The pill was specifically requested by Qi Zhenzhen from Luo Wanqing. It was said to be very potent, effective within a single dose for women in difficult labor. Whether it was as miraculous as Luo Wanqing claimed, Qi Zhenzhen couldn't judge at the moment, and could only choose to believe.
"Second Miss, the person has been examined. What are you still doing inside?" Madam Qin's voice rang out. "With this time and mood, you might as well go spend some time with Aunt Yun."
Qi Zhenzhen's expression tightened. They were truly prepared for all eventualities, even her mother's situation was arranged.
"Is Madam Qin threatening me?" Qi Zhenzhen emerged from the room at a leisurely pace.
"This old servant dares not."
Feixu nodded to Qi Zhenzhen, who felt reassured. "What if I refuse to leave?"
"Second Miss staying here will affect the midwives and the doctor. If it leads to the Aunt's misfortune, this old servant will certainly report it truthfully to the Marquis." Madam Qin's hands were clenched tightly beneath her wide sleeves.
"I took a look inside just now. Concubine Ruyan seems to be in good spirits. I expect she will give birth safely," Qi Zhenzhen said slowly.
"Second Miss, are you determined to wait here? You are, after all, an unmarried young lady, and the one giving birth inside is an aunt with whom you have no particular connection. Why would Second Miss jeopardize her reputation for her?"
"嬷嬷, your words are misplaced. Concubine Ruyan is Father's concubine. By sentiment and reason, I can rightfully call her 'Aunt.' The child in her womb shares a blood relation with me. With the Aunt's life hanging in the balance, how could I, as a junior, waiting outside, be jeopardizing my reputation?" Qi Zhenzhen stated with composure.
Outsiders would surely praise her as dignified and gracious.
Madam Qin was furious, her face flushed with anger. The original plan was for that little vixen to give birth, and then with a few maneuvers, the child would be kept while the mother perished. They would then announce a difficult labor resulting in a double death, and a swap of the child. However, the little vixen was unlucky, unable to give birth for so long. Thus, they considered cutting open her belly to retrieve the child, claiming the baby had been deprived of air for too long and had no breath upon extraction.
Either way, any child born alive to the little vixen would be taken to Jinghua Courtyard.
Even if the little vixen and her child both died, they had a backup plan, though it carried significant risk. If discovered, it would be difficult to manage.
But now, with the Second Miss stubbornly refusing to leave and mentioning Concubine Ruyan's condition, if anyone inside were to harm Ruyan, this matter could be exposed. It was uncertain whom the Marquis would believe. After all, the Marquis now favored the Second Miss, and there was also her upcoming marriage to the Duke of Protectorate's estate. A girl who grew up in the countryside had, unknowingly, become someone to be wary of. Da Feng Novel Network.
Madam Qin racked her brain, but still could not come up with a good idea.
The Marquis's Second Miss was now in the eyes of two masters. Even if she were of concubine birth, she was not someone Madam Qin could casually offend. Like the servants, could she be easily confined, preventing her from speaking? Impossible.
Madam Qin whispered a few words to the maid beside her. The maid glanced at Qi Zhenzhen and then hurried away.
Without a doubt, the maid was returning to Jinghua Courtyard to report.
When Madam Qin suddenly announced her pregnancy, Qi Zhenzhen hadn't thought much of it. Later, seeing Ruyan's excessively large belly, she began to suspect more. Then, with Madam Qin's soiled trousers as evidence, Qi Zhenzhen knew Madam Qin harbored ill intentions. She intended to use a child to strike at her, her mother, and her brother, thereby securing her own position. But Qi Zhenzhen would not let her succeed.