"If it is for this, I can ask the Emperor to postpone the grand wedding, but you must marry. The Emperor's word is golden. Since the decree has been issued, he will absolutely not retract his command. If you defy the imperial edict, your mother will not be able to protect you."
The Empress Dowager refused with an indifferent tone. She could no longer indulge her further, lest she cause trouble one day, or perhaps she had already caused trouble.
Princess Ru Yin saw the Empress Dowager's unyielding tone. Although annoyed, she was helpless. Her expression was gloomy and ugly. She lowered her head, bit her lip, and finally stomped her foot before turning and leaving the sleeping quarters.
The Empress Dowager beckoned Eunuch Li.
"I asked you to send people to keep an eye on the Princess's movements. Why is there no news?"
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Princess has been well recently, and there is nothing suspicious. I have been sending people to keep watch."
Eunuch Li reported cautiously. The Empress Dowager's gaze was fierce, her eyebrows twitching, as if suspecting something. Had the Princess done something she shouldn't have?
Eunuch Li thought nervously, this seemed unlikely. If the Princess were truly so audacious, what would become of the royal family's dignity?
Eunuch Li stood respectfully to the side, awaiting the Empress Dowager's words.
The sleeping quarters were very quiet, without a sound, until a light, soft voice was heard from outside the door: "Eunuch Li, Eunuch Li?"
The Empress Dowager signaled Eunuch Li to go out and see what was happening. If it were not important, those people would not dare to come to the sleeping quarters. What was it? The Empress Dowager's eyelids twitched, a sense of foreboding always present.
Eunuch Li, receiving the Empress Dowager's order, hurried to the door.
A capable head eunuch under him, with a panicked expression, bowed and waited. Upon seeing him, he quickly stepped forward, whispered a few words into his ear, and then retreated.
Eunuch Li's face turned extremely ugly, his eyes filled with panic. It seemed his fears were coming true, and such a thing had happened. He waved to the head eunuch to go down first, and then he quickly entered the sleeping quarters to report to the Empress Dowager.
"Empress Dowager?"
Eunuch Li deliberated for a long time, unsure whether to speak. If the news was unreliable, his head would be forfeit. His expression was grave, and he hesitated. The Empress Dowager, impatient, asked coldly, "What happened?"
"Empress Dowager, it's about the Princess?"
"What about the Princess?" Hearing about the Princess, the Empress Dowager became sensitive and questioned cautiously, her eyes fixed intently on Eunuch Li.
Eunuch Li looked at the Empress Dowager's eyes and felt true reluctance. The Empress Dowager doted on Princess Ru Yin. She never expected her daughter to be so unfilial and do something that would tarnish the royal family's reputation. If this matter reached the Emperor's ears, he would likely not spare her.
"She... a message has come out saying the Princess is pregnant and went to the Imperial Hospital to order a prescription to abort the fetus. The imperial physician dared not act on his own accord, so he secretly sent someone with a letter."
"What?" The Empress Dowager heard this and was furious, her face extremely displeased.
A maiden princess was suspected, and was even cruelly trying to abort the fetus. When did this happen? She, as her mother, was completely unaware.
"Is this news reliable?"
The Empress Dowager bit her lip, her entire face contorted. What a huge scandal this was.
No wonder she resolutely refused the marriage the Emperor bestowed upon her. It turned out she had already been seeing someone in secret. Now that she was pregnant, she had committed an unforgivable offense.
If this matter were to spread, it would be a great scandal for the royal family, and the Emperor would surely not forgive her.
While filled with anger, the Empress Dowager also felt a pang of anxiety for her daughter. This matter absolutely could not be leaked. It had to be handled quickly. The Empress Dowager's expression turned grim, and she waved to order Eunuch Li:
"You personally go and bring Ru Yin here. Also, send someone to notify that imperial physician and ensure not a single word is leaked."
"Yes, Empress Dowager."
Eunuch Li had served the Empress Dowager for over a decade. He knew that although she was ruthless, she was a proud woman. He never expected her own daughter to be so unpromising, truly causing her great embarrassment.
The Empress Dowager's face was filled with desolation, a despair she had never known. Eunuch Li went out to handle the matter.
In the sleeping quarters, the Empress Dowager gave a cold, bitter smile.
This was retribution. Was heaven's retribution finally coming for her? If there had to be retribution, why did it have to fall upon her daughter?
The Empress Dowager's tears flowed. How many years had it been since she had shed tears...
Phoenix Luan Palace.
Mo Chou returned to report, "My Lady, that note has been delivered to Eunuch A Jiu."
"Mm, that's good," Mu Qingyao nodded and casually asked, "How is Chun Han?"
"Reporting to my Lady, his body has recovered well. It seems that blood ginseng is indeed an excellent tonic for replenishing blood," Mo Chou praised.
Without that blood ginseng, Chun Han might not have woken up. No wonder the imperial physician said blood ginseng was precious. It was indeed different from ordinary medicinal herbs, capable of replenishing blood.
Mo Chou noticed that when she spoke of Chun Han, her Lady's expression turned cold. Her usually clear and bright eyes were now veiled with a thin layer of ice.
"My Lady, what's wrong?" Had Chun Han offended my Lady? Mo Chou secretly guessed. Why? Chun Han had not interacted with my Lady since he was beaten. Could it be?
Mo Chou, being naturally intelligent, thought it over and realized something, her eyes widening in disbelief as she let out a gasp, "It can't be?"
"Alright, go and bring him here?" Mu Qingyao waved her hand. She was willing to give him another chance, not out of pity for Chun Han, but out of pity for that half a stalk of blood ginseng. Such precious medicinal material, the Emperor had produced it without batting an eye. If it saved a cripple, it would be a waste.
"Yes, my Lady."
Mo Chou felt a slight tremor in her heart. If her guess was true, it was truly disheartening. My Lady had gone to such lengths to save him, only for it to be a feigned act of suffering. That would truly break my Lady's heart.
Mo Chou quickly instructed the eunuchs outside the door to call Chun Han over.
As Chun Han entered the side hall, he felt the atmosphere within the hall to be somewhat cold. My Lady sat on a soft couch to the side, her expression serene. Her beautiful face showed no emotion, but the aura around her was chilling.
This made him uneasy. He cautiously stepped forward and respectfully paid his respects.
"Chun Han greets my Lady."
Mu Qingyao did not tell him to rise. She merely gazed intently at Chun Han. Although her eyes held no malice, Chun Han felt his heart pounding with terror and his skin crawling. Why was my Lady looking at him like this?
Could it be because of...? Chun Han dared not dwell on it and could only quietly lower his head.
The side hall was as silent as death. Chun Han could only hear his own heartbeat, so powerful, thumping, thumping, his heart feeling as if it would leap out of his chest.
"May I know why my Lady wishes to see Chun Han?"