The next day brought her period, staining the magnificent quilt.
Chu Yin lay weakly on the bed, watching her maids bustling about.
According to Lianqiao, it seemed to have arrived several days early and was unusually intense.
Being reborn, she couldn't remember her last cycle, only feeling a faint ache in her lower abdomen.
This was a normal reaction for her, usually lasting about three days, during which she felt utterly lethargic and unwilling to move.
"Should we ask the imperial physician for a prescription?" Rendong suggested. "You look very tired."
Her fatigue was due not only to her period but also to Lu Jingzhao's "contribution."
She recalled how he later held her ankles.
It was a position that allowed him to exert much effort, penetrating deeply, and she soon found herself in tears...
Such intensity had never occurred in her previous life.
She couldn't understand why he had been so demanding these past two times.
Chu Yin said, "There's no need to call the imperial physician, a couple of days of rest should suffice."
Fortunately, last night Dongling had brought Xiao Dou, who entertained the children with his juggling, so they didn't bother her. Chu Yin had slept through the morning, and Chen Mama, who was supposed to teach her the Five-Animal Frolics, postponed it upon hearing of her period.
Lu Jingzhao returned to the Eastern Palace at noon, just as she was getting up, her hair still loose and uncombed.
Seeing her slightly pale face, he was instantly reminded of the tears that had glistened on her cheeks last night.
Had he been too excessive?
Although she wanted another child, making her cry was hardly appropriate.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
Chu Yin replied, "It's my period, but yes, last night was... a bit late."
It seemed next time he couldn't be so eager to finish everything at once; she couldn't handle it.
Lu Jingzhao thought perhaps they could do it every two days.
Unaware of his conclusion, Chu Yin said, "I won't be able to play with Zhu'er and Zhen'er later, do you have time?"
Her lips were paler, looking pitiful. Lu Jingzhao said, "You just rest."
He went to have his noon meal.
Chu Yin felt too lazy to comb her hair or put on makeup. It seemed unnecessary as she would have to wash up and let her hair down again for sleep.
If someone truly likes you, would these small things change their feelings?
In her previous life, she had died of illness.
At the time of her death, she must have looked so haggard, yet he still remembered her fondly.
Chu Yin said, "Leave it as it is, don't bother."
Rendong was shocked, "Not even a little tidy up? What happened to the Crown Princess's etiquette and grooming?"
"I'm too tired to move," she lay propped up on the bed, "Just bring the meal here."
Rendong: "..."
Lu Jingzhao went to check on the children.
Xiao Dou had completely taken over Madam Zhou's role. Lu Zhu had already forgotten about her, clinging to Xiao Dou, demanding somersaults, watching ants move, and catching cicadas.
He let go upon seeing his father.
"I heard mother isn't feeling well, is that true, father?"
Before Lu Jingzhao could answer, Lu Zhen chimed in, "Yes, Qi Niang said not to disturb mother, we'll go tomorrow."
"Have you all eaten?" Lu Jingzhao asked.
"Yes, we had meatballs, fish, and lots of other dishes. What about you, father?"
"..." He wasn't keen on listing his menu.
"Xiao Dou, come here," Lu Jingzhao said, "Show them the juggling balls."
Without Chu Yin, he felt somewhat awkward interacting with the children.
He patted their heads and then headed to the Chunhui Pavilion.
That night, Chu Yin fell asleep early. When Lu Jingzhao went to bed, he found her curled up under the blanket, as if feeling extremely cold.
It was the end of May, approaching the hottest time of the year. Logically, she shouldn't be feeling cold.
Was it because she was overexerted last night?
He bent down to observe her face.
In the dim light, her skin was porcelain white, contrasting with her raven-black eyelashes and hair spread across the pillow, reminiscent of an ink painting.
He heard her steady breathing.
She should be fine.
At dawn, the sound of birdsong filtered through the lattice windows.
Pleasant though it was, it also disturbed the quiet.
Lu Jingzhao dressed and took one last glance at the bed.
After a night's rest, Chu Yin's cheeks had regained some color, a soft pink like peach blossoms on cream, strikingly delicate.
He bent down, his fingertips almost touching her before retracting, then he walked away.
Chu Yin woke up around the time of Si (9 am to 11 am).
The kitchen had prepared tofu and silverfish, stir-fried lamb strips, and mixed vegetables, along with a bowl of chestnut sweet soup.
After she finished eating, Qi Niang and Xiao Dou brought the children to greet her.
"Are you feeling better, mother?" Lu Zhen asked, "I was so worried. Did you take any medicine?"
"Seeing Zhen'er makes all my ailments vanish. No need for medicine," Chu Yin affectionately touched her little face.
"Am I the medicine?" Zhen'er asked, smiling.
"Yes, my medicine!"
Lu Zhu asked, "What about me?"
"You too."
The two children laughed, "We are both medicine."
