The palace doors flew open, revealing the scene inside in full.
The thunderous crash of the doors being kicked open made the two disheveled figures within jolt in alarm.
The Eighth Prince whipped around. The moment he saw the figure in imperial yellow standing in the doorway, the color drained from his face. His pupils contracted sharply, and he went rigid all over, as though someone had dumped a basin of ice water over his head.
Then a piercing, shrill scream rang out—
“Ah—!”
Emperor Pingkang glared. “Silence!”
Chief Eunuch Cheng’s expression darkened. With a wave of his hand, two burly eunuchs immediately stepped forward and seized He Wan by the arms. One of them swiftly pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve and, without ceremony, stuffed it into her mouth.
Her scream cut off abruptly, leaving only muffled, trembling whimpers. It was as though every ounce of strength had been drained from her body. Only her wide, staring eyes remained, filled with terror and despair.
The Eighth Prince scrambled off the couch and dropped to his knees with a thud. He wore only an inner robe on his upper body, its front hanging wide open; he had not even had time to fasten it. He knelt there in utter disarray on the icy brick floor, oblivious even to the pain shooting through his knees.
“F-Father Emperor—” His voice shook violently, his teeth chattering as he slammed his forehead against the floor. “Your son, your son—”
Emperor Pingkang’s gaze settled on the Eighth Prince kneeling before him.
That face, which he had once found rather pleasing, now held nothing but panic and humiliation.
“You disgraceful wretch!” Emperor Pingkang raised a foot and kicked him.
The Eighth Prince was sent sprawling, but he did not dare evade the blow. He hurriedly crawled back up, pressing his forehead to the floor without daring to raise his head, and repeatedly kowtowed. “Father Emperor, please calm your anger! Your son—your son—”
Suddenly, he looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, and pointed at He Wan, who was being held by the eunuchs. His voice was both urgent and fierce. “It was her! Father Emperor, she seduced your son! Your son—your son never meant to do it!”
As he spoke, he shuffled forward on his knees and clutched at Emperor Pingkang’s leg. “Father Emperor, see the truth! It was Cousin—she said she had something to discuss with your son. Your son thought, thought that she was family, and it would not be right to refuse her outright, so I came here. But who could have known that the moment I entered, she—she—”
He spoke so rapidly that he seemed almost unable to breathe, his words tumbling out in a frantic mess. Yet the more he spoke, the more justified he began to feel.
Yes. That was exactly how it had happened.
He truly had not intended to do anything with He Wan today.
It was He Wan who insisted on seeing him. He had not wanted to pay her any attention, but he feared she might cause a scene—and at such a critical moment, no less—so he had slipped away during the banquet to come here in secret.
But the moment he entered, she had thrown herself at him, repeatedly asking what they were going to do...
Her questions had irritated him. How was he supposed to know what to do? If she had not pushed him so relentlessly before, he would never have suddenly decided it might be best simply to kill the Seventh Prince and put an end to everything. Now he was left living in constant fear...
He had offered her a few perfunctory words of comfort, wanting only to send her away as quickly as possible before anyone discovered them.
But she refused to leave. As they spoke, her eyes had reddened, and then she moved closer...
He had assumed that everyone would be attending the banquet in Hanyuan Hall tonight, and that no one would come to this secluded place. Who could have imagined...
As these thoughts raced through his mind in terror, his grip around Emperor Pingkang’s leg tightened. He continued to plead desperately, “Father Emperor, I truly didn’t want this! It was Cousin He—she, she came on to me! She seduced me! Your son lost his head for a moment and failed to restrain himself—”
His voice rose higher and higher as he placed all the blame on He Wan, as though that could absolve him of any wrongdoing.
Held fast between two attendants, He Wan suddenly went rigid at his words. Her eyes widened as she stared at the Eighth Prince. The terror in her gaze gradually gave way to stunned disbelief. She tried to say something, but only muffled whimpers escaped her lips. Her body struggled violently against their hold.
Emperor Pingkang’s face was frighteningly grim. Looking down at the disheveled Eighth Prince clinging to his leg, his chest heaving, he was about to speak when hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the hall.
Chief Eunuch Cheng glanced toward the entrance and immediately bowed. “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.”
No sooner had he spoken than Cui Yu appeared in the doorway.
His gaze swept across the hall, and his expression darkened sharply. He stepped forward and bowed to Emperor Pingkang. “Your son pays his respects to Father Emperor.”
