A hundred boats contend in the current (1)
As December arrives, social engagements have increased.
Yun'er not only gave gifts to her relatives but also had to return gifts to some of Hongli's subordinates, fortunately, most of these were handled by Ye Nainai and Zongguan Changqing, she just glanced over them.
On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Yunzhu and Wu Fu Jin exchanged bowls of Laba congee that they had been cooking since the previous night. When the Emperor returned from the ceremony at the Central Temple, he took a break to let Su Peisheng deliver a portion to the Qianqing Palace. Unlike the traditional ingredients used in the palace's imperial kitchen, such as glutinous rice, white rice, millet, small millet, Job's tears, chestnuts, red azuki beans, red dates, peach kernels, almond, melon seeds, peanuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and dried grapes, Yunzhu cooked a savory Laba congee with ingredients like mushrooms, bamboo shoots, shrimp, wood ear fungus, and carrots. When it was presented to the Yongzheng Emperor's hands, it was still warm. "Just in time, I'm a bit hungry," he said. "Su Peisheng, you have some too. Later, let's go outside the palace to see how the congee is being distributed."
"Hmm."
In recent years, the weather has been favorable and the people's lives have been getting better day by day. Yongzheng is reverent to ghosts and gods, and every year on Laba Festival, he would send princes, dukes, and ministers to manage the cooking, offering, and distribution of porridge at the Temple of Heaven. Temples in the capital also accepted offerings of porridge and held porridge-distributing ceremonies.
Yunzhu also sent a portion of the Laba porridge cooked by the two kitchens in the palace to the Fuca Mansion, one portion each to the three uncles' mansions, and one portion to the Ruiqinwang Mansion. As for other matters that required attention, people like Guo Mama were handling them, and she didn't ask about it.
Since knowing that this year's Xia Zong ritual is still the same as in previous years, Yunzhu went to the Buddha statue, the shrine and the stove god to offer incense and pay homage. Xi Guifei completely lost her temper with Yunzhu, she was in charge of the imperial harem and had the power of the empress without the name, but this annual ritual that only the emperor and empress could perform, she didn't get a chance to participate, just like the Mid-Autumn Festival.
This grand ceremony, if it could really avoid Yunzhu, would not want to go up. Not only was it exhausting, but also had to bear the envy and jealousy of various parties. Unfortunately, when Empress Xiaojingxian was still alive, Yongzheng allowed her to attend the ceremony, after Empress Xiaojingxian's death, he directly let Yunzhu take part in the ceremony, apparently he did not think that Consort Xi had the qualifications for being a role model for the world.
After becoming a secondary imperial concubine, her status and position were elevated, and Gao Lumicro was more informed about the news in the palace. She also had the opportunity to hear and participate in some of the royal family's ceremonies and secrets. Although she envied Yunzhu's glory at this time every year, she didn't feel anything, but the sense of loss in Wu Lanara Niyimeng's heart grew stronger.
The distance between Ce Fu Jin and Di Fu Jin was so great that she only felt it now, and she could only stop at Qian Xi Er Yuan, not even daring to stay in the main courtyard for too long. Meanwhile, Fucha Yunzhu had already been worshiping the stove god alone in Kun Ning Palace for several years.
She doesn't even have the qualifications to participate in the tour.
This situation may only change slightly when the Fourth Prince ascends to the throne. But when will that be? The current emperor is in good health, and he dotes on Empress Fu... If she continues to stay hidden away in Liushuang Hall, unable to move or act freely, she will eventually become just an ordinary imperial concubine. The halo of being a favored concubine left behind by the late empress dowager will gradually fade with time. Thinking of this, she asked Xian'er somewhat anxiously: "Is there any news these past two days? Has there been no word from the Cheng'en Duke's estate?"
"Master, you also know that when the mistress goes out, there are always people serving her by her side. Besides the female officials, there is at least one wet nurse and a eunuch accompanying her. That person can't even get close to her, let alone find any opportunity."
