In the month following Princess Yongning and Li Xian’s marriage, everything passed peacefully and without incident.
The heated discussions in Yanjing about this marriage gradually cooled, and people were drawn to fresh new topics. The court also appeared to have no major incidents brewing, with everything calm on the surface.
Inside the Right Chancellor’s residence, Princess Yongning sat in her room, having Meixiang bring her pickled salted plums to eat. After becoming pregnant, she had grown increasingly fond of sour foods, and she regularly had Meixiang prepare more. Fortunately, at the Right Chancellor’s residence, she was relatively free. Li Zhongnan and his three sons were busy with government affairs during the day and not at home. Apart from Madam Li, there were no other significant people in the residence. Moreover, her mother-in-law had a gentle temperament and was entirely accommodating toward her daughter-in-law. After marrying in, Princess Yongning was quite satisfied.
On their wedding night, the pot of wine Princess Yongning had Meixiang prepare never saw use. The moment Li Xian entered the room and blew out the lamp, he became drunk before taking more than a few steps. Princess Yongning managed with great difficulty to drag him onto the bed, then fell asleep herself. By the next morning, there were pre-prepared traces on the bed. Princess Yongning only needed to wake up sleepy-eyed.
In any case, Li Xian had been drunk, and drunk people do not know what they have actually done.
After the wedding night, Princess Yongning used the excuse of catching a chill to avoid sharing a room with Li Xian. She could not use such methods every day—she was always afraid of revealing herself. If people discovered she was pregnant, she did not know whether the child in her belly could even be preserved.
Princess Yongning had originally thought Li Xian would be displeased or suspicious, but this Young Master Li lived up to his reputation for having a good temperament and surprisingly raised no questions. Each night he simply slept in the study.
This made Princess Yongning even more satisfied. The child in her belly would be nearly two months along in just a few more days. At that time, she only needed to show signs of physical discomfort, have a physician take her pulse, slightly adjust the timing, and claim she had conceived on the wedding night. For the time being, she could rest easy.
Today Li Xian had gone to court early in the morning. After finishing the last plum in her dish, Princess Yongning stood up and said, “Staying cooped up in the room is so stifling. Meixiang, accompany me for a walk outside.”
Meixiang quickly came over to support Princess Yongning as they walked out of the Li residence.
The servants of the Li household all bowed respectfully upon seeing her. Princess Yongning’s status at the Right Chancellor’s residence could be said to be quite elevated. Perhaps Prince Cheng had given Li Zhongnan advance notice—in any case, being at the Right Chancellor’s residence was no different from being at the Princess’s mansion. Princess Yongning did not even need to pay morning and evening respects to her mother-in-law every day; she only needed to maintain appearances.
For Princess Yongning, she did not deign to curry favor with anyone. She believed her stay at the Right Chancellor’s residence was only temporary. One day, she would marry into the Shen family and become a member of the Shen household. Therefore, there was no need to waste energy on the Li family.
“Which direction would Your Highness like to walk?” Meixiang asked.
Princess Yongning glanced around and casually pointed in a direction. “That way. I’ve heard Li Xian usually resides there. These past days I’ve been sleeping separately from him, yet he has shown no complaint whatsoever. Could it be he has already taken in some chamber maid or the like on that side? If that’s true, naturally such a person should come meet me, his legitimate wife.”
A flash of malice crossed Princess Yongning’s eyes. She had no desire to be the Li family’s eldest daughter-in-law, but once she bore this title, using it to torment others was her favorite pastime. Now that Li Xian was sleeping separately from her, Princess Yongning wanted to see whether Li Xian’s tacit acceptance meant he already had someone else warming his bed. If it were true, she would not mind properly dealing with such women. Since this marriage made her unhappy, she would find ways to make others unhappy.
In any case, others would not dare say anything, and Li Xian would not dare say anything. They were merely women of lowly status—he surely could not be disrespectful to her for the sake of such women, could he?
With this thought in mind, Princess Yongning and Meixiang headed toward the courtyard where Li Xian usually resided.
