Chapter 78: Accompanied by the suicide note, Cheng Qianyue's belly healed after August...
As August passed, Cheng Qianyue's belly grew larger and larger, looking like she was holding a winter melon in her arms. She now found walking a bit difficult, and would be out of breath after moving around for less than five minutes while supporting her belly. At the same time, the baby's movements in her womb became more and more obvious, kicking and thrashing about every night, making it difficult for Cheng Qianyue to sleep well.
She didn't know if the baby in her belly was conscious or could understand her words, but whenever she had a spare moment, she would mutter to her belly, things like, "Be good, don't bother me, don't linger when I give birth," and so on. Later, she even made harsh remarks, saying things like, "You don't want to be born without a mother's love, do you? Having a stepmother means having a stepfather," and so on.
Then, as she talked, she felt her fear return.
Cheng Qianyue felt her thoughts were out of control. She knew it was wrong to think this way, because people should live in the present and be positive, but she just couldn't help but let her mind wander. Her thoughts and feelings were like a landslide; even the strongest dam would crack under such an impact.
Cheng Qianyue had to prepare for the worst. If she really died, she had to ensure her child's future. So she ordered someone to take stock of her belongings. Money, jewelry, fabrics, utensils, and a thick stack of books were all brought over.
Cheng Qianyue felt that this wasn't enough, so she asked people to find her more books. She wanted everything from the Four Books and Five Classics to classical texts, arithmetic, encyclopedias, and even novels and essays. Modern people say that the old shouldn't read *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* and the young shouldn't read *Water Margin*, and since *Dream of the Red Chamber*, one of the Four Great Classical Novels, hadn't been published yet, she asked people to find *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* and *Journey to the West*. In the end, her servants brought her several large boxes of books.
She touched the Third Prince's forehead and instructed him that these were all good things, and that he should thoroughly study and understand these books, and then put his knowledge into practice. After she finished speaking, she ordered people to carry all the boxes to the Third Prince's room.
After that, Cheng Qianyue began writing her will.
She didn't dare tell anyone that she was writing a will. She simply asked for pen and ink and then dismissed everyone. She picked up the pen and thought for a long time before finally deciding to say goodbye to Yinreng first, telling him she didn't regret being with him and hoped that after her death he would consider their child's well-being, given her years of service. Next, she addressed the Third Prince, urging him to listen to his father and that she would watch over him from heaven even after she was gone. Finally, she addressed the Cheng family, expressing her regret for her filial impiety and hoping that Cheng Yexing would take care of them in their old age.
After writing all this, Cheng Qianyue immediately thought of the people who had served her.
She pleaded with Yinreng on their behalf, hoping that he would not take his anger out on them because of her death. She asked that after her death, her belongings be divided among them, and that any who were willing to serve the prince be kept, while the rest be released.
She was writing quietly and furtively when she heard people outside greeting her. Cheng Qianyue was startled and hurriedly stuffed the unfinished suicide note under the cushion beneath her.
Yinreng walked in with a sullen face. Cheng Qianyue had just had someone take inventory of things and brought several boxes of books into Donglizhai from outside, and he found out about it the next day. The moment he heard the news, his heart felt like it stopped beating. This kind of entrustment made him feel uneasy.
When Cheng Qianyue saw him come in, she stood up, looked at him cautiously, and tried her best to smile at him.
Yinreng became even angrier when he saw her smile like that, because whenever she showed that smile, it meant she was hiding something from him. He sat down sternly, glanced at the table on the couch, and frowned, because there were writing brushes, ink, and paper with ink stains on them.
When Cheng Qianyue saw that Yinreng didn't speak after entering and his eyes were scanning around, she became restless and whispered, "Master?"
Yinreng hummed in agreement, then fixed his gaze on Cheng Qianyue. After a long while, he sighed and asked, "I heard you had a lot of things packed?"
Cheng Qianyue pursed her lips, lowered her head, and said, "I just wanted to sort things out."
"Why bother with this? There will be plenty of time to organize the storeroom later," Yinreng said emphatically, then looked at the desk and asked, "What are you writing?"
Cheng Qianyue lowered her head even further and murmured, "It's nothing."
It would be a miracle if Yinreng believed her. He stood up and stood opposite Cheng Qianyue, his shadow completely enveloping her. Cheng Qianyue felt a little suffocated by his imposing presence.
Yinreng tried to soften his tone and said gently, "Show me what you wrote."
Cheng Qianyue stiffened her neck and shook her head.
