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After serving Fourth Master twice, Ye Zao was temporarily put out of his mind.
It was almost time for the festival of issuing silver, and Fourth Master was busy. In addition, the Second Prince fell ill.
Thus, every day Fourth Master came back, he would go to Li Consort Fujin's quarters to take care of the child and conveniently spend the night there.
Ye Zao didn't mind; she certainly wasn't going to compete for favor with Li Consort Fujin—it would have been unwise.
So, she led a peaceful life behind closed doors, and no one troubled her for the time being.
During this period, Fourth Master hadn't summoned her to serve him, but given the special circumstances, nobody thought she had fallen out of favor.
Aunt Song handled matters efficiently. Within days, she brought back both pieces of silver and silver notes, bundled up along with some fabrics and food, and directly brought them in.
The eunuch at the gate did raise an eyebrow at the check, but Aunt Song knew how to talk, didn't she?
"Eunuch, please do a favor. This is a gesture from Miss Ye's family, isn't it?" she said, slipping a purse containing five taels of silver into his hand.
Shaking the purse, he asked, "Isn't your mistress favored now? Why is her family still worried?"
Aunt Song chuckled quietly, "Oh, come on. A concubine can only be so favored, right? Who'd be at ease without giving silver? You know, our mistress was actually deceived into the household by her uncle..."
The eunuch wasn't a bad sort and sighed, "Alright, go on in. You're bringing things for your mistress while the master is here; a few pieces of silver should do."
If it were someone else, they would have had to leave behind quite a bit of that silver!
Aunt Song briskly agreed with a smile, thinking to herself that this could come in handy.
When she returned to Jinyu Pavilion, and with Hong Tao there, Aunt Song didn't go to the main house but went directly to her own place.
Only after Hong Tao went to get lunch did Aunt Song come in, "These are the exchanged silver notes and pieces of silver. I hid a stack inside my clothes; the eunuch at the gate didn't scrutinize too closely. Otherwise, it might have been difficult to pass through."
"Auntie is truly clever. This is for you," Ye Zao said as she handed over a pair of bracelets bestowed by Princess Yin. They weren't extremely valuable but still worth some money.
Aunt Song accepted them with a smile, thinking it was better to take them; otherwise, the girl would have worried too much. She felt a bit sorry for her.
Ye Zao securely stored the silver and thought to herself that she should fetch her own dinner. While there was still a hint of being 'favored', it would be wise to establish a good rapport with the Imperial Kitchen.
It was a good plan, but that afternoon, it was suddenly announced that Fujin wanted to see her in the main courtyard.
Ye Zao's brow twitched, and she had an ominous feeling.
A Fujin summoning a concubine—for what good could that be?
"Please wait a moment, I just need to change my shoes," Ye Zao replied with a smile.
Inside the house, she wore comfortable old cotton shoes, but she needed to switch to something more presentable before stepping out.
"Does Miss need fabric? With your looks, you really should dress up nicely," Qiu Ye said with a smile.
Ye Zao simply shook her head, "I am only a concubine."
Qiu Ye didn't say anything more; after all, though she was a servant, her future standing by serving the master would be inevitably different.
She silently waited for a while.
After changing her shoes, Ye Zao opted not to bring Hong Tao along and walked with her instead.
Lately, Hong Tao was increasingly unreliable, not to mention not smart enough, but also too talkative. Ye Zao pondered that perhaps even without this servant, she might be better off, wouldn't she?
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In the main courtyard, Ye Zao knelt down to offer her respects.
Consort Fujin smiled amicably, "Rise, you are truly sincere, child."
Ye Zao stood up, "Your Servant was only following the rules; it is Consort Fujin who is kind-hearted."
"Come, have a seat," Consort Fujin smiled and ordered a small stool to be brought over.
Ye Zao sat down and thanked her once again.
"Why are you dressed so plainly? Are you lacking anything? Xiu Shui, where are the things prepared for Miss Ye?" Lady Ulaanala asked with a smile.
"Ah, they're all here. Master, do you see if this is the cloth you were talking about?" Qiu Shui came out with a big tray, smiling and asking.
Ye Zao glanced sideways, briefly catching sight of the shimmering beauty.
A plan formed in her heart, and on the surface, she hastily feigned panic, "Consort Fujin, this is...?"
"Sit down, sit down. This is for you. At such a young age, you should dress up nicely; these are all good materials. You'll understand once you wear them," Lady Ulaanala said with a gentle smile.
Your Servant is but a Concubine; how could she wear such clothes?" Ye Zao still feigned apprehension.
"And why not? These aren't bright red; they're just peach red. Alright, you needn't worry. I give you these things, naturally expecting something in return. As long as you repay me, not only will I furnish you with things, but I will also take care of your future needs. Serving the Master, there comes a time when a Concubine falls out of favor. How a Concubine survives after losing favor needs no explanation from me. I believe you're sensible enough to understand, aren't you?" Lady Ulaanala spoke slowly, gently running her Cloisonne armor ring across the table.
The sound made by the Armor and the rosewood table was faint but pleasant.
Ye Zao's mind was clear as a mirror.
How could she repay Fujin? There was only one way—that was... to bear a son for Fujin to raise.
But after giving birth to a son for Fujin, would Fujin still spare her life?
Well, that didn't need consideration, because Ye Zao would not bear a child! She must meet one condition before bearing children: the Fourth Master must ascend the throne.
To bear a child now, no matter who raised it, would make it impossible to reclaim the child or grow close to it later.
So, never.
Yet, she couldn't just say that. In a rush, she got up to kneel again, "Your Servant is apprehensive, unaware of Consort Fujin's intentions. Your Servant has nothing to her name and comes from an unremarkable family. I don't know what I can do for Fujin... Anything within my power, your Servant will undertake without hesitation!"
Lady Ulaanala didn't call for her to rise immediately, but she seemed satisfied with Lady Ye's attitude.
"You're a clever person. The Master didn't reward you with the Contraceptive Soup after serving him twice, did he?" Lady Ulaanala asked.
Ye Zao feigned sudden realization, "Consort Fujin... do you mean that the Master wishes for your Servant to bear... bear an heir?" It wasn't every Concubine that the Master was willing to have bear an heir.
A Concubine can't raise her own child, that's the rule, but even if she's not allowed to raise them, she's not necessarily permitted to give birth. That's also a rule.
Indeed, Fujin is well aware that because there are too few children in the house, the Fourth Master would not grant the medicine.
"If your Servant is fortunate to bear a son or daughter, I'm willing to have Fujin raise them," Ye Zao replied with ease, pretending to appease; she wouldn't bear a child, so who was she afraid of?
Right now, having Fujin willing to protect her was a good thing, wasn't it?
However, she couldn't agree too readily. After her response, Ye Zao feigned difficulty as she held back fear, "I only ask... I only hope that when the time comes, Fujin will protect your Servant's life. Your Servant would never dare acknowledge Little Prince or Little Princess as her own."
Lady Ulaanala exhaled slowly, "Hmm, rest assured. Your life will be safe."