“It was my late grandmother who told me. She even calculated the days for me each month based on the regularity of my menstrual period and had me write them down.”
Yun Shu still kept her head lowered as she spoke, her voice very faint and weak.
“I truly saw how anxious Madam was over the Heir Apparent’s heir issue, to the point where she couldn’t eat or sleep peacefully. That’s why I dared to speak up.
I am also deeply ashamed, because if this matter were to spread, I wouldn’t be able to face anyone.”
“Rest assured, no one will dare spread this recklessly.” Madam Mu immediately said, casting a glance at Hong Ling.
Hong Ling, caught under Madam’s gaze, instantly stiffened and quickly lowered her head, but her heart burned with even greater resentment.
Since Yun Shu acted without consideration, cutting her off right from the start, she shouldn’t blame her for being ruthless in return.
“Shizi, what do you say?” Madam Mu immediately turned to Lu Jin Yan.
“Yun Shu has always been steady and the most rule-abiding, wholeheartedly sharing her master’s burdens. I don’t think she said this to compete for favor, but simply to conceive an heir.
In urgent situations, one must adapt. Shouldn’t those rules of yours also be flexible?”
“This ‘fertile period’—I’ve never heard of such a thing. I’ll ask the imperial physician about it later.”
Lu Jin Yan gave Yun Shu a cold glance as he spoke.
This meant he didn’t believe her.
“No need to ask the imperial physician. Yun Shu’s grandmother came from the Jiaofangsi and was most knowledgeable about women’s matters. It’s not surprising she knew these things.”
Madam Mu interjected.
Yun Shu nodded repeatedly in her heart, thinking that Madam really knew how to cover for her.
Her grandmother was no ordinary servant; having come from the Jiaofangsi, matters like bedroom affairs and pregnancy could all be attributed to her grandmother’s teachings.
After all, her grandmother had already passed away and couldn’t be questioned—she was the perfect scapegoat.
Later, she’d burn more paper money and light some incense for her grandmother, thanking the old lady for having to work hard even after death to protect her.
“If precedents are set for certain rules because of one person, it will lead to trouble.”
Lu Jin Yan still refused to relent, speaking coolly.
“I established this rule precisely to prevent conflicts in the inner quarters and keep the household peaceful.”
“Rules are rigid, but people are flexible! You’ve been married for three years without an heir. If you’re not anxious, your mother is about to die from worry!” Madam Mu said angrily.
Yun Shu also complained inwardly that encountering such a rigid, rule-bound leader was truly a matter of life and death.
Getting any special privileges from him was nearly impossible.
“Since there are fertile days every month, we can start changing the rule next month.” Lu Jin Yan made a concession.
Ultimately, he wouldn’t change the rules immediately just for her alone.
Hearing this, Yun Shu almost wanted to cry. By next month, her mission would be long dead.
The child is already dead, and now the milk arrives.
What’s the use!
So, she had bared her face for nothing, all her efforts wasted.
However, when work progress is blocked, even if it’s the leader, criticism must be given where it’s due.
As long as her criticism was reasonable, facing a practical and rigorous leader like Lu Jin Yan might even make him think more highly of her.
In the workplace, the worst thing is to be a silent ox that only knows how to lower its head and work.
“Heir Apparent, may I dare to say a few words?” Yun Shu requested.
Lu Jin Yan nodded. “Speak.”
“I know the Heir Apparent values rules, and I understand even more that if I were to attend the bedchamber for two consecutive days without a clear reason, I would surely draw fire upon myself and face exclusion.
When the Heir Apparent says to change the rule next month, it’s actually to protect me. I am especially grateful!”
As she spoke, Yun Shu cast a grateful glance at Lu Jin Yan, her eyes shimmering with emotion, as if on the verge of being moved to tears.
Meeting her affectionate gaze, Lu Jin Yan once again felt a faint tingling sensation along his spine. Though it vanished in an instant, it still caused him to frown slightly.
This maid, whatever intelligence she possessed, seemed entirely devoted to flattery.
After sending her flirtatious signals to her superior, Yun Shu continued,
"However, Madam and the Heir Apparent are unaware of the existence of fertile days each month, so the previously arranged days for attending the bedchamber are likely unsuitable.
Now that circumstances have changed, adhering to the old rules would be nothing but stubborn adherence to outdated ways, a refusal to progress.
It is only the beginning of the month now, and waiting until next month to make adjustments would be too agonizing. It would be better to establish new rules right away."
"Yun Shu is absolutely right! That’s exactly the point! Shizi, you always tell those under you not to cling to outdated ways, yet how could you make such a mistake yourself?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Mu looked at Yun Shu with approval in her eyes, then smiled and teased Lu Jin Yan.
Lu Jin Yan glanced at Yun Shu, thinking to himself that his earlier assessment of her had been somewhat biased. She was not only clever but also skilled in sophistry.
With such a well-reasoned argument, and one that would benefit the conception of an heir, he was indeed persuaded.
However, this was only true if what she said about fertile days was correct. He would need to verify it later.
"Then, from now on, the concubines will have two days each month. As for Liu Shi, you can decide as you see fit?"
Madam Mu seized the opportunity to press further.
Upon hearing this, Lu Jin Yan frowned deeply. When there were only two concubines, once a month had been manageable.
But now, with two additional bedchamber maids, and for the sake of an heir, he would have to favor each of them twice a month—that would make eight times in total.
Add Liu Shi to the mix, and he would be performing the marital rites for more than half the month.
Lu Jin Yan immediately felt resistant!
Four concubines were too many.
They had to be streamlined!
Since Hong Ling had not yet attended the bedchamber, Lu Jin Yan declared that she would no longer serve as a bedchamber maid.
Even Yun Shu was taken aback by these words.
She had suggested reforming the bedchamber attendance system in the Heir Apparent’s inner quarters, but before Hong Ling could even officially start her duties, she had been ruthlessly optimized and laid off.
This sister was truly unfortunate.
She would probably hate her to the core!
Hong Ling immediately knelt down, her face deathly pale, tears welling in her eyes as she pleaded sorrowfully,
"Heir Apparent, this servant does not seek favor. I only beg that you accept me. Otherwise… I truly have no face left to live."
"Trying to force your master’s hand with threats of death shows a complete lack of propriety." Hearing this, Lu Jin Yan showed no trace of sympathy. Instead, he frowned in displeasure.
"This servant dares not. I know I have made a grave mistake. Please punish me, Heir Apparent."
Only then did Hong Ling realize that, in her desperation, she had committed a serious taboo. Breaking out in a cold sweat, she hurriedly admitted her fault.
Their Heir Apparent was not a master who pitied delicate flowers or cherished jade.
In the end, it was Madam Mu who stepped in to plead for leniency, temporarily preserving Hong Ling’s status as a Chamber Maid.
However, she had previously been a full-fledged Chamber Maid, set to begin her duties in three days.
Now, she had been suspended and placed on standby!
She only retained the title of Chamber Maid for the time being, with no clear indication of when she might resume her duties.
Hong Ling rose to thank them for their mercy, her face ashen, desperately clenching her palms to keep the jealousy and hatred within from showing.
Yun Shu, how dare you ruin my future like this? I will take your life and claim the position you have forced me to give up!