The man said in a deep voice, “You’re injured and pregnant. I’m taking you to see a doctor.”
Su Qingwan: “I’m not injured, and the baby is fine. Let go of me immediately! If you don’t release me, I guarantee this hairpin will pierce through your neck!”
The man remained silent and didn’t let go.
Su Qingwan hardened her heart and pushed the zhuchai forward slightly, immediately drawing blood from the other’s neck.
The man’s eyes held complex emotions, yet he still didn’t release her. His gaze swept over her rosy lips and those brilliantly shining eyes bright with anger.
His eyes darkened slightly as he remained silent, allowing the wound on his neck to bleed.
Su Qingwan felt helpless. She was still being carried by this man flying over eaves and walls. If they were to fight to the death now, she would surely be badly injured from the fall.
However, she clearly sensed that this person likely meant her no harm.
After what felt like an eternity, the man brought Su Qingwan to a yiguan. A handsome man walked out from inside, dressed in white brocade robes, carrying the scent of medicine all over him, with a pair of peach blossom eyes.
The man looked at them curiously, “Oh?”
The man in black said coldly, “No nonsense. Quickly check her pulse.”
Su Qingwan’s guard lowered slightly. So this person really brought her to see a doctor?
The man with peach blossom eyes clicked his tongue but still respectfully said to Su Qingwan, “Miss Su, allow me to check your pulse?”
Su Qingwan suspiciously extended her hand, “You know me? But I’ve never seen you before.”
“My surname is Murong, given name Jin. I’m the physician at this yiguan. As for Miss Su, recently everyone in the capital knows of the famous Miss Su.”
As he spoke, he took out a handkerchief to avoid impropriety, lightly placing it on her wrist before withdrawing it after checking her pulse. He smiled and said, “Miss Su is perfectly healthy, and the child in your womb is also very robust.”
Su Qingwan glanced helplessly at the black-clad man nearby, “I already told him I was fine, but he insisted on bringing me here. Still, thank you for your kindness. My maids are coming to find me, I must leave now.”
The black-clad man looked at her as if wanting to say something but ultimately remained silent. Only Murong Jin cheerfully said, “Miss Su, if you ever have any incurable diseases in the future, you can come find me.”
Su Qingwan politely nodded slightly before turning to leave.
She mentally noted Murong Jin’s name, wondering if her father knew this person. But that black-clad man was truly somewhat strange.
By this time, Qinxin had caught up with others in tow, her face full of concern, “Master, are you alright?”
Su Qingwan shook her head and said, “Take me back to Hou Manor.”
The news that the heir’s wife of Zhongyong Hou, pregnant with a posthumous child, had nearly miscarried halfway back to her maternal home quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys.
The Su family rushed to Hou Manor. Su Shangshu coldly stared at the Lord Marquis, “Lord Marquis, our Qingwan has always been dignified and gentle. Before marriage, no one in the entire capital spoke ill of her, and she has never offended anyone. Today’s incident is clearly deliberate retaliation by someone with ill intentions. If you don’t give us an explanation, I will take Qingwan back to the Su family today!”
The Lord Marquis looked embarrassed and quickly said, “The one who collided with Qingwan’s carriage was a dwarf disguised as a child. A-Ci has already taken people to capture him.”
Minister Su: “There are rumors outside that the second branch resents Qing Wan for preventing them from immediately inheriting the peerage due to her pregnancy. Lord Marquis, are you certain your second son can capture that dwarf disguised as a child? If he isn’t caught today, will Qing Wan have suffered this fright for nothing?”
Zhongyong Hou: “Rest assured, Minister Su. I will personally investigate this matter thoroughly until the truth is revealed. Qing Wan won’t have suffered in vain. What matters most now is that she has emerged unscathed from this danger – both she and the child are safe.”
Minister Su snorted coldly. Internally, he felt conflicted: on one hand, he hoped his daughter would remain safe, but on the other, he secretly wished the child were gone so his daughter could take the opportunity to leave this hypocritical Hou Manor with its hidden agendas.
Meanwhile, outside the Qinfang in Linglong Yuan, a group of women waited anxiously.
Baishi, her eyes red, glared at Feng Shi. “Our Qing Wan was always fine before. Why does she keep encountering mishaps since marrying into your Hou Manor?”
Feng Shi, aware that her son might be involved and feeling guilty, spoke more meekly. “Dear relative, there’s no need for such distant words. None of us wanted such an accident to happen. You must know that the child Qing Wan carries is A Rui’s posthumous child – I’m more concerned about her than anyone!”
