My Cold-Hearted Wife Chapter 102

From childhood, Wang Yongxu had grown up comparing herself to Xu Yi-niang.

She had once felt indignant – what did Xu Yi-niang have that was better than her, aside from being prettier? She herself had been able to compose poetry at just over four years old. But as she grew older, the other girl’s thoroughness, quick wit, and meticulousness made her reluctantly realize that Xu Yi-niang did indeed have some ability.

Wang Yongxu had to admit that Xu Yi-niang was exactly the kind of daughter-in-law the madams wanted most – able to manage the inner household in perfect order, impeccable in her dealings with others.

But Cheng Danruo… was different.

She was not sufficiently smooth and tactful, her conversation was rather petty, compliments seemed especially difficult for her, and her dress and appearance were unremarkable. Yet another, more outstanding quality overshadowed these shortcomings.

Wang Yongxu could not say exactly what it was.

Clever? Prudent? Magnanimous?

All seemed plausible yet not quite right.

In any case, she was simply out of place, yet hard to dislike – and after spending time together, one might even come to trust and admire her.

Wang Yongxu did not know what Cheng Danruo meant by the message she wanted her to relay, but after assessing it, she concluded that there should be little risk – everyone knew the princess had a cat.

So she agreed.

Sure enough, before long, someone came from the rear hall saying that Commandery Princess Jianing had invited her over.

“San-niang, come sit.” Commandery Princess Jianing beckoned her into the inner chamber and said with a smile, “I was just about to look for you – what a coincidence that you’ve come over, saving me the trip.”

Wang Yongxu performed the proper salute and greetings according to etiquette before taking a seat.

“Yesterday when I returned, the carriage broke down, and thanks to Fourth Madam Wang’s help, we managed,” Commandery Princess Jianing said. “Since I was going to return to the palace anyway, I brought a few things back for you.”

A palace attendant presented a bundle.

Wang Yongxu was greatly astonished. The palace was strictly guarded – things from inside could be taken out, but nothing from outside could absolutely be brought in. She truly had not expected to receive anything from her mother.

“This – I don’t know how to thank Your Highness enough.” Wang Yongxu was quick to react as well; in front of them, she untied the wrapping cloth to prove she was not smuggling in any contraband.

Sure enough, Fourth Madam Wang knew what was appropriate and had included several new hair ornaments and a set of the four treasures of the study.

Wang Yongxu’s eyes reddened slightly. “I’ve put Your Highness to trouble.”

Commandery Princess Jianing smiled and said, “A mere lift of the hand – San-niang, don’t give it another thought.” Then, feigning casualness, she probed, “Is Rong’an’s illness any better?”

Wang Yongxu understood her probing and used the official explanation. “There should be no major problem – the Princess merely ate something that upset her stomach.”

Commandery Princess Jianing nodded, not particularly disappointed. Wang Yongxu had been promoted by Princess Rong’an and would not switch allegiance so easily, so she made some idle remarks about how “the autumn tiger is fierce, and one must be especially careful with food and drink.”

When the conversation turned to this trip to the estate, where she had seen many farm animals – cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, and geese – Wang Yongxu’s heart stirred, and she said as if inadvertently, “The palace also has an elephant house; the Princess’s Snow Lion was sent up from there.”

She took a sip of tea, as if making casual conversation. “The Princess’s Snow Lion – has Your Highness seen it?”

Commandery Princess Jianing’s eyelashes trembled ever so slightly, but her tone was as usual. “I saw it once before, but lately it seems I haven’t seen much of it.”

Having achieved her purpose, Wang Yongxu naturally did not continue and nodded, changing the subject. “I once kept a parrot – my fifth brother gave it to me…”

After chatting for about half an hour, Wang Yongxu took her leave.

Commandery Princess Jianing did not ask her to stay.

The old matron brought fresh tea and asked, “Why did Lady Wang suddenly bring up Snow Lion?”

“She said it for my benefit.” Commandery Princess Jianing pondered. “You know San-niang’s temperament – she rather likes to show off. When I spoke of pastoral scenery, she should have responded with a line or two of poetry no matter what. Her suddenly mentioning Snow Lion must have a reason.”

The old matron agreed wholeheartedly.

“Go and make some inquiries – find out what’s going on with Snow Lion.” Commandery Princess Jianing frowned slightly and murmured, “Come to think of it, I really haven’t seen that cat for quite a long time.”

Before sunset, Princess Rong’an learned two pieces of news.

The first: Young Master Han had indeed come to the capital last year and had been staying at his uncle’s house.

The second: the Emperor had bestowed a marriage upon Commandery Prince Feng, and the chosen lady was none other than Xu Yi-niang.

