Chapter 292: Er Momo's Daughter
Yun Chu was discussing wedding matters with Ting Xue.
They had only spoken a few sentences when Ting Feng came to report that Er Momo had arrived.
Yun Chu knew that Er Momo was Chu Yi's wet nurse, considered half a master in the prince's residence where everyone respected the elderly woman.
However, from the first day she married into the prince's residence, Er Momo had wanted to stay and serve in her courtyard. On the wedding day itself, they had argued about this matter right outside her chamber door.
She was very curious about what Er Momo actually intended to do.
Before long, Er Momo entered with a young girl.
Both women curtsied in greeting.
"There's no need for such courtesy, Er Momo," Yun Chu said with a smile. "And who might this be?"
"This humble servant pays respects to the Princess Consort," the girl said with her head bowed. "My name is Ding Dong."
"Ding Dong is my daughter," Er Momo continued. "She served in the prince's residence since childhood, but for the past two years she's been out helping manage a shop. Knowing the prince's residence now has a Princess Consort, she wished to come serve you."
Yun Chu said calmly, "Lift your head and let me see."
Ding Dong raised her head.
She had delicate features and a maiden's figure that naturally drew attention.
In that moment, Yun Chu understood Er Momo's intention.
Actually, when she had chosen to marry Chu Yi, she had already considered this issue.
Since ancient times, princes typically maintained at least one principal wife, two side princess consorts, along with several low-ranking imperial concubines and concubines in their inner quarters. She had mentally prepared herself for this.
If she could accept Xie Jingyu's concubines, naturally she could accept multiple women in Chu Yi's inner quarters.
Yet for some reason, she felt as if a thorn had grown in her heart, pricking uncomfortably.
"There's an opening in the tea room," Yun Chu said slowly. "Ding Dong, you may go to the tea room. Ting Xue, take her there and help her get familiar with the place."
Ding Dong looked up in disbelief.
She had previously been a first-rank maid in the prince's study—how could the Princess Consort relegate her to being a menial servant in the tea room?
Just as she was about to say something, Er Momo nudged her.
"Thank you, Princess Consort," Er Momo said with a grateful smile. "Ding Dong is a diligent girl who will certainly prove worthy of your trust."
After Er Momo withdrew, Ting Xue took Ding Dong to the tea room. Those assigned to the tea room were second-rank junior maids who stayed in side rooms of the main courtyard at night, four to a room.
Without even entering the side room, Ding Dong pursed her lips and said, "I'll live with my mother, so there's no need to trouble you."
Her mother was the prince's wet nurse and lived in a separate courtyard where Ding Dong also had her own room—why would she willingly share sleeping quarters with others?
Ting Xue was no fool. This Ding Dong, dressed so flamboyantly, clearly revealed her intentions with a single glance.
Back then, she had been careless and allowed Ting Yu to become Xie Jingyu's concubine.
This time, she would never let this Ding Dong succeed.
Even if someone were to become the prince's concubine, it should follow proper procedures rather than through climbing into his bed.
The ship that Yun Chu had spent heavily to build before the New Year was finally completed and was now in the recruitment phase. While she was reviewing the worker roster, Chu Yi entered.
He removed his outer robe, sat down directly beside Yun Chu, wrapped his arm around her waist, and kissed her before saying, "I've been quite busy these past few days and haven't had time to accompany you. My apologies."
Recently, incidents had occurred in the palace—the sixth prince was injured, the fifth prince was deposed, and with the Empress Dowager's funeral approaching, matters had indeed piled up.Yun Chu poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. "The children and I are perfectly fine at home. Don’t worry about us—just focus on your duties."
Chu Yi asked, "Has Yu Ge’er finally agreed to stay in the Star-Gazing Pavilion?"
"Jiang Ge’er came by yesterday," Yun Chu said with a smile. "He mentioned that he started living on his own at the age of five. Not wanting to be outdone, Yu Ge’er immediately agreed to do the same. Right now, his tutor is giving him a lesson."
Chu Yi’s lips curved into a smile.
Yu Ge’er had been quite a handful lately. He would wake up every night when they tried to move him, and for the past few days, the four of them had been squeezed into one bed—quite inconvenient.
Yun Chu sighed.
She felt that Yu Ge’er was a bit overworked.
He rose before dawn to practice martial arts, attended the Imperial College during the day, and studied with his tutor after returning home. His only chance to relax and play with her was before bedtime, and now even that small pleasure had been taken away.
Still, she understood that as the heir to the princely household, Yu Ge’er bore responsibilities different from Changsheng’s. She couldn’t afford to be overly indulgent.
Just as she was about to speak, two figures appeared at the doorway.
One was Ting Xue, who was trying to block Ding Dong. But Ding Dong, ignoring Ting Xue’s expression, walked in carrying a tea tray.
"Your Highness," Ding Dong went straight to Chu Yi, set down the teacup, and said, "This servant remembers that Your Highness prefers old tea brewed with boiling water…"
Before she could finish, Chu Yi said coldly, "Are you one of the Princess Consort’s attendants? Why have I never seen you before?"
Ding Dong looked incredulous. "Your Highness, don’t you recognize me? Two years ago, I served in your study, grinding ink and tending the incense for you every day."
Yun Chu spoke softly from the side, "She is Er Momo’s daughter, Ding Dong. Today is her first day in this courtyard."
"Yes, from now on, this servant will be serving in the Princess Consort’s courtyard," Ding Dong suppressed her grievance. "Please have some tea, Your Highness."
Truthfully, she hadn’t wanted to come to the Princess Consort’s courtyard. She had hoped to stay in the study and continue grinding ink. But her mother had told her that since His Highness married, he had never returned to the study—spending his days either on official business or with the Princess Consort in these chambers. She had no choice but to settle for second best.
"This servant dares to say," Ting Xue spoke with her head lowered, "Ding Dong is a maid from the tea room. According to the rules, she is not permitted to enter the inner chamber without the Princess Consort’s orders."
Accused, Ding Dong showed no sign of panic. Instead, she lowered her head and smiled faintly.
She knew the Prince all too well—he detested servants bickering over trivial matters. Whoever spoke up first would be the one to suffer.
This senior maid named Ting Xue was in for trouble.
However,
she then heard Chu Yi say, "Since she lacks discipline, let her spend a few months learning the rules before returning to serve the Princess Consort."
Ding Dong trembled involuntarily.
She was Er Momo’s daughter—why, why was the Prince showing her no consideration at all?
Biting her lip, she said, "This servant has served Your Highness before and thought you might be accustomed to my service. That’s why I momentarily forgot the rules…"
"Leave," Chu Yi’s expression turned icy. "I don’t wish to see you again until you’ve learned the rules."
Tears welled in Ding Dong’s eyes. She nearly turned to flee but restrained herself, curtsying instead. "Your Highness, Princess Consort, this servant will take her leave."
Ting Xue bowed her head. "This servant will go check on the evening meal."
Only Yun Chu and Chu Yi remained in the room.Chu Yi looked at the woman before him and said, "Chu'er, although Er Momo is my wet nurse, she is merely a wet nurse. I will grant her the respect she deserves, but you are the mistress of this manor. You need not accept anyone you do not wish to."
Yun Chu pursed her lips and replied, "I was thinking... you should have a Concubine by your side. Ding Dong is Er Momo's daughter and has served you before, so perhaps..."
Chu Yi suddenly laughed and pulled Yun Chu into an embrace.
Resting his chin on her shoulder, he whispered softly, "Chu'er, truthfully, I've always been uneasy. I feared you married me only because of the child... But now, hearing these words from you, I understand—you hold me in your heart as well."
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