Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Concubine Han said coldly, "Go to the study and dispose of everything immediately!"

Hong Nao looked worried, "I'll go right away!"

Lv Yu followed Concubine Han into the room and asked nervously, "My lady, could it be that the prince has discovered something?"

Concubine Han actually shared that concern, but she couldn't afford to panic. If she lost her composure, the subordinates would become even more unsettled.

"Probably not," Concubine Han said. "Last time Concubine Wan drugged the prince, he expelled her from the front courtyard the very same day. Clearly, he despises such behavior."

"Judging by the prince's demeanor today, he didn't seem angry. Rather, it was as if Concubine Wan said something that altered his decision."

As for Prince Jing's claim of having official business to attend to, everyone dismissed it as a joke.

Lv Yu said softly, "I saw the prince order Eunuch Shi'an to personally escort Concubine Wan back to the Embroidery Moon Pavilion."

Concubine Han was also puzzled. "That bitch Wan—what tricks did she pull to make the prince overlook her past offenses?"

Lv Yu comforted her, "At least the prince only returned to the front courtyard and didn't go to the Embroidery Moon Pavilion. That still shows he values your dignity."

If he didn't care, the prince might have followed Wan Linlang to the Embroidery Moon Pavilion.

Then Concubine Han would have been thoroughly humiliated. Even if she later became a Shufei, she would be looked down upon and ridiculed for being upstaged by a disfavored concubine.

Concubine Han's fingertips trembled slightly, and her hand slid to her lower abdomen. "What if the prince's pity is for the child in my womb?"

Lv Yu's expression changed.

Then she remembered something. "My lady, Concubine Wan was originally a female physician. Do you think she might have smelled something in the study?"

Concubine Han's gaze sharpened, killing intent gleaming in her eyes.

"We can't wait any longer!"

"With rumors flying everywhere and Concubine Wan proving to be quite resourceful, I can't afford to sit idly by."

Now that Prince Jing had left, Concubine Han had no chance of getting pregnant anytime soon. Since she couldn't conceive, she had to plan a miscarriage.

With that thought, Concubine Han fumed, "Why hasn't the decree for my promotion to Shufei arrived yet? I heard that when Shufei Yun and the others were appointed, it only took half a month?!"

Regardless, she had to secure the position of Shufei first. Until the decree came, Concubine Han couldn't rest easy.

Lv Yu said, "At that time, three Shufei were appointed together, so it might have been faster."

Concubine Han didn't like hearing that. She went back to her room and began plotting her miscarriage.

In two days, it would be Commandery Princess Ruyi's birthday banquet.

She had to seize this opportunity.

Prince Jing did not go to Wan Linlang's Xiuyue Pavilion, truly out of consideration for Concubine Han and the child in her womb.

However, upon arriving at the front courtyard, he couldn't help but feel some suspicion when he thought of the red candle that Wan Linlang had presented before him.

Concubine Han's pregnancy was still not stable, yet she dared to secretly use an aphrodisiac on him—wasn't she afraid of losing the child?

What was she after?

Prince Jing did not believe she was seeking his favor.

Could it be, as everyone said, that she was faking the pregnancy and was eager to serve him in order to turn the pretense into reality?

Prince Jing raised his hand and rubbed his brow, feeling a silent fatigue.

After a moment's thought, he called for Jing Wu and said, "The day after tomorrow is Ruyi's birthday. Stay alert over the next two days."

He also called in Shi An and said, "Go to Qiufeng Courtyard tomorrow with some men to help inspect it. I don't want to see any more accidents."

Eunuch Shi'an promptly agreed, smiling, "Your Highness truly dotes on Princess Ruyi."

Prince Jing was not in the mood for his flattery and merely said, "By the way, prepare a reward for Lady Wan tomorrow. Also, inform the Princess that Lady Wan is pregnant."

Eunuch Shi'an's face lit up with delight, "Congratulations to Your Highness! The inner courtyard will surely be lively from now on."

Prince Jing gave a light scoff, "Indeed, it will be lively."

The next day, the news of Wan Linlang's pregnancy spread throughout the manor.

There were already several pregnant women in the manor, so her pregnancy as an unfavored concubine did not cause much of a stir.

What truly piqued everyone's interest was that she had gone to Concubine Han's courtyard in the middle of the night to request an audience with Prince Jing.

Although she did not manage to entice Prince Jing to her own courtyard, she did ruin Concubine Han's plans.

The others were gloating.

Concubine Han, already angry, became even more furious.

"No wonder she dared to barge into my courtyard—it's because she's pregnant and has become arrogant!"

Though she cursed like this, Concubine Han was still uneasy, fearing that Wan Linlang had detected something unusual about the candle yesterday.

After a moment's thought, she said to Hong Nao, "Prepare some gifts and send them to Xiuyue Pavilion. Also, discreetly inquire about what happened last night."

"If Lady Wan really discovered something, she might have something to say to you. If she says nothing, just pretend you came to deliver the gifts."

Hong Nao nodded.

Wan Linlang had managed to become Consort De in her previous life, so she was naturally not foolish.

It was just that her start in this life had been unfavorable, thus placing her in her current predicament.

She had already reminded Prince Jing last night. If she now used the red candle matter to threaten Concubine Han, she would gain little benefit.

Not only would it offend others, but it might also displease Prince Jing.

Since Prince Jing was already suspicious of Concubine Han and many others had their eyes on her, there was no need for her to stick her neck out at this time.

She would pretend to know nothing about it, accept Concubine Han's gifts cheerfully, and keep apologizing for the events of last night.

Hong Nao was yanked along by her and it took a while to break free and return.

Upon receiving the news, the Princess also sent someone early to deliver gifts.

The one most rattled by Wan Linlang's pregnancy was Fang Yuaner.

Hearing this news early in the morning, Fang Yuaner's first reaction was, "No way, right?!"

Qiu Xiang asked, confused, "What does my lady mean by that?"

"We already have Concubine Han faking pregnancy, and now another Concubine Wan?"

Qiu Kui also didn't understand, "What news did my lady receive to be so sure that Concubine Wan is not pregnant?"

Fang Yuaner was silent for a moment, "She's naturally got a cold body type and has trouble getting pregnant. She got pregnant after just one night with the prince?"

Qiu Kui and Qiu Xiang exchanged glances, not knowing what to say.

Actually, Fang Yuaner couldn't say it easily.

In the original story, Wan Linlang was highly favored but never got pregnant until Prince Jing ascended the throne.

During those years in Prince Jing's mansion, Wan Linlang sought medical help everywhere, trying various folk remedies and spells, none of it worked.

Now, after just one night with Prince Jing, she is pregnant.

It's just unbelievable.

But she wasn't completely sure either.

After all, in the original story, Xie Run died young, but now Xie Run is alive and well, has become a Shu Fei, and is even pregnant.