Chu Ruoyan was startled, and Yulu exclaimed in disbelief, "Is it that serious?"
The physician of the estate said gravely, "I am absolutely not joking. The County Lady's pregnancy was unstable from the start, and her pulse is somewhat unusual compared to others. If she does not rest properly, there is a nine out of ten chance it will not hold!"
These words were extremely grave, causing Nanny Zhou and the others to frown deeply.
After seeing the physician out, Yulu said anxiously, "Miss, please don't concern yourself with outside matters anymore. You must rest and focus on your pregnancy first!"
Upon hearing this, Chu Ruoyan gave a bitter smile.
How could she possibly rest and focus on her pregnancy?
Setting aside Roumin's affairs for now, Song Jia was targeting her second brother and had even used the Feng family to attempt an assassination on the Prince of Qin.
If he succeeded, the Bai Xiao Pavilion would undoubtedly face a bloodbath... and her second brother still hadn't woken up!
After a moment of silent contemplation, she said, "Don't worry, I will be careful. Besides, we still have the old miracle doctor. Perhaps he has a way to protect the pregnancy..."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Heiya vaulted over the wall into the courtyard, reeking of blood. Shadow immediately stepped forward to support him.
"You're injured?" Chu Ruoyan frowned.
Heiya turned his head and spat out a mouthful of blood. "The authorities sent troops to arrest members of the Bai Xiao Pavilion. Fortunately, the Ming Division received the warning in advance, and our people have all withdrawn... I sustained these injuries covering the retreat. It's nothing serious."
Chu Ruoyan's gaze sharpened immediately. "They moved so quickly?"
From the Prince of Qin's assassination attempt to the authorities deploying troops, it had only been a single morning!
Heiya said somberly, "Word has come from the palace. The Prince of Qin's condition is very critical. It seems he had already suffered a covert attack before, and this new injury on top of the old has left the Imperial Hospital at a loss... The Emperor is furious and has vowed to make the Bai Xiao Pavilion pay with their lives. That's why they acted so swiftly!"
Just then, the gatekeeper hurried in. "Eldest Miss, officials from the Ministry of Justice are here. They request an audience with you!"
Chu Ruoyan pressed her fingers to her temples, knowing it must be regarding the Prince of Qin...
"Yulu, help me out to see them."
"But Miss, your condition..." Yulu's eyes reddened, thinking of the physician's warning, tears nearly falling.
Chu Ruoyan took a deep breath. "We must deal with the immediate situation first."
Yulu had no choice but to support her as she went out.
After they left, Nanny Zhou, who had remained silent until now, spoke gravely, "This cannot go on any longer. Guard Shadow, send word to the Young Master!" Shadow was startled. She continued, "The Pavilion Master is unconscious, and the Sixth Young Master is also absent. If this continues, the Young Mistress will be worn down! Send word to the Young Master. Any blame or punishment, this old woman will bear it!"
Shadow nodded emphatically and left.
Main Hall of the Duke of Chu's Estate.
Upon entering, Chu Ruoyan saw Shi Hong standing there. The corner of her mouth curved slightly. "Magistrate Shi, are you alone? Where is my second younger sister?"
Shi Hong bowed in greeting. "County Lady Changle, your younger sister is currently giving a statement at the Ministry of Justice regarding the Prince of Qin's assassination case. She will return once the questioning is complete."
"Is that so? Then I thank Magistrate Shi."
With that, Chu Ruoyan found a pearwood chair and sat down.
She picked up a cup of tea and took a sip, appearing utterly composed.
Shi Hong couldn't help but ask, "County Lady Changle, please forgive my impertinence. The assassin who attempted to murder the Prince of Qin was a member of the Bai Xiao Pavilion. Are you aware of this?"
"Of course I am. Didn't the assassin shout it out at the scene? Everyone present should have heard."
"In that case, this official has also heard that you, County Lady, have been closely associated with the Master of the Bai Xiao Pavilion. Is this true?"
As he spoke, Shi Hong's eyes fixed on her like a hawk's.
Chu Ruoyan knew he was here to probe. Not a trace of emotion showed on her face as she merely smiled. "It's true. I do indeed have ties with the Bai Xiao Pavilion."
As soon as the words left her mouth, a group of people rushed in from outside.
They were constables from the Ministry of Justice. One of them said, "Sir, she has confessed!"
