After Disguising As A Woman To Marry The Foolish Prince, I Became Pregnant - Chapter 19

Because Zhu Man had handed matters over to Qin Shanhe, there were actually some grievances within the Prince’s Mansion.

But complaining was useless, because Qin Shanhe was far more impartial and incorruptible than Pan Fu. Any attempts to use connections or offer bribes were completely ineffective with him. Within two days, twenty to thirty people were expelled from the Prince’s Mansion. Some, refusing to accept this, went to complain to Pan Fu. Only then did Pan Fu have a message sent into the Palace, adding oil to the fire as he described the recent events at the mansion.

That same day, word came from the Palace, telling Pan Fu that previously, the Prince was the sole master of this mansion, so the Noble Consort had helped manage it; but now that the Prince had married, matters of the household were naturally for the Princess Consort to decide. If he found serving there inconvenient, he could return to the Palace.

The rules in the Palace were strict and solemn, and life there was not nearly as easy as in the Prince’s Mansion. Pan Fu immediately declined and dared not make any further comments.

Seeing Pan Fu get rebuffed, the remaining people dared not cause any more trouble and behaved themselves.

Having lived there for several days, Zhu Man finally saw patrolling guards in the Prince’s Mansion.

He Tianyun was also seeing this for the first time. Holding fruits in his hands, he followed curiously behind them, wandering back and forth through the mansion, enjoying himself immensely.

Zhu Man had also been busy these past few days. Firstly, he had to handle the mansion’s affairs with Qin Shanhe; secondly, he had to help his younger sister arrange her new living quarters. Seeing that He Tianyun had found his own fun, Zhu Man felt at ease and didn’t feel the need to watch him.

By the time He Tianyun grew tired of playing and Zhu Man had finished most of his work—while he was supervising the servants helping Zhu Man (the sister) move—He Xiuxin arrived.

“A flower-viewing party?” Zhu Man frowned slightly upon hearing she was inviting him to a banquet. “I am not good at handling such occasions; it is not suitable for me to go.”

“It isn’t a banquet with many strict rules, just a gathering of the capital’s young masters and ladies to chat and drink tea,” He Xiuxin said with a soft smile. “Imperial Mother also wants to use this opportunity to find a good marriage match for Tianye. Asking you to go, Imperial Sister-in-law, is also because she wants you to help take a look.”

Since the matter had been put that way, it was hard for Zhu Man to refuse again. He could only nod and say, “Then I shall go with the Prince when the time comes.”

He Xiuxin was startled.

Zhu Man asked in confusion, “What is it?”

He Xiuxin shook her head and gave a light laugh. “I just didn’t expect Imperial Sister-in-law to bring Big Brother along.”

Zhu Man remained puzzled. “This is to find a wife for his younger brother. It would be strange if I went and he didn’t.”

He Xiuxin said no more on that subject and instead asked, “What clothes do you intend to wear for the occasion, Imperial Sister-in-law?”

Zhu Man became increasingly bewildered. His father had never taken him to such gatherings of talented scholars and beautiful ladies, so he didn’t understand these customs well. He said hesitantly, “Are there specific regulations?”

“No,” He Xiuxin explained. “It’s just that a few days ago I obtained some fine fabrics and had them tailored into new clothes. If Imperial Sister-in-law does not mind, we could wear matching ones.”

Her words immediately reminded Zhu Man of Zhu Man (his sister). She also liked to buy clothes of similar styles to wear with him, saying it showed they were close and that others would know at a glance they had a good relationship.

Zhu Man smiled and asked, “Not matching with Tianye?”

He Xiuxin pursed her lips. “It’s not suitable. I had something else tailored for him.”

Zhu Man didn’t yet understand why it was “not suitable,” but since He Xiuxin meant well, he naturally wouldn’t refuse.

When the clothes were delivered, Zhu Man finally understood why He Xiuxin had said that.

The fabric was a very vibrant peach-pink; it was indeed somewhat unsuitable for a man to wear.

