Chapter 56 The Two Poles

Unlike receiving the Dowager Consort, the process of receiving Dowager Consort Tao went far too smoothly.

Zhuang Dongqing was woken up in the morning. Still half asleep, she groped her way to the edge of the bed and tried to get up, asking Liu Fu to help her wash up. However, Cen Yan pushed her back down, saying, "Sleep a little longer."

Zhuang Dongqing, buried in the blankets, mumbled, "No, no, weren't we going to pick up Consort Tao?"

Try to open your eyes, try to fail.

That's settled then.

Subconsciously, he shrank even deeper into the warm blankets, which Cen Yan found amusing.

"We're going to pick her up, but there's no rush. She won't be there that early."

"The messenger entered the city overnight. She has set the time, so we can still make it if we set off later."

"oh oh……"

The second "oh" was a soft sound, and without any worries, the person fell asleep again.

Cen Yan's smile widened. He tugged at the blanket for Zhuang Dongqing and then dressed and washed up on his own.

Fearing that the sound of the water would disturb Zhuang Dongqing, he always washed up in the bathroom, with Liu Fu serving him.

After he finished getting ready, by the time he had breakfast, Liu Qi, Hao San, and Xu Si were already up and waiting for his instructions.

It would take some time for the servants to get everything ready, so Cen Yan said while eating, "The last group was halved, so there's no need for anything too grand. She's not used to it."

"Keep the carriage as usual, and remember to prepare some pastries in the carriage for Zhuang Dongqing to have something to eat."

"That's all. Do you have anything to say?"

Liu Qi bowed and said, "The Dowager Consort said last night that she wanted to stay at the Princess's residence for two days."

"I had Granny Ge come and tell me."

Cen Yan: "Keep it down and let her go in a couple of days. Besides... after Consort Tao arrives, she will be granted an imperial title. Once everyone is present, His Majesty should summon them all and then bestow the title. If she is not present when she is summoned, it would be disrespectful. Just relay my words to Granny Ge. They know what's important."

Liu Qi should be the one.

Hao San said, "The guards in Consort Tao's courtyard have all been arranged, but aren't they a bit too few? It's fine in the Prince's mansion, but if they need to go out, I'm afraid it won't be enough."

Cen Yan: "She probably won't go out. If she does, Liu Qi can arrange for more people to go out."

Hao Sanliu and Qi Qi nodded in unison.

Xu Si reported the guards to welcome the Dowager Consort and the number of horses needed, as usual. After confirming that everything was correct, he went down with Hao San.

After having breakfast and a cup of tea, Liu Fu went to wake Zhuang Dongqing.

I slept in a bit longer today, and thankfully, I'm much more awake than when I received the Dowager Consort last time.

At least I can eat breakfast.

Thinking of something, Cen Yan pushed the side dishes in front of Zhuang Dongqing while asking Liu Qi, "Has Master Zhao said anything lately?"

Master Zhao was taking Zhuang Dongqing's pulse for a while, and Cen Yan would ask about it whenever he remembered.

Liu Qi: "Say everything is fine."

"After so much time, its foundation has been improved."

"Let him eat freely for a while longer. Once his pregnancy is fully visible, the young master will need more activities, such as walking and playing. He can't just sit around all day."

"Then, at that time, you will also need to control your food intake a little, which is good for the birthing process."

Cen Yan tapped his knuckles lightly on the table. "Where's the toxin?"

"It's slowly fading, it hasn't completely disappeared yet, but as long as the young master is with you, it won't affect him."

Cen Yan nodded.

Zhuang Dongqing looked up from the bowl, puzzled: "It's been so long, and it's still not completely gone?"

Cen Yan: "The medicine they specifically found to deal with me isn't that simple."

Too.

But remembering that Liu Qi said it was alright, Zhuang Dongqing stopped thinking about it.

Cen Yan looked at Zhuang Dongqing, but his mind was already thinking about things to come.

After Zhuang Dongqing got into the carriage, Cen Yan rode a horse, and this time Liu Qi also rode a horse. Only he and Liu Fu were in the carriage.

During a break along the way, Cen Yan said to Liu Qi, "He will definitely still have some questions about Consort Tao. If he asks you, you can tell him whatever you know."

Liu Qi realized something and called out softly, "Master..."

Cen Yan knew what he wanted to ask, and replied, "Yes, I've made up my mind."

"I'll talk to him about the Prince's residence when I have time."

Liu Qi understood.

Liu Qi lowered her head: "Then I'll decide."

Unlike the day they received the Dowager Consort, when they arrived at the location, the Dowager Consort Tao's carriage arrived shortly afterward. Cen Yan confirmed with the other side, selected the people, and returned to the capital.

It happened so fast that Zhuang Dongqing was somewhat dazed.

"You received it already?" Zhuang Dongqing asked Liu Fu.

