Cui Yu watched her damp lashes as she lowered her head. He rose and took a step forward, then bent slightly to grasp her arm and help her to her feet. The coldness in his expression had vanished, replaced by a trace of warmth. His deep voice held a gentleness that had not been there before. “I understand. This was not your fault, so there is no need to trouble yourself over it.”
“Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Highness.” Shen Yanshui’s lashes trembled faintly. She raised her eyes to look at him, her brows still slightly furrowed. After biting her lip, she spoke hesitantly, “But there is one more favor I would ask of you…”
Cui Yu took her cool little hand and sat down with her on the soft couch. “What is it?”
Shen Yanshui looked at him, unconsciously curling her fingers around his. In a cautious voice, she said, “It is about Chunping, the lady-in-waiting who was taken away from my side today. I cannot help but worry about her. I do not mean to ask Your Highness to show her favoritism; I was only wondering when the Directorate of Palace Servants will finish questioning her, and when Chunping might return?”
Cui Yu cast her a sidelong glance, his tone calm and composed. “She will be back tomorrow.”
“Really?” Shen Yanshui’s eyes widened at once. A faint mist of tears still shimmered in her beautiful, peach-blossom eyes. Beneath the pale yellow candlelight, her thick, curling lashes seemed dusted with tiny crystals, making her clear eyes appear all the brighter. The surprise, delight, and happiness in her gaze were impossible to miss.
Looking at her, Cui Yu gently brushed his thumb across the dampness at the corner of her eye. His voice was low and clear. “When have I ever lied to you?”
Relieved, Shen Yanshui immediately asked softly, “You have been busy all day, Your Highness. Are you hungry? Would you like to try some egg tarts or peach blossom pastries?” She rose and carried over the two plates of pastries that had been prepared on the round table, setting them on the small table between them on the couch.
Apart from having eaten an early breakfast, Cui Yu had hardly eaten anything that day. The banquet held for the officials at Linshui Hall was not truly intended as a meal, and he had merely eaten a few hurried bites to get by.
Afterward, so much had happened that he had forgotten all about eating and had no appetite whatsoever.
Now, however, he inexplicably felt somewhat hungry. After eating two egg tarts, he said, “It is getting late. Eating too many pastries will make them difficult to digest.” With that, he summoned Zheng Yuande.
Zheng Yuande hurried into the room on tiptoe, taking small, careful steps. “What are Your Highness’s orders?”
“Have the kitchens prepare two simple portions of late-night food, something easy to digest.” Thinking of how hearty her appetite usually was, and how she had encountered all this on her first visit to the Jinming Pool gathering, he knew she must have been preoccupied and had probably not eaten properly all day either.
Shen Yanshui had no idea what he was thinking. Although she truly did have matters weighing on her mind—she had even considered faking her death to escape—she had certainly not eaten any less than usual.
Her supernatural ability had been depleted excessively that day, though. She had eaten roughly her usual portion at dinner, but stopped after becoming only seventy or eighty percent full. That was why she had secretly ordered two plates of pastries to keep herself from getting hungry later.
She had never expected to get a late-night meal while tagging along with the Crown Prince.
At his words, Zheng Yuande immediately looked up in delighted surprise. He nodded repeatedly, unable to resist sneaking two glances at Lady Shen.
Ever since learning that the Crown Princess was with child and had nearly suffered a miscarriage, unsettling the fetus, His Highness had been in a poor mood. When he had arrived earlier, his emotions had been like a violent storm, his entire person steeped in cold severity. Yet now he had actually remembered to eat. Zheng Yuande was overjoyed.
Seeing Zheng Yuande's somewhat comical expression, made all the more so by the flesh on his face and his excitement, Shen Yanshui pressed her lips together in a smile. After watching him briskly hurry out to give instructions, she said, "Eunuch Zheng cares deeply for Your Highness."
Cui Yu said nothing, merely casting her a sidelong glance.
Zheng Yuande had served at his side since childhood; that went without saying. But the maid called Chunping had only been assigned to attend Shen Yanshui after she entered the Eastern Palace.
Yet in barely a month's time, she had gone out of her way to plead with him on behalf of a maid of the humblest status.
He suddenly spoke, asking at an unhurried pace, "You plead for the maid who serves you now. But if she were disloyal to you, betraying and selling you out as her mistress, what would you do?"
Shen Yanshui did not know why he had changed the subject so abruptly, but she smiled and replied evenly, "To be frank with Your Highness, I had long heard of the Judicial Office. While I was still at the Palace of Beautiful Selection, the senior attendants often impressed upon us the formidable reputation of the Judicial Office. It was precisely because of this that I dared to plead with Your Highness on Chunping's behalf."
"The ancients said that loyalty is reverence. The character for loyalty combines heart and sound; to give one's whole heart is to be loyal. Ever since Chunping began serving by my side, she has been diligent and conscientious. She has done no wrong, carried out her duties faithfully, and offered me much useful guidance. That is already loyalty to me."
