Luo Yu had long been eagerly awaiting in the courtyard.

As soon as she saw them, she went forward to meet them. “Grandmother, Aunt!”

Seeing her daughter’s current appearance, Yun Shuyao felt much more at ease. Her current state looked excellent—her complexion was rosy, her eyes bright.

After entering the room, Yun Shuyao first made a circuit around the surroundings, carefully examining everything once. Old Madam, meanwhile, held her granddaughter’s hand and talked.

“Are your reactions severe now?”

“Grandmother, I’m fine. As long as I don’t eat anything with a fishy smell, I can eat everything else.”

Hearing these words, the smile on Old Madam’s face became even more radiant. “That’s good, that’s good.”

“Is there anything in particular you want to eat?”

Luo Yu replied, “I love eating basically all meats…”

While they were discussing these matters, Yun Shuyao was also listening to their conversation while looking over her entire courtyard. For now, she discovered no problems.

Among her dowry servants, two understood some medical arts. Adding that Luo Yu herself had also studied this, if there were truly anything wrong, it was equivalent to having three lines of defense.

Extremely toxic or violent substances couldn’t easily enter the Fourth Prince’s residence gates either. This made her safety more assured.

Seeing Yun Shuyao return, Old Madam nodded to her, feeling that this habit of studying medicine could continue to be passed down.

Old Madam now looking at Second Granddaughter’s appearance, felt that Aunt Yun’s insistence on these matters was correct.

Even if one wasn’t interested, learning more medical principles was good.

She would instruct Daiyu about this when she returned.

Even if she didn’t like it, she should understand some of it.

Look at her Second Elder Sister—knowing some medical principles herself, how reassuring that was.

This was the Fourth Prince’s rear courtyard!

In the future, it would be the Emperor’s rear courtyard!

Here, there were plenty of methods to kill without shedding blood.

Medicines were strictly controlled—did that mean no one would take desperate risks?

No.

Such people were never lacking, no matter the time.

Seeing Aunt finish her inspection, Luo Yu also smiled.

Aunt’s learning was more profound than hers.

Also more profound than the two maids’.

Seeing her smile, Yun Shuyao also smiled, then became serious. “None now doesn’t mean none in the future. Don’t let things others send near your person. Don’t use incense either—it’s the easiest to tamper with. Food and drink shouldn’t leave your hand. Even so, if you discover anything wrong, don’t use it.”

Inner household women—they had no great ideals of saving the common people. The benefits of studying medicine were, first, understanding medicinal principles to prevent being secretly harmed by others, and second, knowing how to care for oneself and live better.

For women, the greatest ordeal was childbirth.

Before her daughter became pregnant, Yun Shuyao would advise her to avoid it as much as possible, not to become pregnant too early. But now that she had conceived, Yun Shuyao wouldn’t say such things anymore.

That was no longer important. Having conceived, it was impossible to abort the child.

Fortunately, her physical condition had always been good. The possibility of safe delivery was still quite high.

Yun Shuyao asked, “You’re pregnant now—what’s the attitude of people in the residence?”

Luo Yu smiled. “Fourth Master is very happy. His birthday is at month’s end. Now with this good news, he’s even happier.”

The Fourth Prince still placed great importance on offspring.

The Fourteenth Prince and Fourth Prince shared the same mother.

But his eldest son was born in the forty-second year by Shushu Gioro.

His second son, also the legitimate eldest son by Fujin Wanyan, was born this year.

His eldest daughter was also born this year in the first month. Now the Fourteenth Prince’s rear courtyard had another person about to give birth.

The Fourteenth Prince was only seventeen years old this year.

The Fourth Prince was already twenty-seven.

“The Fujin is a tolerant person and also someone who follows the rules. As long as I follow the rules, there will be no problems.”

Old Madam understood. Following rules was good. “What about the others?”

Mainly Gege Li.

Gege Song had the longest seniority, but she had no favor, no children. If she wanted to do something, the threat wasn’t as great as Gege Li’s.

Luo Yu frowned slightly.

This was also what she worried about.

Her temper wasn’t good either. If she truly did something on impulse, it wasn’t impossible.

“She will also understand the rules.”

Calculations in the open—Luo Yu wasn’t afraid of those. How could she frame her? With force? In this area, she was very confident.

As for covert actions, Luo Yu would tighten the fence around herself, not giving the other party any opportunity to exploit.

Old Madam said, “It’s good that you know what you’re doing.”

She was somewhat worried. In these matters, they couldn’t help.

She had to rely on herself.