Liu Fu: "Yes, that's right. I saw three carriages, similar to what the Dowager Consort brought. But the carriages are more simply decorated. The curtains, horses, and grooms are all very nice, but the details are not as luxurious as the Dowager Consort's, such as the carved windows and the burning of incense inside."

Zhuang Dongqing: "...You can smell that?"

Liu Fu: "As soon as Granny Ge came out, I could smell a faint fragrance. There must be incense in the carriage."

Zhuang Dongqing admired him.

Then they shifted their attention, asking, "Do we have any incense in this car?"

Liu Fu knew this, "There was some at the beginning, right? Master Zhao said you'd better not smell those things now, and Manager Liu should have been removed."

If that's the case, then there definitely isn't any left. Liu Qi still listens to what Master Zhao says.

Zhuang Dongqing felt regret.

Back to the main point, "So, it seems that Consort Tao is quite... normal."

At least that's how it seems for now.

Everything went smoothly, unlike the Empress Dowager who caused so many troubles.

Liu Fu was also hesitant, and asked uncertainly, "I guess so?"

Okay, let's take another look.

They entered the capital city gate at noon. Zhuang Dongqing thought to himself that he should have lunch outside. He was familiar with the city gate he had passed through and knew quite a few good restaurants along the way. Just as he was making plans in his mind, and Cen Yan said that they would have lunch in the outer room, Liu Qi came up and said to the master and servant, "Princess Tao insists on having lunch after returning to the Prince's Mansion. We will have to trouble the young master."

Zhuang Dongqing: "?"

Zhuang Dongqing was bewildered: "Is it really necessary to go through all this trouble?"

If we use it at a restaurant on the way, isn't that just a convenient thing to do?

Liu Qi smiled and said, "Consort Tao doesn't like to go out."

"……oh."

After Liu Qi left, Zhuang Dongqing and Liu Fu looked at each other, and Liu Fu hesitated and said, "Is Consort Tao quite frugal and good at managing the household?"

Zhuang Dongqing remained silent, sensing that this was not the reason.

But on the first day, they were elders, and they were so cooperative along the way. They made a small request, which the younger generation should have complied with.

Zhuang Dongqing ate pastries and drank tea to fill her stomach.

They returned to the Prince's Palace.

They thought they would have to wait a while longer, but when they got off the carriage, the servants from the east wing were already waiting for them at the door, saying that the food was ready and asking when they would like to be served.

Zhuang Dongqing couldn't help but look at Cen Yan.

Thinking about it, surely they should all have lunch with Consort Tao at noon?

However, things once again went in a direction that deviated from Zhuang Dongqing's prediction.

Cen Yan led Zhuang Dongqing to the carriage of Consort Tao. After a short while, several nannies and maids, along with a woman, got off the carriage. The woman... brought Mu Li with her.

Her face was obscured, but her figure was graceful and her movements were quite charming.

Considering Cen Yan's appearance, Consort Tao must have been a beauty as well.

"The food is ready, and your courtyard has been tidied up. Would the Dowager Princess like to have lunch with us at noon?"

"Having exchanged greetings," Cen Yan asked.

The voice behind the curtain was gentle, "You must be tired from your journey. You need to tidy up a bit before eating. You must be exhausted from picking us up today, so we won't delay Your Highness's mealtime."

Very bookish. Extremely polite.

To be honest, Zhuang Dongqing was a little unaccustomed to it.

The difference between her demeanor and that of the Dowager Consort is too great.

They thought Cen Yan would stay, but he didn't. He just nodded and told Liu Qi to take them to the appropriate courtyards to settle down later.

Cen Yan: "I instructed you before I left this morning that there is a small kitchen in your courtyard, so the food should be prepared. Once it's ready, just send someone to let us know, and you can eat."

Consort Tao bowed and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."

Zhuang Dongqing: "..."

Not used to it.

The answer is that I'm not used to it at all.

Cen Yan added, "There's no need for Dai Muli in the Prince's mansion. All the servants are old people who came from the fiefdom, and you should recognize some of them."

"This afternoon, let me know when you're all ready. I'll bring some people to see you, and there are a few other things I need to tell you beforehand."

Consort Tao: "Your Highness set off before me, so you must have arrived already?"

Liu Qi replied, "We've arrived. They've been settled in the west wing."

Consort Tao: "Now that everything is ready, I should go to the Consort's residence to pay my respects."

Cen Yan didn't stop her, "Whatever you want."

"Anyway, when you have time, send someone to let me know."

It should be Consort Tao.

He bowed and apologized for leaving the room, saying that his appearance was not tidy and that he would definitely remove the curtain once he had tidied himself up.

Zhuang Dongqing: "?"

Cen Yan: "It's getting late, Liu Qi, you should take the Dowager to settle down."

