"Your Majesty, the net has been cast. Now we wait for the fish to bite," Xue Yan whispered into Xue Zi Ning's ear.
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Good."
"Your Majesty, is this the best way? If it were me, I would place the evidence directly before her, leaving her with no escape."
"I am merely returning her own medicine to her."
"This strategy of yours is brilliant," Yun Wei Shu remarked from the side.
Suddenly, Xue Zi Ning felt a pang of pain in her abdomen. She clutched her stomach. "Find Qing Yi."
Xue Yan didn't dare to delay for a moment, flying out to find Qing Yi.
Yun Wei Shu also helped her sit on a soft chair, asking with concern, "Your Majesty, how are you feeling now?"
"I dare not," Xue Zi Ning replied truthfully.
In less than fifteen minutes, the first to enter was a tall, slender figure. He strode in, covering the distance to Xue Zi Ning in two steps, asking with concern, "A Ning..."
Xue Zi Ning looked up, startled to see him. "Yan Zhao, why are you here?"
"I met Xue Yan on the way and learned you needed Qing Yi. I've already sent Xue Song with him. Qing Yi went to North Mountain to gather herbs today, so he'll likely only be heading back now."
"I'm fine, it's just that my stomach suddenly started to hurt," Xue Zi Ning said.
It had been eight months now, and her belly was growing bigger by the day. Any slight disturbance made her anxious.
"A Ning, don't be afraid. Everything will be alright."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "I'm not afraid."
Xue Jing Yun held her, and she could smell his refreshing scent, a pleasant aroma.
"Your Majesty, Qing Yi has arrived."
Qing Yi was practically dragged in by Xue Yan. He slumped onto the ground, somewhat indignant. "Even if it's urgent, can't you let me walk myself next time? It's as if only you guys know martial arts."
Qing Yi was very annoyed.
"Qing Yi, come here and examine A Ning," Xue Jing Yun suddenly said.
Qing Yi froze, and upon seeing Xue Jing Yun, he said nothing further. He brushed the dust off his clothes, stood up, and approached Xue Jing Yun. "Lay Her Majesty down."
Xue Jing Yun picked her up and placed her on the bed.
Qing Yi said, "I prefer not to have many people around when I'm treating patients. Everyone else, please leave."
"Do I need to leave as well?" Xue Jing Yun asked.
Qing Yi glanced at Xue Zi Ning and nodded. "Yes."
"A Ning, I'll come in to keep you company in a moment." With that, Xue Jing Yun turned and left.
Now, only Qing Yi and she were in the room.
Qing Yi quickly took her pulse. His expression, initially neutral, turned serious.
Xue Zi Ning felt a subtle unease. "Qing Yi, are they alright?"
Qing Yi knew who the Empress was referring to and nodded. "Your Majesty, rest assured, they are fine for now."
"Will they not be alright in the future?"
Qing Yi replied, "Your Majesty, as the child grows larger, it will absorb more from the mother's body. I fear Your Majesty's body may not be able to withstand it."
"Are the symptoms like what I'm experiencing now?"
Qing Yi hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright, I understand. It's the same as before, don't tell him."
Upon hearing this, Qing Yi sighed. "Your Majesty, you won't be able to hide it for long."
"As long as I can," Xue Zi Ning said.
Qing Yi shook his head. "Your Majesty, perhaps it wouldn't be detrimental if he knew. He could then seek solutions earlier."
"Qing Yi, the best solution in this world is in my hands, but I cannot be so selfish."
"Your Majesty..."
"Let them come in. It's been too long, and I fear Yan Zhao will become suspicious."
Qing Yi walked out, and Xue Jing Yun was the first to step forward, asking, "How is A Ning?"
"Her Majesty is fine. She has been overworked recently and her mind is a little weary," Qing Yi said.
Xue Jing Yun nodded. "That won't happen again."
He then entered the bedchamber and saw the woman sitting on the bed, looking at him with a gentle smile.
At this moment, his heart calmed. He walked forward and gently embraced her, murmuring softly, "A Ning, only when I see you can I feel truly at peace."
Xue Zi Ning looked at him and slowly leaned forward, kissing his chin. "Me too, Yan Zhao."
"A Ning, if we cannot share the same bed in life, we shall sleep in the same tomb in death."
Xue Zi Ning trembled and looked at him. He looked back at her and smiled. "A Ning, shall we face life and death together?"
She turned her head away somewhat flusteredly. "Yan Zhao, why speak of life and death when things are well? It makes me uncomfortable to hear it."
"I won't say it again," he said softly.
"Mhm," she nodded.
"I'm hungry."
"I'll have someone prepare something right away."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Good."
After Xue Jing Yun left, Xue Zi Ning's gaze lowered to her abdomen, and she sighed softly.
Li Yao Qin had recently discovered that her silver reserves were insufficient. She didn't know why there were so many storytellers in the capital, and each of them was asking for exorbitant prices.
Although she knew they were likely doing it deliberately, she was helpless. She couldn't kill them, as killing one storyteller had already made the Empress suspicious of her.
Therefore, the only way she could manage now was to pay them to keep quiet.
As her expenditures in the manor continued to increase, even Li Si Nian, who usually paid no attention to household affairs, noticed.
In the study, Li Si Nian looked at Li Yao Qin and asked, "Yao'er, you've been spending so much money lately, what exactly have you been doing?"
"Father, are you blaming me for spending too much?" Li Yao Qin asked Li Si Nian with a faint smile.
Li Si Nian frowned. "It's not blame, but you've been withdrawing money too frequently. Tell your father if something has happened?"
"Father worries too much. Nothing has happened. It's just that I've recently taken a liking to the new patterns embroidered by the seamstresses at Yi Pin Tang and plan to have a few outfits made. Since Father has asked, I am not an unreasonable person. I will ask Lian Xin to return the clothes." Saying this, Li Yao Qin went to call for Lian Xin.
Li Si Nian quickly said, "Yao'er, that's not what I meant. If it's for making clothes, then do it. As the Minister of Personnel, am I one to care about such small amounts? As long as Yao'er likes it."
Li Yao Qin replied, "Daughter likes it very much. Thank you, Father."
"I have nothing else to say. Stay well in the manor for now. In a few months, when the situation has calmed down, I will find you some good husbands."
Li Yao Qin's gaze flickered, and she lowered her eyes. "Yes, Father. Daughter will take her leave!"
After Li Yao Qin left, Li Si Nian sighed. Footsteps sounded behind him. "Sir, why the sigh? Are you sighing for the Eldest Miss?"
Li Si Nian turned to look at Concubine Liu. "Yao'er has a high spirit. Besides the Crown Prince, she doesn't take anyone else seriously."
"Sir, as the saying goes, parents' wishes and arranged marriages. No matter how willful the Eldest Miss is, she won't disobey you."
Li Si Nian tapped Concubine Liu's forehead. "You're the only one who knows how to coax me."
Concubine Liu giggled charmingly. "Then, Sir, have I managed to coax you?"