Upon hearing Gu Yan’s words, Zhao Jing frowned and said, “Gu Yan, you must not say that your future cousin-in-law is blind.”
Gu Yan replied, “In this world, aside from His Highness the Crown Prince, which man is more outstanding than you, cousin? If that woman is unwilling to marry you, isn’t she blind?”
Zhao Jing frowned and glanced at Gu Yan. “Do not speak of your cousin-in-law like that again.”
Gu Yan chuckled softly. “I wonder what kind of bewitching potion my future cousin-in-law has given you? She refuses to marry you, yet you still protect her like this.”
Zhao Jing did not want his cousin to continue calling the girl he admired blind, so he turned to the Crown Prince and began discussing court affairs.
After waiting for Zhao Jing and Zhao Cheng to finish their conversation about court matters, Gu Yan watched Zhao Jing leave before turning to Zhao Cheng, wanting to speak but unsure where to begin.
“Is there something else?” Zhao Cheng asked, looking at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan said, “Your Highness… could you please stop making Aunt Ye take the contraceptive medicine?”
Zhao Cheng raised his eyes calmly and looked at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan continued, “This is a matter of your private affairs, and I should not interfere. However, Yun Xiangye has been angry and upset with me these past few days because I concealed my identity from her for three years. Now, upon learning that her cousin has been taking contraceptive medicine for many years and may never be able to conceive again, she has directed all her anger at me.”
Upon hearing Gu Yan’s words, Zhao Cheng frowned deeply. “You are, after all, the esteemed heir of Prince Ning. How dare a merchant’s daughter from a small town in Jiangnan act so boldly and angrily in front of you?”
“Yun Xiangye is already unworthy of you. If she dares to cause trouble and act recklessly in front of you, you can divorce her and marry a noble lady of equal standing.”
Gu Yan said, “Your Highness, there is still Nuonuo to consider. I cannot let Nuonuo lose her mother.”
Zhao Cheng asked, “What did you mean earlier about taking contraceptive medicine for many years and being unable to conceive again?”
Gu Yan explained, “My mother discovered this while examining Aunt Ye’s pulse. Aunt Ye has taken too much contraceptive medicine, making it difficult for her to conceive now. If she takes it a few more times, she may never be able to have children again.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng frowned slightly, finally understanding how his mother had learned about his relationship with Wanhe the day before. “I understand. You may leave.”
“What about the contraceptive medicine…?”
Zhao Cheng said, “From now on, there is no need for the pharmacy to send medicine to the Eastern Palace.”
“Yes,” Gu Yan replied. “Your Highness, I take my leave.”
Zhao Cheng watched Gu Yan depart, slightly frowning, and called out for Wanhe.
However, it was the eunuch Li Quan who entered. “Your Highness, Aunt Ye is in the bedchamber.”
Zhao Cheng frowned slightly and went to the bedchamber. As soon as he entered, he was met with a strong medicinal scent.
Seeing Ye Wanhe about to drink the contraceptive medicine, Zhao Cheng approached and took the bowl from her hand. “There is no need to drink this.”
Ye Wanhe was startled. Turning around and seeing it was Zhao Cheng, she quickly bowed her head and said, “Your Highness.”
Zhao Cheng placed the medicine on a nearby table. “You have been managing the internal affairs of the Eastern Palace until now. The Crown Princess will soon enter the Eastern Palace. You have four months to thoroughly inventory the storerooms and reconcile the account books, so that the handover will not be rushed when the time comes.”
Ye Wanhe said, “I inventory the storerooms and account books every ten days, ensuring there are no errors. When the Crown Princess receives the account books, everything will be clear.”
Zhao Cheng looked at Ye Wanhe’s submissive expression, feeling an indescribable surge of anger. “From now on, there is no need to take this contraceptive medicine.”
Ye Wanhe clenched her hands tightly. “Your Highness… I cannot stop taking the contraceptive medicine.”
Zhao Cheng looked down at Ye Wanhe. “There’s no need to take medicine anymore. Yesterday, when the Princess Royal examined your pulse, she said you are already finding it difficult to conceive. From now on, there’s no need to take contraceptive medicine.”
Ye Wanhe hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, saying, “I beg Your Highness for mercy, please grant this servant contraceptive medicine.”
Seeing Ye Wanhe prostrated at his feet, Zhao Cheng frowned and said, “If you take contraceptive medicine again, you will be childless for life.”
Ye Wanhe’s voice trembled lightly. “As a palace maid, I was always destined to be childless in this life.”
Zhao Cheng frowned slightly. “You have always been obedient. Since I have already told you not to drink the contraceptive medicine, do you dare to disobey your master?”
Ye Wanhe slowly raised her eyes to look at Zhao Cheng. “Your Highness, no matter how difficult it is, there is always a chance. What if I become pregnant again? Would Your Highness allow me to give birth?”
Zhao Cheng’s sword-like brows furrowed even more tightly. He glanced down at Ye Wanhe’s abdomen, then said nothing more and turned to leave.
After Zhao Cheng left, Ye Wanhe quickly picked up the medicine bowl and drank its contents in one gulp. The dark medicine left no bitterness between her lips and teeth.
Compared to the heart-wrenching pain of losing a child, this medicine was not bitter at all.
At the Princess Royal’s residence, within the Qingfeng Garden.