Yinreng's breath hitched, and then he felt Cheng Qianyue's gaze subtly glancing under the cushion. Upon closer inspection, he noticed black specks on the light-colored cushion. Caught off guard, he bent down and snatched the loosely hidden crumpled paper. He quickly unfolded the paper, skimmed through it, and then tossed it away after a cursory glance.
"Why did you write this! Why did you write this!" Yinreng clenched his fists and got angry.
Cheng Qianyue stared at him longingly, her lips moving slightly as she tremblingly reached out to tug at his sleeve: "Yinreng, promise me, okay? If... if..." She didn't dare utter the word "death" after all, and took a deep breath to plead with him: "If things go wrong, just do as I wrote in my superiors."
Yinreng shoved her away and said sternly, "Don't even think about it!" He felt she was cursing him, and he was both shocked and furious. He roared at the outside, "Get in here, all of you!"
Those waiting outside came in and knelt. Even Chen He, who had been standing by the pillar in the outer room, came forward and knelt down.
Yinreng pointed to the row of kneeling heads and said, "If anything happens to you, I will make sure all of you are buried with me!" His eyes flashed with cold light as he continued angrily, "You've always been kind-hearted. If you think these servants' lives don't matter, then go to hell. The moment you leave, I'll send them down to serve you!"
After yelling at Cheng Qianyue, he then lashed out at his subordinates: "You serve us poorly and carelessly, letting your master have all the wild thoughts you want. What kind of servants are you? What use are you to me?!"
Ruoyun and the nanny were thoroughly scolded and lay trembling on the ground.
Seeing him like this, Cheng Qianyue burst into tears. With a sob in her voice, she reached out and grabbed his sleeve again, whispering, "Master."
Yinreng paused, startled by her gesture, and said in a low voice to those below, "Get out of here, all of you." He was breathing heavily, even when he sat back on the couch, his breathing was still rough and heavy. After a long while, he seemed to calm down on his own, and casually lifted the table and moved to stand in front of Cheng Qianyue.
His expression was solemn as he said to her, word by word, "Trust me, you will have a smooth delivery and both mother and child will be safe." He held Cheng Qianyue's hand and continued, "No matter what, you will be alright, I said."
With tears welling up in her eyes, Cheng Qianyue threw herself into his arms, thinking to herself that she would try her best, she would definitely try her best.
Before evening even arrived, Cheng Qianyue's mother, Lady Hitara, was brought in by Yinreng from outside. As soon as Lady Hitara arrived, she brought Cheng Qianyue some good news, saying that her sister-in-law, Lady Yulu, had given birth.
Hitara said, "It's all thanks to you that your sister-in-law had such a smooth delivery. If possible, I'll bring the child over for you to see once she's a little older. You don't know, her nose and eyes are just like your brother's when he was a child."
Cheng Qianyue was stunned by her mother's rambling words and asked with wide eyes, "Really? So my sister-in-law is in confinement now?"
Xitala pretended not to notice her daughter's seemingly tearful eyes and said with a smile, "Yes, but I have no interest in serving her. I've served the Emperor before, what's the point of serving her? I'd rather serve you." She pointed outwards and said decisively, "Let's buy two maids for her to do as she pleases. Anyway, I'm not home, so she can act like the eldest mistress of the Cheng family."
Cheng Qianyue was amused by her mother's words and leaned softly against Xitala's shoulder.
Hitara's eyes revealed a hint of worry, but she quickly regained her composure and continued to ask, "How many months has it been? Let me touch it."
Cheng Qianyue said, "It's been almost seven months, and they keep moving around inside, so I can't sleep well."
Hittara said, "Just like you, you were like this when you were in my belly, moving your little arms and legs all the time. That's why I gave birth to you so quickly. The midwife who delivered me said that all babies born are quick. But I would say that you were bored in my belly for too long and wanted to come out and play as soon as possible."
She touched Cheng Qianyue's belly and said, "I think they want to come out quickly too." Then she softened her voice, "Be good after you come out, don't make your mother worry." Xitala sighed and then glared at Cheng Qianyue, "Don't be like your mother, acting like a debt collector."
Cheng Qianyue pouted. When did she become a debt collector? Even when they were little, Xitala Shi loved her antics, okay? Humph!
For some reason, Cheng Qianyue felt at ease as soon as Xitala arrived. In her eyes, her mother was a very reliable person who did everything with great order and method. Moreover, Xitala was different from Yinreng; she didn't have to worry about anything and could say whatever she wanted. Even if Xitala grumbled that she had no sense of propriety, she would still be happy.
