Qin Yongtao knew that at this moment, he could not act rashly.

The more actions he took, the more likely it would be for people to catch him in the act, and the more he would sink into the quagmire unable to extricate himself!

The urgent matter at hand was that if Xu Shi miscarried, the matter would become impossible to prove, and all future troubles would be eliminated. Thinking of this, he immediately acted. Qin Yongtao at once had Dong Shi go find abortion-inducing medicine to give to Xu Shi.

However, after taking it for two days, Xu Shi was still dry-heaving, only unable to speak. The anxious expressions in Dong Shi’s and Qin Yunyun’s eyes both told Qin Yongtao that the fetus was still there.

Qin Yongtao was as anxious as ants on a hot pan, yet he dared not summon a physician.

When Qin Shuying heard that her aunt was ill, she came to visit.

When Qin Yongtao heard that Qin Shuying had come, his eyes flickered, and he instructed someone: “After Seventh Young Mistress finishes seeing the old madam, invite her to the study to talk.”

Qin Shuying arrived at Xu Shi’s room, where several maids were cooperatively feeding her porridge. Qin Shuying said to the maids: “When I was ill in the past, aunt took care of me quite often. Now that aunt is ill, it’s only proper for me as her niece to care for her.”

Taking the porridge from the maid’s hands, she sat on the edge of the bed, about to feed Xu Shi.

Xu Shi looked at her with eyes wide open, meaning she didn’t want her to feed her.

But Qin Shuying smiled gracefully, appearing very kind. The maids suspected nothing, and as for Dong Shi and Ye Shi, at this time neither wanted to go along with Xu Shi’s wishes.

These past days, Xu Shi’s expressions had always been agitated. Although she couldn’t speak or move, her facial expressions were more often intense than calm, and Dong Shi and Ye Shi had grown accustomed to seeing this.

Dong Shi and Ye Shi naturally knew that most of the time Xu Shi was unwilling to comply with their words, but at a time like this, could they really still listen to Xu Shi’s wishes?

So Qin Shuying naturally sat on the edge of the bed, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, and brought it to Xu Shi’s lips.

Xu Shi pushed it out with her tongue. Qin Shuying smiled and said to the Dong Shi sisters-in-law: “The old madam is confused from illness. If she doesn’t drink porridge, how can she endure? Aunt, you should still follow the physician’s instructions and drink properly. Oh my, there’s even safflower in this porridge? Safflower is good – aunt should nourish herself well.”

Dong Shi quickly said: “Yes, yes, mother, you’re weak and need nourishment.”

Qin Shuying smiled again: “This safflower, if a pregnant woman eats it, she will definitely miscarry within a day. But if someone with a weak constitution eats it, it’s actually a good thing. Aunt, I have some excellent safflower at my place – I’ll have someone send some over in a while.”

That first statement immediately made Dong Shi’s face turn pale.

Ye Shi and the maids still didn’t know, because regarding Xu Shi’s pregnancy, Qin Yongtao knew it was of great importance, so among the whole family, only Dong Shi, Qin Kaiyu, and Qin Yongtao knew.

Xu Shi’s eyes widened even more, but she couldn’t avoid the safflower Qin Shuying was feeding her, nor did she dare to keep pushing it away without swallowing, fearing it would arouse Qin Shuying’s suspicion.

A bit of thin porridge flowed to Xu Shi’s neck. Qin Shuying took a handkerchief and leaned forward to wipe it for Xu Shi, saying: “Aunt, I’m sorry, Shuying was clumsy… Aunt is with child? What wonderful news!”

Those last words were spoken very quietly – Xu Shi could hear them, but others could not.

Xu Shi’s complexion immediately changed dramatically, staring at Qin Shuying as if looking at a monster.

After speaking, Qin Shuying still smiled sweetly, handing the bowl to a maid and saying: “My hands are getting clumsier – I can’t even feed porridge properly.”

Everyone laughed politely. Qin Shuying stood up, and a maid entered to tell Dong Shi and Qin Shuying: “Madam, the master requests Seventh Young Mistress to speak with him in the study.”

Qin Shuying exchanged a few words with Dong Shi and Ye Shi, then followed the maid to Qin Yongtao’s study.

Entering the study, Qin Shuying’s lips curved in a mocking smile.

The only woman who could enter Qin Yongtao’s study was her. It seemed she truly held great importance in Qin Yongtao’s regard.

Qin Yongtao had her sit down and asked: “Shuying, your aunt’s illness came so suddenly – you’re truly thoughtful.”

“These past years I was much cared for by aunt. I’m merely visiting aunt – it’s what a niece should do, hardly deserving of uncle’s praise.”

Qin Yongtao’s face showed some satisfaction. “After all, you are a daughter of the Qin family, which is why you have such consideration.”

“Naturally so.”

“Then, Shuying, regarding Sixth Prince’s affairs, have Ziyu provide more assistance as well.”

Qin Shuying smiled gently: “Naturally, uncle.”

Qin Yongtao was delighted, not expecting Qin Shuying to answer so readily.

His mood involuntarily showed on his face. Qin Shuying smiled slightly and said: “Uncle, when I went to see aunt just now, why was she eating so much safflower? When I asked about it, sister-in-law’s expression looked rather strange.”

Qin Yongtao was startled.

Should he tell Qin Shuying about this matter or not?

If he told Qin Shuying, would she still help him? Would she still help Sixth Prince?

Uncertain…

After thinking, Qin Yongtao said: “It’s just a tonic prescribed by the physician. I don’t understand much about it either – naturally we give her whatever the physician prescribes.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course it is.”

Qin Shuying still smiled warmly.

Qin Yongtao clearly believed Xu Shi was pregnant, yet wanted to hide it from her. He wanted her help while not telling the truth.

It seemed they really needed her earnest assistance.

The two chatted for a while, with Qin Yongtao assigning Qin Shuying many tasks, all requiring Liang Zhe to assist Sixth Prince.

After quite some time, Qin Yongtao finally let Qin Shuying go.

Qin Shuying sat in her carriage with a slight smile. Then she diverted to her shop and gave Lan Chou some instructions.

With Qin Yongtao being so dilatory, she, Qin Shuying, had no time to play games with him.

In a few more days, Empress Wen would hold a banquet in the palace, which she would attend. If Qin Yongtao and others were to do something then, the matter would be irreversible.

The next day, Qin Yongtao was shocked to discover that everyone in the entire Qin mansion was whispering that the old madam was pregnant.

This was terrible!

Without thinking, Qin Yongtao immediately took action. That very night he personally went to Xu Shi’s room and forcefully pressed on Xu Shi’s abdomen, trying to squeeze out that shameful fetus.

However, though Xu Shi was tormented by Qin Yongtao until she fainted, there was no sign of bleeding.

Qin Yongtao was almost in despair. He again forcefully trampled on Xu Shi’s abdomen before collapsing into a chair.

When Qin Yongtao did this, only Qin Kaiyu was present – even Dong Shi was not allowed inside.

Seeing Xu Shi lying motionless on the bed, Qin Kaiyu was somewhat frightened. He went over to look and saw Xu Shi’s face was deathly pale, breathing out more than breathing in. He collapsed to the ground: “Mother, she, she… is going to die!”

Qin Yongtao was so frightened he immediately stood up from the chair and hurriedly felt for Xu Shi’s breath with his hand… Good heavens, this, this, this…

Qin Yongtao and Qin Kaiyu looked at each other for a moment. Under the bright lamplight, both their eyes held nothing but terror, and that indescribable ruthlessness…