mtl008 Chapter 209: Another Misunderstanding and a Surprise
Chapter 209: Another Misunderstanding and a Surprise
The Fourth Prince's Courtyard
Because of what happened in Dan Ningju, Shi's mother was happy to see Shi Rongyue, but she was a little absent-minded. She wanted to ask something, but the news Shi Rongyue told her upset her.
"You said you were pregnant?"
Shi Mu held her daughter's hand with a look of surprise, thinking she had heard it wrong.
Shi Rongyue's lips curled up, his eyes full of pride.
"Mother, you heard me right. I'm pregnant. It's just over a month."
Upon learning that the good news was true, Shi's mother immediately forgot everything else, held her daughter's hand tightly, and moved her eyes to her daughter's belly, which was invisible even though she was sitting, with a burning gaze.
The one among them is the eldest son of the Fourth Prince. When the Fourth Prince ascends the throne, the Shi family will surely rise to prominence. Shi's mother couldn't help but feel excited.
As for why it must be a son, it goes without saying. Her own Rongyue was blessed by God, so how could she give birth to a daughter? At this moment, she suddenly remembered that Rongyue had just said that the baby was only a little over a month old, and immediately said cautiously:
"Rongyue, you're only one month pregnant and the baby isn't yet firmly seated. You must be careful in the future."
Then he looked at Madam Gu beside him and said:
"Take good care of your concubine. If you do a good job, I will reward you handsomely."
Nanny Gu immediately bowed and agreed solemnly.
Shi's mother was relieved, because she knew Gu Ma's abilities well. But she couldn't help but blame Shi Nanxi for something.
"You are already pregnant, and your second sister didn't even bother to inform me when she sent someone. Otherwise, I would definitely bring something suitable for pregnant women."
Shi Rongyue leaned lazily on the couch. She didn't like sitting upright all the time. She felt more relaxed in her own room. When she heard Shi's mother mention Shi Nanxi, she subconsciously thought of Kangxi's order conveyed by the Fourth Prince yesterday.
After thinking all night, she came to the conclusion that her previous guess was correct. Kangxi appointed Shi Nanxi into the palace just to use her as a tool to slap her in the face. The attack on her yesterday using Shi Nanxi's name was the evidence.
After the fear in her heart, she began to gloat over Shi Nanxi's misfortune. She thought she was the favorite concubine, but she didn't know whether she would be able to accept the truth when she found out one day.
After confirming her guess, Shi Rongyue regained her confidence and sense of superiority, and her fear of Kangxi also subsided. At this moment, she heard what Shi Mu said, first:
"My daughter wanted to give you a surprise, so she didn't let Concubine Xian tell you in advance."
Hearing that Rongyue came to give her a surprise, Shi's mother smiled from ear to ear and praised her for being filial. She was very happy, but Shi Rongyue couldn't wait to recount what Kangxi had asked the Fourth Prince to convey yesterday.
"So mother, please believe me. The higher Concubine Xian stands now, the harder she will fall in the future."
Shi Mu was startled at first, then she breathed a sigh of relief.
How could that sickly girl be really loved by the emperor? It turned out that everything was just an appearance. Thinking back to when she was in Danningju, her kind reminder was ignored by the other party and he even disobeyed her.
Then don't blame her for not caring about it in the future, and all those speculations and hesitations will disappear.
Leaving Shi Nanxi behind, Shi Mu devoted herself to caring for Shi Rongyue.
The mother and daughter were talking in private, talking about how popular Shi Rongyue's shop was, how much money she had made, and how many branches she had opened in the capital. Time passed little by little, and it was time to say goodbye.
Mother Shi held Shi Rongyue's hand and carefully instructed:
"Your belly is not even three months old yet, but since the news has been revealed, you must be careful in the future. You must pay special attention to the two princesses in the Fourth Prince's backyard, as well as the Fourth Lady who will be marrying in a little over a month."
She already knew that Rongyue would be there to welcome guests on the Fourth Prince's wedding day. After thinking about it, she did not try to persuade Rongyue to refuse. She felt suffocated because Rongyue was laughed at because of her unusual marriage.
On the day of the Fourth Lady's wedding, the room was filled with distinguished guests. Rongyue showed up with her bulging belly, as she was pregnant with the Emperor's eldest grandson. This made people look at her with respect, and no one dared to look down on her anymore.
Shi Rongyue nodded. She knew that and had read many Qing Dynasty novels. She also knew that in addition to paying attention to the Fourth Prince's backyard, she also had to be careful about the Defei.
After Shi Mu left, she was still escorted to the gate of Changchun Garden by Shi Nanxi's people. At the same time, she was given many rewards for Shi Mu to take back. The etiquette was thoughtful and very nice.
