Because Ning A wu was pregnant, she couldn’t ride a horse and could only sit leisurely in the palanquin, enjoying the scenery.
Emperor Jingxi accompanied Princess Dening on the hunt and even taught her how to shoot arrows.
From afar, A wu watched this scene, imagining that when her own children were born, Emperor Jingxi would surely patiently teach them as well.
Her heart felt complicated.
Sometimes, when she looked at Princess Dening, she felt a little envious and jealous, thinking that her own children must not be inferior to hers. Â
But at other times, she felt that Princess Dening was actually a nice person, and she quite liked her.
She recalled what Emperor Jingxi had said—that she would have to fulfill the role of a mother to Dening in the future—and suddenly felt uneasy all over.
Ah… better to forget it!
She didn’t want to think about it at all! Â
After wandering through such thoughts, they all ate lunch together.
Whether it was A wu’s imagination or not, Princess Dening’s attitude toward her seemed to have changed. Â
The princess treated her with some caution and even a hint of… flattery?
She was particularly attentive, urging A wu to eat more of the fresh mushrooms picked that day and curiously examining her belly, asking if she felt any discomfort.
This both flattered and puzzled A wu, so she privately asked Emperor Jingxi about it.
He responded with a faint expression: “I don’t know.”
A wu snorted and decided to ignore him.
After resting for the night, the next morning Emperor Jingxi accompanied A wu and Princess Dening for a boat ride on the lake.
For the sake of elegance, the boat was not too large and carried no attendants; the Dragon Guards waited nearby on standby, ready for any emergency.
A wu looked at the oar with familiarity and picked it up, wanting to try it out.
Princess Dening stopped her and volunteered, “You don’t need to row. I’ll do it!”
A wu, who also wanted to row, was disappointed and looked pleadingly at Emperor Jingxi.
Emperor Jingxi smiled and helped A wu sit at the bow of the boat.
“Let her have a try.” Â
A wu said, “But I want to too! It’s a rare chance, I want to play.”
Princess Dening asked, “You don’t know how, do you?”
A wu started to say, “I—”
How could she not know!
Princess Dening said with a grin, “Look, you’re as weak as a newborn chick. Watch me!”
A wu could only give up helplessly.
Emperor Jingxi laughed, wrapping his arm around A wu’s waist.
“Let her row; the two of us can just enjoy the ride.” Â
In front of everyone, A wu felt a little embarrassed and wanted to push him away, but in the end, she couldn’t and leaned slightly against his shoulder.
However, Princess Dening was inexperienced, and soon the small boat was going in circles on the lake.
No matter how hard she tried, it was to no avail. Â
Emperor Jingxi was about to take over when A wu volunteered, quickly taking the oar.
After a few strokes, the boat moved forward effortlessly and smoothly.
Princess Dening clenched her teeth, blushing fiercely.
“You actually know how to do this!” Â
Emperor Jingxi laughed heartily, “She grew up by the water. Dening, you’re just showing off in front of an expert.”
Princess Dening grumbled angrily and sat at the bow, refusing to talk to A wu.
A wu had no choice but to say a few soothing words, and Princess Dening’s expression finally softened.
When they reached the shore, the three of them had tea at the Waterside Pavilion.
They saw that the pavilion was set up with folding screens and curtains, incense burners, and incense holders adorned with glowing vermilion coral.
Emperor Jingxi smiled, “The scenery today is excellent. Dening, you once learned the qin before. Would you play a piece?”
Princess Dening hesitated.
A wu’s eyes lit up, and she smiled, “No way?”
Princess Dening glanced at her, “Mother Consort, do you know how to play?”
A wu replied, “I’ve learned, of course I know.”
Emperor Jingxi’s eyes twinkled with a smile.
“Good, then please, Imperial Consort, play a piece to entertain us.” Â
A wu felt a bit shy but said, “There’s no qin here, though.”
Princess Dening immediately teased, “Father, bring a qin for Mother Consort!”
Emperor Jingxi chuckled, “Alright.”
A wu became even more nervous and muttered, “Your Majesty, Empress Dowager said that you are the expert in this, so why should a novice like me perform? That would be like showing off before a master.”
Her sharp eyes slowly glanced at him.
“If I don’t play well, you’ll laugh at me, right?” Â
And worse, pull Princess Dening into mocking her too.
She felt a bit wronged; it seemed father and daughter were not well-meaning. Â
Emperor Jingxi said, “I won’t laugh at you; how could I laugh at you?”
Princess Dening added, “Right! I never laugh at others!”
Emperor Jingxi said, “If you can play a tune, I will reward you.”
A wu asked, “A reward? What kind?”
Emperor Jingxi smiled at her, “You name it.”
A wu’s expression changed slightly, “Alright.”
Emperor Jingxi immediately raised his hand, and someone brought over a qin.
A wu looked and saw that the qin resembled a banana leaf.
The leaf stalk of the head bent slightly downward, the edges of the sides curled up a little, and the body was smooth and elegant, flowing like running water. Â
She was already familiar with the qin and couldn’t help but praise, “This qin is truly beautiful.”
