Pregnant Salted Fish Chapter 54

TL: Hua

At the Su Residence, Su Yanjiang, who had just returned from outside, walked into his father’s study: “Father, you were looking for me?”

“Yanjiang, you’re here.” Master Su gestured to the nearby chair: “Sit down first. How have your duties been lately?”

“It’s all right.” Although Su Yanjiang was only a low-ranking official of the fifth rank, he still held the title of Imperial Son-in-Law, so naturally, no one would dare to bully him.

Master Su inquired briefly about his son’s duties before gradually getting to the point: “On the day of the imperial banquet, your grandfather saw a heavily pregnant noble person in Jixian Palace beside the Emperor. Has the princess mentioned this to you?”

Su Yanjiang looked up in surprise when he heard this: “The Emperor has always been indifferent to women. There was no sign of anything at Lian’er’s full moon celebration, so how could there be an imperial heir so quickly?” Master Su understood. It seemed Princess Qingzhu was unaware. He slowly sighed, “Yanjiang, based on your grandfather’s meaning, our Lian’er is still less than a year old, and the one in the palace looks close to giving birth. If it’s a prince…”

“Grandfather wants to marry Lian’er into the imperial family?” Su Yanjiang rejected the idea without thinking: “Father, Lian’er is still so young, just a nursing infant. How can we force a marriage upon her? Moreover, the princess marrying into the Su family is already an honor for our family. Does Grandfather really want the Su family to produce an empress?”

“Yanjiang!” Master Su’s face immediately darkened. He sighed and walked over to Su Yanjiang, patting his son’s shoulder: “The Su family no longer has its former glory. Your grandfather could be forced to retire at any time. Do you want our Su family to gradually decline, and for Lian’er, the daughter of a princess, to live an ordinary life?”

“What’s wrong with an ordinary life?” Su Yanjiang didn’t have grand ambitions; he only wished for a stable life with his wife and daughter, living peacefully. However, his father’s expression was already grim, and he knew he couldn’t argue further, or it would only become more awkward.

Seeing this, Master Su continued to persuade him: “I know Lian’er is still young, and your grandfather naturally dotes on her. This is just a preliminary thought. Even if we have such intentions, we’ll have to wait until Lian’er is older to find an opportunity to act. Just have the princess go to Prince Huai’s residence first to gather information; there’s no rush for anything else. We can plan later.”

Su Yanjiang had no choice but to return to his room and briefly convey his father’s meaning to Princess Qingzhu.

Princess Qingzhu’s appearance wasn’t as vibrant and striking as Yin Yuanshuang’s, but her normally proud nature had softened considerably after childbirth. Listening to her husband’s words, she calmly continued to coax the infant on the bed. A moment later, she handed the rattle in her hand to the maidservant standing by.

“So, what do you think, husband?” Princess Qingzhu got up and sat beside Su Yanjiang, reaching for the teacup on the table to pour him a drink.

Su Yanjiang, however, looked at his wife with some grievance: “Princess clearly knows what I mean; why ask again?”

Princess Qingzhu’s lips curved into a smile, her beautiful eyes fixed on Su Yanjiang: “Husband, you feel wronged now, but wouldn’t our little Lian’er be even more wronged, being plotted against by her grandfather and great-grandfather at such a young age!”

Upon hearing this, Su Yanjiang stood up and embraced Princess Qingzhu, muttering a string of complaints, which finally made Princess Qingzhu push him away: “Alright, alright, you’re so old and still acting clingy like a child, aren’t you ashamed!”

After a moment’s thought, Princess Qingzhu slowly said to Su Yanjiang, “Husband, don’t worry. Tomorrow, I’ll go to Prince Huai’s residence to sound out my imperial brother. Although my imperial brother is usually unrestrained, he’s very clear-headed on important matters like this.”

The next morning, Princess Qingzhu pulled Prince Huai out of bed: “Imperial Sister-in-law merely took the child back to her family home, and you’re already so lazy! Aren’t you afraid she’ll settle scores with you when she returns?”

Prince Huai was terribly sleepy but instantly sobered up upon hearing this: “What’s wrong? Did your Imperial Sister-in-law send a letter back?”