"I have done what is upright and sat with a clear conscience. There is nothing I cannot say before others." Her eyes were full of trust as she looked at him, her voice clear and bright. "And I believe Your Highness would never allow anyone to falsely accuse me at will. Naturally, I have nothing to hide."
Fortunately, after Lady Shen had come to see her, Shen Yanshui had prepared in advance. She had instructed Chunping that should anyone ask about the matter later, she was to answer honestly and had no need to conceal anything deliberately.
Otherwise, Shen Yanshui truly would have had reason to worry that Chunping might be coerced into framing her for one reason or another.
In the apocalypse, she had long witnessed just how far human goodness and evil could go. She had never been sparing in assuming the worst of people.
Yet the Crown Prince's trust in her still surprised her somewhat.
Warmth rose in Cui Yu's heart as he met her gaze.
He turned his hand over and clasped her small one. For a time, he said nothing. Only after a long while did he suddenly look up at her and ask, "What is your given name?"
Shen Yanshui: "..."
It had been a month. They had even slept together several times, yet he still did not know her name?
Then again, in Great Yong, not every family gave their daughters personal names. More often, they were addressed according to their birth order within the family; after marriage, they simply became so-and-so's wife.
Very well.
Her brows curved, her smile unchanged. Holding his broad palm, she traced words upon it with her fingers as she said with a smile, "Yanshui. Shen Yanshui."
Cui Yu's thin lips parted. "Yanshui? In the northern frontier, there is a river called Yan, beyond the city of Suyab." As he spoke, he caught hold of her restless hand.
She lightly tapped his palm with the tip of her finger, her voice tinged with reproach. “When other people hear my name, they all say it sounds gentle and lovely. Yet Your Highness’s first reaction was to think of a tributary mentioned in a geographical gazetteer?”
Cui Yu lifted his eyes to look at her, his voice cool and even. “Who said that?”
Shen Yanshui: “…”
Was that really the part he chose to focus on?
Under the sharpness of his gaze, Shen Yanshui felt a little sheepish, though her tone remained perfectly natural. “Who else could it be? Naturally, one of my close friends.”
In truth, it had been Xu Chengwen—who had nearly become her fiancé—who had said something along those lines. But there was no need to mention that to the Crown Prince.
Cui Yu turned his gaze away and smoothly changed the subject, his voice faint. “Your father chose that name for you?”
Her slender, pale fingers unconsciously toyed with his long, fair, clearly defined fingers. “It wasn’t my father. According to one of the old nurses in the household, it was my mother who gave me the name.”
When she was three, an old-looking nurse—though in reality, she had been only a little over thirty—had told her the story through her tears.
That was when Shen Yanshui learned that in this world, she too was called Shen Yanshui, the name her late mother had given her.
Cui Yu suddenly said, “Yanshui… perhaps it also carries the meaning of wild geese returning to autumn waters. Perhaps your mother was longing for her family when she gave you that name.” After saying this, he looked at her slightly stunned expression and asked, “You never met any of your mother’s family?”
Shen Yanshui came back to herself and shook her head. “No. My mother passed away not long after giving birth to me. No one from her family has come looking for me all these years. When I was little, I asked my father about it once, and he only said that she had no other family in this world.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a broad, warm palm nearly enveloped her hand. She lifted her eyes to look at him and seemed to detect, beneath his usual calm and impassive expression, a trace of consolation… and perhaps even a hint of pity.
She could not help sighing inwardly. Although the Crown Prince always appeared expressionless and cold, he was not truly an indifferent man.
It was just that… the Crown Princess had suffered a pregnancy scare today. According to the imperial physician, she ought to remain in bed and rest for the remainder of her pregnancy, yet the Crown Prince’s attitude seemed somewhat…
The Crown Princess had concealed her three-month pregnancy until today. Given the dispositions of both the Empress and the Crown Prince, they most likely had not known about it beforehand.
To be deliberately kept in the dark and distrusted by one’s own wife… that could not have been a pleasant feeling.
Still, since this concerned the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, she had no intention of saying anything.
In fact, strictly speaking, discord between the Crown Prince and Crown Princess would be advantageous to her. For a favored concubine like herself, refraining from fanning the flames or turning him against her was already commendable enough.
She returned the clasp of his broad, warm hand and said gently, “Your Highness needn’t grieve on my account. I have Your Highness now, and I am already more than content.”
Looking into her eyes, full of dependence and trust, Cui Yu unconsciously tightened his hold on her soft little hand.
Just then, Zheng Yuande led several young eunuchs into the room, each carrying a food box.
Shen Yanshui looked at the simple yet surprisingly generous late-night meal, and could not help smiling to herself.
It was getting late. The two of them did not speak again while eating their late-night meal. Shen Yanshui could tell that the Crown Prince was genuinely hungry this time. He not only finished an entire bowl of chicken-and-shredded-meat noodles, but also drank two bowls of porridge.
Even though he ate much faster than usual, for some reason, he still appeared unhurried and graceful, a pleasure to watch.
