"A Ning, your belly is quite unusually large," Wen Yu Xi said softly, looking at her abdomen.
Xue Zi Ning blinked, "Unusually? I think it's just right."
Wen Yu Xi shook his head, "I've seen other people's bellies. Yours looks like you're about to give birth."
"You've seen other people's bellies? Wen Yu Xi, I never imagined you had such a hobby," Xue Zi Ning said with a laugh.
Wen Yu Xi's expression turned unpleasant, "What do you mean 'such a hobby'? A Ning, don't mistake good intentions for ill. I'm just trying to know what people who are pregnant like to eat in advance!"
Xue Zi Ning froze, looking at him, "You..."
Wen Yu Xi let out a cold hmph, "Or do you think that girl Yun Wei Shu knew what pregnant women liked to eat before she was even married?"
"So it was all your doing?" No wonder she felt that everything Yun Wei Shu prepared was exactly what she craved.
"Otherwise? Your Yan Zhao is so busy, does he have time to care about your tastes?" Wen Yu Xi said with clear dissatisfaction.
"Thank you for your kind words."
Wen Yu Xi trembled all over, then looked up at her. After a long pause, he said, "It’s been a long time since I’ve heard you call me by that name."
"Yes, it has been a long time," Xue Zi Ning replied.
"A Ning, my father is getting old. He can't possibly hold the position of Minister of Works. I want him to have a good rest for the remainder of his days."
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "I also feel that Minister Lin's health cannot endure the position of Minister of Works. Therefore, I plan to give Minister Lin the position of Crown Prince's Tutor. After my child is born, he will be their teacher."
Wen Yu Xi nodded, "That's good. Otherwise, he'll be nagging me daily to get married and give him a grandson."
"You really should get married."
"I don't really want to." Wen Yu Xi turned his face away, his expression tinged with a faint melancholy.
Xue Zi Ning paused, "I'm a bit tired. I'm going back to rest."
"I'll help you..." Wen Yu Xi stepped forward to support her, but before he could touch her, his hands were caught.
Wen Yu Xi looked up at the newcomer and sighed heavily, "You've come quite fast."
The newcomer said calmly, "My A Ning, I'll help her."
Wen Yu Xi gritted his teeth, "It's not like I let go! Otherwise, I would have a chance."
"There was no chance at all," Xue Jing Yun said flatly.
Wen Yu Xi was so angry he almost stomped his foot.
"A Ning is asleep," Xue Jing Yun said softly.
Wen Yu Xi quickly stopped talking and watched as the other man carried Xue Zi Ning into the sleeping quarters. He sighed again.
Turning to leave, he glanced towards a certain spot where the flowers and grass rustled slightly.
Wen Yu Xi let out a cold laugh, turned his head, and left.
Behind the foliage, Li Yao Qin breathed a sigh of relief. She knew Wen Yu Xi had seen her, but perhaps he thought she posed no threat, so he ignored her.
"What are you doing?" a voice suddenly came from behind her, startling her.
She turned and saw a woman looking at her with a cold, sharp gaze. She recognized this as Xue Yan, the fourth-rank female guard with a sword by the Empress's side.
"Lord Xue Yan..." she said nervously.
"This is not a place you should be. Leave," Xue Yan said coldly.
"Yes, this servant will leave immediately." Li Yao Qin dared not delay and hurried outside.
"Wait a moment..." Xue Yan called out to her. Hearing the footsteps behind her, Li Yao Qin felt a little anxious.
"Does the Lord have something to say?" Li Yao Qin asked cautiously.
Xue Yan looked at her, sizing her up, "What is your name? You seem somewhat familiar. Where have I seen you?"
"This servant is new. It's normal for the Lord not to have seen me," Li Yao Qin said.
"I said I've seen you," Xue Yan said, word for word.
Li Yao Qin trembled, "My Lord must be joking. How could you have seen me?"
Xue Yan gave a cold smile, "Miss Li is forgetful due to her status. I remember very clearly."
Li Yao Qin understood then that Xue Yan was doing this deliberately. She raised her head and said, "If the Lord has nothing else, this servant must go and attend to her duties."
"You do have something to do. What were you doing here just now?" Xue Yan asked coldly.
"Did the Lord not see? The flowers here are a bit dry. Come over and water them."
"Li Yao Qin, you water the flowers? Do you take me for a fool?" Xue Yan said coldly.
Li Yao Qin walked over and picked up a watering can, showing it to Xue Yan, "My Lord, you wouldn't not know what this is, would you?"
Xue Yan was taken aback. Li Yao Qin stepped closer and looked at her, "It's nothing. This servant will take her leave!"
Saying this, Li Yao Qin departed.
Xue Yan stamped her foot in anger. Yun Wei Shu walked out and looked at Li Yao Qin's retreating back, saying lightly, "Xue Yan, she is not as unintelligent as you think. On the contrary, this Li Yao Qin is very clever. If you treat her as an ordinary person, it will be a mistake, and it will only bring trouble to His Majesty."
"But I think she has ill intentions," Xue Yan said angrily.
Yun Wei Shu heard this and said, "She indeed has ill intentions, but one must have evidence. Have you found any evidence?"
Xue Yan gritted her teeth and shook her head, "If I had evidence, I would be the first to apprehend her."
"Xue Yan, do not underestimate her. She is no ordinary person." After several interactions, Yun Wei Shu found Li Yao Qin to be exceptionally intelligent. Fortunately, the Emperor's heart was steadfast, and her loyalty to His Majesty was unwavering. Otherwise, an ordinary man might not possess such resolve.
"I understand. I will not act rashly anymore," Xue Yan said. She had taken Yun Wei Shu's words to heart, and she had also seen how clever Li Yao Qin was.
Li Yao Qin returned to her room and handed a letter to a young eunuch, whispering, "Ensure it is delivered to my father."
"Miss, rest assured. This one will personally deliver it to the Lord."
The young eunuch took the letter and slipped out of Li Yao Qin's room through the back door. After closing the door, he discovered someone waiting for him at the back. Before he could react, a sack was thrown over his head.
Soon, the letter in his hand was snatched away. Half an hour later, this letter was presented to Wen Yu Xi.
Wen Yu Xi opened the letter. It contained nothing of importance, merely complaints about the hardships of the palace and people targeting her. However, it mentioned seeing Xue Jing Yun and that she would persevere.
After reading the letter, he placed it on the table. Wen Nuan, standing beside him, picked it up and glanced at it, "Master, are you being too cautious? This Li Yao Qin is not as formidable as rumored."
Wen Yu Xi looked at Wen Nuan, "What if this was intentionally shown to me?"
Wen Nuan was startled, "Master, surely there isn't someone this meticulous? Does she know what you do? That you know of Qian Jin Lou?"
"Do you think there isn't someone this meticulous?" Wen Yu Xi asked her.
Wen Nuan fell silent. After a long while, she said, "Master, if there truly is someone who calculates every step and plans so meticulously, then the Empress truly has an opponent."
Wen Yu Xi said, "Go and monitor her again."
"Yes, this time I will go personally," Wen Nuan replied.