YUNHUA RECOVERED QUICKLY. I wasn't sure how she'd managed to get back on her feet so quickly, but at the same time, she was one of the strongest people I knew. She didn't seem physically uncomfortable in any way by the time I was allowed to visit her again.
She never talked about the child she'd lost, only of how she wanted to make sure the culprit was caught and punished. I never mentioned the miscarriage either.
Grandmother had fainted at the news of Yunhua, and had only recently managed to get back on her feet again. But her health was ailing, and most of us thought she might not even last the winter, which was coming soon.
But despite all of our best efforts, the culprit behind the assassination attempt remained elusive. We all thought it was the Third Prince, of course, but we hadn't the slightest bit of evidence. Thus, it would be idiotic to accuse him of such, and would only cause us more trouble than him.
So he continued to go free.
What was due to Yunhua's lost child remained unpaid.
I wasn't sure what was happening behind the scenes, away from my eyes, but the Crown Prince seemed to visit Yunhua less and less every time I was there. She did not ever mention it directly, but sometimes I'd find her staring at the door, as if she was waiting for someone, as I prepared her some tea or embroidered with her.
I didn't think she loved the Crown Prince. Yunhua was far too clever for that, but she certainly cared about him. And the Crown Prince's seeming lack of care for her despite what she'd gone through, along with his failure to apprehend the villain behind this seemed to be taking a toll on Yunhua.
It was one afternoon, thus, when the two of us decided to take a walk around the gardens of the Eastern Palace that we bumped into the Crown Prince and Luo Xueying taking a stroll together. Yunhua's expression darkened for a second before she recovered with a smile, and the two of us curtsied. "Your Highness."
Luo Xueying curtsied back, the Crown Prince remaining standing in place. She offered both of us a smile. "Princess Consort, Duan shizi Consort."
"A lovely afternoon," the Crown Prince said smoothly. "It has been a while since I've seen you, Princess Consort."
"I'm sure Your Highness has been busy with all sorts of matters. I must confess to having missed your visits, but the country and your work comes first." At that, Yunhua casted Luo Xueying a glance.
Luo Xueying dipped her head. "His Highness has been hard at work all day, which is why I decided to invite him out to the gardens. It would not do him any good if he stays cooped in his study all the time."
"No, of course not," Yunhua said with an understanding smile. "He is lucky to have such a caring person like you by his side."
All three of us knew neither of them meant what was coming out of their mouths. They didn't hate each other anymore, these two, but it didn't mean they were friends. They were still technically competitors in this Eastern Palace for the Crown Prince's affection. And that meant they could never be true friends.
"Oh, you are too kind in your opinion of me, Princess Consort."
"Why don't you walk with us?" the Crown Prince invited. "We ought to all enjoy this beautiful day together."
And that was how the four of us began walking together. I strolled behind the Crown Prince and Yunhua, who fell into conversation. Luo Xueying slowed down, instead walking with me. "How have you been, Duan shizi Consort?"
"Well, Consort Luo. It has been ages since I've laid eyes upon you."
"Ah, well, I haven't left the Palace or even my own hall much. After the incident outside with the Princess Consort... Well, it did not feel very safe. My family ordered me to stay within the Eastern Palace since it seemed a far safer place."
"Of course. The Eastern Palace has some of the most elite guards in the world."
"Aye, the Emperor had sent some of his own personal guards to the Crown Prince's side."
There was none of that girl from the night of the Bride Selection anymore. In the past few years, Luo Xueying had fully integrated herself into the role of the high-ranking Consort. I didn't even think she remembered the things she'd said then, the way she'd broken down in front of me, someone who she supposedly despised.
We'd all grown up now. And we'd all lost a small part of ourselves along the way, parts that would have been detrimental in our process of survival. Though I suppose survival was not what any of these three people aimed for. They aimed to succeed. They aimed to end at the very top, but only one person could.
"I was recently visited by Princess Eryang."
"Oh?" I turned to her in interest, raising one brow. "I must confess to not having heard much of her since her marriage some time ago."
Slowly, Luo Xueying replied, "I think Lord Yu treats her well enough." Lord Yu must be the husband, then, that son of a viscount. "But I think Princess Eryang is used to far more than what he is able to provide, so it is causing some issues within their marriage. Prince Bao was quite unhappy."
"At least Princess Shaoheng is pleased with her match," I said with a sigh.
"I must confess to not having seen much of her either," Luo Xueying admitted. "Or heard much. It feels as if she's very much stayed out of the Luoyang social circle in recent days."
"I think she was never quite one to fraternise too much with everyone else. She's quite a private person, even before her marriage."
"If I recall correctly, your cousins are very close to her."
"Yes, and she has not even visited Yunhua all that much. I know they exchange letters."
"Ah, talking of your cousins, I heard of the youngest Miss Shangguan's engagement to Mr Shu. I am unlikely to attend the wedding, but do give her my most sincere blessings."
"I'm sure Yunxuan would be overjoyed to hear that." She would not be, as she still did not think rather highly of Luo Xueying, which was why I would not be passing on that tidbit of knowledge on. "She's quite happy with Mr Shu. I think they will be a lovely couple."
