“The Crown Princess suddenly asked us to lend our actors to them and specified that she wanted Chen Ji to go over.” Consort Han knew that she had an ulterior motive.
She had just gotten Dong’er, who the Crown Princess had chased out two days ago. She took into consideration the brothers' relationship and was not calculative. Unfortunately, the Grand Emperor fell recently and the Empress requested for the Crown Prince to care for him. The Crown Prince had just left when the Crown Princess sent a request for Chen Ji to go and act. Her actions could not be pure.
“It is true that Chen Ji has been too close to the Crown Prince recently. It is no wonder that the Crown Princess is unhappy. However, he is still injured. I don't think we should let him go.” Prince Han was worried that something would happen.
Consort Han shook her head. “No, we have to let Chen Ji go. Firstly, it is because of you. We should not destroy the relationship between us and the Eastern Palace. The Crown Princess has requested something from us. If we avoid it, she would think that we are getting back at her. I am afraid that she will bear a grudge against you. Secondly, it is for Chen Ji. The Crown Princess is the Crown Princess after all. If we don’t let her vent her anger on Chen Ji, she will hold a grudge and if she explodes in the future, Chen Ji won’t be able to bear it. Chen Ji will be going over to act for her. At most, she will make things difficult for him but he can just hold it in.”
“You are right, let’s do as you say. We will let Chen Ji go over for the Crown Princess to vent slightly. Sigh, since she had become the Crown Princess, we have to be careful of everything regarding the Eastern Palace. Things are no longer as easy as before. Women are so difficult and petty.” Prince Han suddenly felt eyes burning into him. His tongue was glib and immediately corrected, “Oh, I said it wrongly. I meant the Crown Princess is difficult and petty. If she was like you, beautiful, smart and gentle, she would be easy to deal with.”
Consort Han smiled. “You are right.”
Meanwhile, the Han Mansion’s acting troupe entered the Eastern Palace and Fu Rou also received the news. She felt the same as Consort Han and believed that things were not as simple as they seemed. She personally brought a few palace maids to the Eastern Palace and set up red silks around the troupe.
Sun Lingshu saw how Fu Rou came uninvited and became suspicious. “What are you doing?”
Fu Rou replied calmly, “I heard that Your Highness will be watching a show here. Hence, I have asked them to hang red silk around the stage. Firstly, it is to improve the celebratory atmosphere. Secondly, it is for good luck. This has been passed down from olden days. It is said to be good for pregnant women and their child. Her Majesty, the Empress, has also instructed me before. Since you are pregnant now, no matter what you do, it has to be auspicious.”
As Sun Lingshu was most concerned about her baby now, she did not say anything more after hearing what Fu Rou had to say.
The gong sounded as the show started. In the beginning, Chen Ji was performing with ease. However, as his movements kept changing, his injury started to show itself. It was obvious that he was not steady and swayed several times on stage. Thankfully he was able to remain steady and complete the show.
Sun Lingshu clapped slowly as she smiled coldly. “Great singing, no wonder the Crown Prince never gets tired. Sing again.”
The gong sounded as Chen Ji performed once again. However, he could escape once but he could not escape forever. He stepped into empty space and fell off the stage.
Sun Lingshu remained expressionless and watched on without even blinking. This despicable man was not even worthy of helping her put on her shoes. How dare he sleep on the same bed as the Crown Prince and bewitch him? It will be best if such a shameless person were to fall to their death.
However, Sun Lingshu did not get what she hoped for as Chen Ji was saved by the red silk as he fell. He merely sprained his leg. Sun Lingshu could not make things difficult for him anymore and was forced to allow the performance troupe to return.
As the performers slowly dispersed, Sun Lingshu caught sight of Fu Rou standing beside Chen Ji. Fu Rou was looking at him in concern. Sun Lingshu looked at the red silk once again and could not help the menacing look that flashed across her eyes.
As expected, the people from the Han Mansion were all working together!
Chapter 26.1: Evil Intentions
On this day, Official Situ came to Lizheng Palace to bid farewell. She had been awarded with Empress Zhangsun’s grace and was allowed to leave the palace to retire. To female officials, this was a blessing.
Empress Zhangsun could not bear to let her go and was slightly regretful. “In a blink of an eye, so many years have passed. When you first entered the palace by my side, you were only a young girl in your teens. Now, you even have white hair along your temples.”
Official Situ was slightly teary. “Your Majesty, thank you for your kindness and for looking after me all these years. I will never forget your benevolence.”
“We are all getting old. We should take a good rest.” Empress Zhangsun turned around and ordered a palace maid to present silver and gold brocades. “I am giving these to you. You have raised the Crown Prince and took charge of palace etiquette all these years. It has been tough on you.”
Official Situ was filled with gratitude as she gave her thanks.
At this moment, a palace maid announced that the Crown Princess was here. Official Situ could tell that Empress Zhangsun was unhappy and asked, “Your Majesty, did the Crown Princess do something wrong again?”
Empress Zhangsun sighed, “The Crown Princess always makes me worried. If only you weren’t leaving, you could help me teach her.”
Sun Lingshu entered. “Greetings, Imperial Mother.”
Empress Zhangsun became serious. “Crown Princess, do you know what is prenatal education?”
Sun Lingshu looked uncomfortable. “I…”
“It looks like you don’t.” Empress Zhangsun turned around. “Official Situ, tell her what prenatal education means.”
“Understood.” Official Situ complied. “In <<Shi Ji>> it was recorded that a mother has to take great responsibility for her behaviour as her foetus character will form in her womb. One must act with virtue when they are pregnant. One should not see evil, not hear evil nor speak any evil. The foetus can be influenced. When King Wen’s mother, from the Zhou Dynasty, was pregnant with him, she abided by various etiquette, paying great attention to prenatal education. Hence when she gave birth to King Wen, he was smart, kind and was able to gain great knowledge.”
“The Zhou Dynasty had another rule. When the Empress was pregnant, the Imperial tutor would play music and the Imperial officials would offer food. If she was unhappy during her pregnancy and she does not want to listen to appropriate music or want to eat spicy and cold food, the Imperial tutor and official would say that they did not dare to serve this to the prince.” Empress Zhangsun added as she sounded even colder, “Crown Princess, do you know what status your child will have when he is born?”
“He…” Sun Lingshu tried to be brave. “He will be the Crown Prince’s eldest son…”
Empress Zhangsun’s tone suddenly became sharp. “Since you know, how dare you behave so outrageously?”
Sun Lingshu kneeled down in fright.
“If you are pregnant and want to watch a show, you should watch a refined and cultured show. Your baby sees whatever you are seeing. Zhao Zilong’s Seven Charges into Changbanpo is a noisy and violent show. Do you think your child will grow up to be kind and refined if you watch these types of shows when you're pregnant?”