"This humble servant greets Consort, may Consort be blessed."
Although Li Jingshu was weak and unable to get out of bed, she still had to observe proper etiquette.
"Please, my two sisters, don't stand on ceremony, have a seat."
"Thank you, Consort Xie. Consort Xie, Wanru and I both know about the princess. The servants said you fainted several times, so we came to check on you."
"This child has a hard life."
The thought of her child dying before her filled Li Jingshu with unbearable grief. She felt it was God's punishment for all the sins she had committed.
“I know I have committed many sins, but Heaven cannot punish all of them on my daughter. She was sensible from a young age, and was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She was deeply loved by the prince. At the age of 17, she was made a princess by the emperor. But who would have thought that this child would be so foolish.”
Now that Geng Youran and Niohuru Wanru are mothers themselves, they can understand this pain.
“Consort, even for the sake of your daughter, you must pull yourself together. If you torture yourself like this, the princess and the prince will worry.”
Before coming here, Li Jingshu's maid went to see Geng Youran and said that Li Jingshu hardly ate anything, couldn't take her medicine, and was often drowsy.
Geng Youran then prepared some food in the small kitchen and led Wanru over.
“I have only had four children in my life. Two of my sons died young, leaving me with one son and one daughter. Now my daughter has left me too soon. How can I accept this?”
After saying that, Li Jingshu lay on the bed and burst into tears.
Seeing this, Geng Youran had no choice but to have all the servants leave first, and then she and Wanru went forward to comfort them.
Li Jingshu hadn't eaten much for several days and was in poor spirits. She cried herself to sleep.
Geng Youran and Wanru quietly withdrew, their faces full of worry.
"Sister, if the concubine continues like this, it may harm her health."
"Ah, who can argue with that? It seems we can only discuss it with the Prince and see if Prince Hongshi can move back for a few days. Perhaps with Hongshi by her side, the concubine can recover faster."
Geng Youran's idea was spot on.
That evening, when Yinzhen came over for dinner, Geng Youran brought up the matter of visiting Li Jingshu that day.
"Your Highness, today my sister Wanru and I visited Consort Li. She looks very unwell and has lost a lot of weight."
Yinzhen sighed:
"Sigh, she's always loved children, and Huai Ke is her eldest daughter, so she's naturally very upset right now. If you have time, go and spend more time with her,"
"Your Highness, no matter how much we try to comfort her, she is ultimately an outsider, and the concubine is unlikely to listen."
"Just say what you have in mind."
Yinzhen put down his chopsticks, rubbed his forehead, and said he had been too tired lately.
“I was thinking, should we let Prince Hongshi come back and stay for a few days? With the prince by her side to comfort her, perhaps the concubine will recover faster.”
Yinzhen thought about it for a while, thought it was a good idea, and agreed.
Hongli and Hongzhou also returned with Hongshi.
“Since you’re coming back, why don’t you come back together? The New Year is almost here, and with the children around, the house will be more lively.”
Geng Youran hesitated for a moment:
"Your Majesty, isn't this inappropriate? The Emperor is currently unwell, and the children should be by his side to fulfill their filial duties."
The two of them, without anyone noticing, sat down by the bedside:
"I know you are filial. Don't worry, everything will be fine. Father has decided today that he will stay at Changchun Garden for a while after the New Year. I will have a tutor come to the manor to teach the children."
Geng Youran was finally relieved.
After a good night's sleep, Yinzhen went to court early the next morning, and before leaving, he specifically instructed Qianxue not to disturb Geng Youran.
Only then was Geng Youran able to sleep until she naturally woke up.
I stretched my arms out; the temperature next to me was already ice-cold.
"Qianxue!"
She raised her voice and called Qianxue in to serve her.
"Princess, you're finally awake."
"What time is it?"
While helping Geng Youran get dressed, Qianxue replied:
"Reporting to Your Highness, it is already 9 AM."
Geng Youran turned around in surprise to look at Qianxue:
"I slept until 9 AM? Why didn't you come in and wake me?"
"Princess, the Prince specifically instructed me before he left that I should not disturb your rest."
Only then was Geng Youran relieved:
"That's good. Then we probably won't need to go to the Princess's place."
Qianxue nodded, and after removing the washbasin, she had several desserts served.
"Qianxue, how's the plum blossom collection going, which I asked you to collect a few days ago?"
"Don't worry, Princess. This servant and a few maids picked quite a lot in the back garden."
Geng Youran nodded:
“Last night, the prince said he would arrange for the young princes to return to their residence. I was thinking of making some extra snacks for the little ones.”
"Your Highness, Prince Hongzhou is coming back. I'm sure you'll be very happy."
"When that brat comes back, I might be exhausted."
Despite saying that, Qianxue still saw a smile on Geng Youran's face.
That's how masters are; the more they care, the more they complain.
"Let's go to the small kitchen."
The two entered the small kitchen, where Geng Youran saw several baskets of plum blossoms and nodded.
“Well done. Go and get some frost plum blossoms. Let’s make the ‘honey-preserved plum blossoms’ first, and while we’re at it, have Xiao Anzi bring the snow water we collected in advance.”
"yes."
Qianxue went to fetch Shuangmei, while Xiao Anzi huffed and puffed as he carried the vat filled with snow water over.
After bringing the plum blossoms, Geng Youran and Qianxue removed the pits and kept the flesh. Then they took a basin, soaked the plum flesh in snow water, and after it swelled slightly, they took it out and drained it.
Place the soaked white plum flesh and plum blossoms into a container, add a small amount of wine, and let it ferment.
Place the container in an open outdoor area, ready to let it ferment overnight.
"Princess, is this alright?"
Geng Youran stopped what she was doing and looked back:
"Okay, have Xiao Anzi take the jar outside and find a shady spot. We'll add more honey at this time tomorrow."
"yes."
Afterwards, Geng Youran made some plum blossom cakes and plum blossom soup dumplings with plum blossoms, which are foods she makes almost every winter.
Geng Youran and Qianxue were busy in the small kitchen when they suddenly heard someone calling them from the doorway.
"Mother! Mother!"
Qianxue exclaimed in surprise:
"Princess, it's the young prince! The young prince is back!"
Geng Youran wiped her hands casually and ran out, just in time to see Hong Zhou running into the courtyard from the gate.
"mother!"
"Hongzhou!"
The mother and son hadn't seen each other for several months, and it seemed that Hongzhou had grown taller again.
"Your son greets his mother!"
"Quickly, get up!"
Geng Youran wanted to take Hongzhou's hand and go into the house, but she still had flour in her hand, so she put her hand down.
Hongzhou, on the other hand, seemed unconcerned about these things and took his mother's hand as they entered the house.
"Son, let go first, I still have noodles in my hands."
"Someone, bring water."
"Yes, sir."
Since Hongzhou had arrived, Geng Youran entrusted the remaining pastries to Qianxue to prepare.
"Hongzhou, why are you back at this time?"
"Mother doesn't know?"
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