Because Xiu'er herself came from a servant background, she was always tolerant towards her servants.
But that doesn't mean she's easy to fool.
Especially now that Tang Zhuyun is pregnant, she should be eating well, but this old geezer told her there's nothing there?
That's really wicked.
She sneered, "What can I do? Let the Princess Consort go out and starve?"
Liu Da on the verge of tears, stammering, "Well, there are still some ordinary green vegetables..."
"Your Majesty has come to your own estate, not to burn incense at a temple." Xiu'er tucked her hair behind her ear. "What are you really up to? Are you trying to play the poor card?"
Liu Da rubbed his rough hands and explained, "You won't believe it, not only you, but even this old servant doesn't believe it. Today, it's like I've been possessed by a demon..."
After saying this, he glanced timidly at Xiu'er, worried that she would blame him.
Xiu'er, however, was eager to hear his explanation and frowned, saying, "Speak quickly if you have something to say."
By the time he finished speaking, the daylily buds were almost cold.
Liu Da lowered his head and stared at the ground, saying, "... Several groups of people went, but they really didn't find anything."
Forget about wild rabbits and pheasants, we didn't even see a single rabbit hair or pheasant feather.
Everyone in the village went to look for them, and the guards from the Prince's mansion who had come to prepare also went.
Xiu'er spat and said, "Are you implying that Your Majesty is some kind of monster or monster?"
"This old servant wouldn't dare, this old servant wouldn't dare." Liu Da's head was almost touching his chest.
He felt that God was going to kill him.
Poor him, he was overjoyed to be a steward on the princess's estate. He worked diligently and cautiously, hoping for a good harvest at the end of the year. He didn't ask for any reward; a word of praise from the princess would be enough for him.
To my utter surprise, such a blunder occurred at such a crucial moment.
Wild rabbits and pheasants are usually everywhere, but today they've all disappeared.
If it wasn't fate that was going to kill him, what was going on?
Seeing his honest and unassuming demeanor, Xiu'er didn't press him further, saying, "Whatever the ulterior motives, even if you don't tell me, I can always find out. You'd better have a clear conscience, otherwise you won't be let off easily. Have someone prepare accordingly!"
The Empress must not go hungry.
Liu Da felt as if he had been granted a pardon—just as he had heard, Madam Song had a sharp tongue but a soft heart.
This hurdle is now mostly overcome.
Fortunately, there were still some fresh vegetables in the village, and the chickens and sheep were freshly slaughtered. The wife was asked to cook them well so that the distinguished guests could have a taste.
What's so great about wild game? It can't compare to the taste of domesticated animals. It's just that rich people are tired of it and want a change of pace.
Thinking this, Liu Da went out to instruct his wife.
Xiu'er went inside, and Tang Zhuyun sat under a tree watching the children play on the mat, laughing, "Have someone put the food outside in a bit; it's stuffy inside."
Xiu'er agreed, but when she saw Wuji trying to climb off the mat again, she rushed over to stop him. "Little rascal, that's dirty. The mat is so big, can't you even play on it? Go back, go back!"
Wuji hugged her and kissed her.
Xiu'er said, "You Xiao Huai, every time I scold you, you manage to win people over."
This kid, when he grows up, I wonder how many girls he'll win over.
Wuxian, who looks exactly like Wuji, is lying on the edge of the mat watching ants intently.
Guagua was engrossed in eating a watermelon, so much so that the little bib her nanny tied around her neck got soaked and had to be changed several times...
Xiu'er wiped Wuji's hands, told the wet nurse to keep an eye on him and not let him go to the side, and then came over to look at Wuxian.
Wuxian was in a hurry to let her go.
She was blocking his view of the ants moving their nest!
Xiu'er walked up to Tang Zhuyun with a smile and said, "It's strange, isn't it? It seems to be keeping all those ants very busy."
Tang Zhuyun said, "The weather in June and July is like a child's face, changing in an instant. Let's finish our meal and head back early, lest we get lost on the way."
"Okay." Xiu'er agreed, squatted down next to Tang Zhuyun, and reached out to massage her calves.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "No need, I'm fine now. I don't feel bloated. I'll feel a little uncomfortable tonight."
Xiu'er didn't stop what she was doing; she continued to massage while reporting what had just happened to her.
"Your Majesty, am I becoming less and less discerning in judging people?"
"What's wrong with you?"
Who could make Xiu'er question the meaning of life like this?
"I think," Xiu'er said, "That Liu Da looks honest, hardworking, and like a good person..."
"Isn't he good enough? I think so too."
There were four village chiefs to choose from at the time, and Tang Zhuyun ultimately chose Liu Da because she thought he was an experienced and honest man, not someone who would cheat or be cunning.
Xiu'er recounted what had just happened, muttering, "... Isn't it strange? Is an honest person lying to others?"
She felt like she'd been tricked, but then again, it didn't seem like it.
This is really putting people in a dilemma.
Tang Zhuyun initially laughed, "What does it matter? Maybe it's just bad luck. The ants are all moving house, so it might really rain. The birds and beasts are hiding too."
Xiu'er said, "In winter, you can still hunt rabbits even in the freezing cold! We're in the mountains here, and if we fence it off and don't let people come, those rabbits will keep having litters, and then they'll all be gone after a rain?"
Why doesn't she believe it?
Then Xiu'er saw Tang Zhuyun's smile freeze, then gradually fade away, finally replaced by an extremely serious expression. Her hands gripped the corner of the table tightly, her fingertips turned white, and her body swayed slightly.
Seeing this, Xiu'er wanted to slap herself.
Why does she have to talk so much?!
The Empress is currently pregnant and her emotions are unstable. She might be overthinking things, believing that the Prince is away or that the servants are neglecting her...
"Your Majesty, perhaps it really is just a coincidence," she quickly added.
"It can't be that much of a coincidence." Tang Zhuyun composed herself and stood up. "Someone, bring Liu Da here!"
Xiu'er: Oh no, oh no! Judging from the Empress's expression, she's going to be relentless.
It's fine to swear, but what if it upsets the Empress's health?
Just as she was about to offer some words of advice, Tang Zhuyun said, "Xiu'er, something seems wrong."
Xiu'er jumped up. "Your Majesty, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"All the birds and beasts have disappeared; this is not a good omen."
Tang Zhuyun had only one word in her mind—earthquake, or modern earthquake.
Xiu'er was bewildered, thinking she was talking about some kind of omen or omens, and whispered, "Your Majesty, don't believe in those things, everything is fine!"
Song Jingyang is fine, Linlin is fine, the Prince is fine, and Yingying and the others are fine too.
"I don't know if I'm overthinking it, but I feel like the earth is about to shake."
Xiu'er stared wide-eyed at Tang Zhuyun in disbelief.
Tang Zhuyun's thoughts gradually cleared. "If that's really the case, even if it's not an earthquake, there will be other natural disasters."
Could there be torrential rain or mudslides?