Yun Chun was slightly surprised, not expecting that her sister Fucha's pregnancy life was so enjoyable.
"Osmanthus wine? Sister Fucha has such a leisurely time. How long will it take to make? I'll definitely have to ask for a jar when it's ready."
Changning smiled and said, "Don't worry, you'll get your share. This jar of wine will be ready in three months."
Ah, three months. Zhao Jiayun understood. It seemed that Sister Fucha missed Fourth Brother.
"However, the Golden Festival is just around the corner. My sister is pregnant, so she'll definitely have to suffer a bit then."
Yun Chun was still thinking that she should take good care of her sister when the time came, but Chang Ning said shyly, "Fourth Master has already asked the palace for leave on my behalf."
Yun Chun looked enlightened and then teased, "Fourth Brother may look cold, but he's actually very warm-hearted. He's also very protective of you, Sister. You're truly blessed."
Changning nodded generously, "Fourth Master has indeed treated me well. Don't worry, Thirteenth Master is the same. We will all get better and better."
Yun Chun forced a slight smile. "As long as I am sensible, I'm sure Master will remember my good points."
"That's natural, the Emperor and his wife are one."
After Yun Chun left, Chang Ning rested, but she wondered where Fourth Master's carriage was now.
The Golden Festival is just a few days away.
Since it was inconvenient for the concubines in the mansion to go out, the principal wife had no choice but to put on her formal attire, get ready, and head to the palace.
With the Fujin gone, Changning became the largest mansion in the entire Prince's residence, and there was nothing to worry about.
Changning then led a large group of people to the small pond in the garden.
If older women love gardening, then older men love fishing.
Changning herself wasn't particularly fond of tending to flowers, but she was quite interested in eating fish. However, given her current state, Granny Zhang would absolutely not allow her to go near the small pond.
What should I do if I fall into the water?
What should I do if I twist my waist while pulling on a fishing rod?
What to do when you're in a bad mood because you can't catch any fish?
So Changning sat on the soft chair, waiting in the distance for Tingfeng, Wangyue, Yuzhu, and the eunuch Xiaokangzi to fish for him.
This young man, Xiao Kangzi, was chosen by Zhao Fuhai. It is said that he comes from a coastal area and is also a skilled fisherman.
The other three maids were chosen by Changning, who thought that if the four of them went fishing together, they would surely catch a few fish.
However, perhaps because of the cold autumn weather, these fish didn't like to move or bite the hook. After more than half an hour, Xiao Kangzi caught two crucian carp.
The other three people made absolutely no progress.
Tingfeng and Wangyue were alright; they were first-class maids with their own responsibilities. But Yuzhu was different. She was a second-class maid, and her mistress rarely ordered her around; she usually listened to her older sisters.
Now that she finally has a chance to shine, why can't she seize it! The more she thinks about it, the more anxious she becomes, but then the fishing float suddenly moves. Yuzhu hurriedly pulls it back, frantically trying to do so, and in the end, Xiaokangzi comes forward to lend a hand.
Changning naturally heard about such a big commotion, and she was also a little curious about what Yuzhu had caught.
After the chaotic tidying up was completed, Xiao Kangzi hurriedly brought over a bucket and handed it to Chang Ning to see.
Changning peeked out and saw that it was a soft-shelled turtle.
Changning's eyes lit up when he saw the soft-shelled turtle. He hadn't had it in so long! He had to have the "Farewell My Concubine" chicken!
Seeing that Changning was about to drool, Granny Zhang had to spoil the mood. "Master, turtle is cold in nature and has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. You can't eat it."
Changning immediately wilted, her big eyes filled with disbelief and disappointment.
Not wanting to dampen Changning's spirits, Granny Zhang tentatively suggested, "For dinner later, how about we order braised chicken in abalone sauce and grilled crucian carp with scallions? What do you think, Your Highness?"
Thinking of the scallion-baked crucian carp, Changning swallowed hard. The crucian carp is first marinated in sauce, then deep-fried twice until the bones are crispy and the whole fish is golden and fragrant. Finally, it is grilled with scallions, which neutralizes the greasiness of the fried and grilled fish, making it more and more delicious with each bite.
Braised chicken in abalone sauce was savory and rich, perfect with rice and nourishing – all Changning's favorites. So she quickly forgot the joy of eating the soft-shelled turtle. If she couldn't have the turtle, the others were just as good!
"Master, what should we do with this turtle? Should I put it back?" Xiao Kangzi asked cautiously.
Changning peeked inside and saw that the turtle was quite big, and it looked very relaxed in the bucket.
Thinking that Qingzhi Courtyard currently lacks any animals and therefore feels somewhat lifeless, she suggested, "Then let's keep them. Find a large water tank, put some aquatic plants in it, and add a few red carp to decorate it and make it look nicer."
Xiao Kangzi was overjoyed to receive this task. His family were fishermen, experts in fishing and fish farming, and he was sure he would complete it flawlessly. He figured that with this turtle, he could finally gain favor with his master.
Yu Zhu felt a little disappointed; she had gone to great lengths to drop this thing up herself. But the next second, she heard her master say, "Yu Zhu will also receive a reward. Chui Xue, go to the makeup box and find some crystal beads for them to play with."
"yes."
Yu Zhu knew about crystals; her master liked them and had quite a few. Not to mention, among the box of jewelry that Fourth Master gave her master, there were many pieces with crystals, dazzling and beautiful. Wearing them out and saying they were gifts from her master would be quite respectable.
Yu Zhu happily expressed her gratitude.
Upon receiving the order, Xiao Kangzi hurriedly went to clean the water tank and prepare to raise the turtles.
While things were peaceful and serene in Changning, the Fujin's journey to the palace to participate in the Golden Offering Festival was not so smooth.
The Banjin Festival is a traditional Manchu festival, and there are many places where one needs to kneel and kowtow three times and nine times. The princess consort had been taught etiquette since childhood, and she suffered a lot from kowtowing on this day.
After finally finishing her kowtow, she arrived at Yonghe Palace. Consort De was kind and didn't hold her back. She even offered her some snacks and tea.
However, Consort De also expressed her condolences to Changning, asking, "Is the pregnancy of that Fucha woman now stable?"
The princess nodded obediently, "Your Majesty, I have consulted the royal physician. Sister Fucha is in good health, her pregnancy is progressing well, and she is eating and sleeping well."
Speaking of this, even the Fujin herself couldn't help but feel envious. When she was pregnant with Honghui, she suffered from severe morning sickness. For the first three months, she could hardly eat anything and could only force herself to drink some plain porridge while holding her nose.
Seeing the appearance of the Fujin, Consort De both comforted and warned, "It is a blessing that the Fourth Prince's household has a new addition, and it is also due to your merit in managing the household. The more offspring there are in this household, the more secure the Fourth Prince's position will be, and you will have hope. That Li Shi is useless now. The Emperor has already agreed to remove her from the position of secondary Fujin. When you return to your household, send her to the estate to recuperate. People who have made a mistake cannot be kept."
When she finished speaking, the Fujin clearly felt Consort De glance at her.
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