Chapter 17: Retching

Qin Hongmian’s expression shifted, and she hastily withdrew her hand. "It was a token of respect from those beneath me. Since you are unwilling to speak further of it, sister, I shall not force you."

Shen Tubai had been pondering why Mama Xin, who had neither children nor kin, would not leave her bracelets to Su Ye. There had to be someone else behind it. She had not expected it to be Qin Hongmian. Having entered the manor only a month before her, Qin Hongmian was already receiving favors from the very woman whom even the secondary consort, Consort Lu, was desperate to win over. Truly, the waters of this inner courtyard were deeper than she had imagined.

Shen Tubai carefully observed Qin Hongmian’s attire. It was plain and simple; the only item on her person capable of making an impression was that bracelet. It seemed likely that Mama Xin had never told her the origins of the jewelry, or else she would not have dared to wear it so brazenly in front of her. Yet, Qin Hongmian had neither money nor power, and judging by recent days, she was not particularly favored. What means could she possibly have to make a prominent matron of the outer courtyard show such initiative in currying favor?

Lost in thought, Shen Tubai returned to Wutong Pavilion, only to find the candles already lit and Li Tinghan sitting by the desk reading.

Shen Tubai hurried over with a beaming smile. "When did the Prince arrive? Have you been waiting for me long?"

"You are lacking in propriety again." Li Tinghan frowned slightly, though there was little genuine anger on his face.

Shen Tubai stuck out her tongue, performed a formal curtsy, and sat down beside him. "Is the Prince reading the 'Book of Rites'?"

Li Tinghan raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You are literate?"

"Of course," Shen Tubai said with a touch of pride. "Every year around the autumn examinations, the musicians of the Jiaofang must set the poems of talented scholars to music so they can spread throughout Chang'an. How could I manage if I were illiterate?"

"Besides that, did you also have to accompany them in composing verse and enjoying their company?" Li Tinghan asked, an involuntary trace of annoyance creeping into his voice.

Shen Tubai remained perfectly calm. "It could not be helped. Fortunately, those who frequented the Jiaofang were all scholars; their manners and conduct were gentle and refined, unlike others who act with such recklessness."

As she spoke, she added a belated remark, "Of course, all of them combined could not compare to the Prince’s dragon-like presence."

Li Tinghan let out a cold snort, not bothering to waste his temper on her. "Consort Lu held a welcoming banquet for you today; was it quite lively?"

Shen Tubai carefully gauged his expression. "Does the Prince know already? I did not intend to frighten Consort Lu."

Li Tinghan remained stoic on the surface, but a question formed in his mind. He had only learned that Shen Tubai had been summoned by Consort Lu after he returned to the manor, and fearing she might be harassed, he had sent someone to investigate. The young eunuch who reported back had described the banquet as harmonious and pleasant. How, then, did she manage to frighten Consort Lu?

Seeing his expression, Shen Tubai felt a surge of confidence and began her complaint: "What I said at the banquet was indeed exaggerated, but that substance—the placenta—is truly an affront to heaven."

"Even a tiger will not devour its own cubs. That substance is derived from a mother's own body; to treat it as a tonic is nothing short of beastly. As for its supposed fertility benefits, I simply do not believe it..."

Li Tinghan had not initially understood what the substance was, but upon hearing that it came from a mother's body, his imagination filled in the details, and his face turned as grim as if he had swallowed a fly.

Shen Tubai tugged at his sleeve. "Prince, I know I was wrong. Please, do not be angry with me, will you?"

Her soft fingertips traced circles against his palm, and her voice was deliberately honeyed. Was this an admission of fault? It was an overt seduction.

Li Tinghan gave a cold laugh, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her toward him. "You know you were wrong? Then tell me exactly where you went wrong."

Shen Tubai pouted in dissatisfaction, wrapped her arms around his neck, and rubbed her face against his shoulder. "I do not know. I just know I was wrong, and I submit to the Prince’s punishment."

Li Tinghan was, after all, a man in his prime; how could he resist such provocation? He raised an eyebrow and asked, "How would you like me to punish you?"

"I would like..." Shen Tubai whispered into his ear.

"You temptress!" Gritting his teeth, Li Tinghan swept her up in his arms and strode toward the crimson silk curtains.

For five consecutive days, Li Tinghan stayed in Shen Tubai’s Wutong Pavilion, making someone in Hanxiang Court so furious she nearly tore her handkerchief to shreds. Calculating that the fertile window had passed, Shen Tubai turned cold and heartless, finding an excuse to drive Li Tinghan away to his study. The head matron had warned that intimate relations during pregnancy could lead to a miscarriage; if she were truly lucky, this child must not be lost to such things.

Ten days later, Shen Tubai woke up with a sudden wave of nausea and spent a long time retching by the bedside, unable to recover. Seeing this, Chunchan hurried over with tea for her to rinse her mouth, her face bright with joy. "Miss, could it be... that you are with child?"

Shen Tubai felt a chill in her heart; her own first thought had been the same. She touched her lower abdomen. There were ten days left until the deadline set by the Cui family. With her background, unless bestowed by those in power, she was never meant to be a proper secondary consort of the Prince’s manor; even if she were pregnant, she would likely be ordered to have the child aborted.

Yet, the Prince of Yan’s manor currently had no heirs. Surely, both she and this child would be allowed to survive? Shen Tubai let out a sigh of relief, though she cautioned, "Do not spread this news yet. We will call for a physician in a few days."

Having grown up in the Prince’s manor, Chunchan understood the importance of this pregnancy and nodded like a bobbing drum, swearing to the heavens that she would not reveal a single word. However, during daily meals, she appeared extremely nervous, as if she feared someone might try to harm her mistress.

In Shen Tubai’s view, it would be best to keep the pregnancy hidden for the first three months, but with the deadline approaching, she had to find a way to send word to the Cui family. Otherwise, if they went to the palace to confess and shifted all the blame onto her, she would lose her life, and it would be too late to say anything.

Unable to leave the manor herself, Shen Tubai thought of Su Ye, who had been responsible for delivering messages last time. Coincidentally, she had a question for her as well.

"Is today the day the monthly stipends are distributed?" Shen Tubai asked, hearing the murmurs outside.

Chunchan’s face lit up with a smile. "Miss is currently in favor; the accounting office will send the monthly stipend for our pavilion directly to us in a moment."

Shen Tubai interrupted, "The secondary consort is in charge now; we should not be negligent. You had better go yourself."

Chunchan realized the wisdom in this and nodded in agreement. Shen Tubai added, "And if you meet Su Ye, tell her to come here. Tell her she still has a debt to settle."

"Yes," Chunchan said, hesitating, but complied in a low voice.

A quarter of an hour later, Su Ye followed Chunchan in, looking like a thief. Upon seeing Shen Tubai, she threatened in a low voice, "The money was distributed today; I will bring yours to you myself tomorrow. What if someone finds out about this?"

Shen Tubai lifted her eyelids slightly, looking listless. "So, you do know that I hold a handle on you. When you conspired with Consort Lu to plot against me that day, I thought you were eager for the whole manor to know what you had done."