Chapter 19: Escorting the Princess Back

After Xiao Yunjie took charge of the household, Chang Yuniang had specifically inquired about her temperament. Yuzhu had warned her, "Consort Xiao is the Dowager’s niece. She is arrogant, overbearing, and refuses to tolerate even the slightest grievance. It would be best for you, my lady, to avoid provoking her."

Chang Yuniang had previously assumed that because she was carrying the Prince’s child, Xiao Yunjie would be cautious and afraid to act against her. Now, however, it seemed that "arrogant and overbearing" was an understatement; the woman was simply unreasonable. Chang Yuniang knew without a doubt that her mistake in calling fish maw "fish bladders" would soon spread throughout the estate, and she could only imagine how people would mock her.

The fish maw incident was already a blunder. She dared not even mention the bird’s nest or sea cucumber. Chang Yuniang was not foolish; she knew the Prince had been staying in Lady Chen’s quarters for the past two days, and she suspected those delicacies were likely his gifts to her. If she complained, everyone would surely think she was merely fighting over scraps.

Just as she prepared to feign a fainting spell, Xiao Yunjie spoke sharply, "One moment you complain the fish maw chicken soup is too fishy, the next you complain you weren't served bird's nest or sea cucumber. All in all, you are simply dissatisfied with the fare in this estate. But a clever cook cannot cook without rice. With over two hundred people in this household and less than five hundred taels of silver left in the accounts, how are we supposed to live if everyone demands such luxury?"

Xiao Yunjie handed the keys to the Dowager. "I truly cannot manage this household any longer. Mother, you should take back the keys."

The Dowager’s well-maintained face showed clear displeasure. She glanced at the keys and then looked coldly at Chang Yuniang. "If these things are not to your taste, what is it that you wish to eat?"

Had Chang Yuniang known they were coming, she would have bitten her tongue before saying those things. Filled with both annoyance and shame, she clutched her belly and whispered, "I thank the Dowager for her kindness, but I still have no appetite."

"Call the estate physician," the Dowager said in a deep voice. "When I was carrying the Prince, I had no appetite all day and vomited everything I ate. Yet, for the sake of the child, I drank bitter medicine bowl after bowl. A woman may be weak, but a mother is strong. No matter how unpalatable the food is, you must swallow it for the health of the child."

Although the Dowager did not say it explicitly, her meaning was clear: she found Chang Yuniang overly affected and delicate. Chang Yuniang’s face flushed to the roots of her hair. She bowed her head and offered a slight curtsy. "I will take your teachings to heart, and I shall mend my ways."

As they spoke, the elderly physician arrived with his medicine box and took Chang Yuniang’s pulse through a silk handkerchief. "How is Lady Chang? Is the fetus safe?" the Dowager asked anxiously.

"The Dowager may rest easy; the fetus is strong," the physician reassured her. "There is nothing fundamentally wrong with her health. Perhaps she has been worrying too much; a little rest and regulation will suffice."

"She hasn't touched a grain of rice in two days. Is she truly alright?" the Dowager remained concerned.

"Rest assured, her stomach and spleen are in good condition," the physician replied. "If the Dowager is worried, I shall prescribe some appetizers and fetal-stabilizing medicine."

"That would be excellent." The Dowager’s expression softened slightly. "Focus on resting and caring for the pregnancy. From now on, you shall eat whatever I eat."

In a remote place like Liangzhou, seafood like fish maw and sea cucumber were extremely rare. Outside of noble households like the Prince’s, many people would never see such things in their entire lives, let alone eat them. Though she had never tasted fish maw or sea cucumber before, she had never lacked for meat or fish. The meals of the past two days had truly terrified her. Hearing this, Chang Yuniang said gratefully, "I thank the Dowager for her love; I will surely take good care of the pregnancy."

The physician wrote the prescription, handed it to the lady, and departed.

"Have the medicine brewed here in Yunmeng Pavilion so it doesn't get cold while being brought from the kitchen," the Dowager said.

Was there a hidden meaning in her words? Recalling her earlier complaint about the cold soup, Chang Yuniang wondered if the Dowager was mocking her for complaining about cold medicine. She quickly declined, "It would be better to brew it in the kitchen; there aren't enough hands in Yunmeng Pavilion."

"Then have Pipa sent over from my rooms." Xiao Yunjie volunteered, "I have been so dizzy with work these past two days that I forgot to assign more people here."

"Better to choose a few from Cia'an Hall," the Dowager said, casting a hurried glance at her. "The Prince has finally secured an heir; this child cannot suffer any accidents. You must be more attentive in these coming days."

Whether out of a guilty conscience or otherwise, Xiao Yunjie felt there was a warning in that look. Her heart began to race, and she hurriedly forced a smile. "Then we shall choose from Cia'an Hall."

Since they had entered, the Prince had been absent-minded, playing with an exquisite snuff bottle in his hands as if the entire matter had nothing to do with him. The Dowager sighed and stared at her son. "It is not a solution for the Princess Consort to stay away indefinitely. She is angry with you; go and bring her back later."

Xiao Yunjie agreed, setting down her teacup. "The current silver isn't even enough for two days of expenses. We really must bring the Princess Consort back quickly."

"Bring her back?" Zhao Shenxing finally looked up, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot. "If she wants to return, she will return on her own! I will absolutely not go to fetch her!"

"As she said, even if she has no merits, she has put in the effort. Can you not give her a way to step down?" The Dowager’s voice rose. "You are the one who made the mistake. Today, you will go, whether you want to or not!"

"Look at how stubborn she is. Even if I went myself, she might not return. I will not go and face a closed door," Zhao Shenxing insisted stubbornly. "Mother can punish me however she likes, but I will absolutely not go to fetch her."

His attitude, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, infuriated the Dowager. Seeing her about to lose her temper, Xiao Yunjie quickly intervened, "Mother, do not be angry. The Princess Consort is stubborn, and the Prince has a point. If he were turned away, wouldn't he lose all face? I cannot manage the accounts well and am hoping for her return. Perhaps I should make the trip instead?"

"You, at last, you've come to your senses." A rare smile appeared on the Dowager’s face. "If there is nothing else, then go quickly."

Compared to the other businesses of the Ning family, the Ning’an Inn was doing quite well. Ning Junruo chose to meet there precisely because the constant flow of people made it easier to remain inconspicuous. Upon her arrival, Manager Yuan had told her that the innermost room of the small courtyard contained a secret chamber, which she could use to hide in case of assassins or other emergencies. Ning Junruo had gone to inspect it; the design was ingenious, the space was ample, and it featured a hidden door leading directly to the front courtyard.

When the appointed time arrived, Ning Junruo adjusted her appearance, took the gifts she had prepared in advance, and hurried to the secret chamber.

"My Lady, Young Master Xu and Young Master Guan have been waiting for a long time. Should I bring them in?"

"Bring them in." Thinking of how angry Young Master Xu had looked when he left last time, Ning Junruo felt a sudden, unexpected wave of tension.