Yun Chu was discussing marriage matters with Tingxue.

After just a few words, Tingfeng came to report that Nanny Er had arrived.

Yun Chu knew that Nanny Er was Chu Yi’s wet nurse and counted as half a master in the Prince’s Manor. Everyone respected the old woman.

However, from the very first day she married into the Prince’s Manor, Nanny Er had wanted to stay and serve in her courtyard. On that first day of the wedding, there had even been an argument about it at the room’s entrance.

She very much wanted to know what exactly Nanny Er was planning to do.

Before long, Nanny Er entered with a young woman.

Both curtsied in greeting.

“Nanny Er, no need for such formality.” Yun Chu smiled. “And who is this?”

“This servant greets the Princess Consort.” The young woman kept her head lowered. “This servant is called Ding Dong.”

“Ding Dong is this old servant’s daughter.” Nanny Er took over. “She’s served in the Prince’s Manor since childhood. These past two years she went out to help manage a shop. Upon learning the Prince’s Manor had a Princess Consort, she wanted to come serve the Princess Consort.”

Yun Chu said mildly: “Raise your head so I can see you.”

Ding Dong raised her head.

It was a beautiful face with a maiden’s figure, very capable of attracting attention.

In that instant, Yun Chu understood Nanny Er’s meaning.

In truth, when she chose to marry Chu Yi, she had thought about this issue.

Since ancient times, as a prince, the rear courtyard would have at least one primary consort, two secondary consorts, and numerous lesser consorts and concubines. She was mentally prepared for this.

She could accept Xie Jingyu’s concubines, so naturally she could also accept multiple women in Chu Yi’s rear courtyard.

Yet somehow, it felt as if a thorn had sprouted in her heart, lodged there, making her quite uncomfortable.

“There’s a vacancy in the tea room.” Yun Chu spoke slowly. “Ding Dong, you’ll go to the tea room. Tingxue, take her over to familiarize herself.”

Ding Dong raised her head in disbelief.

She had originally been a first-rank senior maid in the Prince’s study. The Princess Consort was actually making her a rough servant in the tea room?

Just as she was about to say something, Nanny Er bumped her.

“Thank you, Princess Consort.” Nanny Er wore a face full of gratitude. “Ding Dong is a diligent child and will certainly not betray the Princess Consort’s trust.”

After Nanny Er withdrew, Tingxue took Ding Dong to the tea room. Those serving in the tea room were second-rank junior maids who lived in the side chambers of the main courtyard at night, four people to a room.

Ding Dong didn’t even enter the side chamber. Pursing her lips, she said: “I’ll stay with my mother, so no need to trouble yourself.”

Her mother was the Prince’s wet nurse and lived alone in a courtyard. She also had her own separate room in that courtyard. How could she possibly be desperate enough to sleep in the same room as others?

Tingxue was no fool either. This Ding Dong was dressed up gaudily—one glance made it clear what scheme she had in mind.

Back then, it was her negligence that allowed Tingyu to become Xie Jingyu’s concubine.

This time, she would absolutely not let this Ding Dong succeed.

Even if she were to become the Prince’s concubine, she should follow proper procedures, not climb into his bed.

The ship that Yun Chu had spent a fortune building before the new year was finally completed. It was now in the hiring phase, and she was reviewing the workers’ roster when Chu Yi walked in.

He removed his outer garments and sat down directly beside Yun Chu, embracing her waist and kissing her before speaking: “I’ve been a bit busy these past few days and haven’t had time to accompany you. I apologize.”

There had been incidents in the palace these past few days. The Sixth Prince was injured, the Fifth Prince was deposed, and with the Empress Dowager’s funeral approaching, there were indeed many matters.

Yun Chu poured a cup of tea and handed it to him: “The children and I are all well at home. Don’t worry about the household—focus on your duties.”

Chu Yi asked: “Is that little brat Yu’er willing to stay in the Star-Gazing Pavilion now?”

