Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Yaoyao was walking more steadily now, and she could manage to say two or three words at a time.

Mother urged me to prepare to have another child, preferably a boy. However, bearing children isn’t something I can simply decide on my own.

Fortunately, for the time being, the Prince seems very fond of Yaoyao. But I hadn’t expected that during this year’s draft, two draft ladies would be assigned to our household.

These two draft ladies came from official families, but their fathers held low ranks and were not based in the capital. Likely because of this, they both entered the manor with the status of concubine. It would take time to judge their character, but their looks were certainly pleasant-not stunning beauties, perhaps, but they possessed a certain charm.

I didn’t mistreat them regarding their living arrangements, settling them together so that, as fellow candidates from the same draft, they would have someone to talk to. When I reported the matter to the Prince, he acted as he always did, merely saying he understood.

To my surprise, he didn’t go to see either of them for an entire fortnight. Sensing this wasn’t right, I brought it up again when the Prince visited on the night of the fifteenth. He glanced at me, seemingly thinking I was being a busybody.

Perhaps my words finally got through to him, for on the night of the sixteenth, the servants reported that the Prince had gone over. Bilian was baffled, unable to understand why I was pushing the Prince away.

In truth, what was there to be confused about? What man doesn’t have a concubine? My father and mother loved each other dearly, yet he still had concubines; otherwise, the mistake involving Mu He and me would never have happened. The Prince and I weren’t exactly a match made in heaven, so why should I demand exclusive affection? Besides, he only came to my quarters because I am his principal wife.

However, I didn’t expect that the Prince would only stay for a moment-or rather, that he would leave almost as soon as he stepped through the door. I sent someone to inquire and learned that the Prince had gone to Lady Wu’s room, but as luck would have it, Lady Wu had used incense. The Prince couldn’t stand the scent and left.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I heard. I’ve always preferred the fragrance of fresh fruit and rarely use incense in my rooms, opting for seasonal fruits instead. Consequently, I had no idea about the Prince’s preference.

Poor Lady Wu had unknowingly walked right into a trap.

I assumed that even if he didn’t like her, he would at least visit Lady Wang’s place, but he didn’t. When he next came to see me, I mentioned it. He replied with dissatisfaction, “This Prince appointed you to manage the household affairs, not to keep your eyes fixed on me all day.”

Fine, then. As long as you’re happy. At any rate, I’ve done my duty. In fact, this is for the best; it saves anyone else from stealing the favor shown to Yaoyao and me.