Qiu’er felt waves of headaches, suppressing her dizziness and palpitations, trying to listen to the Old Buddha’s words, but gradually losing concentration. Her vision went black, and she fell, feeling no pain.
Hao Li entered, saw Xu Qiu’er’s swaying body, and caught her before laying her on the bed.
Then he smiled at the Old Buddha, “Old Ancestor, did I startle you?”
The Old Buddha glared helplessly, “You scared me to death, you little brat.”
Hao Li looked at Xu Qiu’er and asked, “Who is she?”
The Old Buddha sighed, “This is Qiu’er.” She believed Qiu’er’s fainting must be related to the Crown Prince. The Old Buddha had learned about their relationship from the Empress and knew she shouldn’t interfere too much, as the Crown Prince was also her grandson. Their discord was known throughout the palace, and if reconciliation was impossible, Xu Qing’er’s entry into the palace was inevitable. Looking at Xu Qiu’er’s frail body, the Old Buddha hoped she could see things clearly.
“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.
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.
Why torture herself? This is her life, her precious child. She walked into the sunlight, spread her arms to absorb its warmth, and said:
“Mother, go home. I will take care of myself.”
Seeing Xu Qiu’er suddenly seem like a different person, Lady Xu felt relieved and gave some prenatal medicines to Mama Liu with repeated instructions before leaving.
Xu Qiu’er began to focus all her passion on the life in her belly, imagining what her child would look like after birth. She laughed at herself, thinking she must be sick.
The Prince has brought Xu Qing’er into the palace. Even if Xu Qiu’er doesn’t want to know, someone will inform her. The palace is full of gossip. Today, the consort supposedly wants to talk, but she just wants to see someone more miserable than herself. Xu Qiu’er understands this principle well. After sending away a concubine, she supports her waist and sits down with the help of her maid, feeling much more cumbersome lately.
“Your Highness, the young prince requests an audience.”
Xu Qiu’er doesn’t initially understand which young prince this is. The maid quickly clarifies, “Your Highness, it’s Hao Li, the young prince most beloved by the Emperor and Empress Dowager.” Xu Qiu’er remembers him, though she has never met this young prince.
Feeling tired, she says, “Please send him away. I’m exhausted.”
“Oh, imperial sister-in-law, why are you so unwelcoming?”
Before the maid can relay the message, Hao Li walks in himself. Pulling aside the pearl curtain, he appears before Xu Qiu’er. Xu Qiu’er frowns; this young prince has successfully provoked her anger.
Hao Li casually comments, “Prince brother has been frequenting Xu Qing’er’s quarters lately. I heard her status has been confirmed as Noble Consort.” He watches Xu Qiu’er’s reaction.
Annoyed, Xu Qiu’er turns her gaze away silently.
Unperturbed, Hao Li moves closer and tells the servants, “You may leave. I have some words for Her Highness.”
Xu Qiu’er looks up and asks, “What do you want?”
Hao Li smiles, “What could I do? Imperial sister-in-law, please be at ease. I won’t eat you.”
Suppressing her anger, Xu Qiu’er tells the maids to leave. Once they’re gone, she coldly snorts, “Young Prince, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?”
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.
