Chapter Twenty-Four

  It was as if overnight, the golden osmanthus flowers were full of branches, squeezing out sweet breath, and the whole yard was filled with fragrance even without incense. The girls picked up small baskets and picked clean osmanthus flowers to make pastries, spices, and osmanthus oil, all of which are very good.

  Rong Fei rewarded the Third Prince with a lot of crabs, and the Third Prince also gave some to Yongzheng. They were then sent to the Imperial Kitchen to be prepared as dishes for the evening banquet. These days were when several grown-up princes would enter the back palace, and since they were about to go on an expedition, they couldn't afford to be extravagant with money, so it was just a matter of the brothers gathering together to drink and have a meal.

  In the house were Guan Pei and San Fu Jin, as well as Wu Fu Jin. Da Fu Jin said she was unwell and couldn't come. The Crown Princess didn't attend these kinds of gatherings casually. Outside in the courtyard, a table had been set up, and Da A Ge, Yin Zhen, San A Ge, Wu A Ge, Qi A Ge, and Ba A Ge were all there.

  As the night fell, a string of firecrackers was set off and a small sedan chair carried Nalan Mingyue in, settling her into the west wing. The banquet outside also began.

  San Fu Jin was already over five months pregnant, and she didn't have to come, but since the third prince's mansion had to be entered, it wasn't too comfortable in her heart, and she also intentionally gathered with several sisters-in-law to chat.

  Under the bright and festive candlelight, San Fu Jin hastily ate several mouthfuls, then pointed at Quan Pei and said: "What kind of heart do you have, to personally run out and beg? Begging is one thing, but insisting on two, comparing with us, we can't even utter a word of complaint!"

  She was pregnant and didn't even trim her nails or dye them. San Fu Jin's soft fingers gently tapped on the shoulder of Quan Pei.

  "Isn't Third Brother very good to you? What are you worried about?"

  Wufu Jin ate a piece of crab roe and then raised her head to speak: "It's all the same, they're all pregnant. Having another son, what else do you have to worry about? I don't know how much better it is than mine."

  San Fu Jin supported her chin, as if she had drunk wine, and her eyes were a bit blurry: "...Yes, when I first came in, I just wanted to hold the case and eyebrows well, I must be a virtuous and generous good wife, so that everyone would envy and praise me. However, my heart is not satisfied..." She touched her own chest: "He is gentle and talented, and treats me well one point, I want to ask for two points, got two points and want more, sometimes I even hate him having only me as a good..."

  Wu Fu Jin was startled, picked up a chopstick of beef and stuffed it into San Fu Jin's mouth: "Heavenly gods, you dare to say such things?! Fortunately, there are no outsiders around!"

  San Fu Jin was poked in the mouth by Wu Fu Jin, and her mouth hurt. She gave her a white eye and finally swallowed that piece of beef: "Isn't it just because you two are talking about it!"

  Quan Pei paused for a moment, her thoughts were also somewhat complicated. The relationship between men and women is probably like this, always wanting to possess each other completely, but the world does not allow it. Quan Pei gently patted San Fu's hand: "Put these thoughts aside, think more about the child in your belly, when you have him, maybe you won't say such things."

  Sanfujin smiled: "Is this your experience?"

  "I suppose so..."

  Even if it were brothers, because in the palace they didn't casually discuss political affairs, only telling jokes from outside or private matters that wouldn't hurt anyone's feelings. Somehow they started talking about the eighth prince's marriage, and the eldest prince laughed and said: "You little guy is quite lucky, I heard this time they've chosen for you the granddaughter of Prince An's daughter-in-law!"

  The Eighth Brother smiled: "No one agrees with me either."

  Seventh Brother seemed to have remembered and said vaguely: "Isn't it Ping An? Often seen in the palace, very much liked by the Empress Dowager!"

  Third Brother smiled at Eighth Brother: "If you marry this princess, Old Eight will also be in the empress dowager's eyes."

  The eighth prince lowered his eyes, with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth: "Who dares to have such extravagant hopes."

  The eldest brother patted the eighth brother vigorously: "What are you dodging? This is a good thing, come on, I'll toast you a cup!"

  In the western wing room, Nalan Mingyue could only see a small area under her canopy, listening to unfamiliar voices coming from outside. From then on, this not-so-large place would become her everything. The little maid Ziyu, who had been brought from home, whispered in her ear: "Does the princess want some water?"

  Nalan Mingyue pursed her somewhat dry lips and shook her head slightly. She could endure it for a little while longer, and then it would pass.

  It wasn't until much later that the sounds from outside gradually faded away, and everything returned to calm. Nalan Mingyue hastily sat up straight, knowing that Yongzheng would be entering soon.

  Quan Pei sent the three Fu Jin out and came in to see Yongzheng half-reclining on the couch. The maid brought up a hangover soup and called for Yongzheng to drink it. Quan Pei also changed her clothes and came out, seeing him still sitting there without leaving, she slightly furrowed her brow: "What's wrong? Where are you uncomfortable?"

  Yongzheng ignored him and didn't look at Quan Pei, muttering to himself: "It seems a bit uncomfortable."

  Quan Pei's warm hands covered Yongzheng's forehead, muttering to herself: "Isn't it hot at all......" But Yongzheng grasped Quan Pei's hand: "You..."

  He only said one word, but it was unclear what he meant to say. He seemed to be feeling a mix of regret and helplessness, perhaps even he himself didn't know his own emotions at that moment. All he knew was that he wanted to talk to Quan Pei for a bit, or maybe hear her say something.

  Wei's eyes were filled with simple concern, and Yongzheng suddenly got up as if he had lost his energy: "I'm going, you go to sleep early."

