In the main courtyard, after Liu Mama finished serving Nara's meal, she said, "Madam, today is the fifteenth. Would you like to prepare earlier?"
Nara's hand holding the teacup stiffened, a bitter look appearing on her face. Prepare for what? Prepare to see the master's cold face?
"No need. Also, don't burn incense."
Since Madam Tong went to Tongzhou, the master has turned himself into an ascetic. He only comes to the main courtyard on the first and fifteenth of the month to make an appearance. They share the same quilt, exchange less than three sentences, and then he falls asleep, leaving her awake until dawn.
Empress Nara touched her belly. She had always hoped to have another little prince, but she was the only one hoping. The emperor didn't touch her, so where would she get a little prince?
She took the Crown Princess's medicine every month. At first, she still had a thought about it, but later, she simply gave up on it.
Not only her, but according to what Granny Liu found out, even the seemingly invincible Lady Nian in the mansion only had a facade of power.
The master is truly angry with them.
A slight pang of regret arose in her heart; perhaps she had gone too far.
"Granny, bring me the Buddhist scriptures," said Nara.
Granny Liu patiently advised, "Madam, rest today. The master will be here soon, and there are still many things to prepare. You should also wash up. The sewing room sent two sets of spring clothes yesterday, which you can wear to show the master."
Nara shook her head calmly, "He won't care, he won't care what I wear."
After finishing the funeral arrangements for the Tong family, he returned to his residence and gave everyone in the backyard a Buddhist scripture. He also specifically instructed her and Madam Nian to recite and copy it once every morning and evening for three months.
The master is warning them.
The master has noticed something about the Tong family, or the Tong clan.
Originally, it was just an order from her master, but now, copying scriptures has become a daily routine, which brings her much peace of mind.
When Yinzhen returned to the main courtyard, Nara was just coming out of the small Buddhist hall. He smelled the faint sandalwood fragrance on her, and his expression softened.
"You've lost weight, please take good care of yourself. You still need to manage the household."
As if she hadn't heard such tender words in a long time, Nara's eyes welled up with tears. Afraid that Yinzhen would notice, she lowered her head slightly and gave a soft "Mmm," "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will take care of it. Has Your Highness eaten yet? Is there anything I can prepare?"
Yinzhen waved his hand, "I've already used it at Lady Nian's. It's late, get some rest."
Over the past two years, despite Yinzhen's cold treatment, Nara's expression has become much calmer, and her temperament has changed considerably. She has become more tolerant and generous, and fair in her dealings. He has noticed this, and even though she has done things that have disappointed him, the punishment has been sufficient.
As the primary wife, she suffered a lot during the first few years after marrying him in the palace.
The affection accumulated in their youth was something that later concubines could never match.
The couple chatted idly, and some noise came from the bedroom. Granny Liu was overjoyed and ordered water to be prepared. She listened carefully to the sounds from the room and prayed silently, hoping that the princess's belly would cooperate and that she would conceive a little prince soon.
The next day, when Yinzhen went to court, Lady Nara looked slightly embarrassed. Seeing that the princess was radiant, Liu Mama stepped forward to congratulate her, "Princess, Princess Li and Princess Nian have come to pay their respects?"
"So early today." Nara sat down at the table to eat breakfast, her lips curving upwards. Li Nian and the other person must have received the news.
In the past two years, the master has not only been indifferent to her, but also to others. Apart from visiting the Nian family more often, he has been constantly favoring the young Li Jia.
Unfortunately, despite the constant favor she received, Lady Li Jia remained unconcerned about her pregnancy.
In the main hall, Lady Nara sat down, her eyes smiling. "Good morning, sisters. You don't need to come so early in the future. It's cold outside, don't catch a cold. You can have breakfast first, or I can have the kitchen prepare it."
“No need to trouble you, Madam. You work so hard every day. We’ll have breakfast at home. Otherwise, if we trouble you with such a small matter, the master will scold us for being inconsiderate,” Madam Li said sourly.
On the first and fifteenth of each lunar month, when paying respects to the principal wife, they would generally not eat breakfast beforehand, as this was to show respect for the principal wife on an empty stomach.
However, they waited a little longer today.
Perhaps the old man rested in the main courtyard yesterday and was tired in the evening, and I heard he asked for water.
Madam Li glanced at the plump face of the primary wife and couldn't help but wonder. The primary wife was no longer young, and after more than ten years of marriage, the master didn't seem to mind.
Unlike her, who had given birth to four children, the man no longer cared much for her after he went to the brothel.
While Li was lost in thought, Nian started chatting with Nara. She said that Nian was much more tactful. Nara didn't like her, but she had to admit that compared to the unlikable Tong and Li, Nian was much more skillful in her dealings.
Madam Nian smiled and praised, "Your Majesty looks radiant. This bright purple cheongsam with peonies and gold embroidered auspicious clouds was chosen by Granny Liu; it suits your complexion perfectly..."
Lady Li couldn't help but look at the primary consort again, her lips slightly pursed. "Doesn't she suit the primary consort well? She looks so fair and plump."
Strangely enough, the Princess Consort wasn't like this two years ago; she had a moderate and well-proportioned figure. But for some reason, she has gained weight in the last two years.
Little did she know that the primary consort had been secretly taking medicine from a fertility formula recommended by the Crown Princess in order to have another son.
The prescription is good, but the princess's body has been over-nourished in certain aspects, so she will naturally gain weight.
She had gained some weight, at most becoming more rounded than before, but compared to the delicate and frail concubines in the backyard who were all striving to maintain their beauty, the First Lady's figure was somewhat conspicuous.
After paying their respects, the two women from the Nian family left the main courtyard. Madam Li glanced at Nian with a smile and said, "Sister Nian's ability to flatter is getting better and better. I wonder what the Fujin will think when she realizes it." After saying that, she deliberately glanced at Nian's slender figure.
"Sister Li, you're overthinking it. The Fujin's complexion is indeed very good," Madam Nian said with a smile. She knew that the Fujin was secretly taking medicine to regulate her body. She knew that the Fujin was in good health. It was just that having offspring was the most important thing. As long as she gave birth to a legitimate son, what did it matter if she gained a little weight?
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