Unlike the strict palace rules, rumors spread quickly in the Wangfu. Li's visit and departure in tears became a topic of gossip. Days later, even Bai Lizan came to chat about it. Chi Ying was speechless, "They are idle. Why do you care about such trivial matters?"
Bai Lizan smiled, "I thought you'd want details. I specifically talked to Brother Yang. Since you're not interested..."
Chi Ying was utterly speechless.
"I'm going back."
The corner of Chi Ying's mouth twitched, "What inside story... What inside story is there that he was willing to tell you?"
Baili Zan had a solemn expression on his face, "I told him that in our Gong County, widows usually marry their brother-in-law, and if they don't, they have to."
Chi Ying's hand trembled, almost dropping the embroidery needle to the ground, "Really?"
Baili Zan continued with a solemn look, "No, otherwise how could I pry open the oyster so easily."
Chi Ying didn't know whether to laugh or cry, sticking the needle into the cushion, "I really admire you guys. If I ever start gossiping about other people's business, it will all be your fault."
Baili Zan smiled slyly and said, "Not at all, this has always been women's specialty. Sometimes men can't inquire about things, so they have to rely on women to find out. Madam used to be a lady secluded in her boudoir, so she may not be good at this, but if you want to properly assist the King, you need to practice this skill."
Chi Ying fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Who does Mr. Baili hope I will talk to more? The Crown Princess? Or other princesses?"
Baili Zan deliberately kept her guessing, "I don't dare to make that decision, whoever you think is suitable."
Chi Ying nodded silently, temporarily setting aside that question, and asked, "What did Mr. Baili get out of Young Master Yang?"
"Yang's elder brother seems to have died under mysterious circumstances."
Baili Zan said, "Young Master Yang's elder brother seems to have died under mysterious circumstances."
This was quite a shock, and Chi Ying almost instantly sat up straight, "Died under mysterious circumstances? Does that mean Li... Li killed her husband?"
"No, not exactly," Baili Zan shook his head hurriedly, "Yang's elder brother is named Yang Jie. In the Yang family, only the two brothers remained by their generation. Their mother died early, and their father was a military instructor. Since childhood, wherever Yang Jie went, he would bring his younger brother along, and the brothers had a deep bond. However, after Li came to the Yang family, the relationship between the brothers changed."
Chi Ying's curiosity was piqued, and she couldn't help but ask, "How did it change?"
Baili Zan clicked his tongue twice, "To say this Li girl is bold enough, she actually told her parents that she wanted to marry Yang Qiong instead of Yang Jie. Somehow, this got back to Old Man Yang, and after Li entered the family, she was treated harshly. Yang couldn't stand it and argued with his father. That night, Old Man Yang had drunk some wine and heard him defending his sister-in-law, so he immediately assumed they were having an affair and beat Yang with a broom, calling him a beast."
Chi Ying asked nervously, "Was Yang Jie present at that time?"
Baili Zan sighed, "No, fortunately not, otherwise he wouldn't have lived for even a few more years."
"So how did he die, why do you say it's suspicious?"
"Yang Jie died in battle, but at that time, Old Man Yang was still teaching martial arts in the army, so theoretically, Yang Jie didn't need to serve. But he volunteered to join the army and died within a year. Yang believes that his elder brother must have discovered that his wife liked his younger brother and voluntarily went to his death to make way for them. Old Man Yang lost his beloved son and, in anger, kicked Li out of the house. He then fell ill and his health deteriorated until last year when he finally passed away."
After hearing the story, Chi Ying sat in a daze for a while before murmuring, "So what Mr. Baili meant by their deep bond earlier was..."
A bond so deep that one would willingly die to make way for his younger brother and his own wife.
Baili Zan added, "But I did ask Yang if Li had done anything improper after entering the family. Yang said no, Li behaved herself well towards both her husband and father-in-law, and also took good care of him as a younger brother. She didn't do anything inappropriate; it was just that Old Man Yang had preconceived notions and looked down on her, leading to this tragedy."
From then on, Li never came to the Wu King's residence to see Yang Qiong again, but she still sent gifts from time to time, which were returned several times before she finally gave up.
"If His Majesty is loved by someone who doesn't love him back for a long time, will he eventually fall in love with that person?"
Cui Yi was putting on his court robes and turned his head to look at her strangely, "Why are you asking this?"
Chi Ying smiled, "Nothing, just curious."
Cui Yi looked at her suspiciously, "Have you been thinking about this all night?"
Chi Ying was puzzled, "No, why?"
"Then why did you toss and turn all night?"
Chi Ying laughed, "Probably something I ate didn't digest well, my stomach wasn't feeling great. I forgot about it until you mentioned it."
She spoke lightly, but Cui Yi became anxious, "Stomach discomfort? How bad? Why didn't you call for a doctor?"
