LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 37 - Quotas
Yinreng took the map with both hands, examined it carefully, then put it down and smiled, saying, “I don’t understand the art of feng shui and divination, so I can’t really see any significance in this. However, the layout of this courtyard does seem to be quite well-arranged, with many buildings. Eldest Brother’s original courtyard only had two sections, but now it seems like these will definitely come in handy. Moreover… Eldest Brother will eventually leave the palace to establish his own residence. In my humble opinion, I don’t think such drastic changes are necessary.”
“You—” Yinzhi was so agitated by his words that he almost lost his composure, but when he caught the sharp look from Kangxi, he swallowed his frustration and forced a smile, saying, “Second brother, you always have spacious living quarters, how could you possibly understand the hardships of your elder brother?”
This implied that Yinreng, having lived alone in the Yuqing Palace since childhood, had no idea what it was like for his elder brother.
“The Yuqing Palace was a gift from Father Emperor. Eldest brother, perhaps you should ask Father Emperor for his opinion?” Yinreng smiled faintly, his lips curling slightly. As the crown prince, it was only natural for him to live in the Eastern Palace. Was the Eldest Brother dissatisfied with this? Or perhaps with Father Emperor’s early decision to establish a successor?
The name “Yuqing Palace” had been personally chosen by Kangxi. The word “Yu” was taken from a poem by the Southern Song dynasty scholar Yan Yanzhi, which spoke of “virtue nurtured by the way, art and words to be upheld.” This was Kangxi’s metaphor for training his successor, imbuing Yuqing Palace with his deep expectations for the heir.
Sure enough, when Kangxi heard Yinzhi’s words, his expression darkened immediately, and he slammed the table. “Enough! What the crown prince said is not without reason. Eldest, your mother came to me crying several times about your moving to a new courtyard. I agreed because I thought you were sensible, but who knew you would stir up such chaos over a simple move, and now show disrespect to the crown prince? How can this be acceptable?!”
Yinzhi immediately knelt and begged for forgiveness, “I am guilty. I should not have offended the crown prince. Please, Father Emperor, forgive me.”
But he did not mention any fault of his own in the matter of moving the courtyard.
Yinreng also kneeled and interceded on his brother’s behalf, “Father Emperor, please calm your anger. Eldest Brother only misspoke in the heat of the moment, and I believe he did not intend any disrespect. Please, Father Emperor, do not blame him.”
He did not try to justify the commotion caused by Yinzhi’s move.
Kangxi, frustrated, waved his hand and dismissed both sons, even refusing to let them stay for the meal.
Yinzhi didn’t forget to take the feng shui map with him as he left. As he descended the white jade steps in front of the Qianqing Palace, he turned his head and glared at Yinreng for a long while, then snorted coldly and swept off.
Yinreng narrowed his eyes as he watched his elder brother’s tall figure leave. After a moment, he casually shifted his gaze away.
He Baozhong, trembling, crouched at the side.
The crown prince and the eldest prince were the oldest and most favored sons of Kangxi, yet they were constantly at odds. The eldest prince dared not directly confront the crown prince, but he often picked on the servants in Yuqing Palace. The crown prince, on the other hand, would never back down, and would always seize an opportunity to retaliate. Therefore, when He Baozhong saw the tension between them, he knew that when they returned, the servants of Yuqing Palace would have to be especially cautious on their errands.
It was best for them to avoid the Prince’s Manor and the Yanxi Palace, lest they run into trouble.
On the way back to Yuqing Palace, Yinreng took a detour to Jingren Palace. He saw that the eunuchs around the Fourth Brother were still busy moving things, while the Fourth Brother stood silently under the eaves, watching. Yinreng walked over and patted his shoulder.
“Second Brother.”
Yinzhen, who had been preparing to bow and greet him, was pulled up, and Yinreng whispered in his ear, “Tell your people to stop for now. The move may not happen after all.”
Yinzhen stared at him in surprise. Yinreng said nothing more, merely patting his shoulder before turning and leaving.
Sure enough, not long after, Kangxi issued an edict saying that it was the first anniversary of Empress Xiaoyi’s death, and it was not an appropriate time for major construction. Moreover, there was water on the Fourth Brother’s property, which was incompatible with the First Brother’s birth chart. As a result, it was permitted to tear down the wall on the west side of the First Brother’s courtyard and build a new section of the courtyard for his family. The Fourth Brother would remain in his original residence.
