Chapter 132

Chapter 132

Zheng Yuanzhen believed that the child came at an inopportune time, but Grand Princess Fucheng disagreed.

Emperor Yongchang had only ordered Prince Qing to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors, but reflecting during the day was sufficient. There was no rule saying he couldn't sleep at night.

Prince Qing was only twenty-one, in the prime of his youth. After a long separation from his consort, how could he not be eager?

As long as they avoided the days immediately after his scolding, it would be fine.

Therefore, before calling the imperial physician, Grand Princess Fucheng had already instructed her daughter: if the imperial physician asked when her last menstrual period ended, she should report the date as June 16th instead of May 28th. Prince Qing had only returned on June 13th, so at most, she could have conceived that night. Whether she conceived on June 13th or around June 17th or 18th, it would still be about a month ago. How could the imperial physician detect a difference of just a few days from the pulse?

As expected, the imperial physician had no doubts about her words or the pulse reading.

Grand Princess Fucheng directly sent the imperial physician to report the good news to Empress Zhou: "Today is only the 17th. When you see Her Majesty, just say that the pregnancy is not yet confirmed and is only suspected. Return in five or six days to check the pulse again and confirm. If it turns out to be nothing, at least we won’t have raised false hopes."

The imperial physician indeed couldn’t be sure whether Prince Qing's consort was full-term, so he didn’t think too much about it. Grand Princess Fucheng's concerns were understandable.

After the imperial physician left, Grand Princess Fucheng looked at her daughter: "Such a small matter—your maids and attendants won’t let it slip, right?"

Zheng Yuanzhen blushed and said, "No, I’ll make sure to instruct them."

The servants she brought were all trusted confidants. Moreover, the hardships of the journey to the northern residence and the initial discomfort from the change in environment could serve as reasons for the delay in her last menstrual period.

Grand Princess Fucheng said, "It’s best if we can keep it a secret, but even if word gets out, it’s not a major offense. At most, it will be a bit embarrassing for you and your husband. The Emperor is too busy with countless affairs to nitpick over such trivial matters, especially at his age. The joy of a new grandchild will easily overshadow any annoyance he might feel over his son’s lack of sincerity in reflecting on his mistakes."

When the imperial physician reported the good news to Empress Zhou, she took the opportunity to mention it during lunch with Emperor Yongchang: "It’s said that the pregnancy is not yet confirmed, and the pulse is not very clear. We’ll confirm in a few days after another examination."

Emperor Yongchang snorted, "I told him to reflect on his mistakes, but instead, he writes nonsense in his memorials and ends up conceiving a child."

Empress Zhou said gently, "Prince Qing is only twenty-one, and it’s a case of absence making the heart grow fonder. Your Majesty, don’t be too harsh on him."

Emperor Yongchang was just speaking offhandedly and had no intention of punishing his third son further. He had long known that Prince Qing had a fondness for women, having gone through many chambermaids in recent years.

Emperor Yongchang didn’t even care whether the child was conceived on the night Prince Qing returned to the northern residence or a few days later. From the shallow and insincere memorials, the Emperor had already realized that his son had no real intention of repenting and was only trying to placate his father.

Though annoyed, the prosperity of the royal family was indeed a joyous matter. Moreover, Prince Qing was Prince Qing, and his niece was his niece. If Prince Qing insisted on having a child, how could his niece stop him?

A young woman expecting her first child would naturally feel anxious, and Emperor Yongchang didn’t want his attitude toward Prince Qing to cause his beloved niece undue stress during her pregnancy.

That evening, Emperor Yongchang visited Consort Rou and told her to prepare a reward for Prince Qing’s consort once the pregnancy was confirmed. He also instructed Prince Qing to stop submitting reflection memorials and simply complete his three-month confinement.

From the time Prince Qing returned until now, he had submitted three memorials in one month, each one more off-track than the last. The fewer memorials Emperor Yongchang had to read, the less anger he would feel.

