Before returning to the capital, Yao Huang pushed Prince Hui out the door, planning to take another look at the scenery outside the temporary palace.
Being only about four months pregnant, with her lower abdomen just slightly swelling, Yao Huang barely felt any different. Let alone pushing Prince Hui's wheelchair for a leisurely stroll, she could even run if she wanted to, though she feared Prince Hui wouldn't be able to handle such a fright.
The autumn sun was warm, accompanied by a refreshing, cool breeze. As they walked, Yao Huang chatted with Prince Hui, It has been almost a month. The deer park in our estate must have been built by now, right?
Prince Hui had hunted a beautiful doe with a red coat and said they could take it back to raise. Yao Huang liked it very much but felt that a single deer would be too lonely without a companion. So, when they encountered Emperor Yongchang while touring the Northern Park, Yao Huang asked the Emperor if he could reward her with a buck from the deer park in the Rare Beast Garden. Her emperor father-in-law, who ruled the world, naturally agreed without hesitation.
Following that, Prince Hui drew a map of the estate's back garden, personally selecting an area for the deer park. He sketched out exactly how it should be modified and sent someone back to the estate to have the craftsmen begin the renovations.
Zhao Sui nodded.
Yao Huang said, Later, I will invite my mother, my maternal grandmother, and my two aunts over, so they can all see what a deer looks like.
Yao Huang had lost her sense of novelty for the deer and elephants kept in the Rare Beast Garden after visiting a few times. However, any single one brought back to the capital would be a rare and exotic beast that would leave the common people in awe.
Zhao Sui nodded again.
Just as the couple was enjoying this harmonious atmosphere of talking and listening, the figure of Princess Fucheng suddenly appeared ahead. Dressed in luxurious clothes and adorned with pearls and jade, it perfectly complemented the innate noble aura of the eldest princess.
Yao Huang smiled and greeted her, Is Aunt going to visit our third sister-in-law?
The couple hadn't yet left the Eastern Quarters, so Princess Fucheng coming here was naturally for her biological daughter, Zheng Yuanzhen.
Princess Fucheng nodded. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Yao Huang's rosy, fair cheeks, then looked at her nephew in the wheelchair, and asked, Where are you two going?
Yao Huang lifted her chin toward the outside of the temporary palace, Going for a stroll by the lake.
Princess Fucheng softly advised, Be careful not to tire yourself out.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two sides passed by each other.
After walking a distance, Princess Fucheng looked back. Yao Huang's retreating figure still looked light and graceful, and she walked at a normal pace, unlike her own daughter who was overly cautious.
A hint of envy ultimately crept into the corners of Princess Fucheng's eyes. She had three children; her two sons hadn't achieved much, and only her daughter had inherited her beauty and possessed outstanding talent. Since childhood, she had been a standout among the noble ladies of the capital, doted on by her emperor uncle as if she were a princess herself.
Princess Fucheng dearly loved this daughter. She hoped that her daughter would one day become the mother of the nation, enjoying the highest prestige in the world, and also hoped she would remain healthy, living a life free of illness and disaster.
However, her daughter's pregnancy came at a bad time. First, Prince Qing was scolded and grounded, and then Prince Kang and Prince Hui formed closer ties through the Duke of Zhenguo's estate. All these signs made it impossible for their side to relax. With a poor mood, her daughter couldn't eat or sleep well. While Yao Huang was nourished to look like a rich and vibrant peony, her daughter was growing thinner by the day. As her biological mother, seeing this only made her heart ache. Consort Rou and the Emperor would probably doubt whether such a weak mother could give birth to a healthy child.
Amidst her thoughts, Princess Fucheng had arrived at Songfeng Hall, where her daughter and son-in-law resided.
The gatekeeper reported her arrival inside, and Prince Qing came out to welcome his mother-in-law.
He had been beaten on the second day of the grand military review. After resting for a few days, the bruises on his face had faded, but the gloominess between his brows was hard to conceal.
Thinking of Prince Qing's high spirits before participating in the grand military review, and then recalling his wretched state after withdrawing, as well as Prince Kang's triumphant success, Princess Fucheng felt a twinge of regret for the first time. Had she known this day would come, she should have married her daughter to Prince Kang. Although Prince Kang was a bit uglier and clumsier, at least he was honest and obedient, and wouldn't have caused her so much worry.
