After returning to the mansion, it was already evening.

Jiang Li didn’t go directly back to her courtyard, but went to Wanfeng Hall instead. This trip to the Duke’s mansion had left both Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai very puzzled, so they specifically waited for her at Wanfeng Hall. Seeing her return safe and sound, with no apparent issues in her demeanor, very calm, they finally felt relieved.

“Girl Li, when you went to the Duke’s mansion today, who did you see? What did you do at the Duke’s mansion? Did Old General Ji say why he invited only you to attend the banquet?” Old Madam Jiang asked.

“At the Duke’s mansion Old General’s birthday banquet today, I wasn’t the only one. There were five or six other people, but they all looked unfamiliar. They didn’t seem to be from Yanjing official families. There were both men and women—probably old friends of the Old General.” Jiang Li fabricated without changing expression, continuing, “After the meal, the Old General asked me some questions about horseback archery. Probably because he had previously learned about my performance in horseback archery during the Six Arts examination and thought I was proficient in this area, he was curious about me and specially invited me to attend. Afterward, I chatted idly with several young ladies for the afternoon, and returned in the evening. It appeared to be just an ordinary family banquet with nothing particularly special. As for why he invited only me, it wasn’t convenient to ask, and the Old General didn’t explain.”

Her answer couldn’t be faulted. Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai exchanged glances—neither had anything more to ask. Even if they did have questions, looking at Jiang Li’s appearance, she had merely gone to have a meal and knew nothing else—she probably couldn’t answer anyway.

Jiang Yuanbai said, “Since that’s the case, go back and rest.”

Jiang Li hesitated, then said, “Father, today at the Duke’s mansion birthday banquet, I heard them discussing current affairs. Recently Yanjing City might not be peaceful. Father… please be prepared.”

Jiang Yuanbai straightened. “What do you mean by that?”

“Specifically, I truly don’t know. They wouldn’t say too much at the banquet. Even this little bit took considerable effort for me to find out.” After saying this, Jiang Li paid her respects to Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang, then returned to her own courtyard.

After Jiang Li left, Old Madam Jiang asked, “Yuanbai, what did Second girl mean by what she just said?”

Jiang Yuanbai’s expression was somber. “Prince Cheng is probably about to make his move.”

“Should the Jiang family… temporarily avoid the confrontation and leave the capital for now?” Old Madam Jiang asked.

Jiang Yuanbai smiled bitterly. “Mother, at this critical juncture, even if I wanted to leave, I couldn’t. My position means I can only steel myself and face it. I only hope His Majesty isn’t completely unprepared. This battle… still has a chance.”

Old Madam Jiang sighed deeply again. With current affairs as they were, even though they were family members of the Chief Minister Grand Secretary and appeared infinitely glorious on the surface, in reality they were merely ants before power. Victory and defeat—since ancient times, blood had always been shed. What could be done? It was just that with this coming action—Prince Cheng’s uprising, the Emperor’s counterattack—who knew how Yanjing City would run with rivers of blood, how many families would be torn apart with wives and children separated.

On the other side, Jiang Li returned to her courtyard.

While Tong’er and Bai Xue busily tidied up, she sat in the room, her brow heavy with concerns. After thinking it over, she still mentioned this to Jiang Yuanbai. Although in Jiang Li’s view, Prince Cheng would most likely lose this battle, the Jiang family was at the eye of the storm—who knew if something might happen? Now that she was part of the Jiang family, she and the family were mutually dependent. If something truly happened to the Jiang family, it wouldn’t benefit her in the slightest.

Moreover, although the Jiang family had once wronged Second Miss Jiang and had produced a venomous woman like Ji Shuran, her current daily meals, clothing, food, and shelter all depended on the Jiang family. If Second Miss Jiang were here, she wouldn’t want her family clan to be destroyed either. If she could help Jiang Yuanbai prepare in advance, perhaps the coming events would cause much less trouble.

