20demayo Chapter 592: Serving the Eldest Sister During Her Postpartum Confinement
Chapter 592: Serving the Eldest Sister During Her Postpartum Confinement
Mrs. Zhen caressed her daughter's hair lovingly and said with a complicated expression.
"Although your father didn't say it explicitly, mother can see that he still misses Huanbi."
"I heard that Concubine He risked her life to give birth to the Ninth Prince for the Emperor. Is the child doing well now?"
When Zhen Huan saw her mother mention Huanbi on her own initiative, she couldn't help but sigh.
"Mother, Huanbi... is too willful, which is why she got tricked in the Imperial Garden. I've been to the Yanxi Palace to see the Ninth Prince a few times before. He's just like Huanbi, a big eater and a big drinker."
"The Emperor had previously sent them to the prince's residence. I heard that he and the Eleventh Prince cried and made a scene, causing the Sixth Prince to doze off in the Shangshufang. The Emperor then moved the two children to Chunxi Palace."
"It's more convenient for me to visit you now."
"Newborn babies love to cry, so it's better to change their place."
Madam Zhen patted her hand gently, "Mother knows that you are a sentimental person, and for some reason, you have taken good care of Huanbi."
"But now Huanbi has passed away, leaving only the Ninth Prince in the world. The affairs of the royal family are in constant turmoil, and the prince who lost his biological mother is even more coveted by everyone."
"Huan'er, for the sake of the child you are carrying, you must be careful with your words and actions."
Zhen Huan was silent for a moment, and finally nodded in response.
"Mother is right. I was inconsiderate. If Huanbi had given birth to a princess, I wouldn't have to worry so much."
"If father asks, please mother, please say a few more words on your daughter's behalf."
Madam Zhen nodded confidently.
"Your father will understand."
Because the master was framed by his colleagues, his entire family was exiled to Ningguta.
Madam Zhen watched her master struggling in the mud. Now he has finally climbed out with the help of his eldest daughter. He will definitely be able to figure it out.
People who are not presentable outside are not reliable, so it is better to focus on the daughter who has been carefully raised.
Mrs. Zhen was just about to tell her eldest daughter about her control over the master when the curtain of the hall was lifted.
"Mother, elder sister, what are you talking about? Yu Rao also wants to listen."
Zhen Huan looked at her most beloved sister, and her heart suddenly brightened up.
She laughed and joked, "My eldest sister was just telling mother that our Yu Rao has grown into a graceful young lady. It's time for her to dress up."
When Yu Rao heard this, she knew that her elder sister wanted to consider her own lifelong affairs.
Zhen Yurao, who was hanging out with a group of boys, didn't shy away and nodded readily.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, elder sister."
The Zhen family is now supported by the eldest sister, so her marriage is naturally decided by the eldest sister.
Zhen Huan admired her sister's free and easy spirit and seemed to see her own shadow in her.
She gave instructions to the person who was lifting the curtain.
"Baizhi, please take out the small box that I packed a few days ago."
"Eldest sister, have you prepared something good for your younger sister?"
Zhen Yurao was at the age when she loved beauty, and she excitedly stepped forward and grabbed her sister's hand.
"Of course there are. You and mother can both have some. Pick out some you like and take them back later."
Mrs. Zhen wanted to stop it, but when she saw the dazzling joy on her little daughter's face, she couldn't say anything.
Zhen Yurao is a sensible person and she is not greedy.
I picked out a pair of warm jade bracelets, a pair of earrings of the same color and an exquisite jade hairpin for my mother from the box.
When it was her turn, she only took a pair of elegant pink pearl flowers.
When Zhen Huan saw her sister holding the pearl flower in her palm and admiring it carefully, she couldn't help feeling sad.
Back when the Zhen family had not yet fallen, although my father's salary was not much, my mother was a good manager, and the clothing at home could not be compared with those of the nobles, and there was no shortage of bright clothes and jewelry.
She didn't want to spoil her family's fun, so thinking of Concubine Chun playing with her family in the imperial garden, she suggested it with a smile.
"It's rare for Mother and Yu Rao to visit the palace. Why don't I take you for a walk in the Imperial Garden?"
"I heard that the plum blossoms that were transplanted by the Flower and Plant Department before entering the palace are in full bloom. It's a good opportunity for the three of us, mother and daughter, to go and see them."
Zhen Yurao, who was curious about everything, agreed before her mother.
"Okay, okay."
Madam Zhen was still worried. "Huan'er, you're pregnant now, and it's time to attract attention. If we accidentally bump into other high-ranking ladies in the imperial garden, it would be bad after all."
"Yu Rao, be obedient and don't cause trouble for your sister."
Zhen Yurao nodded obediently.
"Eldest sister, the royal heir is the most important thing. When the prince is born next year, Yu Rao will come to the palace to visit you again. I'm sure the imperial garden will be breathtakingly beautiful by then."
She was afraid that Zhen Huan would not agree, so she shook her hand and acted coquettishly.
"Okay, I'll listen to you, elder sister."
When she said this, Mrs. Zhen remembered something.
"Huan'er, I heard that when a concubine in the palace is eight months pregnant, the women from their natal families will be sent to serve in the palace. But you also know that your father is recuperating at home and cannot leave his side."
Zhen Huan smiled knowingly.
"Don't worry, mother. I have prepared everything. Just focus on taking care of your father."
Zhen Yurao, who was standing next to Zhen Huan, volunteered.
"Eldest sister, mother is at home taking care of father, and Yu Rao is idle anyway, so why not come to the palace to take care of you during your confinement period?"
It just so happened that she was impatient to stay at home, so entering the palace to take care of her elder sister was a good choice.
Zhen Huan agreed without hesitation and pulled her sister to her side affectionately.
"When my eldest sister left home, you were still a little child. Now, many years have passed, and Yu Rao has become a responsible young lady."
When Mrs. Zhen heard that her younger daughter was going to take care of her elder daughter during her confinement, she couldn't help but think of something in the past that she couldn't talk about in public.
Her eyelids twitched and she quickly objected.
"Huan'er, Yurao is still a young girl, and she has no experience in taking care of others. If she enters the palace, I don't know who will take care of whom."
Before Zhen Huan could say anything, Zhen Yurao raised her palm-sized face in dissatisfaction.
"Mother, don't worry. I will take good care of my sister and won't let you and father worry."
Zhen Huan also advised from the side.
"Mother, many young men from the clan will enter the palace before and after the New Year. I would like to take this opportunity..."
She looked at the beautiful Zhen Yurao, hoping that her sister could have a good home.
"Huan'er, you..."
Before Mrs. Zhen could finish her words, she was interrupted by the excited Zhen Yurao.
"Eldest sister, you must find me a good family. I want someone who is responsible and can protect me."
Zhen Huan patted her sister who was leaning against her soothingly.
"Mother, Huan'er has been keeping an eye on my sister for a long time. If there is indeed a suitable candidate among the clan members, I will take my sister to see him first. If Yurao is interested, we can make plans slowly."
"Just be sensible."
Mrs. Zhen looked at her two daughters snuggling together, with deep worry in her eyes.
She took a deep breath and gave the instructions with a serious face.
"Huan'er, Yurao is a young woman waiting to be married. Mother sees that your Zhongcui Palace has two large courtyards, so you should place her in the backyard."
"Yu Rao is lively and active, and her mother is afraid that she might accidentally offend the Emperor."
In order to be able to enter the palace to visit her elder sister again, Zhen Yurao repeatedly promised that she would never get close to the emperor.