Chapter 7: The Duke Prefecture

The woman stared at the tea in the vessel, its scent mingling with the raw ingredients, but did not drink.

Her attendants beside her held their breath, thinking the tea displeased the princess and fearing punishment.

The princess governed her household strictly, holding others to high standards—and even stricter ones for herself.

Servants who erred were never pardoned; they were punished severely according to family law, sold off or beaten without exception.

Outside the tent,

a group led by Sun Shi passed by, heading from the Duke Prefecture tent toward the Yongchang Marquis’s tent.

The princess’s longtime personal maid, peering through the gauze curtain, saw them and stepped to the woman’s side, whispering softly:

“Princess, Sun Da Niangzi of the Yongyi Marquis Xu family is approaching; her maternal grandfather had ties with the third elder of the Imperial Uncle’s household. She has three sons and two daughters; the child in her arms is Xu Zaijing, the third son of the Xu family.”

Hearing the maid’s words—especially “three sons and two daughters”—the princess’s eyes flickered, and she murmured:

“If she has time, invite this Da Niangzi in for a chat.”

The group walking along the edge knew nothing of what transpired inside the tent.

As they walked,

Xu Zaijing spotted a middle-aged female official emerging from the large tent, her bearing refined and courteous.

Xiao Ju beside him said: “Da Niangzi, she’s from the Duke Prefecture.”

Sun Shi realized this was the Duke Prefecture’s tent; the Duke’s rank was one level higher than a Marquis’s, so passing by demanded a bow.

Xu Zaijing was set on the ground; Sun Shi was about to bow to the Duke household outside the tent when the official hurried to her side and steadied her.

“Da Niangzi, please, no formalities—the princess was raised before the Empress and is close to the Imperial Uncle’s household. If you have time, may you enter the tent for a chat?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Sun Shi’s eyes, then she smiled and nodded: “Of course.”

She glanced at Xiao Zhu, who returned a knowing look.

The official bowed deeply, with perfect etiquette, gesturing inward.

Xiao Ju moved to pick up Xu Zaijing, but he shook his head.

The group was led into the tent; Xiao Zhu did not follow, instead walking toward the Yongchang Marquis’s tent.

Inside, the princess rose politely and saw before her a boy, finely sculpted like carved jade—his hair thick and black, braided into several strands, his eyes like obsidian, brimming with curiosity, yet showing no fear of strangers.

The boy wore a dark blue silk outer robe embroidered with a cute qilin pattern.

Everyone sat.

Looking back at his mother, Xu Zaijing bowed formally to Princess Pingning.

Seeing this adorable child, the usually stern Princess Pingning smiled, her eyes filled with affection.

The maid beside her, knowing her mistress spoke little, quickly said: “Third Young Master has impeccable manners.”

To Xu Zaijing’s eyes, the tent seemed much like those in Ningyuan, yet it carried a quiet, refined opulence.

Hearing praise from within, Xu Zaijing feigned childishness, speaking in a soft, babyish voice: “Thank you, Jiao.”

This sight made Princess Pingning’s smile deepen.

The female attendants and maids inside relaxed, their faces softening, the atmosphere growing lighter.

“Your Highness, greetings. May Your Highness enjoy spring’s peace.”

“Da Niangzi, welcome. Please sit.”

Sun Shi had little interaction with Princess Pingning; the last time was when the princess married the Duke, and she had come to offer congratulations and gifts.

The sudden invitation into the tent caught her off guard; in those few steps, she had not prepared any topic of conversation.

The official waited for her mistress to speak.

Thus, there was a moment.

In the mountains, cicadas singing made the forest seem quieter; here, the noise outside made this place feel unnaturally still.

Nothing frightened them more than sudden silence.

For a brief instant, the atmosphere grew awkward.

Sun Shi gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

“The weather today is truly pleasant—not cold, not hot.”

“Yes.”

Princess Pingning had invited Sun Shi in on a whim, having heard of the Xu family’s many children, but had not planned what to say.

She had been married to the Duke’s second son for two years and still bore no child; though her in-laws did not press her, she felt a quiet sorrow.

She had brought her in—how could she begin by asking why the Xu family had so many children? The two families were not kin, and truly unfamiliar.

The official felt anxious, but could not interrupt as the princess conversed with Sun Shi; she noticed Xu Zaijing’s eyes, full of curiosity, fixed on the teacup on the table.

The official’s mind stirred, and she glanced at the princess.

Having lived together for over a decade, the princess understood the glance at once; seeing the official’s gaze, she grasped her intent.

The princess smiled at Xu Zaijing and said gently:

“Third Young Master, what are you looking at?”

Xu Zaijing had been drawn by the tea’s fragrance—it truly smelled good.

He was small, and had eaten many pastries under the Ningyuan Marquis’s tent; he was thirsty.

“Thirsty.”

Princess Pingning looked at Sun Shi.

“This cup of tea was brewed by the official—neither hot nor cold. Da Niangzi?”

“Thank you, Princess. This boy ate many pastries in the other tent.”

The official carried the teacup over; Xu Zaijing drank it down in large gulps.

“Slowly, slowly.”

Sun Shi gave the princess an apologetic look.

Princess Pingning watched the eager child and smiled, signaling it was fine.

After finishing, Xu Zaijing wobbled to his feet, toddled a few steps on his short legs, and tried to return the teacup to the princess’s table himself.

“Young Master, slow down, slow down.”

The princess’s official said anxiously.

But Xu Zaijing stopped, turning to look at his mother.

“Mama, Jiao said slow down—because Princess Pingning and the Wu family’s auntie and Gu family’s auntie all have babies too?”

At these words, everyone in the tent froze.

Sun Shi rose quickly: “Princess, please do not blame him. Though small, this boy is strong—boys are naturally mischievous.

Wu Da Niangzi of the Yongchang Marquis’s household and Bai Shi Da Niangzi are both with child; I often visit them, so I’ve always told him to be careful, not to bump into them.”

The official swiftly took the teacup.

Xu Zaijing returned to his mother’s arms.

The princess’s face showed no anger, but a shadow fell over it; she nearly sighed aloud.

Through her son’s actions and the princess’s reaction, Sun Shi had begun to suspect.

Once married, a woman’s sorrow was either her husband’s infidelity or her own barrenness.

Sun Shi looked at the child in her arms and said:

“You might think having children is ordinary, but carrying Duan Ge was no easy feat.”

Princess Pingning’s eyes brightened, though she looked shyly at Sun Shi.

Sun Shi realized she had struck the princess’s heart.

“At the time, I was fortunate—my sister-in-law knew a lady from the Taiyi Academy’s He family, who was married into the He household, her maiden name Zhang, and her family had served as imperial physicians for three generations, specializing in women’s internal medicine. She came to our home for an examination.”

The princess’s eyes were full of inquiry as she spoke:

“I fear I’ve been impolite—may I ask what this lady is like, Da Niangzi?” To inquire into another’s private affairs was indeed impolite.

Sun Shi replied: “Princess, you are too kind. We are all married women—among women, such matters are no concern. That lady said: after marriage, a woman must relax her heart; the happier she is, the quicker she conceives. If she harbors sorrow, it harms fertility.”

(End of chapter)