Zi Sangli, both wary and irritated, felt her eyes light up upon hearing her confidante’s words.
What an excellent idea!
Yet her thoughts remained wholly occupied with Xiao Chengyan: “His Highness should be arriving soon. Go prepare the morning meal promptly.”
However, after waiting quite some time, Xiao Chengyan still hadn’t appeared.
Upon sending someone to inquire, she learned he had entered the palace.
Zi Sangli grew fearful again: “Has the Empress discovered something? Is she threatening His Highness to consummate the marriage with Lin Nong?”
Her confidante speculated it must be true!
The Empress’s desire for a grandson had long been written plainly on her face!
“There’s no helping this matter. Prince Qin’s eldest son has already been safely delivered. If His Highness wishes to contend for the Eastern Palace Position, he must have a son! Offspring are as crucial as the capabilities of an heir apparent!”
“Actually, no matter who bears the child, you will be the legal mother, the future Empress Dowager! Since this cannot be changed, why not take advantage of His Highness’s current deep remorse toward you and propose raising the eldest son under your care?”
Then, lowering her voice forcefully and venomously, she added: “Besides, royal children are difficult to raise. That lowborn bastard might just succumb to a mere cold or fever after you’ve borne your legitimate heir, mightn’t he?”
Zi Sangli rubbed her lower abdomen and bit her lip hard.
No!
By year’s end at the latest, she could consummate her marriage with Xiao Chengyan!
If she could just endure until then, she would be able to lie with Xiao Chengyan and conceive a legitimate heir herself. Why should she yield her husband to another woman?
Anyone who dared compete with her would have to die!
“Go! Spread word of her previous marriage discussions with Helan Gongzi and their intimate comings and goings. Ensure everyone in the capital knows! Do it discreetly—don’t let anyone trace it back to us!”
Since she couldn’t openly prevent her husband from favoring another woman and risk displeasing the Empress, she would make His Highness utterly despise that wretched girl instead!
Her confidante wished to advise caution.
After all, the Lin family was no ordinary household. If they truly investigated, it might be impossible to conceal their involvement!
But then she considered that even if discovered, His Highness would surely understand it was all because his Wangfei loved him too deeply—surely he would forgive her?
…
It was the Emperor who had summoned Xiao Chengyan to the palace.
Entrusted with urgent duties, he had been occupied outside for several days before finally resolving the matters.
“What has Wangfei been doing these past few days?”
His attendant replied: “She attended a few Tanghui upon invitation, nothing out of the ordinary. Just now, her maid came to relay a message inviting you to dine together this evening.”
Xiao Chengyan nodded in agreement.
Upon returning to his residence, the steward informed him that Lin Nong had summoned an Imperial Physician.
With the cold weather, he worried her frail frame might have caught a chill. He also wondered how the injury on her wrist—which he had caused—was healing. He felt obligated to check on her.
Changing direction, he went straight to Changning Hall.
The steward and servants exchanged surprised glances.
His Highness had been busy at the ministry these past days and had only now found time to return. Shouldn’t he first visit Wangfei? Wasn’t he afraid she would be hurt or make a scene upon finding out?
Could it be that His Highness had truly taken a genuine interest in the secondary consort?
However, as the steward overseeing all servants, he was well aware of Zi Sangli’s wariness and surveillance of Changning Hall.
Pondering carefully how to align himself without being implicated by either side’s potential downfall, he ultimately decided to observe the situation further.
“This residence is about to become lively!”
Entering Changning Hall,
Xiao Chengyan saw the teahouse window open, with Lin Nong gently twirling before a landscape painting. A Tuanshan embroidered with orchid patterns spun lightly in her hand, her sheer gauze dress flowing elegantly and her raven-black hair dancing in the air.
The light smoke curling from the incense burner drifted slowly around her, tinged with the fragmented gold of the sunset, accentuating her noble and elegant demeanor—utterly devoid of coquetry or seduction, it was a blooming, pure elegance meant only to please herself. The smile on her face was light and carefree.