After returning from the Chujing Pavilion, Yun Xiangye had Run’er summon the four palace maids and matrons brought from the palace the day before.
Yun Xiangye looked at the several beautiful palace maids and matrons before her and asked, “What were your original names, and where did you serve?”
The leading matron, appearing around thirty years old, curtsied and said, “In reply to the Young Madam, this servant is named Yinliu. I originally served the Chief Palace Matron in the Palace Administration Bureau. I am twenty-eight this year.”
Yinliu then introduced them one by one: “This girl is Xueyan from the Imperial Kitchen, this is Hupo from the Imperial Jewelry Office, Sulan from the Imperial Embroidery Office, and Xingtao from the Imperial Kitchen. They are all just fifteen this year.”
Yun Xiangye smiled lightly. “Xueyan, Hupo, Sulan, Xingtao—your names are quite good, no need to change them.
Aunt Yinliu, I have just arrived in Chang’an and am unfamiliar with everything in the city. I hope you will assist me more in the future.”
“Young Madam is too kind. This servant will certainly serve you well in the future.”
Yun Xiangye said, “You may all go about your duties for now. I will call you if needed.”
“Yes.”
After the maids left, Yun Xiangye played with Xiao Nuonuo, tossing a cloth tiger toy.
At dusk, Gu Yan entered the room and saw the mother and daughter playing and laughing together.
Seeing Yun Xiangye’s long-lost smile, Gu Yan walked over to her and asked, “Did you buy any clothes or jewelry while out on the street today?”
Yun Xiangye glanced at Gu Yan but ignored him.
Gu Yan had no choice but to approach Nuonuo, reaching out to hold her. “Nuonuo, Daddy wants to hold you.”
Nuonuo merely gave a light humph at Gu Yan, hiding in Yun Xiangye’s embrace. She pouted her little mouth and looked at Gu Yan. “Ignore Daddy.”
“Nuonuo, you really can understand what Mother says.”
Yun Xiangye smiled with relief. This little one, who could not yet speak, could remember her telling her to ignore Daddy.
Gu Yan frowned slightly and looked at Yun Xiangye. “You told our daughter not to pay attention to me?”
Yun Xiangye held Nuonuo in her arms and ignored Gu Yan as well.
Gu Yan stepped forward to coax Nuonuo. “Nuonuo.”
Xiao Nuonuo turned her head to the side, imitating Yun Xiangye’s manner with a light humph, also ignoring Gu Yan.
Yun Xiangye smiled lightly and stroked her daughter’s small face, kissing Nuonuo’s cheek. “So well-behaved.”
Seeing the identical expressions on the mother and daughter, Gu Yan said with a mix of frustration and amusement, “Xiangye, how could you make our daughter ignore me?”
Yun Xiangye replied, “Who told you to bully me?”
Gu Yan frowned deeply. “How have I bullied you?”
“Where haven’t you bullied me?”
Gu Yan walked over to Yun Xiangye’s side and whispered softly by her ear, “I’ll bully you less in bed from now on, then. I thought you liked it when I bullied you…”
Yun Xiangye’s ears flushed with heat. She pushed Gu Yan away, flustered and annoyed. “What nonsense are you saying in front of the child?”
Gu Yan chuckled, attempting to take Nuonuo from Yun Xiangye’s arms.
Nuonuo clung tightly to Yun Xiangye with her little hands. “Ignore Daddy.”
Gu Yan said to Nuonuo, “How can Nuonuo ignore Daddy? I’ll take you to buy candied hawthorns later.”
Little Nuonuo opened her round, bright eyes and looked at Gu Yan, then at Yun Xiangye.
Yun Xiangye knew Nuonuo wasn’t just after the candied hawthorns—she actually quite liked her father.
Yun Xiangye hadn’t really expected Nuonuo to understand her words and join her in ignoring Gu Yan. After all, she wasn’t childish enough to team up with her daughter to isolate him.
Yun Xiangye nodded to Little Nuonuo, and only then did the little one reach out for Gu Yan to hold her.
Gu Yan picked up Nuonuo and smiled. “Daddy will take you to buy candied hawthorns right now.”
Yun Xiangye said, “No, she already had candied hawthorns this afternoon. It’s almost dinnertime now. You can buy them tomorrow.”
Little Nuonuo blinked her eyes pitifully at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan compromised. “Alright, Daddy will have Qingming go buy the candied hawthorns now.”
Yun Xiangye frowned slightly. “Gu Yan, you’re spoiling Nuonuo too much.”
Gu Yan replied, “Nuonuo is the jewel of my heart. How could I not spoil her?”
Yun Xiangye looked at Nuonuo, giggling in Gu Yan’s arms, and thought that even if Gu Yan didn’t have her in his heart, it was enough that he had Nuonuo.
No matter how difficult her days in Chang’an were, no matter how she was looked down upon by noble ladies or mocked by Gu Yan’s junior sisters and cousins for holding him back…
For Nuonuo’s sake, she could endure it.
Gu Yan said to Yun Xiangye, “By the way, come with me to the Chu Prince’s residence tomorrow.”
Yun Xiangye asked, “What for?”
Gu Yan replied, “I met Cousin Jing today. It turns out you and Nuonuo have never paid respects to Uncle Chu Prince and Second Aunt. Second Aunt has always been close to my mother, so we should visit them.”