The miscarriage in the first month had severely weakened Princess Consort Qi’s body and dampened her spirits, but hearing the news of Prince Jin’s punishment revitalized her: “My lord, has Prince Jin truly been sentenced to guard the imperial tombs?”
Prince Qi smiled, “It’s no lie. Not just him, but his wife and children must go too. Even Consort An, who was enjoying luxury in the palace, has been expelled by Father Emperor.”
“Wonderful, wonderful!” Princess Consort Qi touched her abdomen and began to cry, “My child, did you hear? Your father has finally avenged you!”
The lost child had become a thorn in Prince Qi’s heart, making him reluctant to address the topic, especially seeing his wife in such a state.
He frowned and said, “Those who harmed our child have received their due punishment. Please set your mind at ease. Once you’ve recovered, we will surely have another child.”
Princess Consort Qi wiped her tears, managing a rare smile: “Yes, I’ll listen to you, my lord. Thanks to you, those who harmed our child have been punished.”
She wasn’t yet thirty; as long as she took good care of herself, another child would surely come.
“That’s better.” Prince Qi embraced her shoulders, patting them gently.
With Third Brother fallen, his chances had improved, but this meant he needed to be even more vigilant. He couldn’t afford to have a weeping wife holding him back.
When Yu Jin returned to Prince Yan’s mansion, he spoke of the turmoil outside.
Jiang Si was more interested in how he had saved young Chun.
“Saving someone’s life by breathing into them is indeed remarkable.”
As Yu Jin had mentioned, the South had many waterways, and drowning incidents were common. She had witnessed several herself but had never seen this life-saving method.
It seemed they hadn’t experienced the same South.
A handsome face drew close, suddenly filling her vision.
His breath was warm, his gaze even warmer.
“Ah Si, if you’re curious, why don’t we try it?”
Jiang Si froze slightly, seeing suppressed flames in those impossibly delicate eyes.
She thought of Mama Ji, who often hovered around her.
The old mama had been quite direct: “The Prince is in his prime. Can Your Highness bear to let him endure like this? If you don’t want to use the palace’s teaching maids, that’s fine, but why not choose one or two trustworthy women with good character to serve the Prince? Isn’t that better than him forming attachments outside due to impulses? That would truly leave Your Highness in tears…”
In the end, the frank-speaking Mama Ji was sent by Yu Jin to scrub chamber pots, and only after Jiang Si’s intervention was she released from the privy.
Jiang Si wrapped her arms around Yu Jin’s neck, pulling him closer until their lips met: “Let’s try then.”
She had secretly researched that it was possible even during pregnancy. She would never arrange other women for Ah Jin!
Yu Jin frantically retreated half a zhang away, flustered: “Ah Si, let’s just talk normally, that’s good enough…”
Jiang Si laughed: “Don’t want to try anymore?”
“Not now, we can try later.” He wiped his sweat, secretly smiling bitterly at how his composure had been shaken.
Before the child was born, he wouldn’t dare joke with Ah Si like this again – he always ended up at a disadvantage.
“When will it be born?” Yu Jin reached out to touch Jiang Si’s slightly swollen belly.
Lacking experience herself, Jiang Si could only repeat the physician’s words: “Didn’t Doctor Liang say a late fifth month or early sixth month?”
Mentioning the expected delivery date, Jiang Si showed some concern: “It would be better to be born in the sixth month.”
“Why?” Yu Jin was puzzled, “By the sixth month, it will be hot, making your confinement more difficult.”
Jiang Si gave him a reproachful look: “Have you forgotten our local saying that children born in the poisonous fifth month are unlucky, especially those born on the Dragon Boat Festival?”
Yu Jin couldn’t help but laugh: “Ah Si, how can you believe in such superstitions?”
Jiang Si gently stroked her belly, sighing: “Perhaps it’s because I’m becoming a mother. For oneself, others’ opinions don’t matter, but for one’s child, you hope they’ll face fewer hardships.”
Yu Jin stared at her belly and smiled: “Then I hope it’s a boy.”
“Why?”
“Boys are tough, a little hardship isn’t bad.” Yu Jin smiled and pointed at himself, “Look at me, people said I would harm a nation’s ruler since childhood. Compared to that, what’s being born in the poisonous fifth month? Haven’t I grown up fine? My brothers aren’t as handsome as me, aren’t as wealthy, and don’t have such a beautiful wife…”
He rambled on, making Jiang Si laugh until her worries completely disappeared.
Just then, Ah Qiao came to report that Jing Garden had sent gifts.
Jing Garden’s gifts were numerous, arriving by carriage. The estate’s steward repeatedly thanked Yu Jin and his wife before departing.
“Second Brother knows to send gifts now, he’s improved.”
As Jiang Si delegated the task of organizing the gifts to the maids, she sighed: “After the incident where Prince Jing’s heir was nearly harmed, Prince Jing might rise again with just one more opportunity.”
Rising only to fall from grace again, the second time would truly be an eternal fall. She pitied Princess Consort Jing…
Thinking of Princess Consort Jing’s fate in her previous life, Jiang Si felt heavy-hearted.
The gifts from Jing Garden included many items suitable for children, clearly prepared with thought.
Jiang Si had considerable goodwill toward the former Crown Princess, now Princess Consort Jing.
She was a perceptive woman, unfortunately, matched with the wrong person.
This was what made Jiang Si occasionally feel helpless and dejected.
There were so many excellent women in this world, but once they married, their glory or shame largely depended on their husbands.
This was truly unfair. Perhaps when she had enough power, she should do something about it.
“Let him rise or fall as he will, flipping around like a stinking fish.” Yu Jin was tired of discussing the former Crown Prince and led Jiang Si to eat.
At the Minister of Rites’ mansion, Lord and Lady Yang met with Prince Jing and his wife under the pretext of visiting their grandson.
Lord Yang and the former Crown Prince talked in the study.
“Father-in-law, you almost lost your grandson. That beast Jin is truly worthless!”
Hearing the former Crown Prince curse so plainly, Lord Yang felt a chill in his heart.
Couldn’t his son-in-law be more composed?
“Fortunately, young Chun is safe, and My Lord has turned misfortune into a blessing.”
“Blessing?” The former Crown Prince was startled.
“Yes. Think about it, My Lord. Prince Jin harmed Young Chun for the position of Crown Prince. Seeing how the vacant position causes such incidents, the Emperor won’t delay anymore. He’ll likely decide on establishing a Crown Prince soon. Isn’t this your opportunity?”
The former Crown Prince blinked, asking anxiously: “But what if Father Emperor chooses someone else?”
Lord Yang’s mouth twitched as he asked: “Who does My Lord think has the best chance?”
The former Crown Prince thought for a moment and ventured: “Prince Qi?”
Lord Yang shook his head and said earnestly: “My Lord is mistaken. You have the best chance!”