However, He Xiuxin had prepared another set in indigo blue for He Tianyun. It was steady without looking too mature, very suitable for him.

Aside from that, there were matching accessories, each one exquisite and beautiful.

Zhu Man placed the items on the dressing table. As soon as He Tianyun heard they were gifts from He Xiuxin, he immediately clamored to wear them. Originally, Zhu Man was worried he might lose them and disagreed—after all, it wasn’t as if such things hadn’t happened with He Tianyun before—but when he didn’t help him put them on, He Tianyun threw a tantrum on the floor. Zhu Man had no choice but to comply.

Zhu Man hung a jade pendant at his waist and said helplessly, “Don’t go running and climbing around recklessly, or you’ll break it.”

He Tianyun nodded with a smile and went out happily, wearing his new ornaments.

Zhu Man didn’t go after him and sat back at the table to start reviewing the account books Qin Shanhe had handed over.

It was only during these past few days that he realized He Tianyun had many shops under his name. Some were even located on the most prosperous streets in the capital. He had passed by them a few times before and seen that business looked very good; however, the profits recorded in the accounts were meager. Whether it was Pan Fu’s doing or the managers pocketing the money was hard to say.

Qin Shanhe said, “It would be best for the Princess Consort to train a few more assistants. Otherwise, with so many shops, I fear they will be difficult to manage.”

Hearing this, Zhu Man felt a headache coming on.

Train assistants? Where would he get people to train? Back at the Zhu household, the only ones he trusted were Hua Jian and Jingxin. Hua Jian had to stay with his sister, and Jingxin wasn’t management material—and even if he were, there weren’t enough people. As for the Prince’s Mansion, the reliable ones around him were all given by the Noble Consort; he couldn’t very well go back to the Noble Consort to ask for more people.

Qin Shanhe also knew his situation and said, “The Princess Consort might as well start trying from this time.”

Zhu Man nodded and let out a mournful sigh.

How could he have been so naive before to think that being He Tianyun’s Princess Consort meant he wouldn’t have to do anything and could just enjoy pure bliss? This was clearly doing the work of two people!

And the person who was supposed to be doing the work was currently playing and causing mischief all over the mansion, adding to his workload.

At the thought of this, Zhu Man’s fists tightened. He immediately told Jingxin to go find the Prince and bring him back.

Jingxin ran out at once and quickly brought back the person who had been playing in the mud in the garden.

As soon as He Tianyun entered the room, he happily gave Zhu Man a big hug, instantly leaving several mud prints on Zhu Man’s clothes. This made Zhu Man’s heart stall, and a glance at his waist revealed that—great—the jade pendant he had been repeatedly told to keep safe was gone.

He had Chun Cao bring water and asked He Tianyun as he wiped his hands and face, “Where is your jade pendant?”

He Tianyun looked at him in confusion.

Zhu Man pointed to his waist. “Where is the item Xiuxin gave you?”

He Tianyun thought for a moment and said, “Planted.”

Zhu Man: ?

He thought for a bit and asked, “Did you find it too heavy and throw it away?”

“No, didn’t throw it.” He Tianyun gestured while explaining slowly, “Plant, plant it in, then it becomes big. Later, there will be many, many.”

Zhu Man: ??

He became more bewildered and asked in detail once more, finally understanding He Tianyun’s meaning.

This fellow had actually planted the jade pendant in the soil, intending to wait for the jade to grow into a tree and bear fruit.

No, that couldn’t even be called planting; he had simply buried it.

Who on earth had been teaching him such nonsense?!

Zhu Man said crossly, “That is a dead object; it won’t grow into a tree even if you plant it in the soil. You really are…” He sighed. “Let’s go find it. Where did you bury it?”

He Tianyun pointed toward the garden.

Zhu Man then pulled him along to the garden.

But once they reached the spot and he asked He Tianyun where the item was buried, He Tianyun couldn’t remember. After circling the garden once, he finally pointed to a spot with hesitation and said, “Here.”

Zhu Man then had people dig.

But after digging for a long time without finding the item, Zhu Man could only look at He Tianyun. “Was it really buried here?”