"Then get out of the palace, what can be done in the palace? Only outside the palace can unexpected things happen and have an excuse to get close to her! You pass on the message, saying that now his younger brother is being heavily relied upon by the king, if he doesn't make some effort, in the future when he inherits the title, it won't be anyone else's fault."
"Yes."
"Master." Shan said hastily as she came in.
"What's wrong?"
Shan Yan said in a low voice: "Lv Ying was caught by Guo Yiniang, saying that the dragon robe that Furen was originally going to wear at the stove sacrifice ceremony today had an error, and she was the last one responsible..."
"What's the point of being discovered then?" Urala Niamh's face was full of annoyance, "Wasn't it said that people would be dealt with?"
The first question doesn't even need to be answered, with so many people serving by the empress's side, each one meticulous and thorough, it's normal that they would discover any issues with her morning attire. However, Lü Ying was one of the earliest palace maids sent in by the Ula Nara family, and these days, thanks to her occasionally passing on news from the main courtyard to their master, many things could be arranged and dealt with at leisure. If she were to get into trouble, it wouldn't be a big deal, but what's feared is that she might not be able to withstand the punishment and implicate their master or the Ula Nara family. Thinking of this, Shan Yan also felt some worry, "If they're just being watched, then if they get close, it would be like startling a snake in the grass."
"It's also almost New Year, this time the two of them can't afford to lose anyone." Ulanara's eyes were fixed on her heart, and the corner of her mouth was coldly hooked as she said to Shan Yin: "Think of a way to tell Lu Ying that the Ulanara family will take good care of her mother and younger brother."
"Shan's heart skipped a beat, 'Yes.' Only the dead can guarantee that secrets will not be leaked."
……
On the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, after the firecrackers were set off, the emperor issued a proclamation to hold a sealing ceremony. After the sealing, officials from various departments and ministries in the capital, colleagues, and nobles began to move around, gathering together to drink and celebrate, to thank each other for their hard work over the past year. The palaces also had a joyful and relaxed atmosphere.
On the twenty-fourth day, after the sky lanterns and longevity lamps were lit, the inner eunuch's office of affairs notified each palace hall monitor of the dust-sweeping date. Yunzhu assigned this task to be managed by Zongguan and Gu Laotaitai. In one day, the entire Qianxi Second Palace was completely renewed, and new talismans and imperial blessings were posted.
The New Year is the most lively time in the Li Fan Yuan, with envoys from neighboring countries and vassal states coming to pay their respects. In the fourth year of Yongzheng's reign, Princess Shushen, who was married to Gurunai, a grandson of Empress Xiaohuizhang's family, also returned to Beijing with her husband, Efu. Yongzheng appointed Gurunai as an additional official in the Li Fan Yuan and granted them residence in the princess's mansion.
Although she had received news that she could stay in the capital for a few more years, now that it was confirmed, Princess Shu Shen couldn't help but cry tears of joy.
"Your Highness, I've heard that Princess Duan Ruo and Princess He Hui also have their own princess mansions in the capital. It's likely that His Majesty has long been planning to let the few princesses return to live there for a year or so from time to time..." said Nai Ya Shi Rong beside her.
"Yes." Princess Shu Shen wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, "Emperor Ama, you have been very good to us." She had also received letters from Prince Li Xiang in Mongolia, and she did not agree with what he said from the start. Moreover, how many princesses of the Qing dynasty had been married off to Khorchin since its founding? The power of Khorchin was complex and intertwined, how could she control it? Li Xiang was too naive. Even if she could exert her influence, the Qing dynasty now had a strong army, abundant food, and talented generals, which Mongolian tribe did not submit to the Qing dynasty and dare not have any dissenting thoughts? She couldn't cut off ties with both her natal family and her husband's family, no one was stupid. It's a pity that she, as a princess, could understand this, but why couldn't Li Xiang see it clearly?!
