Xinyi and Geng Youran looked at each other, not expecting that the Fourth Prince would be so wary of them.
Xiao Anzi, fearing that Geng Youran might misunderstand, quickly explained:
"Princess, please don't overthink it. I'm an orphan. Grandpa Gao took me in because he felt sorry for me."
Geng Youran waved his hand.
"It's alright. Although you serve me, ultimately we all serve Fourth Master. From now on, we'll just do what we always have to do."
Although she felt a little awkward when she first found out, Geng Youran quickly figured it out.
She is now a concubine in the Fourth Prince's mansion. She can still make a living while she is young, but who knows what the future holds?
Now that she is pregnant again, if she were to give herself away one day and the others in the backyard found out, it would probably cause trouble again.
During the Lunar New Year, a time for family reunions, Geng Youran suddenly remembered the dumplings she ate in her previous life.
Before coming to ancient times, she was a true northern girl who loved noodles, especially dumplings and steamed buns.
But after arriving here, all she could cook were desserts and soups. Occasionally, when the Fourth Prince came, she would cook a few dishes, but the number of times she could cook was limited.
The reason is etiquette.
After all, she's a princess; spending all her time in the kitchen isn't really a proper job.
Today, the Fourth Prince happened to be bringing his wife and the princes into the palace, and Geng Youran felt this was a good opportunity.
"Xinyi, go and see what dishes the concubine's small kitchen has today. Let's cook some steamed buns."
"But Princess, we just had some snacks an hour ago, and you're hungry again now?"
Geng Youran smiled sheepishly. Ever since she became pregnant, she had been feeling hungry from time to time, perhaps due to psychological reasons.
Xin Yi was a little worried because the princesses in the mansion all had fixed portions of snacks.
Although the Fourth Prince would occasionally send some ingredients, eating too much would surely arouse suspicion from those with ulterior motives.
However, Xinyi didn't want to spoil her princess's good mood, so she could only go along with Geng Youran for now, thinking she would bring it up with her princess later.
She went to the small kitchen and found that it contained only common winter vegetables, nothing fresh.
"It's okay, as long as we have some. Just chop less meat, we can just make some cabbage and pork filling."
Xinyi deliberately chose a piece with some fatty meat, while Geng Youran kneaded the dough and mixed the filling. For a moment, she felt as if she had returned to the time when she celebrated the New Year with her family.
Xiao Anzi was called over to start boiling water.
"Princess, you can just tell the servants what you want to eat. Why do you have to do it yourself?"
Geng Youran laughed heartily.
"Since I'm stuck in this courtyard all day, I need to do something. I don't know anything about music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, but I do know a little about cooking, so it's a way to pass the time."
After the steamed buns were cooked, Geng Youran specially shared some with Xinyi and Xiao Anzi.
"I heard that people in the north also cook and eat steamed buns during the Spring Festival. You should try some too, that's how you celebrate the New Year. I put some special fillings inside!"
Xinyi and Xiao Anzi exchanged a glance. Gege is causing trouble again!
Geng Youran picked up one, blew on it, and took a bite. The taste was so-so, not as good as the ones her mother used to make.
Xinyi and Xiao Anzi only started eating after they saw Geng Youran pick up her chopsticks.
"Princess, these boiled buns are so delicious! This is the first time I've ever had such delicious boiled buns!"
Before Geng Youran could speak, Xinyi chimed in from the side.
"You talk as if you eat it all the time."
Perhaps because Geng Youran has been in a low mood lately, Xinyi and Xiao Anzi are always bickering.
Perhaps because of her pregnancy, Geng Youran could only eat a few bites before she couldn't eat anymore.
"Xinyi, did you notice anything strange about the taste of these boiled buns?"
Xinyi quickly swallowed what was in her mouth and shook her head.
"No, it's delicious."
Geng Youran wondered if she had become too picky. The taste didn't seem quite right to her.
Xinyi glanced at the remaining boiled buns in the bowl; in fact, she had already sensed something was wrong.
When she was in the palace before, she had eaten boiled buns made by her own princess. Her own princess was used to soaking the filling in scallion and ginger water, but she didn't do that today, so the meat flavor was a bit strong.
She spends most of her time with her daughter, and her palate has become quite discerning.
Xiao Anzi, who was sitting next to him, was eating with great relish.
Before he entered the mansion, he ate swill. After being found by chance, he was castrated and became a eunuch, and his diet improved a lot. However, he could not eat boiled buns.
Geng Youran watched the two of them eating with great enjoyment, then turned around and wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes.
She had to admit that she missed home.
Xinyi gave Xiao Anzi a look, and the two of them quietly left the house.
"Sister Xinyi, what's wrong with Gege?"
Xinyi looked up at the sky and said:
"I guess Gege is homesick."
Then she turned her head and smiled.
"Hey Xiao Anzi, are you full?"
Xiao Anzi suddenly felt a chill all over her body.
"Good sister, just say what you want to say, don't look at me like that."
Xinyi nodded.
"You're smart. As the saying goes, 'He who eats another's food is bound to him.' Put some effort into having your master put in a good word for you with the Fourth Prince and see if he can plead for our princess to meet her family."
Xiao Anzi looked troubled when he heard this request.
"Sister, you might as well arrange something else for me. According to the rules, unless there is a special favor, it is very difficult for even a princess or a wife to see her own family."
Xinyi shoved the tray with the dishes into Xiao Anzi's arms, then put her hands on her hips.
"I'm just asking you to pass on a message to your master, not to go directly to the prince. Why are you making things difficult for yourself?"
"Fine, I give up!"
Although Xiao Anzi agreed, she couldn't find a suitable opportunity.
Putting aside the fact that he now serves Geng Youran in his courtyard all day long, his own master follows the prince to classes and court every day, and has to pay his respects from time to time. It's not like he can just touch him whenever he wants.
Since the New Year, the Fourth Prince has been even busier.
At this time, Geng Youran was already more than two months pregnant.
"Princess, Princess Song has sent someone to invite you to have tea."
Geng Youran frowned. Apart from meeting when she paid her respects to the Fujin, she had no other contact with this Song Gege.
I heard that since her eldest daughter died young, she has been taking care of her health and has started burning incense and praying to Buddha. This sudden invitation to her for tea is probably a trap.
But since Song Gege was an elder in the household, Geng Youran couldn't refuse, so she tidied herself up and followed the eunuch who was leading the way.
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