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But his apprentice’s facial features remained the same, and her personality hadn’t changed either. She didn’t fear him one bit.

Zhou Wuchang took the seat at the head, saying to Yingbao: “Sit.”

The palace attendants on either side hurriedly fetched a chair for Yingbao to sit in.

The imperial consort Shu also put aside her thoughts, carefully serving tea and water next to the emperor.

“Why didn’t you come to see me after you arrived in Beijing?” Zhou Wuchang lifted his teacup and took a sip.

Yingbao: “You’re very busy, master. I didn’t want to disturb you unless it was something important.”

Zhou Wuchang did not express agreement or disagreement, he said: “I heard from old man Wu that you have sent him a lot of fruit. Why didn’t you send me any?”

Yingbao was taken aback for a moment. She quickly remembered that she had sent two baskets of fruit to Mr. Wu’s family. She laughed: “More will be sent from home in a few days. I will surely present some for you to taste first, master.”

Only then was Zhou Wuchang satisfied. He asked her about her daily affairs, stood up, and said to her: “Come with me to the study. I have something to discuss with you.”

Yingbao immediately stood up, saying,” Yes.”

Seeing that the emperor was about to leave, the imperial consort Shu couldn’t help but feel anxious. She tried to keep him there: “Your Majesty, aren’t you staying for a meal? It’s already prepared.”

Zhou Wuchang casually gave her a glance, saying “I’ve more things to do. You have it.”

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the hall.

Yingbao paid her respects to the imperial consort Shu and followed him.

The imperial consort Shu was so angry that she wanted to smash a cup, but she ultimately kept her temper in check.

There were palace maids assigned by the emperor in the palace. She dared not make a fuss.

Palace maid Zhuzhu quietly whispered into the imperial consort Shu’s ear, looking around to make sure no one else was present: “Your Highness, doesn’t it seem like His Majesty’s attitude towards that Jiang Yingbao is quite unusual? Is he considering accepting her into the palace?”

The imperial consort Shu was taken aback. She gave Zhuzhu a big ear swipe and said in a low voice: “What nonsense are you talking about! His Majesty isn’t someone you can just gossip about! Jiang Yingbao has been his apprentice since she was young. She’s like his own daughter. Are you trying to get me killed by talking such nonsense?”

Zhuzhu was so scared that she quickly kneeled down and struck her own mouth several times: “Forgive me, Your Highness. I know I was wrong.”

The imperial consort Shu sighed: “Alright, get up.”

Only then did Zhuzhu dared to pick herself up, keeping her head low and not daring to utter another word.

The imperial consort Shu touched her own belly, said with a furrowed brow: “Lady De’s pregnancy is almost at the same stage as mine. We don’t know who will give birth first. If she goes first, whether it’s a boy or a girl, it doesn’t help us. Zhuzhu, what should we do?”

Zhuzhu shrank her neck, said in a low voice: “I dare not say.”

The imperial consort Shu nonchalantly adjusted her robe, saying: “Later, send a message to my father for me. Ask him to come to the palace.”

“Yes.” Zhuzhu curtsied, “I’ll find someone right away.”

Returning to Yingbao, she followed her master and came to the study.

“Sit down.” Zhou Wuchang sat behind the desk and asked: “Do you still have any Health Medicine? I would like to buy some.”

Yingbao sat down on a stool: “Master, how many do you want?”

“Enough for a few months. An antidote or two would be better.”

“Alright, I’ll prepare some when I return home.”

Yingbao glanced at her master, noticing that he looked much more haggard than before, appearing very weary.

Zhou Wuchang massaged his temples and said: “In the future, ignore the summonings from the palace’s consorts. I also will warn them and forbid them from bothering your family unnecessarily.”

“Thank you for your kind consideration, Master.”

Master and disciple exchanged a few pleasantries before Yingbao left the palace with Magnolia.

Once home, Yingbao went alone to the flower room, taking out dozens of seedlings from the cavern, filled a few large water jars with Pupil Spring water, and planted various plants in the flower room.

Chunniang joined her daughter in planting and watering the seedlings, talking to her about what was happening in the palace while working.

“Nothing much really, the Consort Shu in the palace had me take her pulse.” Yingbao wanted to avoid worrying her mother, so she gave a perfunctory response.

Chunniang was puzzled, “Aren’t there imperial physicians in the palace? Why did they ask you to take her pulse?”

She had learned a lot from her recent chats with Lady Wu and others, like how the Emperor and consorts were always examined by physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau.

And those of lower rank, didn’t have the privilege to call on these imperial physicians.

Furthermore, outside doctors could not recklessly enter the palace to examine the consorts. If they did, they’d be severely punished.

“I’m not too sure.” Yingbao didn’t want to say more, continuing to plant by mixing pond mud and ordinary soil and shoveling it into flower pots.

Though Consort Shu’s motives were unclear, she was, after all, her master’s consort. Yingbao preferred not to interfere in such matters, much less let her mother harbour displeasure towards them.

Whether it was Consort Shu or other consorts, they might give birth to a crown prince in the future.

If they wanted to put someone in a tight spot or suppress a certain official, it would be incredibly easy.

Seeing Yingbao was unwilling to elaborate, Chunniang didn’t press further and started talking about household matters, “Baobao, should we send a letter to your father, suggesting he bring your grandparents to Beijing?”

Yingbao: “My second cousin has already written back, informing them of Xiaojie’s appointment at the Hanlin Academy. If father and grandparents want to come, they’ll definitely send a letter.”

After pausing for a moment, Chunniang sighed, “Baobao, let’s consider going back to our hometown. Your mother can’t put her mind at ease here. And your father alone at home, it’s not quite right…”

Yingbao thought for a moment, and said, “How about we return to the countryside once Mr. Wu’s house is renovated?”

At the moment, Mr. and Mrs. Wu were still living in her home; it wouldn’t be right for her and her mother to leave for the countryside and leave them behind.

Chunniang nodded, “Fine.”

The mother and daughter finished planting dozens of potted plants, washed their hands, and then returned to the room.

Seeing that the mother and daughter had once again spent their time planting bonsai, Lady Wu suggested, “Since your family does bonsai business, why not invite a couple of gardeners to help? It will save you the effort.”

Chunniang replied with a smile, “I’d feel uncomfortable doing nothing. It’s good to keep busy.”

She was used to working in the field and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of life.

If she had to stay in the house all day, she’d probably fall sick from idleness in a few days.

Weng Xiuxiu and two little maids came back from the vegetable field, put down their hoes, removed their muddy shoes, and started to get the table ready for dinner.

The maids, at Yingbao’s request, had taken advantage of the soil before it froze to dig out plots for planting cabbages, scallions, garlic, ginger, and coriander. This would be convenient for daily use.

They were very obedient, doing chores like washing clothes, cleaning, and watering the plants, in addition to taking care of the vegetable garden.

Life was easier after the planting was done. The girls had time to work together and learn embroidery and garment-making from Weng Xiuxiu.

Indeed, Weng Xiuxiu was very talented. Every piece of clothing and each pair of shoes she made was exquisite.

Even a normal piece of linen could be turned into an exquisite blouse by her.

Yingbao appreciated her work and gave her several pieces of silk fabric to make clothes for her brother, Jiang Jie, mother, and herself.

Weng Xiuxiu didn’t disappoint, tailoring elegant and beautiful robes for them all.

Of course, while making clothes indoors, she could also take care of her child.

After all, it was very cold outside now. A bucket of water thrown out would freeze on the ground almost immediately.