“This servant acknowledges her guilt—it was this servant’s failing. Your Highness, please do not anger yourself. If you harm your health in rage, even grinding this servant to powder couldn’t atone for such a sin.”

She looked down upon her from above as Tala Shi wept bitterly, prostrating herself on the blue bricks and trembling. Wanwan had truly wanted to point at her nose and scold her, but she was well-bred and understood the principle of not striking someone’s face when beating them. Seeing her thoroughly frightened, she judged this intimidation had served its purpose. A secondary consort was no different from a concubine in her eyes—even if she had borne Liang Shi a child, as long as she provoked displeasure, she could still be dismissed.

Wanwan was fundamentally kind-natured and knew when to stop. She exchanged a glance with Tonghuan. “Help the secondary consort to her feet. By rights, scolding a mother-in-law over a daughter-in-law matter would invite ridicule if word spread. I only detest subordinates who don’t understand their place and wanted to remind you. If I spoke incorrectly anywhere, please bear with me.”

Tala Shi hurriedly waved her hands. “No, no… I truly have no face before Your Highness. This time I didn’t know my own weight and broke protocol. The young master is now under your name—you are his true mother. I, this mother-in-law, cannot count as a proper mother-in-law. Your Highness gave me dignity by not spitting on me in contempt. I’m infinitely grateful to Your Highness. From today forward, I’ll eat vegetarian fare and recite Buddhist prayers. Please watch over me, Your Highness—if I overstep again anywhere, should Your Highness banish me, I’ll have no word of complaint.”

Wanwan nodded. “I want the children below to live more comfortably. They’re all born of parents—rules can be taught slowly. One cannot swallow an entire pancake at once. Today you treat Lan Zhou’s wife this way, tomorrow it will be Lan Ting’s wife the same way. Why must mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law become enemies for ten generations? Isn’t treating others kindly better?”

Tala Shi wiped away endless tears. “If I had Your Highness’s breadth of heart, I too would be enlightened. I value the young master too much, fearing he might suffer the slightest discomfort. Ah, thinking about it now, I was too rash. Your Highness’s instruction is absolutely correct.”

Wanwan had been angry for quite a while and was somewhat tired. After speaking a few gentle words, she dismissed her.

Having suffered such great humiliation, Tala Shi’s cheeks flushed red as she withdrew from the main chamber. Though her rage surged like mountains, she dared not show it on her face. Crying as she walked, she exited through the moon gate and encountered the prince returning from outside while passing through the connecting courtyard. The prince carried a birdcage, his face wreathed in smiles, probably not expecting to meet her here. Like a receding tide, his smile instantly vanished completely. Those cold eyes were truly chilling—as if he’d never known this woman and found her distasteful. She was merely a patch of featureless ground from which a seedling had somehow sprouted for him.

When a woman has been scolded, if the man could provide support, she would have thrown herself into his arms seeking comfort long ago. Unfortunately, she didn’t dare. She knew his severity—if she angered him, he might just twist off her head. She could only timidly curtsy to him. “Master has returned…”

He looked at her without warmth. “What are you doing here?”

She understood clearly—he feared her presence would upset his precious darling. Even though she was the one crying as she emerged, he still worried about the one in the main chamber. This was men for you!

She swallowed back her sobs. Unable to rely on him, she could only rely on herself.

She submitted humbly, lowering her eyes. “This servant committed an error and came to beg Your Highness’s forgiveness. Your Highness was magnanimous and didn’t blame this servant, but this servant’s heart feels even worse…”

She expected he might ask what had happened, but instead he frowned and examined her briefly. “Since you know your error, reflect upon it in the future. She’s an idle person who dislikes worldly matters. You should live peacefully in that mansion and not add to her troubles, or else return to Songjiang Prefecture. The dowager consort has grown older in recent years and says herself she’s increasingly tired. You should act more cautiously.” As he stepped forward to leave, he suddenly paused and commanded coldly, “Unless it’s urgent, don’t come running here often. She’s unwell, so don’t disturb her peace with those trivial matters.”

