Xia Qing’s words made Xiao Du increasingly worried. Though he had been making secret preparations, he still hoped that before all arrangements were in place, the balance between the Xia clan, His Majesty, and himself wouldn’t be broken so quickly. But if what Xia Qing said was true, and the Xia clan would fall within days, would the forces he currently stationed in Ping Prefecture truly be enough to contend with Zhao Yan?

But while he was scheming day and night for the marquis mansion’s way out, he didn’t know that another matter was quietly unfolding right under his nose…

This morning, just as Xiao Du stepped out of his room, Nanny Li hesitantly stopped him, then looked back into the room with concern. Xiao Du immediately understood, so he led Nanny Li into his study and dismissed everyone else before sitting down and asking, “What exactly do you want to tell me? Is it about Madam?”

Nanny Li nodded heavily, her heart full of worries. Just as she opened her mouth, she couldn’t help but burst into tears. She wiped her tears with her sleeve while recounting everything from beginning to end. The more Xiao Du listened, the paler his face became, and his hand resting on the desk couldn’t help but tremble slightly…

At midday, after Yuanxi finished reading the medical book in her hands, she began acupuncturing the pressure points on her arm. Golden needles pierced into her fair skin one by one, causing her brow to furrow slightly, and soon she was covered in a thin layer of sweat. After finishing the acupuncture, she took out a porcelain box from the cabinet. The black medicinal paste, contained in a blue and white porcelain box, emitted a rich sandalwood fragrance. Yuanxi stared at this box of medicinal paste, her face showing hesitation. After a while, she sighed softly and picked up a spoon to scoop up a mouthful, about to put it in her mouth when someone suddenly snatched the silver spoon from behind her.

Yuanxi was startled and quickly turned to look, only to see Xiao Du standing behind her in a fury, his eyes filled with confusion and heartache.

A flash of guilt passed through Yuanxi’s eyes, and she quickly lowered her head to hide it, smiling as she said, “Why did you come back at this time today?”

Xiao Du’s sharp gaze swept over the golden needles and medicinal paste on the table. “Tell me, what are all these things?”

Yuanxi’s hands twisted together, but she forced herself to remain calm. “I haven’t been feeling well lately, so I’m trying to acupuncture myself and prepare some medicine to take.”

Seeing her like this made Xiao Du’s heart ache even more. He made as if to walk outside, saying, “Fine, if you don’t want to tell me, I’ll call Old Man Zuo over right now and have him honestly confess what prescriptions he’s given you!”

Yuanxi’s heart jumped with anxiety, and she quickly stood up to grab his sleeve. Only then did she realize and ask, “You already know? Who told you?”

Xiao Du turned to stare at her, his face full of pain, his voice trembling. “Yes, if someone hadn’t told me, I still wouldn’t know that I, as your husband, had failed to such an extent. I needed the nanny by your side to remind me before I knew that you learned medicine because you harbored hopes of curing yourself, and that you would even risk trying dubious folk remedies that Zuo Qiao found from who knows where, just to have children!”

Yuanxi bit her lip, her gaze dim. “The prescription Left Imperial Physician gave me was one he found in ancient books. Though it carries some risks, it might be effective.” Before she could finish speaking, her face suddenly changed, and she bent over in pain, clutching her lower abdomen as beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Xiao Du was frightened and quickly supported her swaying body. Then realizing what was happening, he raged, “How long have you been like this?”

Yuanxi gripped his arm’s warmth, barely enduring the familiar cramping pain in her abdomen, and shook her head. “It’s nothing. The pain will pass in a moment. Left Imperial Physician already told me these are all possible reactions to the medicine, but they won’t harm my body…”

Xiao Du felt as if his heart had been violently stabbed. He quickly held Yuanxi tightly in his arms, using his warm palm to massage her lower abdomen while saying, “Why are you so foolish? Didn’t I tell you I don’t care!”

