Chapter 1590: Chapter 1570: Guangyi Book Society
The Eldest Princess was still stunned looking at Luo Qianqian carrying out the remarkably heavy looking single box, which seemed to weigh several dozen pounds.
But seeing Luo Qianqian handle it effortlessly, she comforted herself with the thought that it wasn’t as terrifying as it seemed, just a mere container.
Watching the dust rise after Luo Qianqian set it down on the ground, she was momentarily dumbfounded.
"Take these back and eat them yourself, remember to lock the box after you’re finished. If the bags inside are opened, don’t eat them. Finish one bag entirely if it’s opened to avoid any scheming," Luo Qianqian said, pulling out a sealed paper bag from her chest and pouring it onto the blank plate on the table.
Immediately, a dozen perfectly shaped plums rolled out, looking quite pleasing.
Luo Qianqian instinctively covered her mouth upon smelling the aroma, feeling her mouth start to water.
Next, she saw the Eldest Princess naturally begin to eat them.
Consuming one after another, her entire face wrinkled up, unsure how to react.
Soon, the two conversing nearby noticed something unusual on this side and looked over; He Wenyu instantly saw what was in front of the Eldest Princess and immediately covered her cheeks, looking like she was caught off guard.
It seemed just watching others eat brought back memories of that taste.
"Your Highness," Cong Ying hurried over to the Eldest Princess’s side, instinctively using a Silver Needle to inspect the situation.
Luo Qianqian rolled her eyes speechlessly; could anyone really harm the Eldest Princess in this courtyard?
"Cong Ying, it’s alright. Those I had before were given to me by Shiqi," the Eldest Princess quickly took the dried plums from Cong Ying and blinked: "But if you eat now, I can share them with you. When we return, don’t constantly target my place."
Cong Ying was at a loss, but still picked one up and cautiously tasted it.
Under the schadenfreude gaze of Luo Qianqian and He Wenyu, her features squished together in the next moment, unable to spit it out as it would disrespect the Princess.
But swallowing it proved too challenging for her.
Indeed, the cravings of pregnant women could be incredibly formidable.
Having eaten it, she finally understood He Wenyu’s earlier expression; now she had similar thoughts about the plums in the plate.
"Shiqi, we’re currently pondering the name for the book society over here. What do you think?" He Wenyu naturally moved to Luo Qianqian’s side, blatantly eyeing Cong Ying.
"Why ask me when you should come up with it yourselves? Just don’t call it Nine Heavens Book Society or Forget Worries Book Society or anything like that," Luo Qianqian rolled her eyes, uninterested in worrying about the book society’s fate.
Moreover, this was He Wenyu’s private matter; she only provided funding and had no intention to intervene, fearing it might impact perceptions surrounding He Wenyu.
If she meddled, would the book society become a subsidiary of the Nine Heavens Pavilion, making He Wenyu’s influence moot? What kind of private endeavor would that be?
He Wenyu nodded in agreement, understanding that if it were connected with the Nine Heavens Pavilion, she would indeed lose her voice, given the pavilion housed former Boss Haoran’s leader Luo Xihan, although Luo Xihan seemed unimpressed by this small venture.
Nonetheless, should he assist, it would become awkward... It wouldn’t be her personal achievement anymore.
"I suggest calling it Poetry Shadow Society, with Miss Shiliu’s name and Cong Ying’s name involved," the Eldest Princess proposed.
Luo Qianqian looked exasperated: "Aren’t you afraid people won’t know they’re backed by the Nine Heavens Pavilion and Princess Mansion?"
Cong Ying nodded repeatedly, also disagreeing with the notion.
Although she disagreed because she felt her status was too low, lacking the qualification to appear on a plaque alongside He Wenyu, nor was there any reason to use her name for naming.
"As a book society, it should gather and benefit broadly, encompassing the intellect and creativity of esteemed writers and poets, even illustrators, to make it the largest and most comprehensive, otherwise why would people visit your society? So the name should be grand," Luo Qianqian laughed: "You could even collaborate with the Forget Worries Tea House, using their shopping receipts to purchase books at a ten-percent discount, and with proof of book purchase, get a day’s recommended dessert at the tea house for twenty percent off or something similar. There’s always a way to promote."
"Then let’s call it Guangyi Book Society," He Wenyu’s eyes gleamed, inspired by the operation model of a bookstore, casting a knowing glance at Luo Qianqian, pulling Cong Ying to sit and chat a while.
Leaving Luo Qianqian watching the Eldest Princess eat plums.
"Isn’t it sour?" Luo Qianqian, feeling her teeth were already aching from the sight, immediately poured the Eldest Princess a glass of water, looking at her curiously: "Even my sisters-in-law, who are fond of sour food, can’t eat like this."
He Wenyu pursed her lips upon hearing Luo Qianqian’s words, remaining silent.
That’s because you haven’t seen what they’re like when they go wild...
"I’ve heard from someone that your sisters-in-law all had boys? Do you think I’ll have a boy too?" The Eldest Princess slowed down her eating when she heard Luo Qianqian’s words.
Luo Qianqian paused, then looked at the Eldest Princess puzzledly: "Why want a boy?"
Though the Eldest Princess was part of the Royal Family, she couldn’t possibly want a Princess’s child to inherit the throne. Besides, the Eldest Princess herself was a woman, why thus eager for a son?
Seeing Luo Qianqian’s somewhat confused gaze, the Eldest Princess smiled: "If it were a son, it would probably resemble him, right?"
"Well, that’s sad..." Luo Qianqian felt a pang of sorrow; the Eldest Princess was truly a pitiful woman: "Brother Jiayou is naughty; he’ll definitely get into trouble."
Even knowing she wouldn’t live long, she insisted on giving birth to this child, and still brimming with hope for the child’s future.
Is this what it means to be a mother? A mother longing for a child...
"Cong Ying is your confidante, so her age should be similar to yours, but why hasn’t she married?" Luo Qianqian couldn’t help but be curious.
"Her... She’s for me," the Eldest Princess smiled, pulling her lips: "You know my condition; if she were married, she’d no longer be able to communicate with me readily nor assist if anything happened. Besides, I’ve already secured royal permission for her marriage independence."
Marriage independence? That’s quite extraordinary, isn’t it?
In this age ruled by parental orders and matchmaking, where women are wed to solidify families and clans.
"After I’m gone, she should also be getting married, right? Actually, I had considered marrying her to a Royal member but she refused. Later, those people became somewhat odd; they even wanted to use brothers’ lives to pray for the Southern Li’s good weather and national prosperity. If lives could exchange for peace, would there also be a curse? The Royal Family can be pretty naive sometimes, thinking back," the Eldest Princess shook her head smiling: "I know you at Nine Heavens Pavilion advocate monogamy, so always remember, if you ever get married, never choose a Royal member. Appearing noble, actually the most rotten..."
