Qingyang Princess Manor.
The Shadow Guard arrived before An Dongzhang, reporting everything he had seen and heard to Qingyang Princess in full detail.
Hmph, a small knife to the buttocks—what an eye-opener!
Rong Momo and the other four were exasperated.
They had long known the Prince Consort's character was contemptible, but they never imagined he could be so shameless as to openly keep a woman outside and even have an illegitimate child with her.
Simply detestable!
Qingyang Princess lowered her eyes and sneered.
Her baby had already told her about An Dongzhang's scheme, so she was mentally prepared and didn't lose control of her emotions upon hearing the news.
However…
No one could slap her, Luo Shihan's, face and get away with it!
A meaningful smile touched the corners of Qingyang Princess's lips as she commanded the Shadow Guard, "Go! Tie up Li Xiangxiang and her daughter and bring them to the Princess Mansion."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The Shadow Guard respectfully accepted the order and swiftly vanished from the room.
Luo Ranran cheered inwardly: [Wow! Mommy is so domineering, Mommy is so mighty! Baby will bang his head against the wall for you!]
So happy! Mommy’s eyes were finally open.
(′) A blush crept across Qingyang Princess's cheeks. My dear baby, your praise is making Mommy embarrassed.
Just then, Rong Momo came to report, "Your Highness, Imperial Physician Huang has arrived. The Crown Prince is with him."
"The Crown Prince? Why is he here?" Qingyang Princess frowned and sighed helplessly.
She had wanted to handle today's matter privately and not involve the imperial family. But now that the Crown Prince had come in person, it would be unreasonable to not let him intervene.
"Momo, quickly invite His Highness the Crown Prince inside. That child, with the wind and snow raging outside, isn't he afraid of catching a chill?"
The words had barely left her mouth when the Crown Prince's gentle laughter rang out.
"Aunt, your nephew is strong and healthy, and a martial artist besides. I'm not afraid of a little wind and snow. Besides, your health is what's most important."
After speaking, the Crown Prince immediately gestured to Imperial Physician Huang, who was following behind him. "Imperial Physician Huang, quickly diagnose Qingyang Princess. Imperial Grandmother and Imperial Father are especially concerned, so you must not be careless."
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Imperial Physician Huang appeared respectful on the surface, but inwardly he was crying bitter tears. Oh, his poor old back! It was really suffering today.
It seemed he would have to ask his wife to rub it with medicinal wine tonight, or he definitely wouldn't be able to get out of bed tomorrow, which would be a complete embarrassment.
Qingyang Princess's eyes flickered.
She immediately noticed Imperial Physician Huang rubbing his lower back and knew that for the Crown Prince to bring him to the Princess Mansion in such a short time, he must have made the carriage travel at its fastest speed.
It had jostled the old Imperial Physician's back to the point of nearly breaking.
She felt both helpless and comforted. With members of the imperial family who genuinely cared for her, this life had not been lived in vain.
"Momo, see that Imperial Physician Huang has a seat."
Imperial Physician Huang's heart leaped with joy, and he immediately expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness. This humble servant is endlessly grateful."
Qingyang Princess smiled and nodded, then gestured for the Crown Prince to sit down.
"Aunt, ever since you became pregnant, you have never summoned an Imperial Physician to check your pulse. This unusual action now, is there something wrong with your health?"
The Crown Prince's brows were tightly furrowed as he looked at Qingyang Princess with a worried expression.
"Crown Prince, you need not be nervous. I am fine. It's just that I'm approaching my due date and feel uncertain, so I asked Imperial Physician Huang to come this time merely to seek some peace of mind."
Qingyang Princess's expression was calm as she extended her slender right wrist, allowing Imperial Physician Huang to take her pulse.
[That's not it at all!] Luo Ranran pouted, feeling indignant.
[Mommy, you're lying! You've clearly been poisoned, it's just that ordinary doctors can't diagnose it. Especially the physician in the Princess Mansion—his medical skills are superb, but he was bought off by that scum of a man long ago.]
Qingyang Princess: …My dear baby, can you please leave Mommy some face?
The Crown Prince's palms began to sweat. His deep eyes swept the room without a change in expression, but he saw no sign of a baby.
