Three days later, Qin Sang left the Prince's residence, picked up by a sedan chair from the Xu family.
Xiu'er said to Tang Zhuyun, "This servant has inquired, and this Lord Xu is not a person of bad character. You think, someone who can associate with the master can't be too bad. He just likes the pipa, and after retiring, he studies scores in the mansion every day..."
Tang Zhuyun said, "Hmm. Let her be. I really can't protect her for long."
If the Prince of Jin ever rises to power again, he will ask Qin Sang what she wants and make it up to her properly.
"What are you still doing here?" Tang Zhuyun teased Xiu'er again.
Today is the wedding day of Xiu'er and Song Jingyang.
Xiu'er blushed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed, and said, "We agreed not to hold anything, just a few tables at the manor later."
Other ceremonies should be kept simple.
After all, the prince is still in the imperial prison. Do they think he's dead, with all this fanfare?
Tang Zhuyun said, "That's true, the most important thing is the evening."
Xiu'er's face turned even redder, and she stamped her foot, saying, "Your Majesty!"
"Come, sit down. I'll help you with your makeup and dressing up. Today, we're going to charm Song Jingyang," Tang Zhuyun said mischievously.
Yanran ran in with a big smile, "Mother, the red 'double happiness' characters are all up!"
We can't play music or set off firecrackers, but the household still needs some festive cheer.
Song Jingyang went to the imperial prison and hasn't returned yet.
Tang Zhuyun laughed and said, "On your big day, I'm monopolizing you, and the Prince is monopolizing Song Jingyang. If word gets out, people will say, 'What a stingy host family, not even giving people a day off for their wedding.'"
Xiu'er's smile was forced and dry.
After Yanran left, she loosened her clenched palms and showed them to Tang Zhuyun: "Your Majesty, look, they're covered in sweat, from all the fright!"
What are you afraid of about getting married?
"I'm afraid of that..." Xiu'er said honestly.
I wish I could skip the wedding night and go straight to the harmonious stage that follows.
Tang Zhuyun joked, "I advise you to put on an act."
"What are you pretending for?" Xiu'er asked, bewildered.
"Pretend you're not nervous, otherwise I'll be scared, and Song Jingyang will be even more nervous."
How could a man be nervous on his wedding night?
"The fire-avoidance map that Qin Sang gave you..."
Xiu'er's face turned bright red. "How disgusting."
"I watched it, it's quite good," Tang Zhuyun said.
Xiu'er: "... I can't compare to you."
Seeing that Tang Zhuyun still seemed inclined to impart her "secret techniques," Xiu'er quickly said, "Your Highness, I have something to discuss with you."
"Explain."
Are there fake contraceptives?
Tang Zhuyun: "What?"
She doesn't sell fake medicine!
Xiu'er explained the whole story, sniffling, and said, "I've thought it over. As for the child, let's just leave it to fate. We won't force it, nor will we try to stop it."
"But don't you think Song Jingyang has a point? If he's not around, it will be very difficult for you if you get pregnant," Tang Zhuyun said. "Actually, I think you should go with him."
Xiu'er said, "No, it's dangerous there. I won't go and cause trouble."
This was the reason she just told Tang Zhuyun that she wouldn't go.
"If you don't want to go, then you should listen to Song Jingyang."
"No, Your Highness, let it be." Xiu'er lowered her head. "Today is a joyous wedding day, and I shouldn't say anything unlucky. But what if Song Jingyang..."
"Xiu'er!" Tang Zhuyun interrupted her, reaching out to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "No, we'll all be alright!"
"Hehe," Xiu'er pinched her nose, "I was just saying it offhand. Actually, I'm worried that in a few years, I'll be too old to have children. Besides, I might not even be able to get pregnant now. It's all up to fate."
She was willing to endure hardship and toil.
Song Jingyang deserves it.
"But this servant actually really wants to have a son or daughter for him."
"Then I'll write a prescription and see if I can help you?"
"Is there?"
"No, I have to create one for you too," Tang Zhuyun said with a smile.
"That's wonderful, thank you, Your Majesty. Please don't let this slip."
Both Song Jingyang and Nanny Jing treated her like family.
There was so little she could do.
They simply hope that what others have, they don't envy.
She wanted to give Song Jingyang a son and Nanny Jing a grandson.
Tang Zhuyun: "Wait, I'll make some over-the-counter medicine for you later. Start taking it after your period ends, take it for ten days, and then wait until your next period ends before starting again."
"No rush, my period only ended seven or eight days ago."
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "Then you should cherish your time lately; maybe you'll get pregnant."
Xiu'er clenched her fists, clearly eager to fight back, as if she were sharpening her knives at Jingyang.
Meanwhile, Song Jingyang was talking to Prince of Jin in the imperial prison.
"You're getting married today?" The Prince of Jin was somewhat surprised.
Song Jingyang said happily, "Thanks to Your Highness, it's ahead of schedule."
Prince of Jin: "..."
Want to curse? So that you can eat meat sooner, I'll go to jail?
The Prince of Jin told him to go back.
Thinking about Song Jingyang's wedding night while he could only sit on the wall longing for his wife, Prince of Jin became depressed.
No, I can't resist, let's rebel now!
No, Father Emperor just came last night...
Alas, there's no going back now; it's hopeless.
Song Jingyang wouldn't leave; he still needed to consult the prince!
When the Prince of Jin heard him ask about his wedding night, he became even angrier.
Why don't you just ask someone else?
Asking a starving person how to prepare a Manchu Han Imperial Feast is practically asking for trouble.
Song Jingyang humbly replied, "Your Highness, we're getting old; we're not like fifteen or sixteen-year-olds anymore."
They were both in their early twenties when they lost their virginity, so they had a lot in common.
The Prince of Jin wanted to strangle him.
But Song Jingyang remained completely sincere, shamelessly begging for advice.
"Your Highness, I don't want to lose face..."
The Prince of Jin said expressionlessly, "Don't worry, you'll definitely embarrass yourself."
Song Jingyang was taken aback. "Your Highness, is this your experience?"
Prince of Jin: After the great undertaking is accomplished, the first thing to do is to execute Song Jingyang as a sacrifice to the flag!
He was angry not because Song Jingyang had slandered him, but because of Song Jingyang—
The truth has been revealed.
The person you've longed for, the desire you've suppressed for so long, the helplessness of not knowing how to cherish them, the sudden joy of finally possessing them...
It's really too difficult.
But didn't he later break the bed?
Just as a fine sword is forged through tempering, this matter also requires being refined a hundred times!
Seeing that the Prince of Jin's face had darkened with anger, Song Jingyang felt intimidated, but not wanting to lose face in front of Xiu'er, he could only shamelessly continue to "ask for advice."
The Prince of Jin was so angry he was about to vomit blood, and in his heart he cursed Song Jingyang, thinking, "Too much joy leads to weakness."
After his "journey to learn from the masters," Song Jingyang was still somewhat bewildered, but he also gained something.
If even the prince can't do it, then it's only natural that he can't either.
I'll tell Xiu'er later, even the Prince won't do it!
Oh, the truth is, he can do it.
However, Song Jingyang also mentioned that the prince was not capable; after all, without comparison, how could his worth be truly apparent?
Xiu'er: Oh, so the Empress takes contraceptive medicine every day to save face for the Prince!