Haitang pearl pendant layer upon layer
On this side, Gao Lü Weiming thought about tomorrow's visit to the Zhengyuan Temple and couldn't sleep due to excitement. However, Fang Jinzheng felt that it wasn't enough; although her family had some influence in the Imperial Household Department, they didn't have much power outside of it. She had an older cousin who was a concubine of the Prince of Chun's son, and would likely become a princess or noblewoman in the future - a prestigious relative to mention. But just the other day, she received news that the prince's title had been revoked, dashing those hopes. And today, she heard about Gao being promoted to Imperial Noble Consort!
It's really frustrating that some people get all the credit, when in fact they came from the same humble beginnings as me. We both risked our lives to help Wang Ye and Fu Jin escape danger, so why did Gao Shi get to elevate Fu Jin while I got nothing?!
Her mouth was parched, but not even a cup of hot tea was brought up, and her personal palace maid, Manju, was also clumsy and dim-witted! Jinling was furious but had nowhere to vent, and being of low status, she usually feared that if she treated these servants poorly, they would not serve her wholeheartedly. She didn't dare to vent her anger on them either. Just as she was about to call someone to make tea, she heard Manju reporting at the door: "Master, Wu Gonggong said that Wang Ye is coming over tonight."
"Quick, come in and help me dress... no, I'll do it myself. You go see if there's still some of that tea Grandfather gave us last time, brew a pot and bring it over. And then go to the kitchen and see if there are any fresh pastries, bring some over."
Geges and concubines usually have a fixed allowance, which is not much, just enough to make ends meet, like raising poultry. If there are no extra rewards, it's hard to add two dishes you love or drink nourishing soup on ordinary days. It's like dreaming that the imperial palace is your home. The way to improve life is to hope that the master will come to your courtyard, because wherever he rests, eating and using things are all separate.
So, the lower a woman's status is, the more she yearns to be pampered. Putting aside gifts and rewards, just the food alone makes it feel worthwhile, and you won't be looked down upon by servants or ridiculed by others who are also being pampered. In life, isn't what we're seeking just good food and a good night's sleep? Or, on a higher level, satisfying one's self-esteem?
To survive better, it's impossible not to fight for favor.
Jin's life was more comfortable than Zhang Shi's, because her family still had some influence in the Imperial Household Department, and they could take care of her expenses and protect her from being bullied by others. Moreover, her father Jin Sanbao was not a fool, this Fourth Prince was almost certainly going to be the Crown Prince, if his daughter could get along well with him, wouldn't that bring benefits to their own family?!
"Yes." Manju hurried off.
……
The harvest of this evening was naturally satisfactory to Jinli. Of course, a certain someone who thinks that giving before taking is also quite interesting in such games, and the various sentimentalities, loves, and tender feelings of reality shows can be entertaining to watch when one has the leisure time.
After finishing, someone resolutely returned to the outer house to sleep. Early in the morning, they told Yunzhu about their own arrangements and received two cute white eyes. The plan was not appreciated, but someone didn't feel hurt either. After finishing dinner, they went into the house to see the baby, only to find three straight-wriggling buttocks...
In front of the babies, not far away, were several small, sturdy kang beds. Xiaoyu and Xiaojin lay on them, waving their limbs, occasionally sticking out their listless heads to glance at Xuetuan, who was squatting nearby playing with hazelnuts, or turning back to gaze at the three dolls that looked just like themselves, taking care of them.
Madam Lin immediately retreated to one side as soon as she saw Hong Li entering.
Three dolls twisted and turned, every now and then they would stop for a while, and the time it took to drink a cup of tea was just enough to move themselves closer to the kang by about half a foot. Hongli walked over to take a look, his face full of black lines, under the small head on the quilt there were three wet marks that couldn't be their saliva, could they?!
"Ah...!" At last, Alma has arrived, and the trio begins immediately.
Hong Li said to Lin Shi and Mi Shi: "Take this small table away."
Someone who thought they were going to eat hazelnuts turned around and said to the three dolls, "Aren't you too naughty? How can you seduce us like this? It's too damaging to our image..."
