Bai Yaling gained her consciousness. Consort Ju Fen handed her the glass of water and told her to drink it. Bai Yaling drank the water. Ju Fen took it from her and handed it to the maidservant.
"Mother-in-law, why did you come here? I did not intend to disturb you," Bai Yaling said and lowered her eyes.
"You are my daughter-in-law. Of course, if any such thing happens to you, then I shall come to you," she said and caressed her hair. Bai Yaling found it awkward because Ju Fen hardly behaved this nicely with her.
"Prince Shi brought you here when you fainted in the royal garden," Ju Fen stated.
"Oh. I need to thank him, then," she replied.
"There is a piece of good news, Princess Bai," Ju Fen said and passed a tiny smile to her.
"What is it, Mother?" She asked.
"Princess Bai is pregnant," Ju Fen told her.
The smile disappeared from the lips of Bai Yaling. Ju Fen got confused seeing this reaction of Bai Yaling. "What happened, Princess Bai?" She asked. "You don't seem to be happy. You are with the child of my late son. Isn't it such a piece of great news?" She asked her with a smile.
"I do not know, Mother," Bai Yaling answered.
"What do you mean, Princess Bai? It is your and my son's child. He left such a beautiful thing behind for you. Is Princess Bai thinking of marrying another man forgetting the love of her late husband?" Ju Fen questioned her.
"Love?" She mumbled.
"Hmm." "You don't need to marry Princess Bai. You are carrying the heir of the Han Empire. You are no longer alone, but with the child of my son," Ju Fen suggested to her.
Bai Yaling dazedly peered at her.
"The main reason because of which the Emperor wanted you to marry was your aloofness. However, now you are bearing the child of my late son. You will no longer be alone because soon you will give birth to this child," Ju Fen made her understand. "You are carrying the blood of Yongzheng," she stated.
"But Prince Shi Zhihao is interested in me, Mother. Also, I feel that–"
Before she could complete her words, Ju Fen shut her up. "Are you out of your mind, Princess Bai? You are with the child of my son. How could you think of marrying another man when you are blessed with such a precious thing from your late husband," Ju Feb scolded Bai Yaling.
"Forgive me, Mother. I didn't want to anger you," she stated and lowered her eyes.
Ju Fen cupped the face of Bai Yaling in her palms and said, "Princess Bai, do you think that Prince Shi will now accept you as his wife? People will not accept this. Also, you are carrying the Royal blood of the Han Family. Even your new in-laws will not accept this." Ju Fen tried to convince her. She put her hands down and told Bai Yaling to not act naively.
"Mother, I know that my child will carry the Royal blood of Han but you also know that it was never out of love. Also, Prince Shi is a nice man. Earlier when we both conversed, he told me that he doesn't care about my past life and wants to hold me," Bai Yaling told Ju Fen with a smile.
"But Princess Bai, he did not know about your pregnancy. In fact, no one knew. Now, he knows so I do not think that he will agree to marry you. Even his parents will not want a woman who already has a child," Ju Fen asserted.
"But–" Bai Yaling paused as tears formed in her eyes. Her mind could not be able to decide what was good or bad for her.
"Princess Bai shall think about the people too. Let's suppose that Prince Shi Zhihao agrees to marry you. But what about the people around you? If you try to go for a new marriage, then many will question the Han Family. The Ministers may try to rebel. Unsteadiness might occur and Ministers try to punish you along with this child," Ju Fen started to fill the mind of Bai Yaling with various thoughts which she did not even imagine.
"Princess Bai will not like to ruin the family name," Ju Fen asserted. "That's why you shall not marry and refuse for this marriage. I know that it is tough to survive without a husband but you have a new blessing now. Your child," She stressed the last words. "Your child will fill the gap in your aloof life, Princess Bai," she stated.
Oppositely, Sheng Li, upon the request of Ying Lili, took her to the chamber of Princess Bai Yaling. Upon hearing that the Emperor and the Empress were visiting her, she got down from the bed while Consort Ju Fen stood by her side.
The doors of the chamber were opened. Both Sheng Li and Ying Lili entered the chamber. Bai Yaling and Ju Fen bowed upon seeing them.
Ying Lili walked towards Bai Yaling and hugged her tightly. "Sister Bai shall rest," she said as she pulled away from the hug. "I heard about your pregnancy, Sister Bai. Congratulations on this," Ying Lili stated and made Bai Yaling sit on the mattress.
"The Empress did not need to come here. She is also pregnant and needs to take care of herself," Ju Fen said.
Ying Lili turned her gaze towards her. "Thank you for your concern, but I have to come," she asserted.
"Your Majesty, I want to make a request," Bai Yaling said out of the blue. Both Sheng Li and Ying Lili looked at her.
"Speak." Sheng Li stepped up.
"I am grateful that the Emperor made so much effort for my marriage," Bai Yaling said. Ying Lili turned and looked at Sheng Li.
"What does Princess Bai want to say? Please clarify," Sheng Li told her.
"Your Majesty, I do not want to marry," Bai Yaling answered, shocking both Sheng Li and Ying Lili.. On the other hand, Ju Fen smiled because this was what she wanted.
