chapter 3

I ate dinner in an excellent mood.

The sky had only just gone dark when Zhao Lang arrived.

Well.

I had thought he would at least hold out until our customary visit to my family the following day.

But now that he was here, I was not about to let him leave.

I welcomed him with carefully measured delight. “Your Highness, you came!”

He seemed to want to say something, then thought better of it.

It was dark, so naturally I failed to notice.

I was a bride who had not yet shared her wedding bed. All I could possibly do upon seeing my bridegroom was ask bashfully, “Are you tired, Your Highness? Shall I have water heated for your bath?”

I did not ask whether he meant to sleep here.

He had come all this way, hadn’t he?

Zhao Lang did not appear inclined to refuse. He truly did love his cousin. The faintest rumor of a divine physician had been enough to make him lower himself and visit my rooms.

In the original story, he did not approach his princess consort until a month after the wedding, when he needed her father to help him at court. Even then, he stayed for only one night.

Afterward, he either kept Qin Ruo company or slept alone in his study. On the rare occasions he visited his wife, another summons from Qin Ruo soon drove them apart again.

I had no intention of living that way.

I did not care what happened between him and Qin Ruo, but I would have everything due to a princess consort.

Now that such a convenient opening had presented itself, I certainly would not waste it.

That night, we successfully consummated our marriage.

On the carriage ride to the Shen residence the next day, Zhao Lang finally asked about the divine physician.

I understood at once what he wanted. “Physician Du Guan once owed my father a favor. When we arrive, I will explain the matter to Father and ask him to invite Physician Du to the estate.”

I paused, then let a trace of hurt enter my voice. “With Physician Du’s help, your cousin is certain to recover.”

As expected, Zhao Lang released an almost imperceptible breath. He even reached over and took my hand, his voice warmer than it had been beneath the red bed curtains the night before.

“A daughter of a great house indeed. You are so virtuous and generous, Princess Consort. I swear I will never fail you.”

I pressed my lips together and smiled.

That day, Zhao Lang repaid the favor by playing the perfect husband before my family and preserving my dignity within the clan.

I kept my promise as well. Before long, Physician Du Guan arrived at the estate.

I went to Qin Ruo’s courtyard when the physician came, but her maid Qinglan barred my way.

“We would not want the Princess Consort to catch Miss Qin’s illness.”

Zhao Lang, however, was allowed inside.

Physician Du stopped too. Zhao Lang glanced back, already opening his mouth to reprimand Qinglan.

I smiled. “It is quite all right. I only came to bring Physician Du here. I cannot be of any help inside. With Your Highness present, everything will naturally go smoothly.”

It was understandable that Qin Ruo might be wary of me.

Still, after I had brought her a genuine divine physician, such behavior seemed rather petty.

All I had to do was show that I held no grudge. The contrast spoke for itself.

Even Zhao Lang spared a moment from worrying over Qin Ruo to comfort me. “She is ill. Do not take it to heart. I will visit you later.”

I had no particular desire to watch the two of them display their devotion.

Having obtained Zhao Lang’s promise, I left cheerfully.

Physician Du would send word to me in any case.

The diagnosis was reassuring: if Qin Ruo took her medicine properly for three months, she ought to live to fifty without difficulty.

That evening, when Zhao Lang came to my rooms, I smoothly proposed sending Qin Ruo another shipment of medicine.

Truly, I was working myself to the bone for them.

Zhao Lang no longer knew what to make of me. He drew me into his arms and sighed, “Ning’er…”

I nestled against his chest and answered in my sweetest voice, “I love what you love, Your Highness.”

His enthusiastic performance that night was answer enough.

Qin Ruo visibly improved.

Zhao Lang was delighted and deeply grateful.

I found his way of expressing gratitude quite satisfactory.

While Qin Ruo underwent treatment, he often slept in my rooms. She still sent people to summon him, always with some excuse.

Today, for example, Qinglan announced, “Miss Qin says the medicine is too bitter and refuses to drink it. None of us can persuade her. Your Highness, please come quickly.”

After listening, Zhao Lang instinctively looked at me.

I merely smiled back, lips curved and eyes bright, without saying a word.

Everyone knew it was an excuse.

But I did not get angry.

Sometimes Zhao Lang went. Sometimes he stayed. I never showed anger.

That only made him feel guilty toward me, and his guilt made him compensate me twice over. Gradually, he went to Qin Ruo less and less.

Today, of course, was different. He was never going to leave.

“If she refuses, then let her. It is her own health. Missing one day will do no harm. Go back.”

Once Qinglan had gone, he put an arm around me and gently stroked my belly.

“Ning’er, you have rendered me a truly magnificent service!”

Hadn’t I just?

In the original story, the first Empress Shen died without ever bearing a child.

This time, things were different at last.

Less than three months after my wedding, I was pregnant.