Qian Shengyan was also extremely surprised. She deliberately didn't order anything, and carefully looked at her lunch and dinner, then fell silent.
Honestly, this... the portion of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Eight Treasure Duck for lunch, and beef and mutton hot pot and stir-fried shrimp for dinner, is really not something a little princess like her should have.
But she only realized it today...
That night, Yuan Shou was fast asleep when he was brought back, but Qian Shengyan had no heart to care about her son whom she hadn't seen all day. She watched Yuan Shou go back to his room, but her hand was still holding onto Yinzhen's cloak and she wouldn't let go.
Yinzhen originally wanted to go back to the front courtyard to rest, as he had things to do early the next morning and needed to get up very early, but seeing Qian Shengyan's rare enthusiasm, he decided to stay.
After they finished washing up, they sat on the bed. Qian Shengyan looked at him several times, seemingly wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.
Should we say thank you?
But so much time has passed, and she's only saying this now... doesn't that make her seem even more slow-witted?
Or... just gloss over it and pretend we didn't find anything?
But then she felt a little guilty.
To everyone's surprise, it was Yinzhen who spoke first. He said, "I haven't thanked you yet. Those methods were indeed effective. The Fifth Prince has gained a little weight and is spitting up less milk."
"Ah? Well, that's good then." Before Qian Shengyan could process what was happening, Yinzhen continued, "But I can't openly praise you. I'll just say that those were methods given by the Imperial Hospital... I'm sorry to have to put you through that."
"I'm not aggrieved, I'm not aggrieved at all, this is perfect!" Qian Shengyan then realized that it was about the old woman she had fabricated a while ago. She was a little embarrassed. "Those were just things I heard. It would be best if they were useful."
"I know what's in your heart." Yinzhen breathed a sigh of relief, took her hand, and asked again, "What do you want?"
And then they asked that question again.
Qian Shengyan frowned: "I really don't want anything... Yuan Shou is very good, and the master treats me very well. I am very satisfied."
Upon hearing this, Yinzhen simply chuckled. Of course, he knew she was content. It was because of this contentment that Yinzhen felt relaxed every time he came to Dongyou Courtyard, as if all the pressure had disappeared. Being with her, with this little courtyard, and with Yuanshou, was enough.
"This servant...this servant only learned something today..." Qian Shengyan tugged at his clothes, speaking slowly, "This morning when the meal was served, this servant didn't know my portion, so I asked Green Willow to inquire..."
"Oh?" Yinzhen couldn't help but chuckle. "You finally remembered to ask."
Qian Shengyan: OO
"You really have a big heart." Yinzhen chuckled and put his arm around her. "Never mind, it's not a bad thing. I'll protect you."
Qian Shengyan: ...
What's wrong with that jerk?!
How come you're so good at flirting!
The next day, Qian Shengyan, who was still smiling foolishly, was dealt a blow by a piece of news from Qingxue.
"The Princess Consort said that there are too few people in the Prince's mansion now, and not many new people have come in in recent years. The offspring are not very numerous either. So she asked the Empress to reserve two candidates for the Prince in the next selection." Qingxue pursed her lips, somewhat reluctant to tell Qian Shengyan, but felt that it was better to make arrangements as soon as possible. "If the Princess can become pregnant again, then we will not be afraid of how many new people come."
Qian Shengyan: ...
The emotions of last night have faded, and Qian Shengyan has calmed down again today.
It's quite nice. If this news hadn't suddenly come along, she almost would have been tempted.
She patted her head and shook her head: "Getting pregnant isn't something I can just decide to do."
"The prince dotes on the princess, and the princess should also pay attention to it." Qingxue was naturally happy to see that she had come to her senses, and couldn't wait to teach her when to receive the prince's favor and how to get pregnant more easily. Qian Shengyan listened in a daze and couldn't help but admire her. No wonder Consort De was able to give birth to children one after another. Look at how knowledgeable the palace maids in the palace were.
But... Qian Shengyan still doesn't want to have a child.
It hurts so much, and raising a child is so exhausting.
She pondered for a moment, then sighed, "Let's wait and see what Master Yuan Shou says."
"Well... that's fine too." Qingxue smiled. "Let's just let things take their course."
Anyway, the prince comes to Dongyou Courtyard a lot. Even if he stays for the general election next year, it would be good if he could get in before the end of next year. By then, Yuanshou will be almost two years old, and Qian Shengyan will be able to get pregnant again.
Once she regained her senses, Qian Shengyan asked about the trip to the palace. She learned that Hongshi and Yuanshou had each traveled in their own carriage, and that the Fujin (Prince Consort) had also gone alone. Upon arriving at Yonghe Palace, Consort De was naturally pleased to see Yuanshou, showering him with gifts and praising him. She then dismissed the princes and princesses and sent them to play in the side rooms.
"I also took the opportunity to see a few old friends and we chatted about some things," Qingxue said in a low voice. "The palace has been unsettled lately, and the ladies are all a bit... anxious."
Qian Shengyan naturally knew that at this point, few people in the palace could sit still.
"It seems... that Consort Rong is trying to do something. I overheard a bit, but I don't know the details," Qingxue said softly.
Qian Shengyan frowned. Consort Rong, Prince Cheng?
Oh, it's almost November, the anniversary of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's death. Does Prince Cheng want to gain a reputation for filial piety by going to the Zan'an Fengdian to pay his respects?
Qian Shengyan blinked, not wanting to concern herself with these matters. She knew history, and the time had come to this point; it was too late to do anything now. She believed that Yinzhen already had his own plans.
Besides, wasn't the third prince, Prince Cheng, focused solely on compiling books and had no ambition to vie for the throne?
The struggle for the throne among the nine princes has now reached its most troublesome point, which should be Yinzhen's younger brother from the same mother, the Fourteenth Prince Yinzhen.
Sure enough, Qingxue added, "This servant is watching closely. It seems that the Fujin and the Fourteenth Fujin are not on good terms, and the Fourteenth Fujin does not show much respect to the Fujin."
Qian Shengyan sighed softly, knowing that Qingxue was telling her this as a reminder, so that she wouldn't be completely unaware if something happened to Yinzhen outside. She patted Qingxue's hand: "Okay, I understand. Let's not talk about this anymore, let's go see Yuanshou."
After the Golden Festival, it was late October, and the weather was getting colder. The main courtyard distributed a lot of furs for everyone to make their own clothes. Qian Shengyan counted them and, sure enough, Yuan Shou had much more furs than she did.
It didn't matter, since Yinzhen had already secretly given her a lot of fabric and leather. These things were not easy to store, so Qian Shengyan simply made more than a dozen new winter clothes for herself and Yuanshou, also to prepare for the New Year.
On this day in early November, Qian Shengyan was greeted by Yinzhen, who had a dark expression on his face.
Seeing that he threw down the curtain and went straight to the inner hall, Qian Shengyan asked Su Peisheng with her eyes. Su Peisheng made a face and secretly mouthed the word "three".
Three? Prince Cheng?
Qian Shengyan calculated the time and vaguely guessed what it was about. She couldn't help but laugh. He was over thirty years old, and he was still angry because his elderly father took his brother but not her when he went out to pay respects to their grandmother. Yinzhen was really something…
Qingxue brought over the tea, but instead of serving it to Qian Shengyan, she placed it in her hand.
Qian Shengyan glared at her slightly, but helplessly, after hesitating for a moment, she still carried the tea and lifted the curtain to go into the room to see Yinzhen.
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