Mian Tang’s mouth was pinched flat like a duck’s bill, preventing her from voicing any objection.

“Mother cow?” she thought. “Is he disgusted by my pregnancy and changing figure?” Her eyes reddened at the thought.

When Cui Xingzhou released her, she turned away, sobbing that he found her repulsive.

Cui Xingzhou, surprised by Mian Tang’s pregnancy mood swings, felt like he was dealing with the Great Yu’s flood control. He helplessly embraced his “little cow” again, comforting her by saying that mother cows were beautiful too, with long legs and big bottoms, and they could even produce milk.

This nonsensical talk made Mian Tang laugh through her tears. Now that her belly had grown, Cui Xingzhou was more cautious, only holding and kissing her repeatedly, earnestly hoping for a smooth delivery from his little cow.

If someone had told him earlier that he’d become so attached to the bandit leader Lu Wen, he would have scoffed. But now, he couldn’t bear the thought of any harm coming to her. Even if she was trouble, she’d be his trouble for a thousand years!

Outside, rumors of discord between the Prince of Huaiyang and his wife grew increasingly intense. Well-connected families learned that the princess had concealed a dishonorable past, tricking the prince into marriage.

In her palace, Concubine Yun, who had been nursing her swollen knees after kneeling at the imperial ancestral temple, was overjoyed to hear this news. She asked her maid Huaping, “Is it truly so?”

Huaping nodded, whispering, “That’s what everyone’s saying. I heard the Prince of Huaiyang beat her severely, disregarding her pregnancy. It seems he wants her dead. She might even miscarry.”

Concubine Yun, both shocked and delighted, exclaimed, “I never imagined the Prince of Huaiyang hadn’t investigated her background. I wondered how two people who were once bitter enemies could end up sharing a bed. So he was completely unaware! I thought Liu Mian Tang was just lucky, but it turns out she was a bandit who married into an official household. How ridiculous!”

Her expression hardened as she instructed, “Tell the imperial investigators not to inform His Majesty about this.” She knew if Liu Yu learned of Liu Mian Tang’s fall from favor, he would be ecstatic and rush to bring that despicable woman into the palace. Even if he didn’t, out of respect for the Prince of Huaiyang, and instead set her up in a residence outside the palace, it would still be infuriating. The emperor must not know about the couple’s discord.

Concubine Yun smiled coldly, imagining Liu Yu’s devastation when Liu Mian Tang “accidentally” died in the prince’s mansion.

She was no longer the naive girl who had given her heart to Zi Yu. The days spent alone at the ancestral temple had hardened her heart further. She was determined to secure her position in the palace and wield immense power. She would no longer love those who didn’t respect or love her.

Now, her priority was to have a child of her own. Only then could she stand on equal footing with Empress Shi. “Is the medicine ready?” she asked Huaping.

Huaping whispered, “Everything is prepared, Your Highness. You need only apply it to your skin to release a captivating scent that will ensure His Majesty stays the night.”

Concubine Yun nodded. “Tomorrow is when His Majesty visits my palace. With the Empress in confinement, I must seize this opportunity. Once that fat woman recovers, I’ll lose my chance!”

Huaping agreed but expressed concern about the potential side effects of the medicine.

Concubine Yun glared at her. “What side effects? The most important thing now is for me to conceive an imperial heir quickly. Otherwise, any cat or dog will be able to bully me!”

Huaping, frightened into silence, could only pray that her mistress would conceive quickly and secure her position.

While undercurrents flowed in the palace, outside, the early autumn weather was beautiful.

Mian Tang’s Qiu Jie Poetry Society officially opened its doors.

Perhaps due to curiosity stirred by the rumors surrounding the Prince of Huaiyang’s household, despite Mian Tang sending out only a few dozen invitations, those invited brought friends, and nearly all the ladies and young misses of various households turned out. The society welcomed the crowd, as popularity was key, and the opening ceremony became quite grand.

The new garden purchased by the Princess of Huaiyang was the Small Western Garden in the suburbs of the capital. It had once belonged to Princess Sheng’an, the previous emperor’s aunt, and was considered one of the capital’s scenic spots. Surprisingly, the Princess of Huaiyang had managed to acquire it.

The garden had been abandoned for years, and the princess had only recently purchased it. The guests expected to see a hastily renovated, half-dilapidated garden. However, as they stepped into the courtyard, even those accustomed to luxury were stunned.

