The Crown Princess, Madam Chen, was from Tongzhou. Her father, Chen Ke, was a Tribute Scholar, and her mother, née He, was the daughter of a Recommended Man. In the tenth year of Chengping, she was chosen as the Crown Princess. Well-educated and exceptionally beautiful, she bore the Crown Prince three sons. During the palace coup in the twentieth year of Chengping, the Crown Princess and the three imperial grandsons were trapped in the Palace of Gathered Elegance, where they starved to death.
It was said that before her death, the Crown Princess had cut flesh from her own body to feed her children.
Dou Zhao walked silently along the path to the Palace of Gathered Elegance, her chest heavy as if weighed down by a boulder.
Song Mo quietly squeezed her hand, whispering comfortingly, "It's alright. Both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are very approachable."
Dou Zhao took a deep breath and smiled at Song Mo, murmuring softly, "I'm fine. Don’t worry."
Song Mo nodded, but the concern between his brows did not fade.
He couldn’t help but think to himself—Dou Zhao might be pregnant, and in the most critical first three months at that. Since sedan chairs were not allowed in the palace, was it appropriate to bring her here to pay respects to the Crown Princess now? Yet, not coming might invite suspicion of disrespect. Once the Crown Princess became the Empress, Dou Zhao, as a third-rank Madam, would have to enter the palace every festival and on the first and fifteenth of each month to pay respects to the Empress and the Empress Dowager. Who could guarantee that the Crown Princess—soon to be the Empress—wouldn’t make things difficult for Dou Zhao in the future?
The thought pained him.
He needed to find a way to reduce Dou Zhao’s future visits to the palace.
Both lost in their thoughts, they followed the eunuch silently into the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince’s grand eunuch, Cui Yijun, was already waiting at the entrance of the Eastern Palace.
In his thirties, he was slender and refined, with a gentle smile. His demeanor was respectful yet composed, exuding an air of grace.
Dou Zhao had only heard of him before. Even in two lifetimes, this was her first time interacting with him.
In her past life, when the Crown Prince was assassinated, Cui Yijun had protected the Crown Princess and the three imperial grandsons as they fled the Eastern Palace. They had attempted to seek help from the Empress Dowager at the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility but were intercepted and killed by the Golden Guard, leading to the Crown Princess and the grandsons being trapped in the Palace of Gathered Elegance.
As Dou Zhao watched Cui Yijun exchanging pleasantries with Song Mo, she felt an odd mix of emotions.
Suddenly, Cui Yijun glanced her way, smiling and nodding at her with the refined elegance of a learned scholar, devoid of any trace of a eunuch’s servility.
Dou Zhao thought of Wang Yuan.
Benevolent in appearance, like an open-hearted elder, yet in reality, more petty and vindictive than anyone.
She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
It seemed that no matter who they were, those who reached the pinnacle were no ordinary people—one could never judge by appearances.
Dou Zhao dared not be careless. She bent her knees slightly and offered Cui Yijun a curtsy.
Cui Yijun was visibly surprised but quickly regained his composure, smiling warmly as he invited Song Mo and Dou Zhao into the Eastern Palace.
Song Mo followed Cui Yijun to the front hall, while a palace maid led Dou Zhao to the side hall where the Crown Princess usually resided.
This was Dou Zhao’s first time meeting the Crown Princess.
In the bloom of her youth, the Crown Princess was slender and radiant, like a pearl bathed in morning dew—graceful and delicate.
Dou Zhao glanced at her briefly before lowering her eyes and bowing respectfully.
The Crown Princess instructed her attendant to bring a brocade stool for Dou Zhao and said with a smile, "I’ve long heard that the Dou Family of the Northern Mansion is a renowned noble family of the Northern Directly Administered Region. Meeting Madam Dou today, I see the rumors were not exaggerated."
With just this remark, Dou Zhao was deeply moved.When a woman marries, she takes her husband's surname. However, if her maiden family is prominent and she holds an official title, she is usually addressed by her maiden surname as "Madam." Just like Jiang Shi in the past—because she came from the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion and was the Duchess of the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion—people in the capital referred to her as "Madam Jiang" rather than the Duchess of Yingguo.
The Crown Princess's words not only honored Dou Zhao but also flattered the Dou family, which explained her reputation for being "cultured and courteous."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness," Dou Zhao rose and replied modestly.
"There's no need to be reserved," the Crown Princess said with a smile, motioning for Dou Zhao to sit. "Once you visit the palace more often, you'll realize my place is the most relaxed."
The palace was full of people who acted differently behind closed doors—even Wang Yuan often claimed he was the most easygoing.
Dou Zhao silently scoffed in her heart but smiled and agreed.
The two engaged in casual conversation.
One was amiable, the other attentive, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.
Dou Zhao was inwardly surprised.
The footsteps grew closer, accompanied by anxious whispers.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, slow down!"
A small figure in bright yellow robes slipped through the side door's thick curtains.
"Mother, Mother!" The child rushed into the Crown Princess's arms. "Look, I caught a sparrow!"
His fair, chubby hand clutched a small gray bird, proudly presenting it to the Crown Princess.
Her brow furrowed slightly, though her voice remained gentle. "Why must you be so mischievous? First, you were told not to tease the golden pheasants, and now you're catching sparrows. Haven't I told you? Every creature is heaven-sent—you mustn't harm them..."
The child lowered his head dejectedly and mumbled a soft "Oh."
Dou Zhao observed the boy, who looked no older than five or six, realizing this must be the imperial eldest grandson.
She stood and curtsied to him with a smile.
The child gave her a puzzled look.
The Crown Princess said, "This is the wife of the heir to the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion."
The boy's eyes instantly brightened like the sun.