While they were having a tender moment, Rendong came to report, "Crown Princess, Princess Baocheng and Miss Jiang are here. I mentioned you weren't feeling well, but the Princess insisted on visiting. I didn't dare stop her."
After their father ascended the throne, the biggest beneficiaries apart from the entire Chengwang Mansion were the Jiang family and, outside of the Chu family, his own sister, Princess Baocheng.
Emperor Qianyuan didn't value this daughter much and married her off to the eldest son of the Jiang family, a match of modest means. Once their father became the Emperor, he immediately elevated Jiang Xian, Princess Baocheng's husband, to the Marquis of Xuanning, elevating her status significantly.
In her previous life, Chu Yin wasn't fond of Princess Baocheng, finding her troublesome, but given her status and the Emperor's backing, she could only manage as best as she could.
Fortunately, her hair was already done; she just needed to change clothes.
She chose a plum-colored gown embroidered with golden lotuses.
Two maids supported her, one on each side, as she went out.
Princess Baocheng, dressed opulently with pearls and gems, exclaimed upon seeing her, "A'Yin, what's wrong? You can hardly walk?"
"It's my period, I apologize for any inconvenience," Chu Yin explained.
"That must be troublesome, I'm afraid I've disturbed you," said the Princess, but she made no move to leave, turning to address someone else, "Yuanyuan, why aren't you greeting the Crown Princess? What are you thinking?"
The girl behind stepped forward, smiling gently, "The Crown Princess is so beautiful, I get mesmerized every time," she respectfully bowed to Chu Yin, "Please forgive my rudeness."
The charming young lady, with bright eyes and a radiant smile like a blooming pink rose, was Jiang Yuanyuan, the distant niece of Marquis Xuanning.
Orphaned, she had come to live with Jiang Xian ten years ago.
As Princess Baocheng had no daughters, and with Yuanyuan's sweet nature and knack for pleasing, she was treated like a daughter.
After Chu Yin's death, there was speculation that Jiang Yuanyuan might become Lu Jingzhao's next consort, and fears that Lu Jingzhao might depose his son for her.
But Yuanyuan never succeeded.
In this new life, though Chu Yin no longer needed to fear Yuanyuan, she still felt uncomfortable.
"Zhu'er, Zhen'er, greet your grandaunt," Chu Yin maintained the necessary etiquette.
The children obediently called out together, "Grandaunt."
"They've grown up so well!" Princess Baocheng exclaimed, lifting Lu Zhu. "He looks just like Jingzhao," then turning to Chu Yin, "Will he be back for lunch?"
"He should be," Chu Yin noted the implication, "What would you like to eat, aunt? I'll have it prepared."
"It's no trouble, I'll eat whatever's available."
Although she said that, Chu Yin couldn't take it lightly. Remembering Princess Baocheng's preferences, she ordered lotus-seed-paste stuffed fish, meatballs with bayberries, sour bamboo shoots, and fragrant lettuce, among eight dishes.
Observing Chu Yin's attentiveness, Princess Baocheng gave her a sideways glance, realizing why her brother and sister-in-law chose her as the Crown Princess. Indeed, she was a worthy match, and the Chu family head was astute for securing such a union.
"Please sit down, don't tire yourself out. Jingzhao would blame me," urged Princess Baocheng, "I don't want to cause any trouble with good intentions."
Chu Yin, going with the flow, felt a bit uncomfortable again.
A dull ache in her lower abdomen.
She instructed the maids to serve tea, pastries, and fruit platters to Princess Baocheng and Jiang Yuanyuan, while she herself sipped warm water.
Even though it was peak summer, the palace remained cool with ice mirrors and the maids fanning, keeping the heat at bay.
Princess Baocheng played with the children, "You're fortunate, having both a son and a daughter right away, unlike me with only two sons," she glanced at Jiang Yuanyuan, "Luckily, Yuanyuan keeps me company, but she won't be around much longer, soon to be married."
Despite her close relationship, Princess Baocheng didn't truly understand Jiang Yuanyuan's heart and planned to choose a suitable husband for her.
Of course, Chu Yin didn't know this initially.
Jiang Yuanyuan was good at hiding her true feelings, similar to Lu Jingrui in some ways, with her cheerful and sweet disposition, appearing innocent, which made Chu Yin treat her like a younger sister until that Dragon Boat Festival. She saw Jiang Yuanyuan crying in front of Lu Jingzhao.
Princess Baocheng had chosen a suitor whom Jiang Yuanyuan didn't like. She was reluctant to marry but felt indebted to Princess Baocheng and couldn't speak up, leading to her tears.
That's when Chu Yin saw through Jiang Yuanyuan.
Given the distinction between men and women, especially concerning marriage, Jiang Yuanyuan, as a young lady, should have sought Chu Yin's help. Instead, she approached Lu Jingzhao, clearly seeking to get closer to him, aspiring to be a concubine.
Chu Yin wanted to see Lu Jingzhao's reaction but was interrupted when her daughter came to her, startling them, and Jiang Yuanyuan quickly wiped her tears, pretending nothing happened.