He truly treasured her to his very bones. After saying this, he walked past her with long strides. She stood there feeling the flower walls on both sides begin spinning rapidly, her heart surging with heat, nearly vomiting blood.

Love versus no love—a difference like clouds and mud. Even though she had a son, in his eyes this son probably couldn’t compare to Grand Princess Hede. She had thought she could rise through her child’s status—now that her son had grown up, she should have emerged from hardship. Who knew his impatience remained unchanged. His heart and eyes held only that legitimate wife. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have beaten their son so severely just for accidentally entering her chambers, then exiled him to the military afterward, still unsatisfied. What did she and her son amount to in his presence? Not worth a strand of that woman’s hair!

She left through the second gate in despair. Her maid waited outside and immediately approached upon seeing her, asking in a lowered voice, “How was it? What did Her Highness say?”

In everyone’s imagination, the Grand Princess was extremely reasonable, but today’s tongue-lashing had been thorough enough.

She shook her head, not wanting to speak. That obtuse servant continued, “This servant just saw the prince enter the garden. Did master encounter him?”

Her nose stung. “What if we met? It’s all meaningless…” She drooped her shoulders and walked woodenly out of the Grand Princess’s mansion.

On the other side, Liang Shi had acquired a new bird and was currying favor before Wanwan. “This clever little thing can imitate cricket calls.” He pursed his lips and whistled to guide it.

Wanwan smiled as she waited. Soon enough, she heard it chirping. Liang Shi grew more pleased. “It can also sing ‘Eighteen Touches’—one touch, ah, touching…”

That bird was too outrageous, flapping its wings and singing vividly, “One touch, ah, touching, eldest sister’s spine, with divided qilin on both sides…”

Wanwan’s face immediately reddened. “It’s a lewd bird! Where did you get this thing—singing such obscene songs!”

She was always so dignified as to inspire awe, but inadvertently revealing a young girl’s demeanor was truly delightful and endearing.

Though she scolded, he moved closer to sit beside her and gathered her into his embrace. The parrot continued chattering, singing in its bird-like voice, “Seven touches, ah, touching eldest sister’s elbow bend.” The attendants tactfully withdrew from the inner chamber, closing the door and lowering the curtain as they left.

Wanwan had been displeased initially, but once he returned, that bit of unhappiness dispersed like clouds and mist. She loved when they were intimate together—so familiar with each other that concealment was unnecessary. She knew all his thoughts. As he worshipped at her chest, she only laughed softly, tenderly stroking his hair, her heart trembling each time as she indulged him limitlessly.

The arhat couch was spacious enough, spread with cushions that were delicately scented. Falling into them stirred up a wave of warmth.

“I was gone so long—did you miss me? Did you miss me… hmm?” His voice always became strangely alluring at such times. One leg pressed against her, wedging in like a tenon, moving ceaselessly, making her heart race.

She bit her lip, not daring to make a sound, afraid that beast might hear. The wicked bird in the cage sang from golden lotus all the way to the navel. He chuckled softly, quite amused, and didn’t only think of himself—he would pause to observe her expression.

Her gaze was hazy, her eyes holding hooks that tightly caught his spine. He instinctively leaned toward her, pursuing, his teeth chattering.

“Do you like this?” He was full of devotion. “I think this is truly wonderful… do you like it?”

Wanwan was accustomed to propriety but was reduced to scattered wits by his provocation. It was merely a bird, yet it possessed such strange power.

She caught her breath. “You’re harboring mischief.”

He smiled with a hint of roguishness, moving with varying intensity. “This is just right—I know you like it too.”

He suddenly spoke in Jinling dialect—soft Wu language that captured the soul. If official speech carried humor and strength beneath gentleness, then southern dialect was like a beauty’s song, like water wearing through stone. She loved this lingering cadence, especially from his mouth, which carried the flavor of a passionate young gentleman.

He raised his eyes—golden rings hidden behind smoky clouds made them appear even more profound. He drew her hand over to rest on his waist. “Want more?”