Shen Yanshui ate slowly, taking a bite now and then, while her limpid, alluring peach-blossom eyes kept stealing glances at his exceptionally handsome face.
Then, in the very next moment, she unexpectedly met his seemingly indifferent gaze as he looked over at her.
Cui Yu’s hand paused for an instant. In an even tone, he asked, “Why do you keep looking at me?”
Shen Yanshui blinked. “Haven’t you heard the saying that a beautiful face is enough to satisfy one’s hunger? The late-night meal is so light. With Your Highness’s face to accompany it, I could easily eat two more bowls of porridge.”
Cui Yu cast her a sidelong glance. After a moment, he slowly said, “You’re becoming more and more audacious.”
Zheng Yuande, who was standing nearby to attend to them, was so startled that his eyes, already narrowed by the flesh of his cheeks, flew wide open when Lady Shen actually dared to tease His Highness.
A sharp “How dare you!” was already on the tip of his tongue when his master casually said a few words and left it at that. With considerable difficulty, Zheng Yuande swallowed the rest of his rebuke.
Even so, Zheng Yuande remained utterly astonished.
Was His Highness really reprimanding and warning her? This was clearly indulgence!
Shen Yanshui glanced at his face, which showed no sign of displeasure, then muttered in an “extremely soft” voice, “How was I being bold? I’m terribly timid, you know. Your Highness can’t punish me just because you happen to be too handsome and I looked at you a couple of times and spoke nothing but the truth.”
When she saw his brows twitch, the corner of his mouth quiver slightly, and his face fill with surprise and speechlessness, she could not help finding it amusing.
Cui Yu looked at her mischievous little expression as she tried to suppress her laughter. For some reason, the gloom that had settled deep in his heart eased a little.
He gave a cold snort and assessed her in a rather detached tone. “You have quite a silver tongue.”
Zheng Yuande could only marvel at the sight.
No wonder His Highness liked coming to Lady Shen’s quarters. Just look at her—look at how she had coaxed His Highness into this state!
Shen Yanshui studied his flawless, jade-white, handsome face from close by. Seeing that the gloom between his brows had lessened, she felt that she had played the role of a soothing confidante exceedingly well today.
After they finished their late-night meal, she had the servants clear everything away.
Xia’an and Qiuru came over carrying a copper basin and white cloths, attending to the Crown Prince and Shen Yanshui as they washed their hands.
Through the half-open lattice window, Shen Yanshui glanced at the star-filled night sky outside. Turning back, she asked, “Your Highness, would you like to take a walk and help your food settle?”
Cui Yu looked at her. “No need. It’s late. You should retire early.” With that, he rose to his feet.
Hearing the implication in his words, Shen Yanshui was somewhat surprised, though not entirely so.
If the Crown Princess had suffered from pregnancy pains that very night and the Crown Prince had then stayed in her quarters, rumors might spread the next day that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were not on good terms—or that the Crown Prince did not respect the Crown Princess.
It would also cause the Crown Princess to regard her as a thorn in her side and a splinter in her flesh in the future—these were all consequences that could easily be foreseen. If the Crown Prince had stayed, it would mean that he himself neither cared nor minded.
If she dared to presume upon this harmless indulgence and favor, and kept prattling on in front of the Crown Prince—
Honestly, what gave her such confidence?
A person’s greatest virtue was knowing her own place.
After seeing him off, Shen Yanshui returned to her room in high spirits and fell straight into bed. She had not eaten much of the late-night snack, and after circulating her ability for a little while, she had digested it completely. It would not affect her sleep in the slightest.
Many of the women in the rear quarters had still been keeping an eye on the Crown Prince. The moment he left Lianxin Court, they hurried back to their respective mistresses to report the news.
The Crown Prince had gone to Lianxin Court so late at night, called for a late-night snack there, and yet had not stayed the night.
Quite a few people could not help feeling sour at the thought, and they gnashed their teeth in hatred at the vixen in Lianxin Court.
Lady Chu had not retired either. When she heard the news, she inexplicably felt somewhat relieved.
Still, she could not help feeling a little disappointed. She took great pleasure in anything that could make the Crown Princess lose face.
Back when she was still unmarried, she had seen the Crown Princess several times and had already sensed what sort of person lay beneath that dignified, virtuous, and gentle exterior.
The Crown Princess’s grandfather had once been a renowned scholar of Great Yong. She had been raised at her grandparents’ knees from childhood and was said to have been deeply doted on. Only after both grandparents passed away was she taken back to the capital and returned to her parents’ household. Yet she had been extraordinarily fortunate: she was chosen by His Majesty and the Empress and became the Crown Princess in a single bound.
At heart, however, she looked down severely on warriors who acted roughly and rashly. She was exceedingly aloof, held everyone beneath her notice, and thought highly of herself.
Thus, although she appeared extremely filial toward the Empress, she was not truly respectful in her heart toward an Empress who came from a powerful military family of nobles and whose conduct was entirely different from her own.
