing basket, doing her embroidery work.
Since it was already November, the Fourth Master specially asked the head nanny to bring silver charcoal to light the underfloor heating in Lanqin's room, so she was only wearing a light pink padded jacket with white rabbit fur trim around the collar and cuffs.
Actually, outside, although it hasn't snowed yet, the weather is already quite cold. The ground is covered with fallen yellow leaves, and the cold autumn wind sweeps across the servants working everywhere, feeling like stones and sand hitting them.
The maids in the south courtyard all wore cotton-padded jackets and shoulder-length robes, each dutifully performing their duties. As for the Fourth Master's offer to send servants, Lanqin immediately refused, repeating her previous statement that she didn't like having a house full of maids serving her; too many people meant too much trouble, and keeping the two rough-looking old women was enough.
Song Shi, wearing a sandalwood-colored cotton cloak, came to the South Courtyard with Qingping holding an umbrella to block the wind.
As soon as she stepped into Lanqin's main room, she felt a wave of spring-like warmth wash over her, and the cold wind she had brought in was immediately enveloped and swallowed up by the warmth.
"Sister, your room is so warm," Song exclaimed, as Qingping was already untying the sash of her cloak.
"Is it my sister? Come in quickly and talk to me." Lanqin had just had her books taken away by Cui Niang and was so bored that she almost wanted to get out of bed and walk around.
Song smiled and walked into Lanqin's room, saying, "Then I'll stay here and not leave."
Seeing that Song was dressed in a light purple qipao with white rabbit fur trim, which truly brought out her gentle and graceful nature, Lanqin teased, "Alright, come here. I'm so lucky to have such a beautiful and charming person."
When Song saw Lanqin teasing her, she blushed and said, "If it weren't for the fact that you're in postpartum confinement, I would have torn your mouth apart."
Lanqin pulled Song Shi to sit next to her, rested her head on Song Shi's shoulder, and said with a hint of resentment, "I'm so bored. I wonder if I'll be finished with my postpartum confinement by the time it snows? I really want to go out and have some fun in the snow."
Madam Song tapped Lanqin's nose and said, "You, you're a mother of two now, yet you still act like a little child."
Lanqin chuckled and said, "It's not that big to begin with."
I'm only seventeen now, a perfectly blossoming young woman, and I've been ruined into becoming a mother of two.
Song pinched Lanqin's cheek, teasing her for not being shy, but immediately wiped the smile off her face and said, "I've come today to tell you something serious. Do you remember the bracelet that Yehe gave you?"
Seeing Song's serious expression, Lanqin also looked up and said seriously, "Of course I remember. What's wrong? Is the bracelet still with Doctor Liang?"
Madam Song said, "Yesterday I saw a bracelet in Madam Nian's hands that was exactly the same as that bracelet. Guess what Madam Nian said?"
Lanqin was startled. After thinking for a moment, she said, "That bracelet isn't hers?"
Madam Song nodded and said, "Qin'er is very clever. Madam Nian said that the bracelet was a gift from the Fujin!"
Lanqin was taken aback. She sat up slightly and asked in surprise, "Are you sure they're exactly the same?"
Song said firmly, "I specifically looked at it up close and confirmed that they are exactly the same. Your bracelet was a gift from Ye He, so did she say where it came from?"
"She said it was something her mother gave her as part of her dowry," Lanqin said, a knot forming in her heart, her voice gradually fading.
Madam Song said in a low voice, "What if she's lying? Qin'er, why don't you ask Doctor Liang to bring the bracelet over so we can take a closer look?"
Lanqin nodded. Before she could give any instructions, Cui Niang, who was sitting to the side doing embroidery, had already stood up and gone out to find Doctor Liang.
When she returned with the string of beads, Lanqin and Madam Song examined the bracelet closely for a long time, but still couldn't see anything special about it.
“I’m sure they’re exactly the same. How about we find a way to get Nian to take off her bracelet so we can compare them more closely and see if they’re truly identical?” said Song.
“Tomorrow is the baby’s third-day celebration. Let’s take a closer look at the bracelet on Ms. Nian’s wrist then,” Lanqin said.
“Alright, I’ll bring her to see my sister then. Perhaps my sister can talk to her more, and I can take the opportunity to see the beads in her hand,” said Madam Song.
“If her bracelet came from the Fujin (wife of the emperor), and mine also came from the Fujin, then there must be something wrong with these things. Otherwise, why would Yehe Shi lie?” Lanqin said.
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