“No,” Qingzhu snorted, then recounted yesterday’s events to Prince Huai: “Their Su family was only able to marry a princess because Yanjiang was well-raised. Now, they’re insatiably greedy, trying to get their hands on the Emperor’s heir.”

“Don’t let the Su family persuade you to get involved in this matter.” Prince Huai looked at his sister quite seriously upon hearing this: “The reason we survived the infighting in the harem back then was entirely due to the emperor’s and imperial mother’s protection. We mustn’t be muddle-headed for a moment and become ungrateful villains.”

Princess Qingzhu gave her imperial brother an annoyed glance: “What are you thinking? If I truly had such intentions, would I reveal them to you, Imperial Brother? Besides, haven’t we siblings seen through power and influence? Why must you test me like this? Weren’t our consort mother’s tragic death and the imperial mother becoming like this all due to the misfortunes of the imperial family? The Emperor’s temperament is lenient and benevolent, but who knows what the Crown Prince’s temperament will be in the future? How could I push my own daughter into a pit of fire!”

Prince Huai finally felt much more at ease. Seeing his sister’s indignant expression, he couldn’t help but chuckle, “Thinking about it that way, you might as well find a child-groom for Lian’er. After all, a child you raise yourself, whose background you know well, will be more reassuring.”

It was merely a jest, but Princess Qingzhu seriously pondered for a moment: “I actually think your words make a lot of sense, Imperial Brother.” However, her daughter was still young, so they could take their time; one shouldn’t be too hasty in finding a child-groom.

Prince Huai looked away, embarrassed, but then he was very puzzled: “With your personality, you should get along very well with Yuanshuang. Why does Yuanshuang always find fault with you?”

At the mention of this, Princess Qingzhu somewhat awkwardly picked up her teacup and took a sip: “It’s my fault too. The first time I saw Yuanshuang, I relied on my seniority to bully her once, and then, after all the fuss, it just became like this.”

“Alright, alright, I don’t care about your little squabbles between ladies. If there’s nothing else, you should hurry back!” Prince Huai yawned drowsily, only wanting to send his sister away quickly so he could go back to sleep.

Princess Qingzhu: “I sent a letter to Imperial Sister-in-law earlier. I estimate she’s already on her way back to the city.”

“Uh…” Prince Huai’s eyes widened, wishing he could exclaim, “This prince is in danger!” just as he saw his sister happily walking away.

—

In Changxin Palace, the salted fish young master lazily nestled on the Taoist master’s lap, looking particularly listless. This prompted Yin Yanjun to repeatedly lower his gaze and feel the young master’s forehead, fearing that he had caught a cold overnight and fallen ill.

Pulling the Taoist Master’s sleeve to cover his face, Xu Yanqing felt as if a fire was burning in his heart, an uncomfortable sensation stuck somewhere between rising and falling.

“Wen Jing, go invite Han Yunrui.” Yin Yanjun gently held the young master in his arms, his expression exceptionally grim, his usually calm eyes filled with an unconcealed worry.

Xu Yanqing couldn’t pinpoint where he felt unwell, but it was precisely this inexplicable discomfort that made him nestle aggrievedly in the Taoist Master’s arms, a tear escaping the corner of his eye.

Imperial Physician Han and Qi Chen arrived quickly. They took the young master’s pulse but found nothing amiss. Qi Chen, with his keen eye, noticed the red mark on the back of the young master’s neck and asked, “Has the young master’s heat cycle not subsided yet?”

“Not yet.” Yin Yanjun rubbed the young master’s cheek, finally managing to soothe him temporarily, his clear voice tinged with an unavoidable coolness.

Qi Chen and Imperial Physician Han exchanged glances. After a moment, Imperial Physician Han said, “That’s it then. Based on Medical Officer Qi’s records, combined with the observation of the young master during this period, your subject speculates that the young master’s discomfort might be due to the prolonged heat cycle period.”

Previously, the young master’s heat cycle periods had been progressively longer, which was clearly unusual. Perhaps it was due to the pregnancy or something else, but Qi Chen hadn’t paid too much attention at the time.

“Is there a solution?” Yin Yanjun gently patted the young master’s back. By now, the young master had buried his entire fluffy head into his embrace.

