The fact that Feng Yin Wan was pregnant naturally changed things.
She was Ye Ting Lan's consort, and the child in her womb was, of course, of royal blood.
Although the Empress Dowager did not dote on Ye Ting Lan as much as Ye Ting Yun, Ye Ting Lan was indeed the most outstanding among the Emperor's five sons.
The Empress Dowager was stunned by the news for a long while before she urgently asked, "You said her pregnancy has been how long?"
Jiang Ru Mo nodded.
"The Ink Prince Consort's pregnancy is over a month old. Last night, this humble minister was worried about Prince Yun and did not think much of it. It was only after returning that I realized it."
Over a month.
That was precisely the day Ye Ting Lan returned to the capital.
If that was the case, then it was undeniable.
Recalling that she had severely punished Feng Yin Wan with forty planks last night, the Empress Dowager's brows twitched, and she immediately became worried.
"Quick, take me to see her."
Ye Ting Yun was delighted at this, and immediately took the Empress Dowager's hand, "Yes, Imperial Grandmother."
When the group arrived at the meditation temple, Feng Yin Wan was still in a "coma."
Last night, the meditation room had caught fire, and the traces of flames burning in the courtyard still remained. The Empress Dowager was shocked again.
"Imperial Physician Jiang, quickly go and examine the Ink Prince Consort. How is she now?"
After being punished with forty planks last night, Feng Yin Wan was sent back directly. Jiang Ru Mo was ordered to treat her, which was an earlier matter.
"Yes."
Jiang Ru Mo immediately stepped forward. As his fingers touched Feng Yin Wan's wrist, his expression instantly froze.
"Imperial Physician Jiang, how is it?"
The Empress Dowager asked with concern. Jiang Ru Mo came back to himself and immediately nodded.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Although the Ink Prince Consort has suffered some physical pain, fortunately, her fundamentals are not harmed, and the fetus in her womb is currently safe."
The Empress Dowager was immediately relieved. "That's good, that's good."
She had been choked by the thick smoke and beaten with planks. It was truly a blessing from the Buddha that Feng Yin Wan's child was not lost.
Secretly feeling fortunate, she immediately instructed, "Quickly examine this child. Does she have any other injuries that need treatment? Do not delay even for a moment."
"Yes."
Last night, Feng Yin Wan had taken the divine medicine from the bracelet, and Ye Ting Lan had applied medicine to her. In reality, her wounds were already almost healed.
Jiang Ru Mo responded, pretending to examine her for a moment before stepping aside to write a prescription.
Seeing that the situation was sufficiently dramatic, Ye Ting Yun spoke slowly.
"Imperial Grandmother, Third Sister-in-law was framed while pregnant and has suffered so much. Your grandson believes that the true culprit should be investigated and dealt with swiftly, and Third Sister-in-law should be compensated properly."
The Empress Dowager was still immersed in the "guilt of punishing Feng Yin Wan" and the "joy of expecting a great-grandchild." Upon hearing this, she immediately nodded.
"Yun'er is right. I will immediately order people to bring all the nourishing and health-preserving medicinal foods from the temple!"
She paused and then said, "Lan'er should not know about this yet. Let you go and inform him."
Ye Ting Yun nodded. Before he could even respond with "Yes," Ye Ting Lan, the soon-to-be father, had arrived gracefully.
"Imperial Grandmother, Ting Yun, what is this..."
As Feng Yin Wan secretly opened her eyes to peek, she saw him stride in, his dark robe lifting, adding a hint of sternness to his entire demeanor.
In an instant, Feng Yin Wan decisively closed her eyes again.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Ye Ting Yun's face. Before he could speak, the Empress Dowager had already said,
"Lan'er, you don't know yet, but Yin Wan is pregnant!"
Pregnant?!
Ye Ting Lan's steps, which had not yet stopped, abruptly halted. Before he could think, he heard the Empress Dowager say again,
"Yesterday, I was unaware and lost my temper, punishing her severely. Fortunately, this girl is strong, and the fetus in her womb is not seriously harmed."
Ye Ting Lan's brows furrowed tightly, and he looked towards the bed.
"Imperial Grandmother, is this true?"
