The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Jiang Guo'er stood there and went over Zhou Xiuniang's words from beginning to end.

Is it that they don't trust her, or that they're afraid she'll use this job to gain favor with the Prime Minister and the Old Madam?

Even to the point of excluding herself from the embroidery room?

Jiang Guo'er understood perfectly well and said nothing more.

There are two paths now.

One option was to go to Granny Li to complain and explain the situation in detail.

Then Granny Li would surely ask, "Why did the Prime Minister ask you to make so many undergarments?"

She couldn't very well say that she was caught red-handed by the Prime Minister because she had sewn undergarments for the doll.

Just imagining that scene makes me so embarrassed I could disappear into the ground.

Secondly, go directly to the Prime Minister and explain the difficulties.

Ask him to give me the key to the storeroom where the imperial gifts are kept, and I'll only need half a day.

But that devil's mouth is sharper than a knife. Yesterday, all she did was spill tea, and he used it as an excuse to torment her until she cried.

This time, I need your help, so won't I have to suffer a lot?

But as long as she could get pregnant, she could endure any amount of hardship.

Jiang Guo'er took a deep breath and made her decision: she would choose the latter.

"Sister is right to reprimand me; it was Guo'er who was impolite."

After saying that, she ignored Zhou Xiuniang and went up the wooden stairs to the second floor.

Zhou Xiuniang rolled her eyes and gave a low snort.

Jiang Guo'er calmly rummaged through the pile of fabrics on the second floor.

She picked out a few scraps of fabric with suitable colors and materials, tucked them into her sleeves, and quietly left the embroidery room.

Seeing that she didn't argue or make a fuss, Zhou Xiuniang felt even more annoyed, as if she had punched a cotton ball.

The Prime Minister leaves at 3:45 AM and doesn't return until at least the afternoon.

Jiang Guo'er patted her shrunken belly, turned a corner, and walked towards the main kitchen in the inner courtyard.

She is too thin.

Her arms were as thin as chopsticks, and the ribs below her collarbone were clearly visible.

Forget about getting pregnant; if Pei Yan were to go through that kind of ordeal a few more times, she'd definitely fall ill.

I really need to take good care of myself.

The large kitchen was steaming hot, with two stoves burning simultaneously and several cooks working busily.

Jiang Guo'er had just stepped across the threshold when she bumped into someone.

Green ivy.

Today she wore a simple bun with a pale yellow velvet flower by her ear, looking gentle and obedient.

This is a stark contrast to her flamboyant and arrogant demeanor in the study yesterday, with her clothes wide open.

Jiang Guo'er paused slightly and subconsciously took half a step back.

Green Ivy spoke first, greeting her with a beaming smile: "Sister Guo'er, you've come at the perfect time!"

"I was just talking to Chef Wang about how you're in poor health and need to take better care of yourself."

Jiang Guo'er blinked but didn't reply.

Green Ivy, already smiling, called out to the stove:

"Aunt Wang, pick out the fattest and biggest hen from the coop to make soup for Sister Guo'er!"

Cook Wang responded and quickly picked up her apron and went to the backyard.

Jiang Guo'er stood there with a smile on her face, but she was thinking to herself.

She was punished so badly by the Prime Minister yesterday, with blood streaming from all ten of her fingers and knees; he should hate her to the core.

Why is he acting like nothing happened and even being so attentive to her?

However, she was not afraid at all; she would deal with whatever came her way.

"Sister Green Ivy, you're too kind. Thank you so much."

Green Ivy smiled and waved her hand, then turned around and brought over a bowl of steamed egg custard.

The steamed egg custard in the white porcelain bowl was golden yellow, steaming hot, and trembling with tenderness. A layer of sesame oil was drizzled on the surface, giving it an irresistible aroma.

"My dear sister, you've worked hard serving the Prime Minister. Please eat while it's hot!"

Jiang Guo'er couldn't help but swallow, and looked up at the old women and maids coming in and out of the kitchen.

In broad daylight, with so many eyes watching.

Even if the pothos were to poison someone, it certainly wouldn't do it here.

"Thank you, sister."

Jiang Guo'er took the bowl generously, sat down on the low stool by the stove, and ate it all in a few bites.

Since the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion was raided, she has never eaten steamed egg custard again.

My stomach felt warm and cozy, but my nasal passages were burning with a sour taste.

Green Ivy watched from the side, her smile undiminished, but her fingernails had already dug into her flesh.

Feel smug, feel good!

It would be best if they became complacent and arrogant, relying on their past service to the Prime Minister, and acted with impunity in the inner courtyard.

Once Miss Xue enters the family, I only need to say a few words to that little bitch, and she'll be in big trouble!

Jiang Guo'er didn't have time to guess what she was thinking.

She washed the porcelain bowl clean, handed it to the cook to put away, and then focused all her attention on the old hen.

Scald it with boiling water, bleed it, pluck the feathers, chop it into pieces, stir-fry it briefly with lard, add water and simmer it in a pot.

While tending the fire by the small stove, she pondered what she should say when the Prime Minister returned home.

About half an hour later, Lianhua walked into the kitchen carrying a basket of dirty dishes.

Upon spotting Jiang Guo'er squatting by the stove, he immediately threw down the bowls and plates on the cutting board and ran over.

"Guo'er, what are you doing here! What are you stewing? It smells so good!"

Jiang Guo'er lifted the pot lid and scooped out a small half bowl of chicken soup, handing it to her.

"I made this for myself, you should try it."

Lotus didn't stand on ceremony with her. She held the bowl in both hands, blew on it, and then tilted her head back and gulped it down.

He smacked his lips after finishing it, "It's so delicious!"

Then lower your voice and whisper in her ear.

"It's great that the Prime Minister opened my face! Right now it's chicken soup, but later it'll be donkey-hide gelatin and bird's nest!"

Jiang Guo'er frowned, took her hand and sat down in front of the stove, whispering to her with their heads close together.

"Don't shout, I don't want to be the first to stick my neck out." "By the way, Lotus, have you ever thought about working in the embroidery workshop?"

Lotus smiled slightly, then her face fell.

"I dream about it! I wish I could work in the embroidery room without having to do manual labor, with a charcoal brazier in winter and an ice jar in summer..."

"But last time I embroidered a handkerchief, Zhou Xiuniang took one look at it and threw it away, saying it looked like a dog had chewed it."

Jiang Guo'er patted the back of her hand.

"I promised to teach you the Hu family acupuncture technique. From now on, come to my side room every afternoon, and I'll teach you a little bit."

"As long as you are willing to practice, you will be very different in three months. At that time, I will recommend you to Granny Li to join the embroidery workshop."

Lotus was so excited she almost dropped the bowl. She grabbed Jiang Guo'er's arm and shook it back and forth.

"Guo'er, you're so good to me! I'll definitely study hard!"

He finally let go after a while, his eyes darting around, his face full of curiosity.

"Guo'er... I have a question for you, please don't laugh at me."

"Um?"

"What's it like to serve the Prime Minister in bed...? Is he... good at it?"

Lotus's face flushed red, her eyes sparkling, her expression filled with uncontrollable excitement and curiosity.

Jiang Guo'er's lips twitched, and her cheeks felt hot.

The scene from yesterday in the flower hall, on the rosewood table, immediately flashed into my mind.

Drips of sweat, disheveled hair, a chest gleaming with an amber sheen, and...

"Impressive, hehe, of course the Prime Minister is impressive."

She was inwardly cursing, but her face showed shyness, and she bit her lower lip as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"He is vigorous and powerful, and his strength is extraordinary... What's even more remarkable is that he is tender-hearted and caring towards women."