Chapter 178: Chapter 87 Mid-Autumn_2
He waved his hand magnanimously, "Go then, the sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll return!"
Lu Tong didn’t say anything more, shouldering his medical box and leaving the medical hall with Yin Zheng.
Du Changqing sprawled lazily over the desk, watching their retreating figures, he tossed a black date into his mouth and asked Ah Cheng, "Hey, where did she say they were going today?"
"It seems like it was to Prince Wen’s Mansion?"
"Prince Wen’s Mansion?"
Du Changqing’s chewing paused, he spat out half a date pit and cursed under his breath.
Ah Cheng was puzzled, "What’s wrong with our master?"
Have you forgotten?" Du Changqing rolled his eyes, "That pretty boy surnamed Pei we caught the other night, his sister is the Princess Consort of Prince Wen’s Mansion, isn’t she?"
...
Prince Wen’s Mansion was located near Yutian Street in the northern part of Shengjing, backed by a vast garden. When the Old Prince was alive, to please his wife, he planted a large collection of flowers in the courtyard, making it a place of unparalleled beauty in all seasons.
Since the passing of the Old Prince and his wife, the garden’s waters and landscapes had been preserved within Prince’s Mansion. During festivals and celebrations, it was common for the mansion to host banquets, entertaining guests in merriment and romance.
It was the same today.
A bamboo couch was covered with silk brocade, and a delicate white porcelain vase on the table held a small cluster of osmanthus flowers, filling the room with their cool, fragrant scent.
A woman reclined idly on the edge of the couch, dressed in a light golden chrysanthemum-patterned silk gown with wide sleeves. A maid approached, half-draping an embroidered satin cape with beaded fringe over her shoulders.
Pei Yunshu came back to her senses, Fangzi smiled and said, "It’s chilly in autumn, my lady should take care not to catch a cold."
"For some reason, I’ve been feeling unbearably hot these past few days." Pei Yunshu sighed, her hand caressing her slightly bulging belly, then looked at Fangzi with a hint of bewilderment, "Could it be that one feels this way in the later stages of pregnancy?"
Having never borne a child and being unfamiliar with medical matters, Fangzi could only offer an awkward smile, "I... I wouldn’t know."
Pei Yunshu adjusted the cape on her body, but still felt unbearably hot, so she opened the window wider.
Looking out the window, she could see among the distant trees and plants of the courtyard, laughter faintly carrying, with the occasional passerby. The Prince’s Mansion rarely had many visitors, and it had been a long time since it had seen such liveliness.
Today was the mid-autumn festival of the fifteenth, and Prince’s Mansion had laid out a feast to entertain guests. As the Princess Consort, and heavily pregnant, she found it inconvenient to move around, so the organization of the banquet fell entirely upon Consort Meng Xiyang.
However, even if Pei Yunshu had not been pregnant, she would not have taken on the responsibility of organizing such affairs. She was naturally disinclined towards these tedious noble social niceties, and besides, in Prince Wen’s Mansion, her role as the primary consort being a mere figurehead was something everyone already knew—there was no need to go looking for trouble.
Qiong Ying came in carrying a basket of mooncakes from outside, setting the basket on the table. Pei Yunshu lifted her eyes to see the embroidered cloth on the rosewood basket, and her eyes curved into a smile.
"Did Ah Ying send this?"
Qiong Ying smiled, "Yes. The Princely Heir had someone bring it over early in the morning, saying that they are the new mooncakes from Hongyuezhai in the Capital City, with six different flavors in a basket. However, my lady should not eat too many now that she is pregnant, just a taste will do."
There were also mooncakes prepared in the Prince’s Mansion, but out of caution, Fangzi dared not let Pei Yunshu try them. In fact, ever since Pei Yunshu became pregnant, all the food and supplies in the mansion were carefully scrutinized by the two of them, to avoid any errors.
Pei Yunshu responded, then asked Qiong Ying, "Is Ah Ying not coming today?"
"The Emperor has bestowed a banquet in the Imperial Hunting Grounds, and the Empress Dowager has called for the Princely Heir to attend."
Pei Yunshu nodded, then appeared to remember something and inquired tentatively of Qiong Ying, "At today’s palace banquet, which nobles were in attendance?"
Qiong Ying was taken aback and shook her head, "I wouldn’t know."
Pei Yunshu thought for a moment, but said nothing, a shadow of concern crossing her brow.
A few days ago, when Prince Wen visited her chamber, he had hinted at some news. The Empress Dowager was considering proposing a match for Pei Yunmeng.
Pei Yunshu was not surprised; Pei Yunmeng spent most days at the Emperor’s side, was of age, and had favor from both the Empress Dowager and Emperor due to his merits in saving the Emperor’s life. Talented and a close official of the Emperor, many in the court were eager to make marriage ties with the Pei Family.
However, it was widely known that Pei Yunmeng had a poor relation with Lord Zhao Ning and his son, making it unlikely that Lord Zhao Ning could decide on Pei Yunmeng’s marriage matters.
If one wished to arrange a connection, it might be easier to go through the Emperor and Empress Dowager.
But Pei Yunmeng’s personality was something Pei Yunshu, as his elder sister, was all too familiar with. He seemed easy-going and agreeable, but in reality, was quite stubborn, especially after their mother’s incident, Pei Yunmeng became even more resistant to the idea of marriage. His rebellious streak was always hidden beneath a bright smile. If the Empress Dowager hastily arranged a marriage, it might not be such good news for the Pei Family.