The Fourth Prince’s Consort’s arrival was like a signal—the framework of the household was now complete, and whoever could claim more of the master’s time would depend on their own abilities.
Most importantly, the women of the inner court no longer needed to deliberately avoid conception. Everyone was putting in their utmost effort to be the first to bear the Fourth Prince’s child.
The Main Courtyard.
After the several Shuren had paid their respects and departed, the Prince’s Consort wearily rubbed her brow, then roused herself to ask Bai Shu, “How have they been lately?”
“To answer you, my lady, Consort Jin and Consort Su have made quite a number of pouches and embroideries, sending them to the front courtyard. This servant made inquiries—His Highness accepted them all but merely bestowed them upon the servants below, never wearing them himself. However, when Consort Gao sent a pouch, His Highness put it on immediately and even had Li Xiang deliver several bolts of fabric to Qinglan Studio. Rongmuzhai received two bolts as well.”
Seeing her mistress nod without saying anything, Bai Shu continued, “Consort Fuca has made no particular moves—she remains as before, tending to her flowers and plants and studying cuisine in Rongmuzhai. When Consort Gao visits Rongmuzhai, they play shuttlecock together.”
“She’s clever indeed. Very well, you may go. Report back promptly if there’s any news.”
“Yes, this servant takes her leave.” After Bai Shu departed, leaving only Bai Qin in the inner chamber, Bai Qin dared to speak cautiously, “My lady, Consort Gao is one thing—at least she sent a pouch. But how is it that Consort Fuca, who did nothing at all, has won His Highness’s favor?”
Casting a sidelong glance at Bai Qin, the Prince’s Consort finally spoke, “What’s so strange about that? Men may love beauty, but when there are too many women, they grow annoyed. Isn’t it then that the quiet ones stand out? Consort Su is one thing, but if Consort Jin never understands this principle, she’ll suffer for it sooner or later.”
“Isn’t Consort Gao also…” Having learned her lesson last time, Bai Qin spoke with much more caution, but the Prince’s Consort understood her unfinished words.
“Consort Gao is naturally different from Consort Jin. Though she is willful, she has her limits, and besides, Consort Fuca is there to keep her in check. Those two have served His Highness together for many years. How they support each other now—who knows what will become of that in the future.”
Before Bai Qin could respond, Bai Qi’s voice came from the outer chamber. Bai Qin rose, bowed, and went to exchange places with Bai Qi, then stood guard at the door.
Bai Qi entered carrying medicine, attending to the Prince’s Consort as she drank it. Only after her mistress had suppressed the bitterness in her mouth did she speak: “My lady, that’s another dose finished. Your monthly flow has not come for two months now—should we summon the imperial physician to take a look?”
Counting the days, it was indeed two months overdue. Her heart pounded violently, and the Prince’s Consort could barely hold back her tears. She hastily dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, and only after the wave of emotion had subsided did she ask Bai Qi, “How long until the imperial physician’s scheduled Peace Pulse visit?”
“Ten more days.”
“Then we wait those ten days. We’ve already waited so long—ten more days make no difference.”
Bai Qi withdrew silently. Aside from those closest to her, no one in the main courtyard knew that her monthly flow had not come. During those ten days, even when the Fourth Prince stayed overnight at the main courtyard, the Prince’s Consort declined intimacy under the pretext of feeling unwell.
Ten days later, the imperial physician came to the prince’s residence to take the Peace Pulse. When he arrived at the main courtyard, the Fourth Prince happened to be there as well. He keenly sensed that the atmosphere in the main courtyard was somewhat unusual—the servants attending inside were holding their breath, as if all waiting for momentous news.
The imperial physician carefully took the Prince’s Consort’s pulse through a silk handkerchief, occasionally switching to the other hand to continue. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he said, “Congratulations, Fourth Prince. Congratulations, Prince’s Consort. The Prince’s Consort is with child—three months along.”
Upon hearing the physician’s words, the Fourth Prince nearly jumped for joy. “Truly?”
“In answer to the Fourth Prince, this minister has examined her carefully many times—she is indeed nearly three months pregnant.” The physician bowed and added, “However, this minister senses that although the Prince’s Consort’s pulse is strong, there is a hint of weakness hidden within, likely caused by medication. This minister’s skills are insufficient—I would suggest the Fourth Prince summon the Chief Physician from the Imperial Medical Institute to take her pulse again.”
The Fourth Prince’s joy was dampened by half, though the physician’s words did not sound too serious. He immediately ordered Li Xiang to go to the Imperial Medical Institute and summon the Chief Physician.
The Chief Physician was advanced in years and a renowned master of gynecology—the most sought-after kind of physician in the palace. Accompanying him was Imperial Physician Qin, a newcomer to the institute and the Chief Physician’s nephew, who was also highly skilled in gynecology.
By the time the Chief Physician arrived, the previous physician had already been sent off to take the Peace Pulses of the Shuren in the rear courtyard. Only those in the know remained in the main courtyard.
The Chief Physician also carefully took the Prince’s Consort’s pulse. What the previous physician had said was correct—the Prince’s Consort was indeed nearly three months pregnant, and her appearance of strength masking inner weakness was also true. After a moment’s thought, he said to the Prince’s Consort, “Do not worry, Your Highness. The child has no major problems, but this old minister must examine the prescriptions before reaching a conclusion.”
The Fourth Prince was even more anxious than the Prince’s Consort, directly ordering Bai Qin, “Fetch the prescriptions for the Chief Physician—and bring the herbal dregs as well, if there are any.”