As for Jiang Youyao’s matter, Jiang Li also planned to accept Ji Heng’s suggestion and temporarily not tell Jiang Yuanbai. She would first observe what movements there were on Li Lian’s side. Jiang Youyao should properly suffer some hardship. If they tried to bring her back to the mansion now, not only would she not be grateful to the Jiang family, she might even think the Jiang family was deliberately breaking her and Li Lian apart. Such an ungrateful wretch might turn around and bite the Jiang family at any time. Better to leave her with Li Lian for now—the Jiang family could also have some peace and quiet.

Even if Li Lian wanted to extract some secret information about the Jiang family from Jiang Youyao’s mouth, it would be absolutely impossible. Jiang Youyao simply didn’t care about anything besides herself, so whatever Li Lian wanted to find out, he was destined to return empty-handed.

What Jiang Li was most nervously concerned about now was Princess Yongning’s situation.

According to what Ji Heng said, Princess Yongning now showed signs of pregnancy, though she didn’t know if she herself had noticed yet. Once Princess Yongning discovered she was pregnant, the next thing would surely be finding Shen Yurun to discuss it. For Shen Yurun, this wasn’t a good thing. As for how things would develop next, Jiang Li was very much looking forward to it.

She truly couldn’t wait to see those two people’s ugly expressions.

…

At the Princess’s mansion, light incense burned in the room. The thread of incense was thin, the rising green smoke also thin, emitting a fragrance like jasmine, very pleasant.

Princess Yongning had always loved rich, intense fragrances. Lighter incense was almost impossible to find in the Princess’s mansion. But in recent days, Princess Yongning had been easily fatigued, unable to muster energy. She especially had no appetite for food, always feeling tightness in her chest and prone to nausea. Rich fragrances made her uncomfortable when she smelled them, so all the incense in the Princess’s mansion had been replaced with this light kind.

But even with light incense, Princess Yongning didn’t feel very well. She reclined on a soft couch, her expression listless. Her usually gorgeous and exquisite makeup she had no heart to tend to, revealing several traces of haggardness. Her skin wasn’t as fair as usual either—somewhat sallow.

“Your Highness, Imperial Physician Zhang will arrive soon.” Meixiang gently massaged Princess Yongning’s shoulders and smiled. “Once Imperial Physician Zhang arrives and prescribes you medicine, this servant will fetch it and brew it for you to take. Then you won’t feel so uncomfortable.”

Princess Yongning weakly hummed in acknowledgment. She didn’t know when she had started feeling this uncomfortable. Thinking carefully, it was probably after Shen Ruyun’s wedding banquet. But that day she hadn’t done anything unusual—as always, she had seized an opportunity to be intimate with Shen Yurun. Nothing else. Why had she felt so uncomfortable after returning to the Princess’s mansion? It had been several days now without the slightest improvement. Left with no choice, she had Meixiang take a token to summon Imperial Physician Zhang to examine her.

Thinking of this, she felt somewhat resentful toward Shen Yurun in her heart. She had clearly had someone tell Shen Yurun that she wasn’t feeling well these past days, yet Shen Yurun hadn’t even come to see her. Although she knew court affairs were busy, to not take her seriously like this—perhaps Shen Yurun didn’t have her in his heart at all.

These accumulated resentments made Princess Yongning feel even more uncomfortable. She felt her head hurt, her hands hurt, her legs hurt—even her toes hurt.

Evening darkness fell extremely quickly. Soon, the sky had turned completely black. Strong winds rose in Yanjing City at night. The maids, worried Princess Yongning would feel stuffy, opened all the windows in the Princess’s mansion. As soon as they opened them, the fierce wind couldn’t wait to rush in, immediately extinguishing half the candles in the great hall. It also blew the paper and brushes on the table everywhere, toppling vases.

Princess Yongning felt even more vexed and irritable. Just as she was about to punish the servants, Meixiang came running in with an elderly man in a pine-green cotton jacket following behind her. “Your Highness, Imperial Physician Zhang has arrived.”

