The next morning, Qi Daiyu could barely get up. When Apple helped her with her makeup, she could hardly keep her eyes open.
Pomegranate stifled a laugh. Yan He saw her and asked what she was laughing about.
Pomegranate blushed slightly, "His Majesty dotes on our mistress." She was no longer the ignorant palace maid she once was. Last night was her turn to keep watch, and the sounds from inside the room had made her flush with embarrassment.
She was naturally happy that her mistress was favored by the Emperor.
Yan He also smiled, "Our mistress is both talented and beautiful. It's only natural that the Emperor likes her." In her view, the fact that the Emperor had come to Yanqing Residence last night, even though it was the second day of the Lunar New Year, already showed Qi Daiyu's weight in the Emperor's heart.
Perhaps, in the future, Lady Hui Zhaoyi would be even more favored than the previous Consort Shu.
Hearing their conversation, Qi Daiyu felt unmoved inside.
As the one who truly interacted with Jiang Yuan, her perception was more acute.
For some unknown reason, Jiang Yuan had indeed taken an interest in her—one could call it liking—but it was certainly not love. The nature of their relationship so far was more like Jiang Yuan treating her as an interesting, adorable, amusing pet.
Why did she think so?
Qi Daiyu's lips curled into a mocking smile.
Naturally, because she sensed that Jiang Yuan felt only lust for her, not respect.
Respect is the prerequisite for love.
From the boat ride and the terrace at the Summer Palace, to changing clothes last night... if any of these were to leak out, her reputation would be utterly ruined. Yet Jiang Yuan had followed his impulses and done them anyway.
If it were the Empress, or Consort Shu, would he have acted the same?
No.
But with Qi Daiyu, he didn't seem to care.
This point, perhaps even Jiang Yuan himself hadn't realized, but Qi Daiyu had sensed it.
Yet sensing these things didn't anger her. She never yearned for this Emperor's love, so it didn't matter to her what kind of feelings he harbored for her. The current situation was best. If he truly fell in love with her, Qi Daiyu would be terrified instead.
This way was good. While the Emperor still desired her, she could accumulate more wealth and possessions, so that in the future, when she grew old and lost her beauty, she could still live comfortably.
On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, wives of imperial clan members and women with official titles could request permission to enter the palace for an audience.
The Qi family's elderly matriarch also entered the palace with her daughter-in-law, Lady Wan. They first kowtowed outside Cining Palace, then went to Kunning Palace.
The Empress specially set aside time to receive them briefly, showing her particular favor towards Qi Daiyu, but didn't keep them long. She had Mei Yi escort the two to Changchun Palace.
Qi Daiyu had been waiting for a long time. Seeing them, she warmly stepped forward to greet them.
This time entering the palace, the two had come fully prepared.
Although the old matriarch came from a farming family, having raised a son like Qi Caishang, she was naturally not an ignorant woman. The palace had many rules. She was old and couldn't learn the finer details, but by imitating others, she managed to grasp the general idea. Coupled with her confident and open demeanor, it was actually hard to find fault with her.
Lady Wan was even more so.
When Qi Daiyu saw them this time, she truly felt that three days apart warranted a new look of respect.
Once inside the room, with only the three of them—grandmother, mother, and daughter—the old matriarch finally revealed her true self. Her posture slumped, and she almost reclined against the pillows, panting, "This imperial palace is less comfortable than working in the fields. You have to kneel for everyone you see. All this kneeling and rising, my old knees are about to give out."
Then she took Qi Daiyu's hand and sighed, "My poor Daiyu."
Lady Wan chided her mother-in-law, "We're in the palace, why say such things?"
"The imperial palace is the most noble place under heaven, how could it be a hardship?" Although she said this, Lady Wan comfortingly patted Qi Daiyu's hand.
It wasn't that she didn't feel for her daughter; she was afraid her mother-in-law might say the wrong thing and cause trouble for her.
Qi Daiyu smiled at her, indicating it was fine.
For the three of them to be together, even chatting about everyday matters brought immense joy.
