Chapter 222: Chapter 222 Snowy Day Fun
"Hmm, it’s almost ready. I was thinking of stewing it for the Second Princess today, simmering it slowly over a low flame until it’s fully dissolved before feeding it to the Princess."
Lin Wanyi nodded, having observed over the past few months.
This Nanny Ji is indeed a meticulous and considerate person. The Second Princess’s improvement today is largely due to the treatment by Doctor Dou and Mrs. Yun, the Second Aunt.
The rest is due to the attentive care of Nanny Ji.
The Second Princess has some awareness now and would reach out her hand towards Lin Wanyi.
Lin Wanyi took the tiger pillow and continued to tease the Second Princess playfully.
She would occasionally laugh happily, and her two little hands would sometimes make clapping gestures.
Albeit not very distinct.
But overall, these are good signs of her gradual recovery.
Doctor Dou also mentioned that she might walk and talk slower than other children her age in the future.
But with careful teaching, the differences will lessen as she grows older.
So Lin Wanyi and Nanny Ji are not worried.
For now, the focus is still on nurturing her physique.
After playing with her for a while, the Second Prince, who was originally watching the snow under the veranda, also came in.
His little face was somewhat red from the cold, but his body was warm.
"Quick, have some hot water to warm up."
"I know, Lady Lin."
The winter clothes he is wearing now were made by Lin Wanyi’s own hands.
In fact, there are several palace maids who can sew clothes in Ruiyang Pavilion, including Nanny Du.
Several sets of winter clothes have been prepared for him, all made with care.
Yet, the Second Prince’s favorite is the set made by Lin Wanyi, causing Nanny Du to come daily to learn her skills like an apprentice.
The main hall was bustling with lively activity.
With the cold weather, apart from the palace maids and eunuchs who needed to clean outside,
the rest either gathered in the small kitchen to showcase their culinary skills together or stayed inside the main hall.
Nanny Du and Xia An were hastily making a new cape for the Second Prince, with Lin Wanyi instructing them by the side.
After gulping down a cup of warm water, the Second Prince rubbed his hands together and came to the Second Princess.
With a cheerful chuckle, he said,
"What does Second Sister want to hear today? How about I tell you ’South Mountain Chronicles’ again?"
The Second Princess still couldn’t speak, only smiling and drooling happily.
The Second Prince looked at his pretty sister and thought, this girl is beautiful indeed, but why does she drool so much?
So he took a cloth to wipe her, and then continued speaking.
"I know you like it, but try not to drool, alright? Those scholars in the book pair with spirits, but you are a princess! In the future, you’ll marry a Prince Consort! Understand?"
The way the Second Prince nodded sagely and imparted his wisdom made everyone laugh.
This reading exercise is Lin Wanyi’s deliberate arrangement.
Although the Second Princess might not understand, winters are long and with nothing much to do,
so every day during her awake time, they read a piece of miscellany to her.
Gradually, this task was taken over by the Second Prince.
One reads aloud effortlessly while the other listens with keen interest.
Lin Wanyi, on the other hand, enjoyed the leisure and peace.
Occasionally, she’d teach the Second Prince characters he didn’t understand.
"Hmm, last time we talked about that Jade-faced Fox almost revealing its original form in front of the scholar, and then..."
The slightly immature voice of the Second Prince slowly emanated from the inner room.
In the serene Ruiyang Pavilion, it was indeed a source of delight.
The snow outside fell heavily.
From morning until lunchtime, a layer of white snow had piled up on the bare branches outside.
The Second Prince was naturally very excited.
After lunch, he clamored about wanting to make snow ducks.
Xiao Luzi was skillful, and among the little eunuchs they sent this time, two were quite young.
Although Qiu Ming usually kept a strict rein, today, seeing it snow, he gave them a bit of freedom.
The three quickly engaged in making snowballs and snow ducks in the snow pile, making the atmosphere very lively.
The Second Prince enthusiastically joined in the fun alongside them.
"Xiao Luzi, will this snow duck stand firm? Won’t it fall apart once you let go?"
To the Second Prince, snow and sand seemed to have a similar shape.
Sand couldn’t be piled, so he wondered what about the snow?
In the past, he had seen snow, but at that time, he was struggling just to survive, with no chance or inclination to play with it.
So making snow ducks was a first for him.
"Don’t worry, Second Prince, this snow won’t melt. It’ll stay cold for the next two months. The snow ducks in the courtyard will only become firmer."
The Second Prince nodded in realization.
Then he focused intently on the snow duck in his hands.
It was made with exquisite likeness.
Sure enough, after placing the snow duck on the ground, it didn’t fall apart at all.
The Second Prince clapped with joy!
"I thought I was already skilled in woodworking, but didn’t expect your hands to be this deft. You can mold such soft snow so well; you’re more skilled!"
"Second Prince, you overpraise a humble servant, this little hand skill is not worth showcasing."
Although his words were humble, his hands never stopped moving.
Soon he crafted a rabbit, then an old tiger.
Though not as detailed as the snow duck, it was already an unexpected and delightful surprise for the Second Prince.
Lin Wanyi sat by the bright window watching outside, pleased to see the Second Prince jumping with joy.
"Our little masters are raised well. Our Second Prince and Second Princess show no signs of illness now; they are just full of happiness."
It was Nanny Du speaking, now far more gentle than when she first arrived.
At that time, everyone was somewhat afraid of her, fearing her stern visage and intolerant strictness.
But now, she and Nanny Ji have become even more amiable and kind-hearted.
Like grandmothers in ordinary families, caring for their grandchildren warmly and affectionately.
Lin Wanyi turned back, smiling as she replied.
"Nanny Du is being modest again. Even Doctor Dou praises the Second Prince’s health now, which is a credit to you, nanny..."
"Oh, and also to Chunqi! Her intelligent meals have nourished and strengthened our Second Prince considerably!"
Hearing her words, everyone in the room burst into laughter again.
While speaking, three people came from outside.
Qiu Ming had been attending in the veranda, and was slightly surprised to see Qin An approaching.
"Why has Mr. Qin come?"
The snow was quite heavy, so to make a trip at this time, there must be something important.
Hence, he asked.
After his father’s passing, Qin An had fallen seriously ill.
Fortunately, with the care of the Medical Officer and the reduced affairs at the traveling palace, he was able to take time to recover.
Though he had lost some weight compared to before,
his complexion was good, probably also due to some cold exposure.
Qin An’s temperament had become more stable now, presenting an impeccable demeanor in front of outsiders.
Only upon entering this Ruiyang Pavilion could he smile a bit more.
"It’s snowing, and I worried that the supplies here for the young masters might be insufficient, so I made a trip to bring some additional ones."