"Miss, do you... not want to have children? Or is it that you temporarily can't have them?" Lady Saimier asked softly.
"I'm too young right now. If I were to have children at this age, it's uncertain whether the adults or the child could be kept safe. It's better to wait until later. If I still have a chance to have children after I turn eighteen... then, I'll consider it then."
Ye Zao sounded somewhat pitiful, but Lady Saimier had a clear understanding of her heart.
After all, it was her brother who had harmed Ye Zao. The girl was originally pure and could have married into a good family as a legitimate wife and borne legitimate sons...
Now, as a concubine to Fourth Master, even if she had a child, she couldn't raise it herself. Even if they adopted out the child and kept the mother, it wasn't impossible...
"This is not difficult; someone can just go out and buy it. But... you can't always come out, and you can't drink too strong of a concoction. Otherwise, it will always harm your body," Lady Saimier hesitated.
"I know that. First, I'll get the medicine, and then when I go back, I can make my calculations," said Ye Zao. Of course, she couldn't solely rely on Lady Saimier, who was, after all... not her real mother.
The most dependable was her brother, Ye Feng, but unfortunately, the bookworm was not at home.
When Ye Zao spoke with Ye Mingyuan alone, she didn't cry. She knew that the original host would have cried. But after the change, she no longer liked to cry.
What's the use?
Having been sent to Fourth Master's residence, what difference could crying make? It's better to let nature take its course.
However, her lack of tears made Ye Mingyuan feel even more guilty; he was the one who ended up crying.
When she left, Ye Zao shook her head in the carriage, "A nest of muddleheads, no wonder they're easy to sell."
"Miss, don't say that," Ah Yuan chuckled. "Miss is just thinking of home."
"Alas, what more can I say?" Ye Zao shook her head, not wanting to speak further. What good is it to miss?
She could return home for a visit, but after going back to the residence, who knows how she would be bullied.
After returning to the residence, the first thing was to pay respects at the main courtyard.
"Servant pays respects to the Master and Fujin, may Fujin be auspicious," Ye Zao knelt and said.
"Rise, there's no need for you to be so formal, this girl. Your affairs, the Master has spoken about them, and you indeed have it hard," Lady Ulaanala said with a smile, lifting her hand for her to stand up.
Her demeanor was very sincere.
"Servant dares not; servant may be... but servant will still listen to Fujin's words as before," said Ye Zao, also very sincere.
Thinking to herself, aren't you just afraid that I will turn against you...
"To be frank, you are also a child from a good family... But, as a Concubine, you are a Concubine. There are certain rules that still need to be followed, and it's good as long as you understand this in your heart," Ulaanala said with a smiling face, but the sharpness in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Servant knows how to be sincere. In fact, if the Master had not asked, servant would never have mentioned it... Servant doesn't want to be special," Ye Zao nodded, her eyes becoming even brighter.
"Alright, you must be tired from returning home today; go back and rest. Since you're willing to rely on me, I will always protect you. Tonight, go and serve the Master," Ulaanala dismissed her with a wave of her hand.
Ye Zao expressed her happiness appropriately and then stood up to take her leave.
Once outside, she continued to smile. Even Fourth Master has become a mere pawn for the ladies in the back courtyard to win hearts.
However, to those with intentions, Ye Zao's smile appeared very pleased indeed.
Ulaanala's maids were watching Ye Zao closely and went back to report to Lady Ulaanala, "Servant thinks that Ye looks pleased. After all, as a Concubine, how many thoughts can she have?"
"It's good you have no such ideas, just have the child peacefully, and I won't have any reason to reject her. What I'm afraid of is if she gets too ambitious, then..."
If because Fourth Master favors her a bit, she wants to raise the child herself, then I won't be able to tolerate her.
Even if she is pitiful, so what? It's her own fault for being deceived by her uncle.
Who doesn't have their own troubles? Who can be patient with everything?
"Master need not worry at all, even if she regrets it later, it's too late for her. We all know what kind of person the Master is; he definitely wouldn't tolerate any impropriety. Looking after her a bit is fine, but if she thinks about raising the child herself...that's out of the question."
Lady Ulaanala nodded, as if she now understood.
After all, it's just a concubine; there's really no need to worry too much about it.
After Ye Zao returned to Jinyu Pavilion and changed her clothes, she rested for a while only to see Lady Zhang and Lady Chang arriving together.
She stood up, they exchanged greetings, and then she invited them to sit.
This was indeed as rare as the sun rising in the west; in the past, these two had never come to visit.
"Sister's place here is quite spacious," Lady Chang said with a smile.
She was a bit older and had entered the household a little earlier than Lady Ye and Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhang, however, curled her lip. Her family was in business; they might be considered lowly, but they certainly didn't lack for silver. Now living with Princess Song, she felt the life was very modest, so by comparison, this place seemed even more dilapidated.
"It is spacious, but a bit empty. Sister Ye is favored now; why not add some decorations?"
"Sister Zhang, did you come to see me or to pick a fight? I'm just a concubine. How should I decorate myself lavishly?" Ye Zao retorted with an unapologetic roll of her eyes.
Only these two in this residence would be so direct, wouldn't they?
Lady Zhang wasn't annoyed: "I meant it kindly. A concubine might not have much status, but at the very least, you're favored, aren't you better off than me? Since I've entered the household, I've served Master only twice..."
Lady Zhang flicked her handkerchief, clearly feeling somewhat bitter. She wasn't ugly, after all...
"Enough, you're just sour because you're not favored. Just gloat secretly. I may seem well off now, but what about the future? A concubine has no prospects," Ye Zao said, shaking her head.
Lady Chang laughed softly: "Actually, we're the same, and we ought to get along well." Lady Chang's family was very poor; living with Li Consort Fujin, it was obvious that there wasn't much chance of gaining favor.
"Well, you make a good point. At least I'm comfortable living on my own, and I'm satisfied with that. So even if my place seems a bit shabby, I don't mind at all—even if it were shabbier."
Lady Zhang and Lady Chang exchanged looks; even Lady Zhang couldn't help but nod involuntarily.
Wasn't that the truth? Even if a bit rundown, at least there was no need to worry every day.
Princess Song was a princess, and she was extremely cautious. Not to mention Lady Chang, who lived with Li Consort Fujin; one could imagine how difficult her life must be.
"Fujin values you; has she hinted at wanting you to move in with her? What would you do if she does?" Lady Chang asked.
"So far, there's no such indication. If it happens in the future, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Ye Zao shook her head, thinking that Fujin wouldn't do such a thing.
She was someone who cared greatly about reputation. Unless she herself became pregnant, she might be moved to the main courtyard, but otherwise, casually bringing a 'fox charmer' into the main residence would sound bad to those outside, wouldn't it?
"We don't know what goes on in the minds of the Masters. Since you're here, let's have tea together. Ah Ling, brew some tea," Ye Zao beckoned.
Only then did Lady Chang and Lady Zhang notice that they hadn't been offered tea during their visit...