They spoke of her elder sister-in-law, Lang Tianyu, who was already six months pregnant. "Whether it's a boy or a girl, I'll be happy." Qi Chuchu was of such an age, yet he had no children, which had been a constant worry for Lady Wan. Now that her daughter-in-law was pregnant, she wished she could rush to Yunnan Guard to take care of her. How could she care about the baby's gender?
They also spoke of her younger sister: "Once spring comes, we'll need to start looking for a match for Qinglong."
Qi Daiyu was shocked, "Qinglong is only eleven, right?" So early to start matchmaking?
Lady Wan's expression showed some hesitation. "Your father and I think we should find a good family first and settle the engagement early. The Emperor is still young, and in another couple of years, there will likely be another selection of consorts. Qinglong's age..."
Hearing this, Qi Daiyu understood.
In two years, Qi Qinglong would be thirteen, just the right age for the palace selection. Although she might not necessarily be chosen, Lady Wan worried about any unexpected outcomes. Having already sent one daughter into the palace, she absolutely did not want her younger daughter to enter as well.
That's why they wanted to settle Qi Qinglong's marriage early. Even if the wedding was later, it would be fine, as it could at least help her avoid the selection.
Lady Wan looked at Qi Daiyu with guilt in her eyes. "Back then, with you, we didn't think things through carefully enough."
"This matter isn't anyone's fault," Qi Daiyu said.
Back then, Qi Caishang had just become an official, and the original host was still young. The couple, heartbroken over their daughter's frail health, only wanted to keep her at home to be nurtured a few more years and weren't in a hurry to find her a husband. Furthermore, the previous Emperor was old and hadn't held a consort selection for many years, so Qi Caishang hadn't even considered the possibility.
Who could have predicted that when the original host was seventeen, the previous Emperor would suddenly order a selection, catching the Qi family completely off guard? Even more unexpected was that the original host was assigned to the then Crown Prince, now the Emperor.
Having learned his lesson, Qi Caishang was determined to secure a betrothal for his younger daughter first.
Qi Caishang and Lady Wan's considerations were reasonable. Qi Daiyu said, "Since you're choosing, you must pick carefully. Father is now a fifth-rank official, which gives him much more freedom than before. But in my opinion, family background is secondary; character is the most important."
Lady Wan nodded repeatedly. "Naturally. Your father's idea is to look for a match among the children of sixth or seventh-rank officials. Firstly, they wouldn't dare to deceive us, and we could make thorough and careful inquiries. Secondly, marrying the daughter to a family of slightly lower status means the husband's family, out of respect for your father, wouldn't dare to bully Qinglong in the future."
Only then did Qi Daiyu feel reassured. With her, an imperial consort, as her sister, her future brother-in-law's family would have to think twice.
She added, "Even after the engagement is settled, there's no need to rush the wedding. At the very least... wait until she's sixteen." She originally wanted to say eighteen but feared it might backfire, so she only said sixteen.
Lady Wan agreed, "Alright!"
After talking for a long while, the two realized the old matriarch had been quiet for some time. Looking back, they saw the old lady had unknowingly fallen asleep leaning against the pillows.
Mother and daughter exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh softly.
As the months progressed, the Empress's belly grew larger and larger, and her energy became increasingly insufficient. The Empress thus delegated part of the palace affairs to Consort Ning to assist in managing.
That day, Qin Saizhu came to Yanqing Residence, where Qi Daiyu was watching the Eldest Princess practice the zither.
The little girl sat with utmost seriousness, glaring at the music score as if it were a bitter enemy. The Eldest Princess loved singing, so in theory, she should have a natural talent for music. But that wasn't the case at all. She had been practicing this piece for three days and still couldn't play it through completely.
Despite her young age, once the Empress set a task for her, no matter how tired she was or how much she wanted to play, the Eldest Princess would complete it diligently. This was true for her calligraphy practice, and it was true for her zither practice as well.
Qin Saizhu watched the Eldest Princess with a gentle, happy expression, chatting quietly with Qi Daiyu.
She had come to settle accounts.
