"Wu Han, quickly let me out, I have a way to save them both!"
Hearing this, Wu Han, half-believing, opened the door for Qin Jiujiu. But seeing the determined look on her face, Wu Han chose to trust her.
"Take me to Biluo Cliff, and be quick!"
Biluo Cliff, as the name suggests, was a cliff. Because the bottom of the cliff was unfathomably deep, and those who fell from it were never found, it was also called Dead Man's Cliff.
Tied to an old tree at the edge of the cliff was Yue Nansang. Xing Zhan, along with his men, waited by the cliff. He held a sword in his hand, and with a slight cut to the rope binding Yue Nansang to the tree, she would immediately fall into the abyss.
When Qin Jiujiu arrived, she saw Yue Beiyang's back and Yue Nansang, dressed in mourning white and bound to the cliff.
Xing Zhan, facing the direction from which Qin Jiujiu was approaching on horseback, threatened Yue Beiyang, "Kill yourself with the sword in your hand, and I'll let this girl go!"
Then, as if remembering something, he added, "No wonder you disliked Ru'er so much, leading to her death and disappearance. It turns out it was because of this girl..."
Xing Zhan's eyes clearly held no trace of sadness.
Seeing the situation, Yue Beiyang's brow furrowed. His gaze was fixed on the rope tied to the tree and the sword in Xing Zhan's hand.
"How can I be sure you'll let Sangsang go after I die?" Yue Beiyang asked.
Xing Zhan laughed sinisterly, "You don't have to believe me. Then I'll kill her right now!"
At this moment, Yue Beiyang was at a disadvantage, and Xing Zhan naturally didn't want to waste more words. He made a move as if to cut the rope. Yue Beiyang was startled. Before he could utter a word, he heard Wu Han's voice from behind.
"Wait!"
The sound of horse hooves echoed behind him, growing closer. Everyone's gaze fell upon the figures on horseback.
The man and woman on the horse were none other than Qin Jiujiu and Wu Han.
"Ru'er?" Xing Zhan's face did not show joy. He looked confused, his eyes on Qin Jiujiu filled with complex emotion, as if saying – she was actually alive!
Yue Beiyang's heart skipped a beat. He looked behind him, and the person was indeed Xing Ru.
How could she be here?
For some reason, the moment Yue Beiyang saw Xing Ru, his unease intensified. He was afraid, but he didn't understand what he was afraid of.
Wu Han dismounted, holding Qin Jiujiu. Once she steadied herself, she walked to Yue Beiyang's side. Looking at the sword in his hand, she spoke to Xing Zhan instead, "Father, your daughter is pregnant!"
Everyone present was shocked to hear Xing Ru's words. Even Yue Beiyang was taken aback, looking at Xing Ru with disbelief in his eyes.
This is indeed fake!
Sensing his gaze, Xing Ru also turned her head to look at him, her eyes clearly conveying – don't say anything unnecessary!
Upon hearing this, Xing Zhan became unusually agitated, but he still harbored doubts and asked, "Is what Ru'er says true?"
His tone was very serious, and his expression was the same as he scrutinized Xing Ru's face, attentively observing her expression.
The focus of the stalemate instantly shifted to Xing Ru.
"Ru'er would naturally not lie to Father about such a matter!" Qin Jiujiu suppressed her panic, trying to appear as natural as possible.
Xing Zhan was stunned for a moment, then his brows relaxed, and a smile spread across his face. "Then this is a most joyous occasion!"
Seeing that Xing Zhan seemed to believe her, Qin Jiujiu quickly asked, "Why is Sangsang tied up there?"
Yue Beiyang's gaze shifted from Xing Ru to Xing Zhan. It seemed Xing Ru was here to help him!
"Quick, release the princess! We are returning to the palace. Ru'er's pregnancy is a grave matter, and I need to find a royal physician to examine her before I can rest easy!"
It wasn't that he was worried about the fetus being unwell, but rather that he was eager to find a royal physician to verify the truth of the pregnancy!
Soon, Yue Nansang was rescued. Yue Beiyang rushed to support her, but Xing Zhan blocked his path and said, "The princess has my people to take care of her. Second Prince, you should be most concerned about Ru'er!"
Xing Zhan's cold eyes narrowed slightly. Yue Beiyang's expression did not improve. The atmosphere between them instantly became tense. Qin Jiujiu quickly stepped between them, deliberately touching her belly, and said to Yue Beiyang, "Father is right, we should go back first!"
She was reminding Yue Beiyang not to provoke Xing Zhan now, and to make plans later.
Yue Beiyang had no choice but to comply. The group returned to the Moon Palace together.
Although the Grand Tutor was missing, Wu Han had already sought him out. Therefore, even though Qin Jiujiu was not pregnant, she could still have the royal physician confirm her pregnancy.
At this critical juncture, her sorcery would naturally come into play.
Yue Nansang was sent back to the Lan Palace, with Xing Zhan's men heavily guarding its entrance. A royal physician was indeed called to treat her, but Yue Beiyang was temporarily unable to visit her.
"Congratulations, General. The Consort is indeed pregnant, and has been for over two months!"
Counting the days, it was during their time in the Manluo Kingdom. It was rumored that after their return, their relationship became intimate. It was highly likely that something happened between them during that period.
It made sense.
Xing Zhan's joy was palpable. As long as this child was born, he would be able to legitimately seize power!
Xing Zhan immediately ordered the royal physician to prescribe many medicines to stabilize the pregnancy for Qin Jiujiu. He also said he would send guards to escort them back to the Second Prince's manor. Xing Zhan naturally wanted to seize this opportunity to see Yue Nansang.
The key to breaking the illusion lay with Yue Nansang!
This was the only clue the system could obtain!
"Father, I want to go to the Lan Palace to see Sangsang!"
Xing Zhan glanced at her belly before agreeing, "You may, but you must be careful of the child in your belly, don't let it get hurt..."
Xing Ru interrupted, "Daughter knows! Daughter has wanted to stay in the Lan Palace these past few days!"
Naturally, it was to facilitate her mission when the time came.
She had to prevent Yue Nansang's death! She had to stay by her side at all times!
Upon hearing this, Xing Zhan showed hesitation. Qin Jiujiu knew Xing Zhan harbored doubts and quickly said, "Father, please don't worry, your daughter is just feeling a bit down lately and wants someone to talk to..."
Xing Ru and Yue Nansang had gotten along well since childhood, a fact Xing Zhan was well aware of.
At that moment, the royal physician, having heard Qin Jiujiu's words, quickly said to Xing Zhan, "General, if the Consort remains melancholic for a long time, it will be very detrimental to the fetus and could even lead to a miscarriage. Therefore, this old minister suggests that someone should regularly counsel the Consort..."
Hearing this, Xing Zhan readily agreed, saying, "Since that is the case, Ru'er will move to the Lan Palace!"
Yue Beiyang did not know what Qin Jiujiu was planning, but he had important matters to attend to now and could not clarify the situation immediately.
Qin Jiujiu resided in the Lan Palace for several days, taking large doses of tonics daily. One day, as she was being supervised to take her medicine, she heard the system's voice boom in her mind.
"Host, an anomaly has occurred in Anzhou! The turning point has arrived!"