The wet nurse remarked objectively, “This is the best possible result for that girl of the Xu family.”

However glorious Xu Yi-niang had been before, the more awkward she was after breaking off the engagement.

Though it was not she who was jilted – rather, she had taken the initiative to break off with Xie Xuanying – if she could not marry into a better family, the mockery and ridicule she would suffer would be inevitable.

Even if she could swallow such grievances, how many new husbands, looking at Xie Xuanying and then at themselves, could help but suspect their wives still harbored feelings for a former flame?

It was exceedingly difficult!

The only way out was to marry into the imperial family, into the clan.

However excellent Xie Xuanying might be, he held no title of nobility, whereas a princess consort of a commandery prince was the consort of an imperial clansman – everyone would say that was better than marrying into the Xie family. Moreover, Commandery Prince Feng himself was distinguished in appearance and counted among the outstanding among the imperial clan’s sons.

Not to mention, he was a hot candidate for adoption as heir – once that gamble paid off, future honor would be beyond words.

Of course, Princess Rong’an did not care about any of this. To her, as long as Xu Yi-niang was not marrying Xie Xuanying, she was not worth the slightest attention.

What she cared about was: “If a marriage has been bestowed on Commandery Prince Feng, then… could it be that Jianing is…”

Speak of the devil – before the rest could be said, a palace attendant outside the curtain announced, “Commandery Princess Jianing has arrived.”

“Rong’an.” Commandery Princess Jianing’s bright, lovely face appeared as she said with a smile, “I’ve come to see you.”

Rong’an quickly suppressed the ferocity in her eyes and rose obediently. “Sister Jianing.”

“Are you feeling any better?” Commandery Princess Jianing sat down on the edge of the bed and stroked her face with tender concern. “Why have you grown so thin?”

As she asked, she glanced at the medicine bowl by the bed and picked it up herself. “Good medicine tastes bitter – no matter how much you dislike it, you must take it.”

Because Princess Rong’an had refused to take the stomach-nourishing pills, the imperial physician had prescribed a new formula today that had not the slightest bitterness.

Princess Rong’an neither wanted to take it nor wanted anyone to know what she was scheming. “Just leave it there – I’ll take it later.”

“Do you think I don’t know? Leave it and leave it, and then you secretly pour it out.” Commandery Princess Jianing put on the airs of an elder sister. “I used to be like that too, but when you’re sick you have to take your medicine – only children throw tantrums. Be good.”

She picked up the spoon. “Open your mouth.”

Princess Rong’an very much wanted to overturn the medicine bowl, but… there is an order of seniority. Though Commandery Princess Jianing was a commandery princess, she was her own first cousin. Reciting the Classic of Filial Piety every day had indeed been useful – she could not help but think: it’s one thing to splash a female official, but if I splash my cousin, Father Emperor will surely be furious with me and favor Jianing all the more.

Absolutely not.

Moreover, Commandery Princess Jianing’s repeated “little child” struck at her inner resentment. She detested Jianing’s dignified magnanimity, as though she were more a legitimate princess than herself… “Fine, I’ll drink it.” Princess Rong’an took it and downed it in one gulp.

Commandery Princess Jianing smiled and said warmly, “That’s the way.” Then, casually and as if by chance, she glanced toward the scroll in the vase. “You’ve never been fond of paintings – whose work is this?”

Rong’an said, “No one’s.”

“So stingy.” Commandery Princess Jianing laughed. “I know it was sent by Young Master Han, isn’t that right? He’s quite attentive to you.”

A trace of sourness seeped into her tone.

Princess Rong’an did not respond.

“Young Master Han is a devoted lover,” Commandery Princess Jianing said subtly. “Your luck is quite good.”

Princess Rong’an probed, half in earnest and half in jest. “Have you met him?”

Commandery Princess Jianing did not answer, but instead said, “I originally thought that what His Majesty had in mind was Young Master Yu.”

Princess Rong’an said, “Who knows – anyway, it was Father Emperor’s choice.”

“His Majesty’s fatherly heart – who wouldn’t envy it?” Commandery Princess Jianing smiled faintly, as though she had composed her feelings and was once again her magnanimous, composed self. “Let me be the first to congratulate you.”

Princess Rong’an said, “Don’t be in such a hurry to congratulate me – who knows, there may be a share for you too.”

A faint smile appeared on Commandery Princess Jianing’s face, as though she were thinking of something delightful. “I’ll take your kind words.” Then, suddenly remembering something, she tried hard to suppress her joy and said perfunctorily, “If he were half as good as Young Master Han, I’d be satisfied.”

Princess Rong’an bit her lip.