Emperor Pingkang’s expression shifted slightly. “Why has the Crown Prince come?”
Cui Yu straightened, his face composed, though his voice carried a note of concern. “In reply to Father Emperor, your son had just gone to change clothes when I heard shrill cries coming from this direction. Then I heard from the eunuchs in the side hall that Father Emperor had come this way. Concerned for Your Majesty’s safety, I came to see for myself.”
At this, the furrow between Emperor Pingkang’s brows eased slightly.
But then... he lowered his eyes again to the Eighth Prince, who was still clutching his leg. The slight relaxation in his brow vanished at once, knotting more tightly than before as his expression turned even uglier.
Cui Yu’s gaze also fell upon the Eighth Prince. Seeing his disheveled, wretched state, his face grew cold.
Emperor Pingkang drew a deep breath. “Drag her away.”
Chief Eunuch Cheng immediately understood. He waved a hand toward the two eunuchs holding He Wan.
The two eunuchs promptly dragged He Wan outside. Her mouth was gagged, leaving her unable to make a sound. Her eyes alone remained fixed on the Eighth Prince, and soon she disappeared beyond the hall doors.
The Eighth Prince, however, kept his head bowed tightly, not daring to utter a word.
Silence descended over the hall.
Emperor Pingkang looked down at the Eighth Prince kneeling on the floor, his chest rising and falling unevenly.
Cui Yu lowered his gaze, concealing the emotion in his eyes, then looked at the Eighth Prince and spoke in a grave voice. “Eighth Brother.”
The Eighth Prince’s body jerked stiffly.
“To commit such an act, heedless of the royal family’s dignity,” Cui Yu said coldly, “if word of this were to spread, where would Father Emperor’s honor be? Where would the honor of the imperial house remain? Have you given that any thought?”
The Eighth Prince’s face turned red, then pale, then red again. Prostrate on the floor, he could not say a word; he only trembled more violently.
At Cui Yu’s words, Emperor Pingkang’s expression darkened further.
The Crown Prince was right. If this matter spread, it would disgrace the imperial family—disgrace him!
His expression grew increasingly grim, the fire in his chest burning ever hotter.
“Guards!”
His voice suddenly rose.
Several eunuchs immediately entered from outside the hall, standing with their hands lowered as they awaited orders.
“Take this unfilial son away as well!” Emperor Pingkang pointed at the Eighth Prince, his voice harsh and severe. “Without my decree, no one is permitted to visit him!”
The Eighth Prince jerked his head up, his face deathly pale. His lips trembled as he tried to speak. “Father! Father! Your son knows his error! Your son—”
At a look from Chief Eunuch Cheng, eunuchs stepped forward at once and gagged him.
At last, the hall fell completely silent.
Emperor Pingkang remained where he stood, his chest still heaving, his face ashen with fury. Anger still lingered in his voice as he declared, “He Wan... for offending the imperial person and harboring malicious intent, shall be granted a white silk cord.”
Cui Yu stood at the side, his expression unchanged. He merely lowered his eyes slightly and said nothing.
Yet after speaking, Emperor Pingkang’s brow furrowed even more deeply.
The Eighth Prince...
He had always treated this son as his youngest. The boy had been adorable as a child and sweet-tongued besides. In his heart, he did have some affection for him...
His brows drawn tight, he remained silent for a long while before suddenly turning to Cui Yu.
“Crown Prince,” he said in a low voice, “what do you think... should be done with the Eighth Prince?”
Chief Eunuch Cheng, standing nearby, could not help lowering his head slightly at the question.
His Majesty was asking the Crown Prince for his opinion on this matter...
Cui Yu’s expression did not change. In a grave voice, he replied, “For Eighth Brother to commit such an act, one that defies both morality and familial bonds, is already a grave offense. Should word spread, it would bring disgrace upon the imperial family and make us the laughingstock of the realm.”
“This is a matter of great consequence and cannot be treated lightly. Given Eighth Brother’s temperament, who knows what greater disaster he may cause in the future? However...”
He paused, then raised his eyes to Emperor Pingkang.
“As for how he should be punished, this son dares not presume to offer an opinion. I leave the decision entirely to Father.”
Emperor Pingkang’s face darkened further at these words. “The Eighth Prince... shall be confined to his residence. Without my decree, he is not to leave. The formal edict will be issued in a few days.”
Chief Eunuch Cheng hastened to acknowledge the order.
Having delivered the command with an iron expression, Emperor Pingkang turned to leave.