Consort Tao bowed again before leaving with the servants she had brought.

Zhuang Dongqing: "..."

"Let's go. Aren't you hungry? Let's go back and eat."

"Oh, oh oh."

Led by Cen Yan, she kept glancing back at him. Cen Yan said, "Everyone's gone, what are you still staring at?"

"..."

Zhuang Dongqing lowered her eyes, "Well, the two elders of the Prince's Mansion are... quite different, huh?"

Cen Yan: "Are you trying to say that the Dowager Consort is troublesome, or that she follows the rules?"

There's no need to explain it so clearly.

Looking around, Zhuang Dongqing saw that everyone there was from her own courtyard. After thinking for a moment, she realized there was no reason why she couldn't speak frankly. She said, "I just feel that Consort Tao is quite polite."

Cen Yan gave him a meaningful look and smiled, "That's right."

Zhuang Dongqing felt there was something more to these words, but having only met Consort Tao once, she couldn't quite figure it out yet.

Zhuang Dongqing was curious about something else and couldn't suppress her curiosity, so she asked in a low voice after lunch when they were both in the inner room.

"Isn't Consort Tao very beautiful?"

Cen Yan: "Why do you say that?"

Zhuang Dongqing looked at Cen Yan's face and hesitated before asking, "Feeling?"

But Cen Yan kept everyone in suspense, saying, "You'll know when you see it this afternoon."

"It's probably not what you think."

Zhuang Dongqing became even more curious.

But it wasn't good to keep asking other people about my mother, so I held back.

Cen Yan: "Aren't you tired after all that fuss this morning?"

"……tired."

"Then take a nap, don't think about it anymore, are you sleepy?"

You don’t realize it until you ask, and Zhuang Dongqing is experiencing drowsiness.

He nodded and took a nap with Cen Yan.

When I woke up in the afternoon, Cen Yan was no longer by my side, so I guessed he had gone to his study to handle official business.

He woke up slowly, but after a nap, the events took an even more surreal turn.

"After tidying up, Consort Tao had lunch and went to the Consort's courtyard right on time to pay her respects."

Liu Fu said to Zhuang Dongqing.

The two women were a principal wife and a concubine.

Logically, a concubine should pay her respects to the principal wife. There was nothing wrong with Consort Tao's actions; she went after lunch and showed great respect for the principal wife.

Liu Fu: "But the Dowager Consort did not see her."

Zhuang Dongqing: "Huh?"

Liu Fu: "After drying for half an hour, finally..."

Zhuang Dongqing: "Did Consort Tao leave in the end?"

Liu Fu: "In the end, it was Manager Liu who went over and made Consort Tao leave."

Zhuang Dongqing: "Huh?!"

Liu Fu: "Then, Consort Tao said that etiquette should not be neglected, so she bowed to the courtyard as a sign of greeting before leaving."

"?!!"

No, oh no, oh no...

Zhuang Dongqing asked incredulously, "Is Consort Tao really that good-tempered?"

This question stumped Liu Fu. After thinking for a moment, he said with great uncertainty, "Perhaps, is that so?"

There are some things that Liu Fu, who is close to Zhuang Dongqing, knows, such as the matter of Cen Yan's birth mother.

Liu Fu: "If he weren't so good-tempered, and if the prince weren't his own son, there would be no need for him to be so servile, would there?"

This question also stumped Zhuang Dongqing.

It makes sense, but something feels off.

A short while later, Liu Qi, who had gone to act as a peacemaker, returned. From the moment he entered the courtyard, Zhuang Dongqing's curious eyes were fixed on him, watching him all the way to him. He followed Liu Qi into the study, and when Liu Qi came out of the study, his gaze continued.

Liu Qi: "..."

Feeling helpless under his gaze, Liu Qi had no choice but to step forward and greet Zhuang Dongqing, saying with a sigh, "Young Master, do you have something to ask me?"

Zhuang Dongqing: "You figured it out!"

"..." Given this appearance, it would be difficult for Liu Qi to pretend not to know.

Zhuang Dongqing: "I'm just a little curious."

"Please speak."

Zhuang Dongqing looked around, beckoned to Liu Qi, and whispered as Liu Qi approached, "Is this just the nature of Consort Tao?"

"Well, from what I see, he seems quite easy to talk to."

Liu Qi thought for a moment and nodded, "That's how it is with Consort Tao. I've never seen her blush since I was a child."

"She has a really good personality."

Liu Qi was speechless again.

Liu Qi remained silent, and Zhuang Dongqing was also confused. After staring at each other for a moment, Liu Qi said, "Young Master, you will know in a while. The way Consort Tao is is probably somewhat different from what you think."

"?"

Zhuang Dongqing wanted to ask more questions, but unfortunately, the weather turned bad and Cen Yan came out.