Three dolls: Ama, we want to play with Xiaoyu, Xiaojin and Xuetuan, not eat hazelnuts, don't move the stove...
Can't express true suffering.
With a satisfied belly, someone waved goodbye and went to the Qianqing Palace as a super assistant. Yunzhu brought in Shier and saw that the little buns had changed from prostrating on the ground to lying on their backs. She kissed them gently and told the wet nurses: "From now on, give the children some supplementary food every day, such as rice paste, egg yolk, huai shan mud, potato mud, fruit juice, vegetable juice, and so on. Don't overdo it, gradually increase the amount to let the child adapt."
I remember reading some parenting manuals in my previous life, which said that babies can start having supplementary food after four months of birth. My three children, although premature and not as robust as full-term babies, have spent a considerable amount of time in the space to make up for their deficiencies, and now they are over four months old, so it's time for them to eat supplementary food.
The servant placed the plate on the table, and in the three small celadon bowls were filled with rice porridge with vegetable juice. The servant turned around and put Jin and Yu back into the crystal basin, took Xuetuan to make a bow to Yunchu, and returned to the study.
"Ah—" The three nannies looked at each other, and Lin nanny plucked up the courage to say: "Madam, isn't this a bit too early? Which spoiled child starts eating solids so soon, as if they can't get enough milk?"
"It's getting late. Whatever I say, you do, okay? I'll prepare the supplementary food myself, and you just help feed it to them. The ingredients will be taken from the space first, and after a while, they will be mixed with things from reality, so that the children won't get used to only eating things from the space and lose their immunity to real-world food. As for self-defense techniques, although I haven't made much progress in alchemy, the martial arts skills described as entering the body through the meridians and dantian have made significant progress. With a bit more time to perfect and confirm that there are no adverse effects, they can be put into practice."
Looking at Yunzhu's pale face, the three nannies could only nod in response.
Three people each held a doll in their arms, sat down on chairs, skillfully holding small bowls and spoons, and began to feed them. The three dolls were initially very excited, but when the bowl was placed in front of them and feeding started, they became well-behaved and didn't make any trouble, licking their mouths and making contented sounds, and soon the half-bowl of porridge was gone.
"Alright, you've eaten so much in the morning, and you'll eat something else at noon, okay?" Yunzhu smiled and took a handkerchief to wipe their mouths herself. After hearing their "yah yah yah" responses, she said to Lin Mama and the others: "In the future, on nights when they don't sleep with me, remember to give them some warm water to rinse their mouths, especially after they grow teeth..."
"Yes." The three maids responded in unison, thinking to themselves that this Fourth Mistress was really formidable, and her ideas were even more so, one after another, it's truly unknown where they came from.
"Madam, it's time." Mingxin entered the house and said.
This is the right time, the bright hall for daily greetings and receiving guests is just next door. Yunzhu's hearing was different from ordinary people, and she had already heard the soft voices of those women. She stood up and said, "Let's go."
"Madam is here." Feng Yi shouted as soon as he saw Yunzhu come out.
The soft, low voice and faint smile suddenly disappeared. As soon as Yunzhu sat down on the long couch behind the screen, she got up and walked to the middle of the room. Gaolü Mi had already taken the lead and stood at the very front. Fucha Fulina did not compete with her, but smiled and moved aside, making a bow to Yunzhu: "I, your servant, pay my respects to you, Madame Fu, wishing you good fortune."
"Get up, sit down." Her voice was still light and flat, and Fulinga and others couldn't detect her emotions. After sitting down, she said again: "I suppose all the sisters have also heard that the emperor has promoted Gao Gege to be the Wangye's side concubine, from today on, you must give High Concubine Gao the courtesy due to a side concubine and not be slow about it. Ye Yayi, bring the coronation robes sent by the Imperial Household Department to Side Concubine Gao."
"Yes." Yehai nodded slightly, and the second-grade palace maid, Cairui, brought out the crown clothes that should be presented to Gao Lüwei.
Gao Luowei stood up and took it with both hands, feeling the envious eyes of the crowd, and bowed to Yunzhu, "Thank you, Fu Jin."
