Looking at the Eldest Princess who was crying uncontrollably, Princess Qingyang's eyes darkened, and a bitter feeling welled up in her heart.
She only had her one precious baby, but her Eldest Imperial Sister had three children. Adding her own life to that, it was a total of four living souls!
No wonder she would break down like this.
Princess Qingyang reached out, hugged the Eldest Princess, and soothed her in a gentle voice.
"Eldest Imperial Sister, go on and cry. Cry your heart out. After you've cried, we'll wipe away our tears, cast aside our cowardice, and remember that a mother must be strong. For our children's sake, we must become strong. We cannot let a single person who has harmed us get away.
"Don't you forget, we are princesses of the Luo Imperial Family. We have the entire imperial family to rely on. Even if the imperial family proves unreliable, I will always stand behind you as your firmest support."
"Sob, sob… Imperial Sister, thank you."
The Eldest Princess was both grief-stricken and deeply moved.
Her Imperial Sister, as kind-hearted as ever.
Luo Ranran listened intently to the commotion outside, a little dumbfounded.
【Huh? Why did Aunt suddenly start crying so heart-wrenchingly? Could it be that she already knows she's been poisoned and doesn't have long to live? Or did she find out that her husband hinted for his beloved concubine to get rid of her and her three children?】
The Eldest Princess's sobs caught in her throat.
She quickly perked up her ears, afraid her crying would drown out the inner voice and cause her to miss something important.
【Ah!】 Luo Ranran slapped her own little head in frustration. 【What was the name of that favorite concubine of Qian Jinlai's again?】
The Eldest Princess's heart couldn't stop racing. She had no time for tears anymore.
【Aiya, what was her name? This Baby can't remember it right now.】
The Eldest Princess bit her lip tightly.
Frantic with anxiety, she wanted to kneel and beg: My dear, this is a matter of life and death, I'm begging you, you must remember.
Princess Qingyang coughed lightly and shot the Eldest Princess a look: Sister, you can't just rely on my precious baby, you have to cooperate and give her a hint!
"Eldest Imperial Sister, you were just vomiting blood and crying so hard. What is the reason for all this?"
The Eldest Princess received the visual cue and understood immediately.
She quickly wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and then her performance began.
She spoke in a sorrowful tone, "Imperial Sister, you don't know, but lately I've been feeling that my body is failing me, getting worse by the day. I suspected something was wrong with my health and called the Residence Physician to examine me, but he only said I was overworked and needed to rest more."
【Oh, my dear Aunt, you probably don't know yet! The poison in your body was personally prepared by that Residence Physician. And the person behind him who gave the order was none other than your husband's family of three.】
The Eldest Princess's breath hitched, and boundless hatred surged within her.
Had she dug up the Qian Family's ancestral graves, or did she have some feud with them from a past life?
Her life was already hard enough. Why couldn't they just leave her alone? Why did they want to take her life?
Luo Ranran pouted her lips and lamented: 【The people of the mortal world are truly terrifying. Just because they felt Aunt couldn't bring glory to their family and was a princess the imperial family didn't value, they felt they had lost face. They didn't dare to defy the imperial decree, so they planned to marry Aunt into the family first, then poison her food and drink to let her die without anyone knowing.】
Princess Qingyang narrowed her eyes, a murderous aura flaring. The Qian Family…
Sorrow filled the Eldest Princess's heart.
It was exactly as she had thought. She knew the Qian Family had never truly accepted her.
Heh, an imperial princess!
If she could choose, she would rather have been born into a farmer's family.
The Eldest Princess suppressed her grief and gave a bitter smile.
"Imperial Sister, I walk on thin ice in the Qian Family. I can't gain the approval of my parents-in-law, nor do I have my husband's affection. Even my husband's concubines can walk all over me."
Princess Qingyang immediately roared in anger.
"How outrageous! Is the Qian Family openly slapping the face of the imperial family? A mere concubine can bully a princess as she pleases? This is utterly insolent! Are they planning to rebel? Eldest Imperial Sister, I will back you up in everything. Tell me, what is that concubine's name?"
The Eldest Princess's face was full of gratitude. Although her sister's main goal was to draw out the little baby's inner thoughts, she knew her sister genuinely wanted to stand up for her.
"Imperial Sister, the most favored concubine right now is named Rulan. There is also a Hongyu, who is on par with Rulan. The two of them have fought many times to compete for favor."
Princess Qingyang nodded. "Mm, Rulan, Hongyu. I'll remember them."
【Yay, yay, yay!】 Luo Ranran cried out excitedly. 【This Baby remembers now! The person Qian Jinlai ordered was Rulan! She was the one who poisoned the little pitiful one, causing him to become a simpleton. She was also the one who ordered people to put poison in Aunt's food.】
【Poor Aunt, that Rulan is very, very bad. Most of the senior maids and servant girls by your side are her people. The other small portion belongs to Hongyu, and that concubine is no good either!】
Luo Ranran felt utterly weary. 【Aunt, oh Aunt, if you don't toughen up yourself, no one can save you and your three children. Such is man, and such is fate!】
The Eldest Princess's heart jolted violently.
As if waking from a dream, she let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Yes, the baby was right. If she didn't toughen up herself, no one could save her. Even if her Imperial Sister backed her, it would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause.
Heh, she, Luo Shici, had been cautious and timid for twenty-two years!
Her compromises, her obedience, her prudence in word and deed—everything she had ever done seemed utterly ridiculous now that she knew the fate of herself and her four children.
No matter what, she was still a princess.
She could not lose the backbone and dignity that a member of the imperial family ought to have. For her three children, she had to straighten her spine, forge ahead bravely, and clear away all obstacles.
In that instant, it was as if the Eldest Princess was reborn.
The timidity in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by determination and resolve. Her neck, which had always been slightly bowed, had quietly straightened.
Princess Qingyang was greatly gratified.
"Eldest Imperial Sister, I suspect you've been poisoned. I'll have the physician give you a thorough examination later. If he can't find anything, I'll have Imperial Physician Huang come and examine you."
After speaking, Princess Qingyang said earnestly, "Eldest Imperial Sister, a mother must be strong. As children of the imperial family, we must not be weak. When it's time to be tough, you must be tough. Go ahead and do what you must. I will back you up in everything."
With grateful tears in her eyes, the Eldest Princess stood up and gave Princess Qingyang a deep, formal bow.
It was for her, and also for the little baby who was not yet born.
"Imperial Sister, I will engrave this great kindness in my heart. In the future, if you ever have need of me, just ask. Even if you ask for my life, I will give it."
Princess Qingyang smiled helplessly and stepped forward to help the Eldest Princess up.
"Eldest Imperial Sister, what you're saying is too serious. The bond between us sisters is stronger than gold; we should naturally watch over and help each other. Don't talk about giving your life anymore. I just want you to live for yourself."
Live for myself?
The Eldest Princess's expression was dazed. She had never had a self.
But things were different now. For her three children, and to repay the kindness of her Imperial Sister and her niece, she would strive to find her true nature and live for herself.
Luo Ranran's energy was limited. She let out a small yawn.
【So sleepy, I'm going to sleep. Time for sleepy-sleep! Goodnight, Mommy, Aunt, and little pitiful one!】
Princess Qingyang: …You've worked hard, my precious baby. Goodnight.
The Eldest Princess: …My dear, thank you.
Qian Zhanyi blinked his vacant, large eyes and pointed a small finger at Princess Qingyang's belly.
"Ah, sis… night…"