After becoming Yinzhen's concubine, Geng Youran rarely lost her temper with the servants.
She wasn't doing it because of so-called 'equality for all,' but simply because of 'putting herself in others' shoes.' She had also been a servant before and knew what it was like to be one.
Therefore, she rarely managed the servants in her courtyard herself, as long as it didn't cause any major problems. Usually, Qianxue and Xiao Anzi were in charge of them.
A person who is usually kind and amiable can be more terrifying than someone who gets angry when they put on a stern face.
"Ying'er, if you've been wronged, just speak up. Maybe the princess can get justice for you."
No sooner had Xiao Anzi finished speaking than Qingxi's voice came from the doorway.
"Eunuch An, isn't it a bit too big?"
Xiao Anzi's face stiffened, and he immediately turned around with a fawning smile on his face:
"Isn't this Sister Qingxi? Our master is inside too."
Qingxi entered the room, first bowed to Geng Youran, then glanced at Ying'er kneeling on the ground beside her, not daring to raise her head, and snorted.
“Gege, Consort Nian said that I should take this girl back.”
"Miss Qingxi, what exactly did this girl do wrong to make your master so angry?"
Qingxi smiled.
"This servant dares to advise you, Master, that it is better not to know. Otherwise, you may be even angrier than our master."
Geng Youran did hesitate when she heard this, but then she remembered that she had just asked the Fujin for a favor on behalf of the girl.
"Qingxi, the Princess Consort has already let this girl recuperate in my courtyard. It's not that you can't take her back, but I did save her once, so you should at least let me know why she was injured."
Qingxi thought to herself, "Why is Geng Gege so stubborn?" So she told her what Ying'er had done.
It turned out that Nian Yunrong had been unwell for some time. After the Fourth Prince returned, he was going to visit Nian Yunrong, but he met Ying'er on the way. She lied that Nian Yunrong had already rested and tried to lure the Fourth Prince into taking her back to the study.
“Gege, please believe me. This girl takes advantage of her good looks and does all sorts of shameful things. Our master only hurt her because she was angry. If it were anyone else, this girl would be dead already.”
"Then...what did the concubine plan to do with her that year?"
Although Geng Youran deeply hated people like Ying'er, she was still a life after all.
"Gege, don't worry. Ying'er is a servant girl born into the Nian family. She came here with our concubine. Our concubine has already sent a letter to Madam Nian, and she will send someone to pick up the girl soon."
Geng Youran sighed, turned her head to the side, and waved to Qingxi, indicating that she could take the person away.
No matter how much Ying'er called, she pretended not to hear.
She didn't open her eyes again until the sound disappeared.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Xiao Anzi kneeling on the ground.
"Princess, it's all my fault for being so kind and blindly saving a troublemaker. Please punish me."
Geng Youran chuckled.
"What are you saying, you rascal? There's no right or wrong in saving someone. The girl was the one who made the mistake, what does it have to do with you? Get up. Go and help Qianxue tidy up the small kitchen. I need to make some things to send to Fujin and Wanru this afternoon."
"Yes, sir."
Suddenly, Geng Youran was left alone in the room. She stared blankly at the candlestick on the table, then suddenly laughed, laughing at herself for being used as a stepping stone for someone else.
I really don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Geng Youran felt she needed to let go of this matter, otherwise she would be stuck in a quagmire and unable to get out.
Qianxue served Geng Youran some lunch, then she slept for a while before getting up.
Seeing that Geng Youran's expression had returned to normal, Qianxue and Xiao Anzi were finally relieved.
It was the time when spring was turning into summer, and Geng Youran decided to make some 'longan, walnut and yam cake' to send to Fujin and Wanru.
Following Geng Youran's instructions, Qianxue had already peeled and chopped the yam, and prepared the longan pulp and walnut kernels.
Geng Youran took the ingredients and put the yam chunks, dried longan pulp, and walnut kernels into a steamer, steaming until the yam was cooked and tender.
While steaming the ingredients, stir-fry the starch in a separate pot over low heat.
After steaming the yam, mash it into a paste using the back of a spoon. Add brown sugar to the dried longan pulp and walnut kernels, mix well, and make the filling.
Divide the mashed yam into several portions, and wrap each portion with an appropriate amount of longan, walnut, and brown sugar filling. Then coat each portion with a layer of cooked starch to prevent sticking.
Use molds to press the wrapped pastries into the desired shape.
Finally, sprinkle chopped walnuts on top of the pastry for added texture.
Then Geng Youran asked Qianxue to bring out two jars of brewed osmanthus honey.
Let's go.
Geng Youran asked Xiao Anzi to take one of the portions to Wanru, while she and Qianxue went to the Fujin Courtyard.
At this moment, Ulanara was copying Buddhist scriptures in her study. When she heard that Geng Youran had arrived, she paused her writing for a moment, then called for someone to make tea. She finished writing the remaining few words before slowly walking into the main hall.
"My sister usually never leaves the house, is there something you need?"
“When I came to pay my respects this morning, I noticed that the Princess Consort’s eyes were a little dark. I thought it might be because there were too many things to do in the manor and the Princess Consort hadn’t slept well, so I made some ‘longan, walnut and yam cake’ to help relieve insomnia and brought it to the Princess Consort.”
Ulanara paused for a moment while holding the teacup, and because her head was slightly lowered, Geng Youran could not see her expression.
Ulanara quickly recovered, took a sip of tea, and then had someone take the pastry box from Qianxue.
"You are such a meticulous person, no wonder the prince always praises you."
"Not at all, Your Highness is too kind. Since Your Highness is so busy, I will not disturb you any longer. I will take my leave."
"Um."
After Geng Youran left, the old woman beside Ulanara said:
"Madam, you'd better not eat these snacks, in case..."
Ulanara smiled.
"Don't worry, Granny. Everyone in this mansion wants to harm me, but only Lady Geng doesn't have that intention."
However, upon hearing Geng Youran mention the dark circles under her eyes...
"Granny, please have a royal physician come and examine me tomorrow."
The old woman seemed relieved and happily agreed.
Ulanara spat with a laugh:
"why are you laughing?"
The old woman chuckled and said:
"You are too stubborn. You can't sleep well at night, and you still have so many things to deal with during the day. I have suggested several times to invite a royal physician for you, but you will not allow it."
Ulanara gave a wry smile, then said in a low voice:
"This ailment cannot be cured by medicine."
Meanwhile, when Geng Youran and Qianxue returned to the courtyard, Xiao Anzi had already returned from Niu Hulu Wanru's place.
“Princess, this is a purse embroidered for you by Princess Niohuru.”
Geng Youran reached out and took it, gently stroking the purse with her hand:
"Wanru's embroidery skills are indeed superb."
After Qianxue put the purse away, Geng Youran asked her to tidy up the cattail shoots that the steward had sent a few days ago, and then asked Xiao Anzi to prepare a chicken.
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