Then, Xitala easily lifted Cheng Qianyue up and had her lead her around the garden. Cheng Qianyue was reluctant because she was heavy, so Xitala said, "Do you think the sedan chairs in the garden are just for show? Hurry up, the weather is getting cooler now anyway, just take me for a stroll, I haven't been to the West Garden yet."
So Cheng Qianyue would take Xitala out for a stroll every morning and evening. If Cheng Qianyue got tired, she would get into a sedan chair and be carried, or rest in a pavilion. Xitala would tell her which buildings in the West Garden corresponded to which places in the Changchun Garden, and she would also talk about her time serving in the Changchun Garden, even secretly telling her gossip that she had heard from others before.
Hey, this is really strange. Cheng Qianyue had never heard Xitala say such nonsense before. She became very interested and listened attentively.
It's about Consort Yi and Consort De. At that time, the people in the Changchun Garden's flower workshop specially cultivated a peony, one of which was a two-colored variety called "Hua Er Qiao," a very rare variety, and only four pots were ever grown. The Emperor gave two of them to the Empress Dowager, moved one to the Qingxi Study for his own enjoyment, and finally, the remaining peony was chosen by Consort Yi and Consort De.
"And then?" Cheng Qianyue asked, full of curiosity.
Hitara whispered, "Consort Yi went to plead with the Emperor, and when Consort De found out, she said that since Consort Yi liked it, she wouldn't want it. The Emperor then praised Consort De for her kindness. However, I heard that Consort Yi seemed unhappy, as if she didn't want others to give in to her and act like she was being unreasonable."
Cheng Qianyue had heard a whole lot of gossip like this. She couldn't think about anything else; her mind was full of stories about the power struggles in Emperor Kangxi's harem from years ago.
September passed slowly, and the Emperor was to return to the palace. Since the Emperor was going back, the people from the West Garden would certainly have to return to the Forbidden City as well. Yinreng was worried that the long journey would be too arduous for Cheng Qianyue, but he was even more concerned about leaving her alone in the West Garden to give birth.
However, he couldn't personally manage such matters of carriages, as he had to accompany the emperor. So he arranged things in advance and asked Lady Hitara to keep an eye on things.
He summoned Lady Hitara with the thought that having her mother-in-law by her side would improve Cheng Qianyue's mood. And indeed, as he expected, Cheng Qianyue became much more lively and stopped worrying about trivial matters. He said, "I've troubled my mother-in-law so much these past few days." He then bestowed many gifts upon her, saying it was to express his gratitude for her hard work and as a full-month celebration gift for Cheng Yexing's daughter.
Xitala couldn't bear the title of "mother-in-law" and quickly knelt down to express her gratitude.
A few days later, they were about to set off. However, Cheng Qianyue departed later than everyone else. Even the Crown Princess of Duanbentang had already boarded her carriage, while Cheng Qianyue hadn't even left Donglizhai yet. It wasn't until after noon, after Cheng Qianyue had finished her lunch and taken a short nap, that she finally set off.
The sedan bearers carried her to the side gate, where the carriage was already prepared.
The carriage was thoroughly inspected inside and out. Xitala and her men practically turned the carriage upside down, making sure there were no wood chips or scraps that might hurt anyone. After the inspection, they laid several layers of mattresses on the seats and the chassis before finally helping Cheng Qianyue up.
Cheng Qianyue was particularly reluctant to part with Xitala, and muttered, "Mother, I really don't want to leave you."
A woman of Xitala's status couldn't enter the Forbidden City. She was going to return home as soon as Cheng Qianyue and her entourage left. She said in a deep voice, "If you really can't bear to part with me, then when you come to the garden again next year, just invite me in. I haven't even finished exploring the West Garden yet."
Cheng Qianyue felt a lump in her throat from what Xitala said, and nodded heavily, saying, "Okay, I'll definitely call you then."
Xitala helped Cheng Qianyue into the carriage and then pulled the curtain closed. "Alright, let's hurry up and go, don't be late. I still need to check on your brother's rented place later." As she spoke, she stood by the roadside, staring intently at the departing carriage.
The carriage began to move, and Hitara looked and looked, but her legs started moving too. She didn't know why she was doing something so foolish as to chase after the carriage, but her legs just wouldn't obey her. She started walking, then started running, and ran and ran, following the caravan for quite a while, until she was so tired that she had to stop and catch her breath.
Once I caught my breath and looked up, the carriage was just a shadow.
She knew she couldn't catch up.
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