Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

The Empress was first ignored, and now she was being rebuked, so she was losing face.

But she dared not speak out against her anger.

Everyone knows that His Majesty values ​​Princess Zhaoning the most, and often consults her on matters of state.

As the empress, she dared not easily offend the eldest princess, and could only swallow her anger silently, considering it for the sake of the crown prince.

The eldest princess had always looked down on the empress for her sycophancy and her obsequiousness towards the crown prince.

Moreover, since the Crown Prince made things difficult for her people today, she naturally wouldn't give the Empress a friendly look.

The spring banquet was not interrupted by this minor incident.

The banquet was halfway through and became increasingly lively.

The concubines composed poems together, chatting and laughing, filling the room with the fragrance of their clothes and the elegance of their hair.

The eldest princess suddenly covered her mouth with her sleeve, her brows furrowing slightly.

Liu Wenying had been paying close attention to her condition, and immediately took out a plain white handkerchief from her sleeve, presenting it to her with both hands.

"If Your Highness doesn't mind, you can use this to cover it up."

The princess took the handkerchief; it was slightly cool to the touch, and when she brought it close, a refreshing minty scent wafted over her, instantly diluting the cloyingly strong fragrances around her.

"How did you know I have a headache from the smell?"

Liu Wenying didn't hold back, lowering her eyes and saying, "Women who are pregnant should not be exposed to strong fragrances."

Today's palace banquet will surely be attended by all the ladies who have dressed up meticulously, and the fragrances will inevitably be mixed together.

A handkerchief soaked in peppermint water can refresh the mind, so I've prepared one.

The princess held the handkerchief in her palm, and the coolness went straight from her nose to her heart and lungs, which relieved the nausea in her chest by more than half.

She gave Liu Wenying a deep look. "You've put your heart into it."

During the banquet, the topic turned to a poem about plum blossoms by a talented woman from the previous dynasty. The Empress smiled and asked the Crown Prince to critique it.

Xiao Chenlin gave a few perfunctory words, but his gaze passed over the brocade-covered room and fixed directly on Liu Wenying.

His eyes were cold and viscous, like a venomous snake's tongue licking the back of my neck.

Liu Wenying felt unwell all over.

Just then, a figure in brocade blue stepped aside, blocking the line of sight.

Xiao Yiheng, holding a teacup, was talking to his younger brother beside him, laughing and chatting, completely unaware of what was happening.

Liu Wenying was taken aback and looked at Xiao Yiheng's smiling profile.

He didn't look at her, continuing to chat and laugh with others, as if his earlier act of covering her up was unintentional.

But that venomous gaze was indeed blocked.

Liu Wenying let out a soft breath, feeling grateful to Xiao Yiheng.

When it was time to eat, the palace maids filed in carrying food boxes and placed the dishes on the table in a continuous stream.

Bamboo shoots, shepherd's purse, shad, and pufferfish are all seasonal delicacies, and the key to their appeal is the word "spring."

The princess leaned back in her chair, waiting for the maid to serve her food.

Liu Wenying stood three steps behind her, her gaze sweeping over the dishes on the table, and suddenly took half a step forward.

"etc."

Liu Wenying pointed to several dishes and whispered, "You should probably remove those dishes."

The Eldest Princess: "Oh? Why?"

"Crab meat lion's head meatballs use crab roe, which is considered a cold food and should not be consumed by pregnant women."

"Although asparagus is delicious, it is slightly cold in nature and can easily cause urination if eaten."

Purslane, known locally as the "fertility-inducing herb," ​​is something that should never be touched.

The princess was surprised, but also somewhat appreciative.

Today, since the Empress Dowager's son is attending a banquet at the Cining Palace, she didn't make many requests regarding the food and drink. Fortunately, she brought Liu Wenying with her.

The princess had her maid remove the dishes before continuing her meal.

After the banquet, the palace servants began to clear away the cups and plates.

