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Chapter 152.1
Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine Ch 152 Pt. 1
Translated by gingercat
Edited by gingercat
After staying cooped up in the manor for a long time, Yaoniang was also bored.
So when Xiaobao asked if he could go see Yueyue, she thought about it and agreed. She had also been worried about Qiao-shi’s illness. Although she had only interacted with Qiao-shi a few times, she did like her from the bottom of her heart.
She asked Mama Gong to prepare some medicinal herbs and then took Xiaobao and Yu Chan to Duke Zhenguo Manor in a carriage.
It sounded simple, but the truth was preparing the carriage and organizing the maids and guards was a cumbersome chore. This was also one of the reasons why Yaoniang was reluctant to go out. Going out in this cold weather, not only would it be troublesome for her, but everyone around her would suffer as well.
When they arrived at Duke Zhenguo Manor, they had to wait for someone to go in and report since they didn’t have an invitation.
Not long after, a few people walked out to welcome them.
Since Yaoniang wasn’t familiar with the servants of Duke Zhenguo Manor, she didn’t feel anything unusual about the servants who came out to greet her. It wasn’t until the servants led her directly to the main courtyard where the duchess lived, that she began to have doubts in her heart. However, she didn’t have time to think any further before she was invited to go in.
Duchess Zhenguo sat in the main seat, and she did not see Qiao-shi.
No matter how strange she felt, the etiquette that should be maintained was still maintained. Yaoniang stepped forward to pay respects to Duchess Zhenguo. Given her age, it was acceptable for Duchess Zhenguo to receive her greetings. However, with a bright smile on her face, she repeatedly said to Yaoniang that there was no need to be so polite.
After taking a seat, a maid served some tea. Duchess Zhenguo began to make small talk, mostly centred around Xiaobao. When two women who weren’t very familiar with each other sat together, discussing their children was the safest and the least likely way to offend people.
Xiaobao shifted uneasily. Yaoniang noticed it and understood what he was thinking. All kinds of negative thoughts were surfacing in his mind. He desperately wanted to know what happened to Yueyue and Qiao-shi.
Yaoniang then asked why Qiao-shi wasn’t present. Duchess Zhenguo had a worried look on her face as she said, “My daughter-in-law wasn’t feeling too great this past while. The doctor came to see her and said it was due to being exposed to the wind, so now, she’s recuperating behind closed doors. Side consort, you may or may not be aware but my son is not in the capital recently, so I’ve been really worried. I took the liberty to welcome Side Consort to my place, but it’s inconvenient for my daughter-in-law to accompany you. Once she’s healed, I’ll have her go to your place to make amends.”
These words covered everything. She pointed out the reason for her absence, so the other party wouldn’t be offended, then she said how she was going to make up for it. Although there were no holes in her words, Yaoniang couldn’t help but think of a small detail she noticed the last time she visited Duke Zhenguo Manor
That day, when noon arrived and it was time for lunch, Qiao-shi had a maid go to the main courtyard to deliver a message. She passed a message saying that the side consort of Jin Wang was remaining behind to eat in her courtyard.
It was a very small matter, but from this, she could already sense something. Only an especially strict mother-in-law would require her daughter-in-law to report for something as simple as a meal.
Later, from Qiao-shi’s words, it was revealed that Duchess Zhenguo was unhappy with her. She didn’t elaborate and Yaoniang didn’t ask for any details, but Yaoniang was also made aware of another crucial detail. Qiao-shi’s only son, Xian Ge’er, was raised in the old madam’s courtyard.
Yaoniang wasn’t sure why she suddenly thought of all this. But she had this nagging feeling that what Duchess Zhenguo said was all an excuse to cover up for something.
“Mother.” Xiaobao tugged on the corner of her clothes, “Sister Yueyue.”
Yaoniang immediately remembered that besides her wanting to see Qiao-shi, another purpose of their visit was Xiaobao wanting to see Yueyue.
Despite the tumultuous thoughts in her head, she smiled and said to Duchess Zhenguo, “Since old madam has said so, this side consort will not disturb Sister Qiao’s recuperation. But my son, Xiaobao, begged me to take him along for this trip due to wanting to see Yueyue. Would it be appropriate to visit Yueyue?”