Chu Yin never discussed this incident with Lu Jingzhao, acting as if she had never seen it.
From then on, her interactions with Jiang Yuanyuan were merely perfunctory.
Later, Chu Yin succumbed to a cold and died. Considering Lu Jingzhao's remarriage, Jiang Yuanyuan was the first to come to mind.
Jiang Yuanyuan certainly had the potential to become the next empress.
Chu Yin was not wrong about that; what she misjudged was Lu Jingzhao's intentions.
Suddenly, Princess Baocheng's voice rang out, "A'Yin, I remember, isn't your elder brother also of marriageable age?"
Chu Yin: "..."
How could she have forgotten about that?
In her previous life, Princess Baocheng had mentioned her brother, but at that time, her mother had already set her sights on the daughter of the Prefect of Shuntian, so she was truthful. But now, that marriage proposal had been thwarted by her.
Chu Yin carefully chose her words, "My brother is indeed of age to marry. Recently, my mother wrote to me about it, but I think it's best to wait until he has completed the imperial examination."
Her brother Chu Ge was already a licentiate. If he passed the imperial examination next year, he would embark on a promising official career, and with his sister as the Crown Princess and his father a high-ranking official, he was an excellent match.
If Jiang Yuanyuan could marry him, she would be set for life.
Princess Baocheng smiled, "I've heard your brother is highly talented; surely he'll have no trouble entering the Hanlin Academy."
Jiang Yuanyuan, sitting beside her, slightly bowed her head, appearing shy but actually feeling annoyed, her fingers twisting a handkerchief into a knot.
Chu Yin glanced at Jiang Yuanyuan, "Our country is full of talent, especially in the capital. Whether my brother can enter the Hanlin Academy is uncertain; it would be great even if he just earns a jinshi degree."
In truth, she was being modest. Chu Ge was selected as a top scholar in the palace examination and directly entered the Hanlin Academy.
"Let's see next March; I'm sure I won't be wrong," declared Princess Baocheng confidently.
Chu Yin couldn't help but feel sympathy.
She raised Jiang Yuanyuan but failed to see her true nature, preferring to be a concubine rather than a legitimate wife.
If Princess Baocheng knew the truth, she would probably be furious.
At noon, Lu Jingzhao returned to the Eastern Palace.
He wore a dark blue robe with dragon patterns and a crown of red gold.
Approaching from a distance, his presence seemed to radiate a captivating brilliance, causing Jiang Yuanyuan's cheeks to flush.
Three years ago, upon first seeing Lu Jingzhao, she was captivated by his appearance. Despite her young age, she experienced the thrill of attraction, sadly realizing he was already married and off-limits. But then she noticed the mysterious Crown Princess never made a public appearance.
Unable to resist, she tested the waters by mentioning Chu Yin to Lu Jingzhao, asking about her, but he never showed any sign of affection.
That's when she realized Lu Jingzhao didn't love Chu Yin.
Arranged marriages were common, and few couples were truly in love – it seemed normal to her.
This realization planted a seed of hope in her heart.
After Lu Jingzhao greeted Princess Baocheng, she sweetly called him "cousin."
Unsure if it was Princess Baocheng's idea to call him "cousin" – they were hardly related – but she let it pass. Having heard it countless times in her previous life, Chu Yin said, "Now that Your Highness is here, aunt, Miss Jiang, please take your seats."
Eager to finish the meal and disperse, she was exhausted.
As she moved forward, a sudden pain in her lower abdomen made her halt, saying, "Your Highness, you and aunt go ahead and eat, I have something to take care of..."
Her voice was faint, lacking strength.
Recalling her curled up form from last night, Lu Jingzhao turned and asked, "What do you need to take care of?"
"..." It was probably too delicate to explain.
"What's wrong?"
She wanted to say "It's nothing," but hesitated as the words reached her lips.
In fact, in her previous life, she was adept at concealing her emotions, striving to be the perfect Crown Princess, the perfect Empress, not wanting to trouble her husband or elders. Had she ever truly opened up to him?
No, she hadn't.
She never mentioned the pain of childbirth to him.
Nor did she share her grief and frustration during her miscarriage.
Even on her deathbed, her last words were all about her son, daughter, and her family. Despite not wanting to leave him, she never said a word about it.
She never shared any of her feelings with him.
Chu Yin's eyelashes quivered, gripping his sleeve, she said, "I'm in pain."
It was the first time she admitted such a thing, unfamiliar and instantly causing a blush to rise to her cheeks, strikingly vivid.
Lu Jingzhao remained silent for a moment before bending down, sliding one hand under her knees and the other around her waist, lifting her up.
"You shouldn't have received guests today," he said coolly.
After yesterday's exhaustion, even if she felt somewhat better today, there was no need to meet with Princess Baocheng.
As the Crown Princess, apart from the Empress Dowager, which other woman could supersede her?
