Chapter 280: It’s a Pregnancy Pulse!

Chapter 280: A Pregnancy Pulse!

Jiang Shuning's period had always been regular.

Yet this month, when her period was due, there was no familiar dull ache in her abdomen. Instead, she felt drowsy all day, constantly sleepy, as if her bones had turned to jelly.

An inexplicable foreboding wound around her heart like a vine, tightening with each passing moment until she could barely breathe.

She sat by the window, trembling as she extended another hand, carefully placing three fingers on her wrist.

The moment her fingertips touched her skin, she still clung to a sliver of hope, wishing it were just her imagination.

But when the unusual pulse came through clearly beneath her fingers, her entire world seemed to collapse.

Like beads rolling on a plate—the pulse was unmistakable.

It was a pregnancy pulse!

Her mind went blank with a roar, and she sat frozen as if struck by lightning, unable to regain her senses for a long time.

How was this possible?

She had taken the contraceptive soup every single time afterward, without missing a single dose!

A chilling thought suddenly struck her, sending a chill down her spine.

Could it be... that the soup she had been drinking daily was not the contraceptive at all?

Was the problem with the doctor who prescribed the medicine, or... with Ling Wu herself?

This thought pierced her heart like a blade, making her flinch, almost unable to breathe.

She had to uncover the truth.

That afternoon, Ling Wu entered as usual, carrying a bowl of dark brown medicinal soup.

"Your Highness, the medicine is here. Please drink it while it's warm."

Jiang Shuning lifted her eyes to look at her, her expression unchanged, but inside, a storm was raging.

She took the warm bowl and took a small sip. The familiar bitterness spread across her tongue. Feigning nonchalance, she asked, "Ling Wu, from which doctor in the capital did you get this medicine?"

Ling Wu visibly stiffened, but she quickly regained her composure and answered vaguely, "It's... it's an herb shop on a secluded alley in the southern part of the city. I heard about it from someone."

"Oh? Is it Doctor Liu from Yonghe Street?" Jiang Shuning's voice was flat, as if she were just guessing.

Ling Wu nodded hurriedly, smiling brightly. "Yes, yes! It's Doctor Liu! Your Highness, please drink it quickly before it gets cold. The medicinal properties will weaken."

Each eager "yes" stabbed Jiang Shuning's heart like blades tempered in ice.

The last trace of warmth in her heart was snuffed out, leaving nothing but a cold ruin.

This medicine was indeed suspicious.

There was no pharmacy on Yonghe Street in the southern part of the city, nor a Doctor Liu.

Expressionless, she drained the remaining liquid in the bowl. The bitterness spread from her throat all the way to the depths of her heart, but no bitterness could compare to the taste of betrayal.

Seeing her finish, Ling Wu deftly took the empty bowl and meticulously cleaned every trace of residue from the bottom.

In the past, Jiang Shuning had assumed Ling Wu was just being cautious, afraid that Xiao Lingchuan would discover she was taking contraceptive medicine.

Now she realized—Ling Wu wasn't afraid that Xiao Lingchuan would find out. She was afraid that Jiang Shuning would realize what she drank daily was not contraceptive medicine at all!

Her heart felt as if a gaping wound had been torn open, with a cold wind howling in.

After the sharp pain subsided, she found it almost laughable.

Yes, how could she have forgotten again?

Back then, Dong Mei, who had grown up with her and whom she saw as a sister, had been easily bribed by Jiang Yaozhen, nearly ruining her reputation.

A bond of more than a decade with Dong Mei had proven so fragile—what could she expect from just two years of mistress-servant relationship with Ling Wu?

In this Jing Prince's Mansion, the true master was Xiao Lingchuan.

It was only natural and beyond reproach for Ling Wu to choose to serve him.

A fine bird chooses its perch; who doesn't look out for their own future?

She didn't blame Ling Wu, but from now on, she could never again trust her.

For now, the most urgent thing was to ensure that neither Ling Wu nor anyone else in the mansion knew of her pregnancy.

Especially—Xiao Lingchuan!

When night fell, Xiao Lingchuan, as usual, couldn't help kissing her lips, trying to seduce her, but she gently pushed him back.

"Your Highness, my period has come."

Xiao Lingchuan paused, a flicker of clear disappointment in his deep, peach-blossom-shaped eyes. "Oh, your period has come?"

He silently wondered: he had been sleeping with her every night, and had even specially ordered tonic soups for her, so why still no pregnancy?

Could the problem be with him?

At the thought, his expression darkened.

No, this couldn't be delayed. He must summon Divine Physician Sun to feel her pulse and find out the truth.

Feigning casualness, he said, "Let Divine Physician Sun come tomorrow to check you."

Jiang Shuning's heart tightened, but she kept her composure and probed, "I'm perfectly fine. Why should Divine Physician Sun come to see me?"

Xiao Lingchuan thought to himself that he couldn't very well admit he wanted Divine Physician Sun to check *him*.

So he covered it up smoothly. "You're too weak. Every time after we... you're completely wiped out. I'm worried that in the long run, your body won't be able to handle it."

Jiang Shuning: "..."

She was speechless but thought to herself: Why not admit that his excessive desire was the real problem?

With his frequency and intensity, who could handle it?

It seemed she would have to brew more calming teas for him in the future, to keep him from getting any ideas every night.

The next day, Divine Physician Sun indeed came to the Jing Prince's Mansion.

He first went to the study to examine Xiao Lingchuan's pulse. After careful inspection, he reported respectfully, "Your Highness is in excellent health, with no underlying issues. It is only a matter of time before the Princess Consort becomes pregnant."

Upon hearing this, the heavy weight on Xiao Lingchuan's heart finally lifted.

He personally accompanied Divine Physician Sun to the bedchamber to take Jiang Shuning's pulse.

Seeing Divine Physician Sun enter the hall, Jiang Shuning's expression stiffened slightly, but she quickly returned to normal, her face betraying nothing unusual.

She extended her wrist and calmly let Divine Physician Sun take her pulse.

After concentrating for a moment, Divine Physician Sun looked up and said to Jiang Shuning, "Your Highness's body is indeed a bit weak. I will prescribe a few prescriptions to tonify your qi and blood. Make sure you take them regularly, Your Highness."

"Thank you for your trouble, Divine Physician Sun," Jiang Shuning replied softly, but she secretly let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Earlier, using her medical skills, she had used a silver needle to alter her own pulse. As expected, Divine Physician Sun did not detect that she was already pregnant.

Xiao Lingchuan, who was standing by, pressed further. Lowering his voice, he asked Divine Physician Sun, "Is the Princess really just weak? Didn't you pick up anything else from her pulse?"

Divine Physician Sun stroked his graying beard and said with a reassuring smile, "No need to be so impatient, Your Highness. Both you and the Princess are in good health. I believe good news will come soon!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingchuan's expression turned from gloom to brightness, and a hint of relief appeared on his face.

Meanwhile, Jiang Shuning quietly turned her face away, concealing the storm of emotions in her eyes.

He truly hoped she would have his child.

Unfortunately, she would never let him have his wish.

In a previous life, he personally robbed her of the chance to become a mother.

In this life, he would never become the father of the child in her womb!