"The ground is cold, get up and let's talk!"
Bai Lu helped her mother, Qi Ruo, to her feet. Bai Rui followed closely behind. The three stood together, and it was obvious that Bai Lu was faring better than the other two. They were all servants, yet the gap between them was so vast.
"This Princess Consort is aware of your Bai family's affairs. Given the current situation, it's crucial to stabilize the capital first. Only then can I spare time to search for evidence. Of course, it would be best if you already have evidence. While we can't openly clear your names, at least you won't have to live as if you're burdened by the sins of criminals!"
Having followed the Princess Consort for a long time, she knew that the Princess Consort always kept her word.
"We don't ask for Father to be reinstated, only that Father and my younger brother can return safely. To no longer be slaves or maids in this life would be enough!"
The former Emperor was already gone, and the case had been buried. Even if they wanted to overturn it, the new Emperor might not agree.
Rather than expecting a specific outcome, it was better to take a step back and simply wish for the safety of their family.
Bai Lu understood this and knew what she wanted, so she didn't make things difficult for the Princess Consort. As for this particular matter, she still believed the Princess Consort would help her.
"It's best that you understand this. It's also the best outcome. Navigating the treacherous world of politics is less desirable than living a simple life and enjoying present happiness!"
Even if the Bai family was wronged, they were still victims of political maneuvering. There were too many people like them; how many could she help?
After the Princess Consort left, Qi Ruo clasped Bai Lu's hand and cautioned her, "We must always remember the Princess Consort's great kindness. Our family must never betray the Princess Consort!"
Bai Lu smiled and replied, "Mother, I have long considered the Prince's manor as my home. How could I betray my own family? If the Princess Consort needs it, I would even give my life!"
"Sister, I can give mine too. This life of mine was given by the Princess Consort, otherwise, I fear I would have already..." Bai Rui recalled the suffering she endured at the Minister of Personnel's house. The memory brought tears to her eyes.
Bai Lu pinched her cheek, her smile tinged with tears, and pulled her into an embrace. "Don't be afraid. No one will bully you here in the Prince's manor. The Princess Consort and the other servants are very kind!"
In the blink of an eye, April arrived, and the temperature warmed. They had been in the capital for over a month.
Fan Zehao attended court as usual, standing like a pillar in the main hall, essentially acting as a bodyguard. Zhao Jiaqi, on the other hand, was constantly going to the imperial farm, eventually settling there.
Qiu Fen was already accustomed to her Princess Consort's eccentric ideas.
Bai Lu watched the Princess Consort fussing over peach blossoms and asked Qiu Fen, "What is the Princess Consort doing? Is she making something delicious?"
Qiu Fen sighed, "If it were something edible, we'd be in for a treat. I overheard the Princess Consort mention something about making peach blossom wine!"
Bai Lu's head was filled with question marks. "Isn't there already peach wine?"
"As you said, that's peach wine. This time, it's peach blossom wine!"
As the two maids were discussing, Zhao Jiaqi overheard their every word. She chided them, "Who gave you the audacity to gossip about your mistress behind her back!"
Qiu Fen chuckled, "Even if you gave me a hundred more dares, I wouldn't dare. We were just confused about peach blossom wine versus peach wine and were discussing it with Bai Lu!"
"What's so difficult to understand? One is fruit wine, and the other is flower wine. You can distinguish them from their names alone. Once I've perfected the recipe, I'll let you all have a taste. This wine is good for the complexion, especially for women!"
The two maids became interested after hearing this. Which woman didn't wish for eternal beauty? They began to help the Princess Consort with the peach blossom wine.
Zhao Jiaqi was merely recalling recipes for brewing peach blossom wine that she had seen online. She decided to try it out in her free time. If it succeeded, all the better; if not, it would only be a waste of effort and some white wine.
After making over a dozen jars of peach blossom wine, the mistress and servants went on to make apricot blossom, cherry blossom, and jasmine wine. The Princess Consort didn't even spare the lotus flowers that bloomed in June.
With large green lotus leaves overhead, they glided in a small boat on the lotus pond, picking flowers. When Pingting arrived, seeing her elder sister-in-law's attire, she was extremely jealous.
Rolling up her sleeves, she was about to jump into the water. "Elder sister-in-law, come pick me up! You're having fun here and didn't even invite me. I'm unhappy!"
Fan Zehao and Fan Xudong, the two brothers, sat in the pavilion, watching their wives play, which was also a source of enjoyment.
Zhao Jiaqi looked up and saw Pingting wearing a crescent-white long dress, her wide sleeves rolled up to her upper arms. Seeing her stamping her foot impatiently made her want to laugh.
"Qiu Fen, row over and pick up this little vinegar pot, or she won't let me off tonight!"
Qiu Fen burst into laughter and rowed the small boat to the shore. Pingting jumped on board. She didn't care if the boat capsized. The next moment, she lunged at Zhao Jiaqi, exclaiming, "You've been hiding on this farm for two months, have you forgotten about me!"
Zhao Jiaqi quickly dodged her hands and replied, "Wasn't I planning to give you a surprise? Who knew you'd come! I'll give you some good wine tonight!"
Upon hearing that there was something good for her, Pingting stopped dwelling on being left in the capital for two months and immediately joined her in picking lotus flowers.
By the afternoon, they had picked half the half-opened lotus flowers in the pond. Seeing this, Fan Xudong said, "These two prodigal women. It's so nice to have the lotus flowers in the pond, a scenic view, and they've gone and picked them all..."
"My wife is spending money, what's it to you? Eat your food, drink your drink. Tomorrow morning, one thousand push-ups, in front of everyone on the farm!" Fan Zehao said, then went to the shore to pick up his wife.
How dare she call his wife a prodigal woman? This fellow was getting too bold, not knowing his place. If he didn't teach him a lesson, he'd really think he was a fool!
His elder brother left in anger. Fan Xudong came to his senses, slapped his own mouth, and the pain made him quickly cover it.
These past two months with his elder brother had made him forget that he was a doting husband and that he shouldn't speak ill of his elder sister-in-law in front of him.
See, he had spoken without thinking, leading to his own downfall.
Life on the farm was leisurely, devoid of tension and boredom. Pingting, having stayed for a few days, loved it, especially the peach blossom wine brewed by her elder sister-in-law.
She snatched five jars from Zhao Jiaqi and had Xiao Jiu deliver them to the palace as a tribute to her mother.
Yao Jingyun was also quite idle in the imperial harem.
The Emperor was unmarried, had no secondary consorts, not even a concubine. His life was as plain as a monk's, so there was little to do in the harem.
Thus, Yao Jingyun packed her bags and also went to Zhao Jiaqi's farm.
During the day, she sunbathed, ate chilled fruit, drank fresh fruit juice, or had some cool herbal tea. At night, there were barbecues, and in her free time, she enjoyed the night view. Life was simply wonderful.
"Jiaqi, no wonder you don't want to return to the Prince's manor. It's truly beautiful here. Even I don't want to go back. When the Emperor marries the Empress, I'll come live with you all!"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled, "I'd be delighted. Pingting would probably go crazy with joy hearing this news!"
Speaking of Pingting, she realized she hadn't seen her since this morning. "This girl usually comes sniffing around when there's good food. What's wrong today? Is she not even eating the roasted meat?"
Yao Jingyun, lying on the rocking chair, chuckled, "She's pregnant again. She can't eat anything good and is having a tantrum with Fan Xudong!"
Good heavens, Second Master Fan was quite industrious. At this rate, she could consider opening a kindergarten!