"Mother, get ready. I'll enter the palace tomorrow to pay respects to Consort Gui and also visit Fourth Madame." She was also curious about her brother's wife, whom Duan Rou had been praising nonstop.
"Yes."
The 26th day of the first month was a day when all the palaces in the palace had finished sweeping and replacing old symbols with new ones. Xi Guifei was busy with year-end affairs, and the relatives and ladies who came to pay their respects were endless. The two people didn't have much mother-daughter affection back then, so it was enough to just go through the motions. As for Shu Shen Gongzhu's visit to Qianxi, Xi Guifei didn't react at all at this time. It can be said that she wasn't happy about the three princesses getting close to Yunzhu and increasing her popularity, but this was also beneficial to her son, after all, it was better than them getting close to Wu Fu Guifei.
Knowing that Princess Shu Shen was entering the capital, Yunzhu thought they would meet, but didn't expect her to visit the palace on the second day of her arrival. Hurriedly saying: "Quickly invite the princess in." She also got up to welcome her.
Princess Shu Shen wore a suit of blue cloud-patterned brocade, with a silver-based embroidered green flower and white fox fur-edged cape on the outside. On her small head, she wore a small flat bun, with several clusters of pearl hairpins inserted obliquely. Her plump melon-shaped face, willow eyebrows, starry eyes, jade nose, and vermilion lips were all perfectly proportioned. Although her skin was not as pale as that of the noblewomen in the capital, it had a sweet and healthy honey color. Her delicate beauty was tempered with stability, dignity, and the refreshing quality unique to women from the grasslands, making people feel good at first sight.
"Yunzhu has met the princess." Yunzhu took the lead in paying her respects, and Princess Shuhui hastily avoided her, returning a courtesy, and smiled: "I don't dare. I heard about you from Duanrou in Khorchin, and as soon as I returned to the capital, I came to visit you without prior notice, so please don't be offended." But in her heart, she thought, Duanrou only told me how gentle and elegant Yunzhu was, and I had imagined her excellence, but it didn't compare to seeing her in person. This face, this temperament, is truly hard to find in the world. I've seen many beauties in the imperial family, but none of them can match this temperament.
No wonder she thought so, today Yunzhu wore a set of auspicious cloud-patterned cheongsam with a goose-yellow scattered flower pattern, and because it was cold, she draped a white fox fur cape over her shoulder. Her smooth black hair was also tied up with a hairpin made of white fox fur and yellow crystal carvings, and a white orchid was painted between her eyebrows with gold powder, making her skin look even more delicate and tender, warm and moist like jade. A pair of golden pearl earrings hung from her ears, shining brightly and beautifully, adding a few points to her elegant and dignified attire.
However, what truly caught the attention of Princess Shu was her entire being exuding a clear and elegant aura from the inside out. Without any arrogance that made her seem superior to others, nor any insincere kindness written in her eyes, she simply stood there with an air of calmness, self-composure, and warmth, giving off an inexplicable sense of freedom, even more so than women living on the vast grasslands.
She had always thought herself to be the noble blood of the Aisin Gioro family, even though the one sitting on the throne was not her own biological father. Deep down, she still had a mindset that she was born with nobility. She was a princess of the Qing dynasty, and if she didn't have a perfect appearance that made people gaze in admiration, then she must have an air of superiority... She had always been encouraging herself like this, but it wasn't until now that she truly discovered that there really were people who were "born with nobility". This kind of nobility did not come from status or position, nor was it from the dazzling jewelry and fine clothes, nor was it from being superior to others in knowledge. Rather, it came from a profound and mysterious feeling in one's soul.
"We're all family, I've been wanting to see you too, and now that we've met, I'm overjoyed. How could I possibly be displeased?" Yunzhu led her to the main hall and sat down, waiting for the tea and refreshments to be served before asking, "Is the princess settled in well in the capital?"
"If you don't mind, call me sister. I heard that in the past few years, there have been many more princesses added to the palace. The imperial residences and such in the capital are all ready, so you don't need to worry about anything." Shu Shen smiled and said: "This time, I received a commission from my sisters Duan Ruo and Hui to bring you many local specialties, including dried beef and dairy products, as well as many furs..."
