The Princess of Pingyang saw the physician running out and was about to lose her temper when she felt her hand being grasped.
She looked down at the bed and saw the Prince of Pingyang staring fixedly at her.
Years of marriage allowed the Princess to understand her husband's meaning instantly.
She gave her husband a slight nod.
Over a dozen physicians came and went from Pingyang Manor, each leaving while shaking their heads incessantly.
This led onlookers outside to speculate widely that the Prince of Pingyang was surely done for!
As one physician exited the manor, a bold individual approached and asked a couple of questions.
"That jinx caused the Prince to vomit blood, and he's on the verge of death. The jinx herself was also struck by the backlash and fell unconscious."
The physician finished with a sigh and hurried away.
Those who heard immediately passed the words on to others.
From one to ten, from ten to a hundred, by the time the story spread, it had completely transformed.
Some said Duoduo was a man-eating demon who had ripped open the Prince's belly, spilling his intestines all over the ground.
Others claimed the Prince and Duoduo were mutually destructive forces, with the Prince causing Duoduo to vomit blood, leaving her also unlikely to survive.
In any case, the situation grew more exaggerated, and the tales became increasingly outrageous.
For a time, people passing by Pingyang Manor would cover their faces with their sleeves and scurry away at a trot.
Fearful that if they ran too slowly, demons and monsters from the manor would seize them and devour them!
At this moment, inside Pingyang Manor, the Prince was leaning against the headboard, instructing Lingfeng to hold a small vial under Duoduo's nose.
Duoduo smelled a pungent, foul odor, sneezed, and awoke.
Seeing this, the Princess's face lit up with joy.
"Your Highness, she's awake! The child is awake!" She hurried over and helped Duoduo sit up.
Duoduo was dazed for a moment, but then she remembered what had happened before she fainted.
Her face turned deathly pale. Nervously clutching the Princess's sleeve, she looked fearfully at the Prince on the opposite bed.
"Don't kill me! I'll be good and obedient."
Duoduo was too young. She only knew that Lüdou had told her if she was well-behaved and obedient, her parents would like her.
Although her parents hadn't liked her as Lüdou said they would, she still believed what Lüdou said was true.
Holding the frail Duoduo, the Princess felt her maternal instincts awaken.
"Your Highness, your consort has a request."
The Princess released Duoduo, stood up, and performed a formal kowtow to the Prince.
The Prince looked at his wife kneeling on the floor. He understood perfectly well what she was about to say.
He twisted the jade ring on his finger. "Rise, Princess. We are husband and wife; there is no need for 'requests.'
"All these years, it is I who have failed you. As long as it is not my life you ask for, I shall grant it."
The Princess was stunned.
Keeping Duoduo would endanger the Prince's life.
Yet, driving Duoduo out... the child was so young, and her heart couldn't bear it.
The Princess was torn.
The Prince did not press her, merely continuing to twist the jade ring on his finger.
Finally, the Princess made her decision.
"I beg Your Highness to let this child stay!" After speaking, she gazed fixedly at her husband on the bed.
"Your Highness's life is of utmost importance in your consort's eyes!
"But, as the physician said just now, this child is frail and needs nurturing.
"Your consort's intention is to wait until the child is somewhat recovered, then send her to your consort's estate in the countryside, keeping her far away from Your Highness.
"Your Highness, once the child is better, your consort will personally see her off. I beg Your Highness to grant me this."
Having finished, the Princess kowtowed to her husband once more.
Hearing the Princess plead for her, Duoduo slid off the daybed and knelt beside the Princess, kowtowing to the Prince.
"Lingfeng! Help the Princess up at once," the Prince ordered.
"If Your Highness does not grant my wish, I shall not rise," the Princess said.
The Prince was taken aback. His wife was gentle and virtuous, rarely defying him.
"Your Highness, please let me stay! I can wash clothes and cook... I can learn what I don't know!"
Seeing the Princess helping her, Duoduo hurriedly expressed that she wouldn't be a freeloader.
A flicker of something inscrutable passed through the Prince's eyes as he looked at Duoduo.
"Enough, Princess. I said we are husband and wife. Whatever you ask, I shall agree.
"Rise now. The floor is cold, and your health is not strong. If you fall ill, I will worry."
Hearing her husband's words, the Princess immediately showed delight.
She took Duoduo's hand. "Quick, thank His Highness!"
Duoduo obediently kowtowed to the Prince. "Thank you, Your Highness!"
After kowtowing, Duoduo dutifully helped the Princess to her feet.
"Gurgle..."
A series of sounds emerged from Duoduo's stomach.
Duoduo covered her belly, her face flushing crimson.
The Princess patted her head. "Lingfeng, go out and have them bring in some food."
Lingfeng acknowledged and left.
Shortly after, Lianxin led servants in with the meal.
Lingfeng moved the Prince from the bed to a wheelchair and pushed him to the table.
"Good child, come here."
The Princess beckoned to Duoduo, who hurriedly waved her hands.
"This servant will go out and eat with Lüdou and the others."
Duoduo remembered deeply that she had been sold to the Prince by her father.
How could a servant like her eat at the table with her masters?
The Princess was about to say something when she heard the Prince's cold voice.
"Food tasting!"
Duoduo froze, not understanding what the Prince wanted her to do.
"His Highness wants you to take one bite of each dish. If someone has poisoned the food meant for His Highness, we can discover it in time."
As Lingfeng spoke, he placed a pair of silver chopsticks into Duoduo's palm.
Duoduo understood. She was to be the one who tested for poison.
Taking the chopsticks, Duoduo tasted a bite of every dish.
She also took a small sip of each variety of porridge.
Although each portion was just a small bite or sip, there were over a dozen dishes on the table.
Even the porridges were several kinds.
Duoduo's appetite was small to begin with. After this round of tasting, she was actually full.
"Burp!"
Duoduo hiccuped, quickly covering her mouth, not daring to look up at anyone's face.
Only then did the Prince pick up his chopsticks and begin eating at a leisurely pace.
The Princess beside him wore a face full of smiles.
Since when did the manor have a rule about food tasting?
The Prince was doing this on purpose!
She had said it—the Prince was not a cold-hearted man!
After the meal, maids cleared the dishes, served tea, and left the room.
The Princess sat with her husband for a while, concerned for his health.
"Your Highness, are you feeling any discomfort?"
The Prince looked up. "None at all. Why do you ask?"
The Princess twisted the handkerchief in her hands.
"Today, what those physicians said was too frightening. Your consort's heart has been uneasy, up and down."
The Prince glanced at Duoduo, who stood nearby.
Ever since the meal, Duoduo had been standing behind the Princess, serving tea and water for them both.
Feeling the Prince's gaze, Duoduo flinched reflexively.
Her hands were small, and holding the teapot was already a struggle.
With that jolt, the teapot lid flew off, and hot tea splashed directly onto the Prince of Pingyang's arm.
