Changning got up early that morning to dress up. Pinhua had a good eye and knew many trendy hairstyles and makeup looks, so she was in charge of it today.
Pin Hua considered her options. Today was a gathering of her master and close friends. She needed to be dignified without losing her status, while also showing affection. Therefore, she chose a crimson Suzhou satin cheongsam embroidered with birds, with a circle of fine pearls around the neckline. Each pearl was round and lustrous, making her small face look as bright as jade.
Changning was very satisfied. She then selected a pair of twin begonia flower hairpins from her makeup box and put on a pair of exquisite coral bracelets, which were part of her dowry. Dressed up like this, she looked like a fairy princess from afar.
Yinzhen was also momentarily stunned when he saw Changning's appearance. He was very moved and couldn't help but whisper in an ambiguous tone, "Ning'er is truly a peerless beauty."
Changning, who was also admiring her own beauty, laughed when she heard this and couldn't help but act coquettishly, "Alright, Master, you should go about your business. The guests will be here soon."
Yinzhen said with a hint of helplessness, "Alright, alright, then you can entertain him properly. I'm leaving now."
After seeing Yinzhen off, Changning began preparing to set the table, selecting several blooming flowers to arrange in vases. Just as she was busy with this, Tingfeng came to report that all three had arrived.
"So fast?"
Changning hurried outside, surprised. The three women arrived at the same time. Zhaojia was wearing a pine-colored qipao; young and pretty, the color suited her well. Talai was dressed in Yang Guifei's shade; though of humble birth, she was beautiful, and the dress suited her well. As for Shushu Gioro, she was the most beautiful—after all, a wife should be virtuous, a concubine beautiful. She wore a white-blue qipao embroidered with lotus flowers, graceful and delicate, like a willow swaying in the breeze.
"You two really have a special connection, it's such a coincidence that you arrived at the same time. You look so beautiful." Changning didn't hold back her praise.
Zhao Jiayun blushed slightly. Few people would compliment her on her looks. "Sister-in-law, don't tease me. You are the one with the best complexion. You dressed up before coming to visit."
Changning smiled and put his arm around her. "No way, our Yunchun is still young and hasn't fully grown up yet. In my opinion, she can become even more beautiful. Come on, let's not stand here. Let's go pay our respects to the Fujin first. My courtyard is all ready."
Shushu Jueluo Wanhe was overjoyed, and looked at Changning with starry eyes, "Sister Fucha is the most thoughtful and considerate. This dress really suits you."
"Alright, alright, stop praising each other, let's go."
The four first went to the main courtyard of the Fujin (principal wife), as they needed to pay their respects first. The Fujin didn't make things difficult for them, but she was somewhat displeased. It was one thing for Shushu Gioro Shi to be so close, but Zhaojia Shi and Talai Shi were both primary Fujin, so how could they be so intimately associated with a secondary Fujin? It was too shameful.
Yan Hua was too lazy to waste words with them. The eldest prince, Hong Hui, had recently fallen ill and could not even take his medicine. He needed to be carefully cared for and looked after. After saying a few words, she told them to go and have fun.
Upon arriving at Qingzhiyuan, Tatarai Shufen exclaimed, "Sister Fucha, the scenery here is truly beautiful. A swing set under the trees would be perfect for escaping the summer heat."
Changning laughed and said, "Of course! We can also set up a table next to it and drink together in the breeze. That would be so much fun!"
"What delicious treats has Sister Fucha prepared for us today?" After getting to know Changning better, Zhao Jia Yun Chun liked Changning's personality even more. She felt like an older sister, unlike her fourth sister-in-law. When she was with her fourth sister-in-law, she had to wear a mask and constantly remind herself that she was the Thirteenth Princess Consort. But when she was with Changning, she could be Zhao Jia Yun Chun.
"Let's go. Chunni from our courtyard has already prepared new notebooks and specially told you about them. Let's listen to the story while we have some snacks, and then have lunch at noon."
The group sat down happily, listening to Chunni's vivid storytelling. When they got to the part about how Shen Feng, wielding a red-tasseled spear, charged in and out of the enemy ranks seven times, moving as lightly as a swallow and displaying superb horsemanship, even taking the head of a general, all four of them applauded and cheered.
"Sister Fucha, your maid is eloquent and clever. She joined the army in place of her father. General Shen Feng's achievements as a woman are truly a rare and admirable story!" Zhao Jiayun's eyes sparkled.
Tatarai Shufen chimed in, "Yes, she has the demeanor of a Manchu woman! Our Manchu grandmothers back in the day tamed wild horses and drew great bows!"
As they were talking, the plot reached the point where Shen Feng's female identity was revealed, and the general was furious, yet amazed by Shen Feng's talent.
"I never expected such an outstanding general to be a woman!" The officers whispered among themselves. They had always admired General Chen's strategies and martial arts, but now they felt as if they had been slapped in the face. Chunni became more and more excited as she spoke, mimicking the expressions of the others perfectly.
Later, Shen Feng was still confined to her quarters to await punishment. Unexpectedly, the enemy launched a surprise attack, and the marshal's son was captured. When everyone was at a loss, Shen Feng volunteered to go alone and charged into the enemy camp. He put on his armor again, and with his heroic spirit, he slaughtered the enemy without leaving a single one alive. He successfully rescued the hostage and even killed the enemy's general.
The entire court and the public were shocked, and the emperor bestowed upon Shen Feng the title of "the bravest general in the three armies," making her the first female general of the dynasty.
"Later, when Shen Feng grew old, he resigned from his position as general and went into seclusion in the mountains, disappearing without a trace." Chunni ended her story here.
Wanhe sighed, "General Shenfeng's life was truly legendary and wonderful. As a woman, having lived this life is not a wasted one."
"Yes, achieving great feats and becoming the bravest warrior in the army, Shen Feng has accomplished what every man dreams of." Zhao Jiayun Chun also expressed her deep feelings.
Tatarai Shufen quickly smiled and said, "It is Fucha's clever idea that makes this book so good. In my opinion, we should appreciate the spring mud properly."
The crowd then snapped out of their reverie and began to praise Chunni's eloquence, showering her with rewards.
"Let's go, it's already noon. Let me show you some of the food from our Prince's Mansion. This fish is one I caught yesterday from the small pond in the garden."
After saying that, Changning led the three of them to their seats.
There weren't many meat dishes on the table. Because the weather was still quite hot, there were many refreshing sweet and sour dishes, with the spicy grilled fish in the very center.
Changning was enthusiastically recommending it, but Wanhe took a bite of fish and couldn't stop feeling nauseous. This left the others looking at each other in bewilderment.
None of the four women had ever given birth, and the eldest, Lady Talai, only had one adopted son. Seeing this, it was Granny Zhang who whispered to Changning first, "It seems that Consort Shushu Jueluo is pregnant."
Changning was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Wanhe, are you pregnant?"
Wanhe quickly drank some tea to suppress her nausea, and after a moment, she nodded shyly.
"Wow! This is really great news!"
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