She had heard that Li Xian’s courtyard was rather out of the way, and this time Princess Yongning truly experienced it. After walking for a while, she felt somewhat tired—perhaps because her body was now heavy with child. Meixiang supported her as they walked and walked until finally they arrived. Meixiang said, “Your Highness, we’re here.”
The courtyard was indeed built quite elegantly, with a large patch of bamboo planted behind it, lush and verdant. It was exceptionally quiet, without even a sweeping servant outside.
“Does Young Master Li have no one to serve him normally?” Meixiang said quietly. “Why can’t we see even a single servant here?”
“How is that possible?” Princess Yongning also found it strange. She thought for a moment, her eyebrows arching high. “Perhaps he’s hiding a beauty in a golden house. Come, let’s go in and see.”
“Going in so rashly—won’t Young Master Li be angry? What if there’s some secret inside…” Meixiang was still hesitating. Princess Yongning glared at her. “What right does he have to be angry? I married into their family, so naturally I can look anywhere. Besides, what if there are secrets? Could he possibly want to hide things from me? The more they want to hide something, the more I want to see clearly what schemes the Li family is plotting behind the scenes!” As she spoke, she pushed Meixiang aside and went in herself, pushing the door open.
Meixiang felt utterly helpless. After Princess Yongning learned she was pregnant, she had restrained her temperament for a period. But now that she had married into the Li family and the wedding night had passed safely, her temperament had revealed itself again. She did not know how to keep her head down and was even more ostentatious than before.
Meixiang followed her in, only to see Princess Yongning standing in the doorway with furrowed brows, not going further inside. Meixiang looked in and saw this was a room that resembled a study, yet it also had a bed inside. It was actually quite spacious, enough to match an ordinary large courtyard. Living here, food, clothing, and daily needs would pose no problem.
But this was not what was surprising. What was surprising was that there were many people in the room. They were all youths or children of not very old age, whose clothing made them look like well-dressed servants. All were born delicate and frail-looking.
Princess Yongning’s brows furrowed. There were actually no maidservants discovered in the room, which was contrary to her expectations. She looked toward the child standing nearest. This child appeared to be only eight or nine years old and stared blankly at the two of them, as if not recognizing them. He neither bowed nor spoke, and she did not know if he was simple-minded.
“Who are you?” Princess Yongning asked him.
The child still stared at her blankly, not speaking a word. Princess Yongning was about to lose her temper when, at that moment, a slightly older youth suddenly pulled the child aside and pointed at his own mouth before shaking his head at Princess Yongning.
“Your Highness, they seem to be mutes,” Meixiang discerned.
“Mutes?” Princess Yongning was startled and looked toward the other people in the room. There were about ten youths and children in total. Yet they all stared at them blankly, saying nothing at all. Princess Yongning suddenly understood where that strange feeling upon entering the room had come from—it was because the room was far too quiet. With so many people present, yet not making a single sound or movement—wasn’t that very strange?
“Could all these people be mutes?” Princess Yongning asked with a frown.
The youth holding the child nodded vigorously.
“They really are,” Meixiang said.
“What is Li Xian doing with so many mutes here?” Princess Yongning rubbed her own arm. “How eerie.”
“Perhaps these are all servants. Look, they’re all wearing servants’ clothing. Oh,” Meixiang said, “this servant suddenly remembers—I’ve heard that this Young Master Li is normally quite benevolent and takes in orphans without fathers or mothers, letting them serve as servants in the residence. This servant didn’t think of it before, but now seeing these servants are all not very old, they’re very likely the orphans Young Master Li has taken in.”
Princess Yongning laughed mockingly. “So according to this, Li Xian is quite the great benefactor? But how is it such a coincidence that every orphan he takes in is a mute? Perhaps he poisoned them into muteness himself.”
Meixiang paused, then said softly, “Every household has quite a few secrets. Since this is a study, presumably it contains many important things. Perhaps Young Master Li made these people into mutes to prevent these secrets from being discovered.”
