Chapter 294: Feeling Like She Swallowed a Fly

Chapter 294: Feeling Like She Swallowed a Fly

Upon hearing Qiu Ling and Ling Long's concern for Li Bihan, Lu Lingyun's lips twitched into a faint smile.

"You two seem to have grown quite close to Concubine Li lately," she remarked.

At this, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Qiu Ling's face. She quickly put on a bright, ingratiating smile and said, "Young mistress, Concubine Li is very well-behaved!"

"Yes, she’s very obedient and knows her place well," Ling Long also spoke up for Bishuo.

Ling Long had received the most favor from the shared attention.

Bishuo had even confided in her privately, speaking with utmost sincerity, saying that the young mistress's position in the household was unshakable, and that Aunt Qiu had children to rely on. Only the two of them were in a tough spot, and they should support each other. She was willing to share some of the master’s attention with her, urging her to make the most of it.

Having seen Bishuo send the master back to Yaoguang Pavilion several times, Ling Long was genuinely moved. Her impression of Bishuo had completely changed. Now, whenever she got something nice or valuable, she’d think of Li Bihan and share it with her.

Seeing Lu Lingyun’s questioning look, Ling Long quickly defended Li Bihan.

Lu Lingyun looked at them both, "Why hasn’t Concubine Li shown up yet?"

"Yes, why hasn’t Concubine Li come?"

"Could she be feeling unwell again because of the cold weather?"

At that moment, Xiao Ju from Bishui Pavilion ran over, "Young mistress, Concubine Li said she just had a check-up with Dr. Liu a couple of days ago. It’s the same old problems, and she’s still being treated. Today, she’s feeling especially cold and unwell, so she won’t be coming."

"If she’s that cold, tell her to bundle up and stay warm," Qiu Ling said.

"If she’s already been checked, there’s no need to go again," Ling Long added.

"Thank you for your concern, madams," Xiao Ju glanced up, "Concubine Li will come to apologize to the young mistress when she’s better."

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun said, "No need for apologies. Since your mistress is unwell and the doctor’s here, it wouldn’t hurt to have another look. Besides, I have some time now. Let’s all go check on Concubine Li together."

Lu Lingyun's words immediately caused Xiao Ju to panic.

Qiu Ling and Ling Long, however, agreed without hesitation, "Yes, let's go together and check on Concubine Li."

"Young mistress, Aunt Qiu, Ling Long, Concubine Li seems to have caught a cold and is coughing in her room. She doesn’t want to get you sick. Maybe the doctor should go alone," Xiao Ju said, recalling Li Bihan's instructions.

Earlier in Bishui Pavilion, Li Bihan had carefully instructed her on what to say.

She also warned that if things didn’t go well today, she’d send her to the young mistress’s courtyard. With so many maids there, she’d only get the lowest, most menial tasks. She didn't want to work in the main courtyard.

Even though Li Bihan didn't hold her contract, she could still serve as a personal maid by her side, doing light work. Being sent to the main courtyard, where she was unfamiliar, would mean hard labor.

Moreover, having served under a concubine before, moving to the lady's quarters would make her a target for the other servants' discrimination.

So, she followed Li Bihan's instructions to the letter, fearing being sent away.

Lu Lingyun glanced at the nervous little maid, "Concubine Li has caught a cold?"

"Yes, young mistress!" Xiao Ju knelt down with a thud, "She's coughing quite badly. Please don't go, to avoid catching it!"

"Then perhaps just have the doctor go and check on her?" Qiu Ling suggested.

"Yes, young mistress, let's not go. Your health is too precious," Ling Long added.

"You are mistaken. Concubine Li is gravely ill, so I must visit her. If anything were to happen, it would be due to my negligence."

Lu Lingyun stood up immediately.

Xiao Ju, realizing she couldn't stop her, couldn't help but look nervous. She wanted to speak, but Qiu Ling and Ling Long, who had just defended her and Li Bihan, also stood up.

"If the young mistress is going, I will accompany her."

"I will join as well."

Qiu Ling and Ling Long followed suit.

Seeing this, Xiao Ju fell silent. She quickly got up from the ground and followed them.

Soon, they arrived at Bishui Pavilion.

Lu Lingyun escorted the doctor to Bishui Pavilion.

Inside the room, Li Bihan frowned at the sound of the large group approaching. After a moment's hesitation, she opened the door.

As the door opened, she saw Lu Lingyun leading a group of people.

"Concubine Li, I heard you are unwell?"

Li Bihan, seeing Lu Lingyun, pretended to cough twice, "Young mistress, I am indeed unwell, but it is just a minor ailment. Thank you for visiting me."

"Don't say that," Lu Lingyun gestured to the doctor behind her, "Let's have our Concubine Li examined."

Li Bihan, noticing it wasn't the usual Dr. Liu, felt a pang of unease.

"Where is Dr. Liu?"

"I found Dr. Liu's skills inadequate and decided to change doctors this year," Lu Lingyun said.

"How could..." Li Bihan met Lu Lingyun's gaze, feeling as if she had been seen through. She was certain that Lu Lingyun had discovered her secret.

Qiu Ling and Ling Long came over, "Concubine Li, stop talking and let the new doctor examine you properly!"

"Yes! I also think Dr. Liu's skills are inadequate. You've been recuperating for so long, yet you seem to be growing weaker, not even leaving your room these days."

Hearing their words, Li Bihan suppressed a deep, dark glint in her eyes, forcing a smile, "I'm actually almost better."

"Then it's even more important to have a check-up!"

Qiu Ling and Ling Long crowded around her, urging her to sit down. Li Bihan, with no other option, reluctantly extended her hand.

Seeing this, Lu Lingyun's lips curled slightly.

Qiu Ling and Ling Long still regarded Bishuo as a sister. While the doctor was taking her pulse, they eagerly shared Bishuo's usual health conditions.

"Doctor, Concubine Li has a cold constitution and uterine cold. She's been taking medicine for a long time without improvement. Do you have any good prescriptions to help her recover?"

"Yes, her fertility is also affected. Can it be cured?"

The new doctor, hearing their words, frowned and looked at them strangely, "Who told you that this concubine has a cold constitution, uterine cold, and fertility issues?"

The new doctor's words fell, and the eager Qiu Ling and Ling Long were both stunned.

"This concubine not only does not have a cold constitution or uterine cold, she is already three months pregnant!"

These words hit like a thunderbolt, startling everyone in the room. Li Bihan suddenly stood up, tears of joy running down her face, "What! I'm really pregnant!"

"Doctor, please check again! This can't be!"

The new doctor stroked his beard and, under the astonished gazes of Qiu Ling and Ling Long, took her pulse once more.

"It's definitely a pregnancy pulse, Li Bihan, you're really pregnant."

Under everyone's gaze, Li Bihan turned and knelt with a thud before Lu Lingyun, "I understand now, it must be the efficacy of the medicinal soup during this period, and the profound blessings of the young mistress and the Marquis's Mansion, that have granted me a child!"

She looked at Lu Lingyun with excitement, bowing repeatedly in joy.

Meanwhile, Qiu Ling and Ling Long looked at Li Bihan in utter disbelief.