At the time, Lady Chu had deliberately used Lady Sun’s miscarriage as an opportunity to make a tactful request of the Empress. She had claimed to be frightened and uneasy and asked the Empress to send an experienced matron to look after her. After the Empress agreed, the Crown Princess had immediately become indignant and resentful. She had even come to bear a grudge against the Empress for “treating them differently.”
The Crown Princess was narrow-minded, and even her superficial efforts were poorly executed. She could not help revealing traces of her true feelings whenever she was in the Empress’s presence.
Naturally, Lady Chu’s objective had been achieved.
It would be best if the Empress and even the Crown Prince came to dislike the legitimate son born to the Crown Princess because of her. That way, her own future child would have even more leverage.
What surprised her, however, was that the Crown Princess was pregnant as well—and already three months along—yet not the slightest rumor had gotten out.
Even the Empress and the Crown Prince knew nothing.
At the thought of this, Lady Chu nearly laughed aloud, had she not been mindful of the matron sent by the Empress who was serving in the adjoining room.
This was the Crown Princess digging her own grave. She had brought it upon herself. Lady Chu did not even need to sow discord on her behalf. She refused to believe that the Empress and the Crown Prince would not harbor misgivings about the Crown Princess.
Yet just as she was thinking this, a strange feeling of panic and oppression suddenly rose in her heart again. She felt miserable for quite some time before the symptoms finally eased, though her complexion looked even paler than before.
The elderly matron the Empress had sent to attend her could not help feeling deeply worried at the sight.
Lady Chu's spirits had worsened by the day. The matron had privately wondered whether there might be something unclean about their surroundings, and had even used the excuse of summoning an imperial physician to have everything inspected. Yet nothing had been found; it was said only that such symptoms were common during pregnancy.
Still, she could not shake the feeling that something was amiss...
******
Early the next morning, the sky was overcast, and the air was damp and stifling. Not long after Shen Yanshui had finished breakfast and practiced a set of the Eight Brocades, Chunping was escorted back by a eunuch in the Crown Prince's service.
With a smile, Shen Yanshui said, “Thank you for taking the trouble, young eunuch.” As she spoke, she signaled with her eyes for Quanfu to slip him a purse.
Wang Chun wore a broad smile, but he did not accept the rather substantial purse. Hastily pushing it back, he said with a grin, “It was only a small matter. Your Ladyship is far too kind. Come to think of it, Sister Chunping and I even have rather similar names.”
Surprised inwardly, Shen Yanshui smiled. “Oh? And how should I address you, young eunuch? I have not been in the Eastern Palace long, and I still do not know all those who serve at His Highness's side.”
Wang Chun quickly bowed, his face still fixed in a smile. “This servant does not deserve to be called ‘young eunuch.’ Your Ladyship may simply call this servant Little Chun.”
This opportunity was one he had gone out of his way to secure for himself. Although his godfather was the foremost attendant at the Crown Prince's side—
his godfather had many godsons beneath him, and was even more inclined to promote men from his own hometown.
As for those, like him, who had attached themselves to his patron, his godfather accepted no shortage of gifts, but did not think much of them.
If he wanted to earn greater favor, he would have to find another path. Lady Shen was the opportunity he had chosen, one that might allow him to catch the Crown Prince's eye.
Shen Yanshui nodded with a smile. “So you are Eunuch Wang. It truly is fate that our names are so alike. You have had a tiring journey; would you care to come in for a cup of tea?”
Wang Chun hastily shook his head again and again. With a rueful, crumpled smile, he said, “Your Ladyship, please do not honor this servant so highly. This servant cannot bear it. If my godfather learns of it, he will surely tug this servant's ears and scold him for not knowing the proper rules.”
His godfather?
Following his lead, Shen Yanshui asked whether his godfather was Eunuch Zheng. When he smiled and nodded, she was somewhat surprised, though she exchanged a few more polite words with him.
Wang Chun knew when to stop. Seeing that the mistress and her servants had matters to discuss, how could he linger and make himself unwelcome?
Thus, still smiling broadly, he said, “This servant must return to report to His Highness, so I shall not disturb Your Ladyship any longer. Is there anything Your Ladyship would like this servant to convey to His Highness?”
Smiling, Shen Yanshui replied, “Then I must trouble Eunuch Little Chun to deliver a message to His Highness. Please tell him that I am deeply grateful. Whenever His Highness has the time, I shall personally prepare a table of delicious dishes for him.”
Hearing her address him as “Eunuch Little Chun,” a touch more intimate than usual, Wang Chun felt pleased. He said no more, merely smiling as he assured her, “Rest easy, Your Ladyship. This servant will certainly deliver your message.” With that, he bowed with a smile and took his leave.
After having Quanfu see the visitors out, Shen Yanshui turned to Chunping, whose face was somewhat pale. She swept her gaze over the others, then noticed the eunuch standing before the door of the western room watching them from across the courtyard.
“Let’s go inside and talk first,” she said.
Xia’an and the others who attended her hurried into the room. Quanshou and Dongyi remained outside to stand guard.
