Four Seasons Brocade – CH 205

Chapter 205 ☆、

Chu Mao actually wanted to bathe Ah Wu too, but he had not completely calmed down yet. One night was not enough to relieve his pent-up virility from over twenty years. He was afraid that if he could not control himself, he would hurt Ah Wu again, so he restrained himself.

In truth, even His Highness Prince Qi had not anticipated losing control so completely last night. He had initially intended to be considerate of Ah Wu’s pain from her first sexual experience, thinking he could simply seduce her into consummating the marriage first and then deal with the rest later, not wanting to frighten her. However, things did not go as planned. For the first time, Chu Mao misjudged himself and underestimated Ah Wu’s destructive power, leading to this unmanageable situation.

Ah Wu lay curled up in the bathtub, feeling sore, weak, and in pain. She cried uncontrollably, forgetting all about cleanliness, releasing at least a teacup full of tears. In the end, she had cried, she had been angry, but she was still the one suffering. Ah Wu shakily got up, hastily wrapped herself in her clothes, left the bathing room without looking at Chu Mao, and went back to bed, her legs too painful to walk.

Tao Siyao led several concubines over to pay their respects. Chu Mao glanced at Zi-Shan and Zi-Yi, who were standing there blankly, and said, “Go tell them the Princess Consort is unwell, and they can come to pay their respects again in a couple of days.”

Tao Siyao, outside, was startled. She had not expected Prince Qi to still be in Yulan Hall at this hour. Tao Siyao glanced at the soft silk curtains at the end of the hall with complicated emotions, her heart filled with both joy and worry.

Ah Wu, inside, heard Chu Mao dismissing the concubines, and her anger flared even more. Was this not a classic case of “protesting too much”? How could she ever face anyone again? Ashamed and indignant, Ah Wu pulled the covers over her head.

A moment later, Chu Mao pulled the blanket off Ah Wu. “Are you not hot? Be careful not to sweat it out; you will catch a cold if you open the curtains.”

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Ah Wu ignored Chu Mao’s feigned concern. What was a little chill? Last night, when he had cut her inside with that knife, when she cried and begged him, where was he then? He had not shown her any tenderness.

Chu Mao gently pushed Ah Wu’s shoulder, not daring to use any force. Ah Wu’s skin was delicate; even the slightest pressure would leave a red mark. Looking at the marks on her body afterward would be horrifying. Leaving aside whether Ah Wu was in pain, Chu Mao’s own heart ached terribly.

Ah Wu simply moved a little further in, so Chu Mao could not touch her. Chu Mao had no choice but to lean forward, roll Ah Wu up along with the blankets, and pull her into his arms to sit down.

“Let me apply some medicine for you. It’s better than you enduring the pain. Alright, Ah Wu?” Chu Mao rubbed his chin against Ah Wu’s forehead.

Ah Wu was not the type to simply endure pain and suffer in silence; she always tried to find ways to make herself feel better. However, she neither nodded nor shook her head, only asking, “Where did Your Highness get this medicine?” If it came from a physician, Ah Wu felt utterly humiliated.

“Ling Yu gave it to me,” Chu Mao said casually.

Ah Wu had heard of Ling Yu, the most notorious philanderer in the capital, and rumored to be a groom every night and a father every year. It was not surprising that he had these medicines. What Ah Wu did not expect was how Chu Mao had gotten involved with Ling Yu. In her previous life, after Emperor Zhengyuan ascended the throne, she had never seen him treat Ling Yu any differently; Ling Yu had even almost lost his title of Duke.

However, what Ah Wu did not know was that Ling Yu did not actually have this ointment. As he put it, he only loved alluring young women, so things would fall into place naturally; he did not need this kind of medicine. He obtained it from the Marquis of Deqing. The Marquis of Deqing was truly the most infamous man in the capital, with a penchant for young girls, and this ointment was something he had concocted. It was remarkably effective in treating injuries there.