Yunzhu smiled faintly, "There's another thing, Father has already mentioned it to me. Jinshi served well and will be promoted to her position. From now on, her food and lodging will be treated according to the rules for a princess."
Gao Lu's sharp eyes pierced Jinliang, who was blushing and sentimental. This was a slap in the face! On the second day after being promoted to Ce Fu Jun, she let her master promote her position. Jinliang's means were high enough! If not for herself... she might have been surpassed by Jinliang later on.
"What a wonderful coincidence! Congratulations to Gaoye Furen and Jin Meimei. By the way, Furen, isn't Jin Meimei supposed to perform the ceremonial tea ritual?" said Fuling'a.
Yunzhu smiled: "This is natural. Ling Suo, is the tea ready?"
"Hui Fu Jin, it's ready." Ling Xuan half-turned his body, and another second-class palace maid, Han Shuang, carried a yellow-based red plum-colored ceramic tray with several tea cups on it, slowly walking forward.
"Let's get started then." Yunzhu said, not wanting to waste time on this, it would be better to spend the time playing with the triplets. Or slice up the dried orange peel left over from winter and make some orange tea with the new batch of spring tea that Zhuangzi had just sent over...
Jinzhai stepped forward and bowed deeply to Yunzhu: "I thank you for your great kindness, Madam."
It sounds like this Gege's position was given to her by herself, Yunzhu didn't want to follow her will and shift the jealousy of others onto herself, calmly saying: "You served well and have merits, this is what you deserve." Her eyes slightly narrowed.
Han Feng immediately stepped forward, slightly squatting down and said, "Please have some tea, Princess Jin."
Do you think such tricks can be used in front of Fulin? Fuling and Koriyate. Gu Xin raised an eyebrow, with a complex heart, both deeply wary of Jin's rise to power, and delighted that today's play could strike at Gao.
Jinli's eyelashes drooped slightly, her hands held the teacup high above her head, and she said respectfully: "Jinli offers tea to Madame Fu with respect."
Yunzhu took it over, sipped a mouthful, and turned around to reward her with a pair of agate bracelets with red gold thread inlaid. "Alright, go serve tea to Ce Furen now." "Yes." Jinshi thanked her.
"The concubine respectfully invites the lady to have tea."
Looking at Jin kneeling in front of her, offering tea with a humble expression, Korilyetta's heart was filled with both pride and jealousy. Today's trip made her feel like she was an "old-timer" who had risen through merit, while Jin was the "new favorite" who had been promoted through favoritism. The mockery in Korilyetta's eyes was so obvious, it was as if she was stabbing her heart with a needle.
"Is that Ce Fujin?" Fuling A reminded with a hint of sarcasm, "Quickly receive the tea, Jin Meimei's hands are shaking. Jin Meimei, you mustn't have any opinions about Ce Fujin, perhaps she is recalling her past experiences of serving tea... Ah, time flies like an arrow, before we know it, our Yong'er will be seven years old."
Jin Zhang covered up the annoyance in his heart and said in a low voice: "How dare you, concubine."
Gao Lüwei was even more resentful, was this a veiled criticism of herself for trading her unborn child for status? If it weren't for her and the Su family, how would she have been forced to take this step? Not only did she lose the child, but her body had also suffered greatly, making it difficult for her to have another child in the future. However, it didn't matter, she was only 19 years old this year, even if she had to spend ten years nursing her body back to health, she wasn't afraid, and by then, she would see what these people still had to be proud of!
She "hummed" and took over Mr. Jin's tea, sipped a mouthful, pulled out a cloud-patterned gold hairpin from her head and handed it to her, "Take good care of your master, the sisters present will thank you." Don't think about settling accounts with you now, I'll have opportunities later, I'll pay you back, don't think about escaping.
Facing this smiling face that was warm and sweet, Jin Lou suddenly felt a chill in his heart. The feeling that High Consort Fu gave him...was too strange! From now on, he'd better keep his distance from her!