The moment they entered, Shen Yanshui had only just seated herself on the cushioned couch when Chunping dropped to her knees and kowtowed. Her grateful voice was tinged with a sob.
“This servant thanks you, Mistress, for saving my life!”
Shen Yanshui quickly rose and helped her up. “It isn’t that serious. Get up. Why is your face so pale?” Her brows knit slightly. “Were you subjected to harsh interrogation?”
The others looked at Chunping as well, their faces full of concern.
Chunping hurriedly shook her head. “In reply to Mistress, they did not use torture on this servant. I said exactly what you instructed me to say. And since you had saved the Crown Princess once to begin with, this servant was not a primary suspect for interrogation. After they questioned me, I was merely held under guard.”
It was only that she had witnessed others being brutally interrogated, while those shrill, miserable screams rang endlessly in her ears...
The furrow between Shen Yanshui’s brows eased slightly.
Xia’an let out a breath of relief. “Thank goodness you’re back, Sister Chunping. We were worried sick!”
The lives of palace servants were worthless. If one died, then one died. She had thought that Chunping, after being taken away, might simply vanish without a sound.
Yet she had never expected their mistress to plead with His Highness the Crown Prince for Chunping’s sake—servants as lowly as they were.
The other palace maids who had been taken away had not yet returned, not even the maids who served at the Crown Princess’s side...
And this was after everything that had happened yesterday. With one careless misstep, even their mistress herself might have incurred the Crown Prince’s wrath.
The others shared Xia’an’s thoughts. For a moment, their hearts surged with fierce gratitude and emotion.
Their mistress kept her word. Though she usually told them to keep a low profile and avoid trouble, if something truly happened, she would not push them out as scapegoats. Nor would she abandon them as disposable pawns simply to protect herself.
After Shen Yanshui took a sip of tea and looked up again, she found several faces with reddened eyes, brimming with tears.
She could not help laughing. “What is all this about?” She had merely adapted her approach according to the Crown Prince’s mood.
Besides, she had not acted entirely for Chunping’s sake. More than anything, she had done it for herself. There was no need for them to be so moved.
Still, seeing how much more united they were than before, she said nothing further.
Chunping quickly chided them, “Crying is forbidden in the palace! Don’t let us bring trouble upon Mistress and make her suffer because of us.”
The others forced their tears back.
Shen Yanshui looked in some surprise at Quanfu, whose eyes too were wet and who seemed unable to hold back his tears. Seeing him flush with embarrassment, she could not help but smile.
“All right, go wash your faces. Chunping, rest for the next couple of days.”
Then she took a gold hairpin from her belongings and handed it to Chunping with a smile.
“Take this. Consider it something to soothe your fright. Later, collect another ten taels of silver from Qiuru.”
She had already received quite a number of rewards, and so she was not stingy when it came to rewarding subordinates who worked diligently, performed their duties conscientiously, and obeyed orders. A gold hairpin was a matter of prestige, but silver was far more practical.
Chunping, however, declined to accept it. She had merely been questioned a few times by people from the Inner Service Office and the Palace Discipline Bureau. She had not rendered her mistress any great service; in the end, it was still her mistress who had rescued her. What right did she have to accept such a reward?
Shen Yanshui raised an eyebrow. “I told you it’s to help you recover from the fright. Take it.”
After all, she believed that for a wage earner, money was the best comfort.
As she spoke, she lifted her hand and directly pinned the gold hairpin into Chunping’s hair. The small ornaments that had once adorned the maid’s bun were now all gone.
Once someone fell into the hands of the Inner Service Office, they would lose a layer of skin even if they had done nothing wrong. That was no exaggeration. Fortunately, the Palace Discipline Bureau, acting on the Empress’s orders, had also participated in the investigation. Otherwise, the situation would have been even harder to say.
Chunping held her breath as she gazed at her mistress’s incomparable beauty from such a close distance. She was terrified that breathing too heavily would allow the foul air in her lungs to defile her mistress, and she held her breath until her cheeks turned bright red.
Afraid of offending her mistress, she hurriedly lowered her eyes. Yet what entered her lowered gaze was a broad expanse of soft, fair skin. Her cheeks grew hot, and in the end, she stared fixedly at the tips of her own shoes.
The others could not help feeling envious when they saw the gold hairpin their mistress had bestowed upon Chunping.
But there was no jealousy. After all, everyone in the palace knew how terrifying the Inner Service Office and the Office of Cautious Punishments were. No one wanted to go through such an ordeal.
If anything, it only strengthened their resolve to work more diligently and loyally for their mistress from then on, and to serve her well.
*
“Your Highness, the senior maid named Chunping who serves Lady Shen has already been sent back to Lianxin Court,” Zheng Yuande said softly, bowing at the waist.
Cui Yu merely answered with an “Mm” without looking up.
Seeing this, Zheng Yuande stood quietly to one side. He clicked his tongue inwardly. It seemed that his godson’s plan was going to fall through this time.
