The 28th day of the seventh lunar month in the 43rd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign was the day of the Fourth Prince's birthday. After a month of preparations by his wife, although there were extra banquets to prepare and the most famous opera troupe in the capital had to be invited, there was no major shortage of time. With Yan Yu's help, everything was ready for the day.
The Fourth Prince arrived at the main courtyard early in the morning to discuss the arrangements for his birthday with his wife. After Chunliu served him a cup of Da Hong Pao tea, the wife picked up the banquet list and arrangement notes that she and Yanyu had compiled together and read them aloud to him. Yanyu stood by, helping the wife check and fill in any gaps.
"My lord, what I just read aloud is today's menu. Do you see anything amiss?" the Fujin asked after reading the dishes on the table. In fact, she knew these dishes very well; they were all prepared according to the established rules for a prince of that rank, and there would be no mistakes, no deviations from the rules, and no deviations from the proper etiquette.
Fourth Prince took a sip of his Da Hong Pao tea and said, "I've always been very satisfied with how my wife handles things. But I hope the servants are all ready today, so that nothing goes wrong."
The lady-in-law closed the menu and handed it to Yan Yu before replying, "Two tables will be set up in the front courtyard, with servants assigned by the head matron. There will also be two tables in the back courtyard, in case the ladies-in-waiting from the various households come. The gentlemen can drink in the front, while the ladies-in-waiting can dine in the main courtyard. Afterwards, they can go to Xiaoyin Pavilion to watch the opera. I have already assigned servants from the various ladies-in-waiting to serve here, so please rest assured, there won't be any problems."
"Hmm, that's a good idea. Temporarily transfer the maids and nannies from each courtyard to help. Also, besides Yan Yu, if the Fujin decides she can't handle it all, she can ask Canlian, Ruyi, and the others to help her." Although the Fourth Prince wasn't usually as fond of festivities as the Ninth Prince, who liked large banquets every three days and small banquets every five days, he didn't want to give anyone something to talk about since he had already started.
"This idea came from Yan Yu. With her help, I don't feel busy at all, so there's no need to trouble Sister Li and the others." The Fujin subtly rejected the Fourth Prince's suggestion.
"Oh, Yu'er is really thoughtful. In that case, Princess Consort, please be careful. If you are really tired, just leave it to Yu'er to do." The Fourth Prince gave Yan Yu an appreciative look.
As for what the Fujin just said about transferring maids from various gardens to help in the main courtyard, people from all over are now arriving one after another. Huanbi was transferred from Lanqin's residence, Xiangqiao from Li's residence, Hongqian from Wu's residence, Cuier from Geng's residence, Qingping from Song's residence, Hongying from Wang's residence, and naturally, Zhuier from Yanyu's residence is also receiving instruction in Li Mama's room.
"Ladies, although you are not from the main courtyard, you must perform your duties well and not make any mistakes. Otherwise, it won't just be the Fujin who loses face, but all of you masters, understand?" Granny Li's stern gaze swept over everyone, chilling them like the glint of a knife. In truth, she was less of a lecture and more of a warning.
Whether the mistresses of these maids were on good terms with or hostile to the Fujin (Prince Consort), they were ultimately not her people. If any of them harbored malicious intentions, they would pose a threat to the birthday banquet hosted by the Fujin. Now, in order to win back the Fourth Prince's favor, the Fujin had already brought her younger sister into the household. This was the perfect opportunity to gradually regain the Fourth Prince's goodwill, and she could not afford to make any mistakes. Originally, the Fujin did not want to bring in Li's people, but Granny Li advised her: If she deliberately refused to let Li's people help, it would clearly show that she did not trust Li. If the Fourth Prince found out, he would inevitably have the impression that the Fujin was narrow-minded.
"Yes!" As the maids responded one by one, Granny Li finally snapped out of her reverie.
"Xiahe, take them down and assign them their responsibilities for today, then report back to me later," said Granny Li to Xiahe. The latter waved to the standing group, and they filed out from Granny Li's side one by one.
The wife has four personal maids, four second-class maids in the main courtyard, and seven maids who were just transferred from other courtyards. A total of fifteen people should be able to handle serving the two banquets in the main courtyard.
After the Fujin finished discussing the day's arrangements with the Fourth Prince, she let Chunliu change her clothes. Although it wasn't her birthday today, she was still the Fourth Prince's primary Fujin, and the necessary pomp and grandeur couldn't be lacking.
Seeing that the Fujin was about to do her hair, Yan Yu said to the Fourth Prince, "Your Highness, there are no guests yet. Why don't you rest in my room for a while? When the guests arrive, you will have to greet them with the Fujin. I'm afraid you will be very tired today."
The Fourth Prince had gotten up quite early today because he was worried about his birthday, and he was indeed a bit out of sorts. Hearing what Yan Yu said, he nodded and said to his wife, "You get dressed first, I'll go to Yu'er's room to rest for a while."
The princess was combing her hair when she heard a gentle reply: "Yu'er, serve your master well!"
After the Fourth Prince and Yan Yu left, Chun Liu couldn't help but say, "Couldn't the Prince rest here with his wife for a while? Princess Yan Yu really knows how to seize any opportunity!"
"How dare you gossip about my sister!" The princess not only wasn't happy, but instead scolded Chunliu.
"This servant wouldn't dare! This servant is just a little worried about the Fujin!" Chunliu saw that Ulanara's face in the bronze mirror was now as cold as ice, and there was no trace of her gentle and dignified appearance just now. She knew that she was not angry about what she had said earlier, but had long been dissatisfied with Yan Yu's little tricks.
"Remember, you must also remind Yan Yu on my behalf not to harbor any resentment towards her, understand?" the princess sighed.
"I remember, Madam. I will make sure you look elegant and graceful today!" Chunliu said carefully.
"No matter how much they dress up, they can't compare to those young women in their late teens, like flowers in early spring, naturally beautiful and fresh without any adornment. However, I am the Fourth Prince's principal wife, and no one can surpass me!" After saying this, a ruthless glint flashed in Ulanara's eyes.
“The eldest prince is the master’s legitimate son and will surely become the heir apparent in the future. There is no need for the princess to worry. I believe that you are the one who will stay by the fourth prince’s side until the end.” Chunliu had long regarded the princess as her lifelong support. She was already past the age of marriage and planned to stay by the princess’s side for the rest of her life.
"What are the arrangements for the First Prince today?" The fierce look in the Princess Consort's eyes gradually faded as she thought of her son, and she asked in a slightly gentler tone.
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