"...It's not a big deal, we don't need to call a doctor, right?" Chi Ying hadn't been sick before, so she was unsure. Seeing his anxiousness, she started to feel nervous too.
Cui Yi decisively said, "Either go to Lady Cheng or get someone to check it out. Either way, we need to find someone to take a look."
With the King's command, who in the residence would dare disobey? Immediately, a servant rushed into the palace to summon a doctor. Cui Yi wanted to wait until the diagnosis was made before leaving, but Chi Ying persuaded him to leave the house. As soon as he sat down after returning home, word came that the doctor had arrived.
"Please let him in," Chi Ying responded casually without much thought.
Xiaoqiu muttered, "That was quick, did he fly here?"
When the doctor entered, both mistress and maid understood why—because someone else followed him.
Nongyue had shed her position as a senior nanny and simply wore a simple hairstyle with modest hairpins. Carrying a small cloth bag, she bowed respectfully upon seeing Chi Ying, "Servant Nongyue greets Her Highness."
Chi Ying almost forgot about this leftover issue from New Year's Eve. Now that the person had been delivered, whether to keep or release her would have to wait until Cui Yi returned from court. So she gestured for her to rise, "Lady, please get up. It must have been hard for Her Majesty to part with you."
Whether 'Her Majesty' referred to Concubine Duan or the Empress, Chi Ying didn't clarify—it was all in the past.
Nongyue had served Concubine Duan for over ten years, roughly the same age as Chi Ying's mother, Fan Shi, but she was well-preserved and didn't look old. She thanked her and stood up, "Thank you, Your Highness, for not abandoning me. I will serve you wholeheartedly in the future."
Chi Ying instructed the maidservants to take her to the servants' quarters to settle in. The doctor sat down to take her pulse and asked about her recent diet, concluding that it wasn't food poisoning but fetal movement.
"Only five months and already moving?" Chi Ying asked excitedly.
The doctor replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness has taken good care of yourself. The little prince is very healthy."
Chi Ying was initially delighted, but then she realized the doctor had come with Nongyue, meaning the Empress had sent him. If she appeared too well, it might not be good. So she said, "But recently, I haven't had much appetite and often feel dizzy. Doctor Zhang, could you prescribe something to adjust?"
The doctor listened and motioned for her to extend her arm again, taking her pulse for a while before asking, "Has Your Highness been overly worried lately, unable to sleep at night?"
Chi Ying nodded ambiguously. The doctor began writing a prescription, "I'll prescribe something to calm your nerves and mind. Once you rest well at night, you'll naturally regain your appetite during the day."
After the doctor left, Chi Ying looked at the prescription and didn't see anything unusual. She handed it to Xiaoqiu, "Send someone to Lady Cheng's place to ask if this prescription is normal."
As Xiaoqiu was about to go, Nongyue walked in and said, "May I take a look first?" Chi Ying didn't object, so Xiaoqiu handed it over.
Nongyue carefully examined every word on the prescription and returned it to Xiaoqiu. She then went into the room and told Chi Ying, "This prescription doesn't seem intended for a pregnant woman. It's best not to take it."
Chi Ying smiled, "The Empress knows I'm close to Lady Cheng, so she must have seen through the prescription and told you to say this?"
Nongyue lowered her head and dared not look at her, but her tone was sincere, "If Your Highness doubts my loyalty, I won't argue. Since I stepped out of the palace, I'm no longer serving Concubine Duan or the Empress. If Your Highness doesn't trust me, I'll pack up and leave. When the Emperor asks, I'll say I eloped with someone."
A person who had served Concubine Duan for over ten years, later sought protection from the Empress, and now came to the King's residence, Chi Ying didn't dare to trust easily but also didn't dare to let her go. She said, "You were requested by the King from Concubine Duan. Whether to stay or leave depends on the King's decision, I can't decide."
Cui Yi had been coming home early recently. Chi Ying thought nothing significant would happen in just one day, but she underestimated the situation. After lunch, she wanted to take a nap when a servant ran in breathlessly, "Madam, it's terrible! Nongyue accidentally spilled tea, and Miss Xie is slapping her face. Anyone who dares to stop her gets beaten too. What should we do?"
Chi Ying almost groaned. Was there ever a day in this household where she could relax? They say three women make a play, and Xie Yuchan truly lived up to it. Even though she was just a guest in the Wu King's residence, she could stir up trouble with anyone. Truly impressive.
Despite her complaints, Chi Ying had to handle the situation quickly. Although Nongyue was now just a maid in the residence, she represented the Empress and Concubine Duan, either of whom could make life difficult for Chi Ying.
She hoped Xie Yuchan was just being capricious and not plotting something with Concubine Duan.