During the meal, no one spoke; after retiring, no words were exchanged. Side Consort Fang watched this, anxious at heart. After dinner, she began discussing the Mid-Autumn Festival matters, saying, “Your Highness, for Mid-Autumn, we must enter the palace. Why not hold a family banquet a day earlier to liven things up?”
“Agreed.”
Prince Lin stood up, glanced at the cleared dinner table, and strode out.
Side Consort Fang’s eyelids twitched, and she quickly reminded him, “Your Highness, today is the first of the month.”
If the Prince still went to Secluded Orchid Courtyard on the first day of the month, what face would she, the Side Consort, have left?
Prince Lin paused in his steps, turned, and entered the inner chamber. He sat on the soft couch by the window, holding a freshly brewed cup of tea. Lowering his gaze, Shen Lingshu’s voice seemed to echo in his ears: “A hundred steps after a meal, live to ninety-nine.”
“Qingwu.” Prince Lin’s cool voice rang out. Soon, Qingwu arrived with official documents, and the Prince focused on his work.
Night deepened. After bathing and changing, Side Consort Fang deliberately chose a peach-red gown. Entering the room, she saw Prince Lin on the bed, holding a book. Taking a deep breath, she climbed onto the bed.
The loosely tied sash slipped off with her movements, revealing a crimson undergarment and the fair skin beneath, partially visible and suggestive.
“It’s chilly.”
Prince Lin reached out, tidied her fallen garment, set the book aside, and prepared to rest.
“Your Highness is right.”
Side Consort Fang immediately blew out the candle, afraid someone might see her embarrassment. She took a deep breath. How on earth did that wretched Lady Shen manage to keep the Prince in her courtyard for seven consecutive days?
Tranquil moonlight spilled through the window lattice. Side Consort Fang’s heart raced—she wanted to conceive.
Quietly turning on her side, darkness masked her shyness, and her courage grew. She reached out, placing her hand on Prince Lin’s firm back, letting it slide slowly downward…
Suddenly, her hand was caught. Just as Side Consort Fang leaned closer—
“The Consort’s health still needs nurturing. Rest now.”
Prince Lin’s cool voice felt like a bucket of icy water, drenching her to the core.
The next day, when Shen Lingshu went to Autumn Crabapple Courtyard to pay her respects, she felt Side Consort Fang’s gaze upon her—cold and piercing, leaving her baffled. She asked, “Zhuxin, has anything happened in our courtyard recently?”
“Yes!”
Zhuxin said cheerfully, “Last time, Mistress mentioned wanting to try ginger milk curd. The kitchen has already prepared it—you can have it this afternoon! Also, His Highness had soft carpets laid throughout the room. Even barefoot, Mistress will find it comfortable…”
“Stop.” Shen Lingshu interrupted her. “I meant the Side Consort.”
“No, nothing.”
Zhuxin looked blankly and said, “Yesterday was the first of the month. The Side Consort was attending to His Highness—how would she have time to trouble Mistress?”
“True.”
Unable to figure it out, Shen Lingshu pushed the thought aside. She was looking forward to the royal hunt after Mid-Autumn.
That evening, Shen Lingshu enjoyed her ginger milk curd, barefoot on the carpeted floor, and remarked, “Zhuxin, laying carpets on the floor really makes a difference!”
Indeed, being favored was different. The furnishings in the room, once bare, were now all exquisite.
“Your Highness.”
Nanny Hua stood at the crossroads holding a pillow. Seeing Prince Lin approach, she bowed and said, “Your Highness, are you heading to Maple Dan Courtyard? Perfect timing—I’ve already brought the pillow.”
Prince Lin stared at the peony pillow, his eyes darkening.
“Your Highness, Lady Hai is under house arrest, and Concubine Shen is having her monthly cycle. Today, it should be Concubine Li’s turn to serve,” Nanny Hua said with a smile. If Concubine Shen hadn’t been indisposed, it wouldn’t have mattered if she had gone for consecutive days.
As long as she could conceive a child, it would be fine.
