Chapter 3 Suitable to Repair
In the master bedroom of Wutong Courtyard, a beautiful young woman dressed in a soft and comfortable cheongsam leaned against a soft couch, gently stroking her protruding pregnant belly. Her unadorned face was tinged with a hint of sorrow.
"Consort, the medicine to prevent miscarriage is ready." A maid in purple carefully approached, carrying a bowl of dark brown herbal soup.
"Just leave it there, I can't drink it right now." Ulanara Yixiu waved her hand, her brows furrowed, showing no desire to take the medicine.
“Master…” Jianqiu obediently placed the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine on the small table beside her, her face showing worry, but she didn’t know how to comfort her master.
"Jianqiu, do you think Prince Yong is angry with me?" Yixiu stroked her belly, her face full of worry. Recently, Yinzhen's attitude towards her had changed drastically. Before, he often imagined life after the baby's birth with her and made promises… but lately he'd only visited two or three times, his gaze towards her was complicated, and she couldn't get any news from the front courtyard. Even Su Peisheng seemed to have fallen from grace…
Yixiu grew increasingly worried, constantly turning the jade bracelet on her wrist. It was a gift from Yinzhen to her when they married, with the words, "May we be like this bracelet, seeing each other day and night." So she always wore this jade bracelet, which now became her last comfort.
"Perhaps the Prince is too busy with affairs of the court, and he hasn't been to the inner courtyard lately. Your Highness need not worry too much," Jianqiu tried to persuade him, but deep down she was also uneasy. After all, the Fourth Prince had indeed neglected many of his concubines during this period, and if the servants in the courtyard hadn't been managed properly before, they would have been restless by now.
Jianqiu had heard a lot of gossip from the servants outside, but because the concubine was pregnant, she dared not report it.
How could Yixiu not see it at all? She just didn't want to cause more trouble, so she turned a blind eye.
"Sigh..." Yixiu leaned against the table listlessly, stirring the medicine bowl with one hand. She stared blankly at the sparse steam rising from the bowl, wondering how to win back Yinzhen's heart.
"Consort, Consort!" A maid in green rushed in from outside the door, accompanied by a joyful cry.
"Huichun, what kind of behavior is this, all flustered and panicked in front of the master?" Jianqiu's face was grim as she grabbed the excited Huichun. Only then did Huichun realize that her behavior was inappropriate, and she immediately knelt down.
“This servant deserves to die for disturbing my master. Please punish me.”
"You are guilty. As a head maid, your behavior has been improper..."
"Alright," Yixiu impatiently interrupted Jianqiu's reprimand, looking at Huichun kneeling on the ground, trembling with fear. After all, Huichun was her head maid who had served her for so many years, so she was willing to be lenient with her. So she asked, "Tell me, what is it that makes our Miss Huichun so happy?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Eunuch Gao from the front courtyard has come to deliver a message, saying that the Prince will be dining at Wutong Courtyard tonight..."
"Where is she?" Upon hearing Huichun's words, Yixiu immediately perked up and interrupted to ask.
"Eunuch Gao, Eunuch Gao, this servant has asked Xiu Xia to take you to the side hall for tea." Hui Chun answered cautiously, and Yi Xiu couldn't help but glance at her.
Huichun has never been as good at winning Jianqiu's heart. She is easily distracted by things and her actions are prone to setbacks. But fortunately, she is quick-witted and handles matters efficiently and appropriately, otherwise she wouldn't have survived to this day.
"Jianqiu".
Yi Xiu only needed to call out, and Jian Qiu instantly understood what she meant. She took two steps forward and supported Yi Xiu's arm, replying gently, "Master, there's no need to rush. You are dressed quite properly. It's the right time to take the medicine to prevent miscarriage. It won't be a problem to be delayed for a while."
"Yes, you're right." Yixiu nodded, said nothing more, picked up the medicine to prevent miscarriage, and began to take the soup spoonful by spoonful.
"This servant will go and invite Eunuch Gao over." Hui Chun finally came to her senses, composed herself, and reported respectfully with her head bowed.
"Go ahead." Yixiu adopted the airs of a concubine and waved for Huichun to leave.
"This servant takes her leave."
Seeing Huichun backing away to fetch someone, Yixiu fiddled with the soup spoon a couple of times, then simply picked up the delicate little bowl and drank the bitter medicine in one gulp. Jianqiu promptly took the empty bowl, handed over some candied fruit, and gently patted Yixiu's back to help her catch her breath.
