Chapter 338 — An Audience

The Crown Princess's expression dimmed slightly, and she gave a long sigh; but she did not insist on her son's apology. She admonished the Imperial Grandson a few words and told the attendants serving him to take him back to the warm chamber in the rear hall to study: "...Your Imperial Grandfather will examine your lessons in a few days. Mind you do not fail to answer and be made to kneel as punishment."

The Imperial Grandson shivered, plainly showing his fear.

He nestled close to his mother, dawdling, unwilling to leave.

The Crown Princess shook her head with a smile, her doting affection written all over her face. She ordered a palace maid to bestow on the Imperial Grandson the new-style pastries the Imperial Kitchen had presented a few days before.

The palace maid curtsied with a smile and answered, "Yes."

The Crown Princess thought for a moment, then added, "Take some for Madam Dou to try at home as well."

Dou Yan rose to express her thanks.

The palace maid went to fetch the pastries.

A scent of osmanthus drifted through the side hall.

For some reason, Dou Yan's chest tightened, and she felt she was about to vomit.

She quickly drew a deep breath and forced down the discomfort in her chest.

But then the Crown Princess pressed a hand to her chest, covered her mouth, and looked about to throw up.

Everyone serving in the room changed color, crying "Your Highness," and hurriedly brought a basin.

The Crown Princess threw up with a great heave.

Dou Yan's chest churned with foul air. She hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it to her mouth.

A palace maid had already noticed her strange state and hurried over. "Madam Dou, what is the matter?"

Dou Yan did not dare speak, afraid that if she opened her mouth she would vomit; she shook her head at the maid.

The maid was very quick-witted and hurriedly brought Dou Yan a basin.

Dou Yan too threw up with a great heave.

The Crown Princess was astonished. She rinsed her mouth with warm water and asked Dou Yan, "How long have you been married?"

Dou Yan said, "Nearly three months."

The Crown Princess laughed. "Are you with child?" Her smile was no longer the polite courtesy of before, but warm and joyful throughout.

Something stirred in Dou Yan's heart. "Your servant has no elders at home. I do not know."

The Crown Princess was briefly taken aback, then instructed a palace maid beside her, "Go and ask Granny Wu to come in."

Dou Yan rinsed her mouth with the maid's help.

A steady woman of about forty followed the palace maid in.

The Crown Princess told the woman, "Take Madam Dou's pulse."

The woman answered respectfully, "Yes." A palace maid had already brought a pulse pillow, a small tea table, and a brocade stool.

Dou Yan extended her hand for the woman to feel her pulse.

The Crown Princess introduced the woman to her: "...Consort Dowager Shi recommended her. She delivered both Shou'er and Fu'er."

Consort Dowager Shi was a daughter of the Shi family of the Changxing Marquisate.

Dou Yan politely addressed her as "Matron Wu."

Granny Wu repeatedly said she did not deserve it, and smilingly gestured for her to change hands.

The side hall fell quiet.

The Imperial Grandson's voice rang out especially clear and loud: "Mother, is Madam Dou sick too?"

The Crown Princess gently stroked her son's head and softly admonished him, "Don't speak. Granny Wu is taking Lady Dou's pulse."

The Emperor's eldest grandson pressed his lips tightly together and nestled into the Crown Princess's embrace.

Granny Wu withdrew her hand and rose, curtsying respectfully to the Crown Princess. "The pulse runs like beads rolling on a plate," she said softly. "There is every likelihood that Lady Dou is with child."

It was what he had expected, yet hearing the midwife state it with such certainty, Dou Yan still felt a small thrill of excitement.

The Crown Princess was even more delighted. "How wonderful," she said with a smile. "Now she will have a companion."

Dou Yan feigned surprise.

The Crown Princess laughed. "I am with child as well! But it is early yet, so I have not told the Empress or the Grand Empress Dowager."

Her face bloomed with a radiance serene as the moon, yet impossible to look away from.

Was this not the joy that belonged only to a mother?

Dou Yan offered his congratulations with perfect sincerity.

"The same to you, the same to you!" The Crown Princess smiled faintly, as though another mask had slipped away. Her gaze upon Dou Zhiwei was warm, tinged with a certain intimacy, and she summoned a palace maid. "Go quickly and tell the heir of the Duke of Yingguo, so that he may share in the joy."

The maid answered with a smile and hurried off.

The pastries were cleared away, and palace maids came in bearing fruit basins piled with apples, citrons, and finger citrons.

The room was filled with the fresh fragrance of fruit.

The Crown Princess was silent for a moment, lost in thought, then smiled. "The heir is too careless. Why summon you into the palace at such a time? Here—my Granny Wang is very good at caring for people. I shall send her to your residence for a few days to help you train up two experienced matrons, so that you will have someone to look after you hereafter..."

Sweat beaded on Dou Yan's forehead.

The Crown Princess clearly knew a great deal about her affairs. She assumed that neither the Yingzhengguo Estate nor her natal family had any elders who understood such matters of bearing and rearing, and so she was sending her own experienced matron to instruct the household. It was a great favor—but also a great complication. From this day on, how could they ever draw a clean line between themselves and the Crown Prince?

Dou Qu smiled. "How could I presume to trouble Your Highness's own matron! This consort was merely caught unawares for the moment. Once my natal family receives the glad tidings, they will surely send someone to look after me."

It might offend the Crown Princess, but that was better than being dragged into the struggle for the succession!

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Brothers and sisters, as usual I am posting the draft first and will correct typos afterward, so as not to delay everyone's reading.

o(∩_∩)o~

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