But since Concubine Shen was having her monthly cycle and couldn’t perform her duties or conceive, Nanny Hua couldn’t just stand by and watch.
Facing the nanny who had raised him since childhood, Prince Lin simply said, “Thank you for your hard work, Nanny.”
Maple Dan Courtyard.
When Concubine Li caught sight of that ink-black figure, her face instantly blossomed into a radiant smile. She joyfully curtsied, “Your humble concubine greets Your Highness. Has Your Highness had dinner yet?”
“You haven’t eaten?” Prince Lin’s cool voice rang out.
Concubine Li quickly shook her head, “I have.”
She shot a glance at Biyu, who was carrying the dinner tray outside, and immediately added, “Your Highness, I’ve learned a new dance. Would you like to see it?”
“Hmm.” Prince Lin sat down. Concubine Li’s eyes were seductive, and though her figure wasn’t exceptional, it was graceful and alluring. As her dance robes swayed… a strong scent of incense filled the air.
Prince Lin stood up, reached out, and pulled off her outer garment. “Let’s rest.”
“Yes, Your Highness~”
Concubine Li’s coquettish voice sounded. She had thought her dance was captivating—His Highness couldn’t wait!
Prince Lin leaned over, pressing her down, and the room was filled with springtime warmth…
Afterward, Nanny Hua brought the pillow. Concubine Li propped her feet on the bed, lifting her hips high, and urged, “Nanny, hurry and put the pillow under me!”
Nanny Hua quickly placed the pillow beneath her hips. Concubine Li complained discontentedly, “My legs are sore.”
“Nanny, let Biyu handle the pillow from now on.” Concubine Li’s tone was full of disdain, clearly annoyed at Nanny Hua’s slowness.
“Yes.” Nanny Hua replied.
The next day, when Concubine Li went to Autumn Crabapple Courtyard to pay her respects, she was glowing and beaming with joy.
“Greetings, Concubine.”
Concubine Li said apologetically, “I served His Highness last night, so I’m a bit late today. Please forgive me, Concubine.”
Though she spoke of forgiveness, her words were nothing more than a boastful display of His Highness’s favor.
Concubine Fang said sternly, “If Concubine Li is unable to serve His Highness, there are many other sisters in the mansion who can share the burden.”
“That won’t do.”
Upon hearing this, Concubine Li immediately lost her smile and said, “I am certainly capable of serving His Highness. Who knows, I might already be pregnant.”
“On the evening of the fourteenth, a banquet will be held in Autumn Crabapple Courtyard to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival early. You may all leave now.”
Concubine Fang interrupted Concubine Li, preferring not to see her any longer.
Shen Lingshu found herself at ease. Prince Lin seemed busy with some official duties and hadn’t entered the rear courtyard for several days, until the fourteenth of August.
“What? Concubine Li’s leg is broken?”
Shen Lingshu was in the midst of dressing up. Having not seen His Highness for many days, she wanted to look her best today. When she heard the news brought back by Chayu, she was shocked.
“How did it break?”
Shen Lingshu pressed for details.
“I heard she was practicing a dance to perform for His Highness, fell to the ground, and sprained it. The mansion physician said she’ll need to rest for half a month.”
Chayu’s voice was tinged with excitement as she said, “Mistress, with Concubine Hai under house arrest and Concubine Lin ill, this is your perfect opportunity!”
Shen Lingshu raised an eyebrow, observing Chayu’s eager expression, and composed herself, saying, “There’s still Concubine Fang.”
“Alright, today’s family banquet, don’t be late.” Shen Lingshu turned around in front of the bronze mirror, making sure nothing was amiss, then took Zhuxin with her to Autumn Crabapple Courtyard.
Upon arriving at Autumn Crabapple Courtyard, Shen Lingshu realized she wasn’t early. Prince Lin sat in the main seat, dressed in ink-black robes that made his face appear even more aloof and noble.
It had been nearly half a month since they last met. When those deep eyes turned toward her, those blush-inducing scenes seemed to replay in her mind. Shen Lingshu moved gracefully forward, curtsying gently: “Your humble concubine greets the Prince and the Concubine.”