The next morning, Helian Jing went to pick up Ah Ruan before heading to the Jing An Marquis’ mansion to wait for Yaoyao. He figured that since the negotiations are done now, Brother Chunyu would be coming with them.
As he expected, when Yaoyao came out, Chunyu was right on her heels. What he didn’t expect though was the beautiful girl beside her.
“Big Sister!” Ah Ruan called as she jumped out of the carriage. She looked at the handsome man standing beside her and smiled. He must be the famous Jing An Heir-son Lord. During the negotiation, she has heard from her servants that he was a difficult person to deal with. They said that he’s very sharp and has skillful speech that left their officers floundering around.
Ah Ruan was secretly surprised. She had thought that Helian Jing’s a handsome man, but he has nothing with the Jing An Heir-son Lord.
Xia Chunyu bowed to Ah Ruan and greeted, “Xia Chunyu shows my respect to Princess.”
Ah Ruan waved her hand dismissively. “Call me Ah Ruan.”
Chunyu has heard from Yaoyao that this princess was a lovely friend worth meeting. Plus, if she’s to marry Little Jing, she will become a member of the family.
He nodded and turned to Little Jing, proposing that they go to Puji Temple instead as to which the latter immediately agreed to.
Helian Jing wasn’t also keen on going to Qianma Field. The road there was too bumpy and it’d be even worse today since it rained quite heavily last night.
“Who is this?” Ah Ruan asked as she looked at Jinyao again.
Ye Jiayao answered, “This is my youngest sister. Jinyao, come and greet Princess Ah Ruan.”
Jinyao hurried forward to curtsy. “Jinyao shows respect to Princess Ah Ruan.”
After all the introductions were made, they began their journey. The women got into the carriage while Chunyu and Helian Jing rode on the back of their horses.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t go. If you canceled, I would’ve dragged you out,” Ah Ruan told Yaoyao.
“Why would I cancel?” Ye Jiayao said with a smile. “I’m actually grateful to you for giving me an excuse to take a break. I’ve wanted to go out for a long time.”
“In that case, you should come with me tomorrow too,” Ah Ruan said, a bit conspiratorily.
Ye Jiayao doesn’t have the luxury to go out every day like her. “Where to?”
A Ruan whispered, “The Helian mansion.”
Ye Jiayao smiled knowingly. It seemed like Ah Ruan wanted to cover all her bases. “Alright, I’ll come with you.”
Ah Ruan gave Yaoyao a big hug. “Thank you, Big Sister!”
Jinyao was surprised at the relationship between her older sister and the Princess. Weren’t all princesses stuck up and proud?
Meanwhile, in the Jing An Marquis’ mansion, Liu Li was lying pale on her bed. She was being looked over by Little Ya and Imperial Physician Li.
There was a strong smell of wormwood in the room.
“Tell me the truth. Is the child going to survive?” Liu Li asked through gritted teeth.
Little Ya was very sad. How could this happen? Even after all their meticulous care, Imperial Physician Li found out that the child was not quite right.
Imperial Physician Li stayed quiet for a long moment before carefully saying, “Smoke some wormwood for a few more days. If she still doesn’t improve then…”
Liu Li’s eyes were full of pain and determination as she ordered, “Save my child.”
The child has been inside her for several months. She would touch her bump every day and felt her child grow up in her. She was so excited to experience the joy of motherhood. She doesn’t want to lose him or her.
Moreover, this child was her ticket to win everyone’s heart. She’s going to be the center of attention of the whole mansion. They would all follow her whim and spoil her. She’s finally going to beat Jinxuan.
However, if she loses this child…
Chunfeng and her mother-in-law would be disappointed. All those who were counting on her would be disappointed and Jinxuan would win.
She couldn’t lose her child. The mere thought of it makes her feel as though she’s being choked.
Once the long smoking process was over, Imperial Physician Li packed her things up and wrote a prescription for Liu Li with strict instructions to lie still.
They lit rich ambergris and opened all the windows on the side of the garden to remove all the scent of wormwood.
She needed to hide this matter for now and just hope that things would improve.
Little Ya stood by the bed and looked on at her master sadly. “Princess, don’t think too much. Doctor Li said that you should be relaxing.”
Liu Li didn’t say anything. It was easier said than done. This was her child. Her flesh and blood. How could she relax? She was terrified of what’s to come.
Her hand slowly caressed her swollen belly, trying to feel the movement of her fetus, but there was nothing.
My baby, don’t sleep. Wake up and tell your mother you’re fine…
Tears fell down her face. Please, my baby. Please, be alright.