Imperial Physician Zhang was a physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau familiar with Princess Yongning. Usually when Princess Yongning had minor ailments, she preferred to have Imperial Physician Zhang come directly to the mansion to examine her. Seeing Imperial Physician Zhang had finally arrived, she barely mustered some energy, sat up straight, and proactively extended her hand. “Imperial Physician Zhang, this palace’s body has been feeling very uncomfortable lately. I can’t describe it specifically, but I always feel I have no strength, extremely fatigued, poor appetite, and constantly nauseous. Sometimes I fall asleep in the afternoon and don’t wake until midnight. Please examine me—what exactly is the problem?”

Hearing all this, Imperial Physician Zhang was stunned. Immediately his face showed several traces of shock and doubt. Seeing him just standing there dumbly without taking her pulse, Princess Yongning became somewhat impatient. “Imperial Physician Zhang, what are you still standing there for? Quickly take my pulse!”

Only then did Imperial Physician Zhang come to his senses. He forced a smile and said, “Your Highness, don’t panic. This old physician will take your pulse immediately.”

He reached out and placed his hand on Princess Yongning’s wrist, carefully taking her pulse.

Time didn’t actually pass very long, but at a certain moment, Imperial Physician Zhang’s complexion suddenly turned snow white. Not only that, his forehead began gradually seeping cold sweat, and even his hands began to tremble.

Seeing this pulse-taking session was taking far too long, Princess Yongning couldn’t help but frown and scold, “Imperial Physician Zhang, what exactly is the matter? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Imperial Physician Zhang suddenly withdrew his hand and stood up. He didn’t dare even look at Princess Yongning. Lowering his head and hesitating, his voice began to stammer. “Your Highness… this old physician, this old physician may have taken the pulse incorrectly. Your Highness might as well summon someone more skilled to examine what exactly is troubling Your Highness.”

The more he spoke like this, the more it aroused Princess Yongning’s suspicions. Princess Yongning said, “In the Imperial Medical Bureau, this palace only trusts you. Imperial Physician Zhang, what exactly is wrong with me? Speak! Otherwise, this palace will charge you with the crime of deception!”

Imperial Physician Zhang was frightened and hurriedly knelt down. Despite his advanced age, his voice was filled with unstoppable alarm, as if he might cry at any moment. He said, “Princess Your Highness, spare my life! Princess Your Highness, spare my life! Your Highness… I fear you are with child!”

With child! Like a thunderbolt suddenly striking overhead, Princess Yongning was shocked and almost didn’t recover.

“How dare you speak such nonsense before Her Highness! Drag him away!” Meixiang reacted extremely quickly and immediately ordered.

“This old physician dares not speak falsely! Your Highness, spare my life!” Imperial Physician Zhang kept kowtowing, his voice shrill.

Princess Yongning frowned, as if finally understanding the meaning of these words. She looked at Imperial Physician Zhang and suddenly asked, “Is what you say true?”

Imperial Physician Zhang hurriedly called out, “This subordinate official dares not speak falsely.”

“By your reckoning, how far along is it now?” Princess Yongning asked.

Cold sweat dripped from Imperial Physician Zhang, yet he didn’t dare not answer Princess Yongning’s question. “It should be less than a month.”

“Less than a month…” Princess Yongning murmured. Calculating the time, it was indeed very suitable. During this period, she and Shen Yurun had only met face to face a few times. What she didn’t understand was that every time she had used contraceptive medicine—Shen Yurun was extremely careful about this. Of course, Princess Yongning also didn’t want to become pregnant before marriage. Northern Yan’s customs, no matter how open, still considered such things shameful scandals for ordinary families.

Yet unexpectedly, despite all this, she had still conceived Shen Yurun’s child.

Princess Yongning’s hand involuntarily moved to her lower abdomen.

Seeing this, Meixiang said urgently, “Your Highness, do you plan to…” She didn’t continue. Princess Yongning turned to look at her and asked, “Plan what?”

Meixiang said hesitantly, “Do you plan to keep this child?”

Hearing this, Princess Yongning viciously slapped her across the face, striking Meixiang’s head to one side. She said sternly, “The child in this palace’s belly—is it a lowly maid’s place to question?”