Feeling the warmth spreading from her lower abdomen, Yuanxi’s cramping pain was considerably relieved. She let out a long breath and buried her head in the hollow of his neck, whispering, “I understand, but I still want to have our child – not for carrying on the family line, not for competing with them, but simply because I want a child who looks like both me and you, who can hold my hand and call me mother. If possible, I would trade everything for it.”

Xiao Du felt cold tears sliding from the hollow of his neck straight into his heart. His heart was in great anguish, and he held her body even tighter. “But I won’t allow it! Xi’er, no one is more important than you. If you really want a child that much, we can try, but absolutely not using methods that would harm you.” He gripped her hand tightly and said with determination and hatred, “If you continue to torment yourself like this, I’ll go find Left Imperial Physician and get a medicine that prevents childbearing to drink, cutting off all hope and saving you from daily torture over this.”

Yuanxi’s body trembled, then she held her arms even tighter, almost wanting to embed him into her flesh and blood. She understood how difficult it was for the person before her to say such words. He had always protected her in the most resolute way, driving away all darkness for her without any retreat.

From that day on, Yuanxi gradually let go of these obsessions, because she understood that someone treasured her like a pearl or precious jade and absolutely wouldn’t let her suffer any harm. Since some regrets were irreversible, why let two people in love create resentment?

But just when she thought everything could pass by so peacefully, something unexpected happened, like sudden whirlpools arising on a calm water surface, drawing them all in.

One day after the Dragon Boat Festival, Yuanxi took An’he to Jinbao Pavilion in the West Market to select newly arrived fabrics. The owner of Jinbao Pavilion, under the pretext of measuring for tailoring, brought Yuanxi alone into the inner room. Almost the moment she stepped over the threshold, Yuanxi noticed something strange about the room’s incense – dragon brain fragrance mixed with benzoin, which should only belong to the precious spices of the palace.

The shopkeeper Zhou beside her noticed her changed expression and imperceptibly took a step back, bowing slightly. “The distinguished person is waiting in the inner room. This humble one is merely following orders. Please forgive me, Madam.” Yuanxi quickly focused her attention and saw through the pearl curtain dividing the inner room the faint glimpse of bright yellow robe hem. Her heart immediately tensed, and she bowed toward the interior. “This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Zhao Yan’s face, hidden behind the pearl curtain, smiled lightly as he slowly spoke. “It’s been a long time. Cousin is still so observant. Come in and speak.”

Yuanxi looked at Shopkeeper Zhou, who hurriedly covered the door and retreated, understanding she had no other way out for now. She steeled her heart and lifted the pearl curtain to enter.

In the rising light fragrance, Zhao Yan sat upright beside the table in casual clothes, with Eunuch Fu behind him bending to pour tea. Yuanxi quickly bowed respectfully to him and secretly glanced at the two guards standing beside him, rapidly thinking about Zhao Yan’s purpose for seeing her.

Zhao Yan smiled and gestured for her to rise, his face showing consistent warmth and elegance. “I’ve told you before that there’s no need for such formalities between us. Sit down and talk first.”

He then signaled for Eunuch Fu to pour tea for Yuanxi as well. Yuanxi sat down awkwardly, gripping her cup tightly. The face opposite her seemed somewhat blurred in the rising white mist, making her heart even more uneasy, unable to guess what Zhao Yan really wanted to do.

At this moment, Zhao Yan set down his cup and said in a very casual tone, “Time really passes quickly. It’s been nearly half a year since cousin last entered the palace, and you’ve been married to Chong Jiang for almost two years now. How is it that I don’t see you giving me a nephew or niece?”

Yuanxi felt her entire heart being violently seized, and her hands holding the cup began to tremble uncontrollably. But she quickly gritted her teeth and suppressed the surging pain in her heart, unwilling to let this person see her vulnerability at this moment. She maintained a cold tone. “This is a private matter between this subject and my husband. Your Majesty need not trouble yourself with it.”

Zhao Yan looked at her sideways, as if surprised she could still maintain her composure at this time, then continued with interest, “Is that so? What a pity then. Chong Jiang is only one year younger than me, and my eldest son is already almost five years old, yet Chong Jiang still has no children. It’s truly regrettable.”