Changchun Garden is hosting a banquet for all the ministers today. Many of the concubines’ relatives are here as ladies of the imperial court, and the concubines will take the opportunity to summon them to talk.
Tong Jia Wanru, who came over with Concubine Guo Luoluo's mother, saw Shi Mu and immediately thought of Shi Nanxi, and she clenched her handkerchief tightly.
Concubine Xian, it was she who framed her and took away her position as concubine. Her heart was filled with hatred!
Nanny Cui, who came to see off Concubine De's family, followed Tong Jia Wanru's gaze and her eyes fell on Shi Mu. She looked thoughtful and went back to report to Concubine De.
After hearing this, Concubine De curled her lips slightly. After a while, she whispered:
"Find a way to plant a thorn in Tong Jia Wanru's side."
"Your Majesty, what are you doing?" Madam Cui was puzzled.
Concubine De took a piece of cake from the plate and handed it to the Fourteenth Prince, and replied calmly:
"It's just a casual move."
Seeing that Fourteenth Prince spilled food all over himself while eating, she did not get angry at all. Instead, she gently wiped it clean bit by bit with a handkerchief.
Nanny Cui immediately accepted the order.
In the afternoon, Kangxi brought his people back from the temporary palace and gave a banquet to his ministers in Changchun Garden. After the banquet, the sun had just set and the sky was filled with rosy clouds.
Kangxi came to Danningju in the sunset glow. Shi Nanxi was sitting by the window holding Xixi, enjoying the breeze. There was tea and snacks on the table, as well as a small rosewood box.
"Your Majesty, have you guessed the surprise the Emperor has prepared for you?" Hongying asked.
Shi Nanxi gently stroked Xixi's soft back, feeling lazy all over.
"I have some clues, is that right?"
Just as he finished speaking, Kangxi walked in.
"Oh? Nanxi guessed the surprise I was going to prepare?" There was a smile in his voice as he walked towards Shi Nanxi who was standing by the window.
"The emperor is back?" Shi Nanxi looked up in surprise when she heard Kangxi's voice, and quickly stood up, holding Xixi and going to greet him.
Just as he was about to salute, Kangxi held his hand and stopped him.
"Okay, no need to be polite."
As they were talking, Kangxi took Shi Nanxi's hand and walked to the couch. They sat down separately. Hongying served tea. Kangxi held Shi Nanxi's hand and did not let go. Instead, he placed it in the palm of his hand and scratched it lightly and nonchalantly.
"First, tell me, what is your guess for the surprise?"
Shi Nanxi's palm felt a little itchy when Kangxi tickled it, and she glared at him.
"Your Majesty, it itches."
However, when Kangxi saw Shi Nanxi in this state, he felt that the little girl's eyes were bright and watery, and her cheeks were rosy. His heart was moved. He clenched the little hand in his hand, and suddenly leaned over to kiss the little girl's lips.
Shi Nanxi's face turned completely red now, and she looked around nervously. Nanny Yang and the others had already lowered their heads.
Shi Nanxi breathed a sigh of relief, then glared at Kangxi.
Kangxi held back his laughter and played with the hand in his hand, still looking serious.
Xixi, lying on the mistress's lap, looked at the hostess and mistress, and felt that the cat, who had just wanted to eat dried fish, suddenly felt full for some reason.
It didn't understand why and meowed softly.
This time Kangxi couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Shi Nanxi pulled her hand back in shame.
Seeing that the little girl was annoyed, Kangxi stopped laughing and teasing her. He grabbed her hand again and played with it, asking her what she guessed the surprise was.
Shi Nanxi pursed her lips, looked at the small box on the table, and expressed her guess.
"The emperor sent Xiao Fuzi to deliver a small box. I have seen it. Inside is a set of finely crafted embroidery needles. Today is the Qiqiao Festival. There is a folk custom of throwing needles into the water to pray for dexterity. A woman throws a needle into the water and uses the sun's shadow to test her skill. If it forms the shadow of a flower, bird, cloud or animal, she will be able to beg for dexterity."
After saying that, she held Xixi in her arms and tilted her head slightly to look at Kangxi, with a coquettish look on her face:
"So the emperor wanted me to experience the folk customs of the Qiqiao Festival, and I remembered that the emperor asked me if I wanted to go boating on the lake two days ago, saying that he would take me boating when he had time. So the emperor's surprise was to take me boating and throwing needles today, is that right?"
Kangxi raised his lips and praised:
"Yes, my Concubine Xian is indeed smart and clever."
Without further ado, as they wanted to play the custom of needle-throwing, the two of them sat for a while and then rode on the sedan chair to Houhu Lake.