The author has something to say: The following is the main text:
On this side, Gao Lü Weiming thought about tomorrow's visit to the Zhengyuan Temple and couldn't sleep due to excitement. However, Fang Jinzheng felt that it wasn't enough; although her family had some influence in the Imperial Household Department, they didn't have much power outside of it. She had an older cousin who was a concubine of the Prince of Shun's son and would likely become a princess or noblewoman in the future, which sounded impressive. But just the other day, she received news that the prince's title had been revoked, dashing those hopes. And today, she heard about Gao being promoted to Imperial Noble Consort!
It's really frustrating that some people get all the credit, when in fact they came from the same humble beginnings as me. We both helped the prince and his consort escape danger, so why did High Consort manage to gain favor with the consort while I got nothing?!
Her mouth was parched, but not even a cup of hot tea was brought up, and her personal palace maid, Manju, was also clumsy and dim-witted! Jinling was furious but had nowhere to vent, and being of low status, she usually feared that if she treated these servants poorly, they would not serve her wholeheartedly. She didn't dare to vent her anger on them either. Just as she was about to call someone to make tea, she heard Manju reporting at the door: "Master, Wu Gonggong said that Wang Ye is coming over tonight."
"Quick, come in and help me dress... no, I'll do it myself. You go see if there's still some of that tea Grandfather gave us last time, brew a pot and bring it over. And then go to the kitchen and see if there are any fresh pastries, bring some over."
The concubines' daily expenses are allocated according to a fixed quota, which is not much, just enough for them to get by, like raising poultry. If they want to add two dishes they love or drink nourishing soup without extra rewards, it's like dreaming that the imperial palace is their home. The only way to improve their lives is to hope that the master will come to their courtyard, because wherever he rests and eats, everything is separately arranged.
So, the lower a woman's status is, the more she yearns to be pampered. Putting aside gifts and rewards, just the food alone makes it feel worthwhile, and you won't be looked down upon by servants or ridiculed by others who are also being pampered. In life, isn't what we're seeking just good food and a good night's sleep? Or, on a higher level, satisfying one's self-esteem?
To survive better, it's impossible not to fight for favor.
Jin's life was more comfortable than Zhang Shi's, because her family still had some influence in the Imperial Household Department, and they could take care of her expenses and protect her from being bullied by others. Moreover, her father Jin Sanbao was not a fool, this Fourth Prince was almost certainly going to be the Crown Prince, if his daughter could get along well, wouldn't she bring benefits to their own family?!
"Yes." Manju hurried off.
……
The harvest of this evening was naturally satisfactory to Jinli. Of course, a certain someone who thinks that giving before taking is also quite interesting in this game, and the various sentimentalities, love flying around, and tender feelings of reality shows can be entertaining when one has the leisure to watch them.
After finishing, someone resolutely returned to the outer room to sleep. Early in the morning, they told Yún Zhu about their plans and received two cute white eyes. The plan wasn't appreciated, but that person didn't feel hurt either. After finishing breakfast, they went into the house to see the baby, only to see three straight-wriggling butts...
In front of the babies, not far away, were several small, sturdy kang beds. Xiaoyu and Xiaojin lay on top, waving their limbs, occasionally sticking out their listless heads to glance at Xuetuan, who was squatting nearby playing with acorns, or turning back to gaze at the three dolls that looked just like them, taking care of their responsibilities.
Madam Lin immediately retreated to one side as soon as she saw Hong Li entering.
Three dolls twisted and turned, every now and then they would stop for a while, and the time it took to drink a cup of tea was just enough to move themselves closer to the kang by about half a foot. Hongli walked over to take a look, his face full of black lines, under the small head on the quilt there were three wet marks that couldn't be their saliva, could they?!
"Ah...!" At last, Alma has arrived, and the trio begins immediately.
Hong Li said to Lin Shi and Mi Shi: "Take this small table away."
Someone who thought they were going to eat hazelnuts turned around and said to the three dolls, "Aren't you too naughty? How can you seduce us like this? It's too damaging to our image..."
Three dolls: Ama, we want to play with Xiaoyu, Xiaojin and Xuetuan, not eat hazelnuts, don't move the stove...
Can't express true suffering.
