Тhis was Wanwаn's first timе invоlving hеrsеlf in the househоld аffairs of thе princе's rеsidеnсе. Shе herself did nоt pay it much mind, but the Impеriаl Cоncubinе lеаrnеd of it аnd wаs dеlightеd. "Yоur Highnеss has finally рut dоwn roоts. Look, prеgnancу truly makеs а diffеrеnсе—this is thе way tо livе a рrорer lifе. Ah, this сhild hаs such a kind hеаrt. Evеn an insignificant tеa-room еunuсh, а thing as insignifiсant as dust, she trеаts him аs a реrsоn. Suсh соmpаssiоn is unlike sоmeоne raisеd in the раlаcе." Аs shе sрoke, she thоught of Lanting. "That wretсhed Ting-ge'еr, causing trоuble dау in and dаy out, he truly deserves a good lesson! It was fortunate that the Princess Royal encountered him; if he had fallen into his Ama's hands, he wouldn't have been spared without being beaten into a Flower Fox Tiger!"
Nurse Matron Ta presented a cup of tea and said, "The Second Young Master has been like this since childhood. He may be a bit unruly, but his cleverness lies within—he doesn't care for showing off or seeking the limelight."
"Isn't that just like his mother? Madam Zhou is unreliable and has dragged Ting-ge'er down with her. If we're talking about sons raised well, it's Madam Tala. The eldest is a shrewd one; despite his young age, he handles matters thoroughly and methodically. He is sure to achieve great things in the future." The Imperial Concubine narrowed her eyes. The sunlight outside was blazing, piercing through a vast expanse of whiteness as if she could see the future. "Now we just hope for the Princess Royal's pregnancy. If it's a boy, that would be the true legitimate heir—truly remarkable, the treasure of the entire family. If it's a girl, it's no matter either; our family has no daughters, so having a princess would be good too. In any case, there will be more children to come—three or five of them, but not too many, lest it harm her health and she cannot withstand old age later on."
Nurse Matron Ta laughed. "You're thinking far too ahead. One hasn't even been born yet, and you're already planning for the ones to come."
The Imperial Concubine said cheerfully, "I don't mind being a grandmother many times over; I look forward to a house full of children and grandchildren. You know, once a prince marries a princess, he cannot take concubines afterward. With those three already sent away, of course I hope this young couple will have many children." She paused and added, "That Cui, he seems to have some fortune. Assign him to serve in the front; Her Highness also has the same intention."
Nurse Matron Ta acknowledged this, then hesitated and said, "Her Highness will surely have sons in the future. There's nothing else to worry about, but it's a pity about the Eldest Young Master..."
The Imperial Concubine glanced at her, understanding her thoughts. Lan Zhou and Lanting, the two brothers, were brought to her to raise when they were six months old. Having watched them grow up, her affection for them was extraordinary. Lan Zhou had the makings of a general or minister, but due to the circumstances of his birth, he could only remain in a subordinate position. Ta Momo felt regret on his behalf.
The Imperial Concubine patted the pine-and-crane embroidered panel on her lap and said leisurely, "Children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes. If a man is capable, he must earn his achievements through his own efforts. He suffers due to his birth, but there's nothing to be done about that. However, heroes emerge in troubled times. In the future, establishing his own household and being enfeoffed as a marquis or appointed as a minister wouldn't be difficult. It's not as if the Southern Garden holds the only princely title in the world."
As they were chatting idly, they suddenly heard a series of footsteps approaching the door. The chief steward bowed outside the threshold and reported, "Replying to my mistress, an imperial decree has arrived from the palace. I request my mistress to proceed to the Silver Peace Hall to receive the decree."
The Imperial Concubine's heart skipped a beat. "So solemn and serious... what could be the reason..."
As she spoke, she smoothed her hair and headed toward the front hall. On the way, she encountered Wanwan, who was hurrying over. Her face was somewhat pale, and she called out softly, "E'nie."
The Imperial Concubine went over and took her hand. "Don't rush; walk steadily. In any case, the decree won't be announced until we arrive." Suddenly, she noticed that Wanwan's hand was very cold. She thought it must be because Wanwan knew her brother's temperament and feared he might have caused some trouble again.Upon entering the Silver Peace Hall, the incense altar for receiving the imperial decree had already been lit. Liangshi appeared calm on the surface, but his hands were tightly clenched. Wanwan glanced around and was surprised to see Yan Sunlang present. Upon seeing her, he quickly rose and bowed deeply, saying, "Your humble servant pays respects to Princess Chang and wishes Her Highness good health." He then turned to the Imperial Concubine and bowed again, "Greetings to the Grand Consort."
