Some time passed, and as summer approached, the weather became increasingly unpredictable.
It was as if a storm had just passed, and the rain was still drizzling, with the clouds on the horizon already torn open by the sunlight.
After having breakfast, Ningyin leaned back on the couch to rest. Looking through the window at the bright green pears dripping with water droplets, she inexplicably swallowed.
Su Xin fanned the breeze for someone and followed Ning Yin's gaze, thinking that her master probably wanted to try the pear.
This is an early-ripening variety. In previous years, around this time, some of the eunuchs who did the cleaning would pick some to taste, but most of them would only take one bite before frowning.
These pears are very sour, even when they're fully ripe, so most people just use them to make fruit wine.
Since the arrival of the mistress of Zhaoyang Palace, the eunuchs have stopped coveting the pears.
"Your Highness, would you like to try this pear? I'll pick it for you."
Su Xin handed the fan to Granny Zhang, rolled up her sleeves, and prepared to get down to business.
Ningyin knew that Suxin loved climbing trees and picking fruit, so she nodded.
She's been craving something sour lately, especially tangy fruit, but there aren't many sour fruits available right now, so she's set her sights on the pear tree by the door.
Soon, Su Xin brought a ladder and climbed up the tree, with two eunuchs holding a piece of cloth below to catch her.
Before long, the young eunuch presented the pears, which had been washed clean.
Ever since learning that Ningyin was pregnant, Zhang Mama had been extra careful about food. Even things that passed right under her nose had to be tested with a silver needle before she would eat a few bites herself and give them to Ningyin.
She picked up a bright green pear and took a bite. It had a thin skin, thick flesh, and was very juicy, with a slightly astringent taste. Granny Zhang immediately frowned, grimaced, and forced herself to swallow the bite.
Seeing Zhang Mama's pained expression, Ning Yin couldn't help but ask, "Is it not tasty?"
"Your Majesty, these pears are so sour they're making my teeth ache."
Granny Zhang grinned at her, and Ning Yin reached out and took a bite from the plate, smiling slightly, "I think this tastes excellent."
After saying that, Ningyin ate three in one go, and still wanted to eat one more, but was stopped by Zhang Mama, who said that eating too much sour food was not good.
Zhang Mama knew that pregnant women craved sour foods, but she never expected her mistress to crave sour foods so intensely. It seemed that the mistress was carrying a little prince.
"Your Majesty, there is an old saying that goes, 'Sour for a boy, spicy for a girl.' Since you love sour food, it seems that you are definitely carrying a little prince in your belly."
Ning Yin glanced at Zhang Mama, then reached out and touched her belly. She liked both boys and girls, but recently the little one in her belly had stopped bothering her, and her appetite had improved.
She no longer feels nauseous when eating meat and greasy food, and can eat about a third of her meals each time.
Ning Yin's face became rounder at a visible speed, and her pointed chin grew a little fleshy. Xiao Xuan liked to touch her chin and pinch her little face.
He didn't like Ning Yin being too thin, as it was bad for her health. She looked much better this way. Seeing that Ning Yin could eat quite a lot at every meal made Xiao Xuan happy.
The three nannies sent in by Empress Dowager Zhang were responsible for three things: one was in charge of making clothes for Ningyin's newborn, another was in charge of her diet and nutrition, and the third would tell Ningyin about some precautions during pregnancy.
After all, she was the only woman favored by the Crown Prince, and Empress Dowager Zhang had repeatedly instructed them to serve Ningyin and the young prince well.
In addition, Ningyin was kind-hearted and generous, so the three old nannies felt that staying in the East Palace was not bad.
When it was lunchtime, Xiao Xuan came over and said that the Wei envoy had just presented some local delicacies and treasures that day.
Last time, when Wei heard that Qi had easily crushed Chu, they thought of coming over to curry favor with them. Fortunately, they didn't send troops to reinforce Chu, otherwise, yesterday's Chu would be today's Wei.
Xiao Xuan seemed to be in a very good mood. He ordered people to show Ning Yin all the rare treasures one by one, and then moved them all to the side hall of Zhaoyang Palace.
Her palace is now almost completely filled with the treasures that Xiao Xuan sent over.
"Ah Ning, this is a specialty of Wei. I've already had it tested, and it's fine. Why don't you try it?"
Ning Yin looked at the various snacks laid out on the table. She had never eaten Wei Kingdom snacks before, and they looked quite exquisite.
However, the taste was indeed quite good. Ningyin already had a good appetite, and she couldn't stop herself from eating a lot in one go.
"Jingyuan, I've gained about ten pounds. Will you dislike me in the future?"
Ning Yin touched her slightly full stomach and turned to look at the man's gentle eyes.
"Ah Ning, I am your husband. No matter what you look like, you will always be the most beautiful in my eyes. We promised to grow old together, didn't we?"
"But......"
Ning Yin suddenly remembered Consort Min, who had given birth to a son and a daughter for the King of Chu, but was disliked by the King of Chu because of her out-of-shape figure. She was also banished to the Cold Palace by the King of Chu for saying the wrong thing, and was never cared for again.
The women in the palace seemed to be either extremely powerful or miserable, showing a severe polarization.
Ning Yin didn't know why she suddenly started to worry. Perhaps it was because she realized that she was now inextricably linked to the palace that she began to think more.
After all, pregnant women's emotions tend to fluctuate.
Xiao Xuan knew what Ning Yin was worried about. In fact, he had made up his mind from the beginning that he would never favor any other woman in his life except Ning Yin.
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