19 Pregnant

Lady Li is pregnant.

The Fifth Princess had been granted a few days off by Yu Yan due to feeling unwell. Now, still drowsy, she was just climbing out of bed, while Hongxu slept soundly like a little pig.

Outside the green gauze cabinet, beyond a folding screen, the imperial physician’s figure was faintly visible. Although the maids’ flattering and cheerful words were spoken softly, they were close enough to startle Yu Yan, who immediately sprang from bed and ran out without even putting on her shoes.

Lady Li was momentarily stunned but, seeing her barefoot daughter rush out, her brows furrowed sharply. “Hurry and put her shoes on, now!”

In her flurry, Yu Yan stopped as she reached Lady Li, her eyes fixed on her mother’s flat belly.

“She must have heard there’s going to be a little brother and got excited,” a maid teased.

Lady Li beckoned Yu Yan closer and took a comb from the dressing table to smooth the few tangled strands on her daughter’s head, laughing softly, “It might not be a brother; a little sister would be just as wonderful. Imagine having another daughter as smart and well-behaved as our Linzhu.”

No one responded to this. All the women in the room hoped Lady Li would bear another son. A daughter was lovely, but in the end, she would be married off; a son was different.

It wasn’t that Chen Gu and the others were unkind; it was simply that many palace children had died young. The eldest son of the Consort and Lady Li’s second son were still small and fragile when born, with uncertain futures. If Lady Li could give birth to a healthy little son this time, it would be a great reassurance.

Yu Yan found comfort in this. She had never truly known the warmth of parents. After crossing over, being close to Yinzhen and Lady Li, she had briefly experienced what it was like to have a mother and father. Clinging to Lady Li, she babbled, “If there’s another daughter, Ama won’t love Linzhu as much.”

Lady Li patted her daughter gently. “Nonsense! No matter how many children I have, you will always be my daughter. Besides, you’re the first little rascal I gave birth to, so naturally, I love you the most.”

Mother and daughter nestled together on the Luohan couch for a while. Soon, a messenger from the front courtyard arrived with a gift from Yinzhen, the same as what Hongxu had received—neither more nor less.

Yet Lady Li was displeased. Since becoming pregnant, her emotions had grown especially sensitive. She would never have made a fuss over a mere gift before, but when Mistress Xie instructed the maids to pack away the presents, her once radiant expression wilted, leaving others puzzled.

“Last time when I was expecting Hongxu, the Lord himself came to see me,” Lady Li said sourly.

Mistress Xie, still overseeing the maids, sighed upon hearing this, knowing her niece was once again feeling neglected. She had a headache but couldn’t help responding, “The Lord has just returned from the southern tour with the Emperor and has been overwhelmed dealing with the Yongding River affairs. He’s busier than ever. Not just you, even the Consort has hardly seen him lately.”

Yet he still finds time to visit Lady Wu’s residence!

Lady Li couldn’t bring herself to say this aloud, so she bottled up her frustration. Before Lady Wu arrived, the Consort and Lady Song were less favored, and the Fourth Prince would visit her nearly twenty days a month. Now, with Lady Wu’s youthful beauty and gentle temperament, half of his attention had shifted away, twisting Lady Li’s handkerchief in her grip.

Mistress Xie, Yinzhen’s wet nurse, having served long in the palace, saw Lady Li’s demeanor and was reminded of the late Noble Consort Rong.

That lady was also a palace veteran—once young and lovely, growing up alongside the Emperor and sharing a deep bond. Yet after bearing five sons and one daughter, only one son and one daughter survived. She became melancholy, amidst increasing jealousy and near reckless actions, causing the Emperor to treat her with cold indifference.

From Lady Li’s perspective, her husband’s ventures beyond the palace broadened his horizons and distanced him further. Her own world spanned only the inner quarters. The Fourth Prince was no longer the fifteen- or sixteen-year-old who would push her on the swing in the courtyard. Now, beyond matters of their children, they had little in common. That she still enjoyed such favor was only because the Fourth Prince was unusually sentimental.

Lady Li’s brows knitted tightly, eyes shimmering with unshed tears—both pitiful and endearing. Unfortunately, the one who understood her best was not present. The other women in the room couldn’t fathom why she was so stubborn.

Yu Yan watched Lady Li anxiously, worried that her mother’s overthinking in early pregnancy might harm her health.

Her thoughts lingered on Lady Li even during archery practice in the afternoon. Xingde, seeing for the first time the buffalo horn bow given by Yinzhen, tried to pull it hard, only to find it nearly impossible, causing him to feel disheartened.

