Chapter 39: Joyous News

The snowy white lion cat mewed softly, its silver fur shimmering in the light. Rong Bi held the feline in her arms while silently jotting down the medicinal cuisine recipes she had painstakingly memorized during her time in the palace. Fortunately, she had put in great effort to remember the effective and common medicinal dishes, even experimenting with them on the prince's body within the palace walls. Thus, many of the formulas remained vivid in her memory.

What should be on tomorrow's menu? Medicinal cuisine ideally required a physician's supervision, adjusting the dosage based on their pulse diagnosis for optimal effects. Both the prince and princess had their pulses taken every half month, but Rong Bi could only access the princess's medical records, not the prince's. As a result, she had to choose more moderate and balanced recipes, avoiding overly pungent herbs.

Considering the recent intake of nourishing foods, Rong Bi slowly marked the Pig Lungs, Dendrobium, and Lingzhi Soup. Dendrobium helped cool internal heat, while Lingzhi replenished qi and calmed the mind, though it had a bitter taste. To balance this, she added longan for sweetness and Ophiopogon to moisten the lungs and enhance the soup's clarity. This way, Prince Jingbei would not find it unpalatable.

She meticulously transcribed each day's medicinal cuisine plan and diligently recorded her activities for the day in her journal, including her observations from her visit to Ju Lu and the gifts presented by Zheng Tanhua.

She ventured out so infrequently that everything seemed novel to her, and as she wrote about the various aspects of her life – from medicinal recipes and kittens to Lord Li Shao-dong and the prince – she unexpectedly filled over ten pages, nearly exhausting the notebook. Pondering how the crown prince, confined within the palace, might take days to fill a single page, Rong Bi took up her needlework and began another book. She imagined he must write with great care despite his concise style.

With the security firm's operations settled, they resumed their regular escort services. Upon noticing a route leading to her hometown, Rong Bi felt a sudden impulse. She asked Commander Song if she could ask the master of the escort firm to deliver a letter back home for her. Commander Song chuckled. "Of course, Your Highness. Just pack whatever you need to send and give it to me, along with the address and name. I'll make sure it reaches them."

Rong Bi hastily composed a letter, mindful that her parents were illiterate and would need someone to read it aloud. Thus, she didn't go into great detail. Briefly, she mentioned her current service to the princess, assuring them that she was doing well and asking them not to worry. She also mentioned sending some money and medicine back home, urging her parents not to be stingy with their health and to invest in clothes and property. After exchanging her accumulated silver for ready cash and packaging several commonly used medicinal herbs with their respective uses labeled, she also wrapped a few bolts of cloth before reluctantly instructing her servants to prepare the packages for delivery.

To her surprise, the princess found out and summoned Rong Bi, smiling as she said, "In theory, given your hard work and contributions, I should invite your parents and family here for my support. However, you understand that my position is still tenuous, and I lack the means to provide adequately. Besides, Jining is a harsh and cold place; your parents might not wish to leave their homeland. So, I'll grant more gifts instead. Don't refuse; these are what you deserve."

Rong Bi thanked the princess. True to her word, the princess had ordered a hundred taels of silver and several precious silk fabrics to be bestowed upon Rong Bi. Recognizing the princess's intention to gain her loyalty, Rong Bi acknowledged that, although this was a common tactic among those in power, she couldn't leave the siblings just yet. With her parents receiving this sum, they would no longer suffer humiliation in their village. Rong Bi felt a sense of relief, knowing that her struggles along the way had finally brought some benefit to her family.

Days passed uneventfully, and Rong Bi was incredibly busy, either overseeing the progress of farming on the estate or auditing accounts at the medicinal food shop. One day, Mei Xiang unexpectedly approached her with concern, saying, "Princess's monthly cycle usually arrives on the 15th, but it's already the 16th, and there seems to be no sign. I've been hesitant to continue serving the health-tonic herbal tea."

Rong Bi reacted promptly, "Then, by all means, stop using it for now. Have you informed the Princess and summoned a physician?"

Mei Xiang shook her head. "Not yet. I thought we should observe for a few more days. Perhaps the Prince's presence and the consumption of warming and nourishing medicinal dishes have affected her menstrual cycle. Let's wait another couple of days before reporting to the Princess."

A few more days passed, and Mei Xiang discreetly informed the Princess. Startled, the Princess calculated the dates and realized she was indeed late. Recalling their intimate moments, she smiled softly. "I'm usually very punctual, and these past few days, I've felt a dullness in my chest, longing for sour plum soup. It's likely the case. At this early stage, a physician wouldn't be able to detect anything. Let's wait a bit longer. Coincidentally, the Prince has gone on an inspection tour to Fufeng, Leling, and Wuwei Prefectures and won't return for a month. By then, the diagnosis should be clearer. Just pay attention to my diet for now, and let's keep this matter private."

Time flew by, and a month elapsed. Yi Yang still hadn't shown any signs of menstruation, accompanied by her increased sleepiness and craving for sour foods. The Princess knew with a high degree of certainty what the situation was. Anticipating the Prince's return, she summoned a physician to take her pulse, which indeed confirmed her suspicion – she was with child. Rewarding the physician, she instructed him not to disclose the news and dismissed him.