Imperial Physician Han and Qi Chen pondered for a long time. Qi Chen’s eyes sparkled: “Your humble subject has a clever method, but it might inconvenience Your Majesty a bit.”

Yin Yanjun looked up: “Speak freely.”

“From Xu Family Village onwards, your humble subject has said that Your Majesty can soothe the young master’s heat cycle period. And this time, the young master’s heat cycle period has not subsided, which might also be related to Your Majesty.” Qi Chen hesitated, saying, “If your humble subject is not mistaken, Your Majesty is currently sleeping separately from the young master. In this case, why doesn’t Your Majesty move to Changxin Palace at night, or have the young master move to Hanliang Palace…”

Qi Chen’s words were somewhat presumptuous, but Yin Yanjun, being anxious about the young master’s current condition, wouldn’t quibble over such a minor issue. His expression was serious as he immediately called Wen Jing over: “Pack up the young master’s belongings and move them to Hanliang Palace.”

“Your servant obeys the imperial decree.” Wen Jing, having received the Emperor’s command, quickly took Mu Yu to pack.

So, when the salted fish young master woke up from his bed, he found his surroundings both a little unfamiliar and a little familiar: “Mu Yu.”

Xu Yanqing called out, and Mu Yu scurried over: “What’s wrong, young master?”

“Where is this?” The salted fish looked bewildered. How did he wake up in a different place?

Mu Yu honestly replied, “This is the Emperor’s sleeping quarters. Imperial Physician Han said that your recent discomfort is due to the collision of pregnancy and the heat cycle period, so he suggested that you sleep with the Emperor at night. Then the Emperor carried you to Hanliang Palace.”

“Sleeping together at night?” The young master’s head felt a bit muddled, as if he hadn’t fully woken up yet.

Otherwise, why, after just accepting that he had an emperor boyfriend, were they already going to illegally cohabitate so soon?

Xu Yanqing rubbed his chin. That sounded a bit strange. After all, they had engaged in a passionate encounter the very first time they met, and before they were even familiar, he was already carrying the Taoist Master’s child.

Compared to that, “illegal cohabitation” didn’t seem so wild and unrestrained. After all, they had done many things more outrageous than illegal cohabitation.

But despite saying that, Xu Yanqing couldn’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable. They often stayed together in Changxin Palace, so why did it suddenly feel so restrained now?

Dinner was served in Hanliang Palace. After dinner, Yin Yanjun specifically sent Wen Jing to inform the Empress Dowager that the young master was feeling unwell and would not be coming over today.

“What’s wrong with Ah Qing’s body?” The Empress Dowager’s eyes were filled with worry. At this point, the child in the young master’s belly was nine months old, and any problem would affect both father and child.

To prevent the Empress Dowager from worrying, Wen Jing could only say that there was no major issue and that it was likely just fatigue due to late pregnancy.

However, the Empress Dowager still couldn’t stop worrying. This was the first time she had left Yunhe Palace since her son ascended the throne.

Therefore, when the young master saw the Empress Dowager, he was particularly surprised and quickly got up to greet her: “Your Majesty, why did you trouble yourself to come all this way?”

“Wen Jing said you weren’t feeling well, so I came to see you.” The Empress Dowager felt a bit uncomfortable suddenly leaving Yunhe Palace, especially to come to Hanliang Palace.

But when she saw the young master, who was full of concern, and his bulging belly, she sobered up considerably.

Yin Yanjun put down his vermillion brush and walked to the young master’s side, helping him sit down on a chair. He looked up at the Empress Dowager: “Imperial Mother, you don’t need to worry too much. Qingqing’s body is special, and since he’s nearing delivery, your son specifically brought him to Hanliang Palace to be cared for.”

“Mm-hmm, yes, yes, that’s how it should be when two people live together,” the Empress Dowager said, taking the young master’s hand and gently patting it.

Xu Yanqing felt a bit embarrassed, a blush rising to his face. He belatedly felt the nervousness of meeting family.

The Empress Dowager didn’t stay in Hanliang Palace for too long. Seeing that the young master was fine, she felt reassured.

Yin Yanjun specially arranged for guards to escort the Empress Dowager back to Yunhe Palace.

