Long Hanjie was aware of this news, feeling both regret and excitement. He had not felt this happy when Qing’er was pregnant. However, thoughts of how this child was conceived dampened his joy. He hesitated to see Xu Qiu’er, even as his mother urged him to mind his status. What good would his presence do? Everything was already wrong.
He was also concerned about his mother’s comment that once Xu Qiu’er gave birth, Xu Qing’er could replace her. He found it puzzling that he felt no joy at the prospect. Why had his mother suddenly agreed to let Qing’er enter the palace? If Qing’er replaced Xu Qiu’er, what would happen to her? Coincidentally, Xu Qiu’er became pregnant at this time.
With the warmer days, Xu Qiu’er’s belly grew larger, though Xu Qing’er’s was even bigger. Despite her attempts to ignore it, she could not overlook Qing’er’s significant belly, which made her feel irritable and annoyed. Lady Xu was ordered into the palace, and despite her resolve not to cry, tears filled her eyes when she saw her daughter.
Xu Qiu’er looked terrible, losing hair in clumps, her complexion sallow, and her body nearly skeletal, with only her belly protruding. Sometimes, she wondered if she truly owed Long Hanjie.
“Qiu’er, have some bird’s nest,” Lady Xu offered, understanding her daughter’s thoughts and anger towards Xu Qing’er. Compared to Xu Qiu’er, Xu Qing’er seemed to thrive, showing no signs of distress in the Xu residence. Lady Xu seethed, angry that her daughter suffered in the palace while Xu Qing’er acted arrogantly.
“What’s wrong with Third Sister?” Xu Qiu’er asked, noting her mother’s fierce expression.
At the mention of Qing’er, Lady Xu’s hatred bubbled to the surface. “If Xu Qing’er, that little bitch, has the Empress’s protection and gives birth to a boy…”
Xu Qiu’er calmly drank her mother’s offering. The mother in her memories was always elegant and dignified, unlike the hateful woman before her. Lady Xu likely hated Xu Qing’er even more now.
A boy? Xu Qiu’er thought, even if you give birth to a boy, I have ways to make him a girl.
She caressed her belly, feeling motherhood for the first time.