Alas, the marriage had long been settled, and her daughter was pregnant with Prince Qing's flesh and blood. Neither mother nor daughter had any way out.
I will go keep Yuanzhen company and talk with her. You go and rest,
Princess Fucheng said in a relatively amiable tone.
Prince Qing had no interest in the pregnancy-related matters the mother and daughter would discuss. After escorting his mother-in-law to Zheng Yuanzhen's side, he left.
Zheng Yuanzhen was leaning against the head of the bed, her emaciated face looking as though it had barely any flesh left.
Having just seen the radiant Yao Huang, Princess Fucheng felt as if her heart was being pricked by needles when facing her daughter in this state.
We are returning tomorrow. How can Mother be at ease with you like this? Princess Fucheng tenderly held her daughter's equally thin hand.
Zheng Yuanzhen lowered her eyes, not wanting to speak.
The people she usually interacted with all knew that she had a verbal marriage agreement with Prince Hui, and that she had married Prince Qing instead because Prince Hui's legs were crippled. They all knew she chose Prince Qing to step further up in the future. It was only out of respect for her and Prince Qing's status that those people kept it as a tacit secret.
And the result? Prince Qing was moving further and further away from that position. Those people were probably all waiting to see her make a fool of herself, weren't they?
At home was Prince Qing's face, which she increasingly did not want to see, and outside were the hidden, cold mockeries. How could Zheng Yuanzhen be happy?
Princess Fucheng knew her daughter's mental burden very well. She leaned close to her daughter and whispered, Don't be afraid. By next summer, Prince Kang won't be able to smile anymore.
Zheng Yuanzhen finally raised her eyes.
Princess Fucheng continued, If Prince Kang wasn't sent on an outside assignment, we wouldn't have found a chance to deal with him. Now the Emperor has sent him to inspect the Fengyan Canal. It sounds like a very simple task, right? Then, wait until next spring and summer when water is diverted for irrigation. Mother will pick a time and arrange for people to destroy a section of the canal. When the memorial is submitted, the Emperor will be furious and will definitely punish Prince Kang for failing to supervise the canal properly. Involving thousands of acres of farmland and the rations of tens of thousands of people, Prince Kang's crime will only be heavier than Prince Qing losing a thousand estate soldiers. When Prince Kang is punished, it will be the opportunity for Prince Qing to rise again.
Zheng Yuanzhen's mind jolted. Compared to the benefits this success would bring, she was more afraid of the consequences if the plot was exposed: Destroying the canal, will it cause a flood? If there are too many casualties and the Emperor thoroughly investigates and finds out it was you...
Princess Fucheng patted her hand. Rest assured, Mother will have someone scout out a suitable section of the canal. Only a breach of the Yellow River would cause a flood. Destroying a section of the canal during water diversion will merely flood the nearby fields; there won't even be any casualties among the commoners. For this kind of flood caused by a canal breach, the blame will fall on those who built the canal. Even Prince Kang will only be guilty by association. No matter how they investigate, they won't trace it back to Mother.
As for the local people, the canal construction didn't cost them any silver. They survived the dry weather and poor harvests before the canal was built. Destroying one season's crops definitely won't kill anyone. Besides, once the water recedes, they can still replant a season of crops, and they will still be able to fill their stomachs during the autumn harvest. You don't need to worry about them.
These well-reasoned words slowly calmed Zheng Yuanzhen's nervous and uneasy heart.
Princess Fucheng: "Mother will handle the matters outside cleanly. As for you, just relax, eat more to nourish your body, and give birth to a strong little imperial grandson for the Emperor next year. Prince Kang has just angered the Emperor; if you and Prince Qing present him with a joyous event, he will naturally favor you more. As for the next half a year, Prince Qing just needs to do his job honestly in the Ministry of Rites. He shouldn't seek merits, but just avoid making any mistakes."
Zheng Yuanzhen thought for a moment and said, "But the relationship between Prince Hui and Prince Kang..."