He glanced toward Yu Yan and caught her sitting on a stone bench beneath the cypress tree, her chin resting on her hands, lost in thought.

“Hey.” Yu Yan sighed, fearing Lady Li’s mood might worsen into postpartum depression, as often seen in modern expectant mothers—she was already showing signs.

Xingde set the bow aside and quietly sat next to Yu Yan, lowering his voice since no one was nearby. “I finished writing my characters.”

He looked as guilty as if he’d done something wrong, making Yu Yan’s suppressed smile break through. She teased, “So afraid Father will find out? Then why didn’t you refuse me back then?”

“A gentleman’s word is his bond,” Xingde replied solemnly, his round face scrunching up. “Look, cousin, I copied your handwriting.”

He sneakily pulled out several neatly folded sheets from his sleeve. Yu Yan glanced at them and was relieved to see they resembled her own messy characters. She nodded and carefully refolded them. “You’re so kind.”

Taking advantage of her cheerfulness, Xingde whispered, “Is there something troubling you?”

Yu Yan was surprised he dared ask such a personal question. But after spending a few times with Xingde, their friendship had rapidly blossomed, and he had become quite clingy.

Yet she couldn’t confide Lady Li’s troubles to anyone. Pretending to be deep, she said, “You wouldn’t understand.”

She beckoned him closer. “Come, cousin, let’s play a game.”

Having been tricked by Yu Yan before, Xingde was cautious this time, keeping a safe distance. Yu Yan pouted. “This time there’s no prize. Have you seen that buffalo horn bow? Aunt Ba said it’s normal for children to be weak. I should find someone to arm wrestle with more often.”

“I’m not very strong either...” Xingde admitted, moving closer reluctantly.

“You’re a boy, you should have some confidence.”

Though Yu Yan’s strength far exceeded Xingde’s—she was always running about and now practiced wrist suspension for calligraphy—when Xingde grasped her hand and took position, he was immediately pinned down.

Xingde: ...One more time!

He refused to admit defeat. Before the next round, he wiped his hands and prepared thoroughly, but again, before a breath passed, Yu Yan pressed his hand down.

After teasing the boy, Yu Yan’s heavy heart lifted, and she hummed happily, “It’s okay, cousin. Boys grow slower. Maybe when you’re bigger, you’ll beat me.”

They chatted and played until dinnertime approached, when Xingde reluctantly said goodbye.

Returning to Lady Li’s room, Yu Yan found the maids standing outside. She swept aside the beaded curtain and darted into the main chamber, just in time to see Yinzhen seated solemnly before a table laden with clothes and jewelry. Several garments bore styles unfamiliar to the capital—likely bought during his southern tour.

“The Lord remembers you and Linzhu share the same birthday,” Yinzhen said, beckoning to his daughter. “In past years, there were always palace affairs around this time, so you and your mother never had a proper celebration. This year, since there’s nothing pressing and you’re expecting again, I want your mother to stay with you. On your birthday, we’ll invite a troupe to perform and make it lively.”

This was a grand gesture for Lady Li; even the Consort never received such honor on her birthday.

Lady Li’s pale face flushed a rosy red, her cheeks glowing like spring blossoms. She looked up with sparkling eyes and softly agreed, “We will follow your wishes.”

“During my absence, have you been studying well? What about the ten calligraphy sheets I assigned?” Yinzhen teased Yu Yan, frowning playfully.

Yu Yan, no longer a child, grinned mischievously. “You can rest easy—I’ll deliver them to the study tomorrow.”

She had anticipated her father’s concern for her homework and was glad she had the foresight to have Xingde help write several sheets; otherwise, she would never have finished in time. Thinking this, she scolded herself for her procrastination.

“Hongxu is almost three now,” Yinzhen shifted his gaze toward the dazed child, frowning. “His sister was already speaking in sentences at that age. Why is he still so dull?”

“You’re the dull one!” Lady Li wanted to retort sharply but smiled kindly instead. “Even the Dragon’s nine sons differ. Hongxu was weak at birth and slower in speech than others. He will catch up with time.”

Yinzhen thought of his many siblings with varying personalities and reluctantly accepted Lady Li’s explanation. Still, he advised, “Once he’s three, he can start his lessons. Then we’ll bring him and Honghui to my courtyard, so the brothers can get to know each other.”

Lady Li had no objections. Her earlier worries vanished entirely upon hearing Yinzhen’s promise of a birthday celebration. Her fair face radiated pure happiness.