The Princess Who Married The Crown Prince(GL) - Chapter 31

After Su Qiuqiu and Lu Fangting arrived at the Marquis’s residence, they first paid their respects to the Marquis of An Ning and Madam Wang, his principal wife. On the surface, it was a harmonious scene of a kind mother and a filial son.

While Lu Fangting was speaking with the Marquis, Madam Wang took Su Qiuqiu’s hand and led her into the inner chamber, saying she wanted to talk to her privately. But the moment they entered, Madam Wang’s expression changed drastically.

“Kneel!” Madam Wang barked coldly.

“Mother, what wrong have I committed?” Su Qiuqiu bit her lip in frustration. She really wanted to slap this woman—what a lunatic.

“What’s wrong? Do you still not know? Have all the women’s codes and conduct books you’ve read been for nothing? Kneel! Today, I’ll teach you what it means to be a proper woman, to understand hierarchy and respect!” Madam Wang’s tone was icy, and she looked down at Su Qiuqiu with an air of superiority.

Su Ruofeng had naturally told Madam Wang what she’d witnessed. The Third Prince had taken a kick and stormed off in a foul mood. When Su Ruofeng had pulled Su Qiuqiu away, some maids had seen it. The Third Prince had blamed Su Ruofeng, leaving her completely humiliated. He hadn’t spent a night in her room for months. Su Ruofeng blamed it all on Su Qiuqiu and never missed a chance to complain about her to Madam Wang whenever she returned to the marquisate.

“Mother, I hold a fourth-rank title. You are a fifth-rank lady. If I kneel to you, wouldn’t that be a breach of proper decorum?” Su Qiuqiu met her gaze. She already had a guess—Madam Wang had sent word through Mamma Li asking her to return to the marquisate, which she had pretended not to hear. Now that things had turned out this way, Su Qiuqiu was sure Su Ruofeng had tattled again. Her twisted logic was truly unbearable.

“Breach of decorum? You little wretch, do you even know who allowed you to become the heir’s wife? Do you think the young lord wouldn’t immediately divorce you if I told him about your attempt to seduce the Third Prince? Madam Wang glared furiously. She hadn’t expected the once-submissive Su Qiuqiu to talk back like this.

“…What kind of mother throws dirt on her own daughter? If you truly want to do that, I won’t stop you. I have a clear conscience,” Su Qiuqiu replied. If not for the sake of Concubine Mother Qin, she really wouldn’t have bothered speaking even a single word to this stepmother.

“You… Fine, you’ve grown wings, haven’t you? I’m your mother. It’s only right that you kneel to me! Even if I slap you now, it would be considered a mother’s discipline—no one would dare question it. Are you kneeling or not? Mamma Zhang forces her to her knees if she refuses!”

Madam Wang’s face twisted into a cruel expression as she forced her command, and Su Qiuqiu felt a chill creep up her spine. She glanced at Madam Zhang beside her—this setup felt dangerously eerie. Just as she was contemplating escape, a maid’s voice rang out from outside:

“My lady, the young lord is looking for you. His illness has relapsed, and his medicine is still with you…”

“I’m coming now… Mother, I’ll take my leave.” Su Qiuqiu offered a quick bow, then dashed out of the room. From this moment on, she swore never to be alone with Madam Wang again—too terrifying. That message calling her back to the marquisate had likely come from Madam Wang in the first place.

“Sister, your timing was perfect—I almost got bullied to death…” Su Qiuqiu ran up to Lu Fangting, clutching her arm and speaking in a hushed voice.

“I figured nothing good would come from that woman summoning you… Qiuqiu, you’ve really suffered…” Lu Fangting’s gaze darkened. She hadn’t guessed—she’d heard everything. With her martial training, her senses were keener than most. Every word Madam Wang had said reached her ears, and she felt both heartache for Su Qiuqiu and fury toward Madam Wang.

“With you caring for me, how can I feel wronged? I want to visit my auntie. Come with me…” Su Qiuqiu pouted and tried to brush it off lightly.

“I’m a man—I can’t go into your aunt’s courtyard. You go ahead; I’ll send Lanxiu with you. She knows some martial arts. If anyone dares touch you, she’ll dare to hit them.” Lu Fangting replied.

Su Qiuqiu wanted to see Madam Qin, so of course she couldn’t bring Lu Fangting into the courtyard. She took Lanxiu and went alone.

On the way, she bumped into a distant relative of Madam Wang—a cousin surnamed Wang. The girl looked like she had something to say but hesitated. Su Qiuqiu didn’t feel like engaging and went straight to Madam Qin’s courtyard.

Madam Qin looked a bit more plump after a few days apart and greeted Su Qiuqiu with joy.

“Seventh Miss, I have something to discuss with you…” After exchanging a few words, Madam Qin’s cheeks turned slightly red.