Wanwan nodded slightly and asked, "Has Junior Director Yan come with an imperial decree from His Majesty?"
Yan Sunlang confirmed this, stepped to the front of the hall, and proclaimed in a resonant voice, "By the command of the Emperor, the Prince of Nanyuan shall receive the decree."
Everyone in the hall knelt down. Wanwan prostrated herself on the blue brick floor, listening intently to Yan Sunlang's recitation. When she heard the final line, "The Prince of Nanyuan need not accompany," her head spun, and she nearly collapsed.
If this were merely a homecoming visit, why would her husband not be allowed to accompany her? Since ancient times, when a married daughter returned to her natal home, it was unheard of for the husband to be excluded. Moreover, the Emperor had specifically emphasized this point—what could it mean? Once the decree was fully read, she stood up and asked Yan Sunlang, "Junior Director, when you left the palace, had His Majesty received the memorial submitted by our Prince?"
Yan Sunlang was the second-in-command of the Directorate of Ceremonial, subordinate only to Xiao Duo. The Directorate of Ceremonial was responsible for handling the Red Annotations, and all memorials arriving in the capital first passed through their hands. Thus, Yan Sunlang knew best whether the Emperor had received it.
Yet he replied that he had not. "When I departed the palace, I had not received the Prince's memorial. The Emperor's decree was issued swiftly, commanding an urgent delivery over eight hundred li. I exhausted three horses before arriving in Jinling today."
Liangshi lowered his gaze to the date on the imperial edict—the seventeenth day of the seventh month. It was the very day after Wanwan was diagnosed with pregnancy that Yan Sunlang had secretly departed from the capital, reaching the Nanjing region in just three days. Early this morning, he had received a pigeon post from Lao Wu and already had a rough understanding of the situation, but there had been insufficient time to react. Since an imperial decree had been issued, disobedience would constitute defiance. He understood Murong Gaogong's intentions—an emperor resorting to such underhanded tactics was truly contemptible!
The Imperial Concubine had long harbored a sense of foreboding and now lamented that it had indeed come to pass. Maintaining her composure, she said, "Then, Lord Yan, I presume His Majesty is still unaware that Her Highness is with child?"
Yan Sunlang feigned surprise. "This is joyous news indeed. Congratulations to the Grand Consort." He then repeatedly bowed to the Prince of Nanyuan and Princess Chang. "Congratulations to the Prince and to Your Highness."
Relying on her advanced age—at worst, she might be called a senile old woman—the Imperial Concubine ventured to test the waters. "Her Highness was only diagnosed on the fifteenth. The child is still in its early stages, and the rigors of travel could harm it. Might Lord Yan report to His Majesty and request a slight delay before escorting Her Highness to the capital? The first three months require rest and care. If anything were to go wrong, regret would come too late."
While listening, Yan Sunlang remained slightly bowed, nodding repeatedly with a deferential expression. Yet his response left no room for negotiation. "I beg the Imperial Concubine to understand that I am merely a messenger of the decree. I act according to its instructions. I am overjoyed to hear of Her Highness's pregnancy, but all I can do is ensure her safe and secure journey to the capital by any means necessary. As for other matters, I am but a humble servant and dare not defy the Emperor's decree. I must ask for the Imperial Concubine's understanding."The Imperial Concubine was at her wit's end. She turned to look at her son and daughter-in-law. Although Wanwan was trying her best to maintain composure, her spirits were beginning to wane. Liangshi, however, remained composed, still wearing a humble and gentle expression as he patiently smiled and said, "This matter truly came at an unfortunate coincidence—just a step too late. If His Majesty knew, I believe he would still consider the circumstances. Minister Yan has had a long and arduous journey, traveling from north to south in just three days. Even among our Qi People's Batulu, few could match such speed. Since you've already arrived, if we are to set off, please allow me some time to prepare for Her Highness. Minister Yan, please rest at the estate for now. Tonight, we will host a banquet to welcome you. Once Her Highness has made the necessary preparations and you have had a chance to recover from your journey, we can depart. That way, we won't be too fatigued."
He was thoughtful and courteous, knowing there was no hope from Xiao Duo's side. Yan Sunlang was undoubtedly the next Seal Holder of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Building a good relationship with him now shouldn't be too late.