He Tianyun bit his hand and looked at him with a frown, as if he were thinking, or perhaps as if he felt guilty from being questioned.

Zhu Man’s heart immediately softened. He said helplessly, “Think again?”

He Tianyun hesitantly pointed to another spot.

The guards immediately went to dig, but after a while, they still hadn’t unearthed anything. Zhu Man knew that He Tianyun truly couldn’t remember.

He had no choice but to tell Jingxin to call more people, preparing to turn over the soil of the entire mansion.

Du Pingniang heard the commotion and rushed over. Upon learning the situation, she advised, “It is just a jade pendant. If the Princess Consort truly likes it, I will have someone ask at the Princess’s place to see if there is another like it and ask for one more.”

Hearing this, Zhu Man shook his head and said, “It is not about the jade pendant itself. It’s just that it was a gift from the Princess, and the Prince liked it very much. I fear he won’t be happy if it’s lost.”

Du Pingniang stopped trying to persuade him and helped arrange people to search.

However, even after they turned over the soil of the mansion, they could not find that jade pendant.

He Tianyun probably also knew it was lost; he threw a tantrum and refused to eat dinner, clamoring to go find Xiuxin’s gift.

Du Pingniang was helpless. “I had better send someone to the Princess to ask.”

“That’s all we can do.” Zhu Man sighed and walked over to stroke He Tianyun’s hair. “Don’t be angry anymore; people have been sent to look for it.”

He Tianyun pouted and said nothing.

Jingxin also looked a bit anxious. “How about I go look one more time?”

Zhu Man shook his head. “I expect someone has already dug it up and taken it.”

Jingxin was stunned. “Who?”

“Who else? Naturally the person who taught him to ‘plant’ the jade pendant,” Zhu Man said. “The storehouse is managed strictly now, so they don’t dare move against it. Where is the easiest place to get money?”

Jingxin’s gaze turned toward He Tianyun, who was currently throwing a tantrum.

Zhu Man nodded. “The Prince is easily fooled; taking things from his hands is naturally much easier.”

Jingxin frowned. “I’ll take men to search.”

Zhu Man shook his head. “Right now, the most important thing is to coax the Prince to eat.”

Jingxin curled his lip. “Then are we just going to let it go like this?”

Zhu Man gave him a meaningful smile. “What’s the hurry? We’ll catch them sooner or later.”

As he spoke, he sat down beside He Tianyun to wait with him for Du Pingniang to return.

However, Du Pingniang gained nothing from her trip.

That jade pendant was carved from a piece of two-toned jade. The material wasn’t top-grade, but the color was beautiful. He Xiuxin had the craftsman design and carve it according to the natural colors of the jade stone; it was a unique design, and there wasn’t a second one like it.

Zhu Man suddenly had a headache. He could only try using other things to attract He Tianyun’s attention, but he failed. He Tianyun didn’t eat a single bite until it was time for bed.

Lying in bed, Zhu Man saw his aggrieved look and felt a bit sorry for him. He rubbed his face and coaxed him softly, “I promise you, I will definitely find a way to get it back for you, okay?”

“Really?” He Tianyun looked at him pleadingly.

Zhu Man nodded and extended a pinky finger toward him. “Pinky swear, I promise not to lie to you.”

He Tianyun also extended his pinky to hook with his, then leaned in and nuzzled into his embrace.

Zhu Man reached out to pat his back gently, coaxing him to sleep, and he himself slowly fell asleep in the warmth and silence.

But He Tianyun did not sleep. Instead, he reached out to gently touch Zhu Man’s face, staring at his silhouette in the dimness, squeezing every bit of sweetness out of it.

After a long time—so long that the candlelight in the room had completely burned out and the room fell into darkness—he leaned his head forward to take his lips into his mouth, greedily swirling that flavor into his own.

The sweetness soaked into his heart and lungs, but it also attracted bees and ants, which crawled until his heart became increasingly itchy.

Not satisfied.

He wanted his Princess Consort to dote on him even more.