Si Zhan paused, nodded, and softly responded, “Hmm,” placing the hot water bottle in her palm.
“Was Lu Chuan’s death your doing?”
Si Zhan said nothing, instead pulling her hand over to hold the hot water bottle together. This was tantamount to tacit admission.
He had ordered Lu Chuan’s murder, framing the Empress Dowager and making Xu Manyao believe she had killed Lu Chuan. This would provoke Xu Manyao’s hatred, leading her to wound the Empress Dowager, introducing a life-threatening curse into her body. Realizing her fate, Xu Manyao bit her tongue and committed suicide.
“Why won’t you let them go?”
Si Zhan’s gaze turned cold. “Did Mi Yue tell you all this?”
Ning Wanwan shook her head. “Who told me is unimportant. What matters is that you’ve changed, becoming increasingly ruthless.”
Though Si Zhan of her previous life was not much better, she had felt he would not indiscriminately kill or exploit everyone. She feared he might even use her and their child.
Si Zhan, sensing her worry, leaned down, holding her shoulders, his dark phoenix eyes focused on hers. He said seriously: “Wanwan, no matter how I change, I will never harm you and the child.”
“Let’s return to Qian Nan quickly,” Ning Wanwan urged, grabbing his arm. “The Empress Dowager has been cursed by Xu Manyao, and the Emperor has always been weak.”
With your current status, no one can stop you. As long as you want to leave, you can.”
Si Zhan stood up straight, “It’s not time yet.”
“Do you have other plans?” Ning Wanwan asked nervously.
Si Zhan looked down at her, radiating cold majesty, “My only plan is to give you and the child supreme honor.”
Supreme honor, meaning the status of Crown Prince and Empress…
The imperial uncle may be a villain, but he has principles.
The male and female leads will have some minor conflicts.
Regarding Xu Manyao and Lu Chuan, the female lead only knows the outcome, and her understanding is based on speculation, not entirely factual. Readers are encouraged to remain patient and read the full text for context.
The true reason for Xu Manyao and Lu Chuan’s deaths will be explained shortly, differing from the female lead’s speculation.
Ning Wanwan lay on the bed, hearing footsteps and said impatiently: “Didn’t I say I have no appetite?”
“Even without an appetite, you must eat something.”
Hearing Si Zhan’s voice, Ning Wanwan turned over, “You’re back.” She covered her belly as she prepared to sit up; although her pregnancy was not yet four months, she was already showing significantly.
Si Zhan placed the tray on the bedside table and helped Ning Wanwan sit up, providing a cushion for her back.
“Here, let me feed you,” he said, sitting on the bed’s edge. He picked up the rice bowl and used chopsticks to offer her a piece of tender white fish.
Ning Wanwan opened her mouth to eat but suddenly felt a surge of sour liquid in her throat. She quickly pulled back and covered her mouth. Si Zhan immediately set down the bowl and picked up the chamber pot, holding it under her face.
She glanced at the pot and then at Si Zhan’s hand, forcing herself to swallow and pushing the pot away. “Disgusting, put it down.”
Sighing, he placed the pot down, wiped his hands with a wet towel, and returned to the bed, gently holding her hand.
“Are you still angry with me?”
Ning Wanwan said nothing, turning her face toward the bed.
“Because you’re pregnant, I wanted you to rest easy, so I didn’t tell you some things. I didn’t expect you to care so much.”
She knew he was referring to Yao Saner and Lu Chuan, lowering her eyelashes as she waited for him to continue.
“When you went to find Mi Yue, did she only tell you about Yao Saner’s cause of death?”
Ning Wanwan looked up at Si Zhan, her eyes acknowledging that Mi Yue had only told her how Yao Saner died, while Lu Chuan’s death was merely her speculation.
Si Zhan brushed a strand of hair from her temple, sighing, “Wanwan, I thought we were in sync and would trust each other. But I didn’t expect you to distrust me in this matter…”
Ning Wanwan’s eyes remained silent. Si Zhan was right; she did not trust or understand him regarding Yao Saner.
Si Zhan shook his head, saying, “I don’t need you to understand or apologize, Wanwan. I’m willing to walk through dark places for you and your child to live well in the light.”
“…Okay.”
With her heart somewhat lighter, Ning Wanwan’s morning sickness gradually improved, and her appetite returned, though she felt drowsy all day.
On the winter solstice, Si Suo, unable to sacrifice to Heaven at the Southern Suburb Circular Altar due to health issues, issued an edict for Crown Prince Si Yi, Left Minister Han Sui, and Right Minister Ling Hui to attend in his stead.
After the sacrificial ceremony, a grand court assembly was held in the palace, where the monarch and his ministers enjoyed themselves.
Ning Wan Wan was hesitant to attend the palace banquet, but Si Zhan reassured her she could skip it if she wanted. However, since marrying Si Zhan and his rise in the court, if she didn’t accompany him, she would likely face gossip. Thus, she allowed Fu Yi and Zhan Xiang to dress her and attended in full attire.
Fortunately, her pregnancy remained a secret, as her thick dress concealed her belly. Without close observation, one would not realize she was over four months pregnant.
As Si Zhan held her hand and entered the main hall, many officials approached them. Aware that Ning Wan Wan could not stand long, Si Zhan responded casually and took her directly to their seats.
When the feast began, she noticed that both Si Suo and Ling Zi Ru were present. They were elegantly dressed, but Si Yi looked pale, unable to hide his sickly appearance. Ling Zi Ru’s makeup was as exquisite as always, yet Ning Wan Wan observed that she appeared to have aged significantly, with prominent red blood vessels in her eyes.
On the surface, they still appeared to be a loving mother and son.
Halfway through dinner, Ling Zi Ru felt unwell and left, supported by palace maids. The officials and noble women quietly ate until Si Suo announced, “everyone may proceed freely,” after which they began to chat and drink.
Ning Wan Wan, unable to tolerate greasy food, ate a few light dishes before putting down her chopsticks and standing up to get some air. She nodded to the noble women as an apology, and Fu Yi quickly supported her as they left the main hall.
As they stepped out, Yuan Zhu appeared on Ning Wan Wan’s other side, startling Fu Yi. The three of them walked through the back garden and encountered a group of palace maids escorting the pearl-adorned Crown Princess Shao Yin.
“Royal Sister-in-law, do you think my hidden weapons are more impressive, or are some people’s glib tongues more impressive?” Yuan Zhu asked, looking at Ning Wanwan innocently.
Ning Wanwan laughed, “Naturally, your hidden weapons are more impressive.”
“But my most impressive skill isn’t hidden weapons,” Yuan Zhu replied, smiling at Shao Yin, “It’s lightness kung fu. I could take an enemy’s head in the midst of ten thousand soldiers. Next time if Royal Sister-in-law is interested, I can cut off a head for you to play with?”
Shao Yin was startled by Yuan Zhu’s threat, covering her neck and stepping back.
Ning Wanwan didn’t want to dwell on the matter and prepared to leave, and this time Shao Yin didn’t obstruct her.
As they passed each other, Ning Wanwan paused, believing Shao Yin’s jealousy stemmed from Si Yi’s behavior. She felt discussing Si Yi further would be futile. Instead, she decided to clarify things with Shao Yin to prevent future conflict.
“Shao Yin, you are now the Crown Princess, and I am the Princess Consort of Prince Yi, Si Zhan’s wife. I will always be faithful to my husband, and no one can tear us apart,” she said, “Instead of dwelling on impossible things, focus on winning your husband’s heart.”
