The Empress, her face etched with worry, spoke with regret, her gaze subtly shifting to observe Chu Yanxi's reaction.
"Mother… you just said it was she who actively begged to marry me, not that you decreed the marriage upon me." Chu Yanxi immediately seized on her words, desperately seeking the truth.
Raising a teacup and taking a delicate sip, the Empress adjusted her robes. "This empress did indeed intend to bestow a woman from the Liu family upon you. The one I initially favored was not her. She learned of this and knelt before me for a day and a night, pleading with me to consent to her marriage to you. I saw her deep devotion and her gentle, well-behaved nature, which is why I allowed her to marry you."
These few sentences played on repeat in Chu Yanxi's mind. He had previously believed Liu Meng'han was the woman chosen by his mother, marrying him as a means to monitor him.
He had always detested Liu Meng'han from the bottom of his heart, but now he discovered it was all a misunderstanding; it was Liu Meng'han who had begged to marry him.
The wall of ice he had built in his heart instantly developed subtle cracks.
"Back then, this empress should not have been soft-hearted and allowed her to marry you. Then you wouldn't have had to suffer such hardships. Xi'er, Mother doesn't ask you to treat her as you do Feng Ruoyan, but Meng'han is now married to you, your rightful wife. At least be polite to her, give her a foothold in your estate."
The Empress advised him earnestly, patting Chu Yanxi's shoulder and skillfully concealing the calculations in her eyes.
"Yes, your son understands. Since she has married me, she is the rightful Third Prince Consort. No one in this household will trouble her."
Upon careful consideration, he realized he indeed owed Liu Meng'han. He couldn't treat her as he did Feng Ruoyan, but he could at least offer her basic respect.
"If you can think this way, this empress is at ease."
The Empress breathed a faint sigh of relief, a subtle, pleased smile gracing her lips. She had indeed orchestrated this deliberately, aiming to sway Chu Yanxi's heart.
…
"Princess Consort, slow down." A maidservant beside her busily supported Liu Meng'han, her face filled with concern. "Your body is already weak, and now it's even heavier. You should be resting in the estate, yet you insist on venturing into this troubled water."
"I am fine. The Prince's heart has just begun to waver; I must strike while the iron is hot and make the Prince completely let go of his reservations. What does it matter if it's a little tiring?"
She had worked so hard for so long, enduring so much hardship, just to get the Third Prince to look at her properly.
This was now the most crucial moment, and not the slightest deviation could be allowed.
"But… Princess Consort…"
"That's enough, no need to say more. Go and see if we have arrived at the Ling Estate."
"Yes, Princess Consort."
Liu Meng'han sat in the carriage, her mind racing. How should she approach Feng Jin when they met? How could she get Feng Jin to agree to accompany her?
All these thoughts were worrying. Liu Meng'han sighed helplessly, not knowing how difficult it would be to handle the situation later.
"Princess Consort, we have arrived at the Ling Estate. I have already sent someone to announce your arrival."
Liu Meng'han withdrew her thoughts. Since they were here, she could only take things one step at a time. Today, she absolutely had to get Feng Jin to go with her.
"Let's go in."
…
"Young Madam… Young Madam…"
Cai Qing called out in a panicked rush, shattering the long-held tranquility of the courtyard.
Feng Jin was trimming branches. At Cai Qing's shout, her hand trembled slightly, directly snipping off another blooming branch before turning to her.
"What is it now, that has you so flustered? Is the sky falling?"
She reluctantly set down her pruning shears, glancing regretfully at the wrongly cut branch. What a shame, to have cut it by mistake, making it look so unsightly.
"Chu Qing, move this potted plant further away; it's really too much of an eyesore."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Chu Qing moved the potted plant, finding an inconspicuous spot for it and setting it down.
"Tell me, what has happened?"
"Young Madam, it's… it's the Third Prince Consort. She's already waiting in the front hall."
Cai Qing panted, returning the words intermittently.
"She's here, she's not a flood or a ferocious beast. Why are you so flustered? You made me cut a flower wrongly. Alright, let's go over there."
Feng Jin tidied her clothes and then walked towards the front hall.
Liu Meng'han was extremely anxious, unable to sit still. She stood at the doorway, constantly looking outside. Upon seeing Feng Jin's figure appear, she hurried in her direction.
"Princess Consort, slow down… have some consideration for the child in your womb."
Feng Jin was startled by the scene and quickly asked Cai Qing and Chu Qing beside her to support Liu Meng'han.
Liu Meng'han was now carrying the Third Prince's legitimate heir. The Empress cherished this child dearly. If anything were to happen to Liu Meng'han while she was under her care, even with ten mouths, she wouldn't be able to explain herself.
"Princess Consort, please slow down. Tell us what's wrong calmly."
Feng Jin quickly soothed Liu Meng'han, afraid she might get into further trouble. She didn't want to take on such a burden.
"Young Madam, I have come today to beg for your help."
Feng Jin was stunned. What could possibly require her help?
"Princess Consort, please sit down and have some tea. We can talk slowly."
Liu Meng'han took a deep breath. "Young Madam, it's… it's Feng Ruoyan. She had postpartum hemorrhage after giving birth and is now in critical condition. The imperial physicians are helpless. Only you can save her now. Please, Young Madam, with your benevolent heart, save her."
This was strange. Logically, if Feng Ruoyan were to perish now, Liu Meng'han should be the happiest. Why was she personally coming to ask her to save Feng Ruoyan?
For a moment, she couldn't figure out what game Liu Meng'han was playing.
Seeing Feng Jin's prolonged silence, Liu Meng'han grew anxious. "As long as Young Madam agrees to accompany me, I am willing to pay any consultation fee."
"Princess Consort, I am simply curious as to why you care so much about Feng Ruoyan. If she were to die now, it would bring you countless benefits."
Feng Jin did not beat around the bush, asking her question directly. She just wanted to know what trick Liu Meng'han was up to.
Upon hearing Feng Jin's question, Liu Meng'han's delicate body stiffened. Why was she asking so directly? She was caught off guard.
"This… this…" Liu Meng'han hesitated slightly, but she knew that if she didn't tell the truth today, Feng Jin would absolutely not go with her. After weighing her options, she decided to tell Feng Jin the truth.