Hao Li gently places his hand on Xu Qiu’er’s shoulder. Reacting quickly, she stands up abruptly, staring at him in disbelief. Is he harassing this pregnant woman? Xu Qiu’er hugs her belly, feeling some pain.
She gently strokes her stomach, and perhaps due to maternal intuition, the baby stops moving. She thinks the child is quite mischievous.
Hao Li observes her, noting that she is different from the person Xu Qing’er described. He withdraws his hand and lowers his eyes, asking, “Aren’t you afraid of Xu Qing’er entering the palace?” He’s curious if two sisters married to the same man can truly be harmonious.
Xu Qiu’er, without looking at him, replies coldly, “If the Young Prince has come to discuss such matters, I’m tired. Please leave.”
Hao Li thinks she’s quite fiery and casually warns, “Be careful of Xu Qing’er. She’s not an easy person.” He questions why he’s being so meddlesome but shrugs it off as he turns to leave, pondering that Xu Qiu’er doesn’t seem well off either, given his brother’s infatuation with Xu Qing’er.
Xu Qiu’er slowly sits, reflecting on Hao Li’s words. While she had previously resented Xu Qing’er, she now finds no use for resentment. As long as her child is by her side, she can forget the past.
Stroking her belly, she smiles and says, “Baby, be good. Mommy’s good baby.”
Unlike Xu Qiu’er’s relaxed attitude, Xu Qing’er is not doing well.
Although the Prince stays in her chamber every night, Xu Qing’er is not officially recognized or given a proper title. She worries about the child in her belly—if it’s a boy, things will be fine, but what if it’s a girl? Anxiously biting her nails, she thinks that it absolutely cannot be a girl. If Xu Qiu’er gives birth to a boy, then what? This thought makes her restless, and she feels a pressing need to find a solution.
Long Hanjie enters and notices Xu Qing’er’s furrowed brow. He sighs, understanding her concerns. Only after the birth can she legitimately enter the palace. Approaching her from behind, he embraces her belly, asking, “What are you thinking about?”
