Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Xie Run said gently, "Alright, I won't move. But let Lu Zhi accompany you back."

Shiqie Lu replied, "Then I thank Shu Fei for her kindness."

Only after watching Shiqie Lu disappear from sight did Xie Run lead her people back to Chunshan Courtyard.

Because of Shiqie Lu's incident, the maids around her guarded her like a mother hen protecting her chicks, fearing she might slip or fall.

Xie Run sighed, "I suppose I'll just stay indoors from now on."

"It's been exhausting for you all."

Dan Tao's heart ached for her mistress, "Being cooped up in the room all day, even we find it suffocating. It's only natural you'd want to go out and unwind."

Xiaoshu nodded in agreement, "Exactly!"

"At worst, next time before we go out, we'll have all the snow cleared from where we're going!"

Xie Run laughed, "Xiaoshu speaks grandly. Then next time, I'll have you go do the snow sweeping."

Xiaoshu said playfully, "I'll sweep the snow, and you can watch from the side to relieve your fatigue. Isn't that what Sister Dan Tao calls 'bringing joy to your elders'?"

Xie Run burst out laughing.

Amid the laughter, Xie Run returned to Chunshan Courtyard.

She dismissed the other maids, retaining only Xiaoshu, Dan Tao, and Zi Hu.

Xie Run then asked, "Zi Hu, why did you stop me just now? Did you notice something?"

In truth, Xie Run had only asked Shiqie Lu a few casual questions while chatting.

She hadn't thought much of it.

But Zi Hu's intervention sparked some doubt in Xie Run.

Zi Hu had remained silent until Xie Run spoke, then said, "Mistress, I have a keen sense of smell, and I detected musk on Shiqie Lu."

"Musk is harmful to women, especially pregnant ones, and should never be handled casually."

Having modern knowledge, Xie Run stiffened immediately upon hearing the word "musk."

"What is she doing carrying musk on her?" Xiaoshu blurted out without thinking.

Then, Xie Run immediately thought of Shiqie Li, who was rumored to be pregnant.

Xiaoshu also realized what she had said and said in a daze, "No way. Would she really be so bold as to harm the prince's child..."

Forget about whether Shiqie Li was actually pregnant.

Even if Shiqie Li were to miscarry, what good would it do Shiqie Lu?

Xie Run said, "Shiqie Lu didn't come by her position legitimately, and she hasn't even gotten a solid foothold in the manor. Her actions now suggest she's probably thrown in with Shiqie Han."

"You mean Shiqie Lu has become a weapon for Shiqie Han?" Dan Tao asked.

Dan Tao couldn't understand, "But Shiqie Han herself is just a concubine. Is it worth Shiqie Lu taking such a huge risk?"

Although there was some difference in family background between Shiqie Li and Shiqie Han.

Once they entered the prince's house and became concubines, they were on equal ground.

"Logically, if Shiqie Li is pregnant, Shiqie Lu should be falling all over herself to curry favor with the future Shu Fei."

Xiaoshu also expressed confusion, "How could she dare to try to harm Shiqie Li?"

Xie Run listened to their analysis and then said slowly, "Unless Shiqie Han also has a shot at becoming a Shu Fei..."

When the two are evenly matched, family background might become a tiebreaker.

Both maids were startled, "Shiqie Han is also pregnant?!"

"What are the odds?"

Neither of them believed it.

Xie Run thought for a moment and said to Dan Tao, "Find an opportunity to quietly inform Shiqie Li that Shiqie Lu is carrying musk on her."

"Mistress wants to help Shiqie Li?"

Xie Run said, "I just want to put her in my debt."

She smiled, "To be honest, I don't think Shiqie Li is the type to sit idly by."

"She must be up to something!"

"How else can it be such a coincidence? Just after Shiqie Li is rumored to be pregnant, Shiqie Han also becomes pregnant?"

If both were indeed pregnant around the same time... Xie Run could only sigh in grudging admiration.

When the news reached Qingzhu Courtyard, Shiqie Li had just finished vomiting and looked pale.

Feishuang begged tearfully.

"Mistress, why don't you just go tell the prince?"

"Every time Shiqie Lu leaves, you vomit badly. It's obviously not right!"

"If it's just vomiting now, what if something serious happens down the line? You'll regret it then..."

Shiqie Li's slender fingers gripped the armrest, she said, panting a little, "I usually vomit too..."

Before she could finish, Fei Xu came rushing in urgently.

"Mistress, I know what evil scheme Shiqie Lu is cooking up!"

Shiqie Li and Feishuang looked at her.

Fei Xu, tearful and dead serious, said, "Mistress, go tell the prince!"

"Shiqie Han has already moved to harm your child!"

"One of Shu Fei Xie's people sent word today that Shiqie Lu is carrying musk on her person!"

"She comes to our courtyard every day under the pretense of chatting, but in truth, she's trying to use the musk to harm your pregnancy!"

How dare Concubine Lu, a concubine with no backing, do such a thing?

It must be Concubine Han backing her up.

Concubine Li caught her breath upon hearing this sudden news.

She sighed, finally relenting, "Go inform the Princess and have the mansion's physician summoned to examine me."

Fei Xu and Feishuang exchanged glances, their eyes bright with joy.

Their voices were more confident now: "We'll see to it right away!"

But just as Concubine Li relented, Concubine Han was already one step ahead.

Just as Qingzhu Pavilion had just summoned the physician, a young maid came to deliver news.

"Concubine Han is pregnant. The Prince is thrilled and has ordered her promotion to Secondary Consort (Shu Fei)."

"She will be formally conferred the title once her pregnancy is stable."

Feishuang and Fei Xu felt as if struck by a thunderbolt.

Only Concubine Li smiled meaningfully.

She was already as lovely as a plum blossom in snow, and when she slowly smiled, it was like an orchid blooming in a hidden valley—deep and lasting.

Even the physician was startled and dared not look at her again.

After all, he was sixty and wouldn't entertain improper thoughts.

Concubine Li didn't say much; she first let the physician take her pulse.

The physician stroked his pale beard, stood up and bowed, "Congratulations, Lady Li! You're pregnant!"

"You're over two months along now."

Concubine Li slipped a fine jade bracelet off her wrist and slid it across the table.

Concubine Li said: "Honored physician, I'm less than a month pregnant and am unclear on many matters. I must ask for your guidance. I'll reward you generously later."

Pregnancy is said to last ten months, but a difference of a month or two is not obvious.

The physicians in Prince Jing's mansion were all sharp and quick-witted.

The physician immediately understood: "I was overly excited."

"Lady Li has been pregnant for less than a month, and the baby's not stable. You need to rest quietly."