“Brother Jiang came by yesterday.” Yun Chu smiled. “Brother Jiang said he started living independently at age five. Not to be outdone, Yu’er immediately agreed to live on his own. Right now, the tutor is giving him lessons.”

Chu Yi’s lips curved in a smile.

That little brat Yu’er was too annoying. Every night when carried away, he would wake up. These past few days, the family of four had been squeezed onto one bed—very inconvenient.

Yun Chu sighed.

She felt Yu’er was a bit tired each day.

He had to get up before dawn to practice martial arts, then go to the Imperial Academy to study. After returning, there were still tutors giving lessons. The only relaxation he got was playing with her before bed, and now even that small joy had been taken away.

However, she also knew that Yu’er was the Prince’s Manor’s heir, and the burden on his shoulders was different from Changsheng’s. She couldn’t be too indulgent.

Just as she was about to speak.

Two people appeared at the room’s entrance.

One was Tingxue, using a blocking posture to stop Ding Dong, yet Ding Dong seemed oblivious to Tingxue’s expression and walked in carrying tea.

“My Prince.” Ding Dong walked straight to Chu Yi’s side and set down the tea cup. “This servant still remembers that the Prince most loves to drink aged tea brewed with boiling water…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Chu Yi said coldly: “Are you someone from your Princess Consort’s quarters? Why have I never seen you before?”

Ding Dong’s face filled with disbelief: “The Prince doesn’t recognize this servant anymore? Two years ago, this servant served in the Prince’s study, grinding ink and adding fragrance for the Prince daily.”

Yun Chu said softly from the side: “She’s Nanny Er’s daughter, called Ding Dong. Today is her first day in the courtyard.”

“Yes, from now on this servant will serve in the Princess Consort’s courtyard.” Ding Dong suppressed her grievance. “Please, Prince, drink your tea.”

Actually, she didn’t want to come to the Princess Consort’s courtyard at all and wanted to continue staying in the study grinding ink. But her mother said that since the Prince married, he hadn’t gone to that study courtyard even once. Every day he was either out handling affairs or staying in this room with the Princess Consort… So she could only settle for second best and come here.

“This servant presumes to speak.” Tingxue kept her head lowered as she spoke. “Ding Dong is a tea room maid. According to the rules, without the Princess Consort’s orders, she may not enter the inner chamber.”

Having been accused, Ding Dong showed no anxiety whatsoever, instead lowering her head and tugging at the corner of her lips.

She understood the Prince too well. The Prince most detested servants squabbling over trivial matters. Whoever spoke first would be the unlucky one.

This senior maid called Tingxue was in trouble now.

However.

She heard Chu Yi say: “So lacking in propriety—go learn the rules for a few months before coming to serve the Princess Consort.”

Ding Dong’s body couldn’t help but tremble.

She was Nanny Er’s daughter. Why, why wouldn’t the Prince give her any face?

She bit her lip and said: “This servant used to serve the Prince and thought the Prince should be accustomed to this servant’s service, so momentarily forgot the rules…”

“Get out.” Chu Yi’s expression turned cold. “Before you learn the rules, I don’t want to see you again.”

Ding Dong’s eyes reddened. She wanted to turn and run but still held back, curtsying: “My Prince, Princess Consort, this servant will withdraw first.”

Tingxue bowed her head: “This servant will go check on the evening meal.”

Only Yun Chu and Chu Yi remained in the room.

Chu Yi looked at the woman before him and spoke: “Chu’er, although Nanny Er is my wet nurse, she is merely a wet nurse. I will give her the honor she deserves, but you are the mistress of the Prince’s Manor. Anyone you don’t accept, you need not accept.”

Yun Chu pressed her lips together: “I was thinking that you should always have concubines by your side. Ding Dong is Nanny Er’s daughter and has served you before, so perhaps…”

Chu Yi suddenly laughed and pulled Yun Chu into his embrace.

His chin rested on Yun Chu’s shoulder as he said softly: “Chu’er, actually, I’ve always been uneasy. I was very afraid that you only chose to marry me because of the children… But now, hearing you say these words, I understand that you actually have me in your heart too.”