Hanliang Palace was equipped with a washroom, similar in size to the one in Changxin Palace. The Emperor was currently performing his evening prayers. Wen Jing had ordered hot water to be prepared in the washroom before coming to invite the young master to bathe.

Undressing, Xu Yanqing immersed himself in the hot water with Mu Yu’s help. The comfortable sensation seemed to permeate every pore, making the salted fish float, leaning against the tub.

Soaking in hot water made him feel drowsy. Xu Yanqing vaguely heard Mu Yu call him twice. Perhaps it was due to the day’s discomfort, or perhaps the hot water dulled his senses, but Xu Yanqing vaguely closed his eyes and fell asleep right there in the bathtub.

“Young master, young master…” Mu Yu gently patted his young master’s shoulder: “If you’re sleepy, go back to bed. You can’t sleep in the bathtub.”

“What’s wrong?” Yin Yanjun’s slightly cool voice sounded from outside the washroom; he had clearly already walked over.

Mu Yu, unable to wake his young master and fearing that prolonged soaking in the tub would be bad for his health, replied upon hearing the Emperor’s voice, “Young master fell asleep in the bathtub, and your servant cannot wake him.”

Steady, powerful footsteps grew closer. Yin Yanjun had already walked into the washroom: “Go close all the windows in the sleeping quarters.”

Mu Yu ran off as ordered, knowing that the Emperor would take care of the young master in the washroom.

Just as Mu Yu finished closing all the windows, he saw the Emperor emerge, carrying the soundly sleeping young master in his arms.

The young master had already changed into new sleepwear, which meant only the Emperor could have changed his clothes. Mu Yu was delighted and couldn’t help but marvel inwardly: The young master and the Emperor have such a good relationship.

Xu Yanqing’s heart was squirming at this moment; he had already woken up when the Taoist Master changed him into his sleepwear and held him in his arms.

But the scene at that moment was truly embarrassing, so the salted fish young master could only pretend to be asleep. It wasn’t until he was tucked into the covers that he finally sighed in relief and pretended to snuggle deeper into the quilt.

Yin Yanjun sat by the bed, bending slightly, staring at the young master’s feigned “sleeping face,” with the corners of his lips slightly raised. The young master’s demeanor was truly adorable.

Yin Yanjun softly asked Mu Yu for the ointment and medicinal oil the young master usually used. Then he meticulously helped the young master apply the ointment and massage his legs before getting up to bathe in the washroom.

Listening to the footsteps fade, Xu Yanqing peeked with one eye, seeing that the Taoist Master had entered the washroom. Only then did he fully open both eyes. The bed was filled with the Taoist Master’s scent.

Although he had been to Hanliang Palace that night to help the Taoist Master detoxify and had stayed there for a night, the circumstances were special then.

So, Xu Yanqing had never examined Hanliang Palace closely, which was why he found it so unfamiliar upon waking up today.

Now, on the Taoist Master’s exclusive dragon bed, there were two quilts and two pillows, meant for two people to sleep. The salted fish young master couldn’t help but bury his face in the quilt, yet his lips couldn’t help but curve upwards slightly.

When Yin Yanjun emerged from the washroom, he saw the young master burrowing into the quilt, wiggling back and forth, but instantly becoming still upon vaguely hearing footsteps.

With a mix of amusement and helplessness, Yin Yanjun quietly walked over. The lights outside had already been extinguished, leaving only two palace lanterns on the tall stand outside the dragon bed.

Yin Yanjun lifted the quilt and slowly lay down on the dragon bed. The young master beside him was exceptionally well-behaved, as if truly asleep. A doting smile touched Yin Yanjun’s lips as he gently pulled down the quilt covering the young master’s face.

Xu Yanqing’s eyelashes trembled uncontrollably, and his little heart thumped wildly. He felt as if he was meticulously enveloped by the Taoist Master’s cool, faint scent, and even his breathing was filled with a stirring fragrance.

The bed curtains fell, instantly dimming the light within the dragon bed. Yin Yanjun, finding the young master’s rigid sleeping posture rather amusing, turned his head and silently gazed at the young master’s slightly rounded profile.

After sensing no movement beside him, the young master cautiously let out a long breath and quietly opened his bright, wide eyes, staring at the bed canopy, which was different from that in Changxin Palace, as if the patterns on the Hanliang Palace bed canopy were incredibly rare.