This woman, how could she suddenly be pregnant?
The Empress Dowager nodded, "Imperial Physician Jiang examined her just now and said she is over a month pregnant. I calculated, and this is the day you returned to the capital from the border."
Over a month.
Upon hearing this, Ye Ting Lan's expression suddenly turned cold. His dark eyes stared intently at the person on the bed, his large hand silently clenching.
He had never touched this woman in the prince's manor!
That day at the Feng residence, if not for his rage, he would never have touched her!
Even if they had had physical intimacy, it was only a few days. Where did this woman get a month of pregnancy from!
So.
He had truly been cuckolded!
This damnable woman not only had a lover but also dared to bear an illegitimate child!
His eyes were as cold as a sharp blade, as if he wanted to tear Feng Yin Wan to pieces.
Sensing his abnormality, the Empress Dowager frowned and asked, "Lan'er, you are going to be a father, aren't you happy?"
Ye Ting Lan: Do I look like I'm calm? I'm clearly smiling...!!!
Ye Ting Yun, unaware of their affairs, saw this and assumed Ye Ting Lan was disgusted with Feng Yin Wan. He immediately tried to smooth things over.
"Imperial Grandmother, Third Brother is accustomed to fighting wars and regards his soldiers as his life. In my grandson's opinion, Third Brother is afraid that he will no longer be able to conquer the four directions and enhance his reputation as a God of War!"
"Right, Third Brother?"
As he spoke, he winked and gestured to Ye Ting Lan, who pursed his thin lips tightly for a moment before reluctantly speaking.
"This consort is pregnant, and this grandson is naturally happy. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."
He said this and flicked his sleeve as he walked out the door, looking anything but happy.
The Empress Dowager was very puzzled. Before she could ask further, Ye Ting Yun had already stepped forward, "Imperial Grandmother, you went to recite scriptures early in the morning, and then you came directly to visit Third Sister-in-law. You haven't had breakfast yet. It just so happens that I am also hungry. Why don't we go together?"
Upon hearing that he was also hungry, the Empress Dowager's thoughts immediately shifted back.
"Mmm, I was just thinking that."
After they spoke, they left the meditation room, leaving only Jiang Ru Mo to look after it.
In less than the time it took to have breakfast, the news of Feng Yin Wan's pregnancy had spread throughout Qingpu Temple.
At that time, Qin Ru Lian had just accompanied Ye Zi Yun out of the meditation courtyard. Seeing the guards all over the temple carrying nourishing items towards Feng Yin Wan's courtyard, she was immediately suspicious.
"What are you all doing?"
"Greetings, Princess Qingyun, Miss Qin. The Empress Dowager has decreed that the Ink Prince Consort carries royal blood and was wrongly accused and wronged yesterday. She specially ordered us to deliver all the nourishing items from the temple."
"Pregnant?!"
Ye Zi Yun's mouth opened so wide upon hearing this that an egg could have fit inside.
"She was fine yesterday. How did this slut... how did she suddenly get pregnant?"
"Replying to the Princess, Imperial Physician Jiang discovered it when he took the Ink Prince Consort's pulse yesterday."
Ye Zi Yun did not believe it at all. "Are you sure? Is it possible that Imperial Physician Jiang made a mistake?"
Jiang Ru Mo's medical skills would naturally not be mistaken.
She was still disbelieving when Qin Ru Lian's expression had already become extremely ugly.
Biting her lip, she quickly asked, "Has the Empress Dowager visited the Prince Consort's courtyard? Did she... discover anything?"
The guard did not really understand what she meant by "discover anything."
He frowned and shook his head.
"The Empress Dowager and Prince Yun have both visited. Oh, and the Ink Prince also personally visited. We did not hear of any abnormalities."
No abnormalities?
Qin Ru Lian's fingers tightly gripped her handkerchief, her teeth gritting inaudibly.
How could it be? Last night, she clearly...
"Princess Qingyun, Miss Qin, this subordinate will take his leave."
The guard said and quickly left with the tonics. Qin Ru Lian looked at that place from afar, a deep resentment surging in her eyes again.
The Empress Dowager was about to punish her, and she got pregnant.
How could this slut be so lucky!