Though this was clearly a cruel matter, when these master and servant discussed it, it sounded as if it were perfectly commonplace. Princess Yongning said, “Only the dead can truly keep secrets. If he really wanted to prevent discovery, he should simply kill these people. Why keep them? Or he should never have brought them back to the residence in the first place. I think this Li Xian is a fool.”
Meixiang said nothing. She was merely a maidservant and could not comment on her masters.
“Forget it. Since there are no women here, staying is uncomfortable. Let’s go.” Princess Yongning glanced once more at these young people. “If he wants to play the benevolent one, let him. At least I’m not the fool.”
Meixiang and Princess Yongning left the room. The room remained utterly silent. After the door was closed, it was as if no one were inside at all. But in reality, there was a whole room full of people. Thinking of these people silently working and moving about in the room, Princess Yongning felt a chill run through her entire body. Suddenly, she felt nauseous in her chest. She quickly walked to a tree in the courtyard, supported herself against the trunk, and began to vomit.
“Your Highness!” Meixiang cried out. Princess Yongning stretched her hand toward her. “Medicine!”
Meixiang drew medicine from her sleeve and gave it to Princess Yongning to take. Princess Yongning leaned against the tree to rest for a while before saying, “The morning sickness is getting worse. In a few more days, have a physician come and tell Li Xian I’m pregnant, but not yet a full month.”
Meixiang nodded in acknowledgment.
“These past days, Young Master Shen hasn’t come to see me either…” As Princess Yongning spoke, her tone turned sorrowful again. “His own child, yet he doesn’t care, just letting me marry into the Li family. If the matter is exposed, he’ll be implicated too.”
Meixiang was just about to offer some words of comfort when she suddenly heard the crisp sound of something falling to the ground from the wall. Princess Yongning whipped her head around. “Who’s there?” Meixiang had already rushed forward quickly. The person hiding behind the wall was probably panicked and flustered—before she could run more than a few steps, she fell down and was soon dragged before Princess Yongning by Meixiang.
“Who are you? How dare you eavesdrop on my conversation!” Princess Yongning raged.
“Your Highness, spare me,” the woman said fearfully. “This subject heard nothing! This subject didn’t mean to—I just walked to the wall and twisted my ankle!”
“Subject?” Princess Yongning was startled and carefully examined the woman. Seeing that she was not dressed like a servant and her face was very familiar, she could not recall for a moment. But Meixiang’s eyes lit up. “Your Highness, this is Third Miss Jiang from the Chief Minister’s household!”
Third Miss Jiang? Jiang Youyao!
Jiang Youyao’s heart filled with terror. In her panic, she had blurted out the word “subject,” which already filled her with regret. Now to have her identity exposed by the maidservant at Princess Yongning’s side—she truly did not know what to do.
“Jiang Youyao?” Princess Yongning also remembered. “How are you at the Li residence?”
Meixiang leaned close to Princess Yongning. “Some days ago, I heard the Prefect of Jingzhao mention that Third Miss Jiang from the Jiang family has gone missing. Chief Minister Jiang is searching everywhere for her, but to protect Third Miss Jiang’s reputation, they haven’t publicized it widely.”
Princess Yongning understood. “Could it be you’ve been having a secret affair? Are you someone Li Xian is keeping in the residence?”
Jiang Youyao got a fright. She knew that now Princess Yongning and Li Xian were married, and if she were taken for a vixen seducing Li Xian, there would surely be thunderous retribution. Therefore, she hastily denied it, saying, “This subject doesn’t know Young Master Li. This subject was harmed by someone outside initially. Thanks to Second Young Master Li’s intervention to help, Second Young Master Li brought this subject back to the residence to recuperate from injuries.”
“Recuperate from injuries at the residence?” Princess Yongning laughed. “Why didn’t you return to the Jiang residence to recuperate? I’m afraid you’re using the name of recuperation to carry on illicit affairs.”
Though her words were so unpleasant, Jiang Youyao dared not refute them. This was the Li household, not the Jiang household—no one could protect her here. Moreover, the other party was Princess Yongning, that arrogant and domineering person of high status.
