After the medicine was brewed and she had eaten some nourishing porridge, she finally came back to her senses, frowning as she fell asleep.
The next day, Wei Lanxuan woke up refreshed and then sent someone to deliver the finest bird's nest and donkey-hide gelatin.
Looking at these things, Liang Luo didn't even have the energy to get up.
Thus, the news of Miss Liang's illness spread, and the outside world didn't pay much attention.
However, the secret informants from Prince Ding's mansion planted in the Liang family did not miss this news.
She fell ill not too early and not too late, but precisely after attending the banquet at Prince Li's mansion. This seemed like a coincidence, but too many coincidences would lead to secrets.
And secrets were precisely what the people in Prince Ding's mansion cared about most.
Often, mastering a family's secret was the key to controlling them.
On this point, they were well aware.
Therefore, Liang Luo had no idea that she had become the target of Prince Ding's mansion, and the secret she had accidentally discovered had inadvertently become the fatal blow for Xiao Tingyi and Feng Jin Yao to bring down the Ninth Prince.
Last night, the First Prince stayed in the courtyard where Wen Yuwei resided.
Although he had a gentle and loving princess in his mansion and the legitimate son he had longed for, he was also experiencing the joy of becoming a father again with Wen Yuwei.
Wen Yuwei was different from other concubines. She had been raised by Wen Jingsong as a legitimate wife for a powerful official, so she was much more capable than those who only knew how to be charming and fight for favor.
Over the years, the First Prince's harem had had other concubines, but none had given birth.
Yet, Wen Yuwei had conceived after only serving him for a short time. It had to be said that her luck was truly good.
The First Prince placed his hand on her still-flat stomach, savoring the rare moment of tenderness.
"If you ask me, you should return to the mansion now. I'm not at ease with you being kept outside like this."
Wen Yuwei smiled, "It is already a great fortune for this concubine to be able to serve by His Highness's side. However, given my status, if I were to appear openly at Prince Ke's mansion, it would surely invite criticism upon His Highness. This concubine does not wish for that, so it is enough to quietly give birth to the child in this small courtyard. When His Highness ascends the throne in the future, and this concubine and child can accompany him again, this life will have no regrets."
After the Wen family father and son were executed, their influence plummeted.
Wen Yuwei should have been sent back to her hometown, but if she were to appear at Prince Ke's mansion now, Emperor Qi would inevitably suspect the reason for her betrayal.
It might even implicate the First Prince, something neither of them wished for.
Moreover, Wen Yuwei had other plans in mind.
If she returned to the mansion now, the child in her womb might not be born smoothly.
This was her only bargaining chip. Whether it was a boy or a girl, having a child by her side was a guarantee for her future.
Therefore, she did not want to gamble on returning.
The First Prince, unaware of her thoughts, was still deeply immersed in her words.
He felt gratified by Wen Yuwei's gentle nature and at the same time felt a pang of guilt.
"Don't worry, I will handle this matter as soon as possible. After everything is settled, I will surely give you and your child the proper status you deserve."
Wen Yuwei leaned into his embrace, appearing very obedient and sensible.
No matter how good a virtuous wife was, she could not compare to a favored concubine. If such a concubine was not only charming but also very sensible, she could capture a man's heart even more effectively.
Princess Ke had been busy taking care of her son these days, and only after giving birth did she feel a sense of triumph.
Now, the child was almost half a year old, robust and strong, especially his round, bright eyes, which made him look very cute.
The Empress would often send gifts, and the people serving him were all carefully selected. The family's entire fortune and destiny rested on Princess Ke, so they dared not cause any trouble.
Therefore, this Imperial Grandson had enjoyed immense wealth and honor since birth.
"Princess, His Highness has not visited our chambers for a long time these days."
Princess Ke smiled faintly, her entire focus on her son, playfully teasing him, laughing heartily.
"His Highness is busy, and recently my Ninth Brother has also been quite lively, so he has come less often. Did he not come to have dinner with us the other day? Mama, don't overthink it."
The mama serving her had been loyal for most of her life, so she considered things from the princess's perspective. After much thought, she decided to speak.
"This old servant feels that it would be more stable for the Princess to have another child. Now that we have a legitimate eldest son, and the Princess has also recovered well this time, having another legitimate second son should not be difficult."
The princess was silent for a moment.
"Mama's words have merit, but it's His Highness..."
"Don't worry, Princess. Only those born from your womb are legitimate Imperial Grandchildren. Humph, those born from others' wombs are merely lowly creatures."
Princess Ke's private affair with Wen Yuwei was eventually discovered by Princess Ke.
In fact, she did not have any ill will towards Wen Yuwei. So, if the Prince brought her back to the mansion directly, it would be acceptable.
However, the mama by her side considered it inappropriate. In her eyes, such a fallen noble lady was much more difficult to deal with than an ordinary concubine. If not careful, she could use her child to ascend to the position of a secondary consort.
Currently, Prince Ke was only a prince, and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children was firmly established.
But if he were to ascend the throne one day, Wen Yuwei might become a consort who possessed both favor and cunning, a truly formidable opponent.
Therefore, the mama's suggestion was to have another child, preferably a son, to secure the princess's position.
They did not yet know that Wen Yuwei was already pregnant. If they knew, it would likely cause another disaster.
"So, Princess, the next time His Highness visits, you must drink that Ruyi Hehuan wine. Only then will you have another chance to conceive an Imperial Grandchild!"
Princess Ke felt a little embarrassed when she heard this.
To be honest, she and Prince Ke had been married for many years. Compared to the tender young women in the back harem, she was naturally somewhat inferior.
However, Prince Ke respected her greatly, and by giving birth to their legitimate son, she had gained favor with the Emperor, which had led to increased affection.
It was not impossible to conceive again.
For her own status, for the future of her children, and for the power of the entire family, she nodded in agreement.
Only then did the mama become cheerful again, arranging for more tonifying ingredients to be added to her meals and ensuring she took herbal medicine daily to regulate her body, all while waiting for Prince Ke's visit.
Here, Princess Ke was racking her brains trying to figure out how to conceive again, while Consort Wei on the other side was also troubled by the Ninth Prince's impending marriage.
The engagement with Princess Huaran this time was rather hasty.
The betrothal gifts had been sent long ago, and the auspicious date and time were calculated and delivered to Consort Wei within three days of the Ninth Prince's return to the capital.