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After various twists and turns, Xiao Yao finally picked out a high-waisted ru skirt. The high-waisted design really concealed her slightly protruding belly, and the waistband borrowed the modern hidden button technique, but it was replaced with a traditional knot that could be adjusted for tightness. This was naturally Xiao Yao's preparation for the possibility of gaining weight in the future. Was it really good to prepare so early?
He Yu saw Xiao Yao making these preparations and felt a twinge of sadness spreading from his heart. He seriously discussed with Xiao Yao, "How about we invite your mother over?"
"Ah? Why?" Xiao Yao seemed a bit startled.
"Right now, I can't let anyone know you're pregnant. Seeing you prepare everything by yourself makes me reluctant," He Yu said, kissing her forehead.
Xiao Yao was silent for a moment before shaking her head. "Actually, it's fine. Preparing these things isn't hard at all. Besides, even if my mother could come, my father still has to take care of business and definitely can't come along. They've been together their whole lives; suddenly being apart would definitely be uncomfortable. Let's just forget it."
"But..."
"I'm fine." Xiao Yao kissed He Yu's lips affectionately and said, "This little thing won't trouble me, and you won't be away forever, right?"
"Of course," He Yu sighed. "By the time you start showing, I won't be able to hide it even if I wanted to, right?"
"Then that's settled," Xiao Yao said matter-of-factly. "We can find a midwife to take care of me when the time comes. It's just starting now; it's not as hard as you think. You're overthinking it."
Xiao Yao looked at He Yu; they faced each other, and seeing her sparkling eyes made He Yu concede defeat. "Alright, you win."
Xiao Yao giggled and jumped off He Yu's lap, startling him into protective mode, fearing she might hurt herself. After holding back for a while, he finally scolded her with a stern face, "You're going to be a mother soon; how can you still be so reckless!"
Despite his serious reprimand, Xiao Yao wasn't afraid of his scolding at all and cheerfully replied, "I'm not scared; I have you!" He Yu was taken aback for a moment before helplessly shaking his head with a wry smile. It really seemed like... he had spoiled her.
For the Crown Prince's wedding, He Yu needed to go to the palace first to see if there was anything he could help with, so he entered the palace before noon.
Xiao Yao got up slowly from the bed, tidied herself up, and then made her way to Su Mansion without any rush. This was what He Yu had instructed her to do the night before, to go to Su Mansion and see Su Hong, and to accompany her until it was time for the wedding procession.
Thinking about it, Su Hong could be considered her first good friend in the capital, or perhaps even from her previous life. Moreover, she was a Consort and would soon become a Queen! It was only natural to want to befriend such a prominent figure. Ahem, although this might seem a bit opportunistic, one could never know when having a good relationship with someone like her might help in avoiding trouble in the future.
After walking for about half an hour, she finally arrived at Su Mansion.
With Yun Zhu's assistance, Xiao Yao got off the carriage and looked at the plaque at the entrance, which bore two characters that seemed soft yet had an underlying strength upon closer inspection: "Su Mansion."
Xiao Yao squinted her eyes to admire these two characters. Compared to the imposing plaque of Xuanping Prince's Mansion, this one was certainly more gentle and delicate. However, the pauses in the strokes revealed a crisp strength; using softness to overcome hardness and employing a roundabout strategy while adhering firmly to ancestral rites—perhaps this was the family motto of the Su Family?
Xiao Yao wasn't sure; she was just guessing.
Seeing Xiao Yao staring at the characters on the plaque, Yun Zhu smiled and said, "These were written by the Old Master of Su Mansion back in the day and have been hanging here ever since."
"Mm." Xiao Yao nodded. Just as she was about to respond, the door suddenly opened. A tall, thin middle-aged woman walked out. Upon seeing Xiao Yao and then glancing at the carriage behind her, she immediately understood and quickly approached Xiao Yao to bow deeply. "I greet the Princess; may you have good fortune and health."
"Please rise. May I ask who you are...?" Xiao Yao asked gently.
"Oh, I am the Aunt of the Consort," the woman replied with a smile.
Xiao Yao's eyes darted around as she realized that this woman was likely a concubine of the Su Family. She smiled back and said, "The Prince instructed me to come see the Consort."
The woman immediately smiled and said, "I've long heard that the Prince and Crown Prince are like brothers; it is indeed true now. Please come inside; I will go inform the Mistress that you have arrived."
"Alright, thank you." Xiao Yao nodded with a smile, but in her heart, she felt dissatisfied with He Yu. It seemed that he had come without informing Su Mansion, no wonder she hadn't seen anyone at the door; they probably didn't even know he was coming.
