Only if she departed from this world of the novel in a way that followed the story’s own logic could she return to the modern era.

So the reason she had always been getting nosebleeds — and would eventually pass away from illness — was part of that logic. Only now, Fafa had grown impatient and was trying to use her baby to hasten her departure……

Seen in that light, the last time Yan Shiyao had shoved her — that had been Fafa’s doing too. At the time she had thought it strange that such a stumble could cause a fall, and Fafa had said guiltily that stumbling a little could cause a fall.

Why hadn’t she thought of it then??

No. Absolutely not. To lose both her and the baby at the same time — what would become of Xuan Yanyu?

[I thought you were joking.] Yan Yunning tried to move her foot. Her embroidered shoe clung to the ground as though glued there, immovable.

Fafa: [I was not, Master. We came to this world to help Xuan Yanyu avoid the death that would befall him ten years from now. That mission has now succeeded. We have no further reason to stay.]

[Right, what you said is right. Only I’m still a little frightened……]

Fafa cut her off. [It’s alright, Master. Nothing to be afraid of.]

Yan Yunning bit her lip and tried to produce a sound.

[I’ll go back and drink the medicinal decoction.] Yan Yunning closed her eyes.

Fafa saw through her at once. [Master, setting aside the fact that Xuan Yanyu would have to coax you into drinking it to begin with — you wouldn’t actually drink it once you were back, and we both know it.]

[You’re wrong. Haven’t I always said that my father and mother matter more to me than Xuan Yanyu?] Yan Yunning tried to buy as much time as she could.

Fafa: [There’s no need for that, Master. Someone is coming.]

Yan Yunning opened her eyes and saw Pei Shi walking toward her in the clothes of a maidservant. Her mind raced at full speed.

As long as she could move, she could run. If she could make a sound, Qiuci and the others would come rushing over……

She had never once imagined that Fafa would deceive her — would turn against her.

She could not speak. How was she supposed to keep Pei Shi at bay?

[Didn’t you say you would never hurt me?] Yan Yunning couldn’t help but shout inwardly.

Fafa: [I won’t hurt you. I’m helping you get home faster.]

[No.] Yan Yunning watched Pei Shi look around warily and begin walking slowly toward her. She pleaded desperately, [I’m begging you, Fafa. Let me go first.]

Fafa was startled. Since they had come to this world, no matter what had happened, Master had never begged anyone.

Not when she had been taken away by Mu Shiqing at the very beginning, for unknown reasons. Not when Xiao Shi had taken her away. Throughout it all, she had kept that breezy, laughing face, fighting for herself at every turn……

Pei Shi noticed that Yan Yunning was standing perfectly still and slowed her own footsteps.

She stared at Yan Yunning, the loathing inside her rising beyond her control. Without Yan Yunning, she would not be in the cold palace. She would not have been stripped down to a commoner.

Yan Yunning was still trying to reason with Fafa. [I’ll go back and drink the medicine. I’ll be obedient. I’ll go dig under the ancient locust tree. I don’t even mind getting mud on my hands anymore. Can you just let me go……]

She fought with every ounce of strength to hold back the emotion threatening to break through, pressing down the tears that refused to behave in her eyes.

This was her fault. It was all her own foolishness.

She did not deserve to cry. If something happened to the baby, she would never be able to forgive herself.

In the end, Fafa could not bear to watch her like this any longer. It chose to withdraw.

Pei Shi savored the fear on Yan Yunning’s face. In this moment, she wanted more than anything to make His Majesty feel the same collapse she had felt the day she learned what had happened to Tongtong.

The sunlight fell across Yan Yunning’s pallid face, and tears rolled down her cheeks beyond her control.

She watched, helpless, as Pei Shi’s foot swung back and landed viciously against her abdomen. In that moment, Yan Yunning felt herself sink to the very depths of despair. She felt no pain at all — and yet moments later, a thick, heavy scent of blood filled the air.

Yan Yunning stared blankly at the blood on the ground beneath her. A broken, sobbing sound tore itself from her throat.

This was a nightmare, wasn’t it?

She wasn’t really awake yet, was she? She was still in a nightmare…….

Yes. She was still in a nightmare. It would be fine when she woke up. It would be fine when she woke up……

“Ah……” Yan Yunning’s fingertips trembled. Her magnificent robe was soaked through with blood. Yan Yunning watched as the blood and mud ran together, and her consciousness slowly began to dim. Unable to hold on any longer, she slipped into darkness.

Pei Shi, who had been about to deliver another kick, withdrew her foot. She stood there in a daze, staring at Yan Yunning’s tear-streaked face. Could one kick really cause a miscarriage that quickly?

Hearing Yan Yunning’s cries of anguish, Xiao Wan and the others came running. At the sight of Yan Yunning collapsed on the ground, the hem of her robe drenched in blood, Xiao Wan’s legs nearly gave out beneath her.

“Crown Princess.”

“Crown Princess.”

“……”

——

Yan Yunning came to again three days later. She had that dream once more — the one where she was in her elder brother’s office, shamelessly wheedling him for pocket money, and Xuan Yanyu was there too.

She opened her eyes and reached down to touch her abdomen. She felt nothing unusual at all. Not even the slightest pain.

“Ningning, you’re awake.” Xuan Yanyu carefully helped her sit up. Yan Yunning lifted her gaze to the man. His dark eyes were rimmed with red, and his face was drawn and haggard.

“Have some water.” Xuan Yanyu said gently.

“Xuan Yanyu, the baby…… is the baby alright?” The rims of Yan Yunning’s eyes immediately turned red.

“Drink some water first. Finish your meal, and then I’ll tell you.” The man’s tone was perfectly even.

“No.” Yan Yunning forced down the sob rising in her throat. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. My fault.”

“It’s fine.” Xuan Yanyu wiped her tears away and smiled as he soothed her. “Don’t cry. It’s not your fault.”

“Xuan Xixi, is the baby alright?” Yan Yunning clutched his hand, her beautiful eyes filled with a watery mist.

She had felt no pain. Did that mean everything was fine?

The man lifted her into his arms and carried her to the round table. “Finish your meal like a good girl, and then I’ll tell you.”

“She’s gone, isn’t she?” Yan Yunning’s nose prickled sharply. She curled up in Xuan Yanyu’s arms as choked, wrenching sobs spilled one after another from her throat. She broke apart completely. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault…… I…… I shouldn’t have run off on my own. My legs…… my legs should be broken.”

The last of her hope was gone. Yan Yunning balled her hand into a fist and bit down on her knuckles, crying out in absolute despair.

If the baby were still here, Xuan Xixi would not have coaxed her into eating first……

He would have told her directly that the baby was safe……