Zhuang Dongqing quickly distanced himself from Liu Qi and chuckled, urging Liu Qi to sit down and rest.

Liu Qi: "..."

Cen Yan: "..."

Cen Yan approached, pinched Zhuang Dongqing's cheek, and said with a smile, "Consort Tao is all ready, let's go over."

Yes, Liu Qi's arrival was actually to report this matter.

They had already paid their respects to the Dowager Consort at the other end of the courtyard.

They can go see Consort Tao now.

*

Although Cen Yan said it wasn't necessary, Zhuang Dongqing still changed her clothes out of courtesy.

Not particularly formal, Cen Yan didn't let him choose anything complicated, so he changed into something more appropriate.

When Zhuang Dongqing arrived at the Tao Consort's courtyard, it was her first time there. Compared to the Consort's residence, the scale was actually about the same, just a little further inside. There was no favoritism shown towards either side.

The announcement was made, and very quickly, a maid came out to fetch the person.

To be honest, Zhuang Dongqing still felt a little out of place, as if she were in a dream.

She is far inferior to the Dowager Consort.

However, what he didn't know was that this was only the beginning of this magical encounter.

Upon entering the main house, we greeted them and asked them to sit down.

Zhuang Dongqing raised his head and finally saw Consort Tao. She was indeed quite different from what he had imagined.

He thought that Consort Tao was like Cen Yan, with beautiful features and a striking appearance.

But no, not at all.

Consort Tao's appearance matched her temperament; she was gentle and graceful, with a natural charm in every gesture.

But she doesn't have a striking appearance.

Her headdress also favored jade, though it wasn't as extravagant as the Empress Dowager's, but it suited her gentle and graceful temperament perfectly. The jewelry complemented her without overshadowing her.

As she raised her hand to call out, Zhuang Dongqing also noticed a touch of red on Consort Tao's wrist.

Another string of Southern Red Agate.

However, the ice-flower-like texture is not entirely the same as the fleshy texture on Cen Yan's hand.

Zhuang Dongqing felt something was off, but upon closer inspection, Cen Yan and Consort Tao's facial features were indeed quite similar, yet their overall demeanor was completely different.

It wasn't good to stare at someone for too long, so the doubts were kept to themselves.

Then came the small talk.

Yes, she's very good at small talk.

Well, how should I put it... it was very thoughtful.

They even asked a few questions about the poisoning, which didn't seem like they were completely indifferent, leaving Zhuang Dongqing somewhat puzzled.

Cen Yan remained calm and answered the question without hesitation.

After a few words, they came to Zhuang Dongqing.

As usual, they asked for his name, age, and family background, which Zhuang Dongqing answered in detail.

Zhuang Dongqing was somewhat uneasy.

But after asking, Consort Tao immediately replied, "It's fine."

Zhuang Dongqing: "?"

Consort Tao: "I didn't expect you to like men. Now that you have someone to take care of you, you won't be lonely."

Ah, so... heartwarming?

Cen Yan simply nodded.

Consort Tao: "But what about offspring..."

Zhuang Dongqing perked up again, feeling that the conversation was on track.

Consort Tao asked, "Whom do you intend to adopt?"

Zhuang Dongqing: "??"

What Cen Yan said to the Dowager Consort was exactly what Dowager Consort Tao said.

It wasn't mentioned that Zhuang Dongqing could have children, but there's no need to worry about the child; if she does, it will definitely be her own.

Consort Tao nodded and breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, at least the Prince's Mansion won't be without its lineage."

“You’ve always been decisive, so I won’t ask any more questions.”

After speaking, her gaze towards Zhuang Dongqing became even more affectionate.

Zhuang Dongqing was completely bewildered.

After taking a sip of tea, the room fell silent for a moment before Consort Tao slowly asked, "Since your status is suitable, when do you plan to request an official title?"

Zhuang Dongqing: "?"

Intuition was telling him something, and Zhuang Dongqing asked, bewildered, "What request for an official seal?"

Consort Tao said, "Marriages in the Prince's residence all require His Majesty's approval. Whether it's a principal wife or a concubine, a formal request for appointment must be submitted. Since you two are so in love, when will you submit the appointment? Concubine..." She said one word, then looked at Cen Yan, thought for a moment, and said, "Shouldn't it be to request the appointment of a principal wife?"

Zhuang Dongqing: "Huh?"

Consort Tao thought she hadn't explained in enough detail, so she added, "Once the memorial is submitted, it takes some time for it to be approved. Only when it's approved can it be considered to have passed the official approval process, so as not to delay the subsequent preparations for the wedding."

Zhuang Dongqing: "Huh??"

Consort Tao: "Perfect timing. You can take care of the child then, which will be perfectly legitimate."

Zhuang Dongqing was completely speechless.

Question marks have piled up like bullet comments, flooding his world.