Bai Shixi returned to her courtyard with a heavy heart. Su Ying was rocking the little princess to sleep. Since her illness, Ruian refused even her wet nurse and only wanted to be with her mother. Only Su Ying could coax her now.
Children are sensitive. From the Eastern Palace to Donghua Palace, many attendants had changed. Ruian was a bit older than Zhiyi. Though she didn’t know what had happened, she could already sense something was wrong.
“Mother, hug,” Ruian said, stretching out her little arms when she saw her mother return.
Bai Shixi hugged her daughter tightly. This child was her only one in this life—her most precious treasure.
“Still not sleeping? Being naughty again?” Bai Shixi took off her cloak and kissed her daughter’s cheek.
Ruian leaned into her mother’s arms without a word, but her reliance softened Bai Shixi’s heart.
She had heard from Mingxi that Zhiyi was bold and lively—always causing trouble at the Duan Wang manor.
But Ruian had to live cautiously by her side, becoming reserved in temperament. Bai Shixi didn’t want her daughter to suffer this way forever. Mingxi was right—she had to fight. For her daughter, she must fight for a way out.
She gently rocked her daughter in her arms. Before long, the little one fell asleep. She carefully laid her down on the bed, pulled up the brocade quilt, and drew down the bed curtains, leaving only a single lamp lit in the corner, then stepped quietly into the outer room.
Su Ying brought in red date and white fungus soup. Ever since arriving at Donghua Palace, they hadn’t had bird’s nest soup—these were secretly sent by Duan Wangfei.
“Duan Wangfei said, it’s not that bird’s nest is too expensive—it just draws too much attention. There are spies in the palace kitchen. She asks that you endure a bit longer. Things will get better soon.”
Bai Shixi didn’t feel wronged. Commoners couldn’t even afford this much. She had to take care of her health. She finished the bowl, leaving half for Su Ying.
Su Ying shook her head quickly. “I won’t eat it. I’m healthy enough.”
“Next time bring two bowls. Su Ying, you’re the only one I can truly trust now. I can’t do without you. You have to stay well. You work harder than I do.” Bai Shixi sighed. “I should’ve found you a good husband earlier. Now you’re stuck here with me.”
“What, are you trying to get rid of me?” Su Ying finally relented, taking the rest and eating it in a few bites. “That won’t do. If I marry the wrong man, I’d be worse off than staying with you. Besides, I wouldn’t have been able to marry peacefully with how things were for you in the Eastern Palace.”
Bai Shixi looked up. “Su Ying, you’ve been with me since we were young. So many years have passed, and you’re still here.”
“I’ll still be here when I’m old and gray, as long as you don’t think I’m useless.”
Bai Shixi knew Su Ying said that to make her smile. She looked at her and whispered, “We won’t live like this forever. Su Ying, if one day we can live openly and honorably again, I’ll recognize you as my little sister and send you off in style.”
“Oh my, this servant really is flying up the branches to become a phoenix now. You mustn’t go back on your word—this servant will remember it,” Su Ying laughed heartily.
Bai Shixi knew Su Ying thought she was joking, but she was serious. No one in her maiden family ever treated her like real family, and no one in her husband’s household truly regarded her either. Only Su Ying, whether in glory or disgrace, had always been loyal and protective without complaint.
She couldn’t let her down.
Su Ying was the only person in the world who treated her well without asking for anything in return.
Seeing the girl deep in thought and frowning, Su Ying asked quietly, “What did Duan Wangfei tell you? Why do you look so troubled?”
Bai Shixi told her about Bai Zhiwei.
Su Ying gritted her teeth and said bitterly, “That eldest miss has always been selfish and ruthless—she even schemes against her own sister. What good end could she come to? If she hadn’t insisted on stepping on you back then, how could you have suffered like that in Duke Zhen’s mansion?”
Just thinking about it made Su Ying want to curse to relieve her anger.
“Su Ying, think carefully—was there ever anything suspicious about her? Duan Wangfei is right. With Bai Zhiwei’s personality, she would never willingly back down. There must be a reason we don’t know about.”
Su Ying tried to recall, then shook her head. “Miss, aside from her secret dealings with Gao Shizi, this servant truly doesn’t know anything else.”
Bai Shixi nodded slightly. “She may be heartless, but she’s also very cautious. If there’s something truly shameful, she definitely wouldn’t let us know.”
Su Ying agreed. “Exactly. Back at the Duke’s manor, she would often have the buyers swap out the good items meant for you with inferior ones. Even if Madam found out, she’d just say a word or two and let it go. Speaking of which, that steward in charge of purchases was truly loyal to the eldest young lady.”
“I’ve already told Duan Wangfei that steward’s name. I imagine she’ll look into it, but whether anything comes of it is another matter.”
Suddenly, Su Ying said, “Oh, Miss, I remember that steward had a concubine kept outside.”
“A concubine?” Bai Shixi didn’t know about this. “What do you mean?”
“Tch, what good could come from a snake and a rat? That scoundrel wanted the position of second steward and married the head steward’s daughter, but he’d already been having an affair with his cousin for a long time. Afraid the head steward would find out and punish him, he kept her hidden outside.”
“Who else knew about this?”
“Not many. This servant only overheard the second steward’s confidant mention it once. But back then, your situation in the household was already difficult, and I didn’t dare stir up trouble. If we’d provoked them, your days would’ve been even harder.”
Keeping a mistress?
Bai Shixi abruptly stood up and looked at Su Ying. “Go fetch Xie Yiniang for me, now.”
“Miss?”
“Quickly, go.”
“Yes, this servant will go now.”
Though pregnant, Xie Muhua arrived swiftly. Upon seeing Bai Shixi, she respectfully greeted her.
Bai Shixi supported her at once. “No need for such formality between us. I called you here at this hour because something urgent has come up.”
Hearing this, Xie Muhua said immediately, “Madam, please give your orders.”
Bai Shixi lowered her voice and said, “Pass on a message to Duan Wangfei: that steward I mentioned has a mistress outside—his cousin. They were involved even before his marriage. His wife still doesn’t know. Tell her to look into it carefully.”
Though the message was vague, Xie Muhua memorized it all without asking any questions. “Madam, rest assured. I will deliver the message.”
Bai Shixi looked at her. “Your due date is approaching. Don’t worry—when the time comes, I will ask the Wangye to find a reliable midwife for your delivery.”
Knowing they were confined here, giving birth would be a major ordeal. With her low status, only the Madam could protect her. “I won’t stand on ceremony, I’m counting on you.”
As for the Crown Prince?
She did not trust him.
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