Wanwan stepped out of the Silver Peace Hall. Despite the sweltering heat, a cold sweat broke out on her back. Tong Huan supported her, constantly watching her expression. "Your Highness, take care of yourself. Think of the child."
She glanced at her blankly. "Is it because of this child that His Majesty insists on my return to the capital?"
In truth, she understood everything. This time, she and her child had become hostages, to be held by her own brother. Could it be that marrying her off to Jiangnan was merely for the day when they could be used to control the Prince of Nanyuan? Her brother's calculations ran deep. Though they shared the same mother, there was no sibling affection at all. For the sake of imperial power, everything could indeed be cast aside.
Tong Huan didn't know how to comfort her, only gazing at her with sorrow. If Seal-holding Xiao were still here, perhaps there might have been a way out. But alas, there was no one left in the court to protect the Princess Royal. Whether the road ahead was smooth or thorny, she would have to walk it alone.
The Imperial Concubine's heart was also in turmoil. She repeatedly urged Liangshi to find another way. "The memorial hasn't reached the capital yet, right? Let's wait a couple of days to see how the situation unfolds. Perhaps once His Majesty learns the news, he will issue another decree, ordering you to rest and focus on your pregnancy."
Wanwan smiled bitterly. How could that be possible? There must be spies in the Southern Garden Palace. Otherwise, how could someone have been sent to escort her back to the capital right after her pregnancy was confirmed? But what could she say about her own brother? She sighed deeply. "E'nie, you've been frightened because of me. It's nothing. I've been away from the capital for half a year—it might be good to go back and see. E'nie, don't worry. I'll return as soon as possible. I still plan to spend my confinement in Nanjing."
The Imperial Concubine nodded, but she knew that the idea of returning soon was likely just self-comfort. When the couple had been at odds before, the emperor had never shown any concern. Now that their relationship had deepened and they had a child, he chose to tear them apart. That despicable emperor had truly played his cards well.
Wanwan returned to the Tower of Profound Grace, her spirit broken. Xiao You packed her belongings, occasionally glancing back at her. Wanwan lay slumped on the couch, fiddling with a ruyi scepter, her eyes fixed vacantly on the window. After a long while, she sighed, releasing the deepest knot of sorrow in her heart.
Lan Zhou and Lanting had also heard the news. They rushed back in a panic from their family studies, breathless from running. As they entered the room, they choked back their words, not daring to speak.
Wanwan looked at them—both children were drenched in sweat. She smiled faintly, motioned for them to sit, and asked Tong Huan to bring them chilled bowls to cool off.
Lanting swallowed hard. "E'nie, I heard the palace wants you to return. Is that true?"Wanwan thought for a moment and said, "It's not necessarily back to the palace. The Eldest Princess Residence was already built before my marriage of a princess. This time, I should probably stay there."
"Who will take care of E'nie?" Lan Zhou stood up and said, "E'nie is pregnant with a little brother and her body is weak. How can she endure such a long journey? The Prince's residence still has Tai-tai and Ama, but what does the Beijing residence have? Will E'nie be left all alone?"
Before Wanwan's eyes floated a scene of a quiet room, her lonely and desolate figure sitting alone under the dim lamplight, making her nose ache with emotion. Yet, she had to brush it off with words: "It's fine, Tong Huan and Xiao You are both there. They will take care of me. I lived like this before in the palace, staying there for sixteen years. Now, I'm just going back for a while and will return soon. You must be obedient, be filial to Tai-tai and Ama, and not make them angry."
Lanting hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Anyway, I have nothing to do. I'll accompany E'nie to the capital."
His words surprised Lan Zhou. Usually, this brother only loved to play around, but at this critical moment, he was unexpectedly loyal!
Lanting blinked his eyes and looked at Wanwan. "E'nie, what do you think?"
So, was he volunteering to be a hostage? Wanwan beckoned him over and gently stroked his hair tied in a child's bun. "Good child, study hard with your elder brother. That is the most important thing. The Forbidden City was originally my maternal home. I'm just returning to my maternal home—who would dare harm me?"
Lan Zhou flushed red. "Brother Ting is right. We brothers will accompany E'nie to the capital."
Wanwan felt comforted but still said it wasn't necessary. She turned her head and quietly wiped away her tears.
