"Ali, are you feeling uncomfortable today?"
In the season of lush grass and flying orioles, in the main courtyard of Prince Jingnan's Mansion, Chen Li was sitting in the yard basking in the sun, surrounded by several maids serving her.
The small couch on the side was filled with snacks and fruits, both of which were of excellent quality and taste.
Pei Yu had just returned home and strode in wearing a prince's dragon robe.
Chen Li was pregnant for the first time and did not have as severe morning sickness as other pregnant women, but Pei Yu still took time to be with her often, and even moved his official business to the courtyard where they lived.
The Shen family became frequent visitors to the Jingnan Palace.
However, Pei Yu had already ordered people to clean up several courtyards in the Jingnan Palace for the Shen family to live in, so it did not seem out of place.
Pei Yu sat down beside Chen Li, reached out and stroked her slightly bulging belly, his expression reserved and gentle.
Chen Li looked at him with a smile in her eyes, "No, he is very well behaved."
When the maids saw the prince coming back, they stepped aside.
"Why did you come back so early today?"
Pei Yu held her hand and sighed softly, "Ali, His Majesty ordered me to go to Qingzhou to suppress bandits. I will be gone for several months at least..."
Chen Li was not surprised that the task of suppressing bandits was given to Pei Yu. She had heard about the bandit problem in Qingzhou, which was quite rampant.
But, isn’t it a bit of a waste of talent to let Pei Yu go?
Understanding the confusion in her eyes, Pei Yu began to explain, "The head of the Qinglong Gang in Qingzhou has a rather unsettling background, connected to the gentry of Qingzhou. Your Majesty is worried that other people won't be able to control the situation."
Chen Li nodded, and now she understood the emperor's intention.
"Ayu, go ahead. I'll wait for you at home."
Pei Yu gently put his arm around her waist and pulled her into his arms. "A-Li, don't worry. I've already told His Majesty that from now on, I won't be leaving the house until you give birth."
The corners of Chen Li's mouth rose slightly. She was very satisfied with Pei Yu's self-awareness, but she said:
"Ayu, as your wife, I naturally have to understand you."
Pei Yu probably didn't know what she was thinking, so he changed the subject. "A-Li, while I'm away, I'll let my parents-in-law come live in the mansion. If you want to go back to your parents' home, I'll take you back tomorrow."
"No."
Although she did not have morning sickness after becoming pregnant, she became a little lazy and did not want to walk around much.
"good."
Three days later, Pei Yu led his soldiers to suppress the bandits. If they were just going there to suppress the bandits, they might be back in a month, but it would take at least three months.
Lin Cuicui and Shen Changshan simply lived in the Jingnan Palace. Xu Taohua also moved in with her two sons. Shen Jingyuan followed Pei Yu to suppress the bandits.
The family lived their life behind closed doors and did not accept any invitations that came in like a flood from outside.
She is pregnant now and is lazy to begin with, so why would she want to watch other people's fun?
However, the imperial concubine's post was a surprise.
"Princess, the Imperial Concubine has sent an invitation to the flower viewing banquet."
"Um?"
She took it with her bare hands and asked, "The imperial concubine is holding a flower viewing banquet at this time?"
It's no wonder Chen Li was confused. It's already late spring and early summer, the weather is a bit hot, and the flowering season is almost over. What's the point of holding a flower viewing banquet now?
Three days later.
"Send someone to tell them that I will be attending the banquet in three days."
"Yes, Princess."
Three days later, Chen Li, dressed in a noble princess's attire, boarded a carriage with Lin Cuicui and headed for the palace.
She is now just over three months pregnant. Her belly is slightly protruding, but her waist is still slender. Because of her pregnancy, her temperament has become much gentler.
She didn't like complicated hair accessories, so she only wore a few simple hairpins, but it didn't make people look down on her.
"Princess Jingnan, please come this way."
The carriage stopped at the palace gate, where a young eunuch was already waiting.
They were sent by Imperial Concubine Bai Shuyi, and two sedan chairs were prepared.
"Thank you very much."
There were some noble ladies queuing up at the palace gate to enter the palace. Seeing the treatment that Princess Jingnan received, they were all a little envious.
It is said that for a woman, getting married is like being reborn a second time. Princess Hui'an is really lucky!
"Greetings, Madam Noble Consort."
Chen Li had privileges and did not perform the ceremony, so Bai Shuyi did not mind.
"Princess Jingnan, come this way. Old Madam, please take a seat too. You are welcome."
Lin Cuicui was still a little nervous, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Chen Li hadn't been to the palace for a long time. As soon as she saw Bai Shuyi, she noticed a hint of fatigue on her face. After a closer look, she found that her eyebrows raised slightly and a gleam of light flashed in her eyes.
"Isn't Your Majesty holding a flower viewing banquet today?"
Bai Shuyi was holding a round fan in her hand, waving it intermittently. Upon hearing this, her eyes curved slightly.
"Yes, many young ladies and gentlemen from aristocratic families have been invited, and the Imperial Garden is bustling with activity right now."
Shen Li raised her eyebrows slightly, understanding her hidden meaning, "When did the queen become so happy?"
All the young men and women from all walks of life have been invited, and it is obviously a large-scale blind date party.
Bai Shuyi put down the round fan in her hand and picked up the cheese next to her. There were some dried fruits on it and a few osmanthus flowers sprinkled on it. It looked very delicious.
"I don't want to get involved in these matters. This is His Majesty's wish. This cheese is good. Princess and Old Madam, please try it."
Hearing this, Chen Li was not very interested, but Lin Cuicui became interested.
The third brother is still worried now!
However, this idea of his was just a passing thought. The girls who could come to the flower viewing banquet were all ladies from wealthy families.
The third brother is out of his league!
The three of them chatted for a while in the imperial concubine's palace before heading towards the imperial garden.
There is an open space in the center of the Imperial Garden, with rockery, flowing water, pavilions and towers. Even before you get close, you can hear sounds coming from afar.
There are sounds of stringed instruments and the voices of young men and women chatting and laughing.
"The Imperial Concubine has arrived."
"Greetings, Madam Noble Consort."
The imperial concubine had a gentle smile on her face, "Dear relatives."
Chen Li didn't like this kind of scene very much. After saying a few polite words to the ladies who gathered around her, she found a place to sit down.
Lin Cuicui, on the other hand, seemed to be quite popular and was chatting animatedly with the ladies around her.
A quarter of an hour later, the banquet began. Chen Li sat below the imperial concubine and watched her begin the familiar call process.
Next, the young ladies from each family showed off their talents, including writing, painting, playing the piano, and playing chess. Many rich young men also competed with the girls in throwing pots, and the scene was very lively for a while.
The imperial concubine had already sat down with Chen Li in the pavilion above the rockery. Looking at the lively scene below, the imperial concubine couldn't help but sigh.
"I really don't want to move anymore when I get older."
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