Geng Youran glared at Qianxue and Xiao Anzi, who were standing to the side with their heads down and dared not look at her, and knew that it must have been done by the two of them together.
After the housekeeper left, Qianxue sat on a stool and pretended to sip her tea.
"Tell me, what happened?"
"Princess, I was wrong."
“Princess, it’s not Qianxue’s fault, it was this servant’s idea.”
"The order form was given to Xiao Anzi by this servant."
Geng Youran raised her hand:
"Can you two take turns saying it?"
Xiao Anzi knelt on the ground:
"Princess, Qianxue and I noticed that you've been unhappy these past few days, so we've discussed having the steward send over some materials so you can make something and perhaps cheer yourself up."
Geng Youran has indeed been in a bad mood these past few days, though she can't quite explain why.
"Alright, alright, get up. I don't blame you anymore."
In the following days, Geng Youran made mooncakes with various fillings and sent some to each courtyard.
"Consort, Lady Geng has sent over some mooncakes, saying they have fruit fillings, to give you a taste of something new."
Nian Yunrong took a piece from the maid's hand, took a small bite, and found it fragrant but not greasy, with the fruit flavor still lingering. It was indeed delicious.
"After all these years, I didn't expect that Princess Geng is still the same as before, always thinking about food. She's always been the same."
"That's all she's capable of, Consort, you don't need to take her seriously."
"What do you know? She has been with the prince for so many years, and his favor has never ceased. That Hongzhou, he causes trouble in the palace all day long, but the prince rarely punishes him. Last year on his birthday, he even gave him a rare and precious horse."
"This servant thinks that Consort need not worry about these things. Didn't the imperial physician say that your baby is definitely a prince? The Prince cherishes you, and you have General Nian backing you up. The little prince will surely be a blessed child."
Nian Yunrong was easily swayed by this, gently placing her right hand on her protruding belly and smiling lovingly:
"That's what the prince said too."
The Prince Yong's mansion was peaceful and serene, except for the study.
"Fourth Brother, Father Emperor needs to review the memorials tomorrow, so we need to quickly select a suitable person."
When Gan Guobi, the governor of Yunnan, was preparing for military affairs and provisions, he failed to handle related matters properly, which almost caused a delay in military operations. Yinzhen and Yinxiang received the news in advance and were discussing the matter in their study.
Yinxiang was a little anxious, but Yinzhen remained calm, as if he already knew what was going on.
“Thirteenth Brother, have you forgotten why Eighth Brother and the others are disliked by Father? Isn’t it because they manipulate the court? Besides, everyone’s eyes are on Tibet right now, we can’t afford to have anything happen at this time.”
"Fourth Brother, what do you mean?"
“Father Emperor certainly has a suitable candidate in mind, so there’s no need for us to suggest one. But if we recommend someone to Father Emperor at this time, we’ll be giving others a handle to use against us.”
Yinxiang slammed his hand on the table:
"This Gan Guobi, all that praise from the master was for nothing. Now look what's going on, who knows how Eighth Brother and the others will ridicule us in court tomorrow."
Yinzhen snorted:
"Let them say what they want, we don't need to take it to heart. But Thirteen, why are you getting more and more irritable lately, just like Tenth Brother?"
Yinxiang scratched his head sheepishly:
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Fourth Brother. My concubine is about to give birth, and I'm a little anxious."
Yinzhen patted his younger brother on the shoulder:
"In that case, you should go back now. As for Gan Guobi's matter, we can discuss it again tomorrow."
"Alright, thank you very much, Fourth Brother."
Just as Yinzhen was about to call Gao Wuyong to see Yinxiang out, he heard Gao Wuyong's voice at the door.
"Your Highness... Thirteenth Prince, please wait a moment."
"Gao Wuyong? Why are you panting like that?"
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Thirteenth Prince. I just returned from Lady Geng's place. She made some mooncakes for you to take back and enjoy with your wife."
Yinxiang took the special food box from Geng Youran's courtyard, turned to the side and smiled at Yinzhen:
"Fourth Brother, you're really lucky to have such a delicious meal. I'll be going now."
After Yinxiang left, Yinzhen brought Gao Wuyong to Geng Youran's courtyard, where Geng Youran was picking chrysanthemums for the last time.
"Cough cough!"
Yinzhen clasped his hands and coughed a few times before Geng Youran noticed the person standing at the courtyard gate.
"Your Highness, may you be blessed."
I thought that Geng Youran would be unhappy because I had been staying with Consort Nian all this time, but now it seems that he is the one who is unhappy.
"You seem quite relaxed."
"Your Highness, compared to your tireless work day and night, I am indeed quite leisurely."
Wow, that sounds so sour.
Yinzhen's lips twitched upwards, and in front of Qianxue, Gao Wuyong, and the others, he took Geng Youran's hand in the courtyard and led her into the house one after the other.
Qianxue handed the scissors in her hand to Xiao Anzi, letting him continue cutting flowers, while she went to make tea.
"Tell me, is it because Consort Nian is angry with the master?"
"no."
"Liar. You don't even dare to look me in the eye, yet you dare to lie to me?"
Geng Youran remained silent.
When Qianxue brought out the tea and snacks, the atmosphere in the room wasn't very pleasant.
"Sir, these are chrysanthemum pastries made by the princess herself. Please try them."
Yinzhen tasted a piece; it was still the familiar taste, unchanged.
"Father Emperor values Nian Gengyao highly."
Yinzhen didn't finish his sentence, but Geng Youran understood.
She had no choice but to accept it here.
However, it's okay to throw a tantrum once in a while.
Geng Youran rolled her eyes, then told Qianxue to go down and bring up the chrysanthemum wine that she had asked Qianxue to prepare earlier, saying that she wanted to have a few drinks with Yinzhen.
She had a good capacity for alcohol, and when Yinzhen came to her place, he would often have a few drinks.
When Yinzhen heard that Geng Youran wanted to drink, he did not say anything, seemingly without any intention of refusing.
However, even if Geng Youran had a high alcohol tolerance, it seemed that it was not as high as Yinzhen's.
She got drunk first, and then, holding her wine glass, she started dancing around the table.
Yinzhen couldn't understand it, but he knew that it was Geng Youran's dance in another time and space.
No, at this moment she is not Geng Youran.
In reality, Geng Youran deliberately got drunk; she was escaping.
She didn't want to admit her jealousy, her envy, or even more so, that she had fallen in love with the man in front of her, the man who would eventually sit on the throne.
"Tell me, why haven't you come to see me?"
Geng Youran, holding a wine glass, leaned crookedly against the table and questioned Yinzhen.
While supporting her, Yinzhen gently apologized to Geng Youran.
It's hard to imagine that a prince would apologize to a princess.
But that's how it happened.
"I'm sorry, I apologize to you."
No, I don't want your apology.
Geng Youran poured herself and Yinzhen another glass of wine.
"Have a drink with me, and I'll forgive you."
"good."
And so, Yinzhen accompanied Geng Youran as they drank their second cup of nuptial wine since their marriage.
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