Volume One, Chapter 20: May I Be Blessed with a Son at Once!
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Since Song Wenyue had not yet married, upon hearing these words, she glanced at Lady Song with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. Lady Song’s expression was not pleasant either. She uttered some polite words, advising her to always support her husband and avoid angering the prince. Then she added, “Now that you’re married and your status is elevated, you should help your elder brother and Yue’er find their way.”
Song Yaozhu sneered inwardly. The original occupant hadn’t even tasted a grain of Song family rice, yet now they expected to reap benefits.
“If my younger sister has her eye on someone, I’ll shamelessly help inquire on her behalf.”
Hearing this, Song Wenyue blushed and looked at Lady Song, fully relying on her mother’s decision.
“You know about yesterday’s palace banquet. The Third Prince is both graceful and talented. Your fourth sister admires him greatly. Could you possibly enter the palace and discreetly inquire about the Noble Consort’s opinion?”
Song Yaozhu nearly burst out laughing; how oblivious was Lady Song?
Seeing her hesitation, Lady Song quickly changed the subject. “Winter is approaching. Do you have enough coal at the residence? Since you married in such haste and have no experience managing a household, I could send a nanny to assist you, so you won’t be deceived by those treacherous servants.”
“No need. The prince oversees the household affairs; they wouldn’t dare deceive him.”
Lady Song and Song Wenyue both looked displeased at this. Since when did a man manage household matters?
“Ah, very well. As long as you two live well together. You should seize the opportunity to conceive soon. It would be best to have news before the new year. When the fruit ripens in autumn, your position as princess will truly be secure. Otherwise, with the prince’s nature, he could easily replace several princesses.”
“Speaking of replacing princesses, the Prince of Yan lost his consort two years ago and petitioned to elevate a concubine to official status. But she has two other secondary consorts above her. How could that be approved? The whole capital knows about this. The emperor rejected his petition, but unexpectedly, he submitted it again the following year. It’s unclear if he will submit it this year.”
Lady Song intended to warn Song Yaozhu to secure her position by bearing a child but inadvertently reminded her of a deeper matter.
The Prince of Yan, Yuwen Dao, was the elder half-brother of Yuwen Wuji. As a founding hero of the Great Chen dynasty, he contributed half the merit of Yuwen Wuji’s conquest. Holding military power, he controlled Yan territory and guarded the southern frontier, becoming a major concern for Yuwen Wuji.
Suddenly, a thought surged in her mind.
Why not use the Prince of Yan against Yuwen Wuji? She could both elevate him and topple him!
Seeing Song Yaozhu’s face darken, Lady Song did not stay long and left after a short visit with Song Wenyue.
No sooner had she left than Xie Liwei entered the room.
“Why has the prince come?”
Song Yaozhu felt weak, having just taken a bitter medicine that churned her stomach.
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“How else would I know what schemes you’re cooking behind my back?”
“Prince, you’re eavesdropping again,” Song Yaozhu chided him with a glance. “I was clearly praising you.”
Xie Liwei was speechless; even he was startled by her fierce words.
“The prince also heard that my fourth sister is to be married, so I must find her a good family.”
“And then?”
“You can’t visit empty-handed, can you?”
Xie Liwei gave her a sidelong glance, unsure of her intentions but allowed her to choose anything she liked in the storage.
A few days later, Song Yaozhu’s abdominal pain subsided. She took some silver and gold and went out, ordering some pastries from an obscure dim sum shop.
“Princess, if you desire pastries, our mansion’s chef from Jiangnan makes better ones than these!”
Song Yaozhu said nothing. “To the Crown Prince’s residence.”
The coachman was shocked, as was the servant carrying the silver and gold.
But when the mistress commands, the mission must be fulfilled.
After a while, the carriage stopped at the Crown Prince’s gate.
The Crown Princess was taken aback when she heard the Princess of Xiaoyao had arrived unexpectedly.
“That Princess of Xiaoyao really has no manners, not even sending a notice in advance,” the nanny muttered, cradling the Crown Prince’s son.
The Crown Princess waved off the complaint. The visitor was already at the door; she couldn’t just turn her away. Song Yaozhu might be impolite, but she was not.
Song Yaozhu carried the pastries into the main hall, smiling brightly.
“Sister, last time at the palace you said those pastries were delicious. I thought you loved sweets, so I brought some for you to try.”
Her behavior was abrupt, causing displeasure in the Crown Princess, but considering her background, she understood and forced a smile to receive her.
“Please sit,” the Crown Princess said stiffly. “Why no prior notice? What if I weren’t home and you came all this way for nothing?”
Though polite, it was a rebuke for Song Yaozhu’s lack of etiquette.
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Song Yaozhu seemed not to understand. She lifted the lid of the pastry box, pushed the treats toward her, and looked at her expectantly.
“Sister, please try these pastries. How do they taste?”
The Crown Princess was embarrassed. The pastries were ordinary and unappetizing, but Song Yaozhu’s hopeful expression and her own decorum made refusal difficult.
The nanny nearby noticed her hesitation and quickly intervened.
“These pastries have cooled. The princess’s stomach has been delicate lately; she shouldn’t eat cold food. I’ll take these to the kitchen to warm them up.”
“Please hurry,” Song Yaozhu urged.
The Crown Princess was truly unsure of Song Yaozhu’s intentions. Could she have really come all this way just for a piece of pastry?
After a moment of silence, seeing the conflicted expression on Song Yaozhu’s face, she took the initiative to ask, “Sister, is there something you wish to say?”
Embarrassed, Song Yaozhu smiled and said, “I heard that married women who hold a blessed child can conceive. So…”
The Crown Princess understood immediately: she wanted to hold the Crown Prince’s son to absorb the blessing and conceive soon, thereby securing her position in the Xiaoyao Prince’s residence.
Who said this country girl was foolish? Given her background, marrying into the prince’s household was probably the best she could do to secure her future.
The Crown Princess’s eyes darkened with cautiousness.
After all, they were not close, and for her to so abruptly ask to hold the Crown Prince’s son—what if something happened?
“Princess, unfortunately, the little prince has just fallen asleep,” the nanny said.
Song Yaozhu responded, “That’s no problem. I’ve heard it’s enough to simply be near the child. May I at least see the little prince?”
Her request was reasonable, and her sincere tone, coupled with her straightforwardness, left the Crown Princess speechless.
“Very well,” she relented and led Song Yaozhu inside.
The little prince was sleeping soundly. As promised, Song Yaozhu stood quietly by the bed, watching him without any other action. Her face radiated a loving smile, hands clasped before her chest as if in devout prayer.
“Thank you so much, Your Highness! I will visit the temple to pray that I may bear a son in one go!”