Ah Wu leaned against Chu Mao’s chest, trying to ignore his probing fingers. The deed was done, and regret was useless. After calming down, she realized she should consider the benefits and drawbacks of this situation to minimize the harm.

“Your Highness, do you think we will have a child from last night?” Ah Wu asked, blushing as she looked up at Chu Mao.

Chu Mao’s fingers paused; he had almost forgotten about it. Ah Wu’s health was good. Chu Mao had reviewed Zou Mingshan’s pulse diagnosis records from his ten-day visits. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Ah Wu’s pregnancy was only a matter of time, and it was certain it would happen sooner rather than later.

Previously, Chu Mao had thought that if Ah Wu had a child with him, her heart would surely turn towards him. But now, after much thought, Chu Mao still felt that last night’s experience was simply too wonderful. He did not want to waste those ten months, at least not now. Moreover, Chu Mao was not entirely sure if things would work out in the future. If Ah Wu had a child, then it might even be a burden to her and the child.

After considering this, Chu Mao abandoned his desire to take advantage of Ah Wu. He withdrew his fingers, embraced Ah Wu, and said seriously, “I was just about to tell you this.”

Seeing Chu Mao’s serious expression, Ah Wu listened attentively.

“Did you not say last time that my mother-in-law said women who give birth too young are more prone to health problems? You are not even eighteen yet, your body is thin and weak, and you are always sick. It’s like you are going through a lot of trouble. I think it’s better to wait until you are stronger before having a child. I will have Zou Mingshan come and help you with your health in a few days.”

Chu Mao’s words made sense. Ah Wu was also a little afraid of childbirth; it was a life-or-death ordeal for women, regardless of whether they were empresses or princesses. “But Your Highness does not have a son yet. What will people say? Perhaps…”

Ah Wu looked into Chu Mao’s eyes and keenly sensed his displeasure, even though the corners of his lips had turned up slightly. Ah Wu quickly changed her tune. “It’s good to wait. Having children should be a natural process.”

Chu Mao nodded in agreement.

“Your Highness, do you not have court today?” Ah Wu suddenly remembered this.

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“I sent someone to ask for leave yesterday,” Chu Mao said, placing Ah Wu back on the bed. “You can sleep a little longer; I am going out for a bit.”

Ah Wu nodded. She did not want to see him right now anyway. Ah Wu’s mind was a mess. Every time Lady Cui saw her, she only talked about her pregnancy. Besides, as long as she did not have a child, she would have to share a bed with Chu Mao. Just thinking about the pain from last night made Ah Wu tremble. Unable to fall asleep anytime soon, she sat up and called out, “Zi-Shan, Zi-Shan.”

Zi-Shan rushed in, thinking something had happened. “Your Highness.”

“I remember I have a white jade Guanyin statue. Please find it for me quickly,” Ah Wu said.

Zi-Shan responded and left. Ah Wu then summoned Zi-Yi and Zi-Jin to help her change. Her summer clothes were thin, and her usual undergarments could not conceal the marks on her neck. Ah Wu clutched her neck, glaring at Zi-Yi and Zi-Jin. The two maids suppressed their laughter but dared not show it on their faces.

“It’s not too hot today. Bring me the plum-green stand-up collar, diagonal-front jacket I made this spring,” Ah Wu said.

After washing up, Ah Wu did not even bother with breakfast. She had Zi-Shan bring the white jade Guanyin statue to the inner room, burned incense, knelt, and chanted prayers.

The three maids exchanged glances, completely bewildered by their mistress’s actions. Why was someone who never prayed to Buddha suddenly becoming so devoted?

Ah Wu kept praying to the Bodhisattva to quickly conceive a child. If her wish came true, she would fast for three months and commission a golden statue of the Bodhisattva.