When Xu Yanqing finally mustered the courage to turn his head, he saw the Taoist Master sleeping soundly on his side. It turned out not all emperors slept as rigidly as if in a coffin, as depicted in storybooks.

Unable to resist snuggling closer to the Taoist Master, Xu Yanqing’s left-side sleeping position allowed him to look up directly at the Taoist Master’s clear and elegant face. The sleeping Taoist Master was even gentler than usual, devoid of the solemn indifference he showed before court officials, the dignified coolness when reviewing memorials in the imperial study, and even the awkwardness he displayed in front of the Empress Dowager.

Xu Yanqing couldn’t help but raise his hand and gently rub the Taoist Master’s cheek. It wasn’t his imagination. After observing for some time, Xu Yanqing found that the Taoist was indeed respectful and admiring of the Empress Dowager, like a son to his mother.

However, this ordinary mother-son affection was mixed with mutual guilt and self-reproach, leading to both the Taoist Master and the Empress Dowager feeling the same restraint toward each other.

The young master had no better solution for this, so he could only deliberately create more opportunities for the mother and son to spend time together, especially since his own mother-son relationship in his previous life had also been extremely difficult.

Perhaps it was a case of “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Xu Yanqing, looking at the Taoist Master’s clear and ethereal face in the dim light of the dragon bed, felt a slight tipsiness, like admiring a beauty under lamplight.

Amused by his own fanciful thoughts, Xu Yanqing silently snuggled into his “sleeping beauty’s” embrace and slowly closed his eyes.

Warm breath brushed against his neck. When the young master was sound asleep, Yin Yanjun slowly opened his eyes and gently placed the soft pillow, prepared earlier at the foot of the bed, under the young master’s lower back. Only then did he lie down and pull the young master into his arms.

During the night, Yin Yanjun vaguely heard the young master’s whimpers of pain. The next moment, he opened his eyes and softly asked, “Qingqing, what’s wrong?”

The young master was still dreaming and hadn’t truly woken up. His calf had suddenly cramped painfully, and he unconsciously whined about his leg hurting while nestled in the Taoist Master’s arms.

Gently patting the young master’s back reassuringly, Yin Yanjun sat up and felt the young master’s tense, swollen calf, slowly massaging it with a bit of force.

The young master pitifully rubbed against the pillow beneath him, finally falling back into a sound sleep after the cramping pain in his leg slowly faded.

The night passed, and when Xu Yanqing woke up on the dragon bed, the Taoist Master was no longer there.

“Mu Yu,” Xu Yanqing called out, and Mu Yu quickly entered with a basin of water.

“Young master, did you sleep well?” Mu Yu served his young master as he changed clothes: “The Emperor should be done with court now.”

Xu Yanqing touched the back of his neck, which was still a bit warm. The heat cycle hadn’t subsided despite sleeping on the same bed for a night, but the inexplicable discomfort he felt seemed to have lessened considerably. “It’s not as uncomfortable now.” He took the cloth Mu Yu handed him and washed his face. Meanwhile, the palace attendants had already prepared breakfast.

“Just now, the chief eunuch came to relay a message, saying that Prince Huai suddenly entered the palace to request an audience with the Emperor, so the Emperor is having his meal in the Imperial Study,” Mu Yu said, helping his young master slowly sit down.

Xu Yanqing first drank a cup of warm water, then looked up: “Prince Huai?”

“Mm-hmm,” Mu Yu nodded repeatedly: “I heard from the chief eunuch that among all the Emperor’s brothers, he has the best relationship with Prince Huai.”

Of course, most of the emperor’s brothers had perished on the path of seizing power, and among the few remaining, Prince Huai was the most sensible and accommodating.

It was probably a matter of court affairs again. The salted fish didn’t care about those things. Anyway, the Taoist Master had Wen Jing serving him; all he needed to do was eat well and drink well.

—

In the Imperial Study, Prince Huai was having breakfast with the Emperor.

When Yin Yanjun finished his breakfast and cleansed his mouth, he looked faintly at Prince Huai: “Tell me, you usually go to court for three days and rest for two days; why did you run into the palace so early today?”

“Well…” Prince Huai chuckled, “Now that Your Majesty also has a noble person by your side, I’m just happy for you!”