“Your Highness, this woman cannot be allowed to remain,” Meixiang said in a low voice. “She just heard what this servant and Your Highness were saying…”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Youyao was so frightened she trembled like chaff. “This subject heard nothing! This subject heard nothing!” She was scared out of her wits, crying out in her heart. Today she had gotten into an argument with the maids in Li Lian’s courtyard. In a fit of anger, she had walked out, thinking to take a stroll outside Li Xian’s courtyard. Who would have known that just as she arrived, she would see Princess Yongning and her maidservant emerge from Li Xian’s study. Princess Yongning seemed very uncomfortable, leaning against a tree and dry heaving. Immediately after, she heard that conversation between Princess Yongning and her servant.
She had learned this enormous secret and was terrified in her heart. She immediately wanted to flee, but the more anxious she was, the more mistakes she made. She stepped on a stone, fell to the ground, and was discovered by Princess Yongning and Meixiang.
“This subject heard nothing… mmph…” Jiang Youyao could not continue speaking because Meixiang had stuffed something in her mouth and twisted her arm for good measure.
Following Princess Yongning, Meixiang had learned some martial arts. Though not at the highest level, dealing with a delicate young lady like Jiang Youyao who had no strength to truss a chicken was more than sufficient. Jiang Youyao struggled desperately but could not move. She could only look pitifully at Princess Yongning with her eyes.
“Only the dead can keep secrets,” Princess Yongning was unmoved in the slightest. “Who told you to hear what you shouldn’t have heard? Third Miss Jiang, even if it’s for my sake, you’ll have to take the first step.”
“Your Highness,” Meixiang said, “this Jiang Youyao is after all the Chief Minister’s daughter, unlike an ordinary maidservant. If something happens, I fear it won’t be easy to clean up the aftermath.”
Princess Yongning was displeased. “What? You mean I don’t even have the ability to deal with a young girl?”
“This servant wouldn’t dare.” Meixiang continued, “It’s just that right now the Jiang family hasn’t given up searching for Jiang Youyao. If Jiang Yuanbai learns that Jiang Youyao’s death is related to Your Highness, I fear he’ll exhaust all his efforts trying to catch Your Highness’s weakness. Your Highness now has the young prince…” If Jiang Yuanbai found evidence of Princess Yongning’s pregnancy and made an issue of the child in her belly, that would be more loss than gain.
A flash of irritation crossed Princess Yongning’s brow. “Can’t kill her? Must I keep her then?”
“Your Highness, why not send her to the private prison first?” Meixiang said. “Your Highness’s private prison has already housed many people. If Third Miss Jiang moves in, she won’t be discovered either. Moreover, just like those mute children in Young Master Li’s room, feed Miss Jiang a muting drug and confine her in the private prison. After a year or two, when the Jiang family is no longer searching for Jiang Youyao, then we can send her on her way.”
Jiang Youyao clearly heard Meixiang calmly relate her fate and immediately shed two streams of tears. She was terrified in her heart and suddenly filled with regret. If she had known, she would have stayed at the Jiang household. At least at the Jiang household, she was still Third Miss, and no one dared mistreat her. If she hadn’t left the Jiang household that night, she wouldn’t have encountered Li Lian on the road. If she hadn’t met Li Lian, she wouldn’t have been brought to the Right Chancellor’s residence. If she weren’t at the Right Chancellor’s residence, she wouldn’t have seen Princess Yongning, learned Princess Yongning’s secret, and been silenced. Even if she died, no one would know, no one would collect her body!
Wait—Li Lian! She still had Li Lian! In Jiang Youyao’s heart, hope suddenly blazed wildly again. As long as Li Lian came back and found her missing, he would surely search everywhere for her. Once Li Lian learned she had been taken away by Princess Yongning, he would certainly demand her return from Princess Yongning. Li Lian could save her!
But the next moment, the words spoken by Princess Yongning and Meixiang were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing Jiang Youyao’s hope with a “whoosh,” leaving it completely gone.
Princess Yongning said, “This Jiang Youyao is now Li Lian’s person. If we take her away, Li Lian will probably come demanding her return.”