Commandery Princess Jianing observed her expression and, somewhat guiltily, avoided it. “I won’t disturb your recovery.”

“Take care.”

Once the figure disappeared beyond the door, Princess Rong’an’s face darkened.

Clenching her fists, she could almost guess the gist of it: Commandery Princess Jianing had long known of the Emperor’s bestowed marriage and had set her sights on the distinguished Young Master Han. Who would have thought Young Master Han would become the princess’s husband? She had no choice but to look for another candidate and settled on their cousin.

Outrageous.

Princess Rong’an bit hard on her lower lip, her heart pierced with pain. Just thinking of her cousin in harmonious union with another made her feel as though she could scarcely breathe.

The rear hall.

Commandery Princess Jianing returned to her bedchamber in delight, took the cool tea from the old matron, and with bright, lovely eyes said, “Rong’an actually made me suffer a big loss – hmph, let her just obediently marry that good-for-nothing.”

The old matron asked in a low voice, “And regarding Young Master Xie…”

“There’s no hope there.” Commandery Princess Jianing had also suffered a romantic setback, but she was not Rong’an – since it had not worked out, she immediately set her sights on the next candidate. “Fortunately, I still have a backup option. We must work all the harder.”

Commandery Prince Feng had already formed a marriage alliance with the Xu family; she could not afford to lose. If she truly ended up with an ordinary man as her consort, she would have no way to answer to her father.

“Young Master Xie is handsome, but not obedient enough.” Commandery Princess Jianing murmured to herself, “Actually, the Wang family is truly not bad.”

However, Commandery Prince Feng had been able to seek marriage with the Xu family; she, as a girl, could not possibly take the initiative to propose marrying into the Wang family.

Originally this was an extremely difficult path, but today, Commandery Princess Jianing had seen another possibility.

“Rong’an.” She pondered for a long while, then smiled. “Don’t let me down.”

The fifth day.

Princess Rong’an ate, took her medicine, and stopped kicking up a fuss.

After taking her pulse, the imperial physician said she had largely recovered – there was no need for plain congee every day anymore, and she could appropriately eat some meat.

Having never gone hungry, she truly had not known how delicious food could be.

Facing the twelve dishes on the table, Princess Rong’an ate with a mixture of relief and gnashing teeth.

But she suppressed her malice and kindly summoned Cheng Danruo, saying obediently, “These past few days I was severely ill and said some unreasonable nonsense. Please do not take it to heart.”

“Your Highness speaks too gravely,” Cheng Danruo said respectfully. “My medical skill is inexpert – if I have in any way offended Your Highness’s precious body, I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

Consider yourself sensible. Princess Rong’an snorted coldly in her heart. She had originally wanted to deal with this female physician properly, but Commandery Princess Jianing was the real threat at hand. To achieve her goal, she had to become the Emperor’s good daughter again.

Recklessly lashing out at the female official who had treated her would inevitably incur the displeasure of Palace Matron Hong, and Princess Rong’an could not let her ruin her plans.

So she pinched her nose and endured. “Someone come, reward her.”

Although Cheng Danruo had not been attending at the Princess’s side these past days, she had been living in Xiefang Palace, taking her pulse daily, inquiring about the Princess’s sleep and diet, and had even personally examined her excrement.

Whether it was the wet nurse or the other palace attendants, they all knew in their hearts of her dedication and truly felt she deserved it.

“Thank you for Your Highness’s reward.” Cheng Danruo accepted the brand-new bolts of cloth and curtsied in gratitude.

Princess Rong’an dismissed her. “I am already much better. You may go back.”

“Yes. I wish Your Highness good health. I take my leave.” Cheng Danruo withdrew outside the hall, the corners of her lips curving slightly.

“I’ll see Auntie out.” The senior palace maid personally escorted her.

Putting on the full performance, Cheng Danruo carefully instructed, “Though she is much better, you must still be careful with her diet. Do take more trouble, and advise the Princess more – what’s done is done, and Young Master Han will remember your kindness.”

The senior palace maid, seeing how she considered matters on their behalf, could not help but be moved. “Rest assured. We all understand – we will certainly say good things about Young Master Han.”

“That’s not right. You are the Princess’s people – you must never take the consort’s side.” She hinted, “The Princess is what matters most.”

The senior palace maid understood at once, her smile deepening. “Yes, I understand.”

Behind the door, the wet nurse nodded secretly.

It seemed that Medicine Manager Cheng harbored no personal motives – she truly wanted to cure the Princess’s inner affliction, which was why she had devised this strategy, rather than having some entanglement with Young Master Han and acting with that intent.

She could set her mind at ease.