Following this, another decree was issued stating that the Yuqing Palace, where the crown prince resided, was too small. It was ordered to add a corridor and build an additional courtyard, connecting it to the Dongshun Mountain Hall, to provide a better place for the crown prince to study.
Everyone was confused. What was the first edict again? It seemed to say that major construction was not appropriate?
Only Yinreng, after receiving the edict, smiled.
His guess had been correct. The words the First Brother had said earlier, “Second Brother, you always have spacious living quarters,” had surely struck a nerve with Kangxi. He hadn’t acted out at that moment because he had been waiting for this.
Since the incident with Gulu Fu’erjian Jia Hun’ga Mountain, Yinreng had gradually learned to understand his Father Emperor’s thoughts. He had placed himself under Kangxi’s protection, making sure no one could offend him. At the same time, Kangxi seemed to want him to stay beneath his wings, never allowing him to stretch his wings and fly away.
The Fourth Brother moved back to his previous residence, and the Yuqing Palace unexpectedly began construction on an additional courtyard.
Tang Gege came over and laughed, saying that the auspicious day for construction at the First Brother’s residence had been set for the following month. By then, the new year would be approaching, so it would be inconvenient to move in. No one knew how long it would take before they could settle into the new house. Now, even the First Brother’s First Lady had started visiting Yanxi Palace once a day, instead of more frequently, because the First Brother had been throwing tantrums at home. She had to avoid him and go elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Yonghe Palace was particularly quiet and low-key. It was rumored that Concubine De had been unwell with stomach issues.
Could such an edict not cause trouble? The son had offended his father, and Kangxi was displeased, but in the end, nothing had been achieved!
Cheng Wanyun enjoyed the gossip and had a full stomach, savoring the juicy and well-rounded stories. She held Tang Gege’s hand and said earnestly, “Sister Tang, you must come visit me more often.”
Tang Gege smiled at her, responding readily. She had gained a little weight recently. Her face, already round, looked even rounder now. But she couldn’t help it, as Cheng Gege’s home was full of delicious food. Whenever she got carried away in conversation, she was invited to stay for a meal, and thus ate more and became even rounder.
Sometimes, she even forgot that the reason she came to Cheng Gege’s house was for the Crown Prince!
Yinreng had seen Tang Gege a few times at Cheng Wanyun’s place and always felt that she looked more like someone pregnant than A Wan did. She was round and healthy, with her hands looking particularly soft and plump, and there were even small indentations on the back of her hands.
As the time for the Mulan Autumn Hunt drew near, preparations in the palace were intensifying. Kangxi had already made it clear that Yinreng would be going along, but he didn’t know which other princes would accompany the emperor.
Because of this, the number of concubines sending soup and water to Qianqing Palace had increased recently. They all hoped to secure a spot for their sons, hoping to gain Kangxi’s approval.
The princes studied even harder. They spent the whole year locked up in the palace and rarely had the chance to go out for hunting, so naturally, the young lads were eager to go. Except for those whose mothers were working on Kangxi’s favor, they all tried to get on Yinreng’s good side, because sometimes the Prince’s words were more effective than their mothers’ requests!
Yinreng was constantly bothered by his younger brothers, especially the mischievous Ninth Brother. Despite his young age, he had already learned the art of bribery. One day, he somehow managed to trick the palace maid who was in charge of jewelry and handed Yinreng a small brocade box in a mysterious manner. “Second Brother, this is something rare. Take it back and reward someone with it,” he said, acting all grown-up.
Yinreng opened the box and found a large, smooth Eastern pearl!
“My good Second Brother,” said Yinreng’s younger brother, Yuntang, who had been less fearful of Yinreng since they had been locked together in the study for copying books. He clung to Yinreng’s arm like a little monkey. “Second Brother, why not take some time and praise me to Father? I’ve been doing so well with my studies lately. I’ve written fifty large characters every day! Or… Or could you take me along for the Mulan hunt?”
Yinreng helplessly laughed and pushed him off, hurriedly returning the pearl into Yuntang’s hand. “You! If you had been born in an ordinary family, our great Qing would have one more corrupt official!”
The other brothers had already gathered around, eagerly watching Yinreng.
Yinreng had no choice but to explain, “This Mulan Autumn Hunt is not just for fun. The emperor has already issued an edict summoning the Mongol princes and nobles to join. Father has his own plans for this matter, and it’s not something we can decide on easily. Alright, stop messing around and go back to studying. The teachers are almost here.”