Yuanxi finally couldn’t bear it anymore. Her face grew colder and colder as she set her cup on the table. “Why does Your Majesty ask when you already know the answer? Why Chong Jiang has no children – isn’t it because of your arrangements…” Her voice trembled, and her remaining words caught in her throat.

Zhao Yan sighed. “Actually, I don’t want it to be this way either. Seeing you like this makes me feel bad too.” Then he turned to stare at her with a mysterious smile. “What if I told you I found a prescription that could cure cousin’s illness and let you flourish with descendants? Would you be interested?”

Yuanxi looked at him in disbelief but quickly understood. He had been pressing on her painful spot precisely to wait for this moment. Even if such a prescription truly existed, he certainly wouldn’t give it to her easily. She tried her best not to show joy or sorrow on her face and said indifferently, “Is that so? Then thank you, Your Majesty. Could you let this subject see that prescription?”

Zhao Yan smiled and stretched his hand back. Eunuch Fu respectfully handed over a piece of paper. He waved the paper in front of Yuanxi. “This is a secret prescription I obtained with great difficulty from the Miao territory, and it will definitely cure cousin’s condition. It’s just…” He suddenly smiled cunningly and asked, “I wonder what cousin is willing to exchange for it?”

Seeing him finally reveal his true intentions, Yuanxi actually calmed down. She maintained her usual indifferent tone and asked with lowered eyes, “What does Your Majesty want?”

Not finding the eager emotion he expected in her eyes, Zhao Yan was somewhat disappointed. He continued twirling the paper. “The request is quite simple really – I only want the silver bow hanging in your husband’s room, the one bestowed by the late emperor.”

Yuanxi was slightly stunned. In that moment, she had considered many possibilities, but never imagined that what he schemed so hard to obtain was that silver bow. Could there be some secret hidden in that bow? At this moment, Zhao Yan leaned forward slightly, speaking in a seductive tone. “You only need to secretly steal that bow for me, and I can guarantee I absolutely won’t use it to harm you. Cousin should think carefully – temporary favor can’t compare to the reliability of your own bloodline. Chong Jiang may not care now, but as time passes, this matter will inevitably become a thorn in his heart. A woman’s youth fades easily. Without children to hold his heart, your position as the legitimate wife might become precarious.”

Yuanxi played with the cup lid beside her and suddenly wanted to laugh coldly. She slowly stood up and bowed to Zhao Yan. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s consideration of this subject, but this subject would never do anything behind my husband’s back, nor would I make deals with anyone without his knowledge.” She raised her eyes and smiled slightly. “If Your Majesty has no other instructions, this subject will take her leave first. The maid I brought is waiting outside and must be quite anxious.”

Zhao Yan’s expression immediately changed, and he couldn’t help frowning as he stood up. “You really don’t want this prescription?”

Yuanxi turned back, her face shining with gentle but firm light. “Between my husband and me, we never need any bloodline to maintain our bond. We have only love and trust for each other – things Your Majesty will probably never understand.” With that, she straightened her back, lifted the pearl curtain, and walked out.

Zhao Yan sat down stiffly, clutching that paper, his expression very ugly. Eunuch Fu quickly fanned him. “Your Majesty, don’t be angry. This Marquis Xuanyuan’s wife really doesn’t know what’s good for her, wasting Your Majesty’s kind intentions.”

But Zhao Yan let out a long breath. “I expected from the beginning that she wouldn’t agree. I just didn’t expect her to refuse so decisively.”

“This…” Eunuch Fu was stunned and swallowed the words that almost escaped: If you knew she wouldn’t agree, why come here to humiliate yourself?

Zhao Yan put the paper in his hand into the candle flame, watching the dancing flames instantly devour the light yellow paper. He said slowly, “At least now Xiao Du understands that there’s a secret hidden in that bow. When he discovers this secret, he’ll naturally come find me.” He smiled again, lazily saying, “I just can’t stand seeing their loving, harmonious appearance of singing in perfect accord. I couldn’t help wanting to stir up some trouble.”