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?”
Startled, Xu Qing’er says nothing, knowing he can guess her thoughts. The more silent she is, the guiltier he feels.
Long Hanjie pulls her closer and touches his forehead to hers, asking, “Are you blaming me?”
Xu Qing’er remains silent, tears welling in her eyes as she buries her head in his embrace. He comforts her, saying, “Just be patient, Qing’er. Once you give birth, you can enter the palace, and he will become my future heir.”
She looks up joyfully but is soon consumed by anxiety at the thought that even Long Hanjie assumes it’s a boy. Suddenly, an idea lights up her eyes, and a smile forms at the corner of her mouth.
“What are you scheming, you little clever one?” Long Hanjie asked, relieved by her smile.
Xu Qing’er hugged Long Hanxie’s warm waist and said, “Prince, you forgot that my sister is also pregnant with your child. If you have time, please visit Qiu’er.” Though her words lacked sincerity, she tried to appear magnanimous.
Long Hanxie’s admiration for Xu Qing’er increased somewhat.
After leaving Xu Qing’er, Long Hanxie reflected on her words. He realized he hadn’t visited Xu Qiu’er since her pregnancy. Sighing, he decided to go see her.
At mealtime, Xu Qiu’er was enjoying pig’s trotters, appreciating the miraculous changes in her tastes. A surprised voice interrupted, “Your Highness, the Prince has arrived…”
Instantly, Xu Qiu’er’s appetite vanished. She angrily put down her food and glared at the newcomer.
Upon entering, Long Hanxie saw Xu Qiu’er angrily tossing her pig’s trotters. He recalled the harsh words the harem had for her but noted that she looked quite well, her face rosy and her belly notably large. Disdainfully, he thought, “What can’t you do, Xu Qiu’er?”
Exploiting Qing’er’s kindness with this unnecessary trip, Long Hanxie said nothing while Xu Qiu’er thought, “Why aren’t you dead yet?” She asked, “Prince, do you have something?”
Long Hanxie was furious. He surveyed the messy table and said disdainfully, “Qiu’er has quite an appetite.” He wondered why Xu Qiu’er wasn’t suffering like Qing’er during her pregnancy and wished the sisters could switch places.
Xu Qiu’er rolled her eyes, “Prince, if you have nothing to do, please leave.” She didn’t want to look at him.
Long Hanxie snorted angrily, sweeping his sleeves as he prepared to leave. Before departing, he remarked, “Even if you beg me, I will never come again,” and turned to go.
Crash! A plate was hurled after his retreating back.
Liu Nanny looked worried, softly calling, “Your Highness…”
Xu Qiu’er put down her hand, suppressing her anger.
Liu Nanny understood the dynamics even without Xu Qiu’er saying anything. The Prince’s wife clearly hated the Prince, causing her concern. In the palace, lacking favor led to being forgotten, making life difficult for even the principal wife.
Liu Nanny said:
“Your Highness, even if you don’t care for yourself, you must think of the little young master in your belly. You and the Prince are so stiff with each other…”
Bing’er stepped back in fear, then puffed out her chest, saying, “Our young mistress is about to give birth, and the Crown Prince is not in the palace. You should quickly ask the Crown Princess to find a royal physician for our mistress. Be careful, or the Crown Prince will skin you alive when he returns.”
Xiaoju stepped forward and slapped Bing’er across the face, warning her, “Have you eaten shit? Your mouth is so foul. Come here, give this little bitch a good beating for daring to insult the Crown Princess.”
The nearby eunuchs rushed forward from both sides to restrain Bing’er, attacking her as she screamed. Only when Bing’er’s mouth was swollen did Xiaoju order them to stop. Looking down, she said:
“Bing’er, this is not the mansion. Even though the Third Miss is favored by the Crown Prince, our mistress is the principal wife. Remember that.” She then turned and left with a group of palace maids and eunuchs.
Bing’er lay on the ground, glaring hatefully at the departing figures, her eyes full of vicious intent.
She would not forget what Xiaoju did today.
Xiaoju, aware of the situation, knew she had to inform the young mistress that Xu Qing’er was about to give birth. If something went wrong with the child, the young mistress could face disastrous consequences. She first spoke to Liu Nanny, who promptly sent someone to report to the Empress.
The messenger soon returned, stating that the Empress had declared the matter under the jurisdiction of the Crown Princess. Liu Nanny was somewhat surprised.
Although Xu Qing’er wouldn’t seek Xu Qiu’er’s help, after being rebuffed at the Empress’s palace, she wondered if the old witch sought to discard her child, believing it was a girl. With the Crown Prince absent, Xu Qing’er sent someone to inform Xu Qiu’er. After hearing Bing’er’s description, Xu Qing’er felt an urgency to reach Xu Qiu’er but was in pain, sweating and gripping her belly:
“Go… go… go inform the Crown Prince.”
She hoped to locate the Crown Prince to ensure the child’s safety. If not, she reasoned, Xu Qiu’er would have to bear the blame.
Liu Nanny relayed the Empress’s response verbatim to Xu Qiu’er.
Xu Qiu’er laughed, thinking the Empress must know she was carrying a boy, indicating a reconciliation. It seemed the Empress quickly forgot things not in her favor.
Xu Qiu’er asked, “What’s the situation over there?”
The nanny replied, “The water has broken.”
Xu Qiu’er touched her belly and said, “Go summon the royal physician.”
The nanny shouted at a motionless servant, “Damn servant, what are you standing there for? Didn’t you hear the mistress? Go summon the royal physician.”
The young eunuch hurriedly ran out.
Xu Qiu’er asked about his name.
The nanny thought for a moment and said, “Xiao Lengzi.”
“Xiao Lengzi?” Xu Qiu’er paused.
Liu Nanny laughed, saying he was like a wooden block, brainless, and rarely used his real name.
Xu Qiu’er nodded.
Meanwhile, Xu Qing’er began to have labor pains and her cries spread.
Frantically, she grabbed Bing’er’s hand and asked, “Where is the Crown Prince?”