The Emperor’s words and thoughts didn’t always align, and Consort Rou couldn’t see through this. She simply assumed that the Emperor was pleased about Prince Qing’s impending child and had thus relieved him of his reflection.

The next morning, Consort Rou selected a gold and ruby plum blossom hairpin from her jewelry box and happily went to Songfeng Hall.

Prince Qing had been worried that his father would scold him for conceiving a child, but upon learning that the Emperor was not only unbothered but had also excused him from further memorials, he was overjoyed and praised Zheng Yuanzhen: "You really know how to time things. This child came at just the right moment."

No matter how eloquent one was, three essays on the same topic were enough. Prince Qing truly didn’t know what else he could write.

With Consort Rou still present, Zheng Yuanzhen blushed deeply. Seeing the ruby hairpin that Consort Rou had brought as a reward, a warmth filled her heart. Her uncle truly still cared for her.

During these days, Yao Huang didn’t need to pay her respects at the western palace. The eldest princess, following her mother’s instructions to wait for confirmation before congratulating her sister-in-law, was discreet and didn’t spread the news. Thus, Yao Huang remained unaware of Zheng Yuanzhen’s pregnancy.

On July 20th, Prince Hui was free again, and Yao Huang suggested that the couple go to the grasslands to play chuiwan.

The distance from the palace to the chuiwan field was two miles. Riding a horse would be too bumpy, and walking would be too slow, so the couple took a carriage.

The carriage was also a bit bumpy, and Zhao Sui looked worriedly at his wife.

Yao Huang smiled, "If I try to comfort you, you'll just turn away again."

Zhao Sui: "..."

Yao Huang patted his hand reassuringly, "Don't worry, I'm not the delicate type who gets out of breath after a few steps. Nanny Jin said that even during pregnancy, it's important to balance rest and activity, and to stay active when appropriate."

Zhao Sui took his wife's hand without arguing.

When they arrived, the couple got out of the carriage one after the other.

Chuiwan tests one's vision, arm strength, and swing technique. Yao Huang played effortlessly, while Prince Hui, assisted by Qing Ai to the wooden ball, adjusted the direction of his wheelchair himself. His arm strength and swing were unaffected, and with his sharp eyesight, he quickly got the hang of chuiwan, almost hitting the hole every time.

He was so skilled that Yao Huang, who kept losing, was about to pout. Fortunately, the First Princess and Second Princess, who were also out enjoying themselves, rode over on horseback. Prince Kang, who was strolling with Chen Ying, noticed the commotion and they both joined in.

After a quick glance confirmed that Prince Hui didn't mind more players joining, Yao Huang suggested splitting the six into two teams to keep score.

Among the women, Yao Huang was the reigning champion. When it came to forming teams, both the First Princess and Second Princess stood by her side.

Chen Ying felt awkward. While it was natural for her to team up with Prince Kang, what about Prince Hui?

Chen Ying had barely spoken to Prince Hui before, and now they were suddenly to be teammates. She feared she might face his disapproval if she made a mistake.

Noticing her discomfort, the First Princess offered to switch places with Chen Ying.

Yao Huang intervened and asked Prince Kang, "How skilled are you at chuiwan, big brother?"

Prince Kang instinctively looked at his younger brother. When they were young, their father had taken them both to play, not many times, but each time he had played better than his younger brother. The question was, had his younger brother been letting him win back then?

Prince Kang wanted to be modest but feared that his younger brother's chuiwan skills might be underestimated due to his wheelchair, and he might be mistaken in his modesty.

He hesitated, prompting Yao Huang to suggest: let Prince Kang take three shots, since neither the First Princess nor the Second Princess was aware of his skill level.

Prince Kang accepted the club from Fei Quan. Under the gaze of the princess, his sister-in-law, and his sisters, he suddenly felt nervous and said, "Actually, it's been a long time since I last played this."

The First Princess chuckled, "There are no strangers here, big brother. Even if you don't play well, we won't laugh at you."

Prince Kang glanced at Chen Ying and walked to the wooden ball.