It made one feel joy and relaxation just by looking at her.
The maids on duty beneath the corridor hurried inside to announce his arrival upon seeing him.
Lin Nong paused her graceful dance and turned to see him.
She froze momentarily.
Then she rushed out to pay her respects.
“Wangye!”
Xiao Chengyan seemed to detect a hint of delight in her tone, and he couldn’t help but feel pleased.
No matter how sensible she was, she was still just an ordinary young woman—wasn’t she still hoping for her husband’s visit?
The chilly wind rustled.
Lin Nong shivered slightly and coughed twice.
Seeing that he hadn’t responded, she called out softly, “Wangye?”
Xiao Chengyan noticed her thin clothing and her small nose, already red from the cold. Without a second thought, he helped her up and led her into the main hall.
Noticing the charcoal brazier burning in the side room, he had her sit down to warm herself.
He then scolded Yi Ran and the other personal maid, Chang Tian: “Your mistress has a delicate constitution. On such a cold day, why weren’t you more attentive? Seeing her go out like that, why didn’t you quickly fetch her more clothes? If she catches a chill, you’ll have me to answer to!”
The two maids were taken aback but obediently acknowledged his words.
Lin Nong raised her eyebrows slightly, her gaze clear and bright.
Xiao Chengyan looked at Lin Nong and unconsciously softened his voice: “I heard you summoned the Imperial Physician yesterday. Are you unwell?”
Lin Nong glanced at him, her cheeks slightly flushed: “My little days have come, and it’s very painful. I was afraid it might be due to the effects of the cooling medicine, so I called the Imperial Physician to check.”
Xiao Chengyan glanced at her abdomen.
Her waist was cinched so finely by her belt, it seemed one could grasp it with a single hand.
He couldn’t help but wonder: if she were with child, how would she bear it?
“What did the Imperial Physician say?”
Lin Nong replied, “It’s nothing”: “The Imperial Physician prescribed a remedy. I’ve been taking the decoction for two days and the pain is gone now.”
Yi Ran complained to Xiao Chengyan: “The Imperial Physician said the cooling medicine might have some effect, but it’s mainly because our mistress has been indulging her cravings—eating ice in such cold weather! Back at home, with the madam and the other young ladies keeping an eye on her, she knew to restrain herself. But now she’s like an unbridled colt, growing more willful by the day!”
“Wangye, you must discipline her, or she’ll be in pain again next month!”
Lin Nong looked somewhat guilty and muttered, “I only had a little!”
Yi Ran snorted: “Yes, three bowls a day, with just a little left at the bottom of each!”
Lin Nong glared at her indignantly: “…You’re not being good! How could you expose me like that!”
Xiao Chengyan, who usually only saw her gentle and sensible side, found her now both embarrassed and annoyed—utterly charming and adorable!
He was reminded of his late younger sister, who had also been so lively and carefree, and his expression softened as he looked at her.
“You’re a grown woman now, yet you still indulge like this. You do need discipline! I’ll instruct the steward not to grant you access to the icehouse from now on!”
Lin Nong’s eyes widened as if someone had snatched away her most beloved possession, and she cried out in distress, “Please don’t, Wangye!”
In this back-and-forth banter, the distance between them unknowingly closed.
The charcoal fire crackled beneath its cover, sparks flying, shimmering with color.
It also carried a faint fragrance.
Xiao Chengyan noticed a pot hanging over the brazier, warming a bowl of soup with colorful glutinous rice balls—it looked quite appetizing.
“Nong’er, have you been making snacks again?”
Yi Ran put on the oven mitts designed by Lin Nong and carried the hanging pot to the table.
Lin Nong placed a bowl of soup beside him with a ladle: “This is milk tea brewed by Nong’er herself, with glutinous rice balls inside. The coloring all comes from flower and vegetable juices! You can clearly smell the natural fragrance when eating it.”
“Wangye just came in from outside, so having a hot bowl is most comforting. Please taste it quickly and see if Nong’er has done well.”