Inside the Huatang Pavilion, Su Yushan, having found some free time, was sitting in front of her dressing table doing her makeup, while also quietly going over the ins and outs of the matter.
Chang Yue picked out a lotus-shaped pink hairpin and pinned it to her left side. She was about to choose earrings when someone came to report that Dong Ling, a maid from Lan Zhao Courtyard, had come to see her on the orders of the Fujin (princess's wife).
Su Yushan immediately straightened her back and looked up nervously, "How many people? Did they bring anything?"
The servant replied, "One person, empty-handed."
There was only one person, probably not the one who was going to force-feed Yan Yan the medicine. After all, she was someone from the Fujin Courtyard, and Su Yushan had to see her, so she had someone bring her in.
Upon entering, Dong Ling curtsied and greeted her, "Princess, the Princess Consort wishes to see you. Please come to Lan Zhao Courtyard."
When the Fujin saw her, she guessed it was about the talisman water again. Too lazy to socialize, Su Yushan coughed a few times, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, and said weakly:
"I have recently caught a cold and have a bad cough. I am feeling unwell and cannot go out to avoid infecting my wife. I will go to pay my respects to my wife after I have recovered."
The Fujin had anticipated this situation and had specifically instructed Dongling to handle it. Dongling had her own plan: "The Fujin has important matters to discuss with you. If you are not feeling well, a carriage has been prepared outside to take you there."
“I just got up and haven’t had breakfast yet. I’ll go after I finish breakfast.”
Su Gege was deliberately making excuses, clearly trying to delay the time and wait for the Fourth Prince to return. But how could the Princess Consort give her that chance? Dong Ling said unhurriedly:
"Lan Zhao Courtyard has prepared breakfast, so Your Highness will not go hungry. Please come with me."
Just as Su Yushan was about to make an excuse, she heard Dong Ling say again, "The Princess said that if you don't go, then Yunfang will not be able to stay in the mansion from now on."
Yu Ying knew she couldn't cause trouble for Su Yu Shan at will, but Yun Fang was just a maid. As the Fujin (princess's wife), it would be easy for her to deal with a maid. That's why she used Yun Fang to threaten Su Yu Shan.
Su Yushan understood perfectly well that the Fujin was implying that if she stubbornly refused to go today, the Fujin would find ways to make things difficult for the people around her in the future. With the Fujin's noble status, she had plenty of ways to deal with the servants of Huatang Pavilion!
To avoid implicating Yunfang, Su Yushan finally decided to go. Before leaving, she gave Yunfang a few instructions, which Yunfang silently remembered and nodded in agreement.
Then Su Yushan casually picked out a pair of coral earrings to wear, put on a fox fur cloak, took the hand warmer handed to her by Yunfang, and then got up to go to Lanzhao Courtyard.
The sky was overcast and windy today, howling like dull knives. She was alright wrapped in a cloak, but her cheeks were freezing cold, and her nose felt sore.
Early in the morning, she rushed to protect the child and went out without even putting on her cloak. Now, with the cold wind blowing, Su Yushan felt a headache coming on. She sighed inwardly at her bad luck, thinking that this whole ordeal might really make her catch a cold.
Upon entering the inner room, they saw the Princess Consort sitting against the bed curtains, her face pale and looking much more haggard. Su Yushan curtsied and greeted her according to custom, and Yuying responded with a forced smile.
"Please sit down! We're family, no need for formalities."
A maid brought over a round stool and placed it beside the tent. Su Yushan sat down, and as she expected, the Fujin (principal wife) mentioned Yan Yan again as soon as she spoke.
"The Fourth Master has never acknowledged the one in the other courtyard, so Yan Yan is considered the Fourth Master's eldest son by a concubine. The Fourth Master values him. As for me, I am the Fourth Master's legal wife. All the children in the mansion have to call me their legal mother. Whoever can give birth is your blessing. I have never forbidden my concubines from having children."
I will still love your child just the same, because I know very well that the Fourth Prince is a prince, and naturally the more offspring the better. You should know that I never intended to harm Yan Yan; I only hoped that my daughter would recover her health.
Ignoring all the pleasantries, Su Yushan spoke calmly, "The young princess is unwell and can only be treated by a doctor. The so-called witch doctor's talisman is utter nonsense. Your Highness should not believe in those supernatural tales."
Yu Ying frowned in displeasure and corrected her, "Wizards have saved many lives. If they didn't have real skills, why would the royal family believe in them? You don't understand these things, so you shouldn't slander them so casually."
"Religion is a matter of freedom, and I shouldn't interfere, but I don't believe in these things, so I won't let my child drink talisman water!"
"The wizard has pointed out the way. The only one who can save my daughter is Yan Yan. Sister Su, I know you have concerns and are worried that I will harm Yan Yan. But think about it, I was the one who made Yan Yan drink the divine water. If anything happens to Yan Yan, Fourth Master will definitely not forgive me. How could I so blatantly harm Yan Yan?"
Yu Ying tried her best to persuade Su Yu Shan, hoping she would change her mind, but Yu Shan's attitude remained firm.
“Your Highness may not have intended to harm anyone, but Yan Yan is only five months old. What will be the consequences if she drinks that rubbish? What if the little princess doesn’t get better, but Yan Yan gets sick instead? Who can bear the blame?”
"I'll take responsibility!" To alleviate her worries, Yu Ying took the initiative to assume the blame. "If anything happens to Yan Yan, I will apologize to Fourth Master!"
What good would her apology do? In the end, it would still be Yan Yan who suffered. Su Yushan wouldn't believe the Fujin's promise.
"I will not let my child take any risks. There is no room for discussion on this matter. Please forgive me, Madam!"
The conversation stalled, and Su Yushan rose to leave. Seeing this, Yuying immediately threw back the covers and got out of bed, not even having time to put on her shoes, and knelt on the ground.
"Sister Su, wait!"
Su Yushan was startled by the commotion and quickly bent down to help her up, "Madam, what are you doing? Please get up!"
With no other options, Yu Ying had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure. With red eyes, she pleaded with her, "I am not ordering you as the wife of the emperor, but as a mother begging you to save my daughter. She is such a young child, and she has been running a fever for four or five days. If we delay any longer, I am afraid something will happen to her!"
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