The Royal’s Little Lady

Whatever means or not, Gu Sui’er definitely didn’t understand these.

She was a little disappointed when she heard that Xiao Heng was not in the residence, but thinking of something, she felt relieved again, and returned to her room. After entering, she picked up her needle and thread for doing somee embroidery. Her little tadpole was already six months old so she would give birth some three months from now. She wanted to make some clothes and shoes for the baby first.

Actually the old lady had already said that she didn’t need to do it because she was afraid that Gu Sui’er would hurt her eyes while doing the needlework. She said that there were plenty of embroideresses in the mansion who could make all kinds of children’s clothing.

However, Gu Sui’er couldn’t stay idle. From a young age, she had been skilled with her hands. The people in the village would often seek her help when they cut out new patterns for clothes or made some toys and other such things for their children. She wanted to see her little baby wearing the new little clothes, new little bellyband1bellyband [肚兜] — Its an undergarment covering the chest and abdomen. and new little tiger-head shoes2tiger-head shoes [老虎鞋] — In Chinese culture, tigers are regarded as auspicious; people embroider the head and the upper of the shoes with tiger or tiger-head patterns, in hope that their children will become as robust and dynamic as tigers. Also, the vivid image of tiger-head pattern was thought to expel evil spirits to protect their children from diseases and disasters. (Source: Wikipedia) that she made. She was familiar with it because she had also done it for Ah Liu back in the village. (T/N: Remember her? She’s the daughter of that second Aunt Wang who gave birth to septuplets!)

She had asked for some fabrics and other minor things that she needed from the old lady. All the fabrics the Old Madam sent were top-notch, they were soft and slippery to touch. Soon, Gu Sui’er began making clothes for her little tadpole.

She sat there embroidering the tiger-head pattern on the front part of the little shoe and the Nanny An, who was next to her, kept reminiscing about her days while occasionally serving her tea and handing water.

“Young Mistress is indeed a wonderful person. You can do this stuff so easily. I was unable to do these things when I was of your age!”

Previously, Nanny An used to serve by the Old Madam’s side but she was assigned to serve in Xiao Heng’s courtyard later. She may not be particularly pleased about her current Master, however she could casually talk with her and order the maids around them. It had been many years since she had done any kind of sewing.

“Young Mistress, I informed the kitchen to boil some bird’s nest soup on a slow fire for you to drink. It will nourish your body and is beneficial for the child in your belly. Here it is.”

Gu Sui’er obediently put aside the needlework in her hands. She took over the bird’s nest soup and slowly  drank it all.

Although she used to help in the inn at the town before and could be considered to have come across the wider world, naturally she had never seen this bird’s nest soup. Now, thanks to Nanny An’s nagging, she also knew that this bird’s nest soup was a good thing to nourish her child.

Actually, she didn’t quite understand. This bird’s nest soup is deemed very good for health but why does it taste like raw eggs?

However, as long as it was good for her little tadpole, she would definitely try her best to swallow it even if she didn’t like its taste too much.

After finishing the bird’s nest soup, she suddenly remembered: “Nanny An, didn’t you say that this bird’s nest was almost finished a few days ago? How come it’s still there after all these days?”

Nanny An took the bowl and said with a smile: “Young Mistress, I forgot to tell you. The Madam who sent someone to inquire whether we needed something or not. After she heard that there was not much edible bird’s nest in the courtyard, she specially sent a box with more than 20 pieces in it. I think it is enough for you to eat for a month.”

Hearing her words, Gu Sui’er felt grateful in her heart. The Madam seemed cold and scary at first glance, but she was actually a very pleasant person. During the time she stayed at here, the Madam took care meticulous care of her.

“Should I go and thank the Madam then?”

“The good things in the Young Mistress’ room are either rewarded by the Old Madam or sent under the Madam’s orders. Like this, you’d have to thank them every day. Don’t worry, Young Mistress. You don’t need to thank her. When you visit the Madam next time, just mention it in front of her. In fact, merely some edible bird’s nest is nothing of value in this mansion. On the contrary, it’s a bit unsightly to come forward and thank her for it.”

Gu Sui’er thought, since she was a person who had never seen the world before and since Nanny An said that it was a shameful approach, she should let it go.

“Then I will go over to the Old Madam tomorrow. If I meet the Madam, I will mention it to her and thank her.”

“Yes, it should be like this.”

After eating the bird’s nest soup, the little tadpole in her belly seemed to be unable to hold back and started kicking and turning over. Gu Sui’er let Nanny An support her while she walked back and forth in the yard.

She was used to being busy when she was in the countryside. At first, when she entered this mansion, except for visiting the Old Madam for greeting, she didn’t go out much. She felt bored staying in the house all day, so she started to take a walk in the courtyard when she had nothing to do.

Although TingZhu Courtyard only had no other plants except for bamboo, it was also green in color. It was good for one’s eyes to take a leisurely look at them.

As she was walking, Gu Sui’er heard footsteps coming from outside. Before she understood what was going on, a handsome man stepped into the courtyard.

It was Xiao Heng.

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1bellyband [肚兜] — Its an undergarment covering the chest and abdomen.2tiger-head shoes [老虎鞋] — In Chinese culture, tigers are regarded as auspicious; people embroider the head and the upper of the shoes with tiger or tiger-head patterns, in hope that their children will become as robust and dynamic as tigers. Also, the vivid image of tiger-head pattern was thought to expel evil spirits to protect their children from diseases and disasters. (Source: Wikipedia)