Imperial Physician Zhang, still kneeling on the ground and not yet risen, was even more frightened into trembling. Meixiang also knelt on the ground. Five clear finger marks showed on her face, yet she seemed not to notice at all and still said, “The flesh and blood in Your Highness’s womb will grow day by day. Eventually it cannot be concealed. If His Majesty sees, if outsiders see, I fear it will be difficult to explain. Your Highness wholeheartedly cherishes that person. If this matter is exposed, His Majesty and others certainly won’t let it pass. If they discover it’s that person’s flesh and blood, that person’s official career will probably be ruined. Your Highness will surely feel heartbroken.”

Because Imperial Physician Zhang was present, Meixiang didn’t dare speak Shen Yurun’s name, instead using “that person” as a substitute. But these words struck right at Princess Yongning’s heart. This child would grow day by day—the belly couldn’t be concealed. If His Majesty discovered this matter, he would definitely investigate. In the end, discovering it was Shen Yurun’s flesh and blood, Shen Yurun’s official career would end there. Although for Princess Yongning, whether Shen Yurun was an official or not didn’t matter to her, Shen Yurun himself definitely wouldn’t be happy. If Shen Yurun was unhappy, Princess Yongning wouldn’t be happy either.

She suddenly felt a headache coming on.

“But this is my and his child…” As Princess Yongning spoke, her eyes actually flashed with a trace of something close to maternal love and tenderness, as if she were a gentle mother anticipating new life’s appearance.

This was her and Shen Yurun’s child. This point alone gave Princess Yongning countless reasons not to abandon it. Perhaps it was a son, perhaps a daughter. Perhaps the eyes would resemble Shen Yurun, perhaps the mouth would resemble her. When grown, the child would call Shen Yurun “Father” and call her “Mother.” This was proof of her and Shen Yurun’s deep affection. No matter what, she would not abandon this child.

“I will keep him.” Princess Yongning said these words with firm determination. Both Meixiang and Imperial Physician Zhang kneeling on the ground were inwardly shocked but said nothing.

“As for what to do next, there’s no rush. Right now it’s not even a month yet—others can’t tell. The urgent matter is to properly nourish my child. Right now people’s hearts are unpredictable. Those who want to harm my child are too numerous to count. I must protect him well.” Princess Yongning said.

Meixiang said, “This servant will protect the young highness well.”

Princess Yongning nodded with satisfaction. Her gaze swept over Imperial Physician Zhang kneeling on the ground, a trace of coldness flashing in her eyes. She said, “Imperial Physician Zhang has also worked hard today. Meixiang, take Imperial Physician Zhang down and invite him to have a cup of tea before leaving.”

Meixiang understood. Imperial Physician Zhang still tried to beg for mercy, but heard Princess Yongning laugh and say, “Imperial Physician Zhang need not be anxious. Have tea before leaving. The time it takes to drink one cup of tea—your wife and son won’t mind.”

Hearing this, Imperial Physician Zhang’s body violently shook. The light in his eyes immediately dimmed. He said nothing more and followed Meixiang out in a daze.

The great hall returned to quiet.

The smile on Princess Yongning’s face disappeared. Although she very much hoped to keep this child, Meixiang’s words had also reached her ears—continuing like this truly wasn’t a solution. Should she tell Shen Yurun about this? Probably not. If Shen Yurun knew about this matter, he would definitely urge her not to have this child. During this period, he had said more than once that they were at a critical juncture and shouldn’t let people catch them with evidence—they should maintain distance. If there was a child, wouldn’t that be handing evidence directly to others?

Toward her, he always had methods. No matter how determined she was, in the end she would be moved by his gentleness and comply with his wishes. But this time, Princess Yongning absolutely didn’t plan to follow Shen Yurun’s intentions. She definitely wanted to keep this child.

What method could she use to legitimately gloss over this matter while keeping the child? Once this child was born, it couldn’t be without a father. The child must call Shen Yurun “Father.”

Princess Yongning’s heart suddenly stirred. That’s right—this child must have a father, and that father could only be Shen Yurun. As long as she married Shen Yurun before others could tell, then afterward she could find some reason, saying it was premature birth—wouldn’t that make everything proper and aboveboard?

