“Steward Qin, pass down my orders. From this day forward, Jiang Li shall be the Fourth Young Master of Prince Rui’s Manor and shall receive treatment equal to that of my own biological son.
“And no one is to mention remarriage again. Any vile servant who disobeys will be beaten with the rod.”
With those words, Gu Zhanzhen practically placed the mother and son under his complete protection.
All the servants immediately dropped to their knees in acknowledgment.
Upon hearing this, Concubine Wei’s vision went black, and she nearly fainted on the spot.
Though Shen Wangshu also felt uncomfortable inwardly, she was far more composed than Concubine Wei.
She immediately bowed and offered congratulations.
“Congratulations, my lord, on gaining another son.”
Then she turned toward Zhu Xinyan and gently said:
“Lady Zhu, this child’s status is now different. You must raise and guide him well and never disappoint my lord’s kindness.”
Since it was inconvenient for Zhu Xinyan to leave the bed, she merely inclined herself respectfully.
“Yes, this concubine will remember.”
Shen Wangshu nodded.
“The Fourth Young Master is injured, so you may be excused from paying your respects these next few days. Take proper care of the child. After all, I too was once a mother—I understand the hardship and pain of raising a child.”
As the principal wife, Shen Wangshu had once borne a son with Gu Zhanzhen.
But because he was premature, the child had always been frail and suffered from asthma.
Despite years of careful protection and attentive upbringing, he eventually died at the age of seven after accidentally inhaling hedge grass while outside playing, suffocating to death.
Shen Wangshu had been so grief-stricken that she fell ill for an entire year before recovering.
Yet the illness left lasting damage behind. From then on, she could no longer carry pregnancies successfully.
Even so, no matter how much pain she felt, she rarely showed it in front of Gu Zhanzhen.
Bringing it up now was a deliberate move to tug at emotions.
No matter how indifferent he might feel toward this lawful wife, she was still the mother of his first child.
And Gu Hao truly had been an intelligent and sensible boy. Every time Gu Zhanzhen thought of him, his heart still ached.
Especially now, seeing Shen Wangshu’s reddened eyes and restrained sorrow, sadness surged even stronger within him.
He reached out and squeezed her palm lightly.
“Princess Consort, do not grieve. There will be more children.”
That single promise revealed clearly that Gu Zhanzhen intended to visit the main courtyard more frequently in the future.
Naturally, Shen Wangshu felt delighted inside, but she still bowed modestly.
“My lord, this concubine has lost composure.”
“It’s nothing.”
Then Shen Wangshu thoughtfully added:
“Since Lady Zhu suffered both fright and grievance today, this concubine asks my lord to remain here and accompany her awhile longer. It would also help you deepen your bond with Fourth Young Master.”
From the moment Gu Zhanzhen returned, he had come directly to Qingfu Pavilion and stayed there ever since. It was obvious he intended to remain there overnight.
But Shen Wangshu’s wording was masterful.
First, she soothed Zhu Xinyan.
Second, she pleased the prince.
Third, she publicly displayed herself as a lawful wife who was generous, dignified, and free of jealousy.
One sentence accomplished three goals perfectly.
How could Gu Zhanzhen not understand her intentions?
Just as he was about to speak, a servant arrived to report:
“My lord, someone from the palace has come. His Majesty summons you to the palace immediately.”
Gu Zhanzhen sighed softly.
He had originally intended to rest one more day before entering the palace, but it seemed the old emperor was too anxious to wait even a moment longer.
Patting his thigh, he stood and instructed Zhu Xinyan:
“There’s no need to see me out. Take good care of the child.”
Now that the main figure was leaving, there was no point continuing the performance alone.
After exchanging a few polite words with Zhu Xinyan, Shen Wangshu also departed alongside Gu Zhanzhen.
Concubine Wei followed behind, supported by Qiushui.
When they had arrived earlier, Shen Wangshu hadn’t paid much attention to the courtyard surroundings.
But while leaving, they passed an old yellow boxwood tree and saw several young servants clustered tightly around it.
Instead of kneeling, they merely grinned foolishly and nodded repeatedly at her.