With a satisfied belly, someone waved goodbye and went to the Qianqing Palace as a super assistant. Yunzhu brought in Shier and saw that the little buns had changed from prostrating on the ground to lying on their backs. She kissed them gently and told the wet nurses: "From now on, give the children some supplementary food every day, such as rice paste, egg yolk, huai shan mud, potato mud, fruit juice, vegetable juice, and so on. Don't overdo it, gradually increase the amount to let the child adapt."
I remember reading some parenting manuals in my previous life, which said that babies can start having supplementary food after four months. Although my three children were premature and not as developed as full-term babies, they've spent a considerable amount of time in the space to make up for it, and now they're over four months old, so they can have supplementary food too.
The servant placed the plate on the table, and in the three small celadon bowls were filled with rice porridge mixed with vegetable soup. The servant turned around to put Jin Yu back into the crystal basin, took Xue Tuan to make a bow to Yun Zhu, and returned to the study.
"Ah—" The three nannies looked at each other, and Lin nanny mustered up the courage to say: "Milady, isn't this a bit too early? Which pampered child starts eating solids so soon, it's not like they can't get enough milk."
"It's getting late. Whatever I say, you do, okay? I'll prepare the supplementary food myself, and you just help feed it to them on the side." The ingredients were first taken from the space, and after a period of time, they would be mixed with things from reality, and after another period of time, everything would be made from real-world materials. This was to prevent the child from getting used to the spatial food and losing immunity to real-world substances. As for self-defense techniques, while there hadn't been much progress in alchemy, the martial arts technique described as "entering the hand through the meridians and dantian" had made significant progress. With just a bit more time to perfect and confirm that there were no adverse effects, it could be brought out.
Looking at Yunzhu's pale face, the three nannies could only nod in response.
Three people each held a doll in their arms, sat down on chairs, skillfully holding small bowls and spoons, and began to feed them. The three dolls were initially very excited, but when the bowl was placed in front of them and feeding started, they became well-behaved and didn't make any trouble, licking their mouths and making "slurping" sounds, and soon the half-bowl of porridge was gone.
"Alright, you've eaten so much in the morning, and you'll eat something else at noon, okay?" Yunzhu smiled and took a handkerchief to wipe their mouths herself. After hearing their "yah yah yah" responses, she said to Lin Mama and the others: "In the future, on nights when they don't sleep with me, remember to give them some warm water to rinse their mouths, especially after they grow teeth..."
"Yes." The three old women responded in unison, thinking to themselves that this Fourth Madame was really formidable, and her ideas were even more so, one after another, it's truly unknown where they came from.
"Madam, it's time." Mingxin entered the house and said.
This is the right time. The bright hall for daily greetings and receiving guests is just next door. Yunzhu has extraordinary hearing, and she had already heard the soft whispers of those women. She stood up and said, "Let's go."
"Madam is here." Feng Yi shouted as soon as he saw Yunzhu come out.
The soft, gentle voice suddenly disappeared, and as soon as Yunzhu sat down on the long couch in front of the screen, she got up and walked to the middle of the house. Gaolü Weiqian had already taken the lead and stood at the very front, while Fucha Fulina did not compete with her, but smiled and moved down, making a bow to Yunzhu: "I offer my greetings to the mistress, may the mistress have good fortune."
"Get up, sit down." Her voice was still light and flat, and Fulinga and others couldn't detect her emotions. After sitting down, she said again: "I suppose all the sisters have also heard that the emperor has promoted High Gige to be the concubine of the prince, from today on, you must pay respects to Concubine High with the proper etiquette, don't be slow. Ye Yayi, bring the coronation robes sent by the Imperial Household Department to Concubine High."
"Yes." Yehai nodded slightly, and the second-grade palace maid, Cairui, brought out the crown and clothes that should have been worn by Ce Fugui, presenting them to Gao Lüwei.
Gao Lüwei stood up and took it with both hands, feeling the envious eyes of the crowd, bowed to Yunzhu and said, "Thank you, Fu Jin."
Yunzhu smiled faintly, "There's another thing, Father has already mentioned it to me. Jinshi served well and will be promoted to her position. From now on, her food and lodging will be treated according to the rules for a princess."