He had quite a few godsons under him, and he had been favorably impressed by Wang Chun, who was fairly clever and quick-witted. Since the boy had found himself a way forward, Zheng Yuande naturally would not stand in his way.
Even without Wang Chun, he had intended to arrange for someone else to keep an eye on the goings-on at Lianxin Court from time to time. That way, if His Highness ever asked about the place, he would not be left completely ignorant.
After a while, Zheng Yuande hurried out and returned with several sheets of paper in hand. In a low voice, he said, “Your Highness, everything has been investigated. The servants in Xiefang Hall who deceived their superiors and endangered their mistress, as well as Physician Zhang, who took the Crown Princess’s daily pulse, have all been taken into custody for the time being.”
Cui Yu skimmed the documents he handed over, his expression growing increasingly grim. “Deal with them all according to palace regulations.”
Then his voice paused briefly before he added coldly, “As for Matron Zhou, who serves the Crown Princess, leave her alone for now.”
If not for the child in the Crown Princess’s womb...
“As for Physician Zhang—he neglected his duties and nearly caused a great disaster. Give him twenty strokes and send him to work in the medicine storehouse for three years. Let him learn properly how to take a pulse and diagnose an illness.”
Zheng Yuande’s heart tightened. He immediately replied, “Yes.”
After the Eastern Palace guards had taken away the several palace maids who usually attended the Crown Princess, along with the physician sent by her family, the Crown Princess's face had gone deathly pale. Matron Zhou, standing beside her, looked no better. Her entire body was trembling uncontrollably, and cold sweat had soaked through her back.
Grand Physician Lu had received the Crown Prince's verbal order and had been waiting in Xifang Hall since early that morning. Seeing the situation, he stepped forward and gently offered a few words of reassurance before immediately inserting several needles to stabilize the pregnancy and calm her mind.
The Crown Princess promptly fell into a deep sleep.
******
After finishing the interrogations and punishments, Zheng Yuande wiped the sweat from his forehead before entering the room to report, “Your Highness, the Li family has submitted a request to enter the palace. Madam Li wishes to come and visit the Crown Princess.”
Madam Li was the Crown Princess's birth mother.
Cui Yu's expression remained cool. “Go and invite Madam Li in.”
About half an hour later, Madam Li was escorted to the main hall of the Eastern Palace.
She was nearly forty, with dignified features and barely concealed worry in her eyes. Seeing the Crown Prince seated at the head of the hall, she gathered her skirts and bowed with perfect propriety. “This humble wife pays her respects to Your Highness.”
Cui Yu stepped forward and made a token gesture of helping her up. “There is no need for such ceremony, Madam.”
Madam Li rose, but the concern in her eyes remained impossible to hide.
Looking at her, Cui Yu said in a calm, steady voice, “The Crown Princess is temporarily out of danger. Imperial Physician Director Lu is keeping watch in the side hall of Xifang Hall. You need not worry excessively, Madam.”
Madam Li immediately expressed her gratitude and offered her thanks, but then she heard the Crown Prince ask, “I hear that the physician serving at the Crown Princess's side was recommended by the Li family?”
Cui Yu's voice was calm and emotionless, giving no indication of what he was thinking.
Madam Li's heart tightened. “In answer to Your Highness, this humble wife did indeed recommend a physician to Her Highness the Crown Princess. May this humble wife venture to ask whether the physician has committed some offense?”
Cui Yu's tone turned faintly cold. “The physician knew that the Crown Princess was with child, yet concealed the matter instead of reporting it...”
He did not finish, but Madam Li could not help feeling a chill in her heart.
The Crown Princess had been pregnant, yet the Crown Prince had not been informed beforehand?
How could the Crown Princess have been so foolish?
Madam Li could no longer remain standing. She bowed and pleaded guilty. “This humble wife failed to educate her daughter properly, was unable to judge people clearly, and recommended the wrong person. I beg Your Highness to forgive me.”
Cui Yu was silent for a moment before ordering someone to help her up. “The Crown Princess's pregnancy is not yet stable. Since you have come, comfort her properly and persuade her to set her mind at ease and rest quietly.”
Madam Li answered respectfully, “This humble wife understands. I will certainly advise and comfort the Crown Princess.”
Cui Yu said nothing more. He instructed Zheng Yuande, “Escort Madam Li to Xifang Hall.”
******
The moment Madam Li stepped into Xifang Hall, she saw her daughter's pale face on the bed.
She came to a halt, and tears immediately began to fall.
Crown Princess Shen was half reclining against the headboard. Hearing the movement, she looked up. When she saw her mother, she first froze, then forced the corners of her lips upward. “Mother...”
Madam Li hurried forward and sat down beside the bed, taking her daughter's hand as tears streamed down her face.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but she was too choked with sobs to speak.
Seeing this, the Crown Princess felt a pang of sorrow as well. She gave Matron Zhou a meaningful look. “Everyone, leave us. This palace would like to speak with Mother.”
Matron Zhou understood. Her legs weak, she led the attendants out of the room and remained outside in the outer hall.
The doors closed, leaving only mother and daughter.