“Not necessarily,” Meixiang said with a smile. “Right now Jiang Youyao is staying at the Li household, and no one outside knows. The Jiang family probably doesn’t know either. By the looks of it, Chancellor Li is also in the dark. What Your Highness is taking away is just an ordinary maidservant, not Jiang Youyao. Second Young Master Li won’t dare acknowledge Jiang Youyao’s identity and will only acquiesce. Your Highness is a princess—punishing an ordinary maidservant is an effortless matter. Second Young Master Li won’t quibble with a princess over this. He might even thank Your Highness for helping him regulate his household.”
“What you say makes sense.” Princess Yongning’s brow smoothed. “The elder sister-in-law is like a mother, after all. He really should thank me.”
In Jiang Youyao’s heart, complete despair set in. She knew she had no chance of survival now. When the Li family men were not present, Princess Yongning held absolute power at the Right Chancellor’s residence. They had gagged her mouth. All they needed was to call for a matron, and what awaited her was being sent to that unknown and terrifying “private prison.”
……
That evening, Princess Yongning had just finished her supper when Meixiang entered and said, “Your Highness, Second Young Master Li is waiting outside. He has something to discuss with you.”
Princess Yongning understood perfectly—Li Lian had come to demand the return of his person. Jiang Youyao had already been sent to the Princess’s residence private prison, and Princess Yongning had long prepared her response. She knew that in the end, Li Lian could do nothing to her. She leisurely put on her outer robe and walked out.
Outside, Li Lian was sitting at the table waiting for her. Seeing her emerge, he stood and bowed. “Elder sister-in-law.”
Hearing this form of address, Princess Yongning could not help but furrow her brow. It reminded her that she was the Li family’s eldest daughter-in-law, not “Madam Shen.” Princess Yongning smiled without warmth. “Second brother comes so late—is there some matter?”
Li Lian said, “I heard elder sister-in-law passed by my courtyard today and met my… maidservant Xiao Yao, and took her away.”
“Oh, Xiao Yao,” Princess Yongning deliberately drew out that “Yao” sound. Looking at Li Lian’s tense expression, she smiled. “Yes, there is such a matter. That maidservant has no eyes—seeing me, she didn’t bow and even spoke rudely. I simply helped you discipline your maidservant. Second brother has a kind heart, but you cannot indulge the household servants to the point where they don’t even respect their masters. What kind of propriety would that be?”
She spoke carelessly, but Li Lian’s heart burned with suppressed anger. No matter how brainless Jiang Youyao might be, she would not actively provoke Princess Yongning. Princess Yongning was simply taking advantage of the fact that Jiang Youyao was not present to throw whatever mud she wanted.
Li Lian forced a smile. “May I ask elder sister-in-law, where is Xiao Yao now?”
Princess Yongning glanced at Li Lian and smiled. “That maidservant was truly too wicked. I felt that a maidservant like Xiao Yao could not remain in the household—keeping her would only invite disaster. So I had a slave trader come and sell her off. Without a contract of bondage, it was practically giving her away for free. That slave trader didn’t look like someone from Yanjing. Perhaps by now she’s already been sent out of the city.”
Li Lian’s heart lurched. Looking at Princess Yongning, he did not know whether what she said was true or false, did not know whether Princess Yongning had recognized Jiang Youyao’s identity, and did not know how Jiang Youyao had offended Princess Yongning—there had been no one else in the courtyard at the time, so he had no idea what had transpired.
Li Lian did not know what to do. Others might not know, but he knew—that was Jiang Yuanbai’s own daughter, yet something had happened to her at their Li residence. If word got out, he could not escape responsibility.
Princess Yongning said nonchalantly, “Second brother need not be so distressed. After all, she’s just a lowly maidservant. Since she’s been sold off, she probably won’t return to Yanjing in this lifetime. I didn’t take this matter seriously, and I hope second brother won’t dwell on it either. No one cares about the life or death of a maidservant. You also need not worry about that maidservant seeking revenge. When I do things, I don’t give opportunities for revenge.”
