"Alright, alright, there's nothing we can do, isn't there? You're worried about your son too." Changning patted his shoulder gently and coaxed, "He'll be back in less than two months. Remember to bring me some milk tea and mutton!"
"All you care about is food, you don't care about me at all. You seem even happier now that we're apart?" Yinzhen felt a little annoyed looking at Changning's smug smile.
Changning was both amused and exasperated. She cupped his face and gave him a long, tender kiss.
"How could I bear to part with you? Touch my heart." Changning took his large hand and placed it on her chest.
Beneath Yinzhen's palm, there was a rhythmic throbbing, soft and full, which stirred his heart and made him feel a little hot: "I really want to leave you, you vixen."
After saying that, he domineeringly leaned down on her, much like the arrogant prince in Changning's novels.
Next, Changning felt like a fish out of water, desperately needing to breathe, yet swept up in the bright summer sunlight. The sun was too intense, almost unbearable, but the babbling brook below offered some relief from the dryness.
On the lush green moss, dewdrops swayed precariously in the wind, eventually dripping onto the surging lake surface, creating ripples. Orioles chirped and sang, and the delightful scenery was mesmerizing.
After enjoying the scenery, the two snuggled together and drifted off to sleep.
Outside the door, Chuixue, Dongzao, Shiliu, and the others were busily packing their things. Dongzao heard the noise, chuckled, and couldn't help but tease, "The masters have such a good relationship."
Fubuki glanced at her: "You've been serving in the courtyard for so long, and you still don't know the rules?"
Dongzao panicked and quickly lowered her head to admit her mistake: "I was wrong, sister. Please don't punish me. Please forgive me this time."
"You're just spouting nonsense about your masters?" Chuixue was usually amiable, but she had many tricks up her sleeve and was very capable. She had always been the top maidservant by Changning's side, and the maidservants below her all relied on her to keep them in check. She was very authoritative.
Seeing Dongzao's flustered state, her good friend Shiliu couldn't help but plead for her: "Sister Chuixue, Dongzao didn't mean it. How about we just punish her with a month's salary?"
Chuixue sneered, her cold, piercing gaze seeming to penetrate to the depths of one's heart, making Dongzao feel somewhat ashamed.
"Dongzao, this is the first time. I don't need to teach you the rules again, do I? Twenty slaps to the face. Go and receive your punishment."
Dongzao pouted: "Sister Chuixue, the courtyard has been busy these past few days, packing the master's luggage. Can I accept the punishment after these two days are over?"
Fubuki's gaze grew colder: "You are serving the master; the master's affairs are none of your business."
Under this pressure, Dongzao dared not argue any longer and could only lower her head and agree.
Seeing her somewhat unwilling expression, Fubuki became wary and secretly sized her up. Her small, delicate face was fair and tender, and a red coral hairpin was inserted in her hair, making her look even more beautiful.
"Wait a minute," Chuixue called out to her, her voice low and deep. "This hairpin, was it a gift from the master when the two young princes were a month old?"
Dongzao was startled and stammered, but because of her expression, she could only nod.
Shiliu also realized something was wrong at this point.
There are two young princes in the courtyard, and these second-class maids sometimes have to take care of them. Therefore, the maids in Qingzhi Courtyard do not wear hairpins or similar ornaments, for fear of snagging or hurting the young princes. If they get a minor scratch, it is their responsibility.
The hairpins and pearls bestowed by the master were more about prestige and also about accumulating dowries for the women when they got married.
Why is Dongzao wearing this hairpin?
Several people knew the truth.
"Dongzao, go find Zhao Fuhai first. Save this punishment for now. The master and the prince are resting, don't wake them." As soon as Chuixue finished speaking, Dongzao breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly turned and left.
Shiliu looked a little strange, but she didn't dare to ask. She could only glance at Chuixue and found that her face was gloomy and her eyes were filled with emotions that she couldn't understand.
I woke up to find it was already dusk.
The children all came back for dinner today, and they were all chattering away together.
“Mother, Hongmin is so good, he won’t wake up no matter how much I poke him. Hongchen is so naughty, he cries every day, he even cries snot bubbles out of his nose.” Fei Yang’a looked up at Changning with her little face and held her hand as she spoke to her.
Changning, who was feeling aches and pains in her back, couldn't help but smile when she heard this: "Feiyang is really smart. You've figured out the personalities of both of your younger brothers."
Fei Yanga scratched his head shyly, but still retorted, "Mother, I've told you many times! You should call me Hongzhao."
"Alright, alright, Hongzhao. I'm sorry, Mother forgot."
Yinzhen patted Fei Yang'a's little head: "Your mother is tired, don't disturb her."
Fei Yang'a was a little curious and looked her mother up and down. She noticed that her mother did look tired, so she asked worriedly, "Mother, what's wrong? Are you alright?"
Hutuli and Fengsheng'e also came over.
Looking into the children's innocent eyes, Changning's face turned bright red. What else could it be but the torment she had endured at the hands of Yinzhen?
Yinzhen, really! How could you talk nonsense in front of the children! Changning rolled her eyes at him, saw his somewhat mocking expression, and snorted coldly, "Mother is fine, it's just that your father insisted on making Mother exercise."
"Mom, did you go play basketball too? Can you call me next time?" When it comes to sports, Fei Yang'a immediately thinks of the basketball hoop in his mother's yard.
Changning was eager for the children to go somewhere else, so she immediately nodded: "Okay, okay, I'll definitely invite you next time."
Hutu pouted, "Me too! Me too! Mother, play on the seesaw with me later!"
Feng Sheng'e said with a hint of helplessness, "Sister, Mother is tired. How about I play on the seesaw with you in a bit?"
Fei Yanga also shouted, "No, no, brother has to go down the slide with me!"
Feeling the power of the mischievous children, Changning rubbed her forehead and quickly asked Granny Zhang to serve the meal.
It's hot today, so we're serving cold noodles.
The accompanying cold dishes were sweet and sour: sweet and sour lotus root slices, cold black fungus and onion salad, and minced meat with pickled green beans. Hutuli loves sweet and sour baby radishes, so a small dish of them was also served.
Fei Yanga loves meat, so there was also a plate of cold beef salad and garlic-flavored pork knuckle.
Feng Sheng'e likes to drink soup, so Changning ordered him a light loofah and egg soup.
Yinzhen kept eating the pickled garlic in front of him. He loved garlic and ate pickled garlic like a snack, one piece after another.
Seeing the people around him eating heartily, Changning also felt a bit hungry.
Especially Hutuli, who threw the whole round little radish ball into his mouth and chewed it nonstop with great gusto!
Seeing his daughter's hearty eating habits, Yinzhen was quite surprised. He felt that since having a nanny around, Hutuli hadn't become more reserved; instead, she had become even more unrestrained.
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