A frustrated longing circled in her chest. She couldn’t speak, fearing a sobbing tone, only silently tightening her arms in invitation. He grew happy and rallied his forces, bowing low to kiss her. She turned to look toward the window, not knowing when the parrot had closed its beak, perched on the gilt bar with two small eyes rolling about. Her face flushed red with embarrassment, afraid of being seen by that bird. She pulled up the quilt to cover them both beneath it.

The ancients deeply disapproved of such wanton behavior in broad daylight, yet occasional indulgence was full of delight.

When clouds scattered and rain ceased, he suddenly threw off the quilt. The heat beneath immediately dispersed, meeting the cool air with satisfying deep breaths.

Liang Shi laughed muffledly. “Your cold should be cured now.”

Wanwan punched him and told him to look at that parrot. “Such a clever little thing—what if it learns to repeat this?”

He hummed acknowledgment. “We didn’t say much—it doesn’t matter.”

Unexpectedly, the bird fluttered twice and said clearly, “This is just right—I know you like it too,” perfectly mimicking his voice.

Wanwan covered her face. “Look—it heard everything!”

Liang Shi couldn’t stop laughing, feeling this bird was an excellent purchase—truly a once-in-a-century find. He absolutely couldn’t bear to dispose of it. Later he’d have someone take it away to be kept elsewhere.

They lay together for a long while before remembering the earlier matter. “What did Tala Shi want? If she came to plead for Lan Zhou, you needn’t pay attention.”

Wanwan said it wasn’t that. Pillowing her head on his chest, she told him everything that had happened. “I wasn’t concerned about anything else, just that she was too harsh.”

“Why didn’t you use family law to give her a severe beating!” His expression clearly darkened. After calming slightly, he said, “This can’t continue. I’ve been thinking these past days—we should establish a separate residence outside and divide the household. Both children are grown—Lan Ting can freeload for another year, but Lan Zhou has already married. Let’s build him a mansion to manage himself. Though he recognizes you as mother, there’s still a barrier. Tala Shi is his birth mother. When he moves out, let his grandmother go with him. Over there, however she wants to act tyrannically, no one can control her.”

Wanwan agreed with this approach in her heart, but upon reflection, the dowager consort might be difficult to handle. First she had moved back to the Grand Princess’s mansion, and now they would make Lan Zhou establish his own household. She feared the old lady might misunderstand, thinking these were all her ideas, which wouldn’t endear her to her mother-in-law—that wouldn’t be good either.

She said to wait a bit longer. His chest was warm, and she nuzzled against it affectionately. “The official business at the office must be piled like mountains after being away half the day.”

He hummed agreement. “I’ve raised two sons—worse than having none. One is unfilial and disrespectful, the other is a fool. Lan Ting was probably reincarnated from a bamboo slip—mention shadow puppets and his whole body becomes theater. But mention memorials and reports, and he stares like a frog in the rain, gaping at people so it gives me chills. Can’t count on him to share burdens—as long as he doesn’t cause trouble, that’s good enough.” As he spoke, his hand slid upward to cover her breast, smiling roguishly at her glare. “Lan Zhou went to his sixth uncle’s. With my busy schedule ahead, I probably won’t have much leisure to stay home with you. Find your own entertainment—learning to play mahjong would be fine.”

She hummed acknowledgment. “You attend to your duties. It’s been exactly one year since we left the capital last year. This whole year you’ve tried to accompany me—I could see your absent-mindedness and felt bad for you. Now everything’s fine with me, and my health has strengthened. You needn’t worry about me. Serve His Majesty well in your duties. He’s still contemplating the Way until now—after all these years, he hasn’t figured anything out, while outside everything’s become chaotic. I heard the Nu’ergan Regional Military Commission is also restless—there might be war.”