They couldn't disturb a pregnant woman for too long, fearing she would tire. Lan Zhou pulled Lanting out, and as they walked along the Lake of Graceful Charm in the evening, his mood plummeted. "That Dog Emperor, if he ever falls into my hands, I will surely kill him."
Lanting remained silent. After a long pause, he said, "I just pledged my loyalty to E'nie. Will she be moved? Can my mother come back now?"
Lan Zhou was taken aback, his admiration instantly turning into a cloud of frustration. "Is that what you were scheming?"
Lanting hummed in agreement. "I miss my mother."
Lan Zhou glared at him fiercely. "Go and mention it to Ama..."
Lanting's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Will Ama agree?"
"If you're not afraid of having your legs broken."
Thinking of such a thing at this time might very well ensure their mother never returns in this lifetime. The Princess Royal is merely returning to the capital to visit family. Even if she is detained, there would at least be a time limit. With the whole family shrouded in gloom, he was thinking of having his mother come back to fill the void—truly reckless!
The two brothers pushed and shoved their way out through the drooping flower gate. The sky gradually darkened, and Wanwan sat by the window in a daze. Tong Huan kept trying to console her: "Your Highness, please lie down on the bed. Don't think of things so pessimistically. Perhaps The Emperor just misses you, nothing more."
She lowered her head and murmured softly, "Misses me... In the past, when I was in the palace, we didn't see each other often either. Why would he miss me now? I'm pregnant. Making me travel such a long distance—what if I lose the baby? How could I ever face the Prince..."As she spoke, tears streamed down her face. Orphaned at a young age, she had been raised by her half-brother. Later, her full brother had used her to fill a void, and just as she had grown accustomed to that void, he had ruthlessly dragged her back, indifferent to whether she was trapped or might end up crippled. She had once felt fortunate to have found a sense of home in the Princely Mansion. Even though she had once felt out of place, now that she had a child, she had truly intended to settle down. Unfortunately, The Emperor gave her no such chance. He had said that Great Ye was not only his responsibility but hers as well, and thus he felt justified in tormenting her however he pleased.
Xiao You hurriedly wiped her tears. "You mustn't cry. If you cry, the little prince will cry too—how awful! Let’s wait for the Prince to return. He will surely have a way."
She slowly shook her head. "The imperial decree was read publicly. Who would dare defy it? Even if he has a way, I cannot let him use it."
Her limbs felt weak and shaky, so she could only return to bed and lie down. The Imperial Concubine came to see her, offering many comforting words, but she had to console her in return, forcing a smile until her cheeks ached.
Liangshi returned very late. Hearing his footsteps, she quickly rose to wait for him. When he entered and saw her standing, he chided her for not taking care of herself. As he approached, his eyes scanned her face again and again before he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Wanwan..." His voice was thick with emotion, choked with tears. "I cannot keep you. We can only endure this for now."
After much deliberation, the only solution seemed to be raising an army immediately. But the situation was sudden, and nothing was prepared. Acting rashly was a Military Strategist’s greatest taboo. Moreover, he had to consider her, knowing she might not be willing to rebel against her brother just to avoid returning to the capital. So now, he found himself in the same awkward predicament Xiao Duo had once faced. Last year, when The Emperor sent the Western Factory to bring Bu Yinlou into the palace, Xiao Duo’s state of mind must have been just like his now.
Wanwan had spent a long time steeling herself, unwilling to show her sorrow in front of him and add to his troubles.
She gently stroked his back, pressing her cheek against his, and said softly, "I’m only returning to my family home. Why are you making such a fuss? I’ll be traveling by water, so there won’t be any jostling. You have nothing to worry about. The decree says you cannot see me off, so wait a month and then come to fetch me. How does that sound?"
He took a deep breath, realizing he had lost his composure, and quickly turned away to collect himself. When he faced her again, he wore a smile once more. "I don’t want to be apart from you for even a moment. Hearing that you have to leave feels like the sky is falling. You’re right—if I cannot see you off, I can come to fetch you. Wait for me in the capital. Don’t think about anything else, just count the days. I’ll be there when the month is up."
She nodded with a smile, her eyes glistening with faint tears. "I’ll spend this whole month thinking of you. You must think of me too."
She had long become his entire life—not just her, but their child as well. He kissed her forehead. "I will think of you every moment. Wait for me. I will come for you soon."
They were both comforting each other, both deceiving themselves. What else could they do? They could only take it one step at a time.
OpenNovel