After paying respects to the Bodhisattva, Ah Wu ate breakfast and went back to bed. She’d heard that the first three months of pregnancy were the most dangerous and that one should stay in bed as much as possible. Ah Wu was already acting like a pregnant woman, her hand on her abdomen, as if she could feel warmth surging within, like the feeling of a baby entering her womb. Ah Wu smiled slightly, then remembered that Lady Cui had said that after intercourse, raising one’s feet higher than one’s head was more conducive to conception.

Ah Wu then called out, “Zi-Shan, bring me a winter quilt.” Summer quilts were practically thin; a winter quilt was much better for raising one’s feet. All day, Ah Wu had been acting on impulse, making Zi-Shan run around in circles, wondering what was wrong with her. No one dared to say anything; everyone could see that Ah Wu’s mood was not good.

But secrets could not stay hidden forever. Last night, Chu Mao had the sheets changed three times. Although Yong-Mei and Yi-Mei washed them themselves in Yulan Hall, a discerning person could still find clues. Tao Siyao recalled the unusual events of this morning’s greetings. Prince Qi had not attended the morning court, and Ah Wu had not shown her face. Coupled with the news her maid had gathered, she became even more certain that the two had consummated their marriage.

As for Xun Yi-niang, although she was always law-abiding, she had been the most loyal to Chu Mao for a long time. Everyone had their own ways, and when she heard the news, her eyes lit up, only to dim again. She had always thought the Fourth Prince did not care about any women, and over the years, he had indeed been. Even though rumors circulated in the mansion about how much the Fourth Prince doted on the Princess, they had never consummated their marriage. Xun Mei had thought his feelings for the Princess were nothing special, but now she realized she was wrong; people were indeed different.

“Do not be sad, my mistress. The Fourth Prince is still childless. Although he does not say it, he must be anxious. For the sake of a legitimate son, his consummation with the Princess is nothing,” Bi-Zhu comforted Xun Mei. Bi-Zhu was Xun Mei’s head maid, having served her since the palace, and understood her thoughts best.

Xun Mei’s eyes lit up again. An outsider’s perspective was always clearer. She had not considered that the Fourth Prince would inevitably have relations with women for the sake of having an heir. The Princess Consort was his legal wife, and he naturally had to respect her first. But once this was allowed to happen, it would be like a flood bursting its banks—would it really affect those like them?

Meanwhile, at the Huaiyang Cuisine restaurant’s Yuhua Terrace in the other part of the capital, Ling Yu, the heir of the Duke of Han, laughed. “Making it difficult for a woman to conceive is simple. One bowl of medicine, and she’s clean; nothing to it.”

Prince Qi, sitting opposite him, smiled but remained silent.

Ling Yu gave an awkward smile. “That’s a bit harsh. I’ve heard there’s another medicine that can last for half a year.” Ling Yu had never been afraid of even his father, but he was terrified of this gentle, refined, and ethereal Fourth Prince.

Ling Yu was the number one philanderer, spending his days idly, indulging in cockfighting, dog racing, and womanizing. Well-mannered scions of noble families would avoid him altogether. Yet, he never expected to become involved with the Fourth Prince, and how exactly he did so remained a mystery to him. They had drunk together a few times, but this was the first time the Fourth Prince had personally invited him.

Ling Yu was not worried that the Fourth Prince was trying to win over their Duke of Han’s family. They were the most disgraced noble family in the capital, and his father was just as wasteful. For the Fourth Prince to try and win them over was a stroke of good fortune.

“Will it affect a woman’s future offspring?” Chu Mao asked.

“That, I do not know.” Who cared about the effects of this medicine on women? It was used by brothel girls as a form of contraception, hoping that if they ever left the profession and married, they could have a child to rely on. But it certainly was not good medicine.

Hearing Chu Mao’s question, Ling Yu had a hunch. He was probably keeping an outside woman and did not want her to have a child, but he also cared for her health. “Every medicine has some toxicity; none is without its side effects.”

“Are there any medicines for men?” Chu Mao asked again.