Chapter 37: Princess Wu’s Visit

Chapter 37: Princess Wu's Visit

One could only say that Fourth Princess understands An Qing well. Despite her repeated claims that she isn't so shallow, the next day when she brought Eighth Princess to visit, she was promptly proven wrong.

Fine, being shallow is being shallow; it's not a big deal.

At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet last time, due to the distance and the darkness of night, An Qing hadn't really seen Eighth Princess clearly. But now, upon seeing her, she couldn't help but think, "Wow, truly worthy of being Thirteenth Prince Yinxiang's younger sister."

Eighth Princess is just eleven years old, yet she has already grown into such a graceful young lady. If she continues to develop, she'll be something else entirely.

So it's true what novels say about teenagers being capable of captivating the nation.

Seeing An Qing's reaction, Fourth Princess couldn't help but look at her with a teasing gaze. But who is An Qing? Her face is thick enough to smile back as if nothing happened.

"Five Sister-in-Law, this is a small token of my appreciation for your first visit. Please don't reject it." Eighth Princess shyly handed over a purse, seemingly embarrassed by its simplicity and lowered her head.

Fourth Princess quickly came to her aid, "Five Sister-in-Law, Eighth Sister's embroidery is excellent. Even Father loves the things she embroiders."

An Qing took the purse in surprise, "Eighth Sister, your hands are too skilled. This purse is beautifully embroidered."

She wasn't being polite; Eighth Princess's purse was truly exquisite. The pink purse was embroidered with a magpie perched on a branch using gold thread, especially the magpie, which looked incredibly lifelike.

Though An Qing wasn't skilled in embroidery, she had spent some time in the sewing room with her mother, and she could recognize various stitching techniques.

The embroidery on this purse was clearly difficult-to-master Suzhou embroidery.

Seeing An Qing's appreciation, Eighth Princess was delighted, "I'm glad you like it, Five Sister-in-Law."

An Qing sincerely replied, "Like it, I do."

Holding the purse, she examined it closely and murmured, "Eighth Sister, at your young age, how did you learn such fine embroidery?"

Eighth Princess smiled shyly, "I learned from my mother since childhood. I don't deserve such praise; Mother says I still have much to learn."

Upon hearing this, An Qing understood immediately. It seemed that Concubine Zhang, Eighth Princess's mother, must be an expert in embroidery.

Having received the gift from the young girl, An Qing naturally prepared a return gift. She presented a white jade bracelet, which matched Eighth Princess's youthful charm perfectly.

Seeing the greenish-white jade bracelet, Eighth Princess hurriedly declined, "No, Five Sister-in-Law, this is too precious. I can't accept it."

How could she exchange a simple purse for such a superior jade bracelet?

Seeing her blushing face and determined refusal, An Qing couldn't resist teasing her, "Eighth Sister, this is my heartfelt gift. If you don't accept it, I'll be sad."

She even put on a pained expression, as if her feelings were hurt.

Eighth Princess, unused to such situations, thought An Qing was genuinely upset and turned to Fourth Princess for help.

Fourth Princess knew An Qing was joking, "Five Sister-in-Law, Eighth Sister is shy. Don't tease her."

Turning to Eighth Princess, she added, "Eighth Sister, don't refuse. Accept the gift from Five Sister-in-Law."

Eighth Princess hesitated, then accepted the bracelet and bowed to An Qing, "Thank you, Five Sister-in-Law."

After chatting for a while, they were still standing. An Qing invited them to sit down, and Perilla brought in tea and snacks.

The snacks were cookies and croissants baked by Chunxiao, and the tea was pear soup.

The autumn in the Imperial City is dry, and drinking more pear soup soothes the throat.

As they ate and chatted, despite it being their first meeting, An Qing and Eighth Princess didn't feel awkward thanks to Fourth Princess's lively presence.

However, most of the conversation was between An Qing and Fourth Princess, with Eighth Princess speaking very little. She mostly listened quietly.

Observing them, An Qing noted that Fourth Princess and Eighth Princess had completely opposite personalities. Fourth Princess was outgoing and vivacious, while Eighth Princess was shy and gentle. It was unclear how they became friends.

Eighth Princess was indeed a delightful person, easily blushing and charmingly innocent.

An Qing noticed that she loved the cookies Chunxiao baked and had eaten several pieces, her eyes brightening with each bite. Yet her mannerisms remained graceful and endearing.

