“You’re overthinking, Sister,” Rong Fei replied with a light smile, quickly regaining her composure. “I merely thought of her, that’s all. Back then, Qu Fengyi was so young, sweet-looking too. It’s nothing important, but since her name came up, I couldn’t help but sigh. If she hadn’t fallen ill and passed away, she’d probably be sitting here with us now, chatting.”

  “She simply didn’t have the fortune,” Hu Meiren snorted quietly.

  The way she said it made Rong Fei disinclined to continue the conversation.

  Min Fei paid them no mind.

  Seeing this, Wumian simply moved on with formalities. “Guifei, you’ve worked hard these past days. The weather wasn’t kind yesterday—you didn’t tire yourself out, did you?”

  “How could I dare? It was my duty,” Guifei replied with a smile.

  “That’s good. The harem is filled with good news tely—Li Fei, Li Liangyi, and Xu Liangyi are all with child. It’s a fortunate thing. If my calcutions are right, their children will all be born at the end of this year or early next year. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all three turned out to be little princes? Just the thought makes me happy.”

  “Her Majesty is always so kind and generous. I’m sure your wish will come true,” Zhang Meiren said with a smile.

  “Yes, if three princes are born, they’ll all call Your Majesty ‘Mother.’ What an auspicious occasion that would be,” Jiang Zhaorong added.

  Whether they were genuinely happy or not, everyone had to say such things.

  Wumian smiled faintly. “There’s nothing more today. You may all leave. Guifei, do keep an eye on the Eldest Princess. She’ll be getting inocuted soon—that’s no small matter.”

  “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.” Guifei smiled, but hearing Wumian’s instructions always grated on her. That tone of authority was hard to endure.

  Yet she had no choice but to listen.

  “No need for courtesy. You may all return,” Wumian said as she rose from her seat. The consorts and concubines gave their formal salutes and left.

  Once everyone was gone, Wumian went to catch up on some sleep.

  When she woke, Feixu brought over a folded inner robe. “Your Majesty, this was made by Xu Liangyi. She said she’s been bored during her pregnancy and can’t do any fine embroidery, so she made this inner garment for you. The material seems good, and the embroidery is simple and elegant. Please take a look.”

  She added, “The Imperial Physician has examined it too—there’s nothing wrong.”

  After the incident with Li Liangyi’s poisoned garment, everyone had grown cautious.

  Wumian took a look. It was a soft pink robe, with simple orchid patterns embroidered along the cuffs and hem—indeed, tasteful and refined.

  “Have it washed and I’ll wear it. It’s quite nice. In a few days, prepare some fine fabric as a reward for her.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Tomorrow is the first day of the month. Shall we have the servants invite His Majesty to dine here?” Linshui asked as she brought over a tray of nuts.

  “No need. If he wants to come, he will. There’s no need to push. But do remind the Imperial Kitchen—I want the food light and clean. It’s the hottest time of year. Have them prepare tomorrow’s meal here. I want chilled noodles and white-cut chicken. As for the soup, something light.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty. Don’t worry—they’re good at serving you now,” Linshui replied.

  Wumian thought to herself that it hadn’t always been so. Back when she first entered Fengyi Pace, the food from their little kitchen had been very pin.

  “By the way,” she added, frowning slightly, “no one has mentioned how His Majesty intends to arrange the Eldest Prince’s inocution. The Empress Dowager’s temporary pace isn’t where he resides.”

  “That’s true. No word has been heard. The children in the pace usually stay at Rongkang Pace during the inocution period. Guifei already sent people to clean and staff it. It’s not just the Eldest Princess and Eldest Prince—several children from the imperial cn will be inocuted too. But no one’s mentioned the Eldest Prince specifically. Maybe he’ll be inocuted separately?”

  “The inocution itself isn’t the key point,” Wumian said. “The important thing is how he’ll be cared for afterward.”

  The process wasn’t difficult—by now, human-to-human inocution was common practice.

  But surviving the recovery period after inocution was the real hurdle. Would they really leave the Eldest Prince to fend for himself at some remote vil? Wumian found it unlikely.

