Qing Dynasty: The Imperial Concubine is Pregnant Again

Chapter 68: The Second Princess' Full Moon

Yun Xin behind her was holding a buyao and pinning it on Tong Nuanyan in front of the bronze mirror. She compared the two buyaos and felt that they were not quite suitable.

Seeing the dark circles under Tong Nuanyan's eyes, she said with some concern: "Concubine, you are pregnant with twins now, and the principal wife came to call for help so early in the morning, which is too bullying."

Tong Nuanyan glanced at her in the bronze mirror. Yun Xin also realized that she had said something wrong. Seeing that she knew her mistake, Tong Nuanyan spoke:

"The Second Princess is now being raised by the legitimate wife, so her status is naturally more noble than others. Just give her some face."

There were a few shouts coming from the door, and I could vaguely hear something like "it's getting late". It must be someone around the Fourth Lady coming over to talk to them.

Tong Nuanyan looked at the bronze mirror and after finding nothing wrong, she walked out with the help of Yun Xin.

"Go and bring the Third Prince here. Hong Zhao should also join in the fun."

Walking out of the yard, Tong Nuanyan suddenly became excited. Today's banquet will definitely be fun, so she decided to take Hongzhao with her to experience it.

Hong Zhao is almost ten months old and has grown very strong. Except for Xia Xi, who can hold him for a long time, others feel sore in their hands after holding him for a long time.

At this time, he was wearing dark blue clothes and had soft and thick hair. Manchu children began to grow their hair after they were one year old, and had braids around the age of three.

When he saw his mother, Hongzhao shouted excitedly.

When the palace was built, a large open space was left in the front yard. In the center was a circular space paved with marble, decorated with some flowers, plants and trees, which looked very grand.

At the back of the site is a small rockery with streams built by craftsmen on it in order to create a scene of flowing water on a hill.

This venue was also used for Yinzhen’s birthday last year. At that time, a stage was built on the east side of the open space. Usually, no one came to the front yard to watch the show, not because they didn’t want to, but because they couldn’t.

The woman in the backyard spends most of her time in that small place, and only has the chance to walk out of the backyard door during weddings or funerals.

Or you can get the right to be the housekeeper or the right to leave the house, so that you can have a bigger world.

When Tong Nuanyan arrived, the banquet had not yet started. Although the full moon ceremony was grand, no other guests came.

Because no matter how prominent it is, not to mention that the Second Princess is just a daughter, even her biological mother is just a Princess, it is impossible for the royal family to attend.

She looked around and saw that the stage was not in use. There were several round tables in the middle of the venue, covered with red tablecloths, and other princesses of lower status in the palace were seated there.

Yun Xin supported Tong Nuanyan and sat down at the largest round table in the front.

Seeing this, the other people sitting there immediately stood up and knelt down to pay their respects to the concubine.

Tong Nuanyan sat on the soft couch brought by the servants and replied, "Get up."

At this time, she was sitting at the side, which allowed her to see everyone at the tables behind. After looking around, her eyes stopped on Song.

Song was wearing a pink dress. Due to months of morning sickness, her skin had turned yellow, she had lost a lot of weight, and she had a big belly. She looked scary from a distance and terrifying up close.

"Sister Song is eight months pregnant, right? I heard that this pregnancy was very difficult for you. It reminded me of when I was pregnant with Hongyu."

A gentle and sour voice sounded. Looking in the direction of the voice, it was Li Gege. At this moment, she was sitting opposite Song Gege, with the eldest princess Huai Ke and the second prince Hong Yun beside her.

Song's face turned pale and looked very ugly. She was secretly resentful. Little did she know that Hongyan was a sickly child when he was born and died at the age of two. He was not even counted in the age sequence.

"Thank you for your concern, Sister Li. You were more pregnant with Hongyan than I was, otherwise Hongyan would not have died so early..."

Now it was Li Gege who had an ugly expression on her face. Tong Nuanyan sat on the couch, watching their interactions with great interest. It turned out that the previous prince of the Li family was also a sickly person, and Hongyun now looked like a sickly person as well.

Just as we were about to continue watching the show, the protagonist of today's banquet arrived.

The Fourth Lady, wearing a dark red Manchu dress, came with a group of palace maids and eunuchs. Ulanara, who was 21 years old, had fair skin and a dignified appearance, but she wore old-fashioned clothes, making her look ten years older.

"I, your servant, pay my respects to Madam Fu Jin! May Madam Fu Jin live in the best of health and happiness!"

"Get up, Sister Tong Jia, Sister Song. You two are pregnant, so there's no need to be polite."

The Fourth Lady waited with a smile until everyone had finished paying their respects before speaking.

Tong Nuanyan smiled back and said, "Although I am pregnant, it is a courtesy to pay respect to Madam Fu Jin. I must not lose my courtesy."

The Fourth Lady was very satisfied with this answer and looked at her meaningfully. This Tong Jia family really made people hate her and feel helpless.

"Sister Tong Jia is still so polite. You are pregnant with twins now, so you have to be more careful."

Seeing the smile of the Fourth Lady, Tong Nuanyan's smile also deepened. Since the Fourth Lady wanted to act virtuous on the surface, she might as well do it.

"Thank you for your concern, Madam. After I became pregnant, I can eat anything. I didn't know I could eat so much before I became pregnant."

Tong Nuanyan's words caused a burst of laughter.

"Being able to eat is a blessing. This also means that the fetus is healthy and will definitely give birth to a strong little prince. How about Sister Song? Is the baby in your belly okay?"

Song replied at this time: "Thank you for your concern, Madam. With Madam taking care of me, I will be fine."

The Fourth Lady was even more satisfied. It was obvious that Song Gege's answer pleased her more.

Afterwards, the Fourth Lady signaled for the banquet to begin and asked the nanny to bring the Second Princess in. After showing her to everyone one by one, she began to serve the dishes.

"Fujin, the prince won't come back today?"

From the beginning of the banquet, Li at the next table kept looking towards the gate of the palace. Not only her, it can be said that most women would cast their eyes towards the gate from time to time.

She wanted to go and greet the prince when he came in, but after all the dishes were served, Yinzhen still didn't show up, so Li became anxious.

The Fourth Lady was still smiling, and said virtuously, "The prince is very busy, and he informed me a few days ago. I had thought of holding the full moon ceremony for the Second Princess when the prince was free, but the prince said he would be busy for half a month, and we can't delay."

"It's the Second Princess's full moon gift. Although the prince is not here, he has prepared a gift for her. Zhou Hetong, bring it up."

A eunuch took the order and brought a tray covered with a red cloth.

After entering the palace, eunuchs were assigned to the Fourth Lady's courtyard. Zhou Hetong was the chief eunuch of the Fourth Lady's main courtyard. He looked ordinary, but had a very strong physique, which was rare among the eunuchs.

Sitting at the same table with Li and Song was Zhang Gege. At this moment, she quietly complained to the palace maid beside her: "Since the prince is not coming, why did the wife ask someone to come to the banquet so early in the morning? It's just a joke."

Li and Song pretended not to hear her words, only Uya, who was beside Zhang Gege, rolled her eyes and came up with a plan in her mind.

As Zhou Hetong lifted the red cloth, everyone stared quietly at the tray, on which was a gold peace lock necklace.

The Fourth Lady reached out and took it, and put it around the Second Princess' neck herself. Everyone gave their blessings, and no matter whether they were sincere or not, their words all implied good wishes.