“What is it?” Su Qiuqiu asked.

“I… I might be pregnant. It’s been two months since my last cycle…” Madam Qin twisted her handkerchief nervously.

“Have you told Father?” Su Qiuqiu asked, “Although she felt little emotion about the news, she couldn’t help but feel worried. That fearsome stepmother—who knew what she might do? The Marquis had two sons: one born of Madam Wang, the other from the Sixth Concubine, the mother of the Eighth Miss. The rest had only daughters. The Sixth Concubine came from a wealthy family and had nurtured many loyal followers in the residence. She was sharp-tongued and cunning—not someone gentle as Madam Qin could compete with.

“Not yet. I’m afraid I’m mistaken. And even if I’m not… If word spreads, it might endanger the child. So I wanted to discuss it with you first…” Madam Qin confided. She knew her own position and how vicious Madam Wang could be. That man—who knew if he could be relied upon? The only one she could trust now was Su Qiuqiu.

“Concubine Mother, you need to confirm this. How about this: come stay with me at the Prince’s manor for a few days. I’ll quietly invite a doctor to examine you there…” Su Qiuqiu suggested after a moment’s thought.

“I’m a concubine—I can’t just leave the household without permission. Will your father even allow it? Can you ask him for me first…” Madam Qin replied.

“I’ll talk to the young lord during lunch and see if he can help us bring you over…” Su Qiuqiu promised. While she was visiting Madam Qin, Lu Fangting waited in the outer courtyard.

“Alright. My Seventh Miss has truly grown up. I feel so much more at ease now. I used to be extremely nervous every day. How are you faring at the Prince’s manor? I heard the young lord’s health has improved, but… you’re still a maiden… You must plan for your future. If you could bear him a child, even just one, it would be such a blessing from the heavens…” Madam Qin patted her chest with a handkerchief, clearly worried.

“Concubine Mother, the young lord treats me very well. He doesn’t have any other maids—just me. Once his health recovers, we’ll consummate the marriage. Please don’t worry…” Su Qiuqiu tried to reassure her. Still, she was puzzled. How could people tell she was still a virgin? She herself couldn’t even tell…

“Your husband has a good character. If only he weren’t ill, it would be even better… What a pity… But let’s not talk about that. Since you haven’t been home in a while, let me tell you what’s been going on here.” Madam Qin said as she shifted the topic.

The two chatted until lunchtime, at which point Su Qiuqiu went to see Lu Fangting.

“Sister, my Concubine Mother says she might be pregnant. I’d like to bring her to the Prince’s manor for a few days and have a doctor examine her… What do you think?” Su Qiuqiu asked in a low voice.

“That might be difficult. Remember, the genealogy records you as the principal daughter and lists your mother as Madam Wang. If you bring your birth mother over, what reason will you give?” Lu Fangting replied.

“Then what should I do…? She is so naïve—I’m truly worried about her. I may be overthinking, but Madam Wang might actually harm her… And I just angered her terribly. She could be in even more danger now…” Su Qiuqiu whispered.

“This time, the Madam Xing who came along used to be a midwife. Whether or not there’s a pregnancy, she should be able to tell from a pulse check… Let her go take a look,” said Lu Fangting.

“That’s wonderful…” Su Qiuqiu exclaimed with delight upon hearing Lu Fangting’s words. Lu Fangting then instructed the maidservant at her side to summon Madam Xing.

“Qiuqiu, if she really is pregnant, let Madam Xing stay and take care of Madam Qin. I imagine she doesn’t have any trustworthy maids around her. Madam Xing is reliable and tactful, and she belongs to the prince’s household. You don’t need to worry…” Lu Fangting added.

“Sister, what about you then?” Su Qiuqiu asked.

“My health isn’t great, but there are plenty of people around me who know medicine. Qingzhi knows a bit too…” Lu Fangting said this while gently patting Su Qiuqiu’s head.

“Thank you, Sister…” Su Qiuqiu grasped Lu Fangting’s hand, genuinely grateful. She had thought herself strong enough to protect Lu Fangting, but now it turned out that Lu Fangting was going to great lengths for her instead…

Madam Xing soon arrived. She looked quite young, around thirty years old, with an unremarkable and plain appearance.

After she arrived, Su Qiuqiu took her to the inner courtyard to examine Madam Qin. After taking her pulse, it turned out she was indeed pregnant—over three months along.

“Auntie, I’ll go talk to Father today and tell him you’re feeling unwell so he’ll call for a doctor. Once the doctor confirms the diagnosis, I’ll have a valid reason to leave Madam Xing in charge of your care. Madam Xing serves the heir, knows medicine, and will keep you and the child safe…” Su Qiuqiu said to Madam Qin.

