Prince Shao's other residence stood in Immortal Dew Ward in the eastern part of the city. Before he fell gravely ill, he had spent seven or eight days there every month. Now, confined to his sickbed, he had not gone out in three months, but contact between the Prince's Residence and the other residence had never ceased.
Sometimes Household Steward Li Chengyin sent people over with money and goods; sometimes the other residence sent people to inquire after Prince Shao's health. The two maids who came today, Cailu and Cailian, had names cut from the same cloth as those of Madam Li's attendants. After paying her respects to Li Yuanying, Cailu took three sets of underclothes from a bundle, explaining that they had been made from silk bestowed by the emperor. With the weather growing colder, they had brought His Highness some additional clothing.
It was perfectly commonplace for women to sew clothes by hand and give them to their lovers or husbands as tokens of affection. Madam Li accepted the garments and quietly asked the two maids, "Is everything well with Lady Yu? Does she need anything?"
Li and Lady Yu were both Prince Shao's wet nurses. They had worked together for years, enjoyed an amicable relationship, and often exchanged gifts.
"Nothing else," Cailu replied. "But do you have any of that hand cream brought from the capital left? Our hands get so dry while sewing that they snag the silk."
Youzhou's climate was far drier than Chang'an's, so keeping the skin supple required more face cream and lip balm. Madam Li said, "The last batch has already gone to the Western Courtyard. I had someone buy some local products at the market. The texture is a little coarse, but we'll have to make do."
Cailian laughed. "The Western