However, upon reflection, He Yu had been extremely busy during this time. Although he had taken leave from court, that only meant he wasn't attending the morning sessions.
For the Crown Prince's Wedding, he was certainly the most trusted person, and many matters would inevitably require his attention. Moreover, since she became pregnant, He Yu had taken back all the household chores, insisting that she focus on her pregnancy and not worry about anything else. Preparing gifts and checking various lists must have left him overwhelmed.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yao's complaints about He Yu flew out of her mind. If someone is cherished, it is because they are worthy of that affection. One cannot be ungrateful; even though they were husband and wife, gratitude is essential for a lasting relationship.
After standing there for a while, she saw a woman dressed simply yet elegantly approaching quickly from a distance. This must be the head matriarch, Xiao Yao thought to herself. Sure enough, the woman approached with a smile and greeted Xiao Yao, "This humble woman pays her respects to Princess Xuanping."
Xiao Yao hurriedly bent down to help the woman up. "Please rise, madam. You are my elder; I cannot accept such a greeting."
"The princess is being polite," Lady Su replied with a smile. "In terms of status, it is only right for me to pay my respects."
Xiao Yao smiled; she did not wish to linger on pleasantries and clarified her purpose with a smile, particularly emphasizing that "it was the prince who sent me here," naturally to ensure that He Yu made an impression in front of Lady Su. Once Lady Su understood this, it was clear that Su Scholar would also be aware.
Listening carefully, Lady Su quickly grasped the situation and showed an understanding expression. "Prince Xuanping has always had a good relationship with the Crown Prince. This time for the wedding, I heard that both your husband and Lord Su took leave to stay home but still go to the palace daily to assist with the Crown Prince's wedding preparations. Their relationship is evident. In the future, you should interact more with Consort; Su Hong is quite reserved and quiet—too quiet for someone who will be a consort. It's better to be more outgoing."
As Lady Su spoke to Xiao Yao, she led her along. Xiao Yao smiled and replied, "Lady Su is too kind. You are composed and dignified in facing matters; it’s clear you are born to be a consort. As for me, my husband often says I have a child's temperament."
Hearing someone praise her daughter made Lady Su beam with joy. She recalled that this person was Consort Xuanping—the Princess Xuanping who recently caused quite a stir at Duke Wei's Residence by confronting people from Sun Residence; even now people were still talking about it. Lady Su regretted not attending the chrysanthemum banquet that day; perhaps she could have witnessed some good drama.
However, it was from that moment that the proud and arrogant reputation of Xuanping Wang's residence began to spread. Moreover, Xuanping Wang himself was known as one of the most arrogant men in the capital; now that this couple had joined forces, were they planning to turn the capital upside down?
However, after waiting for many days, there was still no news from the couple. Moreover, the incident where the Eldest Prince rode through the bustling streets startled Consort Xuanping, causing her mental state to deteriorate. Xuanping Wang even took leave from the Emperor because of this. Everyone began to discuss how Xuanping Wang seemed like a completely different person since his marriage; although he still acted recklessly, he had indeed reduced his indulgence in women significantly.
In no time, everyone was surprised to find that Xuanping Wang was such a deeply affectionate person.
They had thought that the princess, who was doted on by Xuanping Wang to the core, would have a wild personality, but unexpectedly, she was gentle and courteous. This was beyond Lady Su's expectations. Hearing Xiao Yao pout and complain about her husband, Lady Su couldn't help but smile inwardly and felt a bit relieved, thinking that she was still just a child.
With this thought in mind, Lady Su unconsciously said, "The prince treats the princess this way because he dotes on her. With Ming Wang Ye protecting the princess so well, there’s no need to worry about anything; it’s just his genuine affection for her."
Xiao Yao, who suddenly heard this remark, could hardly believe that such words were spoken by an outsider. Her cheeks instantly flushed with embarrassment as she gently nodded. "I know this, but I actually don’t want him to treat me like a canary in a cage. I still hope to be able to..."
Upon hearing this, Lady Su smiled. "Yes, that is necessary."
"Madam, do you think so too?" Xiao Yao looked up in surprise. She had thought that most women in ancient times would depend on men for their lives, but she didn’t expect Lady Su to think this way.
Lady Su tilted her head and saw Xiao Yao's surprised expression. She smiled and said, "You are a wife, and so am I. As wives, we naturally have different responsibilities than those birds kept in the backyard. We have much more to bear than those women. Now that the prince can protect you, he will continue to do so; however, in the future, if he wants to protect you, it may not be so easy..."
Lady Su's gaze was distant as she spoke these words; it seemed as if she were addressing Xiao Yao while also speaking to herself.
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