This was no mere renovation; it was a complete rebuild. Every flower and blade of grass was exquisite, exuding an air of “I am very wealthy.”

Mian Tang, however, felt the garden screamed: “I am very leisurely.” She had no choice but to focus her energy on the garden, as Cui Xingzhou had been keeping a close eye on her, forbidding her to wander about.

The garden’s refined taste wasn’t her doing, though. The Prince of Huaiyang had engaged a master of garden design and rock arrangement to plan it. This reclusive expert was said to be nearly impossible to hire, even for a fortune. Only because of his past acquaintance with the prince did he agree to take on the project.

Mian Tang, always respectful of talented individuals, followed the master’s advice completely after learning of his skills. As a result, the plans grew more elaborate, and the costs soared. Fortunately, Mian Tang’s substantial savings and the old wealth accumulated on Yangshan Mountain supported the project.

Nevertheless, when tallying the accounts each night, the former bandit leader’s heart bled, requiring her to recite sutras to resist the urge to strangle the expert. She even tugged at the prince’s sleeve, asking if they were conspiring to deplete her wealth to prevent her from running away.

The Prince of Huaiyang, both amused and exasperated by his money-hoarding consort, explained, “Why do you think the garden couldn’t be sold before? Didn’t I advise you to choose a different one? But you insisted and even pressed me to find someone extraordinary to design it. Building a garden is inherently expensive. Some less wealthy families take over a decade to complete their gardens. Although this garden seems drastically changed, it still follows the original layout of pavilions. Don’t fret; the rent from Zhen Prefecture will be collected soon. Use that, and if it’s not enough, I’ll make up the difference later.”

Mian Tang, accustomed to frugality, might never learn Cui Xingzhou’s carefree attitude towards spending money. However, when the garden was completed and the flowers and plants were in place, she had to admit it was worth the cost. She had never seen such an exquisite garden in her life.

Now, watching the guests’ expressions of admiration as they entered the garden, the Princess of Huaiyang finally understood a little of the joy felt by prodigal sons when they squandered their family fortunes on frivolous pursuits.

After touring the garden, the ladies couldn’t help but feel envious. They had long heard that the princess was a savvy businesswoman with substantial properties and shops, and now the garden proved it.

But what good was wealth now? Rumors spread that she had fallen out of favor with the prince, and her background was being discussed all over the capital. The prince would surely abandon her to save face.

Throughout history, how many wealthy merchants’ daughters had married into noble families for status, only to end up losing both their fortunes and their lives? Such women, regardless of their auspicious horoscopes, often became short-lived after marrying into powerful families, their dowries swallowed by their in-laws.

The guests’ gazes towards the Princess of Huaiyang were a mix of envy and pity.

To conceal her pregnancy, Mian Tang wore a pleated, wide-hemmed floor-length dress in pale white. The narrow sleeves revealed her slender wrists, and the skirt was elegantly embroidered with phoenix butterflies. Though her waist was hidden, a high-waisted gold-embroidered cloud sash accentuated her slim shoulders and ample bosom. A playful, tilted bun was adorned with a swaying gold hairpin set with green tourmaline. Her face glowed like apricot blossoms in the sunset, and her lively eyes were full of mirth.

She didn’t look pregnant at all, showing no signs of being swollen or out of shape.

Judging by the princess’s demeanor, one would never guess that she had recently been beaten by the prince.

However, which noble lady in the capital hadn’t learned to put on a facade and conceal family troubles? It was understandable that the Princess of Huaiyang would swallow her pride and pretend nothing was wrong.

Unfortunately, among the guests were some uninvited onlookers, and naturally, some began to feel resentful.

Madam Qian, wife of the Right Vice Minister of Works and niece of the Duchess of Qing Guo, was angry on behalf of her aunt, who had fallen ill due to the incident with the Prince of Huaiyang’s household.

She had come with the Princess of Wei. After seeing the exquisite garden and Liu Mian Tang’s charming appearance, she could no longer contain her bitterness. “Those from humble backgrounds are so short-sighted. Who else in the capital would be so ostentatious these days?”

The Princess of Wei didn’t respond but sighed softly. Being in the Wei Prince’s household, she knew more than these ladies. Though her life seemed glamorous on the surface, it was miserable.

Due to the scandal of her abduction in Zhen Prefecture, even the lowest concubine in the Wei Prince’s household could now bully her. The prince no longer visited her chambers, leaving her to endure a lonely existence. She felt a kinship with the Princess of Huaiyang, who faced a similar predicament.