Ye Liao Zhai pondered for a moment and said, “Go and invite the imperial physician, Doctor Bian!”
After Doctor Bian arrived at the Ye residence, Ye Liao Zhai personally escorted him to the Fragrant Courtyard, where he examined Concubine Liu on the spot.
After taking her pulse, Doctor Bian cupped his hands and smiled, “Congratulations, Prime Minister. It is indeed a pregnancy!”
“Is it true?” Ye Liao Zhai abruptly stood up.
“Absolutely true!”
Ye Liao Zhai was instantly overjoyed.
He had initially suspected that Concubine Liu was faking it, but he never expected it to be real!
To have a child in his late forties—what a stroke of luck!
As for those rumors about his failing kidneys, this was a resounding slap in their faces…
How could his kidneys be failing when his concubine was pregnant?
Beside him, Doctor Bian also gave him a thumbs-up: “Prime Minister, impressive!”
“Hahaha…” Ye Liao Zhai laughed heartily, repeatedly cupping his hands in gratitude. “I’ve troubled you today, Doctor. I will personally visit to express my thanks another day!”
After Doctor Bian left, Concubine Liu said with tears in her eyes, “Master, I was possessed by a fox demon and did many mad things. I have no face to live on… but now that I am carrying your child, I must first give birth before I can atone with my death!”
Her face was still marked with whip scars, and her tearful, injured appearance was far from pleasant.
Ye Liao Zhai glanced at her before looking away, forcing patience as he said, “Don’t overthink it. Focus on nurturing the pregnancy!”
With that, he left without looking back.
Concubine Liu watched his retreating figure, gritting her teeth in secret.
She had taken a secret pill from the market that could create the illusion of pregnancy, and even a divine physician would be unable to detect the false pulse.
But this was only a temporary solution. To survive, she needed to actually become pregnant!
However, she had already fallen out of favor, and Ye Liao Zhai was unlikely to sleep with her again.
If she wanted to conceive, she would have to secretly find someone else, and time was so tight…
Concubine Liu clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms:
“It’s all because of that Ye Piaoling, who has driven me to this point…”
Qiao Shu walked in carrying medicine and, upon hearing this, said, “Madam, the eldest young lady is truly detestable. You haven’t seen how arrogantly she flaunts herself. Originally, the Ye family’s assets would have all belonged to the young master, but now that Ye Piaoling has regained her Spiritual Power, she will surely come to seize them!”
These words struck a chord with Concubine Liu.
This was precisely what she feared. If Ye Piaoling remained a waste, it would be fine, but now that she had regained her talent, Ye Tianbao might not be able to compete with her in the future.
“The eldest young lady is extremely narrow-minded. Even before her immortal vein has recovered, she injured the young master and framed you, Madam. Once her immortal vein recovers next month, she will likely bully us even more!”
Qiao Shu continued to incite, “Madam, you are simply too kind-hearted. If it were anyone else, even for the sake of the young master, they would surely eliminate her while her immortal vein has not yet recovered… Otherwise, once her cultivation is restored, it will be even harder to deal with her!”
As Concubine Liu listened, her expression grew increasingly grim.
Yes, she had long despised Ye Piaoling. If it weren’t for this obstructive legitimate daughter, her son’s status in the family would be unrivaled!
That was why she was happier than anyone when Ye Piaoling became a waste. Later, when Ye Tianbao bullied his elder sister—throwing stones, spitting, even killing the bird she kept—Concubine Liu knew about it all. She never restrained him; instead, she felt proud that her son was so formidable that even the legitimate daughter had to endure his bullying.
During the time when I was assisting in managing the household, I often bullied Ye Piaoling, withholding her monthly allowance and daily necessities.
Now that Ye Piaoling has returned, her actions are clearly aimed at taking revenge on them!
Therefore, Ye Piaoling must not be allowed to stay—she must be dealt with as soon as possible by hiring an assassin!
Concubine Liu took a deep breath and said, “You may leave now. Let me think it over.”
“Your servant takes her leave.”
Qiao Shu sneered inwardly as she withdrew.
Since Ye Piaoling refused to let her return to Fallen Blossoms Courtyard, she could just wait for her own death. Concubine Liu would surely find a way to eliminate her!
Lost in thought, Qiao Shu exited Concubine Liu’s bedchamber.
Two Shadow Guards hurriedly approached her: “Miss Qiao Shu, come with us!”
“What are you doing?” Qiao Shu was startled.
The Shadow Guards offered no explanation, swiftly escorting her to the main courtyard.
Ye Liao Zhai was not home today. In the main courtyard, aside from the steward, there were several men dressed in black. Judging by the emblems on their clothing, they were actually Shadow Guards from Chonghua Palace!
The steward was bowing obsequiously to the leader among them. Seeing Qiao Shu arrive, he quickly pointed at her and said, “Lord Liang Yun, this is the Qiao Shu you are looking for.”
Qiao Shu was stunned.
Liang Yun, the leader of the Shadow Guards serving the Regent King at Chonghua Palace, had come looking for her?
Liang Yun scrutinized Qiao Shu, his brow slightly furrowed.
The expert who had awakened His Highness left behind a handkerchief. He quickly traced it to a renowned embroidery workshop in the capital, where it was identified as the work of an embroiderer.
The embroiderer immediately recognized the handkerchief as one she had stitched years ago while practicing her craft, which she had later given to her niece.
The niece’s name was Qiao Shu, and she worked as a maid in the Prime Minister’s residence.
Now, Qiao Shu was nothing like the imagined expert.
Liang Yun took out the handkerchief and said coldly, “Is this yours?”
Qiao Shu stared at the handkerchief.
This was given to her by her aunt years ago. She didn’t like it, so she gave it to the eldest young lady…
Now, the lofty and unattainable Chonghua Palace was seeking her out over a mere handkerchief?
Qiao Shu’s mind raced as she cautiously asked, “Lord Liang Yun, why do you ask?”
Liang Yun replied expressionlessly, “You only need to answer: yes or no.”
Qiao Shu lowered her gaze.
Chonghua Palace was an existence she had never dared to aspire to in this lifetime, yet now, because of this handkerchief, she had become entangled with it…
After a moment, Qiao Shu nodded: “It is mine.”
Liang Yun said, “There is a line of embroidery on this handkerchief. Do you know what it says?”
Qiao Shu replied, “The mountain has trees, and the trees have branches.”
The answer was correct.
Liang Yun sneered and said, “Take her away!”
Immediately, Shadow Guards stepped forward and escorted Qiao Shu out of the Prime Minister’s residence.
Qiao Shu’s heart was in turmoil. When they arrived outside the gates of Chonghua Palace, she finally couldn’t hold back and asked again, “Lord Liang Yun, why exactly are you looking for me?”
Liang Yun said calmly, “It is His Highness who wishes to see you.”
“What?”
Upon hearing this, Qiao Shu was both thrilled and terrified.
It turned out it wasn’t Liang Yun who wanted to see her, but the lofty Regent King himself!
The Regent King had sought her out over a handkerchief embroidered with a love poem. The reason behind this…
Just as Qiao Shu was lost in wild fantasies, she suddenly heard Liang Yun say, “My apologies.”
With that, he suddenly struck her with a palm.
“Ah!!”
Qiao Shu was sent flying, blood spurting from her mouth.
She crashed heavily to the ground, vomiting another mouthful of blood, trembling in shock and horror.
Liang Yun looked at her with a face full of regret. “I truly dislike resorting to violence against women, but since you have offended our master, I cannot simply bring you before him unharmed, can I?”