Suddenly feeling a gaze on her, Eighth Princess looked up and met An Qing's eyes.

Initially startled, she realized she had eaten several cookies and felt embarrassed.

Five Sister-in-Law must have noticed; it was so impolite. Eighth Princess bowed her head lower, wishing she could disappear.

Fourth Princess saw this and sighed, "Five Sister-in-Law, tone it down. You're making Eighth Sister uncomfortable."

An Qing, having observed carefully, understood why Eighth Princess reacted this way. She quickly defused the situation, "Eighth Sister, don't mind. Your Five Sister-in-Law here simply adores beautiful people. How could I resist with someone as lovely as you?"

Eighth Princess blushed again but felt relieved that An Qing wasn't offended.

Fourth Princess seized the opportunity to tease, "Five Sister-in-Law, I'll tell Auntie that you find someone prettier than me."

An Qing glared at Fourth Princess and said seriously, "Nonsense, Mother is the most beautiful in my heart."

Eighth Princess couldn't help smiling at their banter.

She had heard from Third Elder Brother about Five Sister-in-Law, saying she was a good person. She had given him watermelon, which her mother and sisters enjoyed, finding it very sweet. Her mother also said Five Sister-in-Law was a rare good person in the palace.

But today, she found that Third Elder Brother and her mother's description was incomplete. Five Sister-in-Law was not only a wonderful person but also very interesting.

Just as Eighth Princess was watching them intently, An Qing suddenly turned to her, "Eighth Sister, you're second."

Eighth Princess exclaimed, "Ah," confused. What did "second" mean?

Then she remembered An Qing's earlier comment about Concubine Yi being the most beautiful and understood the meaning of "second."

"No, no... I, I can't accept it." The Eighth Princess hurriedly waved her hands in denial, her face flushing red all the way to her ears.

An Qing and the Fourth Princess exchanged a glance before both burst out laughing at the same time.

It had to be said that when it came to teasing the Eighth Princess, these two sisters-in-law had a bit of a mischievous streak in them.

Ever since the Fourth Princess brought the Eighth Princess over, she had clearly become a frequent visitor to An Qing's courtyard.

But whenever they came, they often brought their respective cats along, making An Qing drool with envy. *Whimpers* Having cats is so impressive; does that mean someone without a cat isn't worthy of playing with them?

Every time this happened, the Fourth Princess would enthusiastically encourage her to get a cat, praising how adorable the Eighth Princess's kittens were.

Under this double pressure, An Qing eventually gave in.

The Fourth Princess threw her head back in laughter. "Hahaha, I always said no one could resist the allure of being a cat owner."

An Qing glared at the Fourth Princess indignantly.

"Hmph, if she were in a later era, she'd definitely be a top salesperson."

However, before adopting a cat, An Qing still wanted to make some preparations. The most urgent task was to find someone in the courtyard who would take care of the cat daily. Upon Little Xizi's recommendation, Lai Fu was chosen for this role and sent to the cat and dog quarters for specialized training for over half a month.

Of course, since she had decided to adopt a cat, An Qing didn't intend to be a hands-off owner. She consulted extensively with the Fourth Princess and the Eighth Princess about their experiences and tips on raising cats, even having Chunxiao learn to make food for the cat.

Once everything was ready, the Eighth Princess's kittens had also reached the appropriate age. Despite others wanting to adopt them, the Eighth Princess held back, insisting that An Qing should choose first.

An Qing was deeply moved and immediately gave her a big hug.

However, before officially bringing the cat home, there was one last step.

"Cat dowry?" The Eighth Princess asked, puzzled.

An Qing nodded. "Yes, it's the dowry I'm giving for the kitten."

In ancient times, people placed great importance on rituals when adopting cats, especially during the Song Dynasty, where there was a well-established process for adopting cats, including the dowry as one of the steps.

The dowry typically consisted of everyday items like food and fabric, symbolizing the owner's generosity and respect for the cat.

The Eighth Princess was initially stunned but then quickly waved her hands. "No need, Fifth Sister-in-Law, you can just take it if you like it. Why do you need a dowry?"

In the palace, adopting cats usually meant simply taking them from the cat and dog quarters or directly from friends after their cats had kittens. There was no need for a dowry.

It sounded almost like taking advantage of someone.