Only then did Madam Li speak, her eyes still red-rimmed. “How are you feeling, Crown Princess? Are you still unwell in any way?”
The Crown Princess shook her head. Her voice was somewhat weak as she said, “Grand Physician Lu has been waiting in the side hall. Mother, please do not worry.”
At those words, Madam Li relaxed slightly. Yet once that breath of relief escaped her, all the words she had held back along the way came spilling out.
Looking at her daughter’s pale face, she could not suppress the regret in her heart. Lowering her voice, she said, “This is all Mother’s fault!”
The Crown Princess froze.
Madam Li clasped her hand, tears falling again. “Mother should never have left you to be raised by your grandfather and grandmother. They loved you, spoiled you, and treasured you as the apple of their eye. Ever since you were little, you had whatever you wanted, and no one ever contradicted you. That is why you grew into such a... such an unruly, arrogant, and unrestrained person.”
The Crown Princess’s expression shifted slightly.
Madam Li frowned as she looked at her. “Hiding your pregnancy for three months—do you realize how serious that is? What do you take the Eastern Palace for? Do you think everyone there is blind? And where does that leave His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Mother!” the Crown Princess interrupted, her voice stiff.
Seeing the unpleasant look on her daughter’s face, Madam Li’s heart ached. Mindful of her daughter’s condition, she could not bear to continue scolding her. With a sigh, she held her daughter’s hand and softened her tone.
“Never mind. It is too late to say any of this now. Since things have come to this, the most important matter is what you do from here on.”
She looked at her daughter earnestly. “Listen to Mother. From today onward, stop trying to be strong. Take good care of yourself and give birth to the imperial heir safely. Nothing matters more than that. Leave everything else to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Mother...”
“Let Mother finish.” Madam Li pressed her hand. “Later, send someone to invite His Highness the Crown Prince here. Apologize to him in person. Do not be stubborn, and do not argue back. Before a man, you must learn when to show weakness...”
Looking at her daughter, she spoke with heartfelt gravity. “You are his wife. Lowering your head before him is no disgrace. Hand over the authority to manage the Eastern Palace and focus solely on resting and caring for your pregnancy.”
The Crown Princess did not look pleased. After a long pause, she said, “I... I know what I am doing.”
“What judgment do you have?” Madam Li cried anxiously. “If you had any sense at all, would you have done something like this?”
The Crown Princess was left speechless. She turned her head away and refused to look at her.
Seeing this, Madam Li suppressed the anger in her heart. She took a deep breath, then patiently coaxed her for some time. At last, when it seemed her daughter had finally taken some of it in, she did not press her further. She sighed, tightening her hold on her daughter’s hand, and softened her voice.
“Enough. Mother will say no more. Think it over carefully yourself.”
After a pause, she added, “Do you know who harmed you?”
The Crown Princess’s brows drew together, her heart filled with resentment. “Who else could it be but someone from Noble Consort Lan’s faction?!”
Madam Li frowned. She had originally wanted to say something more, but seeing her daughter in such a state, she feared upsetting her too greatly and swallowed all her words.
“It may not necessarily have been someone from Noble Consort Lan’s faction. But regardless, neither Her Majesty the Empress, His Highness the Crown Prince, nor our Li family will let you suffer this injustice for nothing. Just focus on nurturing your health and your pregnancy. Do not trouble yourself with anything else.”
The Crown Princess took a deep breath. In the end, she still knew what mattered most at present. Lowering her eyes, she gave a light nod.
The mother and daughter spoke for quite some time. Seeing that it was getting late, Madam Li finally rose, tucked the covers around her daughter, and said softly,
“Mother is leaving now. Remember what I told you.”
The Crown Princess gazed at her mother and, in the end, nodded.
The palace doors opened and closed. The sound of footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Leaning against the headboard, the Crown Princess stared at the canopy above her bed, unmoving for a long while.
******
Zheng Yuande drew in his slightly slimmer, still-plump body and said quietly, “Your Highness, the palace attendants from Xiefang Hall came to ask whether, if you have some free time, you might go to Xiefang Hall for dinner at the Crown Princess’s invitation.”
Cui Yu instinctively furrowed his brows. “I’m busy.”
The flesh on Zheng Yuande’s body trembled as he nodded repeatedly. “Yes, Your Highness. This servant will send someone to deliver your reply...”
“Wait.”
The crease between Cui Yu’s brows deepened. He asked coldly, “Has Madam Li already left the palace?”
Zheng Yuande nodded. “To answer Your Highness, Madam Li left not long ago. The senior matron who attends to the Crown Princess personally escorted her out of the palace.”
Thinking of the child in the Crown Princess’s womb, Cui Yu remained silent for a long while before finally rising and heading to Xiefang Hall.
Hearing the Crown Prince enter, the Crown Princess felt a quiet sense of relief.
After entering the room, Cui Yu saw the Crown Princess looking pale and struggling to sit up. “There is no need for formalities, Crown Princess. Lie down and rest properly.”