The princess, supported by her husband, rose to her feet, intending to leave her seat.

"I am feeling tired, I will go back to Huiyin Palace to rest first."

Everyone at the table was taken aback, for there were always rules about leaving a palace banquet.

The first to leave will undoubtedly be the person of the highest status.

The Empress is still in the main seat, but the Eldest Princess has left first, clearly showing disrespect to the Empress.

But the Empress dared not say anything. His Majesty valued Princess Zhaoning the most, and would even consult her on matters of state, let alone the dignity of the inner palace.

She could only watch them leave with a smile, but inside she was seething with resentment.

Xiao Yiheng also stood up and said with a smile, "This prince will see off my imperial aunt."

After the eldest princess and Xiao Yiheng's entourage left, the empress's face darkened considerably.

Zhao Ning was one thing, but Xiao Yiheng didn't even take her seriously. He was getting more and more outrageous!

On the other side, as the princess and her entourage walked out of Cining Palace, the prince consort hurriedly ordered his men to prepare a palanquin.

"Your Highness, the journey is not far, but you are six months pregnant. You should take the palanquin back to avoid tiring yourself out."

Just as the princess was about to nod in agreement, Liu Wenying stepped forward at the opportune moment.

"Your Highness, I have a suggestion. It's not far from Huiyin Palace, so why don't we walk back?"

A little physical activity can relax muscles and bones, and is also beneficial for the fetus in the womb; it's much better than sitting for long periods.

Although she was in a lower position, she was not blindly obedient.

His composure and humility are truly admirable and rare.

The eldest princess also thought it made sense, so she listened to Liu Wenying and went back to Huiyin Palace.

Upon arriving at Huiyin Palace, the Princess stopped at the palace entrance and said calmly to the Prince Consort, "You should return to the Princess's residence first and come again tomorrow."

She had already arranged a separate residence outside the palace, but she still habitually went to the palace on weekdays, and if it was late, she would rest there.

Now that she is pregnant, and because Huiyin Palace is a place she has known since childhood, where everything is comfortable and she feels at ease living there, she has decided to stay there for a long time and is too lazy to move again.

The prince consort was taken aback, somewhat unwilling.

The eldest princess brooked no argument, "Go back."

The prince consort eventually stepped down.

"Heng'er, come in with me. Unless I give you orders, you will all wait outside the hall."

Liu Wenying and the other maids responded and retreated to the shaded area under the corridor.

After two cups of tea, the palace doors were pushed open.

Liu Wenying was looking down, listlessly counting the stitches on the toe of her shoe.

A figure in brocade blue stood before her, and Liu Wenying could smell the fragrance of his perfume wafting over her in the evening breeze.

Like someone caught slacking off, Liu Wenying immediately lowered her eyes and focused on her inner thoughts.

But Xiao Yiheng did not play by the rules. He tilted his head slightly and leaned closer.

The intimate yet abrupt gesture instantly shattered Liu Wenying's tense expression.

"What brings you here, Second Prince?"

Xiao Yiheng straightened up, his smile widening.

"It's nothing, just asking how your time in the palace has been going?"

She said self-deprecatingly, "Whether things went smoothly or not, didn't His Highness see it all before?"

Liu Wenying was referring to the incident at the Spring Banquet where the Crown Prince made things difficult for her.

If it weren't for the Second Prince's timely intervention, she would likely have faced severe punishment.

Xiao Yiheng naturally understood her unspoken meaning.

"Don't worry, at today's palace banquet, my aunt publicly acknowledged you as one of her people. From now on, no one in this palace will dare to openly make things difficult for you."

Liu Wenying felt a little relieved.

She made up her mind to follow the princess closely from now on and never be alone.

Xiao Yiheng was still looking at her and smiling, his interest growing.

Liu Wenying felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and in a flash, she suddenly understood something.

"Was it His Highness who recommended me for entering the palace?"

…………