Chapter 257: Cold and Heat

Lord Zhang Fu of England, in his forties, had a daughter from his concubines in his earlier years, but all his sons died before the age of three, and none of them survived. Thus, when he learned that he was pregnant again and Lady Wang, who was about to celebrate her fortieth birthday that year, was stunned by the news and could hardly believe the diagnosis.

The doctor had already examined Lady Wang’s pulse before and once again assured her, offering his congratulations. After leaving, he received a heavy, high-quality gift from Xi Yu, which filled him with joy. When Lady Deng followed him out and asked more details, he thought of Lady Wang’s age and felt a pang of concern.

“After all, the lady is quite old. She just gave birth to a daughter not long ago and has been on a regimen to recover. Moreover, her pregnancy signs have been weak, and she hasn’t shown any symptoms like morning sickness. If it weren’t for my thorough examination today, we might have missed it. But compared to her first daughter, we must be even more careful this time—no extreme emotions, and everything from diet to habits must be monitored carefully. A single mistake…”

Even without finishing the sentence, everyone understood the implication. Childbirth was already a perilous ordeal, especially for a woman of Lady Wang’s age, who could be considered an advanced maternal age. After Lady Deng left, Zhang Yue, who came out of the house, thought of Lady Wang’s ecstatic expression earlier and knew she would surely disregard the great risks of childbirth, causing him to worry secretly.

Xi Yu personally saw the doctor off at the Chuihua Gate, but she returned with heavy thoughts. Among all the concubines in the household, she was the youngest. When Lord Zhang Fu was around, he often spent nights with her. Lady Wang had asked him to take her as a concubine because she believed she had the qualities to bear children. More than a year had passed, yet there had been no sign of pregnancy in her, while Lady Wang was already pregnant for the second time.

As a servant to her master, she should have been happy, but given Lady Wang’s age, the consequences of any complications during childbirth were unimaginable. She tried hard to suppress these ominous thoughts, but her heart remained heavy. When she reached the entrance to the main house and saw several maids standing there, she called one over and asked, “Are Lady Deng and Young Master Yue still in the room?”

“Reporting to the aunt, Madam Deng said she wanted to go back and tell the second master the good news, so she left just now. It seems she took another route, which is why she missed you on the way. Young Master Yue is currently in the room talking with his wife; laughter could still be heard from inside just now. With such great joy, it seems his wife is very happy!”
Xi Yu nodded and immediately instructed the maid to stop any other aunts from coming to visit first. Then she pulled back the curtain and entered. In the outer room, there were only two maids standing with brooms. Through the bamboo curtains, she could faintly see Zhang Yue sitting on a small stool in front of the bed, talking with Lady Wang. Their voices came through clearly.
“The last time it was when you and your father passed the imperial examinations, I happened to have good news. This time, it’s precisely when you come to see me that I detect a sign of pregnancy. It seems you truly are my lucky star. Although I’m a woman and don’t understand the major affairs of the court, I’ve still heard some rumors. You’ve worked hard in Shandong, doing your duty. Even if you fail this time, at most you’d be reprimanded lightly. But it seems your teacher won’t be able to get through unscathed—imperial prisons aren’t places to be in!”
“Your sister-in-law is now pregnant; she should rest quietly. As for my matters… life, death, honor, and disgrace are determined by fate. Worrying won’t help. As long as I have a clear conscience, that’s enough.” Zhang Yue glanced at the silver-red curtain on the window and smiled, “This is the will of heaven. No matter what we think, it’s like there’s a layer of curtain covering the window, making things unclear. Mr. Du did what he did to eliminate future troubles once and for all. I believe the emperor will understand.”
“The emperor…”
Lady Wang really wanted to say that the emperor was no longer the same as before, but what came out of her mouth was just a sigh. As the wife of a duke, she often entered and left the palace and naturally knew many things others didn’t. Ever since Emperor Yongle, Zhu Di, began to fall ill, at least dozens of eunuchs and maids were executed for speaking out of turn. Just in the first month, Yuan Rong, the husband of Princess Yong’an and Marquis of Guangping, was also flogged twenty times for acting arrogantly. All other imperial relatives became silent out of fear.

Seeing that Lady Wang’s conversation outside revolved around such unpleasant matters, Xi Yu coughed appropriately before lifting the curtain and entering, carrying two cups of hot tea on a tray. She first handed one cup to Lady Wang personally, then gave the other to Zhang Yue. When he bowed in thanks, she smiled and replied, “It’s been a few months—Young Master Yue seems much thinner now; I can even see the tip of his chin.”

“It’s better to be thin. If he returns from his assignment overweight, how will those censors let him off?”

Lady Wang had always disliked the censors from the Censorate. Back when Zhang Fu was fighting in Jiaozhi, these people had constantly tried to trip him up. Naturally, she viewed them even more unfavorably, thinking they were always looking for trouble and only interested in finding faults in others to advance themselves. But she wasn’t a reckless woman, so after making a light joke, she changed the subject.