"Thanks a lot, sister." Yunzhu was also straightforward, and she had sent many things to Mongolia for several princesses. "In March, I heard that Duanrou and Hehui were pregnant, don't know if they have given birth yet?"
"Of course, Duan Rou gave birth to a son named Batu on December 12th in the morning; and Hui gave birth to a daughter named Gao Yun three days later."
"Then all the things I prepared for them will come in handy." Yunzhu smiled and said, as she had made preparations for both boys and girls without knowing what they were having, making small clothes and small quilts.
"I heard you gave birth to triplets, I'd love to see how adorable they look." Shu Shen said with a smile. She had only given birth to a daughter, and her husband Guan Yinbao had a concubine who had given birth to a son, whom she had taken in and raised as her own, and didn't plan on having any more children.
"If you want to see if they look exactly alike, you'll be disappointed," Yunzhu said, turning to Hanyin beside her, "You go yourself and have the nannies bring the children over."
After holding the triplets, Shu was not disappointed at all. The three children were wearing cotton-padded jackets and fur hats, white and tender, and lovely. Yongqi was handsome, Hezheng was elegant, and they looked lovable. She quickly took out the toys and gifts she had prepared and played with them to amuse them.
Hejing was a small whip made of golden silk wrapped around a handle made of fur, Yongyun was a small curved dagger with jade quality and inlaid with precious stones, Hezheng was a small whip made of silver silk wrapped around a handle made of fur. The three little ones were as rude as their mother, they took the gifts and started swinging them around with "ah ho ah ho" sounds... Yunzhu's heart was sweating, hopefully they wouldn't grow up to be fierce queens.
The two chatted for a while, and then Princess Shu Shen bid farewell. Yunzhu knew that she had just returned to the capital and still had many things to deal with, so he didn't keep her for dinner either, only making an appointment to meet again when they had time.
The author has something to say: The following is the main body of the text:
As December arrives, social engagements have increased.
Yun'er not only had to give gifts to her relatives, but also had to return gifts to some of Hongli's subordinates, fortunately most of these were handled by Ye Yatou and the stewardess Changqing, she just needed to glance over them.
On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Yunzhu and Wu Fu Jin exchanged bowls of Laba congee that they had been cooking since the previous night. When the Emperor returned from the ceremony at the Zhongzheng Hall, he took a break to let Su Peisheng deliver a portion to the Qianqing Palace. Unlike the traditional ingredients used in the palace's imperial kitchen, such as glutinous rice, white rice, millet, sorghum, Job's tears, chestnuts, red beans, red dates, peach kernels, almonds, melon seeds, peanuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and dried grapes, Yunzhu cooked a savory Laba congee with ingredients like mushrooms, bamboo shoots, shrimp, wood ear fungus, and carrots. When it was presented to Emperor Yongzheng's hands, it was still warm. "Just in time, I'm a bit hungry," he said. "Su Peisheng, you have some too. Later, let's go outside the palace to see how the congee is being distributed."
"Hmm."
In recent years, the people's lives have been getting better day by day. Yongzheng has always been reverent to ghosts and gods. Every year on Laba Festival, he would send princes, dukes, and ministers to manage the cooking, offering, and distribution of porridge at the Temple of Heaven. Temples in Beijing also accepted offerings of porridge and held porridge-distributing events.
Yunzhu also sent a portion of the Laba porridge cooked by the two kitchens in the palace to the Fuca Mansion, one portion each to the three uncles' mansions, and one portion to the Ruiqinwang Mansion. As for other matters that required attention, people like Guo Mama were handling them, and she didn't ask about it.