And yet, he had clearly heard a milky, childlike voice speaking just now, while his aunt and Imperial Physician Huang's expressions remained unchanged, as if they had heard nothing.
Could it be… he was hearing things?
Guagua: [Ding—Luo Chenxuan, Crown Prince of Tianqi Kingdom, thirteen years old. Possesses both talent and virtue, is kind and benevolent, treats others with humility and courtesy, and is approachable, deeply favored by the Emperor and Empress.
It's a pity that heaven is jealous of talented individuals. He was originally the most suitable candidate to be the next emperor, but he ultimately died in a conspiracy, killed by…]
Luo Ranran covered her face and sobbed.
She truly felt sorry for this modest and gentle Crown Prince brother. Poor kid, she pitied his fate.
[Sob, sob, sob, my magnificent and noble Crown Prince brother! You clearly had a bright future ahead of you, yet you were framed by villains and died young. Calculating the time, there are only two years left until your death.]
What?
The Crown Prince's pupils contracted in an earthquake of shock. His mind reeled, his face filled with disbelief.
Crown Prince brother?
Died young?
Only two years left to live?
How audacious! Who was this baby speaking?
Why did she call him Crown Prince brother?
"Hiss…" Qingyang Princess was stunned into a daze. Unable to hold back, she clutched her belly and let out a pained groan.
The Crown Prince quickly snapped back to his senses and asked nervously, "Aunt, are you feeling unwell somewhere? Imperial Physician Huang, quickly…"
"Don't!" Qingyang Princess suppressed the shock in her eyes and shook her head at the Crown Prince. "I'm fine. It was just the baby in my belly acting up fiercely just now."
The baby in her belly?
The Crown Prince froze, looking at Qingyang Princess's large, protruding belly in a daze. Even through her clothes, he could see the extent of the small baby's punches and kicks.
Could it be that the milky voice he heard just now belonged to this yet-to-be-born baby?
Luo Ranran apologized guiltily: [I'm sorry, Mommy. Baby didn't mean to hurt you. I just got emotional and couldn't hold it in. Please forgive me, Mommy.]
Qingyang Princess's heart felt incredibly comforted.
She wasn't carrying a small baby; she was clearly carrying a sweet and sensible, caring little treasure. Having her dear baby was enough for this lifetime.
"My dear baby, Mommy isn't in pain. Don't blame yourself."
Luo Ranran: [Sob, sob, sob, Mommy, you're so nice! Baby likes you so much! By the way, Mommy, time waits for no one. You must expose that scum's plot as soon as possible. Baby doesn't want you to suffer a fate of one corpse and two lives.]
Qingyang Princess: …My dear baby, don't be anxious. It will be soon.
The Crown Prince's eyes widened in shock, staring intently at Qingyang Princess's belly. His clenched fists were slick with cold sweat.
It was confirmed. The baby's voice belonged to his yet-to-be-born cousin.
Truly, the world is vast and full of wonders!
To think he would encounter something so magical. Perhaps heaven looked favorably upon him and granted him such an opportunity, allowing him to learn of his fate in advance and take precautions.
At this thought, the Crown Prince cleared his throat, suppressed his incredulity, and asked tentatively.
"Aunt, do you know if the baby in your belly is a boy or a girl?"
Luo Ranran smiled shyly: [Crown Prince brother, I'm a girl!]
Guagua joined in on the fun: [Sob, sob, sob, I'm a girl too!]
Qingyang Princess's eyes curved into crescents, her heart melting into a puddle. She gently touched Luo Ranran through her belly.
"My dear baby is a girl. I've always wanted a daughter. After my baby is born, I will shelter her from the wind and rain, give her the best affection in the world, and let her become a carefree little Junzhu."
Luo Ranran was overjoyed and gently nuzzled her little head against the belly wall: [Aww, Mommy, let's cuddle! Baby loves you, muah muah!]
Qingyang Princess: …My dear baby, Mommy loves you too. Hmm… but what does this 'muah muah' mean? Could it be kisses?
The Crown Prince took a deep breath, his heart surging with excitement.
It's a sister! Wonderful! He finally had the soft, sweet, and well-behaved little sister he had been hoping for.