“Don’t worry. I’ll naturally keep an eye out and inquire about things for you. Your grandmother is right—you should stay at home safely. If you’re not summoned, don’t go out casually. Even if you meet friends, it’s better if they come to your house. Try to go out as little as possible. But since you’re here today, go see your little sister first. By the way, Fang Jing, the second son of the Fang family, studies very hard—far better than his brother. You might as well go meet him and stay for dinner with me later.”

Since Lady Wang had said so, Zhang Yue naturally agreed and followed Bi Luo to see his cousin—Zhang Qiang, the only daughter of the Duke of Yingguo, who was still in her infancy. But the little one seemed to have a bad temper; she cried and made a fuss as soon as she saw him, forcing him to flee in haste. Fang Jing, who was studying in the western courtyard of the Duke of Yingguo’s mansion, was no longer the naive boy he used to be; he spoke in an orderly manner. Yet thinking of the cost of such caution, Zhang Yue couldn’t feel happy and left under an excuse after sitting for a short while.

“Has his elder brother, Fang Rui, never come to see him?”

“The eldest son of the Fang family has never come at all. Only during the New Year did he send two sets of clothes, shoes, and socks, along with twenty taels of silver. Lady Wang ordered them to be given to him.” Bi Luo couldn’t help but glance back at the courtyard, her face showing undisguised sympathy. “Although Lady Wang has taken him in and never shortfalls in providing for him regularly, she remains indifferent toward him. Separated from his brother at such a young age, it’s inevitable that some servants at home treat him poorly, and he has no peers to keep him company.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yue guessed Bi Luo’s intention and stopped in his tracks, saying thoughtfully, “My eldest brother, second brother, and fourth brother are around his age. If he lived with us, he might have a companion. But since you’ve thought of this, why not bring it up with my aunt?”
“Young Master Yue, the lady took him in out of some kinship she once had with his mother. She can’t keep an eye on him all the time, let alone send him to your family’s residence. After all, Young Masters Chao and the rest are pampered nobles; they might not get along well with the second young master of the Fang family. I’ve heard that Young Master Yue has a house in Xipailou Alley, where he also has two friends. It would be better if he moved there; that way, he won’t develop a spoiled personality.”
Zhang Yue already thought Bi Luo was cautious, and after hearing her words, he was even more surprised. He turned around and heard Fang Jing’s clear reading voice coming from the western courtyard. He naturally realized that Bi Luo’s suggestion was the best idea.
“Alright, I’ll bring it up with my aunt shortly.”
Bi Luo was both surprised and delighted when Zhang Yue agreed right away. She smiled and said, “The servants all say Young Master Yue is kind-hearted, and indeed, they’re right. I just felt sorry for him and didn’t want the lady’s kindness to go to waste.”
This time, Lady Wang was in a different condition from before—her body felt heavy, so she was impatient and stayed in bed, only lying on the outer kang. That day, the kitchen went to extra lengths, creating various medicinal dishes. In the end, the kang table was covered with white porcelain plates filled with cold dishes, hot dishes, snacks, and soups. She had an excellent appetite and even ate two bowls of bird’s nest porridge specially prepared for her. Xi Yu and Bi Luo, who were serving her, rarely saw her in such high spirits, so their faces showed joy.
Taking advantage of Lady Wang’s good mood, after dinner, Zhang Yue brought up what Bi Luo had suggested, claiming it was his own idea. Lady Wang thought about it for a moment before agreeing.
“Very well. Since your great-uncle isn’t here, I can’t deal with him right now. He’s not like his eldest brother; he’s kind-hearted. It’s good for him to make some friends outside. That way, I can also fulfill my duty to his deceased mother. I trust you to handle this.”
Just then, a messenger’s voice came from outside: “Madam, Eunuch Zhang from the palace has arrived.”
Seeing Lady Wang put down her bowl, Bi Luo quickly stood up, went to the door, and lifted the curtain, asking, “Which Eunuch Zhang?”
“It’s Eunuch Zhang from the Imperial Household Department.”

Learning it was Zhang Qian, Lady Wang certainly wouldn’t neglect him. Seeing Zhang Yue stand up, she smiled and said, “Since Brother Yue is here just in time, go and welcome him for me. Eunuch Zhang is someone who comes here often; just take him straight to the main hall. Bi Luo, with Xi Yu here, that’s enough. You might as well accompany Brother Yue on this trip.”

Hearing this, Bi Luo laughed and said, “If I may speak, it’s possible the doctor before passed on the news—that Eunuch Zhang was sent by the palace lady to offer congratulations. Good news spreads fast. If not for this matter, Eunuch Zhang might have come just for Young Master Yue.”

Zhang Yue had been worried about not having anyone to inquire from for accurate information. Hearing that Zhang Qian had arrived, he immediately perked up. He agreed at once and left with Bi Luo. They walked along the side path, passed through a small gate on the west side, and after a short distance reached the Chuihua Gate. Then, turning eastward and past a painted screen wall, they arrived at the main hall of the Duke of Yingguo’s residence, Wuying Hall. Through the bamboo curtain, he immediately spotted the familiar figure inside, dressed in a bright red silk gauze robe—it could only be Zhang Qian.