The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1531 - 1528: Lady Gao’s Self-Interest

Wang Yongzhu felt a jolt in her heart. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The question itself was unproblematic, but having studied some psychology, Wang Yongzhu could see that Lady Gao’s current reaction was extremely concerned about the Noble Consort’s pregnancy, concerned to an unreasonable degree.

Perhaps it was an excessive concern that had turned into urgency, making her appear somewhat strange.

Though suspicious in her heart, she showed nothing on the surface, just shook her head: "To my shame, the fetal protection pill was given to me by my master three years ago when I returned home to visit relatives. Because I was going to Chicheng County, a bitterly cold place, my master was afraid that if there was any unforeseen event and he wasn’t by my side, things might get delayed."

"So he specially prepared this fetal protection pill for me. This pill took a lot of his effort and energy to concoct, tested many times, resulting in just this one. Many of the medicinal ingredients are now impossible to find, making it impossible to prepare again. He specifically urged me not to take it unless absolutely necessary."

"I originally planned to keep it for myself, but as you know, Ninth Master Lee went to Chicheng County before the Noble Consort’s promotion, requesting me to dye cloth for the consort. While in Chicheng County, he had nothing to do, so he chatted with my mother, and somehow learned about this pill."

"Then he begged earnestly for me to give him the pill to present to the Noble Consort. I wanted to refuse, but after all, he was favored by the Noble Consort, and we also had business dealings."

"As a daughter-in-law, I couldn’t refuse and had to present the pill. Who knew Ninth Young Master, with good intentions, did a bad thing, and after secretly presenting it, praised me greatly before the Noble Consort."

"This led the Noble Consort to misunderstand, so she specifically summoned me back. If it were for other matters, like preparing medicine, I could be of help. But with the umbilical cord around the neck, even the palace’s Imperial Physician and Director Du are at a loss. I’ve only followed Old Doctor Du for a few days and can see the oddity, which is not easy. How can they really count on me?"

"Only the Noble Consort, because the adults of the Imperial Medical Bureau couldn’t diagnose earlier, is venting her anger on them and doesn’t trust them, holding onto me as her last hope."

"What can I do? I can only do my best and leave the rest to fate!"

At this point, she paused for a moment and noticed a fleeting look of joy in Lady Gao’s eyes.

Had Wang Yongzhu not been watching Lady Gao closely, she might have missed it.

A look of worry appeared on Lady Gao’s face: "Really, even you have no way, what should be done?"

It seemed she was also afraid Wang Yongzhu would worry, so she immediately comforted her: "Don’t be afraid, His Majesty is wise, this matter cannot be blamed on you, even if something happens, it’s fate. Moreover, if you hadn’t provided that pill back then, the child in the Noble Consort’s womb might have already—"

She swallowed the remaining words.

Patting Wang Yongzhu’s hand comfortingly: "Since you, this child, are frank with me, I’ll also speak my heart to you."

"You this child, after all, are young and don’t know the intricacies involved. If it truly is fate, when the day comes, His Majesty will surely be furious and punish some people. If you are truly dismissed, who will protect you at that time?"

"Can you really count on the Gu Family? After all, they are just your maternal family, they also have their own children and grandchildren to protect, right? Can they really risk offending His Majesty for you?"

"Our Duke’s Mansion is different, after all, there is the favor from Lord Duke’s past accomplishments, and you are the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, a Lady Grant of the first rank. If something happens, His Majesty must handle it cautiously and cannot dispose of it casually, otherwise, it would chill the hearts of the Ladies of the Outer Court."

"So, at this critical moment, don’t do anything foolish by confronting Lord Duke out of a moment’s rashness. As long as you don’t relent, neither will I. If you’re careful, Lord Duke won’t find an excuse. Do you understand?"

Wang Yongzhu blinked, showing a look of both gratitude and puzzlement: "Yongzhu understands! Yongzhu just doesn’t understand why Madam is so good to Yongzhu, thinking so deeply for Yongzhu? Even disregarding the safety of the Duke’s Mansion? Yongzhu has not been overly filial to Madam in the past, just maintaining mutual respect, each minding their own business, so what virtue or ability does Yongzhu have that makes Madam protect me in this way?"

Lady Gao patted Wang Yongzhu’s hand, stiffening a bit upon hearing the words about disregarding the safety of the Duke’s Mansion.

But soon, she appeared unaffected.

Smiling, she said: "You silly child, you know I have no children under my knee. Although Lord Duke previously had several children, none were close to me. Even those who seemed warm were either trying to get something from me or, though seemingly respectful, secretly aimed to remove me from my position as the Duchess."

"Having been in this mansion for so many years, even if I’m foolish, I can still tell sincerity from pretension. You and the Eldest Brother, even though you appear cold, aren’t hiding malice in your hearts. I often tell the people below that we’re fortunate to have recognized the Eldest Brother and you back, otherwise, if the Duke’s Mansion were truly left to the Second Brother or anyone among them in the future, and when Lord Duke is gone, my life as the legitimate mother would likely be difficult."

"This is a bit of my selfishness. In this life, I’ve lived for the Duke’s Mansion, for Lord Duke. In my old age, let me be selfish once..."

Saying this, her eyes turned red.

Wang Yongzhu quickly held Lady Gao’s hand, comforting and reassuring her: "Please don’t worry, Madam! The kindness of Madam today is remembered by both the Master Heir-Apparent and me, and we will surely repay it!"

Lady Gao had been waiting for Wang Yongzhu to say this, and a smile immediately appeared on her face.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked warmly for a while.

Lady Gao then gave some instructions regarding matters with the Noble Consort. It was nearly the second watch, and the maids serving below dared not disturb, coming in and going out several times.

Finally, Lady Gao said: "It’s getting late, you have to enter the palace tomorrow, so go back early and rest! Rest assured, with me in this mansion, I won’t let you suffer any loss!"

Wang Yongzhu thanked her profusely, got up, and took her leave.

Lady Gao personally saw Wang Yongzhu to the courtyard gate, watching her leave surrounded by a group of maids with lanterns, then turned back inside.

Inside the room, Lady Gao’s trusted old maid brought a bowl of bird’s nest porridge over: "Madam hasn’t eaten anything tonight. This old servant specifically had the kitchen make bird’s nest porridge, would Madam like to have some?"

Lady Gao, relaxing against a pillow, appeared at ease, her appetite restored. She took the bird’s nest porridge and drank a few mouthfuls.

Seeing Lady Gao looking well, the trusted old maid cautiously asked: "Madam, do you think the Wife of the Heir-Apparent believed it?"

Lady Gao let out a cold laugh: "At this critical moment, with the Eldest Brother far in Chicheng, if Lord Duke is truly determined to dismiss her, no matter how capable or formidable she is, she’s still helpless! Wouldn’t she have to rely on me? Even if she doesn’t believe it, at this moment, she has to put on an appearance of believing me!"

"Moreover, I didn’t deceive her! I worry about her being dismissed more than she does! Such a good Wife of the Heir-Apparent, how could I let her leave? Even if it means death, she has to die in this mansion."