But Cui Yu spoke up just then. “Father, Seventh Brother has suffered both humiliation and injury in this matter. Perhaps Father might grant him some reward or title, to offer him comfort.”
Emperor Pingkang’s gaze grew somewhat complicated. “You are thoughtful.”
Had the Crown Prince pleaded on behalf of the Sixth Prince, he might have harbored suspicions, thinking the Crown Prince intended to win the Sixth Prince over. But the Seventh Prince...
The Seventh Prince had no maternal family to support him. He was also a useless good-for-nothing, incapable of anything, and wore such a gloomy expression all day that he was hardly likable.
The Crown Prince had never been particularly close to the Seventh Prince. Yet he was willing to speak for him...
At least he valued loyalty and affection.
Better than being cold-hearted, sharp, and devoid of kindness.
Emperor Pingkang said, “Since the Crown Prince has spoken for him... in a few days, the Seventh Prince shall be invested as a Prince of the Commandery.”
After Emperor Pingkang had departed, Cui Yu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his gaze had returned to perfect calm.
“Zheng Yuande.”
“This servant is here.” Zheng Yuande immediately stepped forward.
Cui Yu swept his eyes over the hall, lowering his voice until it was barely audible.
“Clean it up.”
“Yes.” Zheng Yuande promptly answered in a low voice.
*
Cui Yu did not return to Hanyuan Hall at once.
When the doors were pushed open, the Seventh Prince was reclining against a cushioned couch, his face still pale. Hearing the sound, he raised his head. “Your Highness, the Crown Prince…”
Cui Yu walked to the couch but did not sit. He merely stood there, looking down at him.
The Seventh Prince lowered his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the bedding.
“The people on He Wan’s side have already been dealt with,” Cui Yu said evenly. “What happened tonight ends here.”
The Seventh Prince’s body stiffened slightly. His lips moved, yet no words came out.
After a brief silence, Cui Yu suddenly said, “I have already had Imperial Physician Director Lu, who remained in the capital, examine your mother.”
The Seventh Prince abruptly looked up. The desolation in his eyes was shattered by a glimmer of disbelief. He stared wide-eyed at Cui Yu, his lips trembling faintly, as though he wanted to say something but could not quite believe it.
“Imperial Physician Director Lu says that, so long as she recuperates properly, your mother’s life is not in danger.” Cui Yu’s voice softened somewhat. “From now on, Imperial Physician Director Lu will take her pulse every three days. You need not worry.”
The Seventh Prince’s eyes immediately reddened.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince…” He opened his mouth, but it was as though something had lodged in his throat, and he could not force out another word. Struggling to rise, he was stopped when Cui Yu pressed a hand to his shoulder.
Cui Yu looked at him. “Recover well from your injuries.”
At last, tears fell from the Seventh Prince’s eyes, silently striking the bedding. He did not allow himself to make a sound. He only nodded hard, gazing steadily at Cui Yu as he said hoarsely, “Thank you, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Cui Yu glanced at him. Without another word, he turned and left the hall.
Behind him, the Seventh Prince’s fingers slowly loosened their grip on the bedding, then clenched again, then loosened—over and over. His tears would not stop. At last, in the empty hall, the faint sound of muffled sobbing, suppressed to the very limit, could be heard…
*
Inside Hanyuan Hall, the lamps burned bright as day, while music from strings and pipes drifted without pause.
Shen Yanshui sat at her place, holding a lotus pastry and nibbling at it absentmindedly. Beside her, Lady Zhang was speaking softly with the Sixth Prince’s secondary consort, occasionally covering her lips to laugh. The atmosphere was, for the most part, quite congenial.
Yet Shen Yanshui’s gaze remained fixed on the opposite side.
The seats of the Eighth Prince and He Wan were still empty.
Then she glanced again toward Lady Shen.
In only this short while, she had noticed that her elder sister’s eyes kept drifting toward the empty seats of the Eighth Prince and He Wan.
And with increasing frequency, the anxiety in her expression grew more apparent...
By now, she was seventy or eighty percent certain: if the Eighth Prince and He Wan had truly met with some mishap tonight, then her elder sister was most likely...
Just as she was lost in thought, she caught sight of a figure returning to the Crown Prince’s seat from the corner of her eye. She quickly turned to look.
The Crown Prince was back.