But to marry Shen Yurun in an extremely short time wouldn’t be easy. Princess Yongning didn’t plan to discuss this with Shen Yurun, because Shen Yurun would definitely raise objections, and she couldn’t tell Shen Yurun the fact that she was pregnant. She planned to enter the palace early tomorrow morning to see Grand Consort Liu and have Grand Consort Liu persuade His Majesty to bestow the marriage.

No matter what, this matter could not fail.

…

In Yanjing City’s night, some families rejoiced while others worried. While some people felt complex joy over the flesh and blood in the womb, others felt uneasy and anxious about their future prospects.

The Right Chancellor Li mansion was renovated extremely exquisitely and luxuriously. The Right Chancellor had been in position for many years, especially in recent years—his position at court had become increasingly stable. Those who came to give gifts daily were not few. Many gifts he didn’t even look at, tossing them together with their lists into the storehouse. It was said that the Right Chancellor mansion’s storehouse was even more abundant than the national treasury, but whether this was rumor or truth, no one knew.

A courtyard on the western side was much quieter than other courtyards. There were only two or three maids sweeping, but the courtyard was still quite clean. Inside the room, someone sat at a table. She held a book in her hand but had no heart to open it, staring out the window in a daze.

This young woman was none other than the Third Miss Jiang who had fled from the Jiang family—Jiang Youyao.

Jiang Youyao had been at the Li mansion for quite some time now. That day when she escaped from the Jiang family, she had originally wanted to go to the Ji family. But who would have thought that on New Year’s Eve, she would encounter bandits on the street? Those bandits, seeing she was a woman, not only robbed her bundle but also wanted to molest her. Just when Jiang Youyao felt desperate, like divine troops descending from heaven, a handsome young gentleman appeared. He had his attendants drive away those bandits and helped Jiang Youyao up. Seeing Jiang Youyao was frightened and trembling all over, unable to speak, he brought Jiang Youyao back to the mansion, had her washed clean, and told her to calm down and not be afraid.

Actually, when Jiang Youyao was rescued, she had already recognized who this gentleman was—the Li family’s Second Young Master Li Lian. By common sense, Jiang Youyao shouldn’t have any entanglement with anyone from the Li family. The Li family and Jiang family were mortal enemies. But for some reason, she didn’t refuse Li Lian’s action of bringing her back to the mansion. Perhaps it was because she resented the Jiang family for causing her mother’s death and ignoring her, and out of revenge wanted to anger the Jiang family with this. Perhaps it was because she truly had nowhere to turn now and didn’t know who to depend on. Or perhaps it was because this Second Young Master Li seemed too gentle, not like the cunning person her father described. When someone treated her gently in such desperate circumstances, it was very easy to trust him.

She followed Li Lian back to the Li mansion. After washing her face clean, Li Lian also recognized her. Jiang Youyao steeled her heart and before Li Lian, recounted all the grievances she had suffered at the Jiang family during this time. She had been forced to leave home and hoped Li Lian wouldn’t tell others that she was at the Li family. If the Jiang family knew, they would capture her and take her back.

Li Lian was someone who cherished beauty and showed compassion. He seemed moved with sympathy for her. As expected, he didn’t tell Li Zhongnan about this matter. He divided a section of space for Jiang Youyao in his own courtyard. Jiang Youyao usually lived here. She couldn’t go out, or she would be seen. Jiang Youyao could only move around the courtyard area, and still had to guard against being seen by other Li family members. Over time, naturally she felt bored and tedious.

And the people she could see daily, aside from these servants, were only Li Lian.

The longer she spent with Li Lian, the more Jiang Youyao felt Li Lian was a good person. He was gentle and considerate, and extremely understood her heart. After several rounds, Jiang Youyao couldn’t help but confide in him. Later… after having a deeper relationship with Li Lian, initially Jiang Youyao was also afraid. Having escaped from the Jiang family, her heart still temporarily held onto her identity as the Chief Minister’s daughter. If this matter got out, it would probably bring shame to the Jiang family.

But Li Lian told Jiang Youyao, “If you don’t want to return, then don’t return. In any case, you say the Jiang mansion treats you harshly—why not stay at our mansion? I’ll find an identity for you in due course. Then you can properly stay with me for a lifetime.”

