CHAPTER 573: CHAPTER 573: CHICKEN SOUP

Peony Garden.

The maids are setting the table.

Mrs. Zhao helps Princess Nanzhang to rise for the meal.

The maid Hong Ying hurriedly enters and says, "Commandery Princess, there’s news from Qingqiu Garden."

"What news?" Princess Nanzhang replies with a detached tone.

Hong Ying steps closer and says, "Lady Chi has been vomiting in the garden, hiding behind the rockery for half the day."

Vomiting?

Princess Nanzhang’s eyebrows knot tightly.

Mrs. Zhao’s expression changes.

First, the sour plums, then the Tiger Head Shoes, now vomiting, and the Prince visiting...

Could it be that Lady Chi is indeed pregnant?

But it’s only been a few days since the doctor checked Lady Chi’s pulse.

Mrs. Zhao asks Hong Ying to recount the day the doctor checked Lady Chi’s pulse.

They hear that the doctor checked Lady Chi’s pulse through gauze curtains, and her pulse was very rapid.

Mrs. Zhao looks at Princess Nanzhang and boldly speculates, "Perhaps the person the doctor checked wasn’t Lady Chi."

Not only Mrs. Zhao, but Princess Nanzhang also thinks so.

A cold smile emerges in her eyes.

Thinking of hiding away, will she just give birth to the child in her womb?

That’s wishful thinking!

Princess Nanzhang intends to become pregnant again and have the Empress Dowager pressure the Prince into granting her the title of Princess Consort.

If she can’t achieve this, she can find someone else to replace her as long as the Prince doesn’t remain pure, and the Empress Dowager would reprimand the Prince severely.

But anyone else is acceptable, except Lady Chi!

A mute woman with a ruined face can easily conceive the Prince’s child, while she has to plot incessantly, is there anything more humiliating?

Nothing!

Jealousy drives Princess Nanzhang mad, she says, "Bring that wench to me!"

Hong Ying turns to leave.

Mrs. Zhao hurriedly stops her, "Not yet."

Hong Ying turns, looking puzzled.

Mrs. Zhao looks at Princess Nanzhang and says, "Commandery Princess, calm down first, there’s no need to hurt yourself over an insignificant concubine."

"Lady Chi was unwell before, the Heir’s wife visited her, she must know Lady Chi is pregnant, and since the Prince visits Qingqiu Garden repeatedly, he must know as well."

"If you bring Lady Chi here and make this public, the Prince will definitely stop you."

Princess Nanzhang coldly laughs, "Do you think I’m afraid of him stopping me?!"

"Of course not, but fewer troubles are better than more," Mrs. Zhao says.

Instead of causing a stir, it’s better to act directly.

If Lady Chi eats something bad causing the loss of the child in her womb, it’s her fault for hiding it, the kitchen could claim negligence.

If it can be done covertly, why do it openly and provoke the Prince’s displeasure?

Princess Nanzhang thinks Mrs. Zhao makes sense, and decides to entrust this matter to Mrs. Zhao.

The next day, early morning.

Caiju goes to the main kitchen to fetch the meal.

She happily carries the food box into Qingqiu Garden.

Entering the room with a radiant smile, Xique sees her and says, "Why are you so happy?"

"The main kitchen has simmered a chicken for Madam, perfect to nourish Madam’s body," Caiju says.

"Why is the main kitchen suddenly so good?" Xique asks incredulously.

"Thanks to the Heir’s wife and Xingxing, the housekeeper of the main kitchen knows Qingqiu Garden and Xingxing have a good relationship," Caiju says.

"Xingxing often visits the main kitchen, the housekeeper hopes Xingxing will view her kindly for treating Qingqiu Garden well."

Such an explanation raises no doubts.

Qingqiu Garden is blessed by the care of the Heir’s wife.

But Lu Qiao listens and says, "You didn’t return sooner, I simmered swallow’s nest for Madam."

"Both can be eaten together, it’s not a problem," Xique says.

She opens the soup bowl, releasing an enticing aroma.

The maids can’t help but feel hungry.

Lady Chi wakes up, and the maids quickly help her wash and dress.

While washing, Lady Chi starts to gag.

It’s been like this for days, the maids are used to it.

Lady Chi sits at the table, Xique hands her the prepared chicken soup.

Lady Chi picks up the bowl, intending to take a sip.

But accustomed to light food in the morning, she can’t really eat greasy food.

After smelling it a few more times, she feels nauseous and goes to vomit.

Caiju and Lu Qiao exchange glances.

Vomiting from flower fragrance yesterday, now can’t stand chicken soup, how peculiar is a pregnant woman’s sense of smell.

This chicken soup smells so good.

They would drink the whole bowl without a grimace.

Lady Chi vomits for half a day, Xique asks, "Madam, are you alright?"

"I’m fine," Lady Chi says.

Ever since she regained her voice, her recovery has been remarkably fast.

Now she can complete a whole sentence in one breath.

Though her voice lacks the previous clarity and resonance.

But that’s normal, she’s no longer young.

Xique feels tender affection for Lady Chi.

She has served Lady Chi for years, hasn’t even tasted a bowl of chicken soup from the main kitchen.

Now finally having it, yet not able to eat.

Lady Chi lets the three maids share it.

Xique suggests, "Madam cannot eat in the morning, perhaps leave it for lunch?"

"No need," Lady Chi says.

The maids can’t force Lady Chi and truly want to drink the chicken soup themselves.

The three maids share the chicken soup, even chewing the bones.

After Lady Chi finishes her meal, the maids clean and tidy the table, and return the food box to the main kitchen.

The kitchen maid sees the soup bowl spotless without a drop left, asks, "Did Lady Chi drink the chicken soup?"

"She drank it, two whole bowls," Caiju quickly says.

This chicken soup is made for Lady Chi, if she doesn’t eat even a sip, it’s unreasonable.

If the main kitchen learns Lady Chi vomits from chicken soup, what if they stop sending it?

If Lady Chi doesn’t eat, she can.

After Caiju leaves, the kitchen maid quickly reports the news to Princess Nanzhang.

The chicken soup simmered with blood-enriching Angelica and secretly spiced, just one bowl is enough for miscarriage, let alone two large bowls.

Princess Nanzhang happily waits for something to happen in Qingqiu Garden.

But waits and waits, and no response from Qingqiu Garden.

"Could it be Lady Chi isn’t pregnant, am I overthinking?" Princess Nanzhang says.

If she’s not pregnant, nothing would matter no matter how much she drinks.

Mrs. Zhao, however, dares not be careless.

Last night she pondered much, thinking Lady Chi’s pregnancy might have to do with her.

That time she drugged the Prince, the dose was potent, not something a slap from Princess Nanzhang could wake the Prince from.

After taking the drug, anyone would appear as a beloved to the Prince.

During those days, she worried about the Prince favoring some maid, never considering Lady Chi.

Wasn’t it just after that, the Prince gifted a zither to Lady Chi?

The Prince rarely enters the inner courtyard, couldn’t possibly sneak to favor Lady Chi.

It must be due to that day’s drug.

Last night, Mrs. Zhao was so frightened she couldn’t sleep, fearing the Commandery Princess learns she used multiple doses without conveying, leading the Prince to favor Lady Chi.

The Princess would surely flay her alive.

"Better be cautious, let’s find a doctor to check Lady Chi," Mrs. Zhao says.

"That’s fine."