But An Qing insisted, "That won't do. This is a ritual for the cat, showing my respect for it. Eighth Sister, wouldn't you feel bad rejecting my gesture?"

The Eighth Princess looked troubled. "Then I'll give a dowry for the kitten too."

An Qing: "..."

She was adopting a cat, not marrying it, why would there be a dowry?

The Eighth Princess asked, "If you're giving a dowry, there should naturally be a dowry in return. What's wrong with that?"

She genuinely didn't know about the concept of a cat dowry but felt that if there was a dowry, there should be a return dowry.

"Eighth Sister, there's no such rule," An Qing patiently explained the origin of the cat dowry. "Although we don't follow this custom in the palace, it's still practiced among common folk."

However, the current rules weren't as strict as in the Song Dynasty; a simple gesture would suffice.

"So, Eighth Sister, think about what you want. Otherwise, I won't take the kitten."

Seeing her insistence, the Eighth Princess was at a loss. After a moment's thought, she said, "Fifth Sister-in-Law, there is something I want, but I don't know if it's convenient for you."

She quickly added, "If it's not convenient, it's fine. Don't force yourself."

An Qing nodded gently. "Sure, tell me what it is."

The Eighth Princess pursed her lips, seeming a bit embarrassed. "My mother has been coughing a lot recently. The small pear soup she had last time was very good. If it's convenient, could you give me the recipe? I want to make it for my mother."

Hearing this, An Qing immediately agreed. "Of course, no problem!"

Thus, the matter of adopting the cat was settled.

After returning, An Qing checked the almanac and found a suitable day to bring the dowry and visit the Eighth Princess's residence to choose a kitten.

Besides the recipe for the small pear soup, she had Chunxiao prepare some fish treats for the mother cat and brought a few pastries for the Eighth Princess, all of which she loved when visiting.

The Eighth Princess thought the dowry would only be the recipe, but when she saw the other items An Qing brought, she refused to accept them.

An Qing explained, "These are just some snacks for you and the mother cat. Even if it wasn't for the kitten, I couldn't come empty-handed."

The Fourth Princess also chimed in, and seeing that the items were indeed just food, the Eighth Princess reluctantly accepted them.

An Qing then eagerly went to pick out a kitten. The Eighth Princess's cat was a Persian, and the kittens were also Persians. She immediately chose the one sleeping by the side of the nest and picked it up.

Thus, the sleeping kitten was chosen.

After selecting the kitten, An Qing didn't stay long. Just as she was about to leave, a palace maid rushed over.

She whispered something, and the Eighth Princess looked surprised. "Fifth Sister-in-Law, you..."

An Qing silently sighed. Well, she was caught.

She had hidden a wild ginseng root among the snacks, hoping it wouldn't be discovered until she left, but she was a step too late.

"No, Fifth Sister-in-Law, wait, I'll have someone bring the ginseng." The Eighth Princess pushed the palace maid to retrieve the item.

An Qing quickly stopped her. "Eighth Sister, don't rush, let me explain."

The Fourth Princess chimed in, "Yes, yes, let's hear what Fifth Sister-in-Law has to say first."

An Qing glanced at the two of them and whispered, "I know that Concubine Zhang is unwell. That wild ginseng was meant as a tribute for her to nourish her health, but you should also understand that I can't make this public. So, I used the pretext of the kitten's betrothal gifts to send it over. This is my heartfelt gesture, Eighth Sister; you mustn't refuse me."

The Eighth Princess suddenly understood something and her eyes welled up with tears. "Fifth Sister-in-Law, did you hear about it?"

An Qing didn't deny it and nodded slightly.

A few days ago, Cui Liu had heard from her visits that the Eighth Princess's mother, Zhangjia Shi, had fallen seriously ill again. The Thirteenth Prince had been searching everywhere for aged wild ginseng to help his mother recover. An Qing happened to have some on hand and thought of finding an excuse to send it over.

She had grown quite fond of the Eighth Princess during their recent interactions and wanted to lend a helping hand.

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Princess looked at the Eighth Princess with reproach. "No wonder you've been distracted these past few days. Why didn't you tell me?"

The Eighth Princess shook her head. Aged wild ginseng was rare even in the palace. Their mothers' positions were not high, and they were currently out of favor. There was no way to get such resources, so telling her would only add to her worries.

The Fourth Princess disagreed. "I could ask Aunt."