Suspicion stirred within Shen Wangshu. Just as she was about to step closer and inspect things, Gu Zhanzhen called out:
“Princess Consort, are you not leaving?”
“Ah—yes, my lord. This concubine is coming.”
She quickly suppressed her curiosity and hurried after him.
Qiao’er escorted them from behind, her heart pounding wildly.
Once she confirmed the masters would not return, she immediately ordered the courtyard gates shut.
Then she hurried over to the old boxwood tree and scolded the servants:
“Look at all of you! Couldn’t you have only two people holding it? Crowding together like this—of course it looks suspicious!”
One servant pulled a miserable face and complained bitterly:
“Sister Qiao, you have no idea how heavy this tree is! Even with all of us holding it up, it’s still hard work. If there were only two people, we couldn’t keep it steady at all!”
“Exactly! The trunk’s really thick too!”
Qiao’er shaded her eyes and looked upward.
He was right.
The tree appeared over twenty feet tall, with a thick sturdy trunk.
Without these servants supporting it, it probably would have collapsed already.
But the prince visited Qingfu Pavilion frequently. The replacement tree wouldn’t arrive for several more days.
If they kept making people hold it up manually, the truth would eventually be exposed.
Just as Qiao’er was worrying herself sick, Zhu Xinyan strolled over leisurely, holding a round fan in her hand.
“Wouldn’t holding it by hand all day be exhausting? Go fetch several wooden boards and nail them around the trunk to support it. Then wrap cloth around the base. If anyone asks, say it’s to prevent insect damage.”
Qiao’er still felt uneasy.
“Miss, will that really work? Will people actually believe it?”
Zhu Xinyan lightly tapped her head with the fan.
“It doesn’t matter whether others believe it. As long as His Highness is willing to believe it, that’s enough. Didn’t you just see how he protected us?”
Qiao’er suddenly understood completely.
That’s right.
Everyone in Qingfu Pavilion had originally come from the main courtyard.
Even if they tried to hide things, it was impossible to keep secrets forever.
The cloud hanging over her head instantly disappeared, and she happily replied:
“Yes, Miss! This servant will go find some patterned cloth and decorate the old boxwood properly!”
Then Zhu Xinyan turned toward the servants still supporting the tree.
“You boys have worked hard too. Since we harvested so much lotus root, I’ll have the kitchen prepare extra dishes later. As an exception, you’ll each get half a day off to enjoy some wine.”
The servants immediately thanked her eagerly.
“Many thanks for the reward, Concubine Zhu!”
“Not a problem.”
At this point, Zhu Xinyan could be considered a minor leader herself, managing her own little corner of the estate and a staff of about ten servants.
Though the group wasn’t large, she firmly believed in rewarding and punishing fairly.
If people worked for you without receiving even a little benefit, who would sincerely devote themselves?
Even someone as strict as Consort Hua still rewarded servants with silver.
Once she understood that principle, giving rewards no longer pained her at all.
Meanwhile, Jiang Li knelt on the crescent-shaped table with his little bottom sticking up, tiny hands pressed against the windowsill while Ruixue stood protectively behind him.
The pair watched the servants nailing supports onto the tree through the carved lattice window, their eyes filled with admiration for Zhu Xinyan.
“Auntie is so smart!”
Jiang Li proudly replied:
“Of course. My mother is the very best.”
As Qiao’er passed carrying floral cloth, she casually remarked:
“Miss just has too many mischievous ideas.”
After she walked away, the two exchanged a synchronized pout.
“Hmph! Naked jealousy.”
Qiao’er hadn’t gone far and her hearing was excellent. Her heart instantly skipped.
Oh no. These two were becoming exactly like their mistress!
Back at Bamboo Courtyard, Concubine Wei immediately lost all appetite upon returning and collapsed onto her bed, unable to rise.
Why?
Why was some outsider bastard child treasured so highly by the prince?
Not only had he openly become Yuan’er’s brother, he even enjoyed the same treatment as the estate’s young masters.
Did he deserve that?!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Eventually, the bitterness rising in her chest forced her into coughing fits while clutching her heart.
Qiushui panicked, her eyes reddening as she tried to persuade her:
“Concubine, please stop forcing yourself to endure this. Let’s call the estate physician to examine you!”