"You don't need to bring so many clothes."
“Princess, you don’t know this. Ever since you said you wanted to go on the Prince’s eastern tour, I’ve been asking around. In previous years, the Emperor would go to Jilin on his eastern tour. Even though the weather here is relatively warm now, the journey takes so long that we might not arrive until November. Jilin is quite cold then.”
At this point, Qianxue suddenly remembered that the prince had given her princess a few years ago, so she took them out of the box as well.
"Princess, I'll use these next few days to make a cloak for you and the young prince each. That should be enough."
Geng Youran didn't know what to say, so she could only nod and let Qianxue handle it.
That afternoon, Qianxue was cutting leather in the room, and Geng Youran was practicing calligraphy when Xiao Anzi suddenly came in to announce that Princess Niohuru had arrived.
"Please come in quickly. Qianxue, make some tea."
"I hope my sister is well."
"What brings my sister here today?"
“I heard that my sister is going on an eastern tour with the prince, so I made some gloves and some ointment. It’s cold there, so I don’t want my hands to get frostbite.”
Geng Youran was moved once again.
"You're so thoughtful. By the way, I heard that Hongli will be going with us this time. Is there anything you want me to bring for him? I'll bring it along too."
Wanru blushed slightly.
"Actually, there are some things that I would like to trouble you to give to Hongli."
Geng Youran laughed heartily:
“Wanru, you don’t need to feel embarrassed. Over the years, Hongzhou has worn many of the little clothes and shoes you made for him. Whenever Hongli has something nice, you always think of bringing some for Hongzhou as well. I remember this kindness.”
Wanru smiled gently:
"It's nothing valuable. The Prince gave me some fabric a while ago, so I made a few clothes for Hongli and Hongzhou. And this bottle of ointment is for Hongzhou."
Geng Youran has a very keen sense of smell and immediately recognized that the ointment was for relieving sprains and bruises.
“You’ve prepared so many things for me and the children, so I have something to give you too.”
Wanru quickly waved her hand in refusal:
"How could I possibly accept my sister's things?"
Geng Youran got up and took a box from her study:
"The jade pendant inside was a gift from the Emperor when I was still in the palace. Although it was just something to play with, it was still considered an imperial gift. From now on, Your Highness, myself, and the two children will all be traveling with the Emperor's entourage. During the time you are away from the manor, some people may make things difficult for you. Keep this with you in case you need it."
“No. Not to mention that this is a gift from His Majesty, this jade pendant has been with my sister for so many years, I cannot accept it.”
"Listen to me, keep it safe. Right now, Nian Gengyao is highly favored, and you've seen what Consort Nian is like. You need to be on guard. Also, you probably already know about Yunhui's matter. She might do something crazy. If anything happens, talk to Consort Li. For Hongli's sake, you also need to protect yourself."
Geng Youran spoke from the heart. Yunhui had passed away, and Luyin had committed suicide with the young prince, but the unease in her heart had never subsided.
She had a feeling that something was about to happen. But she wasn't sure who it would happen to.
Now that the Emperor is about to make an eastern tour, Wanru has no powerful backing. If anyone takes their anger out on her because of Hongli, she will be left isolated and helpless.
Thinking of this, Geng Youran couldn't help but feel exhausted. The once magnificent Prince Yong's Mansion had been turned into a chaotic mess by power and status.
"Don't worry, sister, I know what I'm doing."
After seeing Wanru off, Geng Youran felt a little heavy-hearted, so she called Qianxue and Xiao Anzi to the small kitchen to prepare something to eat to change her mood.
Sweets can always make you feel happy.
"Qianxue, boil the chestnuts until they are cooked, then peel them all with Xiao Anzi and mash them."
"Yes, Princess."
Geng Youran was mixing the batter on the side.
First, in a large bowl, add an appropriate amount of glutinous rice flour, white sugar, and a small amount of pre-made osmanthus sugar. Then gradually add water while stirring until a smooth batter is formed.
Next, add the crushed chestnuts to the batter and continue stirring until well combined.
Add enough water to the steamer and bring it to a boil.
Prepare a steamer or steaming tray and brush a thin layer of oil on its surface to prevent sticking.
Pour the batter into the steamer and gently shake it to level it. Place the steamer in the steamer pot, cover it, and steam over high heat for half an hour, or until cooked through.
After the pastries were steamed, Geng Youran arranged them on a plate and then gently sprinkled some osmanthus sugar on top. Qianxue, meanwhile, carried the brewed tea and followed her mistress back to her room.
After entering the room, Geng Youran was eating some snacks when Qianxue suddenly asked a question:
"Princess, you've been in this manor for so long, have you ever had any regrets?"
Why did you suddenly think of asking this question?
"It's nothing, it's just that I've been with you for so many years, and it seems like I've never seen you truly happy."
Geng Youran chuckled.
"What nonsense are you talking about, girl? I'm very happy right now."
"But Princess, I always feel that you have a sense of helplessness about you."
Upon hearing this, Geng Youran paused for a moment while holding the teacup, but quickly resumed her original position.
"You're quite observant."
Then Geng Youran picked up the snacks and continued eating:
"The so-called 'having no choice' is actually just being unable to control one's own destiny. Before I entered the palace, I thought it would be nothing more than serving the masters and empresses in the palace for a few years, and then leaving the palace to get married and live a peaceful life. I never expected that I would enter here in a sedan chair and never leave again."
Geng Youran stood up, walked to the door, looked at some early-blooming chrysanthemums in the courtyard, and continued:
"The prince once said that with my skills, I could open a restaurant in the countryside and make a good living. But I know that's impossible. But even when I'm clear-headed, I still have moments of longing. People are always greedy."
Standing behind Geng Youran, Qianxue seemed to suddenly understand why the prince liked her princess so much.
It wasn't just because their own princess wasn't competitive, but more because the princess was special.
This uniqueness made him stand out from the others in the mansion. It was precisely this sense of incongruity that kept the prince on his mind.
"Princess, you still have servants."
At this point, Geng Youran turned around:
"Qianxue, why don't you think about it again? You're still young, and maybe you'll meet someone you love in the future."
Geng Youran always felt that it was a real pity that such a good girl like Qianxue spent her youth by his side.
“Princess, didn’t we talk about this a few years ago? I won’t marry, I’ll stay with you.”
"Wait a minute, it won't just be you, there will be servants too."
When Xiao Anzi returned from picking osmanthus flowers, he happened to overhear Qianxue talking to her master and immediately came up to pledge his loyalty.
"You're everywhere."
Watching Qianxue and Xiao Anzi bickering, Geng Youran didn't feel so lonely anymore.
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