The striking area, known as the base, had over twenty holes dug at distances ranging from ten to a hundred steps ahead. The farther the hole, the higher the score for getting the ball in.

Prince Kang targeted a hole fifty steps ahead at an angle, steadied himself, and took his swing.

The wooden ball rolled along the ground and stopped a few steps short of the hole.

Yao Huang remarked, "Your aim was spot on, big brother. You're just rusty from years of not playing."

Everyone nodded.

Prince Kang chose another fifty-step hole for his second shot. This time the strength was sufficient, but it was slightly off. However, getting so close at fifty steps proved Prince Kang's considerable skill.

For his third shot, Prince Kang chose a twenty-step hole and got it in with one swing.

Yao Huang now had a good idea of Prince Kang's ability and decided, "I'll team up with big brother and sister-in-law, and you two sisters can team up with your second brother."

For the game to be interesting, the total strength of the two teams should be evenly matched.

The Second Princess murmured, "Big brother is so skilled, and second sister-in-law is quite adept too. Sister and I are just mediocre..."

Yao Huang: "How do you want to split the teams?"

The Second Princess walked over to Prince Kang, smiling, suggesting Yao Huang join Prince Hui and the Eldest Princess.

Yao Huang: "Alright, let's play a round first and put up the stakes."

The maids brought by the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess each took out a bit of silver from their pouches. Chen Ying's maid, used to carrying a pouch, also took out two taels of silver for her master and mistress, placing it in the stake plate. A Ji added Prince Hui and his wife's stakes last. This was the amount set by Yao Huang; playing chuiwan for half a day might win or lose a tael at most, which wouldn't affect their camaraderie.

When it was Prince Hui's turn to hit the ball, Yao Huang gave him a wink.

Zhao Sui had to play along, choosing a twenty-step hole and sinking the ball in one shot.

The Second Princess: "..."

She finally agreed to Yao Huang's initial team suggestion.

When Emperor Yongchang came out for some fresh air, he saw from afar the rare sight of his eldest and second sons playing chuiwan with their wives and sisters. He urged his horse over, waiving formalities for the younger generation and encouraging them to continue the game.

Yao Huang and Prince Kang were both seven or eight out of ten in skill, with Chen Ying, who was a three.

Prince Hui, a perfect ten in skill, led his two sisters, both at four or five. They had played two rounds, each winning one.

With Emperor Yongchang watching, Prince Kang visibly got nervous, missing shots he normally would have made.

Zhao Sui stayed calm, pushed by his two sisters to make the shot. He instinctively glanced at his wife across the way.

Yao Huang: "..."

Before she could shoot him a look to tell Prince Hui she wasn't that petty, Emperor Yongchang coughed: "Fair play, are you really thinking of cheating over such a small stake?"

Hearing this, the Second Princess bent down in disbelief to look at her second brother. Could it be that he was afraid of upsetting his wife over just one tael of silver?

The Eldest Princess pulled her aside, laughing: "Father's overthinking it; second brother isn't like that."

Now, even if Zhao Sui wanted to let Prince Kang win, he couldn't. He glanced at the distant hole, lowered his eyes, and struck the ball.

The wooden ball rolled smoothly along a straight line into the hole.

The Second Princess was so happy she hugged the Eldest Princess and ran to get the stakes from the tray.

As they were about to start a new round, Yao Huang invited Emperor Yongchang: "Father, would you like to join?"

Emperor Yongchang asked: "If I join, how will we divide the teams?"

Yao Huang smiled: "As you wish, Father, but I want to be on the same team as the Second Prince, and not with you."

Emperor Yongchang: "...Why?"

He hadn't even played yet, and his second son's wife already doubted his chuiwan skills? Recalling the past, he too was a master of chuiwan!

Yao Huang glanced at the tray of stakes, her eyes bright: "Because only by not being on your team do I have a chance to win the stakes you put up."

Upon hearing this, the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess both expressed that they also did not want to be on their father's team.

Emperor Yongchang: "..."