"Master, what are you thinking about?"
After Qianxue and Xiao Anzi finished tidying up the small kitchen, they brought in some snacks. As soon as they entered, they saw Geng Youran frowning and sighing as she lay on the table.
"Qianxue, what do you think of the Prince's treatment of our courtyard?"
When Qianxue heard her mistress ask this question, she replied with a proud expression:
"That would be wonderful."
"What is something excellent?"
Just as Qianxue finished speaking, a deep male voice came from the doorway. Geng Youran and Qianxue looked towards the door and found that the Fourth Prince had been standing there at some point, and they didn't know how much he had been listening.
"Didn't this person go to Wanru's courtyard last night? Why is he here again today?"
That's what Geng Youran was thinking, but she couldn't say it out loud.
She noticed a faint smile on Yinzhen's lips. After paying her respects, she stepped forward, took the hat, and handed him the plum juice that Qianxue had poured.
"Your Highness seems to be in a good mood today. Has something joyous happened?"
Yinzhen took the handkerchief handed to him by Geng Youran and wiped his sweat, then sat down cross-legged on the couch.
"Today, Father Emperor was in a good mood and summoned several children to check their riding and archery skills. Hongshi's performance was quite satisfactory and he received praise from Father Emperor."
Geng Youran was also happy to hear this. Hongshi has had a tough time. He has experienced so much at such a young age, yet he still maintains his integrity and kindness, and is extremely hardworking. It is truly admirable.
“Hongshi is nine years old now, and he has been in school for three years. He hasn’t disappointed me. Youran, thank you.”
Geng Youran's heart skipped a beat:
“Your Highness, Hongshi is usually taught by the Fujin (principal wife), and I only occasionally bring him some food. Besides, Hongshi’s current achievements are the result of his hard work, and I dare not take credit for them.”
Yinzhen beckoned to Geng Youran, gesturing for her to sit down in front of him.
"Your Highness, speaking of Hongshi, I have a favor to ask."
Yinzhen leaned back against the chair, his eyes closed, his tone gentle:
"Please feel free to speak."
Geng Youran gritted her teeth, finished her tea, pulled her hand away from Yinzhen's, and knelt down under Yinzhen's puzzled gaze:
“Your Highness, Prince Hongshi is growing up and needs his mother’s care. Although there is a wet nurse by his side, she is not as attentive as his own mother. I humbly request Your Highness to lift Consort Li’s confinement.”
Yinzhen sat up, looked at Geng Youran kneeling on the ground, and asked coldly:
"Is this your idea, or did Hongshi come to you for help?"
Geng Youran did not look up:
"It was all my idea. Now that I am a mother myself, I understand the pain of separation between mother and child. I beg Your Highness to forgive Consort Li for bearing your children."
Yinzhen sighed, wondering if this was the difference between him and Geng Youran. Why could he never understand what this woman was thinking?
"Get up."
Geng Youran did not get up immediately, but raised her head and looked at the hand extended in front of her with a surprised expression.
"Why aren't you getting up? Do you want me to go down and carry you up?"
"No! No need, I'll get up right away. But...Master, does this mean you agree?"
Yinzhen rolled his eyes at her:
"If you ask again, I'll change my mind."
Geng Youran quickly grabbed Yinzhen's hand and stood up, then fell into his arms.
"Sir, a gentleman's word is his bond, you can't go back on your word."
Yinzhen gently flicked Geng Youran's nose.
"I really don't know what you're thinking all the time. Consort Li has done so many things to wrong you, and you still speak up for her."
Geng Youran countered with a question:
"Haven't you stopped being angry a long time ago, sir?"
Yinzhen choked.
After all, Li Jingshu had been with him for many years, and even if he were heartless, he really couldn't bear to take her life. Now that Geng Youran had spoken, he decided to give Li Jingshu one last chance.
"Alright, it's getting late, let's go to sleep."
The two fell asleep in each other's arms, without making a sound.
The next day, Gao Wuyong personally led a group of people to Li Jingshu's courtyard:
"Consort, the Prince has ordered the lifting of your confinement. Furthermore..."
Gao Wuyong waved his hand behind him, and two eunuchs came in, each carrying a tray. One tray held a Bodhisattva, and the other held a jade tablet.
"Consort, this Bodhisattva statue was sent to you by the Prince. He said you would understand its meaning. As for this jade pendant, it was obtained by Prince Hongshi from Guanyun Temple. He prostrated himself with every step, so please keep it safe."
Li Jingshu remained kneeling on the ground, head bowed and expressionless, until she heard her son stumbling and stomping for her sake. Suddenly, she raised her head, and tears streamed down her face like a spring.
Two eunuchs stepped forward and placed the tray in front of Li Jingshu.
Li Jingshu first kowtowed three times to the Guanyin statue, then held the jade pendant in her hands and pressed it against her face.
"Eunuch Gao, please tell the Prince that I, Li Jingshu, know I was wrong!"
Then Li Jingshu burst into tears, and even the nanny who had been serving her couldn't help but shed tears of relief.
This time, his concubine had truly figured everything out.
After Gao Wuyong left, the steward of the Prince's Mansion sent some daily necessities, all arranged according to the allowance for a concubine.
Li Jingshu remained silent, only tightly gripping the jade pendant.
After a while, Li Jingshu finally spoke:
"Granny, help me change my clothes. I need to go and pay my respects to the Princess Consort."
"yes."
Since having a son, Li Jingshu had been constantly vying with the Fujin (principal wife) for more power. Later, when Nian Yunrong entered the Prince's residence as a secondary Fujin, Li Jingshu felt threatened and became their enemy at every turn.
Looking back now, I realize how foolish I was.
Now that her beauty has faded and only Hongshi remains by her side, if she were to continue her conflict with the Fujin (principal wife), she feared she would never have a peaceful life again.
She sat in front of the dressing table, saw herself in the mirror, and laughed self-deprecatingly:
"Granny, look, after being locked up for so long, I feel like I've aged several years in an instant."
The old woman who was combing Li Jingshu's hair behind her quietly hid the white hair in her hand and looked at Li Jingshu with loving eyes:
"My lady is in the prime of her life, how can she be old? If you say that, then this old woman must be buried in the ground by now. I still want to serve you for a few more years."
Li Jingshu was amused by the nanny.
"Alright, Granny, let's go and pay our respects to the Princess Consort."
The old woman stopped what she was doing, wanting to open her mouth but not knowing how to start.
Li Jingshu stood up from the stool, turned around and looked at the nanny who had been with her for so many years.
"Thank you, Granny."
The old woman couldn't help but shed tears, but the corners of her mouth were turned up in a smile:
"What are you saying, Consort? I've served you for so many years and know how much you've suffered. Now that you've come to your senses, that's a good thing. From now on, I'll be there to accompany you to see our prince get married."
Li Jingshu nodded and wiped away the old woman's tears.
Let's go!
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