When Geng Youran heard the Fourth Prince's question, her eyes widened slightly. She didn't know why the Fourth Prince would suddenly ask her such a question.
She handed him the tea and asked cautiously:
"My lord, I am but a lowly woman, how could I possibly understand these matters of state?"
Although Geng Youran knew that the winner of the "Nine Princes' Succession Struggle" was the man in front of her, she couldn't say it.
Seeing Geng Youran's cautious demeanor, which seemed genuine, Yinzhen continued to coax her:
"I assure you, no third person will hear these words."
She felt that Yinzhen really wanted to know her thoughts, so she had no choice but to tell him her thoughts.
"Sir, have you ever heard the saying 'the nail that sticks out gets hammered down'?"
Yinzhen nodded.
"Now that the Crown Prince has been deposed and the First Prince is imprisoned, it's clear that the Emperor's attitude is quite clear: firstly, he wants to see who else is eyeing the Crown Prince's position, and secondly, he wants to observe the ambitions of the remaining princes. The Crown Prince has been deposed for various crimes, and the Eighth Prince is now heading down the same path. I think it's best not to get involved in this situation."
Upon hearing this, Yinzhen looked at Geng Youran with new respect.
She originally thought that Geng Youran was straightforward and wouldn't think too much, but she didn't expect that what she said was actually quite thought-provoking.
After Geng Youran finished speaking, she was relieved to see that Yinzhen did not have any strong reaction. However, her hands were already covered in sweat.
How could she forget that Yinzhen was inherently a suspicious person? Now that she had said so much, it was inevitable that Yinzhen would overthink it. However, thinking of her son Hongzhou, she felt that she didn't need to worry too much.
"Alright, you should get some rest. I'm leaving."
Geng Youran stood up and bowed:
"Take care, sir."
After Yinzhen and his entourage left, Geng Youran's new maid, Qianxue, brought tea into the room:
"My lord, why has the prince left?"
"Your Highness is just here for a meal; he didn't plan to stay here tonight."
Qianxue was originally Geng Youran's maid, and had been with her for several years. She was efficient and straightforward. But she was different from Xinyi in one way: she was a bit of a busybody.
However, Geng Youran generally doesn't care about trivial matters.
Since Xinyi and Amut got married, she has promoted Qianxue. Although she is not as good as Xinyi in terms of understanding, there is still room for her to improve.
As Geng Youran sipped her tea, she recalled Yinzhen's reaction and concluded that she should be alright.
Yinzhen went to Nian Yunrong's courtyard, but Nian Yunrong noticed that Yinzhen had something on his mind.
She knew that the prince had gone to Geng Youran's courtyard before coming to hers, but because she didn't want to mention Geng Youran's name in front of him, she could only pretend that she knew nothing.
She also knew that what the prince wanted to talk to Geng Youran about was very important; he hadn't said much all night and was absent-minded during dinner.
No, she couldn't just sit idly by and let Geng Youran's influence rise.
The following afternoon, Nian Yunrong went to Geng Youran's courtyard in person.
"Sister Geng, I came uninvited, you won't be angry with me, will you?"
Geng Youran dared not blame this concubine. She usually avoided her like the plague, and the repeated calls of "sister" gave her goosebumps.
"My lady, I don't have any good tea here, but I've dried some flower tea myself. Please try it."
Nian Yunrong picked up her cup and only took a sip.
Geng Youran also noticed that a small patch of the handkerchief in Nian Yunrong's hand was wet, smiled, and said nothing.
“Sister, the Prince came to my courtyard last night and mentioned you, especially praising your excellent cooking skills. I wonder if I will have the pleasure of enjoying your food.”
“That’s easy. I’ll have Qianxue bring up the pastries I made this morning.”
In the morning, Geng Youran was bored, so she and Qianxue went to the small kitchen and made some lotus flower cakes.
Because making lotus cakes requires fresh lotus petals, Geng Youran had Qianxue ask the steward for some fresh lotus flowers in advance.
Later, he even had several servants deliver a few pots of lotus flowers separately.
"Qianxue, go and get the lotus powder we ground earlier."
After Qianxue brought the lotus powder, Geng Youran mixed it evenly with glutinous rice flour, sugar, oil and other seasonings in the correct proportions.
Next, place the mixed dough into a lotus-shaped mold, flatten it, and form the basic shape of a lotus cake.
Place the shaped lotus flower cakes into a steamer and steam over medium heat for a certain period of time.
After steaming, remove the lotus cake from the steamer and let it cool naturally. The lotus cake tastes even better when cooled.
"Consort, please try this. This lotus cake is made with lotus powder and only fresh lotus flowers are used. The small jar next to it contains osmanthus honey. If you like it sweet, you can pour it on top and eat it together. It has a unique flavor."
Nian Yunrong didn't pay attention to the small bottle. She only took a small bite of the lotus cake and found it nothing special. It tasted the same as the one her brother had sent her before.
But what she didn't know was that the lotus flower cake that Nian Gengyao bought from the Fourth Prince's shop was actually made using a recipe given to him by Geng Youran.
She saw those lotus flowers when she entered the courtyard.
I thought this Geng Gege might be someone who understood poetry and art, but it turns out she only knew how to eat.
This made it even more incomprehensible why only someone like this caught the prince's eye.
"Sister, I'm a little tired, so I won't stay here any longer. I'll come to see you another day."
"It's alright, Consort, please take care."
As soon as Nian Yunrong left, Qianxue couldn't help but start complaining:
"If you don't have the appetite, don't eat it. The pastries we painstakingly made are like ants in her eyes. Does she really think we're blind and can't see the disgust in her eyes?"
"Qianxue, watch your words!"
Geng Youran glared at Qianxue, telling her to keep quiet to avoid getting into trouble.
Actually, she wasn't unaware that Nian Yunrong had people in her courtyard, so when Yinzhen left for Nian Yunrong's courtyard yesterday, she knew that Nian Yunrong would come looking for her.
The Fourth Prince's mind is now entirely focused on matters of the court; he has no time for romantic entanglements in the inner quarters.
I guess this concubine was turned away by the prince yesterday, and she came here today on purpose to inquire about news.
It doesn't matter. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. As a mere princess, it's safest for her to stay in her own courtyard and not go out.
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