“Princess, Third Madame asks for a meeting,” a servant outside reported.
Liu Li wiped her tears away and gestured for Little Ya to deal with Zhou.
“Third Madame, Princess Liu Li sends her apologies. She’s feeling a little weak today and she’s resting,” Little Ya said.
Zhou asked, “Is she alright?”
“She’s alright. It may be just because of the weather. She just needs to rest up.”
Zhou nodded and left.
Halfway to her house, though, she turned around and went to the main house instead.
“Big Sister, I just went to see Liu Li and she’s not feeling well,” Zhou told You.
You asked anxiously, “What happened? Did she say anything about the discomfort?”
Zhou responded, “Little Ya said that Liu Li’s resting so I didn’t go in. It should be just a minor problem, though. Imperial Physician Li’s been taking good care of her so I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
Xia You wasn’t comforted. She hasn’t seen Liu Li in two days. She’d have to go and look at her later.
Just then, Qiao’s servant came.
“Madame, the First Young Mistress just threw up.”
“When did she start throwing up?” You asked calmly.
“Just today,” answered the servant.
“What about her period?”
“She’s several days late.”
You’s heart sank. “Go and get a doctor to look her over.”
Zhou watched You’s reaction to the news. You might be excited but she was also worried. After all, it’s only Jinxuan now who has yet to bear the family a child.
Ye Jiayao was oblivious to all of this craziness. She was too busy admiring the scenery in the temple.
They were now walking up the steps and they were surrounded by towering ancient trees. The silence would only be disturbed by the occasional bird singing and rustle of tree branches. It was breathtakingly peaceful.
Because it rained last night, the stone steps were still wet and a little slippery, so Xia Chunyu assisted Yaoyao up the steps. From time to time, he’d warn her to be careful and to watch her feet.
Ah Ruan, on the other hand, was happily running in front of all of them, the silver pieces on her clothes ringing with her every move.
“Little Jing, you’re too slow! Come on, let’s race and see if you can run faster than me,” Ah Ruan challenged mischievously from above them.
Helian Jing wasn’t interested in competing with her. The steps were slippery and if anything happens to her, it’d be his responsibility.
“Don’t run! Be careful!” Helian Jing cried out.
“Nope! Come on!” Ah Ruan turned around and ran up again.
Helian Jing cursed silently and followed after her. He was afraid that she’d slip and crack her head so he had to catch up to her.
Ye Jiayao looked at the two of them and couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you think they’ll make it?”
“Yeah, they should be able to,” Xia Chunyu mused.
“Ah Ruan is going to the Helian mansion tomorrow and she asked me to come with her.”
“Go then. I’m sure Old Ancestress would love to see you.”
Jinyao was left behind by herself. She hasn’t had much exercise so she was already panting after just a few short steps.
She looked forward and saw her brother-in-law carefully assisting her sister and felt envious. He treats Big Sister so good!
“Third Young Lady Ye, do you need help?” Qiao Xi asked.
Jinyao shook her head and smiled. “No, I can do it myself.”
Suddenly, an idea occurred to her and Jinyao deliberately turned her foot around.
“Ouch!” she cried out in pain.
Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu heard a cry and looked back. They saw Jinyao sitting down on the steps, clutching her ankle in one hand.
“Go and see what’s wrong,” Ye Jiayao told Chunyu worriedly.
Xia Chunyu ran down several steps and squatted beside Jinyao. “Is your foot turned around?”
Jinyao nodded with tears in her eyes. “Brother-in-law, it hurts.”
Xia Chunyu hesitated for a moment, before reaching out to touch her ankle.
Jinyao’s breath hitched. It was nice to see her brother-in-law up close. His eyebrows were like ink, his eyes were like stars… and she could even smell the faint scent of grass on him.
After a short check, Xia Chunyu blew out a relieved sigh. “Your bones are fine.”
Ye Jiayao also came down and asked, “Jinyao, are you alright?”
Xia Chunyu told her, “There should be no big problem. She just twisted it and hurt the tendons. She’ll be able to walk.”
“Big Sister, Brother-in-law, you can leave me here. I’ll just wait for you,” Jinyao said.
Ye Jiayao said, “That’s all right. Song Qi, go and get a sliding pole.”
Song Qi nodded obediently and ran down the hill.
“Big Sister, I’m sorry to spoil your fun,” Jinyao apologized.
Ye Jiayao lightly chided, “Don’t say that. It’s not your fault.”
Qiao Xi stood to the side silently. The stone steps were flat and smooth. She was wondering how could Third Young Lady Ye twist her ankle when she’s waking so slowly.