The little ones’ eyes immediately lost their gleam, and they returned to their seats, heads drooping.
Yinreng smiled and shook his head. He knew more than they did. In fact, Kangxi had also sent a summons to Galdan to attend the meeting, offering him a chance to negotiate and possibly survive. However, Galdan had disobeyed and refused to come. Now, it was even more crucial for Kangxi to win over other Mongol tribes.
The Mulan hunting grounds were located to the north of the Rehe Palace, in a dense forest with abundant grass and water, an excellent place for hunting. On the east and north sides of the palace, there were eight temples, some of the most famous sacred sites of Tibetan Buddhism in Qing China.
The Rehe Palace was built by combining the best elements from gardens all over the country, including mountains and lakes, making it a great place to relax.
In the end, Kangxi decided on the princes who would accompany him: the Crown Prince, the Eldest Prince, the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, and the Fifth Prince.
None of the younger princes would be going.
This time, they were going to stay in Rehe for quite a long period. Kangxi decided to bring along the high-ranking consort, Concubine Yi, and some young, lower-ranked noblewomen and attendants. He also allowed the princes to bring their female companions. The Eldest Prince naturally took his First Wife, while the other princes, who were not yet married, brought their secondary concubines. The Third Prince brought a secondary concubine, while the Fourth and Fifth Princes brought a palace maid.
The Crown Prince also had a secondary concubine, and his most favored, Cheng Gege, was pregnant! When this news spread in the Yuqing Palace, everyone initially speculated whether the Crown Prince would take Li, his secondary concubine, or Tang Gege with him.
Side Concubine Li thought it was unlikely that the Crown Prince would take her. First, the journey was likely to be rough, and her health might not be able to handle it. Second, the young prince still needed someone to look after him. Li didn’t want to leave the young prince behind and go to Rehe. For her, nothing was more important than the young prince, not even favor or face.
In Side Concubine Li’s heart, the Crown Prince was no longer her support; it was the young prince.
Tang Gege, however, sat nervously in her room. After receiving the news from her personal maid, she began to feel both excited and anxious, with her heart racing.
She and her maid spent some time discussing it, and they both felt that this time, the fortune was likely to fall on her!
If she could really accompany the Crown Prince to the Mulan hunt, wouldn’t she be the only one serving him for over two months? She could also meet many other palace maids from the other princes’ residences. If she got along well with them, perhaps the Crown Prince would treat her differently in the future. Then she wouldn’t have to constantly worry about losing his favor!
Side Concubine Li, as the one who had to care for the young prince, and Cheng Gege, who was pregnant, left only her to attend to the Crown Prince.
It seemed like even all the palace maids and eunuchs thought the same way. The head cook from the kitchen, Eunuch Hong Deng, who always had the best information, came over personally in the evening, greeting her respectfully and politely asking, “May I ask what the esteemed Tang Gege would like for tonight’s dinner? The cucumbers are fresh and tender this time of year. Shall I prepare a special cold dish for you? Do you have any other preferences?”
Tang Gege had never been treated this way before. Since entering the Yuqing Palace, she had been overshadowed by Wang Gege, who was more beautiful and thus more favored by the Crown Prince. Later, when Wang Gege became pregnant, the kitchen eunuchs had been mostly focused on her, and before Tang Gege could realize it, Tang Gege had been sidelined again after the Crown Prince gave her special attention. She had been ignored until Empress Xiaoyi’s death, when she seized the opportunity to gain some power, at least enough to ensure she wouldn’t be looked down upon.
Now, with this kind of treatment from the kitchen, Tang Gege felt more certain than ever.
After Eunuch Hong Deng left, she hurriedly asked her personal maid to pack some warm clothes, but no—she would choose them herself! Rehe was much colder than the capital. She had heard that it would start snowing in November. She would probably need to prepare some fur coats as well…
While she was busy making preparations, Cheng Wanyun… Cheng Wanyun was focused on making beef jerky.
Qingfeng had sent over some high-quality beef yesterday. It was from a young cow that had not yet reached maturity but had accidentally fallen to its death, so the meat was incredibly tender. The kitchens from all the palaces were fighting to get it, but Qingfeng wasn’t foolish. They had made sure to set aside portions for the Qianqing Palace, Ning Shou Palace, and Yuqing Palace, and they reserved the best cuts.
The people in Yuqing Palace didn’t have to fight for the food; it would be specially delivered to them. In the end, they received two pounds of beef shank, two pounds of beef leg meat, and two pounds of beef tenderloin.
