October arrived, and Jiang Xinyue's pregnancy had reached four months.
Due to the recent major changes in the previous dynasty, everyone in the imperial harem was on edge, though no significant incidents had occurred during this period.
However, the relationship between Consort De and Consort Liang had deteriorated to the point where even the Empress could not mediate between them.
The eldest princess, who used to be close with the second princess, had stopped associating with her lately.
The third prince found himself in an awkward position, caught between his sisters. If he sided with his elder sister, his own sister would scold him, and if he sided with his own sister, the eldest princess would glare at him.
"Sigh..." The third prince sat on a swing in Hexi Palace, pouting with a troubled expression. "Concubine Zhen, I'm really in a difficult situation."
They were all his beloved sisters, and he didn't want to be at odds with any of them!
Guo Lai, the dog curled up comfortably on his lap, let out a couple of "woof woofs," its bright black eyes drooping as if sensing the prince's dejected mood.
The weather was no longer scorching, but October hadn't fully cooled down yet. It was that awkward time when wearing one layer of clothing felt too cold, but two layers felt too warm.
Nanny Li and Nanny Xiang wouldn't allow Jiang Xinyue to risk catching a chill, so they had placed thick cotton cushions on the stone bench. She rested her chin on her hands, leaning on the stone table while eating grapes that Xique and Shuangjian had peeled for her. "You're right to think that way. Both the eldest princess and the second princess are good girls. Adults shouldn't force their grudges onto children."
The third prince sighed, "But I don't dare tell Mother. I'm afraid she'll get angry. Actually, Second Sister doesn't want to be upset with Elder Sister either, but she's scared of Mother too."
Mother was very strict. She rarely got angry, but when she did, she'd use the silent treatment. If someone displeased her, she'd ignore them completely.
This state could last for ten days to half a month, which was terrifying.
Neither he nor his sisters dared to anger their mother.
Jiang Xinyue, sitting across from him, seemed to be genuinely trying to come up with a solution. She scratched her head and said, "Why don't you ask your father for advice?"
The third prince's eyes widened in surprise. "Can I do that?"
"Why not?" Jiang Xinyue looked at him sincerely. "When I was little and encountered problems I couldn't solve, I always asked my father! Isn't the Emperor your father? He's so wise and powerful, he'll surely have a way for you to avoid angering your mother while still being able to play with the eldest princess."
The third prince stroked Guo Lai's fluffy head, suddenly cheering up. "Thank you, Concubine Zhen! I know what to do now!"
"Woof woof..." Guo Lai, gently placed back on the swing, barked incessantly at the third prince's retreating back, as if asking why he had stopped playing with it so soon.
Nanny Xiang smiled. "Your Highness is truly kind-hearted. The third prince's closeness to the Emperor will surely make him even more favored."
While it was true that the Emperor would favor the third prince more, he would also dislike the mothers of the eldest princess and the second princess even more.
The Emperor Xuanwu couldn't tolerate the harem's power struggles affecting the children.
Nanny Li glanced at Nanny Xiang. This old friend, alone with no desire to leave the palace or stay in Chengqian Palace, spent her days nervously serving the Emperor.
It seemed she wanted to remain by Concubine Zhen's side.
Indeed...
The daily life of the servants in Hexi Palace was probably the ideal lifestyle for every eunuch and palace maid.
In Chengqian Palace—
Wang Dequan was carrying out an empty teapot when he saw a little figure huffing and puffing as he climbed up the steps.
"Third Prince?"
The seven-year-old third prince already carried himself like a little adult. He nodded slightly at Wang Dequan. "Eunuch Wang, is Father busy?"
Wang Dequan handed the teapot to Tang Shiliang and bent down. "His Majesty is reviewing memorials. Does Your Highness have business with the Emperor?"
The young prince, trying to appear serious despite his age, nodded. "Yes, I have a very important matter I'd like Father to help me with. Eunuch Wang, could you please announce me?"
The third prince had always been afraid of the Emperor and had never come to seek an audience on his own before. Was the sun rising from the west today?
Seeing the little prince's face turn red under his gaze, the third prince twisted his fingers and said, "Eunuch Wang, I snuck out. Mother doesn't know."
Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to Hexi Palace today either.
Mother had said that Father doted on Concubine Zhen because she was pregnant, and that no one was allowed to disturb her. She also said that once Concubine Zhen had her own child, she wouldn't be as kind to him anymore, so he should visit Concubine Zhen less to avoid being a nuisance.
But the third prince felt his mother was wrong. Of all the consorts in the palace, besides his mother, he liked Concubine Zhen the most.
Only Concubine Zhen didn't treat him like a child or brush him off. She always answered his questions seriously and helped him solve all sorts of puzzling issues.
How could Concubine Zhen not like him?
When Wang Dequan led the third prince into the great hall, Emperor Xuanwu himself was taken aback. "Xuan'er? Why are you here?"
The third prince gave him a formal greeting. After all, he was the Emperor's most beloved son. Emperor Xuanwu put down his vermilion pen and scooped him up in one motion. "It seems our Xuan'er has missed Father. I've been too busy lately and haven't gone to see you. Once Father finishes this busy period, I'll go to Yanqing Palace to have a meal with you and your mother, alright?"
The little boy smiled shyly. "Father, Xuan'er has a question to ask you."
"Oh?" Emperor Xuanwu was intrigued. "It must be quite a big question for our Xuan'er to come seek Father's advice."
The third prince cleared his throat and explained the conflict between Consort Liang and his own mother. He then said that he didn't want to be at odds with his elder sister, nor did he want to see the good relationship between his elder sister and second sister deteriorate. He asked the Emperor what he should do.
"Did your mother send you to ask Father this?"
Consort De was magnanimous and accommodating, unlike Consort Liang, who was petty and single-minded.
She should consider that the eldest princess was already ten years old. In three or four years, it would be time to discuss her marriage. The Great Yan Country had a tradition of princesses marrying for diplomatic alliances.
If she had no brothers in the palace, who would be her support as a princess sent to a foreign land for marriage?
"It wasn't Mother..." The third prince fidgeted embarrassedly. "I'm sorry, Father. Xuan'er likes Concubine Zhen and doesn't want to stop playing with her in the future. Xuan'er won't be naughty. Xuan'er can even help Concubine Zhen take care of little brother. Xuan'er will be very good. Can you please allow Xuan'er to play with Concubine Zhen and little brother?"
"You say Concubine Zhen is carrying a little brother?"
"Yes! Xuan'er wants a little brother."
Sometimes the eldest princess and the second princess would go out to play together without bringing him along. He also wanted a younger brother, so he could play with his brother in the future.
"Your father the Emperor hasn't forbidden you from playing with Concubine Zhen. You can go if you want to, as long as Concubine Zhen doesn't find you bothersome."
"Concubine Zhen likes Xuan."
The third prince became a bit angry: "Why does Father also say, like Mother, that Concubine Zhen doesn't like Xuan? Concubine Zhen clearly likes Xuan very, very much. She even reminded Xuan that he could come ask Father when he has problems he can't solve!"