The Eighth Princess remained silent, clearly not wanting to trouble her. Concubine Yi was only her aunt, and if the Fourth Princess needed help, Concubine Yi wouldn't hesitate. But asking her for the Eighth Princess's sake wasn't appropriate.

An Qing sighed inwardly. This was probably why so many people in the palace were desperate to climb higher.

The economic sources for the palace concubines were mainly threefold: monthly allowances directly tied to their rank, the Emperor's rewards linked to his favor, and support from family members, which included children and relatives.

However, Zhangjia Shi's current position was low, and she had been bedridden for years without any favor. Her children were still minors, and her family background was humble. She had none of these advantages.

So, obtaining wild ginseng for her health was indeed challenging.

"Fifth Sister-in-Law, thank you so much for your kindness, but it's not necessary. My Thirteenth Brother found some for Mother a few days ago," the Eighth Princess said gratefully.

An Qing patted her hand. "Wild ginseng is for nourishing the body, so having more is better. Keep it."

Then, she added, "Actually, I need a favor from Eighth Sister. I was thinking of bribing you so you wouldn't refuse."

The Eighth Princess quickly responded, "No need to bribe me. If you need anything, just tell me."

An Qing pointed to the kitten in Perilla's basket. "When this little one grows up a bit, could you make some toys for her?"

The Eighth Princess understood immediately. Making toys for kittens was simple; any palace maid who knew how to sew could do it. There was no need for her Fifth Sister-in-Law to specifically ask her.

But she didn't refuse her Fifth Sister-in-Law's kindness and agreed.

Seeing this, the Fourth Princess was delighted and tried to lighten the mood. "Fifth Sister-in-Law only cares about Eighth Sister now. Looks like I'm out of favor."

She then looked at An Qing with mock sadness. "I never thought Fifth Sister-in-Law would be so fickle, just like those heartless men in stories."

An Qing laughed and pinched her cheek. "Naughty girl, don't worry. I'm not a heartless man. When you get married, I'll give you a proper dowry..."

The three of them laughed and joked around for a while before An Qing left Zhaoxiang Palace.

The Eighth Princess stood there, watching her back, realizing something. No wonder her Fifth Sister-in-Law had insisted on giving the kitten betrothal gifts. It was all for this reason.

Understanding this, the Eighth Princess couldn't hold back her tears and turned to cry in the Fourth Princess's arms, feeling deeply grateful for her Fifth Sister-in-Law's kindness.

*

The kitten An Qing brought back was a pure white Persian cat. Its gentle nature melted everyone's hearts. An Qing decided to name it Snowball, fitting for its fluffy white appearance.

Hooray, she now had a cat!

From then on, An Qing pampered the kitten, ordering fresh milk from the imperial kitchen every day and urging Chunxiao to research various cat foods and snacks.

She even drew designs and sent Little Xizi with silver to the Office of Works to make cat toys, climbing frames, and even a cat villa. For a kitten barely a month old, this level of pampering was extraordinary.

Yinqi couldn't help shaking his head, silently deciding that when they had children, he would have to keep a close eye on things. She had the potential to spoil their child into becoming the most notorious wastrel in the Forbidden City.

An Qing was unaware of Yinqi's thoughts, but even if she knew, she wouldn't stop. After all, she was in the peak of her cat-loving phase.

But it couldn't be denied that the kitten's presence brought a lot of joy to her courtyard.

As her enthusiasm cooled down, An Qing began to get busy.

Her wheat field was about to enter the tillering stage, a crucial time for management.

Tillering is a term in plant science referring to the growth of branches from the base of cereal crops. Wheat tillering typically begins 15-20 days after germination, signaling the start of branch formation near the ground.

This is a critical period for wheat growth and yield. More tillers mean more ears and fuller grains, leading to higher yields. Proper management during this period directly affects the wheat's growth and harvest, as well as its ability to survive winter.

Over the years, An Qing had been researching ways to increase wheat yield during the tillering stage. She had tried various methods, but the results were not ideal, though she had gained valuable experience.

She took out her notebook titled "Wheat Planting Experiments and Practical Guidance" and reviewed the records from last year's experimental fields. Fertilization, irrigation, weeding, controlling excessive growth, and preventing frost damage...

These methods had proven effective, so she planned to refine them further, incorporating new ideas she had developed.