After Disguising As A Woman To Marry The Foolish Prince, I Became Pregnant - Chapter 12

Zhu Man knew that what he had done was not honorable, and he knew it would break He Tianyun’s heart, but he never expected it would actually make the man cry.

He had always been susceptible to tears, let alone from a large man like He Tianyun who was usually all smiles; the lethality of his weeping was terrifying.

Zhu Man panicked instantly: “Hey, why are you… how… don’t cry…” As he spoke, he hurriedly reached out to wipe He Tianyun’s face.

But He Tianyun didn’t actually shed tears; he simply looked at Zhu Man with such a wronged and sorrowful expression that it made Zhu Man’s heart ache with bitterness.

“I’m sorry, alright? Don’t… don’t be sad anymore,” Zhu Man said helplessly.

He Tianyun reached out and grabbed him: “Don’t go.”

Zhu Man knew he should offer a word of comfort, but to agree would be to lie to him. After a moment of hesitation, he merely pressed his lips together lightly.

“Miss,” Jingxin called out softly from behind, “We…”

“Why don’t we rest first?” Du Pingniang took over the conversation, offering him a gentle smile. “Her Ladyship is still waiting for the Prince and Princess Consort.”

Zhu Man looked at her, his expression somewhat difficult to describe.

But Du Pingniang acted as if she hadn’t noticed, keeping her head lowered as she continued: “Her Ladyship has always doted on the Prince. If the Princess Consort has any difficulties, you may speak of them to Her Ladyship.”

Zhu Man fell silent for a moment. “Nanny, give me the truth—how much does Her Ladyship actually know?”

Du Pingniang smiled. “What do you think, Princess Consort?”

Zhu Man pursed his lips and didn’t answer. On the side, He Tianyun saw the atmosphere between the two wasn’t right; he reached out to pull Zhu Man and then Du Pingniang, saying in a piteous voice, “Don’t fight.”

Du Pingniang’s eyes softened instantly. Her tone lost some of its formal smile, but the gaze she directed at Zhu Man became increasingly gentle: “Before the grand wedding, Her Ladyship told me that the second young miss of the Zhu family was a mute, and she also mentioned that the second miss had a twin brother who surely wouldn’t stand by and watch his sister be married off to the Prince’s manor.”

Zhu Man was stunned. “Then why did she still…”

Du Pingniang said, “I am but a servant and only heard Her Ladyship mention it in passing. If the Princess Consort wishes to know, it would be better to ask Her Ladyship yourself.”

It seemed that was the only way now.

If the Noble Consort had seen through everything from the start, then his thoughts of running away were a bit delusional.

“I’m going to change my clothes,” Zhu Man said.

“Miss!”

“You go change, too,” Zhu Man glanced at Jingxin. “This is not up for discussion.”

Jingxin had no choice but to give a reluctant “Oh,” clutching the jewelry box as she followed Zhu Man back to the room.

Du Pingniang waited in the courtyard. As for He Tianyun, whether he was truly afraid Zhu Man would run or for some other reason, he stood guard in the room and couldn’t be driven away. When Zhu Man took his clothes behind the screen, He Tianyun followed.

Zhu Man stopped trying to chase him out. He wasn’t actually a woman; was he really afraid of losing out by being seen by He Tianyun?

He took off his clothes directly and began to put on the outfit Jingxin had prepared.

His frame was slender. As he moved, his shoulder blades shifted like the wings of a fluttering butterfly, swaying before He Tianyun’s eyes.

He Tianyun’s gaze initially fell on his body, but later, dazzled by the sight until all he saw was a blur of white, he could only turn his gaze to the clothes lying on the floor.

Dark colors, wrapping around a person as white and delicate as jade…

By the time Zhu Man finished changing and returned, He Tianyun had already turned his back and was staring at a painting on the wall.

Zhu Man didn’t suspect anything and called out to him, “Prince.”

He Tianyun remained focused on the painting without reacting.

Zhu Man had no choice but to walk over and tap his shoulder: “He Tianyun!”

He Tianyun turned around, his eyes landing on him.

Likely because of his sister, Zhu Man usually wore elegant, light colors, only wearing vibrant bright red for the wedding and the return to the bride’s home. But now, he had changed into a goose-yellow dress, making him look spirited and lovely.

He Tianyun watched for a while, a smile appearing on his face. He reached out to give him a hug: “Princess Consort, pretty.”

Zhu Man laughed and patted his back. “Let’s go, we’re going to the palace.”

He Tianyun immediately took his hand and led him out, boarding the carriage to the palace with Du Pingniang.

The palace gates had long been locked by this time, but Consort Yu was at the height of her favor, so obtaining an imperial decree from the Emperor was not difficult. They entered the palace quickly.

Before coming, Zhu Man hadn’t worried much, but as they drew closer to the inner palace, the deathly, orderly silence of the Forbidden City began to affect him, causing an inexplicable fear to well up in his heart.

He subconsciously leaned toward He Tianyun.

In the next moment, his hand was held.

Zhu Man was startled.

He Tianyun turned his head, gave him a silly smile, and said, “Dark, don’t be afraid.”

Zhu Man smiled back and gripped his hand in return, as if holding a small, warm flame that dispelled the unease in his heart.

Noble Consort Yu lived in the Xingqing Palace. At this hour, the lights were extinguished nearly everywhere, making it very quiet.

When Zhu Man entered, she was busy with needlework. Hearing the commotion, she put down her things and smiled at him.

He Tianyun immediately ran over, squatted down in front of Consort Yu, and called out cheerfully, “Mother Consort!”

Zhu Man followed and performed a proper salutation: “Greetings to Your Ladyship, the Noble Consort.”