Suppressing the bitterness in her mouth, Yixiu sighed and said, "Huichun is not steady enough and is far inferior to you."
"It's because her master dotes on her that she has such a personality," Jianqiu softly echoed.
"Very well, after all, we've grown up together. From now on, let Xiuxia handle the welcoming and seeing off, and Huichun can take care of the flowers and plants." Yixiu closed her eyes and casually decided Huichun's future tasks.
"This servant thanks you on behalf of Huichun, Master." Jianqiu gently massaged Yixiu's temples, inwardly relieved for Huichun. Yixiu was not unaware of Jianqiu's little scheme. But within her bottom line, she was willing to be a tolerant and good master.
A moment later, a respectful greeting came from outside the door: "This servant, Gao Wuyong, greets Consort Gao."
Jianqiu lifted the curtain, and with a friendly smile helped Gao Wuyong, who was bowing, to his feet, saying, "The concubine is currently taking her pregnancy-stabilizing medicine. Thank you for waiting a while, Eunuch Gao. Please come in."
"No, no," Gao Wuyong quickly waved his hand, his attitude as humble as ever, showing no sign of being stopped at the door. "It is a serious matter for Consort to take the medicine to prevent miscarriage. How could this servant delay it? Miss Jianqiu, you are too kind."
At this crucial moment in his competition with Su Peisheng, and seeing the possibility of replacing him, Gao Wuyong would not make a mistake at this time. Su Peisheng was a cautionary tale. He hadn't even become the chief eunuch yet, so he dared not get arrogant.
Gao Wuyong obediently followed Jianqiu into the inner room, and immediately greeted the upright Yixiu with a bow.
“No need for such formalities, sir.” Seeing Gao Wuyong’s humility, Yixiu’s smile softened even more, and she asked softly, “Does Your Highness have any instructions?”
"The Prince asked me to pass on a message to his concubine, inviting her to dine at the Wutong Courtyard tonight," Gao Wuyong replied earnestly, his head bowed.
Hearing Gao Wuyong's words, even though she had already known about them from Huichun, Yixiu's smile grew even sweeter. She quickly asked, "Eunuch Gao, does the master have any other instructions?"
"The master said it's just a regular dinner, no need to worry too much, everything should be focused on the concubine's health." Gao Wuyong relayed Yinzhen's words word by word, and could clearly feel that the concubine was in a better mood.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Please tell Eunuch Gao that I understand and will be waiting for Your Highness's arrival at the Wutong Courtyard with the child in my womb. I also hope Your Highness will take good care of yourself and not overwork." Yixiu touched her pregnant belly and listened to Gao Wuyong's relay, completely relieved, her tone sweet and happy.
"Yes, this servant will certainly reply truthfully. If the Consort has no further instructions, this servant will take his leave."
"Thank you for your help, Eunuch Gao. Jianqiu, see him off." Yixiu gave Jianqiu a look, and Jianqiu nodded in understanding.
"Yes." Jianqiu bowed, smiling as she saw Gao Wuyong to the door, silently handing him a purse. Gao Wuyong reached out and touched it; the thin purse was clearly a silver note. His smile widened as he tucked it into his sleeve. Thank goodness the Prince had warned him beforehand, otherwise he wouldn't have dared to accept the purse at this moment.
Seeing Gao Wuyong accept the purse, Jianqiu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled even more warmly. After watching Gao Wuyong walk away, she walked back to the courtyard with a smile on her face, ignoring the maids peeking out from outside.
"how?"
"Eunuch Gao accepted it."
"That's good." After hearing Jianqiu's report, Yixiu couldn't help but smile. He seemed to have thought of something and instructed, "Although the Prince said not to bother, we still need to eat well. Jianqiu, go to the main kitchen and prepare a table of nourishing dishes."
"Yes, this servant understands." Jianqiu understood, bowed, and walked towards the main kitchen, ensuring that everyone in the courtyard knew that the Prince was coming to Wutong Courtyard for dinner.
A maid who understands your heart is very useful. Seeing that Jianqiu had gone out, Yixiu turned around and, with Ran Dong's help, chose suitable clothes to prepare for dinner.
In short, Ulanara Yixiu will never lose. The Prince will ultimately favor her. The women in this manor who want to see her make a fool of herself can only dream of it in their next life.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