Gao Lu's sharp eyes pierced Jinli, who was blushing and sentimental. This was a slap in the face! On the second day after being promoted to Ce Fu Jun, she let her master promote her position. Jinli's means were high enough! If not for herself... she might have been surpassed by Jinli later on.
"What a wonderful coincidence! Congratulations to Gaoye Furen and Jin Meimei. Ah, yes, Furen, isn't Jin Meimei supposed to perform the ceremonial tea ritual?" said Hua Ling.
Yunzhu smiled: "This is natural. Ling Suo, is the tea ready?"
"Hui Fu Jin, it's ready." Ling Xuan half-turned his body, and another second-class palace maid, Han Shuang, carried a yellow-based red plum-colored ceramic tray with several tea cups on it, slowly walking forward.
"Let's get started then." Yunzhu said, not wanting to waste time on this, it would be better to spend the time playing with the triplets. Or slice up the dried orange peel left over from winter and make some orange tea with the new batch of spring tea that Zhuangzi had just sent over...
Jinzhai stepped forward and first saluted Yunzhu with a deep bow: "I thank you, Madam Fu, for your great kindness."
It sounds like this Gege's position was given to her by herself, Yunzhu didn't want to follow her will and shift the jealousy of others onto herself, calmly saying: "You served well and have merits, this is what you deserve." Her eyes slightly narrowed.
Han Frost immediately stepped forward, slightly squatting down and said, "Please, Princess Jin, have some tea."
Do you think such tricks can be used in front of Fulin? Fuling and Koriyate. Gu Xin's eyes were filled with disdain, but her heart was very complicated, both deeply wary of Jinshi's rise to power and delighted that today's play could strike a blow at Gaoshi.
Jīn líng tiáo yǔ wēi chuí, shuāng shǒu pěng zhe chá bēi gāo gāo jǔ guò tóu dǐng, gōng jìng dào: "Bì qí Jīn líng gōng jìng Fú jūn chá."
Translation:
Jinli's eyelashes drooped slightly, her two hands held the tea cup high above her head, and she respectfully said: "Maid Jinli respectfully presents tea to Madame Fu."
Yunzhu took it over, sipped a mouthful, and turned around to reward her with a pair of agate bracelets with red gold inlaid silk threads. "Alright, go serve tea to Ce Furen now." "Yes." Jinshi thanked her.
"The concubine respectfully invites the lady to have tea."
Looking at Jin kneeling in front of her, offering tea with a humble expression, Korilya's heart was filled with both pride and jealousy. Today's trip made her feel like she was an "old-timer" who had risen through merit, while Jin was the "new favorite" who had been promoted through favoritism. The mockery in Korilya's eyes was so obvious, it was as if she was stabbing her heart with a needle.
"Is that Ce Fujin?" Fuling A reminded with a hint of sarcasm, "Quickly receive the tea, Jin Meimei's hands are shaking. Jin Meimei, you mustn't have any opinions about Ce Fujin, perhaps she is recalling her past experiences of serving tea... Ah, time flies like an arrow, and before we know it, our Yong'er will be seven years old."
Jin Ying covered up the annoyance in her heart and said in a low voice: "How dare you, maidservant."
Gao Lüwei was even more resentful, was this a veiled criticism of herself for trading her unborn child for status? If it weren't for her and the Su family, how would she have been forced to take this step? Not only did she lose the child, but her body had also suffered too much damage, making it difficult for her to have another child in the future. However, it didn't matter, she was only 19 years old this year, even if she had to spend ten years nursing her body back to health, she wasn't afraid, and by then, she would see what these people still had to be proud of!
She "hummed" and took over Mr. Jin's tea, sipped a mouthful, pulled out a cloud-patterned gold hairpin from her head and handed it to her, "Take good care of your master, the sisters present will thank you." Don't think about settling accounts with you now, I'll have opportunities later, I'll pay you back, don't think about escaping.
Facing this smiling face that was warm and sweet, Jinliang suddenly felt a chill in his heart. The feeling that Gaofu Jun gave him...was too strange! From now on, he'd better keep his distance from her!