Li Lian was alarmed and looked up at Princess Yongning. The meaning of Princess Yongning’s words was clear—she already knew Jiang Youyao’s identity and was telling him not to worry or be afraid. She would not give the Jiang family a chance to discover the truth, nor would she let the Jiang family take revenge on him.
“How about it, second brother?” Princess Yongning looked at him with a smile. “You won’t be angry with me over a lowly maidservant, will you?”
Li Lian hastily said, “How could I? Elder sister-in-law helped me discipline a maidservant—I’m grateful before it’s too late. In our household, apart from Mother, from now on all matters large and small will trouble elder sister-in-law to oversee. If you encounter wicked servants bullying their masters, please help with discipline.”
This Li Lian was someone who knew the times. Princess Yongning was very satisfied. Smiling, she exchanged a few more pleasantries with Li Lian before returning to her room.
After Princess Yongning returned to her room, Li Lian paused for a moment before slowly walking outside.
He had thought it through clearly. In any case, Princess Yongning had already guaranteed that no one would see Jiang Youyao again. No one would know about this matter. No one knew Jiang Youyao had ever been at his residence. The Li household had merely dealt with a lowly maidservant.
Prince Cheng’s uprising was imminent. Once successful, their Li family would enjoy boundless glory and favor. They could not offend Princess Yongning. Whatever she wanted to do, let her be happy.
As Li Lian walked out the door, he nearly collided with someone. Stopping to look, it was Li Xian.
Li Xian looked at him and asked, “Did you explain things clearly?”
Li Lian nodded. “She said she sold her off.” Li Xian had also learned of today’s events. After all, the first place Princess Yongning had gone was Li Xian’s courtyard. It was in Li Xian’s courtyard that she had seen Jiang Youyao.
“It’s fine. Let her be happy.” Li Lian patted Li Xian’s shoulder. “Are you going in?”
Li Xian nodded.
Li Lian said, “Then don’t anger her.” He walked out.
Princess Yongning sat on the couch. After walking around Li Xian’s courtyard today, she actually felt soreness in her legs and feet. She was just about to have Meixiang bring her some sour preserved fruit when she heard Meixiang say at the door, “Eldest young master.”
She looked up to see Li Xian walk in.
Princess Yongning was displeased in her heart, though her face remained relatively calm. “You’ve come. I’m still not fully recovered today, so forgive me for not greeting you properly.”
Li Xian said, “No harm. The princess may remain seated.”
Their conversation truly did not resemble that of a married couple. They were not even friends. Even strangers might be more natural than they were, rather than being on such guard as they were now.
Li Xian asked, “Did the princess visit my courtyard today?”
Princess Yongning said, “Don’t tell me you’ve also come about second brother’s maidservant?”
“She’s merely a maidservant—the princess may dispose of her as she wishes.” Li Xian smiled and shook his head, only saying, “I heard the princess entered my room.”
“Yes,” Princess Yongning said. “I saw a roomful of mutes.”
Li Xian’s complexion changed slightly, though his tone remained mild. “Those are all orphans I’ve taken in.”
“Are you a good person or a bad person?” Princess Yongning laughed mockingly. “Taking in orphans, then poisoning them into muteness—those orphans are quite unlucky, aren’t they? If you don’t want people to discover the Li family’s secrets, why not just kill them all? Why keep such hazards around?”
Hearing this, Li Xian was somewhat stunned, but very quickly, as if breathing a sigh of relief, he smiled. “It was truly a helpless measure. I’ve made the princess laugh.”
Princess Yongning said nothing. Li Xian stood up. She felt somewhat nervous. If Li Xian wanted to share her bed, she would have to use the excuse of not being fully recovered again, but that would inevitably arouse suspicion.
However, contrary to her expectations, Li Xian did not approach. He only said to Princess Yongning, “Since the princess is still unwell, I won’t disturb your rest.” He left gracefully.
Princess Yongning was somewhat dazed.
Li Xian walked out of the room, his steps suddenly much lighter. He even wore a slight smile, murmuring in a low voice, “She actually didn’t discover it… What a stupid thing.”