Madam Qin found the reasoning sound, and she agreed. She was genuinely pleased upon learning she was pregnant. She had given birth to Su Qiuqiu when she was just fifteen; now, at thirty, she had once again conceived with favor—it was something she’d never dared imagine.

Su Qiuqiu comforted Madam Qin and sent a maid to inform the Marquis of An Ning that Madam Qin had fainted, asking him to summon a physician.

In the front courtyard, Lu Fangting was speaking with the Marquis when the eldest legitimate son from the Wang family came over to pay respects.

“I heard Big Brother works at the Ministry of Revenue—many don’t know this, but the Minister’s wife and my mother were bosom friends before they were married. The Minister’s son is also a good friend of mine. When we have time, we should have some wine and compose poetry together…” Lu Fangting said casually.

“Oh? So my brother-in-law has such a close connection with the Minister…” Initially rather aloof, the eldest son’s eyes lit up at Lu Fangting’s words. He had been trying to find a way to advance in the Ministry but lacked the connections. He hadn’t expected Lu Fangting to have ties like these.

“Yes, when I was young and came to the capital, I would always visit the Minister’s home to play…” Lu Fangting added slowly.

In truth, Lu Fangting had no real intention of helping the eldest son. It was just that Su Qiuqiu’s mother, Madam Qin, was in a precarious position in the Marquis’ residence. If Madam Wang truly intended to harm Madam Qin, she would be compelled to reconsider, given the potential risk to her son’s future. Madam Qin had given birth to a child twenty years younger than her son, and even if it was a boy, it wouldn’t pose much of a threat. Whatever she planned to do, she would now need to weigh it carefully.

When the doctor who had examined Madam Qin reported back to the Marquis of An Ning and congratulated him, the Marquis was overjoyed and rewarded the doctor handsomely.

With that, Su Qiuqiu arranged for Madam Xing to remain and care for Madam Qin. No one objected.

The two of them stayed until mid-afternoon before returning to the prince’s residence by carriage.

“Sister, does it feel tight and uncomfortable? Should we loosen it a bit?” Su Qiuqiu asked this question while entering the carriage. Since they had visited the Marquis’ residence today, Lu Fangting had, of course, bound her chest tightly—spring clothes were getting thinner, and to avoid revealing anything, she had bound herself extra tight.

“It’s a little uncomfortable, but still bearable. I’ll undo it once we get back—it’s fine…” Lu Fangting said with a smile, seeing how Su Qiuqiu looked as if she were the one being squeezed.

“Sister, what will you do when summer comes?” Su Qiuqiu frowned. In summer, one couldn’t wear heavy cloaks. Given Lu Fangting’s figure, if she were to go out, she would definitely need to bind herself tightly again. Su Qiuqiu wanted to go out with Lu Fangting, but not at the cost of her suffering—it made her heart ache just thinking about it.

“In past summers, I’ve always gone to a villa the prince’s household owns in the suburbs to escape the heat. We can go together sometime…” Lu Fangting replied.

“That sounds great…” Su Qiuqiu said.

As they chatted, the carriage suddenly stopped. Su Qiuqiu lifted the curtain to take a look—three or four strong, rough-looking young men were blocking the road, like highway robbers.

“What, didn’t get enough of a beating last time?” the driver, Uncle Fu, said in a hoarse voice.

“We wouldn’t dare. We just came to greet the heir and his consort. We recently came across some snow frog jelly. We heard it’s good for nourishing the body and beautifying the skin, so we wanted to present it as a token of respect. Please accept it,” one of the men said, clasping his hands in a respectful gesture.

“You little punks—what good stuff could you possibly have? Get out of the way…” Uncle Fu snapped, cracking his whip.

“This is our heartfelt gift—it’s for the heir and his consort!” the man insisted.

“Just take it… thank you,” Lu Fangting’s voice came from inside the carriage. Only then did Uncle Fu stop protesting. The man handed over a white jade box wrapped in black cloth to Uncle Fu, who brought it inside.

“People of the streets, yet they see things clearly and know how to show gratitude and loyalty…” Lu Fangting murmured as she took the item.

“That just means the Lu family is truly worthy of respect. It’s truly impressive to receive such admiration from such individuals. Everyone says the Lu family has declined, but I don’t see it at all!” Su Qiuqiu said. She didn’t know why, but she was a little moved by the unexpected reverence from those “ruffians.”

Lu Fangting said nothing, only reached out to gently stroke Su Qiuqiu’s head. Su Qiuqiu took the opportunity to throw herself into Lu Fangting’s arms and hugged her tightly.

“Sister, Madam Qin said it again today… they can all tell at a glance that I’m still a virgin… what should I do?” Su Qiuqiu whispered softly in Lu Fangting’s ear, tilting her face up.