  The big red lantern outside the house shone on Yinzhen's figure, which was somehow sturdy and tall. Quan Pei stood at the door with a nose full of the sweet fragrance of osmanthus flowers. On this cool autumn night, she quickly turned around and went back into the house.

  Zi'er caught sight of Yongzheng walking towards her through the gap in the door curtain, and quickly turned around to walk to Nalan Mingyue's side, grasping her hand. Nalan Mingyue seemed to relax a bit less now that it was only the first day, but the empress had kept the master in her quarters for so long without coming out, how would the people below look at her? Fortunately, the master had arrived, otherwise she would have become a laughing stock. It could also be seen that the empress's methods were just like this...

  A pure and innocent girl had a pair of lively and curious eyes, looking at him as if still with a few threads of curiosity. Yongzheng reached out to grasp Nalan Mingyue's thin shoulders, and the rouge color climbed all over Nalan Mingyue's pale face. The bed curtains were lifted, covering up a room of...

  The cloud-like hair and golden step shook the jade pendants, and the first lady's bright eyes and white teeth became even more radiant. The emerald cuff on her wrist slid down, revealing the fair and beautiful wrist of the first lady. Quan Pei put down the tea cup and rewarded Nalan Mingyue with a pearl hairpin, and Nalan Mingyue hurriedly knelt down to thank her.

  They also met with Song and Li, calling them sisters. The whole process was quiet and harmonious, making Nalan Mingyue not quite believe it. It didn't seem like what her sister had said at all - that if she wasn't careful, she would be tripped up and caught in a mistake, which would then become a handle to be used against her.

  The Fourth Prince's household seems more harmonious than she had imagined, and both Song Shi and Li Shi don't seem like difficult people to talk to. The mistress didn't even give her any deliberate warnings or words that would make her lose face.

  After exchanging greetings, Yongzheng left.

  Kwon Ae's time to read had also arrived, and when Kwon Ae waved her hand, Lee Shi and Song Shi hastily retreated, Nalan Mingyue looked around and followed them out.

  Madam Li changed her clothes and sat on the couch, closing her eyes to rest. The newly promoted senior maid, Liu Li, hurriedly presented Madam Li with a bowl of red date lotus seed tea. As she took it in her hand, she casually chatted with Liu Li: "Take a look at how the new young lady is doing today?"

  "Gege asks, and I'll speak my mind. The appearance isn't the best, but that naive and lovely look is quite likable. Looking at Master's expression, it seems he's still satisfied for now."

  Li drank a sip of tea and smiled: "You're right, but the newcomers in our courtyard can't figure out this rule. This morning was so smooth, no one made things difficult for her, she didn't know what would happen next. The mistress can't stand us fighting, likes it quiet in the courtyard, whoever breaks this rule will be punished, just wait and see, Nalan will fall behind."

  Just then, the maid outside said: "Xin Gege has arrived!"

  Li smiled and put down her tea bowl: "Don't be slow to let him in." She had to work hard to give this new gege a peaceful and happy atmosphere.

  Nalan Mingyue's face was full of smiles as she held several embroidered items in her hand, and Li's smile grew even brighter: "Sister, please sit down!"

  But in every word and phrase, she would weave in some news from the courtyard or the likes and dislikes of her father and mother-in-law. Li Shi would smile and respond to each one: "....the mistress is kind to us, just do your own duty well and don't be afraid!"

  Nalan Mingyue's sweet smile: "Sister is really great!"

  After leaving Li's house, I went to see Song's family. By the time it was noon, I had greeted everyone in the same courtyard and more or less knew some things.

  Zi'er was massaging Nalan Mingyue's shoulders, listening to her say: "Luckily sister said it would be scary, but now it doesn't seem so difficult to get along with..."

  "Better be more cautious, after all, it's your first time here and there are many things you don't understand."

  "I understand what you're saying, I just want to get along well with the people in this courtyard before Wu Ruoxue arrives and put her in her place!"

  Quan Pei put down the book, and Xiao Yue hurried to welcome her. While attending to Quan Pei's hand washing, she said to Na Lan Mingyue, who had just entered: "...not long after leaving the main house, she went to Li Gege's room, and soon after that, she went to Song Gege's room. The senior maids also sent exquisite embroidered pouches."

  Quan Ai used a Western-style handkerchief to wipe her hands dry and stood up: "Knowing this isn't stupid either."

  The empress did not object to Nalan Mingyue getting along with others, but only hoped that Nalan Mingyue could grasp the degree.

  The little girl in the room lifted the curtain to welcome Quan Pei in, and Bao Ge'er, who was awake, was lying on the kang with his eyes wide open, sucking his hand. Quan Pei smiled and waved a sachet in front of Bao Ge'er's eyes, which indeed attracted his attention, and he stretched out his hand to grab it.

  Teased the child for a while, then whispered and said a lot of things. The child seemed to not understand, but with Quan Pei speaking in front of him like this, he became extremely quiet, his small hands tightly grasping Quan Pei's collar, a pair of bright and clear black eyes quietly looking at Quan Pei, suddenly smiling again. Nai Ya stood beside them, chiming in: "Young master seems to have understood!"

  Even when the child cries, it makes Rong's heart as soft as a spring breeze in March, and she can't help but gaze at him lovingly.

  Wei Juan loved Bao Ge very much, but she didn't allow the nannies to spoil him: "Don't pick him up and comfort him as soon as he cries a little, don't overindulge him when he's not cold or hungry. If he wants to cry, let him cry for a while. Don't raise boys to be too delicate."

  The wet nurses were very busy.