"The Crown Prince has spoken very highly of Mr Shu, and I laid eyes upon him at a banquet some time ago. A most handsome man, and intelligent too, if the Crown Prince is right."
"I am inclined to agree heavily with the Crown Prince's opinion."
"All of you have married very well indeed," she suddenly noted, tilting her head. "The Princess Consort, of course, shall be the future Empress. Your second cousin is not only a general in her own right, but also married to one. And now your youngest cousin shall be the wife of an official with much greatness in front of him. Your uncle has chosen well indeed."
I glanced at her with one brow arched. "Your father has done well for your siblings as well."
Luo Xueying was one of five. Of those six, four were born to concubines. I knew she had one brother above her, because I'd met him before. He married the granddaughter of the Grand Princess Qiongyi, who was the current Empress's aunt. Luo Xueying was the second child, and with the exception of the youngest brother who was yet unmarried, her two younger sisters had married an official and a lieutenant in the army respectively. Neither were particularly high ranking, but much like Shu Jueheng, had great untapped potential.
That was why they'd been chosen, after all. In families like ours and the Luos, not a single child would remain unused. Marriages are the best and most secure alliances of all, and we all knew that.
"I suppose," she said with a light shrug, "but I think your uncle outperformed mine."
I wasn't certain if Shangguan An would take that as a compliment. He did consider the Imperial Secretary, Luo Xueying's father, one of his biggest rivals, but to say that he was better at securing politically advantageous matches felt disingenuous and almost mocking from Luo Xueying's part.
Not that I could tell from her face, which remained the picture of nonchalance.
"I," I drawled slowly, "would respectfully disagree, Consort Luo." It had not escaped my notice the periodic glances the Crown Prince sent towards us, and he certainly was not looking at me. So, in an attempt to change the topic, I asked, "Is all well, Consort? The Crown Prince keeps glancing in your direction."
"He's simply worried about me, that's all." It should have sounded taunting, like a, oh, I am more favoured than your cousin, but Luo Xueying sounded painfully earnest.
"Perhaps you should join him and the Princess Consort, then."
"No, they have not spoken in some time together. I will let them converse in peace."
That was interesting indeed.
We'd left the clearly marked out paths of the gardens and now slowly entered the bamboo fields, manoeuvring our way through. Luo Xueying began to talk about simpler things with meâthe latest gossip in Luoyang, how quickly the seasons were changing and how we ought to prepare for the winter ahead of us, although really it was still months away.
It made me think of another winter, some years ago. My first winter here in Luoyang, during the Lantern Festival, before we'd all grown up and became consumed by politics and power, letting it take over our lives.
Those were simpler times.
"My manor has an excellent system for heating," I was saying, brushing my fingers over my sleeves, "so I'm not particularly worried, Consort Luo."
"Neither am I," she admitted. "I have always had quite an affinity for the winter, you know. I suppose it is somewhat in my name. Xueying, the welcoming of snow. And I was born in the winter as well."
"It must be fate, then."
She let out a gentle laugh. "I suppose so. And blue and white are my favourite colours."
"I could tell from the garments you wear," I admitted. "You are usually dressed in either of those shades."
"I suppose it is quite obvious."
"I think the colours suit you, Consort, andâoh, are you alright?"
Luo Xueying had accidentally stumbled upon a root that had extruded from the surface, almost tripping onto the ground. Quickly, her maid moved to steady her before she truly fell, and I held her arm as well, assisting her in getting her balance back.
The Crown Prince had rushed over, and Yunhua followed a few steps behind, her brows creased. "Consort Luo?"
Luo Xueying offered a small smile, dusting herself. "No, no, it is alright. I am perfectly alright, you don't need to worry."
The Crown Prince frowned. "Perhaps we ought to call for an Imperial Doctor, you should not riskâ"
Luo Xueying cut him off. "No, truly, Your Highness, it is alright. I am not hurt, merelyâ"
"Nonsense. Your health is of the utmost importance right now, we must take it seriously."
"I did not even hit the floor," Luo Xueying protested.
"But your babyâ" as if he'd remembered something, the Crown Prince suddenly turned to Yunhua and I, a bright smile on his face. "Oh, neither of you have been told yet. Consort Luo is pregnant with child. How many months along now, dear?"
Luo Xueying's face had turned chalky white. She lowered her head, audibly swallowing, before replying, "Three, Your Highness."
And she was not the only person affected by those words. Yunhua's face had turned cold too. "Congratulations, Consort Luo. Why was I not informed earlier?"
"Even I've only known for a couple days," the Crown Prince replied, casting Yunhua a comforting look. "Consort Luo is a very careful person, and I think after your unfortunate miscarriage, Princess Consort, it is important for us to be even more careful about pregnancy and children."
Idiot.
I did not think there was a day where I would be so tempted to scream in the face of the Crown Prince, but that was what went through my mind as I stood there, horrified. Luo Xueying had clearly not wanted the Crown Prince to tell anyone about her pregnancy yet in the first place. Especially not Yunhua. Whether that was because she was afraid Yunhua would be reminded of her own miscarriage or because she thought Yunhua might try to cause her to lose her child, I wasn't sure. But what I was sure of from her stricken expression was that she had not wanted the Crown Prince to blurt it out on a whim.
