"You mean Chun'er? He's reading in his room." Consort Rong turned her head and glanced at the bedroom behind her.
"I really envy you, sister. The Fifth Prince is so obedient and studious now. When he grows up, he will surely be able to share His Majesty's burdens!" Consort Yu exclaimed.
"My beauty, please have some tea." Caiyue handed the tea to Yu Meiren.
Yu Meiren smiled as she accepted the teacup and took a sip of tea.
[As expected of a concubine who is related to a prince, her room not only has ice available, but even the tea is the finest Da Hong Pao, while in her own palace, she can only drink tea dregs.]
"I remember, when you were in Changqiu Palace, you said that conceiving a royal heir depends on human effort." After exchanging pleasantries with Consort Rong for a while, Consort Yu got down to business as it was getting late.
"My sister seems to have mentioned a recipe for conceiving a child," she said cautiously, watching Consort Rong's expression. After all, childbirth was an extremely sensitive matter for the concubines in the harem.
There is only one throne, but there are many princes.
"Ah, sister, please don't blame me for being abrupt. It's just that I suddenly thought of this matter recently and thought I'd like to ask you for your advice." Seeing that Consort Rong's expression was still faintly smiling, Consort Yu was a little at a loss.
This person is really something; no matter what I say, their expression remains completely indifferent.
"So that's what you meant, sister." Consort Rong nodded slightly, indicating that she understood what Consort Yu meant.
"I drank this medicine in my early years, and not long after, I conceived Chun'er."
“But so many years have passed, and the prescription has long been lost!” Consort Rong frowned slightly, looking embarrassed.
Upon hearing this, Yu Meiren was greatly disappointed. She deflated like a punctured balloon, her smile slowly fading and her face turning pale.
“However, if my sister wishes to use it, I can send someone back to my hometown to inquire. This prescription was originally written by a doctor in my hometown who specializes in treating fine women. This doctor is also an old acquaintance of my father. It is not impossible to obtain another prescription like this.” Consort Rong observed the changes in Consort Yu’s expression.
Having climbed the ranks in the palace for so many years, those who come to ask me for favors always have to pay a price.
【You think just giving me a bracelet will suffice? Hmph, what do you take this place for?】
[When asking for a favor, one should have the proper attitude; of course, you should do something for me.]
Seeing the changes in the expressions on her mistress and Yu Meiren's faces, Caiyue knew that her mistress had Yu Meiren firmly under her control. She couldn't help but admire her mistress's skill.
"Thank you, sister!" Yu Meiren's expression changed from sorrow to joy.
"I have no way to repay your kindness, sister!" Yu Meiren looked at Rong Pin with gratitude.
"This prescription isn't difficult, but..." Consort Rong wiped her nose with a handkerchief.
"But what? Please speak freely, sister." Consort Yu looked at Consort Rong nervously, afraid that she would not help her.
She desperately wanted a child. The harem was lonely, and she would be left destitute in her old age. If she could have a child, everything would change.
Even if she gave birth to a girl, let alone a prince, she would be content.
"However, the Imperial Medical Bureau in the palace doesn't have all the medicinal herbs here. Some of the less common and difficult-to-grow herbs can only be cultivated by that doctor from my hometown," Consort Rong said with a sigh.
"So, it takes a bit of effort to use this medicine," Consort Rong said, drawing out the last syllable.
"So it was really that difficult."
Yu Meiren remained silent for a long time, pondering Rong Pin's words in her heart, and seemed to gradually understand.
[When she first entered, Consort Rong asked her about the little princess's first birthday celebration.]
[Later, she repeatedly explained that the prescription was rare, and the medicinal materials were even rarer, yet she was willing to help him.]
[Is she implying that she wants me to do something for her?]
Could it be that Consort Rong is planning something at the little princess's first birthday banquet?
But what was the purpose of doing this? To kill the little princess? To implicate Radboud?
This person is truly remarkable!
Her words were so tactful, and her facial expressions seemed deliberately staged for her benefit. It was as if Consort Rong had already anticipated when to make which expression and what expression Consort Rong would give.
"Sister, I will always remember your kindness." Yu Meiren calmed herself down, her face sincere, and tentatively continued to ask.
"Sister just mentioned the little princess's first birthday banquet, and I suddenly remembered that Consort De meant that the food at the first birthday banquet would not be entirely prepared by the imperial kitchen."
[Why not reveal some information to test Consort Rong's intentions?]
"Oh, what do you mean?" Consort Rong showed great interest.
"They said the food in the Imperial Kitchen wasn't special, so they'll buy meat from Liu's Butcher Shop, pastries from Pinxiangzhai, and drinks from Manjianghong Restaurant."
"I see."
The two chatted for a while longer about the first birthday banquet. Consort Rong, satisfied, took Consort Yu's hand and said with a smile, "Don't worry about the prescription. I'll send a letter home right away."
"You, just stay in the palace and wait patiently for my news!"
“My sister, you should also come to my Yong’an Palace more often. The harem is lonely, so we sisters should visit each other more often.”
"Okay, thank you, sister. I'll come often. I hope you won't find me a bother."
...
The next morning, the sun shone brightly, a summer breeze caressed our faces, and everything seemed peaceful and serene.
But Yun Duoduo, with two huge dark circles under her eyes, was staring at the ceiling.
The deafening chirping of cicadas outside was driving her to the brink of a mental breakdown.
Don't these cicadas ever sleep? They chirp all night long, and the sound is so awful!
Ah Xiang placed the food sent from the imperial kitchen on the table, preparing to feed Yun Duoduo and Jin Zhuangzhuang some later.
"Someone has arrived at Changqiu Palace. It's Chunhua, the head maidservant of Consort De." A maidservant entered the bedroom to announce this.
"Changqiu Palace? Let her in." Ah Xiang glanced at Yun Duoduo on the bed, then walked to the door to greet the person from Changqiu Palace.
"Ah Xiang." Chunhua smiled and tugged at Ah Xiang's hand.
“Spring Flower.” Ah Xiang nodded.
"Ah Xiang, Her Majesty sent me to fetch the little princess to Changqiu Palace." Chunhua arrived at Fushuang Palace with several people, saying that the little princess, Yun Duoduo, was to stay at Changqiu Palace for a few days.
Now, the first birthday banquet is entirely handled by Consort De. On the day of the banquet, the little princess's clothes and jewelry need to be prepared by Consort De. Having Yun Duoduo stay in Changqiu Palace is also convenient for her to try on clothes and jewelry. If there are any ill-fitting parts, the Shangyi Bureau can make alterations in time.
Moreover, the specific procedures for the first birthday banquet need to be familiarized with by Yun Duoduo in advance. Rehearsing them several times at Changqiu Palace is the best way to avoid mistakes.
"Yes, I heard about it."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
