TPNCQ CHAPTER 5
I like your
straightforwardness
Due to an incident during the Dragon Raising Festival and
a subsequent spring outing, she had been in a foul mood for several days.
Today, after court, the emperor went to the Changchun palace for breakfast
without visiting her, which further angered her. She was scolding a young maid
when she heard the news brought by Moli, and her mood instantly improved.
She had been plotting for over a month, sending a steady
stream of delicacies to the Jingren Palace, aiming precisely for this outcome.
The Chun Gufei (aka Pure Noble Consort) might have two
princes, but they were still under her thumb.
If the one in the Changchun palace gave birth to a
daughter, it would be even better. Without a legitimate son, the Third Prince,
who had an unfavored mother, wouldn't be much of a threat, making her Fourth
Prince Yongcheng the best candidate.
The Imperial Physician had already confirmed that her
current pregnancy was likely to be a boy. With two princes under her knees, her
future prospects would be greatly improved. Whether it was the mother relying
on the son or the son relying on the mother, she would ensure that no one else
could take advantage.
As for the Chun Gufei (aka Pure Noble Consort), having
just given birth to a daughter did not qualify her to compete with her; it was
like comparing a firefly to the moon, utterly ridiculous.
"Serve a dish of sweet steamed milk custard for
lunch today. Also, take some silver to the Imperial Kitchen and tell them that
this is a reward for their excellent work," Jia Fei (Consort Jia)
instructed, unable to hide the smile on her lips. If it weren’t inconvenient to
visit the Jingren Palace at the moment, she would have loved to see the Chun
Gufei’s bloated figure herself.
"Yes, Niangniang, nubi will personally instruct the
Imperial Kitchen to make it according to your taste," answered Lamei. She
knew that the Niangniang's favorite dessert was this one, though she rarely ate
sweets to maintain her figure, and even more so now during her pregnancy.
Today, she was truly in a good mood.
When their mistress was happy, the maids' lives improved
as well, and they might even receive some rewards.
---
When Saoqin, the chief palace
maid from the Empress's side came to deliver rewards, Su Limo was leisurely
lying on her couch, eating tangerines. Upon hearing the news, she quickly put
down the tangerine, wiped her hands, and with the help of Shuang Jiang, put on
her shoes and went to the main hall to receive the gifts.
"Her Majesty the Empress finds this moisturizing
balm quite effective. Take these two boxes first, and if you need more, you can
always get them from the Changchun palace," Saoqin conveyed the message
word for word.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous gift. I
am deeply grateful," Su Limo expressed her thanks according to protocol.
This morning, when she had gone to the Changchun palace to pay her respects,
the Empress could have given her the reward directly but had chosen to send it
afterward through her chief maid, likely to save her any embarrassment in front
of the Emperor. Su Limo appreciated the Empress’s consideration.
"With the weather being unpredictable, Her Majesty
said there's no need to visit the Changchun palace to express gratitude. She
advises you to take good care of yourself and bring the Fourth Princess to
visit when the weather is pleasant. The Third Princess has been asking to see
her sister every day, but the Empress has held her back, not wanting to disturb
your recovery," Saoqin said politely but not overbearing.
"Thank you, Her Majesty, for her thoughtfulness. I
will certainly bring the Fourth Princess to pay respects on a fine day,"
Su Limo responded, smiling joyfully.
"It's getting late, so I will take my leave
now," Saoqin said.
Shuang Jiang quickly handed the tray she was holding to Dong
Xue and personally escorted Saoqin out.
As Su Limo walked back to her sleeping quarters, she
opened one of the boxes of moisturizing balm, took a small amount with her
finger, and enjoyed its floral fragrance. However, she didn't need it, so she
handed it to Dong Xue. "Place it on the top of the dressing table."
"Yes," Dong Xue responded, placing it on the
dressing table. She stood by the couch, hesitant, her lips moving as if she
wanted to say something but held back.
Su Limo, while peeling a tangerine and putting a piece in
her mouth, noticed Dong Xue's hesitation and said gently, "Just speak up;
I like your straightforwardness."
Just as Shuang Jiang returned from sending Saoqin out,
she couldn't stop Dong Xue in time and heard her blurting out, "The Fourth
Princess is much loved by the Emperor and the Empress... Niangniang should……
take good care of yourself and often bring the Princess to see the
Emperor..." Dong Xue looked at the Gufei and then saw Shuang Jinag face. Realizing
that she had said something worng, Dong Xue immediately knelt down with a plop
and kowtowed, "I spoke out of turn, please forgive me, Nianniang."