Next, Yun Shuyao discussed many things about childbirth with Luo Yu, putting her at ease. Knowing what problems she would face and how to resolve them, Luo Yu’s originally somewhat restless heart immediately settled considerably.

They stayed there until they had no choice but to leave. Departing from the Fourth Prince’s residence, Yun Shuyao looked back at this estate.

This was now a Beile residence. In some years it would become a Prince’s residence. In some more years, this place would become the Emperor’s former residence.

In this great mansion there was only one male master. The rest were all his dependents. But each person wouldn’t be completely content with being just a dependent—they would strive for more.

As the male master’s women, the path of striving was childbirth. This was where they could most easily achieve merit through their efforts.

Being a Prince’s woman was different from being an Emperor’s woman.

Competition would be even more intense, and the situations they faced would be even more complex.

Now the Fourth Prince favored her. What about in the future?

She didn’t know if Luo Yu could stand firm in such intense competition.

If she remained childless, that would be hard to say. But as long as she bore children, then even if she lost favor, her days wouldn’t be bad.

Just like that Gege Song.

She had given birth twice, both infants didn’t survive, yet her status was still higher than Geges who had never given birth.

She didn’t know if this pregnancy was male or female. Yun Shuyao wasn’t being sexist—the reality was that sons received more attention, could establish the household, and if outstanding enough, could even compete for that position.

If it was a daughter, that wasn’t bad either. If capable, in the future she could go beyond the frontier for marriage alliances, and might even wield local power, becoming a heroine among women.

The political environment there was more relaxed than in the capital.

The capital appeared more prosperous, but it was also where feudal centralized power was most concentrated. Here it was too difficult for women to get ahead. Even with ability, advancement channels were restricted.

If men wanting to advance was normal mode, then women wanting to advance and wield power was nightmare mode—completely not on the same level.

Moreover, Kangxi was someone who could both produce many children and raise them. Not only was the quantity large, they were also accomplished and capable—this led to the Nine Princes’ struggle for succession.

Returning home, Lin Ruhai was already there. He had returned earlier than usual today. “How is Luo Yu?”

Old Madam gave him a smile. “She’s very well.”

Lin Ruhai couldn’t help but smile. “Joyous occasion!”

Daiyu and Chen Yu wanted to hear more detailed particulars.

Old Madam had plenty to say. They wanted to hear, so she told them, occasionally looking at Chen Yu with regret. If they hadn’t insisted on waiting until next year, perhaps she would now also be preparing to hold a great-grandson.

Chen Yu fell silent.

Every time this topic came up, he could only choose to change the subject. The Lin family’s atmosphere was very joyous. The joyous days didn’t last many days before an unexpected situation occurred.

Old Madam’s grand-nephew Xie Zimo served in the capital. He had passed the imperial examination in the forty-third year of Kangxi’s reign, then became a Hanlin Scholar, the same as Yun Shuyao’s second younger brother Yun Yan. The two were not only from the same examination class but were both Hanlin Scholars.

After Xie Zimo passed the examination, his wife brought the family members over. They bought a residence in the capital, after which Xie Zimo also moved out.

He was the eldest son of the Xie family. If he served here, continuing to live at the Lin family would be very inconvenient. So although Old Madam was reluctant, when he wanted to move out, she agreed and even helped search for a suitable residence.

They maintained frequent contact in normal times.

But now Xie Zimo and his wife Wu had come to the door somewhat panicked. Wu had offended someone. Under normal circumstances, if it wasn’t serious, reconciliation would be easy. But the person Wu offended wasn’t an ordinary person, because she had offended Longkodo’s concubine—that famous Li Si’er.

Old Madam’s brows knitted tightly. “How did you offend her?”

Wu tearfully recounted what happened.

Speaking of it, Wu was very innocent.

She had gone out to burn incense. On the road, their carriages met. She was in front, the other behind. Because the other party’s momentum was impressive, and judging by the sound, very fast, she had someone pull to the side to let them pass. At that time she still didn’t know who it was.

It was just that at the feet of the Son of Heaven, there were many noble people. Not wanting to cause trouble, she proactively yielded.

Unfortunately, the other party seemed to think she yielded too slowly. When the two carriages were side by side, the other coachman’s whip lashed Wu’s horse. This horse suddenly receiving a lash immediately bolted, rearing up on its hooves and surging forward, then crashing into the carriage ahead.

That was precisely the carriage Li Si’er was riding in.

Although it was just a collision, the other side’s people came out in time and killed the horse. But the other party seemed to have suffered bruising.

