Chapter 26: Playing the Flute Beneath the Begonia Blossoms

With maidservants and matrons attending to her every need, and a steady supply of bird's nest and shark fin soup to nourish her, Chang Yuniang finally felt that she had truly secured her footing in the Prince of Liang’s estate.

However, human greed is boundless. No sooner had she spent two days in peace than her mind began to churn with new desires. She heard from the servants that the Prince had been spending the last two days at the Listening Rain Pavilion with Mistress Chen, where the two of them passed their time playing the zither, listening to music, brewing tea, and engaging in games of chess—a truly idyllic existence.

She was consumed by jealousy. What she wanted was more than just food and clothing; she knew full well that the Dowager Consort and the Prince were only focused on the child in her womb. Although the fortune teller had predicted it would certainly be a boy, she remained anxious. After all, until the child was born, nothing was certain. Looking at the state of the household, she wondered if the pregnancy could even be carried to term. If anything were to happen to the child... she dared not imagine it.

Ever since news of the Princess Consort’s plan to open an academy reached the Prince of Liang’s estate, Zhao Shenxing’s life had become difficult. Every time the Dowager Consort saw him, she would begin to nag, complaining that he was nearly thirty years old and still could not give her any peace of mind. If only he could be as sensible as Xu Mingyi, she would wake up laughing even in her dreams. Zhao Shenxing’s ears were calloused from the repetition, but since he could do nothing against his mother, he could only bury his head in the sand and hide in the Listening Rain Pavilion to seek his own pleasures.

Having finally managed to keep the Prince by her side, Chen Qinghe was determined to hold onto his heart. For the past two days, she had avoided any mention of the Princess Consort, Mistress Chang, or the vexing affairs of the estate, instead using all her charm to accompany him in his revelries. The Listening Rain Pavilion was a riot of blooming flowers, and the two of them, lost in affection, looked for all the world like a pair of celestial lovers.

Today, as usual, Chen Qinghe was leaning in Zhao Shenxing’s arms, the two of them sitting beneath a crabapple tree, playing the flute. Suddenly, Chang Yuniang arrived, uninvited, accompanied by her maid, Yuzhu.

Drunkenly embracing his beauty, Zhao Shenxing was enjoying the melodious flute music with his eyes closed when he heard Chang Yuniang laugh, "My, what a masterful skill, Sister. I had intended to come and listen to some music, but I did not expect to find the Prince here as well."

The music stopped abruptly. Zhao Shenxing opened his eyes and glanced at her indifferently. "Why have you come?"

"I have come to beg for the Jade Beauty Ointment." Chang Yuniang curtsied, then turned her gaze toward Chen Qinghe. "May I ask if you still have any of that ointment you mentioned last time? I have come specifically to seek the secret formula today. I am willing to pay any price, so please, Sister, have pity on me."

Chen Qinghe, her slender, jade-like fingers still holding a fine jasper flute, had no choice but to put it aside. "You really should stop thinking about it. I only have half a box left; it is impossible for me to give it to you."

Chang Yuniang produced a banknote and held it out to Chen Qinghe right in front of the Prince, appearing entirely sincere. "Sister, you do not know how terrifying it is to be pregnant. Look at the spots on my face; even thick powder cannot cover them now. I am truly worried that before the child is even born, I will have already become a haggard, sallow-faced woman."

Having said this, she looked at Zhao Shenxing with a resentful expression, seemingly silently recounting the suffering she endured for the sake of his child. "Lord Zhao, looking at me like this, do you feel great disdain?" Her voice remained sugary, but her eyes were filled with sorrow.

The pleasant mood was ruined. Zhao Shenxing frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on Chang Yuniang’s face for a moment before he looked away, appearing somewhat uncomfortable. "Yuniang, you are in a delicate condition; it is better to rest more."

"Rest? If I do not plan for myself, who will plan for me?" Chang Yuniang’s voice rose slightly, her tone carrying an undeniable firmness. The surrounding maids and matrons heard this and began to cast surprised glances, whispering among themselves.

"Mistress Chang is truly bold, daring to speak to the Prince in such a manner," one maid whispered.

"Indeed, but it is to be expected. After all, she carries the young heir in her womb, something the Dowager Consort has been waiting for for so long. A mother becomes honored through her son; perhaps she will become a Secondary Consort in the future..."

"If it truly is an heir, then the Princess Consort..."

Though these whispers were faint, they drifted into Zhao Shenxing’s heart like a gust of wind. Chen Qinghe glanced at the banknote but made no move to take it.

"Mistress Chang, you are overstating the matter. We are all part of the same household by fate, and it is only through destiny that we serve the Prince here. Very well, I have half a box of the Jade Beauty Ointment left; take it and use it to see if it is effective."

After saying this, she let out a deliberate, soft moan and smilingly freed herself from Zhao Shenxing’s embrace. "Sister, you do not know—this ointment is extremely rare, otherwise I would not be so stingy."

Chen Qinghe looked at her and said, her tone pleasant, "Talking of money is so tedious. Since you have asked, Sister, take this half-box and use it. I am not as blessed as you, being able to have my own child, so I hope you will not forget your sister in the future."

Tingting, reluctant, returned to the room and retrieved a small porcelain box to hand to her. Chang Yuniang accepted the box as if it were a treasure and said gratefully, "I did not expect you to be so generous, Sister. Rest assured, I will never forget this kindness."

It was hard to tell if their words were truly from the heart. The atmosphere between the three seemed harmonious, yet it was highly subtle.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door, and a young servant burst in, breathless. "Your Highness, the Dowager Consort is feeling unwell. Please, Your Highness, go to the Ci'an Residence immediately."

Zhao Shenxing’s expression turned grim. He stood up, adjusted his robes, and gave a hurried instruction to Chen Qinghe and Chang Yuniang: "Get along well with each other. I am going to check on my mother."

"Your Highness, rest assured. Sister and I will certainly get along well," Chang Yuniang replied quickly, though a flash of indiscernible sharpness crossed her eyes.

After Zhao Shenxing left, the room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional chirping of birds outside the window. Chang Yuniang looked up, her gaze lingering on Chen Qinghe for a moment as if assessing something, then chuckled softly: "Sister, with the Prince accompanying you these past few days, you must be living quite comfortably."

"Thank you for your concern, Sister. How is your health?" Chen Qinghe asked with a look of genuine concern, her tone so sincere that it was difficult to detect any falsehood.

"Alas, Sister, you do not know—the child in my womb has been making such a fuss lately that I find it quite exhausting." Chang Yuniang gently stroked her belly, a look of maternal tenderness appearing on her face, though her eyes were filled with calculation.

The surrounding servants, hearing this, all wore expressions of sympathy and envy, and began to whisper among themselves.

"Mistress Chang is truly lucky, though this pregnancy is indeed not easy."

"Who can say otherwise? But if she can give birth to an heir for the Prince, this little bit of suffering is worth it."

Chen Qinghe sighed softly, whether for others or for herself, it was unclear.

"Sister, you are truly having a hard time. I have used this Jade Beauty Ointment for over a decade; it has always been effective. I wonder how it will work for you."

"Many thanks, Sister. It is rare that we get along so well. We must support each other in the future." Chang Yuniang’s tone was gentle yet carried a hint of force, as if she were testing the waters.

Chen Qinghe smiled faintly, her manner still graceful. "Mistress Chang, you are overstepping. No one can predict the future, but..." Her tone shifted, "Things are unpredictable; in the end, the only person we can truly rely on is ourselves."

Hearing this, Chang Yuniang realized instantly that Chen Qinghe had no intention of forming an alliance with her. She sighed, "I only wonder if the child in my womb will be born safely?"