“There is no need for such formality,” Consort Yu said as she pulled He Tianyun up to sit beside her, then pointed to the seat opposite. “Sit.”

“Thank you, Your Ladyship,” Zhu Man replied, getting up to take his seat.

It was only now that he truly saw Noble Consort Yu’s appearance. It was indeed as the rumors said: beautiful eyebrows and alluring eyes, a true national beauty. Her features bore some resemblance to He Tianyun’s, but she was far gentler than he was.

Yes, gentle.

The person before him didn’t have a hint of the rumored overbearing arrogance; instead, she was like a delicate flower reflected in water, evoking pity.

Seeing him staring at her in a daze, Consort Yu smiled. “Is it different from the rumors?”

Zhu Man was suddenly embarrassed and lowered his head, nodding slightly.

Consort Yu said, “You disguise your voice very well. Do you do it often?”

Zhu Man thought she would start with some pleasantries and hadn’t expected her to be so direct. He was stunned for a long while before nodding: “Yes…”

He answered slowly, his expression dazed. He looked quite dense, completely lacking his usual cleverness.

Seeing this, the Consort ordered flower tea to be served, saying, “Drinking tea now might make it hard to sleep; try this instead.”

Zhu Man thanked her, picked up the tea, and took a sip.

The fragrance of chrysanthemum and the sweetness of honey spread in his mouth, flowing down his throat with a warmth that even settled his heart.

“Thank you, Your Ladyship.” Zhu Man set down the tea. “I’m sorry.”

Consort Yu smiled. “Do you know why I didn’t expose you?”

Zhu Man shook his head.

Consort Yu said, “To the outsiders, the one who married into the family is the second miss of the Zhu family. To Yun’er, whether it is you or your sister makes no difference. As for me, I only wanted to find a companion for Yun’er. As long as his life can be happier, whether it is a man or a woman, a brother or a sister, it is fine. To His Majesty, this marriage is a matter of the royal family’s prestige; as long as it was completed successfully, how it was completed is not important.”

Zhu Man frowned. “But my sister was unwilling.”

“From the moment your father submitted the name list, your sister had no choice,” Consort Yu said. “Even if your father suddenly found his conscience and didn’t want to marry off his daughter, it would be impossible to take the list back from His Majesty. That is the crime of deceiving the Emperor.”

Zhu Man fell silent.

Consort Yu continued to ask him, “Do you know why I chose your sister?”

Zhu Man shook his head.

Consort Yu said, “Because she was not favored.”

Zhu Man was confused.

Consort Yu explained, “Yun’er is a Prince. Marrying him means marrying into the imperial family as a Princess Consort; there are many who would be willing. But I know Yun’er’s situation well. If he married someone unsuitable, I fear he would suffer much grievance. Your sister is a mute; presumably, she could understand Yun’er’s situation to some extent. Since she was not favored at home, she might find more freedom at the Prince’s manor.”

These words were somewhat harsh, but they were the truth.

“But my sister cannot speak,” Zhu Man said. “The Prince likes me; he might not necessarily like her.”

Consort Yu smiled and did not speak.

But Zhu Man already understood. This was something she couldn’t control, so after learning that He Tianyun got along very well with him, she tacitly accepted the situation.

Just as she said, from beginning to end, she only wanted to find a playmate for He Tianyun. Whether that playmate was him or his sister was fine, as long as He Tianyun was happy.

A thought suddenly sprouted in Zhu Man’s heart.

“Your Ladyship,” Zhu Man said, “I can continue to be this Princess Consort in my sister’s stead, but there is one thing I hope you can help me with.”

Consort Yu said, “You are the Princess Consort, which makes you my daughter-in-law and half my own child. If I can help you, I naturally will.”

Zhu Man’s nose suddenly felt a bit sour. He lowered his head and spoke softly, “It’s about my sister…”

“You still want to send her away?” Consort Yu asked.

Zhu Man shook his head. “I just want to settle her comfortably.”

In the past, with him watching over her, Zhu Man (the sister) wouldn’t be bullied. So, before this marriage, he had never thought about taking his sister away from the capital to a place where they knew no one. The current thought had only occurred because running far away made it harder to be caught.

He just wanted his sister to live a happy and free life.

Consort Yu said, “If you want her to go, you can send her to Jiangnan. With the Qin family there, no one will dare bully her.”

Zhu Man knew of the Qin family—merchants for generations, wealthy enough to rival a nation, with immense influence in Jiangnan. One could even say they were the local rulers of that region.

Zhu Man showed a look of confusion. “Why would the Qin family help her?”

Consort Yu was rarely stumped by a question. After a few breaths, she laughed softly without answering.

Du Pingniang, standing aside, explained for him, “Her Ladyship’s maiden name is Qin.”

Zhu Man understood, and at the same time, he felt a bit complicated.

So even if he ran south with his sister, he would just be escaping from the Noble Consort’s left palm into her right.

Consort Yu finished her laugh before continuing, “If you cannot bear to be apart from your sister, you can also bring her to the Prince’s manor and watch over her yourself. Surely you would be at ease then.”

Zhu Man hadn’t expected her to say that; this time he was truly stunned. “Is that allowed?”

“What is so difficult about such a small matter?” Consort Yu said. “You can take tonight to think carefully about whether you want to continue being…”

“I do!” Zhu Man didn’t hesitate for a second. His speed was so fast that even Consort Yu was startled.

Lots of money and few responsibilities—as long as he kept the beautiful man happy, he was set, and someone was even helping him solve his worries. Who could refuse such a superb job!

From this day forward, he would be the hardworking and dedicated Princess Consort of Zhao!

He was incredibly excited, completely failing to notice that the gaze of He Tianyun, sitting beside Consort Yu, was gradually becoming complicated.