Lanqin was dumbfounded. The Fourth Master had sent the Second Princess over without even informing her beforehand. The princess and the maids and servants who were to serve her were just sent over.
Lanqin was anxious and wanted to get up to make arrangements, but Cui Niang pressed her back onto the bed.
"My lady, please rest well. I'll take care of the Second Princess's affairs. I've been thinking, isn't there a few separate rooms in the back, separated from here by a small pond? Why don't we settle the Second Princess there? It's quiet and elegant. I'll go and keep an eye on things there every day, so you don't need to worry about it," Cui Niang said hurriedly.
"Master, really! Sending the Second Princess over at this time is just deliberately trying to upset us concubines!" Nianxue brought in a bowl of astragalus chicken soup. Lanqin now eats almost five or six meals a day, and Cui Niang has transformed into Anjia Shi, constantly nagging.
"Don't talk nonsense. This is because the master values our concubine. Now that one is practically useless, our master is now the one in the inner quarters. In addition, the second princess is almost of marriageable age, so naturally she has to be placed here with us." Cui Niang said with an expression that said, "You don't understand the situation."
Lanqin had a different thought in mind, but she was still a little worried and said, "Cui Niang, go and arrange the Second Princess's accommodations. Also, make sure to properly organize the people that the head nanny sent to serve her. Nianxue, go to my jewelry box later and pick out two pieces that are suitable for young girls to wear, pieces that I haven't used before."
Damn, I'm only seventeen, and I'm already going to be a stepmother!
"Master, are you planning to give this to the Second Princess?" Nianxue asked.
"Well, she just arrived and doesn't know my personality yet, so she might be shy. It's always good to bring her something," Lanqin said.
Cui Niang instructed Nianxue and Xicha to stay with Lanqin and not let her get out of bed before going to the Second Princess's place. She was currently in Lanqin's study with her two personal maids who had served her since childhood.
In the study.
"Princess, are you thirsty? Shall I go out and fetch you some water?" Jiu'er, the personal maid, said to Elinzhu.
"Forget it, this isn't my place. The concubine is currently in confinement after childbirth, so it's best not to disturb her." The Second Princess's trembling eyelashes resembled a butterfly fluttering in the air, reflecting her delicate appearance. Erlinzhu is now almost twelve years old, and she looks quite like Li Shi, already possessing considerable beauty.
“Princess, please don’t deprive yourself. It’s no big deal to drink some water,” said another maid, Danfeng.
Just then, they suddenly heard footsteps approaching, and then the red door carved with the Three Friends of Winter (pine, bamboo, and plum) opened. A woman wearing a lake-blue jacket and a pale white cheongsam entered; it was Cui Niang. Behind her followed Si Hua. It was strange that Lan Qin hadn't brought any servants during her two previous visits to the palace. As a secondary consort, according to the rules, she should have had eight maids, four maidservants, and two errand boys to serve her. However, she had only ever used Cui Niang, four maids, and one errand boy. The two maidservants only came after she gave birth to Bie Chu Ke. Therefore, at this moment, the Second Princess was without servants.
"This servant greets the Second Princess!" Seeing the Second Princess sitting in the guest seat with two maids standing to the side, Cui Niang stepped forward and greeted her from a distance of about two meters.
“Aunt, please get up. Erlinzhu is new to the South Courtyard and knows nothing. She will have to rely on your guidance.” Erlinzhu stood up from her chair and said.
“Your Highness is too kind to me. Your Highness, our Consort has already instructed me that you will be staying at Lanyue Residence from now on. It’s a small courtyard behind our mistress’s house, separated from here by a fish-viewing pond. It’s a quiet place, very suitable for Your Highness,” said Cui Niang.
"Thank you for your concern, Consort. I'll go with you then, Aunt." The Second Princess stood up and asked, "Jiu'er, where are those bundles?"
"Your Highness, please put them all at the gatehouse," Jiu'er said quickly.
"It's alright, Princess, go over there first. I'll instruct Chen Shou to move all your things over there in a bit," said Cui Niang.
After saying this, the Second Princess followed Cui Niang and Si Hua to the Moon-Gazing Pavilion. The pavilion was called the "Moon-Gazing Pavilion" because when the moon was full, its reflection was cast on the small pond, which was only a few acres in size. By pushing open the door of the waterside house of the Moon-Gazing Pavilion, one could see a sky full of stars and a huge full moon.
The group walked along the path on the east side, a garden path lined with various flowering trees and banana plants. In addition to the path, there was a waterside veranda connecting Lanqin's main house to Lanyue Residence.
As Cui Niang walked along, she made introductions. The Second Princess listened and asked, "I see this place is all very clean and tidy. How can the Consort manage with only four maids and two servants?"
Cui Niang said, "This place is cleaned regularly by the head nanny who sends servants over. Si Hua and Lan Qi keep an eye on it on weekdays."
The Second Princess nodded as if she understood, "Since the Consort dislikes crowds so much, Elinzhu has caused trouble."
"Your Highness is overthinking it. The Consort is straightforward and kind-hearted. Second Princess, you can spend more time playing with Ushiha and Bechuk. The Consort will definitely like it," Cui Niang comforted her, but in her heart she thought: This Second Princess is very sensitive and seems a bit too sensitive.
Without further ado, after Cui Niang settled the Second Princess at Lan Yue Residence, she returned to report to Lan Qin.
"How is it, Second Princess? Are you satisfied with your place?" Lanqin was teasing Bechuk, who was just a few days old and was being held in her arms like a little vase.
"The Second Princess is a good person, just a bit sensitive. But she's very perceptive," said Cui Niang.
Lanqin was making a face at Bechuk when she heard this and said, "Second Princess is already a grown woman and will be getting married in two years. Don't feel wronged. The servants have all left, so just go ahead and furnish the house with whatever you need. I don't want to be known for mistreating my daughter."
Cui Niang smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lady. I've already given the instructions. The head nanny has sent over two maids and two servants. The head nanny will pay the wages for those maids and servants anyway. You don't really need to worry about it. The Second Princess's meals are all separate."
Lanqin listened and said to Nianxue beside her, "You should deliver the things I gave to the Second Princess later, and tell her not to be shy and to settle in properly."
As Lanqin spoke, she had the wet nurse take Biechuk away, as she needed to rest.
Seeing that Lanqin didn't say anything, Cui Niang and the others quietly withdrew.
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