Princess Dening also leaned over, “This is a Banana Leaf Qin.”
A wu was surprised.
She knew many qin makers spent their entire lives trying to craft a good Banana Leaf Qin. Â
Emperor Jingxi’s fingers lightly stroked the body of the qin like a carved sculpture as he said calmly, “This was made by the contemporary qin maker Master Zhu Gongwang. See how the qin’s body is covered in water ripple patterns, flowing and curling; the music sounds like ripples on water, quite different from an ordinary guqin.”
He smiled and raised his eyes.
“Want to try?” Â
A wu thought with her skill, she would probably just spoil this fine instrument.
Emperor Jingxi understood and said, “It doesn’t matter. Even if it doesn’t form a tune, I will listen regardless.”
A wu smiled shyly, “Alright, I’ll try, but you can’t laugh!”
Father and daughter naturally said “Okay” in unison.
A wu cautiously began to play.
The famous Banana Leaf Qin was indeed extraordinary.
As soon as she touched it, she realized it was unlike any other qin. Â
The sound was clear and bright.
As her fingers moved lightly, the music rippled and flowed like water, undulating gracefully. Â
She had recently learned “High Mountains and Flowing Water,” which was perfect for this moment.
With Emperor Jingxi’s encouragement, she relaxed.
Though there were a few minor flaws, overall it was quite good. Â
Princess Dening was dumbfounded.
She couldn’t believe that after just a short time learning, it sounded this good. Â
After finishing the piece, A wu took a slow breath and looked at Emperor Jingxi.
Only then did she see that he had been watching her attentively all along.
Their eyes met, and he smiled with approval in his gaze.
A wu let out a breath of relief.
It seemed she had played well! Â
***
After this outing, Princess Dening and A wu grew closer.
Dening often came to Langhua Hall to visit and curiously touched A wu’s belly, feeling the little brother or sister inside.
Actually, A wu didn’t dislike Princess Dening either.
The two were similar in temperament and close in age, so they gradually became intimate. Â
So much so that later, to A wu, even Concubine Hui and Lady Meng seemed to take a backseat.
This astonished everyone else in the palace.
Consort Kang was furious about this and scolded Princess Dening, feeling that she had betrayed her.
However, Princess Dening retorted fiercely, leaving Consort Kang speechless.
Finally, Princess Dening said, “Mother Consort, Father has been cold to you these years. Shouldn’t you think about why?”
She had heard Father’s words and secretly investigated.
She knew that her mother had once been cautious and lucky, carrying her child.
But after giving birth to her, she became arrogant and had secretly belittled other consorts. Â
The Great Hui harem was strictly regulated and most forbade scheming and mutual disparagement among the consorts.
Emperor Jingxi, being sharp, noticed this and disliked it, starting to neglect her. Â
At first, though he no longer slept with her, he would call on her once a month out of courtesy to give her face.
But as time went on and various issues piled up, Emperor Jingxi lost patience and stopped paying attention altogether.
With her past actions, if it weren’t for Princess Dening, Lady Meng might not even have lasted this long.
Once her thoughts opened up, she understood everything.
She sighed deeply and said with some frustration, “Father treats all ladies in the harem with leniency, and no one is treated unfairly. Mother has a daughter by her side; how could you worry about the future? No matter what, Father would not neglect you. But if Mother only competes and quarrels out of jealousy, scheming with petty tricks, thinking she’s so clever—do you think Father can’t see through those schemes?” Â
He simply sees it all clearly and watches coldly!
Consort Kang couldn’t accept this and hated it.
“Now you side with that little enchantress? You’ve been out there and gained benefits. You’re only a mother because you have milk!” Â
If it were before, Princess Dening would have been ashamed.
But now she was completely candid.
“Even if I am a mother because I have milk, so what? The red flower money Mother receives, the rank she holds, the money to support her uncles—it all comes from Father. Mother lives off Father’s support, yet she demands more and still scolds me for being a mother because of milk. What kind of logic is that?” Â
She continued, “If I have milk, at least I have a conscience and acknowledge being a mother. But Mother, isn’t she like someone who eats meat but puts down her chopsticks and curses her mother?”
Consort Kang couldn’t believe it.
The daughter who was once completely at her mercy had changed so much after going out. Â
She glared, “You’ve been bewitched by that little fox spirit! That fox first seduced the Imperial Son, then seduced your Father. Now you’re fighting for her?”
She didn’t mention it, but once she did, Princess Dening became angry.
“Mother, that’s nonsense. How could it be Imperial Consort Ning’s fault? She’s just a weak woman. How could she make such decisions? If anyone should be blamed, it’s the Crown Prince and Father. You know this in your heart but refuse to face it. You only flatter the powerful and blame a weak woman. Plainly put, it’s bullying the weak!” Â
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
She clenched her fists and paced in the bedchamber.
“You fooled me when I was young, telling me wrong things to deceive me.” Â