The four mistresses, Nian and Xiao Li Gege, Li and Geng Gege, along with a group of maids, completely blocked the entrance to Wanyue Pavilion.
Nan Yi didn't even want to invite them into the hospital for a cup of tea; she was afraid, especially since there were two pregnant women among them.
If she hadn't also been poisoned by the Second Prince's poisoning last time, she probably wouldn't have been able to clear her name no matter what.
Madam Nian, supporting her lower back, gave a slight curtsy. "Sister congratulates elder sister. Yesterday, the young prince was so restless that I couldn't get up. I've come today to apologize."
She touched her belly and called to the maid behind her, "Xiangxiu, bring over the congratulatory gift." Then she smiled at Nan Yi and said, "Congratulations on your promotion, sister. This is just a small gift, nothing more."
Princess Li also stepped forward to greet her, "Greetings, Consort Nian." She glanced at the gift Consort Nian had given her, then at her own, and her face flushed slightly.
Nan nodded to her, her gaze sliding over Nian's abdomen, her feelings somewhat complicated. She nodded, "I accept your kind intentions, you can take the gifts back."
“Sister, do you have a problem with your younger sister and refuse to accept her gift, or do you look down on her?” Madam Nian frowned.
“That’s where Sister Tong is wrong.” Madam Li walked over, her belly huge, wearing flowerpot shoes.
Nan Yi was shocked by what she saw.
Geng Gege curtsied to her, "May Consort be well."
Nan Yi hummed in agreement.
Li glanced at the rewards in the hands of the maid behind Tong, her eyelids twitching. As expected of someone surnamed Tong, her generosity was extraordinary.
Unfortunately, he was unlucky.
"Sister Tong, Sister Nian came with good intentions to congratulate you, so please give her some face. There's no need to be so formal between sisters."
She walked up to Nan Yi and asked with a smile, "What, aren't you going to invite us in? It's been two months since we last met, and I've missed you terribly. With Master not here, we can relax a bit. How about we sisters play a game of cards together?"
Nan thought to herself, "Li has forgotten the pain once the wound has healed. She should thank you politely, even though the painful lesson is still fresh in her mind."
"No, thank you both, but I'm not feeling well and can't keep you company," Nan Yi said with a faint smile. "Once Yilan is feeling better, I'll definitely invite all the sisters over for tea. I won't keep you company any longer."
She turned to Qingyun and instructed, "Select a few pieces of jewelry and headdress bestowed by the Empress and send them to the two concubines and the two princesses."
"Yes, ma'am."
"You won't accept our gifts, but you're taking yours instead. How can we accept that? How about this: a few days ago, Master came back from Rehe and sent a lot of local specialties to you, sister. In a little while, you can have your maid come to my courtyard and pick whatever you like, okay?" she said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Ms. Nian picked up the conversation, her face full of sweetness, but the words she spoke took on a different meaning.
She laughed and said, "Yes, Grandpa also sent me a lot, enough to fill two large carts. After my sister got pregnant, her appetite became increasingly strange, and she couldn't eat so much. Grandpa, a grown man, couldn't understand. He saw something new and interesting and sent it all into the yard. I didn't know what to say."
Li's expression froze for a moment. She glanced at Tong and looked slightly embarrassed. Everyone knew that Tong was reflecting on her actions behind closed doors. The things that the master brought had not been allocated to her courtyard.
God is my witness, she really didn't mean to show off. But after what Nian said, it seemed like she was deliberately trying to put Tong down and had to come to congratulate her.
Seeing that she had gained something, Li Shi naturally wouldn't spoil Tong Shi's mood at this time. She found an excuse and left leisurely with Geng Gege.
Nan glanced at Nian Shi, said nothing, and turned to enter the courtyard with an indifferent expression, leaving Nian Shi and Little Li Gege standing there in astonishment, speechless.
After Li and Nian returned home, they sent over local specialties, which Nan accepted.
In the afternoon, it is unclear whether Empress Nara had come to a change of heart or not, but she ordered people to send her rewards and congratulatory gifts.
There's a give and take. The primary wife gave face, and Qiu Ma told Nan Yi about the situation. Nan Yi told Qiu Ma to make her own decision, and she wouldn't interfere with the return gift.
After finishing his shift, Xiao Xi took Qiao'er to visit the mansion. Qiao'er went to play with Huan'er, while Xiao Xi and Nan Yi sat in the courtyard chatting.
"But you're sick again?"
Xiao Xi looked worried. It seemed that since May of last year, her friend had been sickly and not as healthy as when they first met.
Nan Yi chuckled, "It's just a minor ailment, nothing serious, it'll be fine in a few days."
She pushed the snacks in front of Xiao Xi, gesturing for her to eat, and then said, "I called you here because there's something I want to discuss with you. I hope you don't find it abrupt."
“Why are we beating around the bush? Let’s get straight to the point,” Xiao Xi said.
"Okay, I'd like to ask, does your brother have someone he likes?"
Xiao Xi was taken aback, then casually replied, "No, why are you asking this?"
"That's good," Nan chuckled, narrowing her eyes. "Of course I want to be a matchmaker, let me tell you..."
She went on and on, recounting how her maid had introduced her lover to Xiao Ran, and also mentioning that Xiao Ran might have taken a liking to her lover.
"This is a good thing! If it's a girl he loves, my brother is really lucky to have her." Xiao Xi slapped his thigh, completely agreeing with the idea.
"Go home and ask your brother. If she agrees, I'll release my lover from the mansion to await marriage as soon as possible." Nan Yi wanted to strike while the iron was hot, fearing that things might change if she waited too long.
Nan Yi told Xiao Xi the truth, "Among the four girls, she is the oldest. You know, it's not easy for a girl to find a husband when she's too old, so that she won't be stuck with someone she can't marry. I don't want to hold her back."
The lover was one of the maids who accompanied the original owner of the body during her dowry. The relationship between them was deeper than that with the others. She hoped to find a good home for her lover, which could be considered as serving the original owner for a while.
Xiao Xi immediately made a decision, "No problem. I've met the girl several times, and she's a good girl. Since my brother is also interested in her, you can handle it. I'll go home and have my brother prepare the betrothal gifts and choose a good day to propose marriage."
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