Because Cheng Gege was pregnant, the Crown Prince had ordered that the best ingredients be reserved for her first. So, early in the morning, Sanbao came to ask how she wanted to prepare the fresh, high-quality beef.
Naturally, she decided to make a big bowl of boiled beef! As for the leftover beef leg meat and tenderloin, she asked for them raw and planned to make some beef jerky to send to the Crown Prince as a snack for his study.
The boiled beef had already been ordered, and she was going to make the beef jerky herself.
Qingxing and Bitao helped slice the meat into strips, then looked up at the little eunuchs in the yard who were adding gold to the bread oven and warming the stove. The three exchanged a knowing glance.
They all knew that the Crown Prince might take Tang Gege to hunt in Rehe, but after discussing it privately, they decided to keep it from their mistress, hoping to hide it for at least one more day.
Cheng Wanyun hummed a song while rubbing salt on the beef jerky, looking quite pleased with herself.
Seeing her so happy, none of the servants dared to speak about such an unpleasant matter. Even Tianjin, in her heart, wondered why Cheng Gege’s pregnancy was so poorly timed. After a moment, she thought to herself, “What’s more important than accompanying the Crown Prince to hunt? The heir is far more significant!” She couldn’t help but mutter in her mind.
Bitao, feeling resentful, chopped the meat noisily, also convincing herself: “So what if she goes? It’s only a couple of months. Tang Gege is pretty, but she isn’t necessarily going to win the Crown Prince’s heart. When she first entered, he was fascinated for a while, but wasn’t she soon overshadowed by our Cheng Gege? Clearly, the Crown Prince doesn’t really like her!”
Seeing that Qingxing and Bitao were almost done cutting the meat, Cheng Wanyun started preparing the scallions, garlic, chili, ginger, and spices like star anise, cinnamon, and bay leaves. After that, she would add a bit of flower-sculpted wine and cook the meat before preparing the sauce.
To make the beef jerky flavorful and tender, the quality of the meat was crucial, but the marinating sauce was just as important.
Cheng Wanyun took a clean bowl and began adding cumin, five-spice powder, chili powder, white sesame, salt, soy sauce, and other seasonings. Then, she poured hot oil over it. The oil could not be lard; it had to be beef fat, which was the key to the jerky’s aromatic fragrance.
After marinating the meat in the sauce for half an hour, she placed it in the bread oven to roast. Once it was golden brown and fragrant, she took it out to cool.
She made a total of two pounds, one pound of each type of meat. After trying a piece, she found it tender, flavorful, and not too spicy, so she sealed it in a dry jar, content with her work.
If the Crown Prince had time to visit her today, she would directly send it to him. If not, she would have Tianshi deliver it to Chunben Hall.
She then sat in her room, making little toys for the baby while she waited.
She planned to make a small cradle for her unborn child and create a rotating crib mobile with little animal figures like a lion, rabbit, tiger, monkey, and roe deer. She chose bright fabrics and added bells to hang above the cradle, so the baby could reach out and grab them while lying in bed.
The small cradle had already been ordered from the crafting workshop. She spent a large sum to have them use aged pine wood, without applying lacquer, and insisted on meticulous sanding.
Qingxing noticed her frequently glancing at the clock and immediately understood that she was waiting for the Crown Prince.
Bitao also felt a bit sad. The two jars of beef jerky had taken their mistress an entire afternoon to make. If it had been for herself, the Concubine would have already enjoyed it, but now, they were sealed up and untouched, not even placed in the cupboard. It seemed clear they were meant for the Crown Prince. If the Concubine knew that the Crown Prince was planning to take Tang Gege to Rehe, she must be feeling distressed.
The two women tried to find something to talk about, asking if the Concubine wanted to play chess, or if she had been painting wooden dolls lately. Then one of them asked if the Concubine wanted to take the cat to the courtyard to see if it would catch mice.
Cheng Wanyun laughed: “Why are you two so restless, as if something is bothering you? Is there something you’re hiding from me?”
Qingxing and Bitao were startled and answered in unison, “What could possibly be wrong?”
Cheng Wanyun became even more suspicious. Just as she was about to press them further, she heard the sound of the door curtain moving, and Yinreng walked in, dripping with sweat. “How is it still so hot in October? I’ve been pulling a bow all afternoon, and my arms are numb. A Wan, do you have any cooling tea? Please get me a bowl, quick.”
