Bing’er nodded.
Xu Qing’er grabbed Bing’er’s hand again, emphasizing, ‘You must understand. You must find a way to make the Crown Prince bring Qiu’er here.’
Long Hanjie received the news and hurried back to the palace, feeling anxious. The messenger’s words were unclear—what did his mother mean by leaving this matter to Xu Qiu’er? He didn’t know how Qing’er was doing and quickened his pace, wishing he could fly back.
On the way, he wondered what Xu Qiu’er would do. If his mother wasn’t going to intervene, would Xu Qiu’er harm Qing’er? The thought drove him mad. He considered that if Xu Qiu’er dared to act against Qing’er, he wouldn’t hesitate to ensure that Qiu’er and her unborn child faced the same fate.
When he reached the palace gates, Bing’er was already waiting. Long Hanjie grabbed her shoulders, shaking her angrily and shouting, ‘How could it happen so many days early? Where’s Qing’er? How is she?’
Bing’er suppressed her pain and knelt on the ground. Long Hanjie pulled her up, saying, ‘Let’s talk as we walk.'”
Bing’er cried, “This morning, the young mistress said the sun was nice and wanted to chat with the Crown Princess. But when she went to the Crown Princess’s chambers, something happened. Upon returning, the servant noticed she had been crying. The young mistress said she wanted to rest, had lunch, and then started having stomach pains. I went to see the Empress, but who knew…”
Long Hanjie interrupted, “Who knew what?”
Bing’er trembled and replied, “I don’t know what happened, but I was taken to the Crown Princess’s bedchamber. The Crown Princess hit me without explanation. I don’t know what I did wrong. Finally, when I mentioned that the young lady had sent someone to inform the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess summoned the imperial physician.”
Long Hanjie stopped and looked at Bing’er, suppressed his anger at her injuries.
Bing’er laughed inwardly. The Crown Princess?
Long Hanjie rushed outside and heard Xu Qing’er’s cry. He wanted to go in but was stopped.
“Your Highness, this is the delivery room. The Crown Prince cannot enter.”
Long Hanjie anxiously asked, “How is she? Qing’er, Qing’er…”