Cui Yu sat at his place, straight-backed as a pine, his expression as composed as ever, revealing nothing out of the ordinary. He casually lifted the wine cup from the table before him. As though sensing her gaze, he turned his head slightly and looked her way.
Their eyes met amid the glow of the lamps.
When Shen Yanshui saw him look her way, the heart she had been holding tight finally settled. Whatever happened between the Eighth Prince and He Wan was none of her concern—after all, the Crown Prince was here.
From afar, Cui Yu caught sight of her, and the coldness in his eyes eased somewhat.
With the Crown Prince’s return, the atmosphere in the hall seemed to come alive again. Seeing him resume his seat, several court officials raised their cups and stepped forward to offer toasts.
Cui Yu responded with an indifferent expression, taking only shallow sips of wine—neither warm nor overtly dismissive.
The Sixth Prince’s eyes darkened slightly. As if by chance, he glanced in Lady Shen’s direction.
Sensing that gaze, Lady Shen’s lashes trembled faintly. She lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea, suppressing the growing agitation and unease in her heart.
Why was there still no news?
She had waited for most of the evening, anxiety gnawing at her, yet there had been no word at all of anything happening between the Eighth Prince and He Wan.
She clearly remembered...
It should have been at tonight’s banquet that the Eighth Prince and He Wan’s illicit affair was discovered. The scandal had caused an enormous uproar, shocking the entire court. Though she had not been at the imperial residence at the time and did not know the exact details, the incident had definitely occurred.
So why was nothing happening?
Without thinking, she glanced once more toward the doors of the hall, her fingers twisting tightly around her handkerchief.
The longer it dragged on, the more uneasy she became.
Beside her, the Seventh Princess was eating fruit. When she looked up and saw Lady Shen in such a state, she could not help finding it strange. Tilting her head, she asked, “What is wrong, Lady Shen? You seem rather distracted.”
Lady Shen stiffened slightly at the question. Then she came back to herself and quickly put on a smile. “Your Highness has mistaken it...”
The Seventh Princess blinked. Seeing that Lady Shen’s expression appeared normal, she asked no further questions and turned back to continue speaking with the other princesses.
Yet Lady Shen waited and waited, until the banquet finally ended, and still nothing happened...
Lady Shen returned to her courtyard with a grim expression.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, the Crown Princess had supposedly suffered a miscarriage, and now there was the matter of the Seventh Prince... This proved that the events from her dreams had originally been destined to happen.
Then the affair between the Eighth Prince and He Wan should have happened as well... So where had it gone wrong?!
If every event could change because of her presence, then—what about the Sixth Prince ascending the throne?
Could that, too, change because of her?
Her face went deathly pale. Her hands began to tremble, and soon her entire body was shaking.
No. She could not panic.
She took a deep breath, then another, forcing herself to calm down.
Seeing her like this, Xiangmo immediately grew anxious. “My lady? What is wrong?”
“Nothing,” Lady Shen said, sitting on the couch, her face still pale. Looking at Xiangmo, she suddenly lowered her voice. “Go... discreetly inquire about any news concerning the Eighth Prince and He Wan at tonight’s banquet.”
Xiangmo paused, confused, but still answered, “Yes. This servant will go at once.”
“Be careful,” Lady Shen added. “Do not let anyone notice.”
“This servant understands.” Xiangmo nodded and quietly withdrew.
The chamber fell silent once more.
Lady Shen reclined against the daybed with her eyes closed, her fingers absently stroking the jade bangle around her wrist as her thoughts raced.
This turn of events was far too significant. It was gradually slipping beyond her control, making her increasingly uneasy...
She could not remain so passive any longer!
The Sixth Prince...
She touched her abdomen, and her heart immediately began to race. Only after taking a deep breath did she manage to suppress its frantic pounding.
Whether or not the matter between the Eighth Prince and He Wan had caused a great stir today, now that something had happened to the Seventh Prince... the Sixth Prince would surely come looking for her.
Lady Shen lifted her teacup and took a sip of the tea, which had long since gone cold. The bitter liquid slid down her throat, and her heart gradually steadied.
*
Having just washed and changed after returning to Chengxin Hall, Shen Yanshui emerged from the bathing chamber to find Chunping hurrying in from outside, her face several shades paler than usual.
Shen Yanshui asked in confusion, “What is it?”
Chunping stepped closer and lowered her voice. “My lady, news has just come from His Majesty’s side... Miss He, for some reason, suffered a fit of madness. She offended the imperial presence and harbored improper intentions. His Majesty was enraged and has bestowed... a white silk cord.”
