“Oh?” Hao Li raised an eyebrow. How coincidental.
Does Xu Qiu’er, who looks delicate, really have as deep a scheming mind as Xu Qing’er claims? Who between the two of them truly has the deeper schemes?
Hao Li was lost in thought when the Old Buddha asked, “Hao Li?”
Snapping out of it, he replied, “Ah, yes, Old Ancestor, you were saying.”
The Old Buddha sighed, “What are you thinking about?”
Hao Li gave a perfunctory response.
The imperial physician checked Xu Qiu’er’s pulse before coming to the outer hall.
“How is she? What illness does she have?”
The Old Buddha asked with slight concern.
The imperial physician knelt down and proclaimed, “Congratulations to the Old Buddha! The Crown Princess is pregnant.”
Hearing this, the Old Buddha’s unhappiness vanished as she joyfully waved her hand, “Reward, reward…”
Hao Li’s gaze shifted to Xu Qiu’er lying on the bed.
Having already awakened after the physician left, Xu Qiu’er had heard everything but didn’t want to think about it. Since entering the palace, she and Long Hanjie had only slept together on their wedding night, while he always slept in the Crown Prince’s chambers. She thought it must have been that time at the Xu residence, and her hands clenched into tight fists. This child should not have come.
The Empress Dowager approached with a smile, holding Qiu’er’s hand, “Qiu’er, I know you’re awake. Since you don’t want to open your eyes, I won’t force you. This is the Crown Prince’s first child, so you must take care of yourself. I will ensure he treats you well.”
Xu Qiu’er knew she should open her eyes and speak to the Old Buddha, but she felt too tired and exhausted. She preferred to pretend she knew nothing, disdainfully thinking: The first child? She would neither be the first nor the last.
The news of the Crown Princess’s pregnancy spread quickly throughout the palace.
From the Emperor and Empress to the concubines in all the palaces, everyone sent gifts. Xu Qiu’er lay quietly, ordering her maids to put everything away without even glancing at them.