“Thank you for your good intentions.” Yin Yanjun’s tone was as cool as ever, but his next words nearly made Prince Huai drop his jaw: “Remember to send a meeting gift to the palace.”

“No, your humble subject is from a small household. Why does Your Majesty still care about that small meeting gift?” Prince Huai was puzzled; Prince Huai was playing dumb.

“Hmm, the noble person you mentioned likes it.” The young master, who pulled him to show off that he was now a “wealthy household,” was also very cute. A trace of a smile flickered in Yin Yanjun’s eyes.

Prince Huai was utterly astonished. Not long ago, the emperor he knew was a pure-hearted, ascetic, immortal-like ruler. Now, with love, the Emperor had indeed changed.

Then Prince Huai heard the Emperor say calmly, “It’s useless to tell you these things. Imperial Sister should have already sent a letter to Princess Consort Huai.”

Prince Huai suddenly realized. No wonder his dear Princess Consort, who had just returned to the residence, wasn’t in a hurry to bother him; she had gone to prepare a meeting gift for that noble person in the palace.

After the small joke, Yin Yanjun glanced at Prince Huai: “Alright, tell me, why did you come to the palace this time?”

Prince Huai also put away his smile: “A few days ago, Qingzhu came to me to inquire about the noble person in the palace. Lian’er is not even one year old yet, and the Su family is already thinking about the imperial heir. The Su family already has an imperial son-in-law, and now they even want to produce an empress.”

“Seeking wealth and fortune amidst danger,” Yin Yanjun said flatly, betraying no emotion. “Did Old Master Su ever say he knew the noble person in the palace?”

Prince Huai shook his head: “Qingzhu never mentioned that. Could it be that they have some connection with the Su family?”

Yin Yanjun sat down at the desk and threw a memorial onto Prince Huai: “You’re good at feigning madness and foolishness. You already saw the young master at Lian’er’s full moon celebration that day.”

“Heh heh, your humble subject was still in shock, thinking that perhaps Marquis Wu’an’s residence had another twin daughter.” Prince Huai pretended not to see the faint displeasure in the Emperor’s eyes: “But speaking of which, Your Majesty and young master Xu certainly have a deep fate.”

Rubbing his chin, Prince Huai thought for a moment, “Something seems a bit off. Lian’er’s full moon celebration was only seven months ago, but young master Xu’s belly looks at least eight or nine months old. That means before that, Your Majesty and young master Xu had…”

At this, the expression in Yin Yanjun’s eyes grew even colder, so Prince Huai very sensibly stopped that topic.

However, he still sighed inwardly: So even the Emperor had moments of being so unrestrained and ill-mannered.

“Old Master Su has also passed his sixtieth year and can now retire to a life of ease. Given his meritorious service, Su Yanjiang shall be promoted to fourth-rank Academician Reader of the Hanlin Academy.” Yin Yanjun looked up at Prince Huai: “Since Prince Huai is free today, why not make a trip to the Su Residence?”

“Alright!” Prince Huai was always unreliable and didn’t have a very good reputation among the officials, so he naturally didn’t care about offending people.

“Retirement to a life of ease” it was. Prince Huai carried the imperial edict and the gold and silver treasures specially bestowed by the Emperor upon Old Master Su, swaggering through the streets all the way to the Su Residence.

The curious common folk naturally followed, and as they listened to Prince Huai read out the Emperor’s rewards to the Su family, they couldn’t help but exclaim that the Emperor’s nature was indeed benevolent and generous. Not only had the Su family’s eldest grandson married a princess, but now he had even been promoted in official rank.

“Speaking of which, Master Su’s eldest son’s official rank is higher than his father’s now!”

“Indeed it is! Master Su’s father was only a fifth-rank official, but Master Su’s eldest son was a fifth-rank official and now has jumped over the fifth-rank to become a fourth-rank. It really goes to show that he married well.”

“What foolishness are you talking about? Our emperor is not a muddle-headed person. Since he has entrusted the Su family’s eldest son with important tasks, it proves he has great talent.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right. I’ve met Young Master Su. He’s very talented in literature and has a gentle disposition. He’s a good young man.”

