As someone who had lived in the imperial palace, Consort Song naturally knew that eunuchs and palace maids often formed companion relationships.
Although eunuchs lacked what ordinary men had, they were still human beings with feelings and desires.
Before Consort Song could think more deeply about the matter, the prince left the manor the very next day.
After all, he not only had to care about the little prince but also had the responsibility of guarding the border regions.
The Prince Zun Manor, which had only just become lively again, soon fell back into silence.
…
As the little prince grew older, Lianxiang missed her own child more and more.
She often wondered how her child was doing.
She desperately wanted to return home for a visit.
She also wanted to deliver the clothes she had secretly made for her child during her spare time.
But she knew very well that until she completed her duties as a wet nurse, she would not be allowed to leave the manor.
If she truly became the little prince’s chief wet nurse, returning home would become even more impossible.
She had heard that the prince’s own wet nurse had not returned home until the prince was ten years old.
So she shared her worries with her cousin.
…
After hearing her concerns, Consort Song said,
“The little prince has four wet nurses. It is not impossible for you to request a few days off from the head wet nurse to visit your child.”
Then she added,
“However, the other three wet nurses cannot go home, while you alone receive special treatment. People will definitely gossip behind your back.
And while you are gone, who knows whether there will still be a place for you in Qingzhu Courtyard when you return? ”
Lianxiang pressed her lips together.
She felt her cousin’s words made sense.
As she struggled with her decision, Consort Song continued,
“However, if you build a good relationship with Steward Xiao, someone as capable as him will surely be able to find a way for you to visit your child.”
“I have saved some money…” Lianxiang said innocently.
She wondered whether giving Steward Xiao two of her pearl-sized gold beads would be enough.
If he wanted more, she would not have any left.
She was saving them for her son’s future marriage.
“You silly girl,” Consort Song laughed.
“Do you think Steward Xiao lacks a little money? ”
Steward Xiao was one of the prince’s most trusted people.
Countless individuals tried to win his favor.
The wealth he had accumulated over the years in the capital was probably greater than that of many officials.
“You should think about it. Steward Xiao manages all the affairs of the manor and has remained unmarried all these years.
If you want to build a good relationship with him, sincerity is what matters.
The weather is getting cold. Make him a waist warmer or something similar. Pay attention to what he likes.”
Lianxiang nodded seriously.
Since she wanted to ask Steward Xiao for a favor, naturally she should give him something in return.
Simple sewing work was not difficult for her.
…
After leaving Qingzhu Courtyard, Consort Song’s maid Chunhan quietly asked,
“My Lady, when you told Nurse Shen to pay attention to Steward Xiao’s preferences, could it be that you were hoping…? ”
Consort Song smiled knowingly.
“My cousin is a bit simple-minded.
Can’t you see that whenever something good comes along, Steward Xiao always gives it to Lianxiang?
Even the winter clothes recently delivered by the clothing department were different.
The cotton padding in Lianxiang’s set was noticeably thicker than the other wet nurses’.
The fabric was better too.
If Steward Xiao had not instructed it, who would have done such a thing? ”
After thinking about it, Chunhan agreed that Steward Xiao’s attitude toward Nurse Shen did seem unusual.
“But it looks like Nurse Shen doesn’t understand what you mean.”
Consort Song smiled.
“It doesn’t matter whether she understands.
As long as Steward Xiao understands.”
…
Following her cousin’s advice, Lianxiang obediently did as she was told.
As a result, she gradually became more familiar with Steward Xiao.
Time passed quickly.
Soon it was November.
The first snow arrived in Guangling, covering the entire Prince Zun Manor in white.
Throughout this period, the prince never returned to the manor.
No one knew when he would come back.
After the snow stopped, Consort Song sent Chunhan with a bottle of ointment for frostbite.
Although Steward Xiao was the chief steward, he was still a servant.
In such freezing weather, frostbite was hard to avoid.
Consort Song told Lianxiang to take the ointment to him.
“My cousin is so thoughtful,” Lianxiang said sincerely while holding the small porcelain bottle.
Her cousin had treated her so well that she hardly knew how to repay her.
The only thing she could do was continue caring for the little prince as best she could.
With the end of the year approaching, she felt she should finally gather the courage to ask Steward Xiao about visiting home.
After finishing her duties, she took the ointment and went to find him.
In her mind, she was simply asking for help.
But in the eyes of others, it looked completely different.
…
Although Steward Xiao was a eunuch, his position as chief steward of the prince’s manor gave him considerable power.
Many ambitious maids tried to get close to him.
“Look at her,” Nurse Qian said after Lianxiang left Qingzhu Courtyard.
“That widow really has no shame. She’s constantly running to Steward Xiao’s place. Does she think we can’t see what she’s trying to do? ”
Nurse Song immediately agreed.
“Exactly. I actually thought she was honest and respectable.
But in order to stay in the manor as the little prince’s wet nurse, she’s willing to do anything.”
Ever since the Crystal Grape incident, the three wet nurses had effectively united against a common enemy.
As long as Nurse Shen remained, none of them could become the chief wet nurse.
Because Consort Song was Lianxiang’s cousin, they remained polite on the surface.
Behind her back, however, they constantly criticized her.
“A widow who has already borne a child, yet she dares to seduce Steward Xiao.
How shameless.
I wonder whether the head wet nurse knows about this,” Nurse Qian said.
“The head wet nurse is old. She can’t manage everything anymore.
Besides, we have no evidence.”
The two women exchanged meaningful glances.
…
Lianxiang never actually managed to meet Steward Xiao.
As the end of the year approached, all the prince’s businesses, estates, banks, restaurants, and shops were sending representatives to report their yearly accounts.
Steward Xiao was extremely busy.
He barely had time to drink water.
So Lianxiang had no choice but to return.
While taking a shortcut, she discovered a litter of newborn kittens beneath some roof tiles near a wall.
The manor kept several cats to catch mice.
In the harsh winter weather, the mother cat could not leave her newborn kittens to hunt.
As a result, the kittens looked weak and frail.
It was obvious that the mother cat was not producing enough milk.
The little prince was now ten months old.
He no longer depended solely on breast milk.
Every day, Lianxiang had to express and throw away a considerable amount of excess milk.
Instead of wasting it, she decided she could feed it to the kittens.
…
Before dawn the next morning, Lianxiang woke up because her breasts felt painfully full.
She got up and expressed milk into a bowl.
Then she quietly left her room.
The sky outside was still completely dark.
Several maids were already sweeping the courtyards.
Wearing a blue cotton jacket, Lianxiang carefully held the bowl of milk against her chest to keep it warm.
The icy wind cut across her face like knives.
She could not help breathing sharply and quickening her pace.
Suddenly, as she passed through a doorway, she bumped into someone.
“Ah!”
The bowl tipped over, and the milk splashed everywhere.
“My milk! ” she cried out in alarm.