Just for a piece of ice, is it worth her being so happy?
But now that everyone is on the same boat, she is too lazy to say more.
All that fills her heart and mind is how to stand out during the Qixi Festival, so that the Emperor would become interested in her again.
The Third Prince was taken away early, but here for Princess Consort Lan, the Second Prince has too many things to pack.
Needless to mention, with his frail health that needs constant care, he has to bring more life-saving items.
"The sun is strong outside, be careful with the packing, and remember to hold an umbrella for the Second Prince on the way, understood?"
The person who came was none other than Zhuai Yun, the Chief Palace Maid beside Princess Consort Lan, who left no detail out of her instructions.
She then addressed Nanny Chai, who had been taking care of the Second Prince.
"Nanny, take good care of the Second Prince, he is frail, and our Lady has put so much effort into raising him since he was little. Now that he’s moving to stay close to the Emperor, it’s a great thing, but remember to remind the Second Prince not to overexert himself in any situation."
"Don’t worry, Miss Zhuai Yun. With this old servant around, the Second Prince will not suffer."
She was plump in stature with a kindly face.
She indeed looked like a kind-hearted old nanny.
Yet the Second Prince, who had been reclining lazily on the couch, appeared like a pool of dead water, entirely impassive.
Only after instructing the Palace Attendants did Zhuai Yun approach the Second Prince.
She spoke gently and kindly.
"Lady Lan was originally going to see off the Second Prince, but as you know, given her delicate condition nowadays, she’s often dozing off and is now resting in bed; hence, the Second Prince must be understanding."
Seeing the Second Prince non-reactive, Zhuai Yun spoke again.
"The Second Prince is frail, unlike ordinary people, and must remember to take his medicine. This servant has already instructed Nanny Chai to present it to you every day."
Hearing this, the Second Prince finally opened his eyes to look at Zhuai Yun.
Although just a child not yet six, the calmness in his gaze sent a chill down the back of Zhuai Yun, a Chief Palace Maid in her twenties.
He only softly uttered these two words, then continued to close his eyes and rest.
Leaving Zhuai Yun feeling rather embarrassed.
A look of disdain flashed briefly across her elegant face.
Then, as if thinking of something, she chuckled lightly, gave a curtsy, and left.
Meanwhile, Nanny Chai continued directing people to move the items, seemingly unaware of the scene that unfolded.
When Zhuai Yun returned to Princess Consort Lan’s chamber, she was sitting on the couch, sewing bellybands for the soon-to-be-born child.
The tiger head embroidered on the bellyband looked vivid, and beside her, Zhuimeng, who was helping to organize the threads, was giving praises.
Seeing her come back, Princess Consort Lan put down her needlework and asked hurriedly.
"Is everything arranged for the Second Prince?"
"All arranged, please rest assured, Your Grace."
Seeing Princess Consort Lan sigh, Zhuimeng immediately comforted her.
"Your Grace has raised the Second Prince for so many years, yet he has always been distant. In the end, it’s because you are not truly mother and child, there’s no use in feeling upset."
Princess Consort Lan had a somewhat sorrowful expression on her face, thinking of the "son" who had never been close to her since childhood, the more she thought about it, the more it gave her a headache.
Clearly, he had been raised in Yong’an Palace since birth.
In six years, even a stone can be warmed up, yet he remains so cold-hearted and indifferent.
Sometimes, Princess Consort Lan even felt as if he didn’t seem like a child at all.
Evidently, Su Pin was soft-spoken and somewhat meek, how could she have given birth to such a son?
The needle accidentally pricked Princess Consort Lan’s finger.
Startling her into wincing.
Zhuimeng and Zhuai Yun hurriedly turned to check, thankfully, only a small droplet of blood appeared.
"Your Grace, now that you have your own child in your belly, you must be extra careful from now on; better to leave the needlework to us maidservants."
Princess Consort Lan smiled, looking at the pattern on the bellyband.
The affection in her eyes seemed boundless.
This pregnancy hadn’t come easily to her either.
Since she entered the palace in the ninth year of Yuanhe, it had been a full eight years.
If not for her family sending the medical woman Zhuixia into the palace a year ago, she might still not be pregnant by now.
Thinking of this, she curiously asked.
"Returning Madam, she is brewing the fetus-preserving medicine for you."
Zhuimeng glanced outside, seeing no one, she immediately lowered her voice.
"I hear there’s something particularly good in that fetus-preserving medicine, it will surely ensure this child of yours will be a Prince!"
Hearing this, Princess Consort Lan smiled even more happily.
Though she said she hoped for a Princess, that was merely to placate Lin Guifei’s words.
In the entire palace, who doesn’t wish to bear a Prince?
That’s their hope for the future, how could a Princess be more important than a Prince?
If otherwise, she wouldn’t have taken the Second Prince under her care without reason.
That was also the goal, wasn’t it?
Seemingly sensing Princess Consort Lan’s thoughts, the child in her belly suddenly started to kick.
"Is the child kicking again, Madame?"
"Yes, with each kick, even my belly feels a bit sore."
"That’s a good sign, my mother had the same experience when carrying my younger brother, moving vigorously every day, and my brother was born robust and healthy!"
Hearing this, Princess Consort Lan’s smile deepened, eyebrows arching.
In the rear hall of Qiqing Hall in Zeping State, Dong Yuzhong was busy organizing luggage for the two Princes.
Each has three rooms, all facing south, seemingly connected yet separated by a small garden in between.
Since the Princes were born, it would be the first time they lived so close together.
The Third Prince remained as polite as ever, although only five, he was already very mature and prudent in speech and action.
Moreover, being the Emperor’s most robust surviving son, he was highly likely to ascend the throne in the future.
Therefore, the Palace Attendants took extra care of him.
Accompanying him were four nannies, three eunuchs, and one Chief.
Each was personally selected by Princess Consort Yi, not only loyal but also adept at winning people’s hearts.
Within just a short time, most attendants in Zeping State had become familiar with them.
In contrast, it was much quieter over at the Second Prince’s residence.
Perhaps due to his eccentricity, or maybe because his frail health accumulated much resentment.
So ordinary people wouldn’t dare approach him lightly, fearful of offending him unknowingly.
Nanny Chai glanced over, and the previously kind face she showed to Zhuimeng now revealed its true colors.
Speaking in a tone rather impatient.
"The Second Prince may have a weak body, but his temperament needs improvement. Just look at the Third Prince next door, his threshold is about to be trampled down, while in our courtyard, it’s so cold and empty, can’t even find a palace maid to bring tea or water."
Speaking in a huff, a spittle or two inadvertently sprayed out.
She wiped it off with her sleeve and continued.
"If it wasn’t for the kindness Princess Consort Lan showed to this old servant, I wouldn’t have endured such grievances all these years!"