The child in the Cheng Wang Consort’s womb was ultimately lost. Gu Helian, though cursing angrily, turned pale when he saw the basins of blood being carried out.
Already injured with an arrow wound, he stubbornly refused to leave, squatting by Rong Yue’s door through the long night. His flamboyant attire was now wrinkled, and he looked utterly haggard.
Tang Ning stayed with the Cheng Wang Consort as well. It wasn’t until dawn that the consort slowly regained consciousness. Her first question upon waking was about the child.
“Was it a boy or a girl?”
“Your Highness, the deceased is gone…”
“I just want to know if it was a boy or a girl.”
The Cheng Wang Consort’s lips were deathly pale. Her hand rested on her now-flat belly, and her eyelashes trembled lightly. “It stayed in my womb for four months. Even if it didn’t make it, I should at least know what it was.”
Imperial Physician Sun glanced at Tang Ning, hesitant to answer until he saw she made no attempt to stop him. With a trace of pity in his voice, he said, “Qin Niang handled it. I only took a brief look. While the child had formed, it was too early to distinguish the sex clearly. However, judging by the pelvic structure and your pulse from before, it was likely a boy.”
The Cheng Wang Consort clenched the quilt tightly.
“Auntie,” Tang Ning stepped forward, worried.
The consort raised her head, her face ashen. “It’s just as well he didn’t survive…”
Her voice was hoarse and low as she added, “It’s better this way.”
As she spoke, she quickly lowered her gaze, as if trying to hide her vulnerability. Yet the mist in her eyes could not be contained and stung painfully, deep within her chest.
Tang Ning held her hand, wanting to say something comforting but finding herself at a loss. She didn’t know how to console the consort, didn’t know what words could ease her grief. All she could do was embrace her gently, wrapping her arms around her shoulders and leaning in close.
Outside the door, Gu Helian, listening to the stifled sobs from within, turned red-eyed and furiously kicked the wall. He gritted his teeth and cursed, “Bastard!”
The Cheng Wang Consort’s miscarriage had already left her gravely weakened. After crying for a while, she fell unconscious again. After entrusting Hua Wu to look after the consort, Tang Ning and Imperial Physician Sun stepped out.
“How is Rong Yue?” Gu Helian asked in a low voice.
Imperial Physician Sun sighed. “The consort’s miscarriage has significantly weakened her. Beyond the physical toll, the events at Cheng Wang Manor and the matter with Xie Yin may weigh heavily on her mind. If her spirit doesn’t recover, her body won’t heal easily. It’s crucial to find a way to resolve her emotional burdens.”
Gu Helian’s face turned grim. Even he hadn’t fully digested everything that had happened at Cheng Wang Manor that night. Rong Yue might not care as much about Xie Tianyu’s actions, but the betrayals by Jiang Momo and Xie Yin would weigh on her heart.
One was her trusted wet nurse, and the other her beloved son of many years. Now, one had betrayed her, and the other turned out not to be her son at all.
How could she possibly find peace?
Standing by, Tang Ning glanced at Gu Helian, whose anger seemed to boil over. She suddenly spoke up. “Imperial Physician Sun, what’s been done with Auntie’s miscarried child?”
Imperial Physician Sun hesitated. “It hasn’t been properly dealt with yet…”
“Leave it to me,” Tang Ning said.
Imperial Physician Sun was momentarily stunned. “County Princess?”
He wanted to suggest burying it quietly to avoid bad omens, but Tang Ning’s calm, dark gaze stopped him. Her eyes betrayed no emotion, only a cold determination. Swallowing his doubts, he nodded. “Very well, I’ll have someone send it to you shortly.”
After the physician left, Tang Ning turned to Gu Helian. “Uncle, you’re injured and stayed up all night. You should rest.”
Gu Helian opened his mouth to speak, but Tang Ning continued, “Auntie’s condition worries me. She may wake in distress again and will need someone by her side. I have other matters to attend to. Can I trouble you to stay and watch over her? The western wing of this courtyard should suffice.”
Gu Helian hesitated, the refusal on his lips swallowed back. “Since you’ve asked, I’ll reluctantly stay a few days.”