However, Old Master Su and Master Su’s expressions weren’t so pleasant upon receiving the imperial decree. It was clear the Emperor was taking out his anger on them, granting favors to the Su family on the surface while secretly suppressing them.

“I’ve delivered this imperial decree. The Princess Consort is still waiting for me at the palace to take her to Qingyun Tower for a drink,” Prince Huai said, handing over the decree and leaving Old Master Su and Master Su with bewildered expressions as he strolled away.

To take his own wife to a restaurant for a drink—Prince Huai could even say such perfunctory words.

Master Su helped Old Master Su into the study: “Father, this imperial decree…”

“I’m afraid Princess Qingzhu said something during her visit, and Prince Huai’s big mouth blabbed it to the Emperor,” Old Master Su smacked the table angrily. Now, this imperial decree from the Emperor had ruined all his plans. Upon hearing the personal maid’s report, Princess Qingzhu’s lips curved slightly upward as she held her eight-month-old daughter in her arms.

Even if Old Master Su knew she hadn’t properly “sounded out” Prince Huai, what could he do? She was a princess, and with that status, as long as she was alive, she could protect Lian’er.

—

In Hanliang Palace, the salted fish young master was still unaware of Old Master Su’s sordid schemes. He had just sent a reply to Princess Jing’an two days prior, and today, he welcomed an unfamiliar, delicate guest.

“Why have you suddenly moved to Hanliang Palace?” Yin Yuanshuang walked into Hanliang Palace hand in hand with Tuoba Jinshu, seeing the salted fish young master nestled in a reclining chair, reading a storybook.

Hearing this, Xu Yanqing looked up calmly, “Perhaps it’s close to my due date, and the Taoist Master isn’t entirely at ease.”

Tuoba Jinshu remembered the young master’s exquisite and beautiful face. She had initially thought he was a noblewoman from the capital but was surprised to find he was a young man. But there was no hint of surprise in her eyes; she simply walked gracefully and bowed to the young master.

“Princess Jinshu, there’s no need for such formality. We don’t stand on ceremony here.” The young master put down his storybook and lazily sat up, his eyes curved into a smile, radiating the unique carefree spirit of a young man.

Tuoba Jinshu had prepared gifts for the child in the young master’s belly. She personally made two small outfits for infants and also specially prepared a fine jade tablet for young master Xu.

Just then, Mu Yu joyfully ushered his young master’s elder brother into Hanliang Palace.

“Ah Qing, Mother made some belly wraps, shoes, and hats these past few days and asked me to bring them to you.” Xu Xianzhi carried a rather large box and strode into Hanliang Palace: “Why have you suddenly moved to Hanliang Palace?”

Facing the same question, the salted fish could only helplessly explain again and, incidentally, introduce his brother to Princess Jinshu.

“So it was you, young lady. I was quite impolite on the street that day.” Xu Xianzhi hadn’t recognized the person before him as Princess Jinshu of Xiling. He only thought this lady was Princess Jing’an’s close friend.

Tuoba Jinshu slowly shook her head, a faint smile in her eyes: “You’re too polite. Jinshu is flattered.”

The salted fish young master looked bewildered. He blinked and glanced at Princess Jing’an beside him, who also looked utterly confused.

“Brother, when did you get to know Princess Jinshu?” Unable to understand, Xu Yanqing had Mu Yu take the wooden box from his brother’s arms.

Only then did Xu Xianzhi realize the identity of this lady. On the day of the imperial banquet, his attention had been entirely on his foolish younger brother. He hadn’t paid attention to Princess Jinshu without her veil.

Daliang wasn’t as strict about interactions between men and women. Once they became familiar, everyone gathered, chatted, and laughed, enjoying themselves.

Tuoba Jinshu inadvertently looked up at Xu Xianzhi across from her. She had no other thoughts, only finding this prince of Daliang exceptionally interesting.

After everyone left Hanliang Palace, the salted fish young master once again sprawled lazily in the reclining chair and beckoned to Mu Yu: “I always feel like my brother is a bit strange. Don’t you think he might have taken a liking to Princess Jinshu?”

Mu Yu honestly replied, “It’s not impossible.”

However, before the young master could consider his brother’s lifelong affairs, the little bean in his belly couldn’t wait any longer.