Baishi: “Was what happened today truly an accident?”
Feng Shi’s eyebrows twitched.
Su Xiyue, standing beside Feng Shi supporting her, said to Baishi: “Aunt, how can you misunderstand us like this? If we’re being honest, it’s more that elder sister has unfortunate fate. After all, shortly after she married into Hou Manor, the Shizi met with misfortune. People outside are even saying that elder sister brings bad luck to her husband!”
Upon hearing this, Baishi flew into a rage.
She directly slapped Su Xiyue across the face. “Su Xiyue, how dare you speak of your elder sister like that? Have you forgotten you’re also a member of the Su family? When others spread false rumors, instead of understanding that we rise and fall together, you add insult to injury here! How could the second branch have produced such an unreasonable creature like you! Tell me – was today’s incident orchestrated by your second branch?”
Baishi was famously good-tempered, so when she slapped someone, Su Xiyue was stunned.
It took quite a while before Su Xiyue, covering her face, choked out: “Aunt, I know you’re worried about elder sister, but how can you take it out on me? And to falsely accuse our second branch of being behind this – how could that be? Where’s your evidence? You can’t just make baseless accusations!”
Baishi, who had never hit anyone before, found the experience surprisingly satisfying and carried herself more assertively than before. “Very well! Regardless of how this matter turns out, our Su family will investigate to the end. If it’s ultimately proven to be related to the second branch, never mind anything else – just for conspiring with outsiders against your own flesh and blood, Su Xiyue, you’d be unworthy of being a Su family member!”
Su Xiyue choked on her words, momentarily wondering if Baishi had discovered something.
Just then, Li Taiyi emerged from the inner chamber. Baishi immediately approached him and asked concernedly: “Li Taiyi, is Qing Wan alright?”
Feng Shi and Su Xiyue also stood nearby nervously, their eyes full of anticipation.
Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Li Taiyi said: “The Heir’s Wife has experienced some fetal distress, but fortunately she has a strong constitution. As long as she takes extra care and rests properly from now on, she’ll be fine. Moreover, judging from the pulse reading, the Heir’s Wife is very likely carrying twins!”
In Da Chu, carrying twins was considered an auspicious event, symbolizing abundant offspring and blessings.
However, Imperial Physician Li noticed that several people in the room didn’t seem particularly pleased upon hearing the news… The people of Hou Manor were truly peculiar.
Especially Feng Shi and Su Xiyue, who both swayed unsteadily, their expressions caught between weeping and laughter, ultimately twisting their features into contortions.
They couldn’t help but think: How could Su Qingwan be so fortunate? Even after falling from a carriage and showing signs of bleeding, she remained unharmed—and might even be carrying twins?
What if both children were boys…
Baishi, on the other hand, didn’t care how many children there were; her primary concern was her daughter.
“I’m going in to see Wanwan.”
As Feng Shi and Su Xiyue moved to follow, a weak yet resolute voice came from the inner chamber: “Su Xiyue, just because I’m carrying the Shizi’s posthumous child and blocking your path, you and Gu Yunci would go so far as to harm me? I never want to see you again—get out!”
Su Xiyue hurriedly defended herself, “Sister-in-law, this matter has nothing to do with me! When the carriage overturned, I was frightened too.”
Su Qingwan retorted, “Do you dare swear to heaven that you had no part in this? If you are involved, may you be struck by lightning and die a wretched death!”
How could Su Xiyue dare make such a vicious oath?
Feng Shi shot her a glare and whispered, “You go back first. I’ll check on Qingwan’s condition.”
Inside the room, Su Qingwan nestled in her mother Baishi’s embrace, murmuring, “Mother, my stomach hurts so much… I’m so scared.”
Baishi choked back tears, “Wanwan, it’s alright now. You’re safe, and the child is safe too. Everything is fine.”
The mother and daughter spoke at length, paying no attention to Feng Shi. Left awkwardly on her own, Feng Shi finally said, “You two have a private talk then. I’ll go instruct the kitchen to prepare dinner for everyone.”
Once the unwelcome guests had departed, Baishi’s sorrowful expression shifted abruptly as she nervously patted her chest. “When I heard the carriage had overturned and you were bleeding, I was terrified! Wanwan, did everything go smoothly today? Are you truly unharmed?”
Su Qingwan lowered her gaze slightly.
There had, in fact, been one unexpected incident—the sudden appearance of that masked man in black!