The regent is determined to get the daughter of a minor official.

Nanny Wang handed a note to Xu Keke and said hesitantly.

"Princess, this is a gift from the steward of Prince Rui's Palace. He said that Princess Rui wants to invite you to her palace for a chat.

I think that since you are pregnant and no one else knows about it, for safety's sake, I'd better refuse it, right?"

"Princess Rui?"

Xu Ke was thinking about the princess whom he had little impression of.

So far, Xu Keke has not had any private contact with the royal family.

That is, when he went to the palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, he got to know several of the concubines in the palace.

As for Princess Rui, she had only seen her once, at a palace family dinner where she served tea to the Empress Dowager.

There were many people around at that time, so I only met Princess Na Rui and received her gift.

Seeing that Nanny Wang was still waiting for her reply, Xu Ke nodded.

"I met Princess Rui once at a palace banquet. She seemed like a kind person."

After a pause, Xu Keke continued.

"But Madam is right. I am pregnant, so it is not convenient for me to go there rashly."

Xu Keke gently stroked her belly, which was not yet visible, with a look of tenderness on her face.

"Mammy, then I'll do as you say and go and tell the people from Prince Rui's Mansion.

Just say that I haven't been feeling well lately and can't go out, and I'll come visit you again when I have the chance."

Nanny Wang responded and was about to leave.

Xu Keke spoke again.

"Madam, the return gift must not be small. Don't lose the etiquette of our Prince Sheng's Mansion."

Nanny Wang nodded in agreement.

Only then did he turn around to deal with the matter.

Xu Keke took the two maids back to the bedroom.

She leaned back on the couch and sighed slightly. In this special period, it is better to be cautious in everything.

With nothing to do, Xu Ke watched Dingdang and Anxiang teasing the budgie.

"Speak quickly, idiot."

Dingdang used a small piece of corn to lure the parrot.

The parrot just tilted its head, unmoved.

Ersha is the name they just gave to the parrot.

The parrot was obviously unhappy with the name.

Every time they called it like this, the parrot ignored them.

Anxiang giggled beside her.

"Sister Dingdang, I don't think it's smart at all."

"Clever, clever..."

The parrot couldn't help but make a sound and kept jumping in the cage to express its strong protest.

Xu Ke was amused by them and a smile appeared on her face.

"You two, stop making things difficult for this little guy."

"Why don't we go for a walk in the garden? Doctor Zhang said that since you are pregnant, you should move around a lot to make the delivery easier."

Dingdang came over and blinked at her young lady.

"Okay! Let's go take a walk in the garden!"

Permission to stand.

She had severe morning sickness some time ago and stayed in her room for several days, feeling weak.

The three of them took a stroll and came to the back garden, where they saw thick cotton curtains hanging in all the pavilions and waterside terraces.

Xu Ke couldn't help but ask curiously.

"What's going on? Why are there suddenly cotton curtains hanging everywhere?"

Dingdang also looked confused and turned to look at Anxiang.

Anxiang shook her head to indicate that she didn't know.

She went to call a young housekeeper to ask.

The old woman came over and bowed respectfully.

"Princess, this is what Chief Steward Yao ordered. He said it's winter now, and the wind is strong and cold, and he's worried that you might catch a cold in the garden.

When it snows one day, the princess will come to the garden to enjoy the snow, and we will add charcoal to the brazier."

Xu Ke felt warm in his heart and the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously.

"Butler Yao is thoughtful."

The three continued their stroll and passed by a plum forest.

Xu Ke was looking at the bare branches, and his mind was already imagining the beautiful sight of them blooming.

"Although the plum trees haven't bloomed yet, I'm sure they'll be breathtakingly beautiful when they do."

Xu Ke said softly.

Dingdang echoed.

"Miss is right. When we come back, we will definitely see a sea of flowers."

Anxiang also nodded.

"This plum forest looks quite large. When it blooms, it will surely be a magnificent sight in the mansion."

Xu Ke raised his head slightly, feeling the cold winter wind.

“Although this winter is cold, it also has its own unique charm.”

As he was speaking, a few clear bird calls were heard from not far away.

Xu Ke looked in the direction of the sound and saw a few birds jumping on the branches.

"This bird isn't afraid of the cold." Xu Keke smiled.

Dingdang said.

"Miss, we have been walking in this garden for quite a while, and the wind is getting stronger.

Let's go back inside. There are underground heating systems in Jinyun Hall, and it's warm like spring, much warmer than outside."

Xu Ke nodded, took Dingdang Anxiang back and continued to enjoy this wonderful life.

The afternoon is the time for practicing calligraphy.

Xu Ke washed her hands and sat in front of Chu Musheng's desk, while Dingdang ground ink for her.

Xu Ke picked up the brush, concentrated his attention, and began to write on the paper stroke by stroke.

She believes that learning brush calligraphy can cultivate one's mind and refine one's sentiments.

During the writing process, you need to calm down and concentrate on it.

In this way, she will be able to focus on her work and not think about too many complicated things.

At the beginning, Xu Keke's brushstrokes were a little awkward, but after practicing many times, they gradually became smoother.

"The lady's handwriting is becoming more and more beautiful."

Dingdang praised from the side.

Xu Keke held the wolf-hair brush without even raising his head.

"I'm still a long way from here, miss. I still need more practice."

After writing for a while, Xu Keke felt his hands were a little tired, so he put down the brush and rubbed his wrists gently.

Anxiang walked in with a plate of exquisite snacks.

"Miss, you've been practicing for so long, eat something and take a break."

Xu Keke looked at the plate of dim sum, which was custard buns in the shape of a jade rabbit.

The jade rabbit looks lifelike, the white dough is delicate and smooth, and the custard filling is delicate and dense.

My appetite was immediately whetted.

Putting down the wolf-hair brush, Dingdang helped her wash her hands.

Xu Ke picked up a piece of dessert, put it in his mouth, and the sweet taste spread in his mouth.

"This snack tastes good, you two should try it too."

Xu Ke can say.

Dingdang and Anxiang were not polite and accompanied the young lady to eat.

The master and servants were enjoying their meal when Nanny Wang came over with a visiting card in her hand.

"Princess, Princess Rui has sent you another visiting card, saying that she heard you were not feeling well and wanted to come and visit.

Xu Keke swallowed the snack in his mouth, took the visiting card, looked at it, and laughed out loud.

"Why is Princess Rui so attentive? It seems this meeting is a must."

Nanny Wang said from the side.

"Princess, I am also puzzled. Princess Rui is usually a reclusive person.

I don't know why she invited you to her house this time, but you clearly refused, and now she wants to come visit again."

Xu Keke brushed off the snack crumbs in her hands, and Dingdang took out a handkerchief to help her wipe her hands.

Once your fingers are clean, you can stand up.

"Princess Rui may have something to say to me, so please invite her over!"

Nanny Wang bowed and replied.

"Yes, I will arrange for someone to reply to the post right away."

Walking out into the yard, Nanny Wang looked up at the sky.

The sky looked gloomy, the clouds were thick and low, and it seemed a bit depressing.

"I'm afraid it's going to snow. The prince is still in the northern border, so it must be even colder there!"

Nanny Wang frowned.