Cheng Wanyun quickly stood and bowed, then instructed Qingxing to go to the kitchen and bring her homemade hawthorn plum tea, which she had just made in the afternoon.
There were no hawthorns in season at this time, but she had prepared some dried fruit in advance during the summer. When she occasionally had indigestion, she would brew it into tea. After her early pregnancy ended, she developed a craving for sour flavors, and her taste had become much stronger, so the kitchen kept a supply of sour teas.
Yinreng drank the tea in one gulp, then sat down on the bed and leaned on her. “Didn’t I tell you? You don’t have to be so formal when I come here. No one at Yuqing Palace will criticize you. Always bowing is not good for your body or the baby.”
Cheng Wanyun stuck out her tongue. “I’ve gotten used to it.”
“You see, that’s because you’re not taking it seriously. You need to be more careful. Just because the first three months are over doesn’t mean everything is fine.” Recently, Yinreng had been consulting with doctors and experienced nannies about “pregnancy matters,” even keeping detailed notes on the advice and asking Cheng Wanyun to read them daily. “Though your pregnancy isn’t very noticeable yet, and the fetus seems steadier than before, we can’t be careless. The doctor says you should eat more liver and eggs. Liver is good for eyesight, and eggs nourish and replenish blood. Both are good for you and the baby.”
Cheng Wanyun nodded continuously, not daring to respond, as she knew Yinreng could go on about this topic for half an hour without stopping. If he got stuck, he would even call for the doctor to come and clarify.
She had asked the doctor about this once. In front of the doctor, Yinreng had diligently noted, “During the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy, it’s common to experience heat and dryness, so one should eat more melons, fruits, and vegetables to help with digestion.”
Cheng Wanyun had met the doctor’s smiling eyes at the time and had wished she could bury her face in the ground out of embarrassment.
Yinreng saw her quietly playing with her fingers and smiled as he gently rubbed her head. “Later, I’ll have Doctor Yan come and check your pulse again to ensure everything is fine.”
“Didn’t he already check my pulse today?” Cheng Wanyun tilted her head in confusion.
“The Emperor has decided to leave for Rehe for the hunt at the beginning of next month. Several of my brothers and I will be accompanying him. We probably won’t return until after the New Year,” Yinreng said seriously, looking into her eyes. “A Wan, would you like to come with us to Rehe?”
Of course, Cheng Wanyun wanted to go!
“But I…” Cheng Wanyun knew that with her pregnancy, there might be inconveniences, and this wasn’t something she could decide on whims. She spoke weakly, “Can I go?”
“That’s why I had the doctor come and examine you carefully. If your pregnancy is stable and you’re not afraid of the carriage ride, it should be fine. Along the way to Rehe from the capital, there are several palaces, so there’s no need to sleep under the open sky. In the past, we’ve always taken it slowly and comfortably,” Yinreng said, seeing her nervous but excited expression. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I know you’ve been bored in the palace, so I thought of taking you out for a change of scenery. Besides… we’ll be gone for more than two months. I really can’t bear to leave you alone in the palace.”
Yinreng had one more thing he didn’t say out loud: he felt reluctant. He didn’t want to be away from her for such a long time. He always wanted her close, always in his sight.
Yinreng had already asked for Emperor Kangxi’s approval in advance. Though he was lightly scolded, the Emperor still agreed after his reasoning.
“Cheng’s care for our son is meticulous. She’s been taking charge of his meals and snacks, and now his stomach is much better. This is all thanks to Cheng. Li is taking care of the youngest, and Tang is a bit clumsy,” Yinreng once again clung to Kangxi’s sleeve like a child, “Father, do you remember the box of mint candies? I want someone who understands me to be around.”
As he got more accustomed to being playful, Yinreng knew Kangxi particularly liked his “unstable” behavior.
“Father, let Doctor Yan examine her. If there’s no problem, please agree,” Yinreng pulled at Kangxi’s sleeve again. When that didn’t seem to work, he knelt down and began massaging the Emperor’s legs. “Father, please agree!”
Kangxi, worn down by his persistence, finally agreed, his frustration fading into helplessness.
Yinreng affectionately massaged Kangxi’s shoulders. “Father, you’re the best. I must have accumulated great fortune in my past life to be your son!”
“Alright, alright, enough of this nonsense. Go back and bring me the books you’ve been reading today! I’ll quiz you with a few questions!” Kangxi scolded with a stern face and sent Yinreng away.