Bai Qin glanced secretly at the Prince’s Consort, and upon seeing her give a slight nod, quickened her pace and hurried out of the main hall. For a moment, no one in the room spoke.
Fortunately, Bai Qin returned quickly. The chief physician took the prescription and the herbal dregs, examined them carefully, and discussed with Imperial Physician Qin behind him. After reaching a conclusion, he addressed the Fourth Prince: “Reporting to the Fourth Prince and the Prince’s Consort, there is nothing wrong with this prescription—they are merely nourishing herbs. However, even medicine has its toxicity, and moreover, several of these herbs together may have over-nourished the Prince’s Consort’s constitution.”
The chief physician’s meaning was clear: the Prince’s Consort’s body itself was fine, but in her eagerness to conceive, she had consumed more tonic than her body could bear, which in turn had weakened the child in her womb.
“Then can my body still recover now, and the child—how is the child?” The Prince’s Consort spoke before the Fourth Prince, showing just how anxious she truly was.
“Rest assured, Prince’s Consort. The problem is not serious. You only need to resume a normal diet and stop drinking the tonic you are currently taking. I will also give you several prescriptions, all of which are medicinal meals—just have the kitchen staff prepare them with care.”
“Then I shall trouble the chief physician.”
“You are too kind, Prince’s Consort.”
After the chief physician withdrew, the Fourth Prince dismissed the attendants, leaving only himself and the Prince’s Consort in the room. The Prince’s Consort placed one hand over her lower abdomen and lowered her head in silence.
After a long moment, the Fourth Prince sighed and softened his voice: “Why must you do this?”
The Prince’s Consort was still young—even if she was a well-bred lady meticulously raised by her family, she was ultimately just a girl who had barely turned fifteen. Hearing the Fourth Prince’s words, tears immediately fell from her eyes. Her sobs were subtle, never forgetting the dignity befitting a principal wife.
“Don’t cry. You must think of the child in your belly.” The Fourth Prince’s heart still softened. Though they had not spent much time together, she was after all his lawfully wedded wife. With that thought, he drew her into his embrace and consoled her: “You are the principal wife. I will never let any woman in the rear courtyard surpass you.”
“My lord, I was merely too impatient. When I learned we were with child, I was overjoyed, but I truly never imagined, never imagined…” Her tears flowed even more freely, and the Fourth Prince could only continue to soothe her. Fortunately, the Prince’s Consort still remembered her station and finally stopped.
The Fourth Prince took the opportunity to summon Bai Qin to attend to her, instructed the Prince’s Consort to rest well, and left with Li Xiang.
There was nothing pressing that day, so he went to Rongmuzhai to see Rongyu. But upon entering Rongmuzhai, he found that the chief physician and his nephew who had left earlier, along with the physicians who regularly came to take the Peace Pulse, were all gathered around Consort Fuca.
The Fourth Prince frowned and strode forward, asking: “What is going on here?”
Rongyu and the physicians moved to bow, but the Fourth Prince waved them off, signaling for them to continue. He only had Cheng Mu step forward to report.
Cheng Mu could barely contain his excitement, his voice still trembling as he spoke: “Reporting to His Lordship, the physicians say the Shuren appears to be with child, though the pregnancy is still in its early stages. The chief physician is currently conducting a second examination of the Shuren.”
The Fourth Prince nodded, his expression softening considerably, and waited for the chief physician to give a definitive answer.
After roughly the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the chief physician finally stepped forward to report: “Reporting to the Fourth Prince, this Shuren’s pulse is indeed that of a pregnancy. However, the specific details can only be known when I return to diagnose again in ten days.”
“How is Consort Fuca’s health?”
“Rest assured, Fourth Prince. The Shuren has always enjoyed robust health. There is no need for tonic decoctions—only attention to her daily diet. However…”
“Speak freely, Chief Physician.” The Fourth Prince was truly afraid—the Prince’s Consort had already reaped the consequences of her own actions, and he dreaded that something similar might happen with Rongyu.
“It is only that I cannot be in two places at once. The Prince’s Consort requires careful recuperation, and I fear the Shuren’s care may suffer from neglect.” The chief physician’s words were indeed true—there was a natural inequality in status between the Consort and the Shuren. The chief physician was the most skilled in matters of childbirth, and there was no reason for him to neglect the Prince’s Consort in favor of attending to the Shuren.
Of course, the chief physician had no intention of washing his hands of the matter either. The Fourth Prince’s prospects were clear to anyone with eyes, and the chief physician had no desire to offend him. He continued: “If the Fourth Prince trusts me, let Imperial Physician Qin take charge of safeguarding the Shuren’s pregnancy.”
“I swear to protect the Shuren and the child in her womb.” Imperial Physician Qin understood that the chief physician was building up his standing, and immediately knelt to make his pledge.
The Fourth Prince did not agree immediately. Instead, he looked toward Rongyu, who was reclining on the couch. Only after seeing her give a slight nod did he say: “The Prince’s Consort and Consort Fuca are entrusted to the chief physician and Imperial Physician Qin. Next year, I expect to see two healthy children.”
What could the chief physician and his apprentice do? The imperial family was arbitrary and unreasonable—this was not the first day they had learned of it.
After the physicians departed, the Fourth Prince walked to the edge of Rongyu’s couch and sat down, his hand resting on her still-flat belly. Rongyu instinctively reached out and covered his hand with hers. For a moment, neither spoke, and the atmosphere in the room was as warm and tender as that of any ordinary household where a husband had just learned his wife was with child.