Closing the door, Wang Qingyao looked at Han Suiqin.
"Now that we're safe, speak. What is it?"
Based on Wang Qingyao's experience reading melodramatic novels in her past life, Han Suiqin had likely discovered some earth-shattering secret.
For instance: Prince Qi was plotting rebellion, Prince Qi was colluding with the enemy and selling out the country, or other matters of similar magnitude.
She was prepared to be entrusted with a major secret.
However, before Han Suiqin could speak, tears began to stream down her face. Her eyes were filled with sorrow, and her face was etched with pain.
Wang Qingyao's heart sank: it seemed it wasn't such a monumental issue after all.
As expected.
"I always thought Prince Qi genuinely loved me. He's a prince, and a strong contender for the position of Crown Prince, yet he married me, a consort with no family background and no ability to help him. If this isn't love, what else could it be?"
"But on our wedding night, he stayed in Princess Yin Yue's chambers. I comforted myself, thinking Princess Yin Yue is a princess of Xia, and I was pregnant. It was understandable that he would consider diplomatic relations between the two countries. However, he never came to see me afterward, let alone stayed the night. It was only later, after I had one of my maids undergo a facial transformation, that he spent a night with me."
"I never understood. If he liked me, why did he treat me this way? If he didn't like me, why did he marry me as his principal consort? Given my status, being brought in by a sedan chair as a concubine would have been more than enough. He bestowed upon me the honor of a principal consort, yet denied me the respect due to one. I live in torment every day."
"Now, Princess Yin Yue manages the affairs of Prince Qi's manor. Prince Qi uses my pregnancy as an excuse for me to rest more, preventing me from managing anything. Even those serving me are all people secretly placed by Princess Yin Yue."
"The servants in the manor are adept at sensing the prevailing wind. With Prince Qi treating me like this, who would respect me?"
"Although Princess Yin Yue is a secondary consort, she acts like the principal consort. I am the principal consort, yet I am treated worse than a concubine. This morning, Princess Yin Yue wouldn't even allow me to leave my chambers. I asserted my status as the principal consort, and she disdainfully told me... that Prince Qi married me because he couldn't inherit the throne if he married a foreign princess as his consort. It was after weighing these factors that he married me."
"Hah, it wasn't true love, or a beloved, at all. I was just a tool!"
Han Suiqin spoke through her tears, her sobs falling like rain, smearing her makeup.
Wang Qingyao listened silently, unable to find any comforting words for a while.
To be honest, she wasn't very close to Han Suiqin.
"Mmm..."
"Sister Yao Yao, did you already know this would happen?"
Wang Qingyao: "Uh..."
She had known, but she couldn't tell Han Suiqin. If she had said something like this to Han Suiqin back then, Han Suiqin would have accused her of sour grapes.
Besides, even if she had told her, would Han Suiqin have refused to marry?
Han Suiqin's question was merely rhetorical. She knew in her heart that even if Wang Qingyao knew and had told her, the outcome would not have changed.
She had overestimated herself.
"Try to look on the bright side. You're already married, and you have a child. Give birth to the child well. Regardless of anything else, this child is Prince Qi's first. Anyway, you are Prince Qi's consort, and your life won't be difficult. Don't chase after ephemeral love and affection," Wang Qingyao advised.
There was no other solution.
Could she even seek a divorce?
"I'm not thinking about those things anymore. I just want..." She looked at Wang Qingyao, her gaze suddenly hardening, "I just want to live."
Wang Qingyao's expression turned serious.
"That Princess Yin Yue is extremely arrogant. She doesn't even bother to pretend to be good. Everything I do is under her surveillance. The maids I brought from home have all been assigned to menial labor by her. These four are now monitoring me day and night. How can I possibly have a good life?"
"Princess Yin Yue personally told me that she will not let me give birth to this child," she said, grabbing Wang Qingyao's hand with agitation. "Princess Consort Ding'an, Sister Yao Yao, I beg you, save my child, save me!"
Wang Qingyao asked, "Does Prince Qi know about this?"
"I can't even see him, how can I tell him? Even if I did, would he believe me?"
Wang Qingyao fell silent.
Prince Qi likely didn't expect much from this child either. The fact that he allowed Princess Yin Yue to manage the manor's affairs suggested some kind of agreement had been reached between them.
After all, Princess Yin Yue had the entire Xia country supporting her, which was undoubtedly a significant advantage for Prince Qi.
"How do you want me to help you?" Wang Qingyao asked.
Han Suiqin was silent for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "If my adoptive father and grandmother knew the truth, they would definitely stop supporting me. For now, out of consideration for my adoptive father and Prince Ding'an, Prince Qi will maintain a facade in public, but I don't know about the future... Sister Yao Yao, could you visit me at Prince Qi's manor more often in the future?"
As long as Wang Qingyao visited her frequently at Prince Qi's manor, letting Prince Qi know that she had a close relationship with Wang Qingyao, Prince Qi might not abandon her out of consideration for Prince Ding'an.
After all, with the support of Prince Ding'an, it would be another bargaining chip in the struggle for succession.
Wang Qingyao hesitated. If it were any other time, she would have agreed without a second thought.
But now, she was pregnant, and she had a past grievance with Princess Yin Yue. Princess Yin Yue was a formidable opponent, and she dared not risk her own child.
Han Suiqin looked at her pitiably.
"Sister Yao Yao, I beg you..."
Her voice was mournful and desperate.
Wang Qingyao's heart softened. "Alright."