Once Yinreng left, Kangxi couldn’t help but shake his head at Liang Jiugong. “Look at this child, the older he gets, the more like a child he becomes! He’s not acting like a prince at all! Sigh…”
Liang Jiugong smiled and said, “I think His Highness and you are especially close. Outside, His Highness is very steady. Don’t you think so?”
“Didn’t expect you, this servant, to be so perceptive!” Kangxi was pleased and agreed with Liang Jiugong’s words. He stopped dwelling on the previous matter. “Oh, it’s just a little concubine. The Crown Prince already has an eldest son, and he’s not married yet, so indulging one concubine won’t hurt. Cheng is a proper woman. I’ll allow it this time.”
He then nodded, “Let’s arrange a marriage later, and have the Crown Princess teach her properly.”
Yinreng waited outside the Qianqing Palace. When Liang Jiugong came out and gave him a smile, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
It seemed that he had passed the test with Emperor Kangxi.
On his way back to the Palace of Yuqing, he carefully recalled his conversation with the Emperor earlier, feeling that he hadn’t said anything to upset him. Recently, he had often found himself thinking back on his interactions with Kangxi, trying to find subtle clues or perhaps prove to himself that everything was fine.
He thought about the ending of the dream he had previously had, a deep sadness appearing in his eyes.
What had happened, and what had really occurred afterwards?
He pondered deeply, but the more he thought, the more confused he became. Therefore, he remained especially careful in his dealings with Kangxi.
This dream had been fragmented, with a long gap in between. For now, he had no other method to go on, other than being cautious with his words and actions. He also sent word to Suoetu, asking him to keep a tighter rein on the Hesheri clan.
After a short while, Doctor Yan arrived. He carefully asked about Cheng Wanyun’s daily habits and examined her pulse before going out to report to Yinreng, “Replying to His Highness, the princess is in good health, and the child in her womb is doing well.”
Yinreng felt a bit more at ease but asked further, “If the princess needs to travel for a few days by carriage, will that be harmful to her? I have a royal four-wheeled carriage here that is not too bumpy.”
The doctor immediately understood and answered carefully, “If the carriage moves slowly and some additional cushions are added, even if there’s a little bumping, it should not be a problem. However, since it’s windy at this time of year, please make sure to bring extra clothing to prevent her from catching a cold.”
With the doctor’s reassurance, Yinreng asked more about the details of traveling, then generously rewarded him and sent him on his way.
“Your condition is not yet serious enough to prevent travel. It should be fine, just have those around you take extra care,” Yinreng decided, turning to Cheng Wanyun. “So, A Wan, come with me to Rehe. When we get there, you can stay in the palace there and avoid going to Mulan Hunting Grounds.”
Although it was just a move from one palace to another, Cheng Wanyun was still overjoyed to agree.
She could actually travel!
The news that the Crown Prince would be taking Cheng Wanyun to Rehe spread like wildfire, instantly reaching every corner of the Palace of Yuqing.
Soon, everyone in the palace knew.
In the kitchen, Zheng Taijian, while kneading dough, couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Cheng Wanyun was going out, and he was definitely going with her!
What a proud moment!
Hong Deng was so furious that his face twisted with anger. He angrily threw the spoon down, regretting that he had tried to please Tang Gege, only to end up burning the wrong incense and worshipping the wrong Buddha! Wasn’t the Crown Prince blinded by desire, taking a pregnant lady out with him? Who was supposed to be serving whom?
Side Concubine, hearing this, merely smiled faintly while comforting the young prince. She had anticipated such an outcome, but she didn’t expect that Cheng Gege could actually manage to persuade the Crown Prince to speak. With her pregnancy, Cheng Gege had become so arrogant from all the attention she was receiving. This would be a good lesson for her—once there is a Crown Princess, she would learn what hardship truly was. Just wait.
Tang Gege, while shedding tears, carefully took out the clothes she had packed earlier, one by one. She bit her lip, feeling a deep sense of shame. How could she have thought that he was the one? How could she have been so foolish?
She was so foolish! She had completely lost face!
Tang Gege swept all the clothes onto the floor and collapsed onto the bed, crying bitterly.
Cheng Wanyun had no idea about all this. She only noticed that Tang Gege seemed to have stopped coming to chat with her for a long time. The palace had been so calm recently, with no gossip to be heard?
However, she was soon distracted by another matter—her stepmother, Wu, had arrived in the capital with her older brother and two younger sisters!