After a period of chaos, the doctor informed Gu Changwei that the child had been temporarily saved, but was injured and might not be healthy after birth.
Dong Ningxin was still unconscious. Gu Changwei's brows were tightly furrowed. Although he now detested Dong Ningxin, the child carried his bloodline. The thought of the child suffering due to poor health made Gu Changwei feel uneasy.
Looking at Dong Ningxin's face again, he was struck by the thought that this was her retribution for her many misdeeds.
"Take care of her," Gu Changwei said slowly.
"Then, after Madam Xin wakes up, will she still be restricted from leaving the courtyard?" the attendant asked cautiously.
"Madam Xin?" Gu Changwei's gaze was sharp. "When did she become Madam? Remember, she is merely a concubine."
The attendants in the manor were adept at reading people. Previously, Dong Ningxin had been highly favored, and Si Ya had shown her considerable respect. Therefore, to please Dong Ningxin, the servants had all called her Madam Xin.
Gu Changwei had also tacitly approved.
But that was before.
Now?
Did Dong Ningxin deserve it?
The servants trembled. They also understood a fact: Concubine Xin had fallen out of favor.
Although they didn't know why, judging by the Duke's attitude, she likely wouldn't regain favor anytime soon. After all, the Duke could be so cold-hearted even when Concubine Xin had injured the child. In the future...
The winds of fortune in this manor were about to change again.
They noticed that since the former Duchess had left, the manor had been anything but peaceful.
The Eldest Young Madam had left the Duke's manor and, it was rumored, would never return.
The Eldest Young Master had been taken away and had not yet returned.
Dong Ningxin woke up two hours later.
Her stomach ached faintly. She recalled what had happened before she lost consciousness and instinctively placed her hands on her belly. Feeling that her belly was still high and round, Dong Ningxin breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that the baby was still there.
Dong Ningxin pushed herself up with her arms. Not seeing Gu Changwei, she frowned and asked the attendant, "Where is the Duke?"
The two maids exchanged a look. "The Duke is busy."
"Help me up, I want to see the Duke," Dong Ningxin said.
"The doctor instructed that Madam must rest in bed until childbirth, otherwise, it would be bad for the fetus," one of the maids said.
This was the explanation the two maids had concocted earlier.
They knew what Dong Ningxin cared about. If they didn't say this, she would definitely insist on going to see the Duke.
But the Duke had instructed that she was not to leave the courtyard.
They said this to avoid trouble for themselves.
"Then you go find the Duke," Dong Ningxin said.
The maids exchanged glances, bowed, and agreed.
They only needed to pass the message to the Duke. Whether the Duke came or not was beyond their control as servants.
As for Concubine Xin blaming them, they could only endure it.
Fortunately, their indentures were held by the Old Madam, so being scolded would not cost them their lives.
Dong Ningxin waited and waited, but Gu Changwei did not come. Her heart grew increasingly agitated, and she couldn't help but curse.
The two maids lowered their heads, letting her scold them.
"Go find Young Master Si Ya," Dong Ningxin said, her voice filled with anger.
If Si Ya intervened, the Duke's attitude would surely soften.
"Young Master Si Ya is not in the manor," the maid said.
"Then wait until he returns and ask him to come," Dong Ningxin said.
"I don't know when Young Master Si Ya will return," the maid replied.
"Then go stand guard at the main gate," Dong Ningxin said, growing more impatient. "When Young Master Si Ya returns to the manor, have him come see me immediately."
"You still have the audacity to demand to see Si Ya?" Gu Changwei kicked open the door and glared at Dong Ningxin.