"Withdraw!" Shi Hong barked sharply. Chu Ruoyan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? Is Magistrate Shi here to make an arrest?"
Shi Hong's face turned ashen. He wanted to investigate the truth, but he wasn't foolish enough to barge into the Duke's estate and arrest the wife of the current Chief Grand Councilor!
"All of you, withdraw!!"
Only then did the constables retreat from the main hall. Chu Ruoyan gave a light laugh. "Magistrate Shi is an intelligent man, so I will speak plainly. In the capital, I am not the only one with close ties to the Bai Xiao Pavilion, am I? What, does Magistrate Shi intend to arrest and interrogate every single one of them at the Ministry of Justice?"
Shi Hong frowned. "But you were the only one present at the scene..."
"If I were truly in league with that assassin, why would I have sent people to rescue the Prince of Qin? Magistrate Shi, your suspicion is quite unreasonable!"
Shi Hong was left speechless, not daring to say this was the Emperor's instruction.
For some reason, the Emperor had told him to pay close attention to the Duke of Chu's estate, especially this eldest daughter of the Chu family.
Seeing the flicker in his eyes, Chu Ruoyan vaguely guessed a thing or two.
Indeed, although they had muddled through with the blood test, a seed of doubt had been planted in the mind of the suspicious Emperor!
Just as she was about to speak, Cao Yang's voice came from outside. "Magistrate Shi, the truth is now clear. The attempt on the Prince of Qin's life was not by the Bai Xiao Pavilion, but by the Feng family, whom His Majesty had exterminated. The Feng clan member has now confessed. You may return to the Ministry of Justice to close the case."
Shi Hong was astonished and turned around. "Vice Chief Councilor Cao? Why have you come in person?"
Cao Yang said, "His Majesty is particularly concerned about this case and has placed me in full charge. Magistrate Shi, please return to the Ministry first to review the confession."
Shi Hong had no choice but to leave.
Chu Ruoyan breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Uncle!"
Cao Yang shook his head. "You thank me too soon. The Prince of Qin's injuries are extremely severe. Chief Physician Zhang says he might not make it through tomorrow... The Emperor and the Empress Dowager are furious. They have explicitly stated that if the Prince of Qin cannot be saved, not only will Chief Physician Zhang lose his head, but your second younger sister will also be buried with him."
"What?!"
Chu Ruoyan was shocked. "What does this have to do with my second sister? If she hadn't risked her life to save him, the Prince of Qin would have died on the spot!"
"While that may be true, only the two of them were present at the time, and the Prince of Qin was already unconscious. Who can prove it? Moreover, the Empress Dowager believes it was your second sister's private meeting with the Prince of Qin that gave the assassin an opportunity..."
Cao Yang frowned as he spoke, clearly also having reservations about this.
Chu Ruoyan let out a cold laugh of disbelief. After a moment, she asked, "Is Father still at the palace pleading for mercy?"
Cao Yang nodded and sighed. "The Emperor told him that your second sister is not his biological daughter and that he should not plead for the sake of another family's child. He is still kneeling outside the audience hall."
A flash of coldness passed through Chu Ruoyan's eyes, and a faint pain immediately stirred in her abdomen.
She quickly took a deep breath to calm herself. "Thank you, Uncle, for coming to inform us. We will think of another way."
Cao Yang gave a noncommittal sound. As he reached the doorway, he added, "If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. Go to your aunt."
A warmth spread in Chu Ruoyan's heart. "Thank you, Uncle!"
Late that night, Chu Huaishan returned very late.
Lady Jiang the Younger had been waiting at the main gate. Seeing him, she rushed forward eagerly. "Husband, has His Majesty relented?"
Chu Huaishan closed his eyes and shook his head heavily.
Lady Jiang the Younger swayed, nearly fainting. "Ruoyin, my Ruoyin!"
Chu Huaishan held her. "Don't worry. The Prince of Qin is still alive for now, and Ruoyin is also safe. I will go to the palace again first thing tomorrow morning. The Emperor is not an unreasonable man; he is just constrained by the Empress Dowager and forced into this position. Tomorrow..."
Before he could finish, he looked up to see his eldest daughter walking out, a cloak draped over her shoulders and a hood covering her head.
He couldn't help but frown. "Yan'er? Where are you going so late at night?"