Shen Yanshui was startled. “A white silk cord?” Was she being sentenced to death outright?
He Wan had seemed perfectly fine all along. This supposed fit of madness and offense against the Emperor... was likely no more than a pretext for public consumption.
The real reason...
As she pondered this, a sudden burst of footsteps sounded in the courtyard. A tall figure strode into the room.
“Your Highness!” Shen Yanshui’s eyes lit up. She hurried forward to greet him, then dismissed all the attendants from the room.
Everyone withdrew at once, closing the door behind them. Only the two of them remained.
Shen Yanshui frowned slightly. “Your Highness, Chunping just told me...” Then she asked quietly, “Did His Majesty learn of what happened between her and the Eighth Prince?”
Cui Yu’s expression darkened slightly. He did not answer at once, merely raising an arm around her waist and guiding her to sit with him on the daybed.
“Yes,” he replied in a low voice.
Shen Yanshui thought, As expected.
But if both of them had committed the offense, why was He Wan the only one being punished?
She glanced at his expression and asked softly, “And the Eighth Prince?”
Cui Yu looked at her, his brows dark and solemn. “He has been confined for the time being. An imperial decree will be issued in a few days.”
Shen Yanshui nodded thoughtfully.
He Wan had already been condemned to death. If the Eighth Prince were punished immediately afterward, people would inevitably connect the two incidents.
The Emperor was protecting the imperial family’s reputation.
And yet...
She still had her doubts. Frowning, she could not help muttering under her breath, “Where did they get such nerve? It would have been bad enough to carry on in secret, but to be so impatient even on an occasion like this?”
She truly could not understand it.
The imperial retreat was full of people, and countless eyes had been fixed on the banquet. Yet the two of them had dared to sneak off for a tryst at such a time—were they trying to get themselves killed?
As she muttered, the person beside her remained silent for quite some time.
She turned to look at him, only to find Cui Yu’s expression had darkened slightly, his face complicated.
He said nothing. He merely lifted an arm around her waist and drew her wholly into his embrace.
Leaning against his chest, Shen Yanshui listened to the steady, powerful beat of his heart. She wrapped her arms around his waist and asked softly, “Your Highness?” Her voice was tinged with concern.
The Crown Prince seemed to be in a poor mood tonight. But then again, after something like this happened in one’s family, it would be difficult for anyone to feel happy.
She gently stroked his back in a soothing gesture. “Your Highness...” Don’t be sad.
Cui Yu rested his chin on her shoulder. After a long silence, he finally spoke in a low voice. “...It was Seventh Brother’s doing.”
“...What?”
Shen Yanshui’s eyes widened abruptly. For a moment, she nearly thought she had misheard.
It had been... the Seventh Prince?!
So the Emperor catching the Eighth Prince and He Wan in their illicit affair had not been a coincidence at all—it had been arranged by the Seventh Prince?
“Then last time...” Had the Seventh Prince really deliberately allowed them to see it? She instinctively looked toward the Crown Prince.
Cui Yu seemed to understand the question in her eyes. His expression darkened, and he gave a slight nod.
Shen Yanshui: “...”
Though she had suspected as much, having it confirmed still left her deeply shocked.
She had thought the Seventh Prince was a pitiful little soul, bullied by others—without the support of his maternal family, unloved by the Emperor, gloomy and reticent by nature, with even the servants around him daring to look down on him.
But now it seemed—
How could anyone who had survived in the palace truly be some innocent, kind-hearted little white flower?
Still... the Seventh Prince could not be blamed for this.
Even a saint, subjected to such humiliation, would probably turn dark.
“Then has His Majesty offered the Seventh Prince any compensation?”
Having suffered such injustice, surely Emperor Pingkang ought to make some gesture. In fact... she could not help suspecting that the Seventh Prince’s injury today might also have been the work of the Eighth Prince or He Wan.
The Crown Prince’s voice came from above her head, low and calm. “In a few days, Father Emperor will confer upon Seventh Brother the title of Prince of An.”
Shen Yanshui thought: That could be considered a measure of compensation.
After all, as far as she knew, the princes of Great Yong received their titles step by step. They were not made imperial princes from birth.
Usually, princes were granted the title of Commandery Duke at fifteen or sixteen. If nothing unexpected happened, they would be elevated to Commandery Prince around the time of their marriage. To be made an Imperial Prince, however, one generally needed some accomplishment to one’s name—or simply enough seniority.