On Wu’s side, she also had an extra bruise on her waist.

One could say she was innocent. If the other party hadn’t given the horse a lash, nothing would have happened at all. But if Li Si’er were a reasonable person, she wouldn’t have such a fierce reputation in the capital.

When learning who was in that carriage, Wu’s heart went cold by half. She hurriedly went to apologize.

Even though she didn’t want to apologize for this baseless “crime,” Wu didn’t want to delay her husband’s prospects.

There were too many such precedents.

But Li Si’er didn’t accept. She was very angry.

If Wu hadn’t dodged quickly, she almost would have been shoved down.

If the other party hadn’t been rushing to find a physician, Wu suspected she truly would have been beaten in public.

She again quickly had someone send gifts. The result was still no good. She had no recourse, so she came seeking help from the Lin family.

Hearing this account, Old Madam was so angry her chest heaved violently. “Lawless!”

“Simply outrageous!”

“Unbearably oppressive!”

Wu wiped her tears. “Please, Great-Aunt Grandmother, extend your aid.”

Old Madam thought of how Nephew was currently serving as an official in another location, while Grand-nephew was currently of low rank with little voice. It was probably because of this that Li Si’er wouldn’t give face.

The Lin family was different.

Her son was now third rank, and moreover in the Censorate as second-in-command. As long as Li Si’er wasn’t crazy, as long as Longkodo wasn’t crazy, they wouldn’t escalate matters over such a small conflict.

However, “Are you certain the other party’s injury isn’t serious?”

Wu nodded. “Certain. My horse was frightened—the carriage shook more violently on our side.”

She herself only had bruising. The other party definitely wasn’t as serious as her. At that time, Li Si’er had even shown her face. Although her expression showed pain, there were no blood traces.

Old Madam said, “I understand.”

Even if Li Si’er was injured, this was only the other party’s self-inflicted consequence. Unfortunately, the other party’s power was great, and as a petty person achieving success, extremely arrogant. There was also that Longkodo indulging her. Detestable! She would remember this account.

When Lin Ruhai returned and heard about this matter, his brows furrowed. “Li Si’er, it’s her again. Truly outrageous. Mother, leave this matter to your son.”

Lin Ruhai stepping forward was different from Xie Zimo doing so.

In many people’s view, Lin Ruhai entering the Grand Secretariat was only a matter of time. When someone retired, his possibility of entering was the greatest. Moreover, his reputation among scholars was also very good.

Even Longkodo was unwilling to offend him too greatly.

If Li Si’er were so arrogant and domineering toward all targets without distinction, she would have already been dealt with. At this time, Longkodo hadn’t yet reached such high rank and great authority.

What people looked at more was the face of the Tunggiya clan.

This matter settled down after Lin Ruhai stepped forward. Lin Ruhai could only let it go.

It wasn’t that no one impeached her, but those above didn’t want to manage it, felt it was inconsequential. Censors perceived superior intentions—as long as it didn’t become a major incident, no one would keep grasping at it.

When Yun Shuyao later went to see Luo Yu again, Luo Yu asked about the detailed account. She had vaguely heard people mention some things.

After Yun Shuyao explained, Luo Yu frowned and let out a long sigh. “Aunt, once in a teahouse we encountered an almost identical situation.”

That time it was a young woman buying jewelry in a shop. Li Si’er went there and also took a liking to that jewelry. The young woman didn’t yield in time and was slapped in public. Afterward, that woman went to apologize but was disdained for giving too meager a gift. That young woman’s husband’s family was targeted, his prospects damaged. She was divorced and sent home, ultimately choosing to take her own life.

Because her family was of low rank with little voice—they couldn’t afford to offend the Tunggiya clan.

A perfectly fine person was just gone like that.

Then during the draft selection, Luo Yu encountered the other party’s younger sister.

During the draft selection, she worked very hard because she wanted to climb upward, wanted to avenge her elder sister. The draft selection was the only method she could think of.

Yun Shuyao recalled this. “How is she in the palace?”

Luo Yu was silent for a while, lowering her eyes. “She’s still a Chang Zai.” Low status, average imperial favor—she might not see His Majesty once in a month.

Wanting to take revenge on the Tunggiya clan was simply a fool’s dream.

She couldn’t help but sigh. “Power and influence—truly a good thing.”

If Father had no status, if she couldn’t enter the residence with Ce Fujin rank, Cousin’s family might now be facing great disaster.

She said it again. “Power and influence—truly a good thing.”

A good thing that could save lives.