Tang Ning didn’t react to his attempt to save face. “Thank you, Uncle.”
Gu Helian coughed awkwardly, his cheeks flushing slightly, and changed the topic. “By the way, what do you plan to do with the miscarried child?”
“To send it where it belongs.”
There was no reason Auntie should grieve while certain individuals sat comfortably in prison.
Xie Tianyu’s actions had ignited a deep hatred in Tang Ning. For the first time, she felt a dark, vengeful desire. She wanted Xie Tianyu to face the consequences of his sins—to see the harm he had caused his own family. He may claim to be indifferent, but she would ensure he saw the devastation firsthand.
Elsewhere, Xiao Yan had settled the Grand Empress Dowager into her new residence. Qin Niang was administering acupuncture, the elderly woman lying on the bed, eyes closed and seemingly caught in a nightmare. Her breathing was heavy, her eyelids twitching.
“I’ve been carefully managing the Grand Empress Dowager’s condition,” Qin Niang explained. “The palace is too chaotic, and she can’t be too lucid, or His Majesty won’t tolerate her. Now that the Chief Supervisor has taken her out of the palace, I can use acupuncture and medication to stabilize her condition. While she won’t fully recognize people anytime soon, her condition won’t worsen.”
After finishing the acupuncture, the Grand Empress Dowager’s breathing became more even.
Xiao Yan’s gaze softened as he looked at her. “It’s better this way if she doesn’t recognize people.”
In his current state, the Grand Empress Dowager likely wouldn’t recognize him. Moreover, regaining full clarity might force her to confront past traumas that she may not be able to endure.
“Do your best to ensure her physical health,” he instructed before stepping outside. Morning light was already spreading across the sky. Ciyun approached and reported the movements at Empress Lu’s palace.
“The message about Cheng Wang Manor was sent to Fengxi Palace, but Empress Lu hasn’t shown any reaction. She hasn’t sent out messages or acted abnormally. At dawn, she visited the Grand Empress Dowager’s quarters. Chief, could we have been wrong?”
If Xie Yin were truly tied to Empress Lu, how could she remain so calm?
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. “She did nothing?”
“Nothing,” Ciyun confirmed.
Interesting.
Xiao Yan rubbed his fingertips together, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
Either Empress Lu had no connection to the matter and was unaware of Xie Yin’s true parentage, or she was certain that even if Xie Tianyu faced death for treason, he would never betray her.
Xiao Yan’s gaze drifted toward the rising sun. Despite the fierce storm the previous night, the dawn seemed to erase all traces of its chaos.
For years, Empress Lu and Cheng Wang had limited contact. After he assumed control of the palace defenses, any private meetings between the two were rare. Whatever feelings they once shared must have long since faded.
Why was Empress Lu so confident Cheng Wang would never betray her? Was it faith in his “devotion,” or was there something else she relied on?
With a faint laugh, Xiao Yan mused aloud, “If not mistaken, there’s more between Cheng Wang and the Empress than meets the eye.”
Turning to Ciyun, he ordered, “Keep watching Fengxi Palace. Assign someone to watch the Fourth Prince as well. He may not be as steady as the Empress.”
Ciyun nodded. “Also, Lady Song sent something over, asking you to deliver it to Cheng Wang.”
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
Ciyun leaned in and whispered. Qin Niang, overhearing, looked visibly shocked as Ciyun added, “Hang Li has already delivered it to the manor staff. Lady Song insists it be handed directly to Cheng Wang and that we ensure he opens it.”
Xiao Yan chuckled at the audacity of his little flower, recalling how timid she used to be. Now, she had grown thorns and learned to strike back.
“If she wishes it, then deliver it. Wrap it well and ensure it’s sent at a quiet hour. It will be quite the surprise for Cheng Wang.”
Ciyun hesitated. “A surprise?”
Qin Niang, equally speechless, glanced at him.
Looking toward the distant blooming flowers, Xiao Yan’s thoughts drifted to his fiery little girl. He found himself missing her already.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 234 (100+ extra chapters) here
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