Bai Junya had times when it was inconvenient, and Old Madam Wang sent those two maids precisely to be concubines. Bai Junya not only couldn't show jealousy but had to proactively arrange for them to serve Wang Zijing.
"It's not that I'm unwilling," Bai Junya said with red eyes, "What man doesn't have a few concubines in his household? I'm just feeling wronged. Before the legitimate heir is even born, they're indulging concubines to have children. I haven't been married for a year, and Old Madam is already so impatient to hold her great-grandchild..."
Old Madam Wang never liked Bai Junya, feeling she wasn't worthy of her precious grandson. Her intention in placing concubines in her grandson's chambers was to make Bai Junya unhappy.
And Bai Junya was indeed unhappy.
Wang Zijing couldn't stand his father's numerous wives and concubines and vowed never to be like him. However, concubines were just concubines, not equal to concubines or secondary wives; they were merely servants. Therefore, Wang Zijing felt he only had one wife and no other consorts.
"Cousin... do you like those two concubines?"
Bai Junya gave a bitter smile, "It's not a matter of liking or disliking. You know his personality; he isn't one to indulge in lust. Although he took them in, he still treats them as maids and there's no particular affection. Once, one of the maids, emboldened by having served him a few more times, became a bit lazy in her duties. I reprimanded her, and she actually complained to my husband."
Wang Qingyao raised an eyebrow, "How did Cousin handle it?"
"How else could he handle it? He scolded that maid, saying she was disrespectful to the main wife, and fined her a month's wages. From then on, those two concubines dared not cause any more trouble."
As Bai Junya spoke, a hint of relief finally appeared on her brow.
Wang Zijing was a sensible person.
But Bai Junya remained anxious, always fearing that those two concubines might accidentally get pregnant before her.
Wang Zijing might not take concubines seriously, but he wouldn't dismiss a child.
The more anxious Bai Junya became, the harder it was for her to conceive, and the harder it was to conceive, the more anxious she became.
A vicious cycle.
"Princess Consort," she grasped Wang Qingyao's hand, "You gave birth to two children at once. Do you have any secrets? Or did you take any regulating medicine?"
Wang Qingyao had no secrets, but if she said she didn't, Bai Junya would surely become more anxious.
She thought for a moment and said, "It's not a secret, just some experience."
Bai Junya eagerly leaned forward, her ears perked up, attentive, tense, and excited, her gaze fixed intently on Wang Qingyao.
"Ahem," Wang Qingyao felt a little guilty and said, "It's just... after, place a pillow under your waist and lift your legs..."
Bai Junya froze for a moment, then her face instantly burned red as she understood.
"Also, the period when women are most likely to conceive is ovulation, which is after menstruation, no, a few days after the 'red water' (menstruation) has passed. Those are the days when conception is easiest."
This was all learned from the 'Aunt Flow App' Wang Qingyao had used in her previous life.
Bai Junya was stunned for a moment, "A few days after the 'red water'? I always thought it was a few days before the 'red water'..."
It wasn't just Bai Junya who thought this; most women in ancient times believed the fertile period was a few days before their period, so they had intercourse more frequently during those times.
Bai Junya was like that. Conversely, she scheduled her intercourse during her actual ovulation period for those two concubines, as she experienced some discomfort in her lower abdomen during those days.
Hearing Wang Qingyao's words now, she felt shocked, yet also excited and thrilled, believing she had finally found the reason for her long-unexplained infertility.
Wang Qingyao wanted to say more, but feared discouraging her, so she finally said, "Actually, the most important thing is to relax. The more you want it, the harder it is to conceive. Relaxing and maintaining a happy, carefree mood can actually help you conceive. It's also a matter of fate; you can't rush it."
Bai Junya's entire face glowed with radiance, as if she would conceive the very next day. She paid no attention to anything else Wang Qingyao said afterward.
Wang Qingyao coughed lightly, changing the subject, "I've noticed Fourth Sister seems different than before."
Bai Junya, immersed in the joy of impending motherhood, replied after a moment, "Indeed, she's much more cheerful than before and can speak her mind in front of Old Madam. Sometimes Old Madam even asks her to stay at her courtyard for a day or two."
Wang Qingyao let out a snort. Playing favorites and stepping on others – Old Madam Wang truly hadn't changed at all. She must have said the same things to Wang Qingzhu that she had said to Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingzhu was much easier to control than Wang Qingyao.
With Old Madam Wang and the Pang family as her backing, it was no wonder Wang Qingzhu had become much bolder.
"Young Master Pang treats Fourth Sister very well, saying he truly cares for her. He sends her gifts every few days. Many of the things Fourth Sister wears on her head and body now were sent by Young Master Pang."
"What about Young Master Weng?"
"Young Master Weng's family is poor and can't compare to Young Master Pang. Although the gifts he sends aren't expensive, they are thoughtful. Third Sister likes them very much, but Old Madam isn't as fond of them."
Wang Qingyao sneered.
"Fourth Sister also constantly flaunts her gifts in front of Third Sister. You know Third Sister's temper; she's not very good. They almost got into a fight a few times, but Old Madam always favored Fourth Sister. Afterward, Third Sister stopped interacting much with Fourth Sister."
Wang Qingyao smiled and nodded, "She's improved."