20demayo Chapter 513 Hongzhan’s Birthday
Chapter 513 Hongzhan’s Birthday
July passed quietly, and in the blink of an eye it was August.
When An Lingrong returned from paying her respects at Yiku Palace, Bao Ge respectfully presented her with the carefully prepared menu.
"Master, the third day of August is the Sixth Prince's birthday. You previously instructed that we dine together in the palace. Here are the lunch and dinner menus I have prepared. Please take a look. Is there anything that needs to be adjusted?"
"You are so thoughtful. I will take a look at it now."
After An Lingrong took it, she scanned it carefully and found that the dishes prepared by Baoge were all the three children's favorites.
When she saw Hongmei Zhuxiang and Hongmei Su, her eyes fixed.
The emperor will also come to have dinner with us, so preparing dishes related to red plums will inevitably spoil the mood.
An Lingrong's fingers traced over the two dish names. "It's been very hot lately. These two are too strong. Let's switch to something lighter."
"Everything else seems fine to me, and with a jar of my homemade wine, it should be about right."
"Yes, the servant understands."
Bao Ge responded respectfully and turned around to prepare for the birthday party the day after tomorrow.
An Lingrong sat upright in the main hall, but her thoughts involuntarily drifted to the devastating dream of last night.
Even now, when she thinks back on everything in her dream, she still feels a lingering fear.
She went to the east side hall and read with her two children for a while before she calmed down.
"Bao Que, today should be the day you go to Jingyang Palace to pick up your books, right?"
"Your Majesty, you have a very good memory. I have packed up the books you have read and am preparing to send them to you."
Baoque showed the books in his hand to his master one by one.
"I happen to have nothing to do, so I'll go there myself and pick out some books that suit my taste."
When An Lingrong entered the palace, she decided to read more to make up for her shortcomings. Although she was not well-read over the years, she would occasionally receive some praise from the emperor.
Especially in the past two years, under her careful influence, I have become more scholarly.
The emperor also took a new look at her because she had taught a good apprentice.
When An Lingrong and her group were passing through the imperial garden, they saw from afar Shen Meizhuang and Princess Longyue catching butterflies.
It was truly a scene of loving mother and filial daughter.
She didn't go around to say hello, but ran straight to Jingyang Palace.
However, Caiyue, who was guarding Shen Meizhuang, saw the group of people here and reported in a low voice.
"Master, the Imperial Concubine Shu just passed through the Imperial Garden. Judging from the direction she's heading, it seems she's heading to Jingyang Palace."
Shen Meizhuang glanced at it lightly and said nonchalantly.
"She comes from a county magistrate's family, so her foundation is weak, so she will naturally have to work hard to make up for it. Let's not delay the Imperial Concubine's studies."
Although Concubine Shu had helped her before, Shen Meizhuang subconsciously didn't want to have much dealings with such a person.
None of the women in the harem are simple. She just wants to live her own life behind closed doors.
"My lady, be careful, there are ears on the other side of the wall!"
Caiyue hurriedly advised, then looked around and breathed a sigh of relief when she found that there were no palace servants nearby.
"Why are you panicking? I've already checked and there's no one around here."
Aunt Jia, who had been following her around, had caught a heat stroke and was now lying in Yonghe Palace.
Shen Meizhuang was under too strict control and was impatient with people around her, so she had already driven the servants away.
"Master, it's my fault."
Caiyue quickly and carefully admitted her mistake.
Doctor Chen said that pregnant women have great mood swings, so he asked his subordinates to be more accommodating to the Empress.
She didn't dare to say a word of advice afterwards.
In the letter, the lady repeatedly instructed her to serve the master well and ensure the safe birth of the prince.
An Lingrong, who was walking away, was completely unaware of the scene in the imperial garden, and even if she knew, she would not care too much.
Birds of a feather flock together.
She had other intentions when she helped Shen Meizhuang, and did not expect this person to change his attitude towards her.
Receiving the silver note sent by Shen Meizhuang can be regarded as repaying the favor of helping her.
An Lingrong walked among the tall bookshelves, concentrating on searching for useful books.
Fortunately, she had read some books about earthquakes and remembered the approximate location.
Since his master had a wide range of interests, Baoque just followed behind with a basket, waiting to take the book.
An Lingrong spent nearly half an hour wandering through the bookshelves of Jingyang Palace before she picked out three books that suited her taste.
"Bao Que, go find the head eunuch and get a copy of the recently delivered poetry collection."
"Yes, slave, go right away."
While Baoque was away, An Lingrong quickly picked up a note and scanned it at a glance.
She kept the key point in mind and took her people away from Jingyang Palace.
On the way, she saw Shen Meizhuang sitting in the sedan chair from afar, and she nodded slightly in greeting.
The sun is scorching now, and Shen Meizhuang is almost six months pregnant. What is she thinking, taking Longyue to play in the imperial garden every day?
An Lingrong took a casual glance and found that the moon was no longer as fair as before.
On Hongzhan's birthday, before dawn, An Lingrong heard some noise in the yard.
She lay in bed for a while before lifting the gauze curtain.
According to ancestral rules, princes studying in the palace can take a day off on their birthdays.
Hongzhan sent someone to tell her yesterday that he would come over this morning to have breakfast with her and her younger brothers and sisters.
An Lingrong rubbed her brows, secretly regretting that she shouldn't have stayed up late reading last night.
After drinking a cup of strong tea, she felt a little refreshed.
The emperor said he would come and have dinner with them, so An Lingrong and the three children had breakfast and lunch together.
Looking at the children laughing and playing, An Lingrong nodded with satisfaction.
The three siblings did not become estranged from each other because Hongzhan went to the prince's residence.
The food in Yongshou Palace was ready, but the emperor had not appeared yet. She was about to wink at Baoque when she heard Su Peisheng's shouting from the door.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
An Lingrong smiled and led the three children out to greet them, "Your Majesty, please come in."
Hongyao, who was already starving, took the emperor's hand and walked inside, "Father, Aunt Baoge has prepared a lot of delicious food, waiting for you."
When the emperor saw his son so anxious, a smile flashed across his face and he deliberately stood still.
"Hongyao, the Emperor had a few snacks when he came, and there's still some food left. How about we eat later?"
Hongyao nodded reluctantly, but did not forget to give instructions.
"Father, if you are hungry, please let me know."
Hongzhan walked up to his teased brother and gently rubbed his head.
He exchanged a glance with An Lingrong, who was walking beside him. Both mother and son noticed that the emperor seemed a little unusual today, and secretly wondered if the emperor had encountered some difficulties.