Jiang Youyao was very pleased by this.

Promises were proof of sincerity. Zhou Yanbang had always refused to give her promises, making her wait foolishly for many years. In the end, he married someone else, truly breaking her heart. Now someone could proactively stand forward to comfort her pain—naturally Jiang Youyao couldn’t resist.

She had also thought about the future. For instance, Li Lian’s wife could only be a young lady from a noble family. Even if he had supernatural powers and found an identity for her, it couldn’t possibly be that of a daughter from any noble family. Staying beside Li Lian, without name or status, she would at most be a concubine. But how could Jiang Youyao be willing to be a concubine?

Yet even if she were still Third Miss Jiang, she couldn’t possibly become Li Lian’s wife either, because the Li family and Jiang family had never gotten along—this wasn’t just one or two days.

Although the days together with Li Lian were happy, she couldn’t see any future. Even so, Jiang Youyao still couldn’t harden her heart to leave him, because leaving Li Lian, she might not necessarily be better off. Better to grasp the present and be happy first. As for matters of the future—she’d think about them later.

Feeling she had sat for too long, Jiang Youyao stood up, wanting to walk around the courtyard. The maids were all doing their own tasks. These maids—Jiang Youyao didn’t know whether they had recognized her identity or not. Actually, Jiang Youyao wasn’t very satisfied with them. Sometimes she sighed, wishing she had brought Jinhua and Yinhua along when she left. After all, they were people who had followed her since childhood—using them was also convenient. But these maids’ master was Li Lian. They were respectful and obedient toward Li Lian, but toward Jiang Youyao, they couldn’t be called very warm.

Most importantly, every single maid in Li Lian’s courtyard was beautiful, chattering like orioles and swallows, which was very vexing. Sometimes Jiang Youyao couldn’t help thinking jealously—perhaps Li Lian kept all these maids in the courtyard for his own convenient use. She had also hinted at this before Li Lian, but Li Lian was too good at coaxing people. With just a few words, he would make her forget her original purpose and no longer press charges.

Jiang Youyao walked to the edge of the courtyard and couldn’t help but raise her eyes to look toward the courtyard on the other side.

Next door was Eldest Young Master Li Xian’s courtyard. Li Xian didn’t often return to the mansion—supposedly his official duties were busy. Jiang Youyao had long heard that Li Zhongnan’s two sons—Li Xian received far more praise than Li Lian. At a young age, his official career was smooth, he himself was extremely talented, and his appearance was handsome and refined. Compared to Li Lian, he seemed even more pure and upright. At such an advanced age, she had never heard of any bad habits he had.

Jiang Youyao’s gaze swept around that courtyard.

The greatest difference between Li Xian’s courtyard and Li Lian’s courtyard was probably the people serving them. Every maid in Li Lian’s courtyard was charming and pretty, while Li Xian’s courtyard had no maids visible. There were quite a few male servants though—just their ages were rather young. They all appeared to be twelve or thirteen-year-old young boys. Once, Jiang Youyao had even seen an eight or nine-year-old child. Jiang Youyao didn’t quite understand why these young servants were all so young. Wouldn’t it be inconvenient for them to serve? Whether running errands or carrying heavy objects, looking at these servants who were still children, they probably couldn’t do very well.

She had also once asked Li Lian this question. Li Lian always smiled and shook his head, saying those children were all orphans without fathers or mothers. Li Xian, seeing them pitiful, sent all these children to the mansion as servants. On the surface they were servants, but in reality it gave them food to eat. In the future when they grew up, they could also serve the mansion.

Hearing this, Jiang Youyao inwardly thought to herself that this Eldest Young Master Li had a kind heart and was a great good person—he could even think of such a roundabout method to care for them.

She withdrew her gaze and walked back, her heart involuntarily sighing. However, this Eldest Young Master Li was also very good at selecting people. Every one of those young boys in the courtyard was exceptionally handsome. If she didn’t know what kind of character Li Xian had, she would think he was like that Duke Su with special proclivities—a cut-sleeve who liked men.

Author’s Note:

Eldest Young Master Li is a pedophile—so disgusting!