Duchess Zhenguo nodded. “Seeing Qiao-shi is indeed not appropriate these days. I was unwilling to see the servants neglect the child, so I took her to my side to raise her for a few days. Mama Bai, take the young master to see the Yue lass.”
When she heard that Yueyue was brought to live in the main courtyard, Yaoniang couldn’t sit still anymore and stood up with a smile. “I haven’t seen that child, Yueyue, for many days. Mama Bai, I’ll go with you, would that be okay?”
Could Mama Bai possibly refuse her? Even the old madam couldn’t find a reason to stop her.
All she wanted was to cover up what was happening in the manor, so she acted like this. If she really stopped Side Consort Su from seeing the girl, who knows how much unnecessary trouble this would create? She could only give Mama Bai a pointed look to express her meaning. After receiving the glance, Mama Bai said to Yaoniang with a smile, “Your Highness, Side Consort, this old servant will lead the way.”
As people grew older, they would get headaches from the loud noises that children made. This was why Yueyue now lived in a small courtyard on the south side of the main courtyard.
Mama Bai led Yaoniang away. Before they even reached the gate of the courtyard, they could hear Yueyue crying.
Anxiety burning in her heart, she quickened her steps and scolded, “Why did you make the lass cry again? What are you trying to do?” Then she smiled and said to Yueyue, “Young miss, stop crying. See that? The young master from Jin Wang Manor has come to see you. This old servant will have someone prepare some fruits and snacks, so you and the young master can enjoy it together.”
Yueyue ignored her and ran over as soon as she saw Xiaobao. “Chen Gege, auntie.”
Tears were all over her face. Seeing her cry so hard, Xiaobao felt infinitely distressed. He wanted to hug her to comfort her, only to realize that he had short arms, short legs, and a short body. He couldn’t hug her at all.
Instead, Yaoniang picked Yueyue up in a tight hug. “What’s wrong with Yueyue? Did you miss Xiaobao Gege?”
“Auntie, I…”
Yaoniang touched her little face and interrupted her, “I know that you miss Xiaobao Gege, so I specially brought Xiaobao Gege to play with you today. It’s cold outside, why don’t we go inside to talk? We sat in the carriage for a long time to get here and I’m feeling tired and thirsty. Let’s have some water first.”
Yueyue was a sensible child. Even though she clearly had a lot of things she wanted to say, she held back.
Mama Bai also said, “Side Consort, please come in and sit.”
After entering the room and sitting down, a maid brought over a plate of dessert and served them tea.
Yaoniang’s heart raced. As she drank the tea, she thought about what to do next.
Was she thinking too much, or was there really something wrong?
As she thought about it, she felt her sleeve being tugged. Yueyue saw that Yaoniang was sitting down and drinking tea. Since auntie was no longer thirsty or tired, she’d be able to listen to her now.
“Auntie, I want to see my mother, but they won’t let me go.”
Mama Bai stood by the side this entire time and hurriedly said, “Young miss, it’s not that we won’t let you go, but we don’t want you to fall ill. Wait for madam to feel better, then this servant will have someone take you there, okay?”
“But I want to see my mother, I…”
Xiaobao came over and grabbed her little hand. “Alright. Don’t make trouble, brother will take you out to play.”
“Chen Gege…”
“Let’s go play in the snow, shall we? I know how to build a snowman!” Without giving Yueyue a chance to speak, he dragged Yueyue and ran out.
Yaoniang stood up immediately and quickly followed them. “This child… What is he thinking, playing snow on such a cold day? He’s so naughty he doesn’t even fear the heavens! It’s all because of how much His Highness spoils him!”
Yaoniang chased after the pair in a hurry. Yu Chan, Hong Chou and the others could only scramble to keep up.
Once they were outside, Yaoniang spoke very fast to Yu Chan, “Have An Shiyi go take a look to see what’s going on. If possible, speak to Qiao-shi and let me know her thoughts.”
Yu Chan gave a clear nod.
As she spoke, the servants of Duke Zhenguo Manor soon caught up. But since Yu Chan was a servant, no one paid much attention to her. She quickly stepped aside without anyone noticing. Yaoniang acted as if everything was normal and watched Xiaobao play with Yueyue in the snow. She even commented a few times about how naughty the children were.
After a while, Yu Chan rejoined Yaoniang’s side.