At present, the First Prince, Second Prince, and Fourth Prince were only Commandery Princes. The Sixth Prince and Eighth Prince, being unmarried, held only the rank of Commandery Duke. As for the blind Fifth Prince and the Seventh Prince... neither had yet received a title.
Cui Yu lowered his gaze to her, his voice somewhat subdued. “What happened today is for you to know and no one else, A-Yan.”
Shen Yanshui paused slightly, then nodded. “I understand.” She knew the importance of discretion.
*
More than half a month later, news arrived that the Seventh Prince had been invested as Prince of An. Shen Yanshui was just preparing to go out and pick apricots.
She had not expected that news of the Eighth Prince’s punishment had yet to arrive, while the news of the Seventh Prince’s elevation came first.
“Prince of An?” It was quite a pleasant-sounding title.
Previously, He Wan’s being granted a white silk cord had not caused much of a stir at the imperial summer residence. Whether the He family had learned something, she did not know, but in any case, they had been remarkably quiet.
Yet after this incident, noticeably fewer people from the various residences ventured out for leisure.
She had originally wanted to invite Sister Xu, Lady Zhang, and the others to have a barbecue, take a boat out on the lake, and watch an opera. The imperial retreat even kept its own little opera troupe, and she had heard that their singing was excellent. But...
Although more than half a month had passed since the incident with the Eighth Prince, no formal imperial decree had been issued. It was like a time bomb waiting to go off.
What if they went boating and watched a performance one moment, only for the decree to be announced the next? If word reached Emperor Pingkang’s ears that his son had been punished while his daughters-in-law were merrily enjoying themselves, well—what a fine way to earn his resentment for nothing.
So she gave up on the idea.
Nor did she dare make any sort of fuss over the matter. Each day, she simply took Chunping or Dongyi out for a walk and used her ability to nurture several fruit trees she had discovered within the imperial retreat.
They were all wild fruit trees, left untended year after year. Most of the fruit they bore had been small, sour, and astringent. But after being nourished by her ability for some time, the fruit had become increasingly plump and juicy. Just thinking about them made her mouth water.
Then there was... Her Majesty the Empress.
During the hunt last time, Shen Yanshui had sat beside Her Majesty the Empress. Later, the Empress had summoned her for a private conversation. On both occasions, Shen Yanshui had sensed that the Empress’s health was still not very good.
Outwardly, she looked rather well, and Shen Yanshui had heard that her condition had improved considerably in recent days. Yet when Shen Yanshui examined her with her ability, she could sense that, although the Empress’s internal organs had not deteriorated further since the Dragon Boat Festival—and had even improved slightly—they were still far from healthy.
She had never taken Her Majesty the Empress’s pulse. With the little medical knowledge she had taught herself, she knew she could not compare to the imperial physicians. Perhaps she was simply overthinking things...
Still, in the end, she had sent some of her ability into the Empress’s body. But it was only a drop in the bucket. Her ability was plant-based; while it contained vitality, it could only treat the symptoms, not the root cause.
It was not like a healing ability that could directly cure an illness. At most, it could temporarily ease certain symptoms, strengthen the body’s foundation, and help it fight the disease more effectively.
That was all.
Whether or not she was worrying unnecessarily, she had decided to find a suitable opportunity to mention Her Majesty the Empress’s health to the Crown Prince.
She would pick some fruit nurtured by her ability and send it to the Empress. Her Majesty would surely like it, and it would be good for her health as well.
“Chunping, Dongyi, bring the baskets. Let’s go take a look at that grove—the apricots should be ripe by now.”
The two promptly agreed.
Shen Yanshui did not walk very quickly along the way. Chunping and Dongyi followed at her side with baskets in hand, glancing at her from time to time, afraid she might stumble or bump into something.
Shen Yanshui: “...”
It had only been two months. Her belly was not showing at all yet.
Still... she lowered her gaze to her still-flat abdomen. There had not been any movement yet, but she had realized... she seemed to be carrying more than one baby.
She had not told the Crown Prince about it yet. Tomorrow was the day the Crown Prince had arranged for her routine checkup, but she planned to tell him the good news today, once he returned.
Thinking of the expression the Crown Prince might wear upon hearing it, she could not help but smile to herself.
Chunping: “...?”
Dongyi: “...??”
The two of them heard their master’s stifled chuckle and couldn’t help exchanging puzzled looks.
What on earth was their master laughing about...?