Since knowing that this year's Xia Zong ritual is still the same as in previous years, Yunzhu went to the Buddha statue, the shrine and the stove god to offer incense and pay homage. Xi Guifei completely lost her temper with Yunzhu, she was in charge of the imperial harem and had the power of the empress without the name, but this annual ritual that only the emperor and empress could perform, she never got a chance to participate, just like the Mid-Autumn Festival.
This grand ceremony, if it could really avoid Yunzhu, wouldn't want to go at all. Not only would it be exhausting, but also have to bear the envy and jealousy of others. Unfortunately, when Empress Xiaojingxian was still alive, Yongzheng had her attend the ceremony, after she passed away, he directly let Yunzhu take part in it, obviously he didn't think that Consort Xi, Nian Xialing, had the qualifications to be a role model for the world.
After becoming a side concubine, her status and position were elevated, and Gao Lü Wei was more informed about the news in the palace. She also had the opportunity to hear and participate in some of the royal family's ceremonies. Although she envied Yunzhu's glory at this time every year, she didn't feel anything, but the sense of loss in Wu La Nara Niemeng's heart grew stronger.
The distance between Ce Fu Jin and Di Fu Jin was so great that she only felt it now, and she could only stop at Qian Xi Er Yuan, not even able to stay in the main courtyard for long. Meanwhile, Fucha Yunzhu had already been worshiping the stove god alone in Kun Ning Palace for several years.
She doesn't even have the qualifications to participate in the tour.
This situation may only change slightly when the Fourth Prince ascends to the throne. But when will that be? The current emperor is in good health, and he dotes on Empress Fu even more... If she continues to stay hidden away in Liushuang Hall, unable to move or act freely, she will eventually become just an ordinary imperial concubine, and the little bit of glory left to her by Empress Dowager will fade with time. Thinking this, she asked Xian'er somewhat impatiently: "Is there any news these past two days? Has there been no word from Cheng'en Duke's estate?"
"Master, you also know that when the mistress goes out, there are always people serving her by her side. Apart from the female officials, there is at least one wet nurse and a eunuch accompanying her. That person can't even get close to her, let alone find any opportunity."
"Then get out of the palace, what can be done in the palace? Only outside the palace can unexpected things happen and have an excuse to get close to her! You pass on the message, saying that now his younger brother is being heavily relied upon by the king, if he doesn't take action, in the future when he can't inherit the title, it won't be anyone else's fault."
"Yes."
"Master." Shan said hastily as she came in.
"What's wrong?"
Shan Yan said in a low voice: "Lv Ying was caught by Guo Yiniang, saying that the dragon robe that Furen was originally going to wear at the stove worship ceremony today had an error, and she was the last one responsible..."
"What's the point of being discovered then?" Urala Nara was annoyed, "Wasn't it said that people would be dealt with?"
The first question doesn't even need to be answered, with so many people serving beside the empress, each one meticulous and thorough, it's normal that they would discover any issues with her morning dress. However, Lü Ying was one of the earliest palace maids sent by the Ula Nara family, and in recent days, thanks to her occasionally passing on news from the main courtyard to their master, many things could be arranged and dealt with calmly. If she were to get into trouble, it wouldn't be a big deal, but what's feared is that she might not withstand the punishment and implicate their master or the Ula Nara family. Thinking of this, Shan Yan also became somewhat worried, "If they're just being watched, then if they get close, it would be like beating the grass to scare the snakes."
"It's almost New Year, and this time it can't be fatal." Ulanara Naimu's heart was determined, her lips coldly hooked up, and she said to Shan Yin: "Think of a way to tell Lu Ying that the Ulanara family will take good care of her mother and brother."
"Shan's heart skipped a beat, 'Yes.' Only the dead can guarantee that secrets will not be revealed."
……
On the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, after the firecrackers were set off, the emperor issued a proclamation to hold a sealing ceremony. After the sealing, officials from various departments and ministries in the capital, colleagues, and nobles began to move around, gathering together to drink and celebrate, thanking each other for their hard work over the past year. The palaces also had a joyful and relaxed atmosphere.
