in2ebook Chapter 297 Princess Roushu returns to Beijing
Chapter 297 Princess Roushu returns to Beijing
Just then, a maidservant called out from outside the door: "Princess, the Prince of He's residence has sent an invitation; it's from Princess Rou Shu."
"Sister A-Yun is back?" Zhao Ning jumped up immediately, her joy overflowing.
Upon opening the post, she smiled and said, "It really is Sister A-Yun back! She's asking me to go out and play! I haven't seen Sister A-Yun for a year since she got married, and I miss her so much."
Seeing that she had something to say, Guiyuan stopped talking and stood up with a smile, saying, "Yesterday I heard that Princess Ayun was returning to her parents' home, and today I sent an invitation to the county princess to go out and play. It can be seen that the princess and the county princess are very close sisters."
Zhao Ning was overjoyed: "I wonder how everything is after Sister A-Yun's marriage. Someone, quickly help me change my clothes."
"Since the county princess has other matters to attend to, I will not disturb you any longer and will return now." Gui Yuan, always mindful of etiquette, knew that Zhao Ning was eager to see the county princess, so she took the initiative to leave.
"Hey, don't go." Zhao Ning stood up and pulled Gui Yuan back. "You came all this way to keep me company. If I have something to do and just send you back, what kind of friend would that be? Come with me."
Gui Yuan was taken aback: "Is this... inconvenient?"
"How could it be inconvenient? Come on, come on."
The carriage arrived at the theater. Zhao Ning lifted the curtain and saw Princess Rou Shu's head maid standing at the door waiting.
"Princess, Miss Gui." The maid greeted the two with a smile and a bow.
Zhao Ning looked around: "Where's Sister A-Yun?"
"The princess is waiting for the county princess and the second young lady in the elegant pavilion."
The maid led the way, taking Zhao Ning and Gui Yuan to a private room on the second floor. Princess Rou Shu sat there, not rising to greet them.
"Sister A-Yun, I've missed you so much."
Zhao Ning was about to pounce, but Gui Yuan grabbed her arm.
"Yuanyuan, what are you doing?" Zhao Ning turned around to look at Guiyuan, puzzled.
Gui Yuan simply smiled, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Princess Rou Shu. Congratulations, Princess."
Princess Rou Shu chuckled and gently stroked her belly, gesturing for Zhao Ning to sit down beside her: "You, you're a year older but still so impulsive. Yuan Yuan is younger than you, but much more composed."
"Sister, you..." Zhao Ning looked her up and down, even more excited, "Are you pregnant?"
She reached out to touch it, then withdrew her hand in fear, tilting her head curiously to look.
Princess Roushu said, "It's been four months, she's not that fragile anymore, feel free to touch her."
Zhao Ning carefully touched it, then leaned in to listen for a while before saying, "Little baby, I'm your aunt, you must remember that."
Gui Yuan sat beside Zhao Ning, smiling as she watched the scene unfold, and said, "I noticed my cousin was pregnant before, and she wasn't in very good spirits. But the princess looks even more beautiful than before, which shows that she is a very considerate child."
Princess Roushu smiled and nodded: "Others say so too. I've heard that if a woman is pregnant, the mother's body will be more beautiful, indicating a girl. If it's a boy, the mother will suffer and will be less attractive."
“This…” Gui Yuan was taken aback. She had never heard such a rumor before. She quickly stood up and apologized, “It was my slip of the tongue. Please forgive me, Princess.”
Although they were not married, they knew the difficulties women faced. Who wouldn't want a boy in their womb, so they wouldn't feel ashamed in their husband's family?
Princess Roushu shook her head: "I know you mean well, but you don't need to take it to heart. I am not the eldest daughter-in-law, and my sister-in-law has already given birth to the eldest grandson, so there is no need for me to carry on the family line. Therefore, whether it is a boy or a girl, it is fine."
Because the eldest princess only had one daughter, Zhao Ning, Zhao Ning didn't feel much about other people's preference for sons over daughters.
She blinked and listened to Princess Roushu's belly, saying, "Girls are so wonderful, they're so sweet and soft when they're born. I really want a girl too."
Princess Roushu tapped her forehead: "You're not even married yet, and you're already thinking about having children? Shameless."
Zhao Ning wrinkled her nose: "I was just telling you guys, what are you afraid of? You don't know, last time Feng Zizhou told me that he was in the countryside holding that little girl from the Si family every day. The little girl is clingy to him and calls him uncle, it's so cute..."
Upon hearing the name "Feng Zizhou," Gui Yuan frantically tried to signal to Zhao Ning with her eyes. However, Zhao Ning spoke too quickly and didn't realize what she meant until she finished speaking. For a moment, all three of them were stunned.
Why did Feng Zizhou go to the countryside? It was to avoid marrying Princess Roushu and forcing her to marry far away. Princess Roushu would never want to hear any more news about Feng Zizhou.
“Sister A-Yun…I…” Zhao Ning withdrew her hand, looking at Princess Rou Shu with a helpless expression.
Princess Roushu simply smiled and said, "It's alright. What kind of little child are you referring to in the Si family?"
Zhao Ning hurriedly said, "The second young lady of the Si family was married in the countryside and had a daughter. Later, her husband died, and she returned to the Si family with her daughter. The little girl took the Si family surname and was included in the Si family's genealogy."
"I remember the three Si sisters are only seventeen years old now. How old is that girl?"
“She’s two years old,” Zhao Ning said. “It’s not surprising that women in the countryside get married early. But the child is too young. Given the Si family’s situation, they didn’t bring the child out, so I’ve only heard about it and never seen her.”
Princess Roushu nodded: "Speaking of the Si family, I heard many people mention them when I returned to the capital yesterday. By the way, have you ever met the Si sisters? I remember being on good terms with the eldest daughter of the Si family when I was young, and we saw each other quite often. I just wonder what their personalities are like now that we haven't seen each other for so many years."
Zhao Ning had misspoke and was hoping that Princess Rou Shu would not mention the little girl from the Si family. Seeing that she only mentioned the three sisters of the Si family, she relaxed.
"Compared to when she was a child, she has changed a lot. Si Muyan is quite dignified and well-mannered, but I haven't seen her much. The third young lady, Si Muwanting, is clever, and the second young lady, Si Mutong..."
She didn't like Si Mutong very much, she said, shrugging.
"She's a bit stubborn and has a headstrong temper, so we don't get along."
Princess Roushu smiled and said, "There hasn't been much change. I remember Si Mutong was stubborn and quite strong since she was little, and I quite liked that kind of personality of hers. Has her temper gotten worse now?"
Gui Yuan, who was standing next to her, thought of the second daughter of the Si family and recalled their first meeting when the second daughter discovered that she had spoken ill of Prince Ning behind his back. Feeling a little guilty, she quickly changed the subject.
"Not really, it's just that she's too straightforward, which makes her difficult to approach. Speaking of which, the third young lady of the Si family has a pretty good personality."
Zhao Ning chimed in, "Yes, I like Si Muwan too. I originally wanted to invite her out, but something happened to her family, so I didn't feel comfortable doing it..."
Princess Roushu had also heard about the Si family's affairs, but she didn't ask any questions. She simply said, "I will stay in Kyoto for two months before going back. I'll organize a gathering later and invite all my sisters to come and have fun."
"That's excellent." Zhao Ning clapped his hands and laughed.
Princess Rou Shu changed the subject, looking at Zhao Ning and asking, "You're eighteen, and you haven't set a wedding date yet?"