  “Tell me, do you think this is one of those things where if no one mentions it, His Majesty simply doesn’t know what to do?” Wumian asked.

  “Your Majesty, do you mean… you want to bring it up?” Linshui hesitated. “If so… I fear Guifei and the others will resent you even more. After all, the Eldest Prince is the te Empress’s legitimate son. No matter what, he’s a thorn in their side.”

  “If that’s truly the case,” Wumian replied calmly, “then I may as well extend a hand. I’ve never wronged him. If I do him a kindness now, surely he’ll remember it in the future.”

  “That may be true… but if Your Majesty brings it up and His Majesty takes the opportunity to bring the prince back, won’t Guifei, Xian Fei, Rong Fei, Min Fei—and even Li Fei—all hate you for it?” Linshui said worriedly.

  Wumian smiled. “And what makes you think they don’t hate me already? So why not give them another reason?”

  “You’re right, Your Majesty. As long as you’ve thought it through. But if you do mention it to His Majesty, you’ll have to be subtle. He got angry before when you asked about the prince’s vil—it shows he still cares.”

  “You’re right. Thank you for thinking of me.” Wumian patted her maid’s hand.

  “It’s an honor to serve Your Majesty,” Linshui said, a little embarrassed.

  Wumian said no more, only patting her hand again.

  This wasn’t something she would go out of her way to mention. If the Emperor visited, she’d bring it up. If not, she wouldn’t force it.

  After all, he wasn’t her son.

  Whether he lived or died, whether he was well or suffering—it wasn’t her concern.

  Normally, on the first day of the month, they would pay their respects to the Empress Dowager, but since she was away at the vil, everyone simply gathered at Wumian’s pace before dispersing.

  After the meal, Wumian went for a stroll in the Imperial Garden with Lin Cairen. It was hot, but this was the height of summer’s bloom—it would be a shame not to admire it.

  The Imperial Garden was vast, with a natural ke at its center. In the distance, they could see pace maids in peach-colored skirts going about, some working, some clearly taking a moment to stroll and chat. No one minded—it was natural for young girls to steal a moment of leisure under the guise of fetching flowers or running errands.

  They settled in a pavilion called

  After the meal, Wumian went for a stroll in the Imperial Garden with Lin Cairen. It was hot, but this was the height of summer’s bloom—it would be a shame not to admire it.

  The Imperial Garden was vast, with a natural ke at its center. In the distance, they could see pace maids in peach-colored skirts going about, some working, some clearly taking a moment to stroll and chat. No one minded—it was natural for young girls to steal a moment of leisure under the guise of fetching flowers or running errands.

  They settled in a pavilion called Xin Yu Qing Feng Pavilion. Wumian zily fanned herself, enjoying the fresh air.

  “Are those maids from Li Fei’s pace?” Lin Cairen asked, pointing to two girls not far away.

  Linshui gnced over. “They are. Looks like they’re here to pick flowers. That patch over there is full of balsam flowers—probably gathering them to dye their nails.”

  As they spoke, the two maids noticed them and quickly came over to greet them.

  Wumian gnced at their basket—it was indeed filled with bright red balsam flowers.

  The pace grew rge patches of these, mostly because the consorts liked them and they were easy to cultivate.

  There were many colors, but the vivid red ones were a new variety, best suited for dyeing nails.

  “Greetings to Your Majesty,” the two maids said in unison.

  Wumian nodded. “Rise. Go on with your task—you needn’t mind me.”

  The two pace maids thanked her and left.

  Lin Cairen remarked, “Is it alright to dye one’s nails while pregnant?”

  “It’s nothing more than a little alum. It shouldn’t be an issue,” Wumian replied. She wasn’t well-versed in medicine, but when it came to dyeing nails, it only required a small amount—surely harmless.

  “That’s true. And it’s not something done often. Once dyed, it sts quite a while,” Lin Cairen said.

  “If you’d like to dye yours too, just have your maid pick some. There are plenty—the flowers are blooming beautifully right now,” Wumian offered.

  Lin Cairen actually took her up on it and instructed her own maid to gather some flowers as well.