Childbirth is a matter for both partners. If a couple cannot conceive, and the woman has no issues, then it is likely the man's problem.
However, in ancient times, childbirth was considered the woman's responsibility.
If a woman couldn't bear children, it was her fault, and what did it have to do with the man?
Indeed, upon hearing Wang Qingyao's words, Bai Junya and Wang Qingzhen both showed expressions of surprise.
Bai Junya asked doubtfully, "What does childbirth have to do with men?"
Explaining this would take three days and three nights!
Wang Qingyao was too lazy to explain much, simply stating, "Childbirth involves both women and men. There are many instances in the world where men cannot have children."
Her tone was firm, and with her previous reputation for predicting pregnancies and the gender of newborns, Bai Junya and Wang Qingzhen began to believe her, albeit with some doubt.
"Imperial Physician Lu is a master of gynecology. Tell your brother-in-law, if he's willing, have Imperial Physician Lu examine him one day. If he's unwilling due to his male pride, then let this matter be as if it never happened, and I won't speak of it elsewhere."
Wang Qingyao's tone and implication made it clear that Wang Qingzhen's persistent inability to conceive was翁志成's (Weng Zhicheng's) issue.
Wang Qingzhen hesitated for a moment, then stammered, "Um, I'll discuss it with my husband when I get back."
She was unsure.
This matter concerned a man's dignity and pride.
What if Weng Zhicheng exploded on the spot?
What if he decided to divorce her?
In an instant, Wang Qingzhen envisioned many possibilities.
However, she truly longed to have a child with Weng Zhicheng, a child that belonged to them alone, and no one else.
Wang Qingzhen decided to try and approach it indirectly.
The Wang family hadn't even held a grand celebration for the birth of their legitimate eldest grandson. Wang Da wanted to have a private family gathering, but Prince Zi Jing sternly refused.
"Our grandmother passed away less than three months ago. How can we, the younger generation, indulge in revelry and banquets for our own selfish desires? Father, although you are in mourning at home, your every word and action is still monitored by the Censorate. If word were to reach the Emperor, have you considered the consequences, Father?"
Wang Da broke out in a cold sweat and had no choice but to abandon the idea.
If the legitimate eldest grandson's birth was kept so quiet, it was even more so for He Rufang's marriage.
Although she married the Crown Prince, she was a concubine and received no dowry, only two trunks dragged behind her sedan chair.
There was no formal return visit after three days, but the Crown Prince granted her a special favor, allowing He Rufang to return to her maternal home, the Wang family, on the third day after her wedding.
When returning to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince himself came to pick her up, bestowing great honor upon He Rufang and the Wang family.
Thus, although He Rufang's marriage was a quiet affair, it wasn't long before the entire capital knew that the Crown Prince had taken a new concubine, a woman of unparalleled beauty, and favored her immensely, surpassing even the Crown Princess and Consort Lu.
The matter of taking He Rufang as a concubine was handled entirely by Lu Peishan.
A banquet was held in the Eastern Palace, and all the Crown Prince's consorts with rank, except for the Crown Princess, came to offer their congratulations.
Lu Peishan was exceptionally generous, gifting suites of hair ornaments and bolts of fine silk as if they were free.
Even the courtyard assigned to He Rufang was a separate, independent dwelling.
One must understand that He Rufang was only a Liangyuan (a rank of concubine). Above her was Pan Liangdi.
Pan Liangdi had been with the Crown Prince since he was a prince and held some affection, yet even she shared a courtyard with other consorts.
Lu Peishan even instructed her subordinates to ensure that He Rufang's provisions were all to her own standard, and that she should not be mistreated in any way.
Wei Yu only later learned that the Crown Prince had taken a concubine, bypassing her, and that Lu Peishan had handled the entire matter.
No matter how esteemed Consort Lu was, she was still a concubine. By what right did she take charge?
The Crown Prince was clearly trying to humiliate her!
Wei Yu, already furious, became even more enraged and smashed everything in her room.
She couldn't swallow this bitter resentment and immediately went to confront the Crown Prince.
"I am the Crown Princess. How can Your Highness take a concubine without my knowledge? No matter how noble Consort Lu is, she is merely a concubine. Your Highness acting this way is unreasonable! If my mother and father know, they will surely lecture us again."
Wei Yu had always been a proud and patient phoenix. When everyone's attention was focused on Wei Qing, she smilingly played the part of a naive and devoted woman. She joined forces with the then Fifth Prince, who is now the Crown Prince, to gradually eliminate the Second and Fourth Princes, helping the Fifth Prince ascend to the position of Crown Prince. She herself, as she wished, became the Crown Princess.
She would be Empress in the future, ruling the world.
Her son would be the Crown Prince.
She would ultimately stand at the pinnacle of power.
But now, she had become too complacent, allowing another woman to gradually surpass her.
Consort Lu was even more dangerous than He Liangyuan!
Wei Yu questioned the Crown Prince with a displeased tone and expression. She mentioned the Emperor and Imperial Consort Wei, subtly implying a threat.
The Crown Prince's brow furrowed. Any lingering guilt he might have felt vanished instantly.
Wei Yu had forgotten that the Fifth Prince was now the Crown Prince; he was no longer the Fifth Prince who needed her help, who would coax her and indulge her, and who had two elder brothers ahead of him.
He was the Crown Prince, and he had his own authority.
"If the Crown Princess is unwilling for me to take concubines, I don't mind finding someone else to do it for me. Consort Lu handled this matter well; I will reward her handsomely. As for Father and Mother, say what you will. After all, husband and wife are one. If I am lectured by Father and Mother, you will not benefit either."
Wei Yu's expression froze, and she said coldly, "That's not what I meant. Does Your Highness not know that I am the mistress of this Eastern Palace? Your Highness acting this way is undoubtedly undermining my authority. How can I establish my power in the Eastern Palace in the future?"
The Crown Prince knew very well; he was doing it deliberately.
He wanted Wei Yu to firmly remember her status.
Although she was the Crown Princess, she was his wife.
A wife's world revolves around her husband.
If he did not respect her, she was nothing.
The Crown Prince smiled coldly, "So what if you are the mistress? I make the rules in this Eastern Palace!"