Even at this point, Imperial Physician Lu claimed he didn't know where the child was.
Wang Qingyao grew anxious. "You sent the child away, and you don't know where he went? Haven't you paid any attention all these years?"
"You don't understand," Imperial Physician Lu said. "This child's status is awkward; he's a thorn in the side of the Wei clan. If the Wei family knew of his existence, he surely wouldn't survive. So, for his safety at the time, I handed the child over to Duke Zhongyong and haven't inquired about him since. The fewer people who know his whereabouts, the safer he is."
Imperial Physician Lu's words held some truth. If it weren't for Wang Qingyao's novel, Grand Tutor Wei might not even know of the child's existence to this day!
"Only when Duke Zhongyong returns can we know where that child has gone."
But Duke Zhongyong had eloped with Feng Fuguo Shishi, and no one knew when he would return to Duanjing.
Wang Qingyao felt a pang of melancholy for a moment. After all, the matter of the eldest prince had little to do with them. Catching the murderer who poisoned the Xiao family man was the most important thing right now.
Soon, the news that Wang Qingyao was carrying twins was reported to the Old Dowager and Consort Fang. It had been a long time since the Xiao family had a curse, and this was the first time two children were to be born; they had always been single heirs before.
The Old Dowager was so delighted that she immediately went to the ancestral hall to burn incense and thank the ancestors. Although Consort Fang did not favor Wang Qingyao, she had to admit that this daughter-in-law's womb was truly fertile, carrying two at once; she was a good field.
Both the Old Dowager and Consort Fang immediately sent many good things as rewards.
Kangping Courtyard was also bustling as if it were a festival. Imperial Physician Lu's dietary guidelines—what to eat more of, what to eat less of, and what to avoid—were copied by Madam Nian into several copies, distributed to every maid, and even to the four concubines, with strict instructions to remember them.
Huang Shiyu and the others were particularly excited, pulling out their most impressive skills, ready to impart them to the two children once they were born.
Although the four of them were nominally Xiao Yun's concubines, and had never served him, Wang Qingyao had always treated them well. They had long planned to live out their days in the prince's manor.
Huang Shiyu had already started making small clothes for the two children. Bian Siyue would frequently go to Wang Qingyao to play music for prenatal education. Jiang Jing and Qian Yu were busy compiling martial arts manuals.
Wang Qingyao felt touched. She summoned the four of them and said softly, "You are all girls as beautiful as flowers, yet you can only live confined to this small garden within the manor. The Prince and I cannot give you more. If you have any other aspirations, you can tell me, and the Prince and I will do our best to fulfill them for you."
The four looked at each other, not quite understanding what "other aspirations" meant.
Seeing their lack of comprehension, Wang Qingyao raised her voice. "Do you have a sweetheart, an old flame? If so, the Prince and I will find a way to make it happen for you."
These words startled the four.
The Princess's thoughts were truly...
They couldn't find words to describe them.
"I'm serious," Wang Qingyao continued. "I mean it from the bottom of my heart. You four are good girls, and it would be a waste of your youth to languish in this manor."
The four fell silent for a moment. Jiang Jing stepped forward and knelt. "Thank you for your consideration, Princess. I don't have any old flames, but I've practiced martial arts since I was young and have always wished to roam the martial world, punish evil, and be a chivalrous woman."
Qian Yu also knelt. "This is my wish as well."
Two chivalrous women, excellent.
Wang Qingyao then looked at Huang Shiyu and Bian Siyue.
Huang Shiyu's face showed a complex expression. After a long while, she said, "I... I haven't decided yet."
Bian Siyue said weakly, "I just want to live here in the prince's manor, eating and waiting to die."
Wang Qingyao burst into laughter. Jiang Jing and Qian Yu also laughed. Huang Shiyu tugged at the corner of her mouth, her smile absentminded.
Wang Qingyao mentioned it to Xiao Yun, and the matter was quickly handled.
Before long, Jiang Jing and Qian Yu both fell seriously ill. Fearing they might infect the pregnant Princess, they were moved to a manor in the countryside to recuperate. Six months later, after Wang Qingyao's twins were born, the two women saw the babies, left two martial arts manuals, and "died of illness."
This was all in the future.
For now, Wang Qingyao noticed Huang Shiyu's unusual behavior and kept her alone.
"If there's anything, you can tell me. It's alright, I can accept anything."
Wang Qingyao thought that even if Huang Shiyu said she was pregnant with someone's child, she wouldn't be surprised.
To her surprise, Huang Shiyu hesitated for a moment and then slowly said, "I... I originally had a childhood sweetheart cousin..."
Wang Qingyao's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward eagerly, full of gossip.
"We were originally betrothed, but later my family ran into trouble, and the engagement was broken off. So many years have passed, I don't know if he's married..."
"That's simple," Wang Qingyao said. "What's your cousin's name, and where does he live? I'll have the Prince send someone to investigate."
Huang Shiyu blushed. The Princess said such things without any reservation. She was, after all, considered one of the Prince's concubines. Would the Prince feel like he was wearing a green hat if he knew?
Huang Shiyu paused, then gave her cousin's name and address. Wang Qingyao wrote it down.