"You're Song Yantang's wife!" He circled Dou Zhao as if she were some strange novelty. "You're not as pretty as Song Yantang—why did he marry you? Song Yantang won first place in the Autumn Hunt when he was twelve. I'm learning archery and riding now too—Grandfather says I can join the hunt next year..."
She's not as pretty as Song Yantang...
Dou Zhao broke into a cold sweat, unsure how to respond.
"Shou'er, don't be rude!" The Crown Princess's expression darkened. "Apologize to Madam Dou at once!"
Dou Zhao dared not accept an apology from the imperial eldest grandson and quickly interjected, "His Highness is simply spirited. Please don't be too harsh, Your Highness."
The Crown Princess's expression dimmed, and she sighed deeply. Still, she didn't insist on her son apologizing, merely scolding him lightly before instructing the attendants to take him back to the heated room in the rear palace to study.
"Your grandfather will inspect your lessons in a few days. If you can't answer, you'll be punished with kneeling."
The imperial eldest grandson shuddered, clearly frightened.
He clung to his mother, reluctant to leave.
The Crown Princess shook her head with a smile, her doting expression unmistakable. She ordered the palace maids to bring the new pastries recently presented by the imperial kitchen for the imperial eldest grandson.
The maids curtsied and acknowledged the command.
After a brief pause, the Crown Princess added, "Bring some for Madam Dou to take home as well."
Dou Zhao quickly stood to express her gratitude.
The maids soon returned with the pastries.The side hall was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus flowers.
For some reason, Dou Zhao felt a heaviness in her chest and nearly vomited.
She quickly took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort in her chest.
Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess clutched her own chest, covering her mouth as if she too was about to vomit.
The attendants in the room all changed expressions, calling out "Your Highness" while hastily fetching a basin.
The Crown Princess retched loudly and vomited.
Dou Zhao felt a surge of nausea in her chest. She hurriedly took out a handkerchief to cover her mouth.
A palace maid noticed her discomfort and asked, "Madam Dou, are you unwell?"
Afraid she might vomit if she spoke, Dou Zhao could only shake her head at the maid.
The quick-witted maid immediately brought a basin for Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao also retched and vomited loudly.
The Crown Princess looked surprised. After rinsing her mouth with warm water, she asked Dou Zhao, "How long have you been married?"
Dou Zhao replied, "Almost three months."
The Crown Princess smiled, "Could you be with child?" Her smile was no longer the polite one from before, but warm and genuinely happy.
Dou Zhao's heart stirred as she answered, "This humble wife has no elder at home. I wouldn't know."
The Crown Princess paused slightly, then instructed a maid nearby, "Go and summon Old Woman Wu."
Dou Zhao rinsed her mouth with the help of the maids.
A composed woman in her forties entered following the maid.
The Crown Princess ordered, "Examine the pulse of the Young Lord's wife of Duke of Yingguo."
The woman respectfully complied, as maids brought over a pulse pillow and placed a small tea table with an embroidered stool.
Dou Zhao extended her hand for the examination.
The Crown Princess introduced the woman: "...recommended by Shi Taifei. She delivered both Shou'er and Fu'er."
Shi Taifei was from the Shi family of Marquis Changxing.
Dou Zhao politely addressed her as "Nurse Wu."
Old Woman Wu modestly declined the honor and gestured for her to switch hands.
The side hall fell silent.
The voice of the imperial eldest grandson rang out clearly: "Mother, is Madam Dou also ill?"
The Crown Princess gently patted her son's head and softly admonished, "Don't speak now. Old Woman Wu is examining Madam Dou's pulse."
The imperial eldest grandson pressed his lips together and nestled into his mother's embrace.
Old Woman Wu finished the examination, stood up, and bowed respectfully to the Crown Princess before saying quietly, "The pulse rolls like beads. It's almost certain Madam Dou is with child."
Though this was somewhat expected, hearing such a definitive diagnosis still gave Dou Zhao a small thrill of excitement.
The Crown Princess smiled even more brightly, "How wonderful! Now we have company."
Dou Zhao feigned surprise.
The Crown Princess revealed, "I'm also with child! But it's still early, so Her Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Empress Dowager haven't been informed yet."
Her face radiated a serene yet dazzling glow, like the full moon.
This must be the unique joy of motherhood.
Dou Zhao sincerely offered her congratulations.
"Congratulations to us both!" The Crown Princess smiled gently, seeming to shed another layer of formality as she looked at Dou Zhao with warm affection. She instructed a maid, "Quickly inform the Young Lord of Duke of Yingguo, so he may share in this happiness."
The maid cheerfully went to deliver the news.
The snacks were cleared away, replaced by fruit platters bearing apples, citrons, and Buddha's hands carried in by the maids.
The room was now filled with the fresh fragrance of fruit.The Crown Princess fell into thoughtful silence for a moment before smiling. "The heir is too careless. How could he let you enter the palace for an audience at such a time? Here's what we'll do—Wang Momo by my side is very skilled at caring for others. I'll have her stay at your residence for some time to help train two experienced women for you. That way, you'll have someone to look after you in the future..."
Dou Zhao broke out in a cold sweat.
The Crown Princess clearly knew much about her situation. Assuming that neither the Duke of England's Mansion nor her maternal family had elders who understood matters of childbirth and child-rearing, she was sending her own experienced midwife to guide Dou Zhao's attendants. This was a great favor—but also a problem. From now on, how could they distance themselves from the Crown Prince?
Dou Zhao quickly smiled and replied, "How could I dare trouble Your Highness's personal attendant? This subject's wife was merely momentarily unaware. Once my maternal family elders receive the happy news, they will surely send someone to care for me."
She might offend the Crown Princess, but that was still better than getting entangled in the struggle for succession!
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