Chapter 44 Clash

"Your humble servant greets Noble Lady Uya."

"Get up, Yixiu seems to have become estranged from her aunt."

Uya sat upright at the head of the table. When she heard Yixiu's greeting and the way she addressed him, she couldn't help but frown, her face stiffened, and she put on a fake smile.

"Your Majesty, I dare not." Yixiu appeared cautious, but her words were quite careless. Now that the Prince has changed his imperial genealogy, judging from his daily behavior, he is clearly disappointed in Lady Wuya. As the Fourth Prince's wife, she naturally has to follow in Yinzhen's footsteps.

"Please sit down. Let's catch up. It's been a long time since we last met, since you became the Fourth Princess Consort." Uya was polite on the surface, but her words were anything but polite.

Hearing Uya's veiled accusation that she was unfilial, Yixiu was angry and her words were not so pleasant: "It is Yixiu's fault. Although Yixiu misses her aunt, she is unable to enter without being summoned because her aunt has not been released from confinement. Yixiu is willing but unable to do so."

Uya couldn't help but smile fakely. She never expected Yixiu to dare speak to her like that. Wasn't it just because she was relying on Yinzhen's power? If she hadn't betrothed Yixiu to Yinzhen back then, would she be where she is today? She was truly heartless and ungrateful, just like Yinzhen.

"It's good that you mean it. As long as you're happy with the marriage I've arranged for you, it doesn't matter whether you come to see your aunt or not," Uya said with a forced smile. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and feigned concern, asking, "How is the eldest prince in the manor? I haven't seen him yet."

"Thank you for your concern, Aunt. The eldest prince is doing well." Yixiu acted as if she hadn't heard anything and responded as usual.

"That's good," Wuya nodded and said very smoothly, "The Fourth Prince's family only has this one heir, so he must be taken good care of."

Yixiu was angry. What did this mean? Was this a curse on Yuankang? Thinking this, she showed it on her face and said stiffly, "Your Excellency, please rest assured, the eldest prince is in good health. With the love and care of your concubine and the prince, he will surely grow up safely."

As if oblivious to Yixiu's displeasure, Wuya's smile grew even more genuine as she continued, "That's good. However, the household has very few heirs, and you, the only wife, have a son. This may be detrimental to your reputation in the long run."

What a kind and considerate aunt she is, thinking of the younger generation. Uya Shi has completely disowned the Fourth Prince, and her words are all for Yixiu's sake.

"You're too kind, Consort Lao. Lady Song in your household is pregnant and will soon be able to give Prince another son." Wary of any tricks that Lady Wuya might pull, Yixiu quickly chimed in, expressing her delight at Lady Song's pregnancy.

Uya's gaze sharpened as she looked at Yixiu. Yixiu's apparent happiness might be feigned, but the fact that she showed no fear of Song was unusual. The Yixiu she knew shouldn't have targeted Song, right? Or did she think becoming a Fujin (principal wife) meant she was safe?

Yixiu was carefree, but she was worried. Uya couldn't stand the peace and tranquility of the Fourth Prince's mansion, so it seemed she could also make a move on Qi Yuebin.

Regardless of her true thoughts, Uya's face was full of worry. "Oh, that's a good thing. Isn't this Song the one who gave birth to the eldest princess?"

"Yes, Your Excellency has a good memory." Yi Xiu nodded, not understanding what Wu Ya Shi meant, so she remained vigilant.

"The eldest princess died young, so it seems the fourth prince still had some affection for Lady Song. Now that there are few children in the household, it is good fortune that Lady Song is pregnant. The baby will be close to the eldest prince's age, so the two brothers can keep each other company and study together, which is a good thing."

Uya's slow and methodical analysis seemed well-intentioned. However, Yixiu clearly sensed a provocative intent in her words, and instantly felt a chill run down her spine, raising her vigilance towards Uya to its highest level.

As expected of Lady Wuya, who had navigated the treacherous waters of the harem for so many years, every word she uttered struck at the very points that worried her most. If it weren't for the Prince's warning before she acted, even now, hearing Lady Wuya's ill intentions, wouldn't she find it hard not to be tempted, hard not to target Lady Song? If something happened to Lady Song, wouldn't she be handing over her weakness to Lady Wuya, allowing her to manipulate her at will?

With a thousand thoughts swirling in her mind, Yixiu lowered her eyes, not daring to let Wuya see her expression. She pretended not to understand anything and replied obediently, "What Your Excellency says is true. The two children will not be lonely with each other."

Unexpectedly, Yixiu remained calm, but Uya didn't believe she didn't have other thoughts in mind. She changed her mind and continued, "However, it's still too few for Song to be pregnant. If word gets out, it will affect your reputation. After all, you were promoted from a secondary consort to the primary consort, so life is already more difficult. Now that the Fourth Prince values ​​you, you should cherish this favor. You know what happens to a consort who is not favored."

Once again, Wuya touched on his sore spot, and Yixiu could barely maintain his fake smile. He wished he could leave immediately but couldn't, so he could only coldly reply, "Thank you for your concern, sir."

“Don’t take it too seriously. After all, you’re the only one in recent years who has been promoted from a secondary consort to the primary consort, so it’s natural that it has attracted attention,” Lady Wuya said casually, then revealed her purpose: “If you ask me, it’s not enough for you to fight alone in the mansion. For your position, you still need a helper. I think Rouze is a good choice.”

"Heh," Yi Xiu couldn't help but sneer. So it was all for Rou Ze's sake. Yi Xiu lowered her head, remaining silent.

As if she couldn't understand Yixiu's refusal, Uya continued, "After all, Rouze is your older sister. You two are both of Ulanara blood. The other women in the harem may not be convinced by you. But Rouze and you are definitely of one mind. If Rouze were the one who is pregnant right now, your position would naturally be even more secure."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. However, it is not something I can control who the Prince favors, and who will have children is also up to fate." Yixiu replied coldly. Uya's words implied that she wanted her to suppress Song Shi and promote Rouze at the same time. She was really thinking too much.

Impatient to listen any longer, Yixiu picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then said, "It's getting late, and I have important matters to attend to at home. I'll take my leave now."

"It's alright, you may leave."

At this moment, Uya appeared exceptionally tolerant. Yixiu didn't care why, and after finishing her bow, she walked out of the hall. Suddenly, Uya's voice came from behind her again.

"By the way, bring Rouze with you next time you go to the palace. I haven't seen her in a long time."

Yixiu paused, turned around and looked at Wuya's nonchalant appearance, and couldn't help but say, "Rouze is just a princess."

"Rou Ze is also my niece. Your father is at home and can't see his daughter, so he must be worried. I'm just checking on her for him."

Yixiu tightened his grip on the handkerchief slightly; Wuya was using his father to threaten him.

"As a fellow daughter of the Ulanara clan, I imagine you can understand your father's loving heart."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand." Yixiu was unwilling, but she had no choice but to agree. No matter how dissatisfied she was with Ulanara Clan, or how much she resented Fei Yanggu's favoritism, she dared not truly break ties with her maternal family.

"It's good that you understand. Go back now. Becoming a princess consort brings a lot of trouble. I won't keep you any longer."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

Watching Yixiu's slightly disheveled figure, Uya revealed her first genuine smile and instructed Zhuxi beside her, "Have the spies from the Fourth Prince's residence make a move. Poor Yuebin has no heir. After all, she was once raised under my name. She should know about Yixiu's 'kindness' towards her. This eldest prince should have been born from her..."