And the miscarriage had not even been mentioned until now. It had not needed to be mentioned. It was a thorn in Yunhua's side that she did not want to be brought up, and just like that, without a care for her feelings, the Crown Prince had thrown it in her face. And with the way he'd phrased it, it sounded like he was blaming Yunhua for losing her child. For not being careful enough during her pregnancy.
We'd all fallen silent.
Yunhua said, slowly and softly, "Of course, Your Highness. You ought to be careful, Consort Luo."
I wasn't sure what was going through her head. Grief? Anguish? Or suspicion? Because the scents that had been put in Luo Xueying's home should have ensured she was unable to become pregnant. Unless they'd failed? Or there was something else at play here. Had Luo Xueying discovered them, the little tricks we'd used?
If she had, she'd done a good job of making sure we didn't notice.
"Thank you, Princess Consort. Thank you, Your Highness, but I think I am alright. An Imperial Physician is not necessary."
"You are certain?" the Crown Prince asked, wholly oblivious to the secret conversation occurring between the three women present.
"I am certain." Luo Xueying bopped a curtsy. "I think I shall take my leave, Your Highnesses, Duan shizi Consort. I grow fatigued. Good day."
And then she left.
It was not until we'd returned back to the sanctuary of Yunhua's own hall that she allowed herself to let loose. "Pregnant! For three months! And not a word to me!"
"Even the Crown Prince said he'd only been told a few days ago, and I am inclined to believe him."
"I do not wish to hear of him right now," Yunhua said with some disgust. "Oh, I wish I had not heard any of this. What happened to the incense? Did it fail?"
It was one of her maids that replied, knelt down on the floor. "Your Highness, Consort Luo recently had her quarters renovated. It is likely she threw out the incense and changed to a different one."
"Oh, bloody hell." Yunhua sat down on the daybed, rubbing her forehead. "This just gets worse and worse. Luo Xueying will give birth to the first child of the Crown Prince instead of me, and my body is in no state for another pregnancy so soon."
Quietly, I comforted, "It is not the end of the world."
"It might as well be," she hissed. "No, something must be done about this."
"I don't think that's wise, Yunhua."
"Oh," she muttered with a roll of her eyes, "screw your soft heart, Minxi. This is the Eastern Palace. Even if I don't strike, someone else would eventually. Me and her are not the only women belonging to the Crown Prince now. Luo Xueying's child would not only be a threat to me, but an obstacle in many others' paths as well."
I stayed quiet, unsure what to say in a situation like this one. I knew I could not advise her to stray away from this pathâshe was far too in it already. And in a way, I knew it was unnecessary. Luo Xueying's child... if it was a boy, Yunhua's position might not necessarily be in danger, but her status would be. Especially with her recent miscarriage.
But then she smiled. "Oh, it's nothing to worry about. It'll work out in the end. I'm sure it will. Not like it's the end of the world, like you said. Have you seen Yunxuan recently?"
With Yunhua still discouraged from leaving the Eastern Palace, the only way for her to see Yunxuan was for the younger girl to come visit her, but she'd been so busy preparing for her engagement and marriage. The last time they'd met must have been Yunxuan's engagement feast, and it would have been so busy an occasion the two sisters had little time to talk.
"Don't you worry about her, Yunjun is taking good care of Yunxuan."
"And Yunjun? Is she well? Fully recovered from her injuries?"
"It was only a few nicks," I promised. "She'd gone through much worse at the borderlands."
"I know." She sighed, sitting down. "But sometimes, in my head, I still only think of her as that little girl who used to cling to my waist and refuse to let go. Before she discovered war as her passion, before she married that detestable man." These days, Yunhua refused to say General Feng's name, as if that would solve any of our problems. He hadn't done anything outrageous so far, but it was clear to anyone who decided to observe that his affection for Yunjun was almost nonexistent.
"We're not children anymore. All four of us shall soon be married, and Tianjin as well."
"It is wonderful Father is letting him come back to Luoyang for the wedding. He can accompany the carriage."
Shu Jueheng was an orphan. He'd been raised by relatives, and his only family was now an elderly aunt who allegedly spent most of her days fishing away by a pond. The aunt-nephew pair had lived together in a small house near one of the rivers in Luoyang, but as a wedding gift, Uncle had granted them a larger estate that would be up to par with the standards Yunxuan was used to. Filled with Shangguan servants and Shangguan wealth.
I rather thought it was because he was afraid of what happened to Yunjun happening to Yunxuan too. Yunjun could stand it because she was a general in her own right, because even without General Feng she was still somebody to be respected, but Yunxuan didn't have that in her corner. If Shu Jueheng mistreated her, she'd have to be solely reliant on her family to strike back.
But I didn't think Shu Jueheng had the nerve to treat her that way. Nor would he want to. He seemed to be genuinely smitten with Yunxuan, and Yunxuan had a way with him that Yunjun never had with General Feng. He was completely wrapped around Yunxuan's finger, and I didn't think anyone needed to worry about them at all. They'd make a lovely couple.
But our family, we always wanted to be careful.