Chapter 283: The Dong Family’s Child
Since the Empress had instructed Wen Mingqian to make rouge and powder for the consorts and masters in the palace, she naturally couldn’t manage it alone; she would need at least a dozen people.
Xiao Yue was now considered semi-skilled, and Yu Lu had specifically assigned several people to assist her.
However, these people could only handle the rough work; the most delicate tasks still required Wen Mingqian’s personal touch.
They had to work day and night to catch up, without any room for slack.
The Empress had said that everything had to be completed before the Shangsi Festival.
As it was nearing lunchtime, Wen Mingqian had to go to Ming Cui Palace. On the way, she encountered Consort Rong.
Wen Mingqian naturally had to go forward and pay her respects. Consort Rong was very affectionate upon seeing her, even taking her hand and saying, “Madam Wen, when you make things for me, can you make them with a scent of orchids? I love that fragrance the most.”
Before, they had never dared to ask Wen Mingqian for anything, fearing they would offend the Empress’s taboos.
But now that the Empress had given her word, it was an open matter. Since they were going to make them, why not make them to their own liking?
“Your Ladyship, please rest assured, I will consult with each of you before I finish making them. What fragrance, whether strong or light, I will do my best to suit each of your intentions,” Wen Mingqian replied with a smile. “I will go to your place first tomorrow, as it’s on the way.”
“Oh my, this is too much trouble for you. No wonder the Empress values you so much; you truly are a person with a crystal heart and glass demeanor,” Consort Rong said, beaming with joy.
Women in the deep palace are exceptionally lonely. They cannot leave these high walls, so they naturally must find ways to adorn their boring lives.
Anything novel, no matter how small, they would pay attention to.
Wen Mingqian naturally offered a few polite words. After they parted, Wen Mingqian planned to go around the east side of the Empress’s Imperial Chamber. Unexpectedly, as soon as she turned the corner, she ran into Dong Gang.
His emerging from the Empress’s Palace at this hour clearly meant he hadn’t had lunch yet. He was followed by a little eunuch, Yu Lu’s newly accepted little disciple.
Since they had met, Wen Mingqian naturally couldn’t pretend not to see him. She moved to the side and half-knelt to perform a bow.
She had originally thought Dong Gang would walk straight past, but unexpectedly, he stopped right in front of Wen Mingqian.
The little eunuch had been following closely behind him. Dong Gang slightly turned his head, and the eunuch immediately retreated a few steps.
When Dong Gang turned his face towards Wen Mingqian, he was smiling warmly, his demeanor gentle. “Where is Madam Wen going?”
“This servant is going to Princess Duanmin’s at Ming Cui Palace,” Wen Mingqian replied, lowering her eyebrows.
“Madam is so talented and refined; you need not call yourself a servant.” Dong Gang’s eyes scanned Wen Mingqian from head to toe like blades. “I must admit I am ignorant; I didn’t know there were celestial beings like you in this world.”
Such words were truly presumptuous, and Wen Mingqian thus knew that the previous information was indeed reliable.
Dong Gang’s appearance was the only thing he inherited from his grandfather; he possessed none of his other traits.
He was quite lecherous, but he didn’t like those who were too young and childish.
The Eldest Princess, perhaps due to her short stature and slender build, appearing only like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, had lost Dong Gang’s appetite. They had been married for three years, and she had never conceived.
It was known that his concubines had been pregnant several times, but none were allowed to give birth.
A beautiful woman like Wen Mingqian was practically a celestial being descended to earth in his eyes. The moment he saw her, he was already salivating.
“Lord Dong is joking; this servant truly doesn’t dare to accept such praise,” Wen Mingqian said, preparing to take her leave. However, Dong Gang stopped her, not allowing her to go.
“After drinking Madam’s tea today, I felt my mind clear and my body invigorated. Do you still have that tea? I’d like to have another cup if I have the chance.” Dong Gang paid no mind to the fact that they were in the palace.
Wen Mingqian thus knew that this was certainly not the first time he had done something like this.
“If Your Lordship likes it, this servant will inform Madam Ming and prepare more,” Wen Mingqian said, taking a small step back.
Dong Gang, however, smiled and took a large step forward. “Madam, are you afraid of me?”
“Your Lordship is a Censor; how could this servant not be respectful and fearful?” Wen Mingqian shielded her chest with her hand and retreated another large step.
“Madam, do not be afraid; I will never harm you.” Dong Gang said, unfastening the jade pendant from his waist and handing it to her. “This is the first time I’ve met Madam, and I didn’t prepare any suitable gift. Please accept this for now; consider it a token of my intention.”
“This… this servant cannot accept it; it is truly too disrespectful.” Wen Mingqian pushed it away while also looking at the jade pendant, her eyes seeming to linger on it.
This slight expression was completely captured by Dong Gang, and a sense of triumph arose in his heart. “Madam, please do not refuse any further, lest someone see.”
With that, he forcefully placed the jade pendant into Wen Mingqian’s hand. Wen Mingqian seemed flustered, unsure whether to take it or not.
Dong Gang did not linger any longer and strode away.
Upon arriving at Ming Cui Palace, Wen Mingqian’s demeanor was once again calm and composed.
Noble Ladies A Lan and A Man were also there. They were gathered around a low table with Princess Duanmin, playing with sheep knuckle bones.
Those sheep knuckle bones were old and had been rubbed smooth and lustrous like jade. They made crisp sounds when they collided, which was quite amusing.
“You’re here,” Princess Duanmin stopped playing when she saw her. “Have you eaten? I asked the kitchen to make steamed beef buns, served with tripe and mushroom soup. You can try some later.”
After the initial period of not being able to eat, feeling nauseous at everything, Princess Duanmin now had a very large appetite. She ate at least four meals a day and often still felt hungry.
She often frowned and complained, “I’ve been married to Fenye for so many years, and I still can’t get used to the taste of beef and mutton, nor the smell of game. I don’t know what’s happening now; I constantly want to eat these things. It truly depends on whose child it is.”
She did not love King of Fenye, but she had conceived his child in order to use him.
This child was an accident to her, but by nature, she also wanted to be a good mother.
“Your Ladyship’s complexion is becoming more beautiful; this child brings you good fortune,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile. “We are happy to see it from the sidelines.”
“Alas, this child will surely be robust and strong from birth; I fear it will have nothing to do with being delicate,” Princess Duanmin pouted. “Like those little clumsy dogs on the grassland, short and stout, strong and a bit foolish.”
“It’s good for children to be sturdy when they are young; they are easier to raise. Once they grow to five or six years old and their bodies lengthen, they will slim down,” Wen Mingqian said.
“Was Chang An also chubby when he was little?” Princess Duanmin asked curiously.
“He was also fair and plump when he was born, sleeping soundly after drinking his milk. At half a month old, because he grew so quickly, his old skin peeled off in layers like fish scales, making him look even fairer,” Wen Mingqian recalled the scene of Gong Changan’s childhood as if it were yesterday.
“Raising a child is truly not easy,” Princess Duanmin sighed softly. “But look at you; even in such a desolate and remote place, you raised Chang An so well.”