When discussing government affairs, his expression became solemn. “There are garrison troops in the north. They say the Three Guards of Duoyan have been dispatched to suppress the rebellion, but the results are still unknown. This uprising is fierce though—such a vast territory where the court has successively sent countless officials and garrison forces apparently all got hollowed out by corruption. If fighting breaks out… it won’t be just minor disturbances like in Guizhou. Nu’ergan dominates the north, roughly the same distance from the capital as Nanjing. Even if southern troops are deployed, they probably can’t reach in time.”

Wanwan’s heart jumped in alarm. She quickly dressed and retrieved maps from the bookshelf to measure—Nanjing to the capital and Sacha River Guard to the capital were indeed the same distance, north and south almost on the same line. Central region military advances required passing through multiple cities and checkpoints, while Nu’ergan had only two or three city defenses plus scattered guard stations—once they conquered the connecting routes, they could drive straight through.

She stared at the map in a daze. “His Majesty… are there any imperial edicts?”

He pulled her back onto the couch, wrapping her in quilts for warmth, saying gently not to worry. “The Songhua River and Nen River lines all have garrison troops. Even if there are changes, they can hold temporarily. I’m awaiting court orders here. If Andong Guard needs to mobilize troops for imperial rescue, preparations won’t be rushed.”

Wanwan fell silent, only gazing at him—those heavy brows and eyes made his heart turn cold. He smiled slightly. “What’s wrong?”

She slowly pulled at the corner of her mouth. “If there’s really war, I can’t bear the thought of you campaigning outside.”

He caressed her red lips, tenderly sucking them. “That’s a future concern. The court has so many military generals—they may not need me to campaign.”

Only then did she feel reassured. She pulled him down to lie together and sleep in each other’s arms. Because they were so tired beforehand, they slept until late afternoon. After he rose and went out on business, he returned bringing her duck oil pastries while he leaned against the brazier drinking wine. Husband and wife facing each other—the plain warmth of domestic life had already seeped into the texture of their years.

On Tala Shi’s side, no further problems arose afterward. Before entering the Yuwen household, she had mostly managed the princely mansion and was quite capable. Later, when her status declined, her inability to adjust was understandable. Wanwan observed coldly for a while—she became increasingly cautious and careful. Sometimes when summoned to answer questions, she stood more constrained than a new daughter-in-law. Wanwan actually felt she had probably been too harsh last time, completely flattening her spirit, and vaguely felt somewhat sorry for her.

The weather grew increasingly bitter—southern dampness was a cold that couldn’t be grasped. Wanwan basically didn’t go out during this season, but occasionally she needed to return to the princely mansion to pay respects to the dowager consort.

That day after drinking tea in the main chamber, she was moving to the flower hall for dinner. It had rained the day before, and ice hadn’t yet melted on the ground. When descending the steps, she slipped and twisted her ankle, unable to walk. Xiao You beside her was even shorter than her, so Tala Shi tucked her skirt into her sash, squatted down and said, “Your Highness cannot force yourself. Putting weight on an injured foot will worsen it. Let this servant carry you. We’ll get inside first, then summon the imperial physician. It’s freezing outside—don’t catch cold again.”

Despite Wanwan’s repeated refusals, she ultimately let her carry her inside. Tala Shi came from low-ranking bondservant Qi background and had done rough work since childhood, unlike ordinary girls’ delicacy. She had an efficient vigor in her bones, immediately stepping forward without shirking, quick with her hands and feet. When medicated wine arrived, she knelt on the ground holding Wanwan’s foot, pouring wine into her palm to warm it before carefully massaging with proper pressure. Wanwan praised her, and she smiled saying, “This servant’s natal father worked in grain transport, doing physical labor and often getting bumps and sprains. This servant learned this skill at home. Medicated wine must be rubbed into the muscle tissue four times daily—it’ll be completely healed in three days. The doctor’s plasters are just like that—black and sticky, covering the whole ankle, hard to wash off. If Your Highness would honor this servant, let me try. I guarantee it’s more effective than plasters.”

Her face showed complete sincerity as she spoke, her eyes hopefully fixed on her. Given such genuine intention, it was hard to refuse. Wanwan smiled gently. “Then I’ll trouble the secondary consort.”