On the twenty-fourth day, after the sky lanterns and longevity lamps were lit, the inner eunuch's office of affairs notified each palace hall supervisor of the dust-sweeping date. Yunzhu assigned this task to be managed by Zongguan and Gu Laotai. In one day, the entire Qianxi Second House was completely renewed, and new couplets and imperial blessings were posted.
The New Year is the most lively time in the Li Fan Yuan, with envoys from neighboring countries and vassal states coming to pay their respects. In the fourth year of Yongzheng's reign, Princess Shushen, who was married to Gurunai, a grandson of Empress Xiaohuizhang's family, also returned to Beijing with her husband, Efu. Yongzheng appointed Gurunai as an additional official in the Li Fan Yuan and granted them residence in the princess's palace.
Although she had received news that she could stay in the capital for a few more years, now that it was confirmed, Princess Shu Shen couldn't help but cry tears of joy.
"Your Highness, I've heard that Princess Duan Ruo and Princess He Hui also have their own princess mansions in the capital. It's likely that His Majesty has long been planning to let the few princesses return to live there for a year or so from time to time..." said Nai Ya Shi Rong beside her.
"Yes." Princess Shuhui took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears, "Emperor Father, you have been very good to us." She had also received letters from Prince Li Xiang in Mongolia, but she did not agree with what he said from the start. Moreover, how many princesses of the Qing dynasty had been married off to Khorchin since its founding? The power of Khorchin was complex and intertwined, how could she control it? Li Xiang was too naive. Even if she could exert her influence, the Qing dynasty now had a strong army and abundant supplies, with talented generals emerging one after another. Which Mongolian tribe did not submit to the Qing dynasty and dare not harbor any dissenting thoughts? She couldn't cut ties with both her natal family and her husband's family, no one was stupid. Alas, she, a princess, could understand this, why couldn't Li Xiang see it clearly?!
"Mother, get ready. I'll enter the palace tomorrow to pay respects to Consort Gui and also visit Fourth Madame." She was also curious about her brother's wife, whom Duan Ruo had been praising nonstop.
"Yes."
The 26th day of the first month was a day when all the palaces in the palace had finished sweeping and replacing old symbols with new ones. Xi Guifei was busy with year-end affairs, and the relatives and ladies who came to pay their respects were endless. The two people didn't have much mother-daughter affection back then, so it was enough to just go through the motions. As for Shu Shen Gongzhu's visit to Qianxi, Xi Guifei didn't react at all at this time. It can be said that she wasn't happy about the three princesses getting close to Yunzhu and increasing her popularity, but this was also beneficial to her son, after all, it was better than them getting close to Wu Fu Guifei.
Knowing that Princess Shu Shen was entering the capital, Yunzhu thought they would meet, but didn't expect her to visit the palace on the second day of her arrival. She hastily said, "Quickly invite the princess in, it's been a long time." and got up to welcome her.
Princess Shu Shen wore a suit of blue cloud-patterned brocade, with a silver-based embroidered green flower and white fox fur-edged cape on the outside. On her small head, she wore a small flat bun, with several clusters of pearl hairpins inserted at an angle. Her plump melon-shaped face, willow eyebrows, starry eyes, jade nose, and vermilion lips were all perfectly proportioned. Although her skin was not as pale as that of the noblewomen in the capital, it still had a sweet and healthy honey color. Amidst her delicate beauty, there was also a sense of stability, dignity, and the refreshing quality unique to women from the grasslands, making people feel good at first sight.
"Yunzhu has met the princess." Yunzhu took the lead in paying her respects, and Princess Shuhui hastily avoided her, returning a courtesy, and smiled: "I don't dare. I heard about you from Duanrou in Khorchin, and as soon as I returned to the capital, I came to visit you without prior notice, so please don't be offended." But in her heart, she thought, Duanrou only told me how gentle and elegant Yunzhu was, and I had imagined her excellence, but it didn't compare to seeing her in person. This face, this temperament, is truly hard to find in the world. I've seen many beauties in the imperial family, but none of them can match this temperament.