Princess Yi Yang was evidently in high spirits upon receiving such joyful news so soon. She instructed her trusted lady officials to pay attention to her diet while arranging various tasks. The princess's close companions beamed with happiness, their steps light, for their mistress's pregnancy meant that she would officially integrate into Jingbei, which aligned with the interests of the imperial court in marrying off a princess.

When Prince Jingbei, Guo Shuji, returned, he saw Rong Bi attending to him and felt pleased. "Lady Rong didn't go to the medicinal cuisine shop? The food in Fufeng was too salty these past few days; I barely had any decent meals. What would you like to have tonight?"

With a smile, Princess Yi Yang stepped forward to help him remove his outer robe. "Your Highness, what do you desire? Just tell Rong Bi to prepare it."

Seeing Princess Yi Yang's cheerful demeanor, Guo Shuji's mood also lifted. He pondered for a moment and said, "The saffron abalone soup we had last time was quite good. Its golden color warmed me up nicely."

Princess Yi Yang's smile deepened. "You just happen to crave that one dish. I'll have them prepare it separately for Your Highness. But since it contains saffron, I can't consume it. I haven't had my monthly cycle for two months, and the physician said I might be with child."

A sudden freeze settled on the corners of Guo Shuji's lips, his face darkening. "What did the princess say?"

Yi Yang noticed the change in his expression and a hint of surprise flickered across her face. Still, she maintained her smile, albeit with a touch of frost in her eyes. "Did His Highness not hear me clearly? I said, I am with child."

Guo Shuji gazed coldly at Princess Yi Yang, his voice laced with a chilliness that spoke of impending doom. "The princess is with child?"

Princess Yi Yang met his gaze directly, her smile now entirely vanished. She spoke in a cold, measured tone, "Indeed, I am with child. Isn't His Highness delighted?"

Guo Shuji's face turned ashen, his jaws clenched tightly. Veins pulsed subtly on his forehead as he clenched his fists. After a moment of silent, unyielding eye contact with Princess Yi Yang, he abruptly turned and walked away without a word.

Not a single soul dared to breathe, as the atmosphere in the room grew oppressively heavy. The once cheerful courtyard seemed to have been instantly shrouded in gloom, swept by a chilling, ominous wind. All fell silent, and only the newly transplanted flowers and plants in the yard, their roots still unsteady, trembled under the crisp spring breeze, causing their petals to flutter and fall.

Princess Yi Yang stood there, having carefully applied makeup to her face in anticipation of the prince's return. Today, her complexion, now ashen under the tension, only accentuated the paleness of her features. Her gaze was cold as she spoke, "Serve the meal. Also, send someone to the Jingtai Prefecture's residence of the supervising eunuch, to deliver a message to Gao Tongyu. Inform him that I am with child and request he immediately report this joyful news to the imperial court, so our father, the emperor, may be made aware."

Pausing a moment longer, Princess Yi Yang's lips quivered. "Additionally, generously reward everyone in the prince's household. Spread the news of my pregnancy."

Rong Bi accepted the order and went out to command Song Wensong. As expected, they dispatched an express carriage to the Imperial Eunuch's residence. Before departing, she was concerned that the princely mansion might intercept them, but fortunately, everything went smoothly without any interception.

The winter passed quietly, and though Jinning was typically harsh and cold, spring arrived tardily, its bright sunshine illuminating the landscape. News of Princess Yi Yang's pregnancy spread, but concurrently, whispers of a strained relationship between Prince Jinning and Princess Yi Yang also found their way through covert channels.

Prince Jingbei, Guo Shuji, never returned to the Harmony Light Pavilion. Most of his time was spent in his study at the detached residence, overseeing border patrols, training troops, and handling official documents. It was as if he had completely forgotten about his princess consort. Of course, he wasn't solely devoted to work. For leisure, he hunted, hosted banquets, watched operas, and attended gladiatorial contests, just as he used to, except that he no longer visited the prince's mansion.

The news of the princess consort's neglect was no secret within the Prince Jingbei's estate.

Princess Yi Yang, however, was no ordinary woman. Her guard detachment was equally renowned – a group of tall, strikingly handsome youths who entered and exited the mansion daily, carrying riding crops and leading magnificent horses. With their long legs and strong waists, they greeted everyone with smiles. Such handsome and charming young men were a rare sight in the northern territories, let alone in a group.

Every day, Princess Yi Yang dressed provocatively, under the protection of these youthful attendants. They accompanied her to temples for incense offerings, to theaters for performances, and to banquets and flower-appreciation events within the Prince Jingbei's estate, where she held the status of a princess consort. She made no attempt to hide her affectionate interactions with her guards, laughing and smiling openly in public. This inevitably reminded people of the rumors surrounding Princess Yi Yang's flirtatious behavior back in the capital.

Soon, the noble ladies of the region couldn't help but engage in discreet, suggestive conversations and giggles of understanding.

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