Su Qingyue watched them indifferently, making no move to invite them to rise.
After a long pause, Su Qingyue spoke, "What were you doing when Lü He got into trouble?"
What were they doing?
They had watched the unfolding events with trepidation, then sought out the Crown Princess to pledge their loyalty, lest they suffer the same fate as Lü He.
When the Crown Princess's people had interrogated Lü He, if she had only yielded and declared her stance, she wouldn't have died.
Alas, her misplaced loyalty had cost her life.
Though they were mere servants, they did not wish to die.
A miserable life was better than a swift death.
Su Qingyue smiled coldly, her voice soft and gentle, "I know, I can't blame you for this. You were only trying to protect yourselves."
The women breathed a sigh of relief. Su Qingyue had always been easy to talk to.
"However, keeping you by my side makes me fear I won't sleep soundly at night. Lü He died unjustly, and I fear she will question me in her dreams at midnight," Su Qingyue said.
"But how can you, Madam, contend with the Crown Princess now? The Crown Princess is the legitimate daughter of the Lu family, the Empress's favored daughter-in-law. His Highness, His Highness may not truly dislike her. Madam, besides the child in your belly, what else do you have?" one of the maids dared to say.
"Yes, I have a child, and I have His Highness's temporary guilt towards me. I may not be able to move others, but what about you?" Su Qingyue said nonchalantly. "You are not the Crown Princess's capable confidantes after all. In her eyes, if you can betray me, your loyalty to her is also highly suspect. What do you say?"
"I am usually gentle and easy to talk to, but that doesn't mean I'm a fool. You returned to my side not to truly serve me. You were sent by the Crown Princess to monitor me, and incidentally, if there was an opportunity to strike, you would harm me and the child without hesitation for your own future. So, why should I keep you by my side?"
Su Qingyue flashed a smile.
The maids exchanged glances, unsure how to persuade Su Qingyue.
"Her Highness the Crown Princess has already made arrangements."
"So—" Su Qingyue revealed a knowing smile.
She clutched her belly, her face contorting in pain.
Feng Yin immediately ordered another maid, a person from Emperor Chongwen's side, to fetch the estate physician.
Soon, the estate physician and the Second Prince arrived.
By then, Su Qingyue's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.
She looked very weak.
"What is wrong?" the Second Prince asked.
Feng Yin appeared hesitant.
"Speak. If you dare to conceal anything, I will not let you off lightly," the Second Prince growled.
Feng Yin immediately relayed every word that Mama Ma had said to the Second Prince.
Su Qingyue struggled to stop Feng Yin, "Feng Yin, what did I say? How can you not listen to me? I shouldn't have kept you by my side. I should send you back."
The Second Prince's expression turned quite grim. These words seemed unlikely to come from Mama Ma.
Furthermore, he did not believe Feng Yin would exaggerate.
Feng Yin looked wronged, "Madam, there is still a long time until your delivery. This servant is afraid... They used to take care of Madam, and now they can push Madam around. How can they remain by your side?"
"Audacious dog slave!" the Second Prince exclaimed in anger. "Guards, drag them out and have them beaten to death."
The estate physician had also finished his diagnosis. "Reporting to Your Highness, Madam has been overcome with anger, which has slightly disturbed the fetus."
"Is it serious?" the Second Prince asked.
"Calm down, rest well, and there are no major issues. However, you must be careful not to get angry in the future," the estate physician advised.