No wonder she thought so, today Yunzhu wore a set of auspicious cloud-patterned cheongsam with a goose-yellow scattered flower pattern, and because it was cold, she draped a white fox fur cape over her shoulder. Her smooth black hair was also tied up with a hairpin made of white fox fur and yellow crystal carvings, and a white orchid was painted between her eyebrows with gold powder, making her skin look even more delicate and tender, warm and moist, surpassing the beauty of jade. A pair of golden pearl earrings hung from her ears, shining brightly and beautifully, adding a few points to her elegant and refined attire.
However, what truly caught the attention of Princess Shu was her entire being exuding a clear and elegant aura from the inside out. Without any arrogance that made her seem superior to others, nor any insincere kindness written in her eyes, she simply stood there with an air of calmness, freedom, and warmth, giving off an inexplicable sense of ease, even more so than women living on the vast grasslands.
She had always thought herself to be the legitimate heir of the Aixinjueluo family, even though the one sitting on the throne was not her biological father. Deep down, she still had a sense that she was born noble. She was a princess of the Qing dynasty, and if she didn't have a perfect appearance that commanded admiration, then she would have to have an air about her that surpassed others... She had always been encouraging herself in this way, but it wasn't until now that she truly realized that there really were people who were "born noble". This nobility did not come from status or position, nor was it due to the finery of jewels and precious gems, nor was it due to being more learned than others. Rather, it came from a profound and mysterious feeling in one's soul.
"We're all family, I've been wanting to see you too, and now that we've met, I'm overjoyed. How could I possibly be displeased?" Yunzhu led her to the main hall and sat down, waiting for the tea and refreshments to be served before asking, "Has Your Highness settled in well in the capital?"
"If you don't mind, call me sister. I heard that in the past few years, there have been many more princesses added to the palace. The imperial residences and such are all prepared by the emperor's mother, so I don't need to worry about it." Shu Shen smiled: "This time, I received a commission from my sisters Duan Ruo and Hui to bring you many local specialties, including dried beef and dairy products, as well as many furs..."
"Thanks a lot, sister." Yunzhu was also straightforward, and she had sent many things to Mongolia for several princesses. "In March, I heard that Duanrou and Hehui were pregnant, don't know if they have given birth yet?"
"Of course, Duan Rou gave birth to a son named Batu on December 12th in the morning; and Hui gave birth to a daughter named Gao Yun three days later."
"Then all the things I prepared for them will come in handy." Yunzhu smiled and said, as she had made preparations for both boys and girls without knowing what they were having, making small clothes and small quilts.
"I heard you gave birth to triplets, I'd love to see how adorable they look." Shu Shen said with a smile. She had only given birth to a daughter, and her husband Guan Yinbao had a concubine who had given birth to a son, whom she had taken in and raised as her own, and didn't plan on having any more children.
"If you want to see if they look exactly alike, then you'll be disappointed." Yunzhu said, turning to Hanyin beside her: "You go personally and have the nannies bring the children over."
After holding the triplets, Shu was not disappointed at all. The three children were wearing cotton-padded jackets and fur hats, white and tender, and lovely. Yongqi was handsome, Hezheng was elegant, and they looked lovable. She quickly took out the toys and gifts she had prepared and played with them to amuse them.
Hejing was a small whip made of golden silk wrapped around a handle made of fur, Yongyun was a small curved dagger with a jade handle inlaid with precious stones, and Hezheng was a small whip made of silver silk wrapped around a handle made of fur. The three little ones were just like their mother, not polite at all, they took the gifts and started swinging them around with "ah ho ah ho" sounds... Yunzhu's heart was sweating, hopefully they wouldn't grow up to be fierce queens.
The two chatted for a while, and Princess Shu Shen bid farewell. Yunzhu knew that she had just returned to the capital and still had many things to deal with, so she didn't keep her for dinner either, only making an appointment to meet again when they had time.