Princess Fucheng: "It's just an arranged marriage. When the Emperor valued Prince Kang, he naturally hoped that Prince Kang could take good care of Prince Hui in the future. Once the Emperor loathes Prince Kang, Prince Hui himself will have to keep his distance from Prince Kang, and the so-called double-layered familial ties will become an empty shell. You, on the other hand, can take the opportunity to interact more with Madam Yao since your children will be about the same age."
Three months ago, Zheng Yuanzhen would never have accepted her mother's suggestion to lower her status and win over Yao Huang. But over these past three months, she had truly suffered enough from despair. Rather than letting Prince Qing miss out on the position of Crown Prince and becoming a laughingstock herself, she would rather get close to Yao Huang to increase Prince Qing's chances of winning the succession.
Seeing hope anew, Zheng Yuanzhen's mood improved, and her appetite returned along with it. Blushing, she said, "Mother, I think I'm a little hungry..."
Princess Fucheng hurriedly called a maid to prepare food, and took the chance to instruct her daughter, "The fewer people who know about the canal destruction, the better. If it weren't to ease your mind, Mother wouldn't have even told you. Just pretend you don't know, and don't reveal it to Prince Qing either."
Zheng Yuanzhen understood.
.
It took the imperial procession six days to travel from the capital to the Beiyuan Imperial Palace, and the return journey took the same amount of time.
At the end of September, Yao Huang and Prince Hui finally returned to their own princely manor.
As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, Yao Huang saw Doctor Liao and Doctor Li waiting ahead alongside the chief steward, Guo Shu.
She looked at Prince Hui in confusion.
Zhao Sui: "The journey was bumpy, let's have them check your pulse first to make sure you are safe."
Yao Huang thought to herself that even though she was the one who was pregnant, Prince Hui worried a whole lot more than she did.
A moment later, with Prince Hui watching from the side, the two doctors each checked the Princess Consort's pulse. After finishing, they both smiled and said that her pulse was steady and strong.
Prince Hui gave each of them a reward.
After the doctors left, Yao Huang gently tapped Prince Hui's overthinking head and went to the backyard to bathe.
A steady pulse was one thing, but sitting in a carriage all the way and staying in tents for several nights was still exhausting. After taking a bath, Yao Huang leaned comfortably against the warm couch in the side room, sweeping all her long hair to her front, letting the warm sunlight streaming through the window dry it completely.
When Zhao Sui came over, he saw his Princess Consort bathed in the sunlight, her eyes closed in contentment.
After glancing at him, the Princess Consort closed her eyes again.
Zhao Sui propped himself onto the couch and slowly but steadily moved to the Princess Consort's side.
At this moment, Yao Huang leaned into his embrace, touched Prince Hui's meticulously tied hair, and asked, "It's not completely dry yet. Isn't it uncomfortable to tie it up so early?"
Zhao Sui: "It's alright."
Yao Huang smiled, moved behind Prince Hui to sit on her knees, pulled out the white jade hairpin securing his hair, and then picked up the ivory comb lying nearby to help comb his hair.
Afraid of tiring the Princess Consort's arms, Zhao Sui said, "Should I do it myself?"
Yao Huang thought for a moment and said, "Sure."
She stuffed the comb into Prince Hui's hand and sat beside him, waiting to see how he would comb it.
Zhao Sui: "..."
His hand holding the comb suddenly could not lift up.
Yao Huang knew at a glance what he was being reserved about, and she loved seeing Prince Hui's reserved appearance the most.
Kneeling on Prince Hui's lap, Yao Huang wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in bit by bit.
Zhao Sui's breath hitched slightly. He wanted to stop the Princess Consort but was afraid he had misunderstood her intentions, so he could only lower his eyes until her lips truly pressed against his.
Prince Hui restrainedly pressed down on the Princess Consort's shoulders, leaned his head back, and whispered, "Now is not a suitable time."
With the blood rushing, there was a danger of disturbing the fetus.
The Princess Consort blushed, glared at him, and hummed softly, "It's been over three months. You have your ways of enjoying yourself, but I can't even give you a kiss?"
Zhao Sui: "..."
Yao Huang felt it and deliberately twisted her body from side to side.
Zhao Sui immediately pressed her into his embrace. Once the Princess Consort settled down, he finally lifted her chin.
Having not slept together for six days, Prince Hui missed his Princess Consort very much too.