It was for the dividends from the Hundred Flavors Tower hot pot branch and the dividends for those few dishes at the main Hundred Flavors Tower.
"Two thousand six hundred taels in total. I had the manager exchange it for silver notes from Sifang Bank. You must keep them safe."
Qi Daiyu: "So much?"
Qin Saizhu smiled. "It's all thanks to you. The branch's revenue is almost the same as the main tower's, even a bit higher. Add in the dividends from those dishes, and that's the amount." She was in an excellent mood. The Hundred Flavors Tower's profits this year were several times higher than previous years, and her own income had increased significantly.
Qi Daiyu: "Then I won't stand on ceremony!"
Before the New Year, the dividends from "Lotus Blossom Noodles" had also been delivered. After deducting the shares for the Emperor and Empress, and the portion promised to be donated to the orphanage, her own two-percent share alone amounted to three thousand taels!
And "Lotus Blossom Noodles" had only been open for half a year!
Now, with another two thousand six hundred taels coming in today, Qi Daiyu was practically bubbling over with joy.
As they chatted idly, the conversation inevitably turned to the senior palace maids assigned to their respective residences.
Qin Saizhu was well-connected and had news from all the palaces. She said, "Consort He and Attendant Consort Lv have already handed over the management of their household affairs to their senior maids. At Consort Nie's place, I hear it's now Chun Zhi and that senior maid managing things together. What surprised me, though, were Consort Feng and Consort Wei."
"Hmm?"
Qin Saizhu explained, "I originally thought that Consort Feng, being quiet and reserved, would definitely let the senior maid take charge of her household affairs. And Consort Wei, with her fiery temper, might even cause a scene if things didn't go her way. Who knew it would be the complete opposite? Consort Wei trusts the senior maid by her side implicitly, while Consort Feng resents that senior maid for being bossy. I heard she's not even allowed inside the room and is completely ignored."
Qi Daiyu let out an "Ah." She thought of Feng Qi's introverted nature. Introverted people often place greater importance on their personal space and detest others intruding without permission. The senior maid probably tried to advise her mistress, relying on her status, which ended up displeasing Feng Qi.
And given Feng Qi's personality, she wouldn't dare reprimand a senior maid sent by the Empress Dowager, so she chose the method of simply ignoring her.
As for Zhaorong...
"It must be on the Empress Dowager's special instructions, right?" Everyone knew the Empress Dowager looked out for Zhaorong. A senior maid sent by the Empress Dowager would naturally be respected by Zhaorong.
"And you? How is the one assigned to your place?" Qi Daiyu asked her.
Unexpectedly, Qin Saizhu's face flushed red.
Seeing her like this, Qi Daiyu grew even more curious. "Hurry up and tell me!" She reached out to tickle Qin Saizhu.
"Alright, alright, I'll tell you!" Qin Saizhu glanced at the Eldest Princess, who was still practicing, then leaned close to Qi Daiyu's ear and lowered her voice, "My senior maid... she used to serve in the Office of Imperial Affairs."
What did that mean?
Qi Daiyu didn't understand at first.
Qin Saizhu's face turned even redder. She fidgeted and said, "She taught me some... methods to make conception easier." She refused to say any more. It was only because of her close relationship with Qi Daiyu that she was willing to share such an embarrassing matter.
It took Qi Daiyu a moment to figure it out. The senior maid had served in the Office of Imperial Affairs. One of the duties of the maids there was to instruct imperial consorts on how to serve the Emperor. However, since most consorts were taught by their families before entering the palace, this task was rarely performed.
So, the methods Qin Saizhu mentioned for easier conception...
"Pfft!" Qi Daiyu couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.
The Eldest Princess was just about to finish her piece but was interrupted, giving Qi Daiyu a rather reproachful look.
Qin Saizhu was even more mortified and lightly pinched her.
"Don't laugh!"
Qi Daiyu laughed even harder. "Sister Qin, I'll be waiting to hold my little nephew soon!"
Perhaps the senior maid's methods truly had an effect. Just as the third month began, joyful news came from Qixiang Palace: Qin Saizhu was pregnant.