The Crown Princess was helped back down onto the bed. In a gentle voice, she said, “Thank you for Your Highness’s consideration.” As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she gazed at him through glistening tears. “Your Highness, this wife was in the wrong. I beg you, for the sake of the child in my womb, please do not be angry with me.”
Her voice sounded weak, but her eyes remained fixed intently on him.
Hearing her suddenly yield, Cui Yu studied the expression in her brows and eyes, his gaze growing deeper.
Zheng Yuande was quick to read the situation. He moved a chair to the front of the bed, and Cui Yu sat down. Looking at the Crown Princess’s pale face, he said calmly, “Since the imperial physicians have instructed you to rest and keep your mind at ease, Crown Princess, you should not dwell on anything. Just focus on nurturing the child in peace.”
Hearing the slight warmth in his voice, the Crown Princess felt a dull ache in her heart. Had she... truly been wrong before?
If she had not insisted on winning the Emperor’s favor, if she had not wanted everyone in the imperial harem to witness her glory, this would never have happened...
Yet the Empress valued the child in Lady Chu’s womb so highly. That had always been a thorn in her heart. How could her child possibly be inferior to the child in the womb of a mere Lady Chu?
She had wanted everyone to know that the Emperor valued the child in her womb. No one would be allowed to surpass her child!
But for the moment, what mattered most was winning back the Crown Prince’s favor.
The Crown Princess’s eyes were tinged red as she lowered her voice to a whisper. “I understand. Thank you for Your Highness’s concern.”
She paused, then looked up at the Crown Prince. Her eyes held just the right amount of fragility.
“Your Highness, in my current condition... I fear I am no longer able to manage the Eastern Palace’s affairs. I must trouble Your Highness to ask Matron Rong to take charge of the household affairs for the time being.”
“Matron Rong is His Highness’s wet nurse. She has served in the Eastern Palace for many years and commands deep respect by virtue of her seniority and standing. With her managing the Eastern Palace, there should be no mishaps, and I can devote myself to caring for the child with peace of mind.”
Whenever she mentioned Matron Rong, her tone carried a measure of respect. “I have always held Matron Rong in high regard; I simply did not wish to trouble her under ordinary circumstances. But now that I am of little use, only a venerable and highly respected elder like Matron Rong can keep everyone in the Eastern Palace in line.”
Upon hearing this, Cui Yu glanced at her. “Since the Crown Princess has given this matter such consideration, we shall do as you wish. I will speak to Matron Rong.”
After discussing the important matters, the two of them exchanged a few more words before Cui Yu rose and left.
Only after the Crown Prince’s figure had disappeared did Matron Zhou finally step forward, her face full of concern. “Your Highness, how could you... how could you hand authority over to Matron Rong?” That old woman was the Crown Prince’s wet nurse. If she took charge of the Eastern Palace, wouldn’t she end up ranking above the Crown Princess?
Seeing Matron Zhou’s worried expression, she slowly replied, “My body is inconvenient now, and I cannot manage too many affairs. That is one reason.”
Her tone paused, then she added softly, with pointed meaning, “Second, Lady Chu is nearly due to give birth, is she not?”
Matron Zhou froze.
The Crown Princess lowered her eyes, her voice light and airy. “If she should suffer from inadequate care and something were to happen, it would all be blamed on me as Crown Princess. It would be better to hand this hot potato to someone else and let them worry over it.”
Matron Zhou was stunned for a moment. Then the worry vanished from her face, replaced by a smile. “Your Highness is truly clever! I heard that Lady Chu has been feeling unwell lately, often suffering from palpitations and shortness of breath, and unable to sleep properly. She has even summoned imperial physicians, yet they have found no improvement.” Naturally, Matron Zhou knew the true reason.
She lowered her voice. “If something were to happen during childbirth... then it would be because Matron Rong failed to care for her properly. It would have nothing whatsoever to do with Your Highness.”
The Crown Princess’s gaze deepened. The effect of the gold-edged daphne had been told to her by the physician who served at her side, who had discovered it by chance in the past. It was a rare and precious tribute, and even an ordinary imperial physician who saw the gold-edged daphne in Haoyue Residence would never think to suspect it.
Although she had lost a rather useful physician in the process, she had, through an unexpected twist of fate, completely eliminated a potential source of trouble.
Though there were matrons sent by the Empress Mother to watch over Haoyue Residence, the Crown Princess had lived in the Eastern Palace for many years and had naturally planted her own people in every corner.
They did not need to do anything major. All it took was a little tampering to keep Lady Chu constantly exposed to the daphne’s fragrance, making it difficult for her to sleep peacefully.
Childbirth was a passage through the gates of death for any woman. If Lady Chu were already physically and mentally weakened when the time came... then it would hardly be difficult for something to go wrong.
The Crown Princess could use this opportunity to wash her hands of the matter. She would appear to the Crown Prince to be yielding because of her frailty, while also passing this hot potato off to someone else. That way, even if something happened during Lady Chu’s delivery, no one could blame her.
