CHAPTER 180: CHAPTER 180: GRIEF COMES FROM A DEAD HEART

Suddenly, many unpleasant thoughts flooded her mind.

She still hasn’t seen the Second Princess—is there something wrong with the Second Princess?

And Zhuixia went to look after the Second Princess?

Though she wasn’t pleased that this child was a daughter, and moreover born during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

But after all, it was a child she carried for ten months and gave birth to with all her strength.

So she still had some concern.

"Is it that something is wrong with the Second Princess and Zhuixia went to take care of her?"

Zhuimeng bitterly smiled; if that were the case, she wouldn’t have been so hesitant.

Lan Chun was so anxious that she almost fell off the bed, and Zhuimeng quickly supported her, then tearfully said.

"My Lady, Zhuixia vanished after leaving the palace. The family has sent people everywhere searching but hasn’t found her. As for the Second Princess, she... she still hasn’t completely escaped danger. I sent someone to inquire, and she is still being cared for by the Emperor, with Doctor Dou personally attending to her."

"What do you mean by not found? Ran away? Or dead?"

Lan Chun was utterly incredulous; such an obedient person in everyday life, how could such a thing happen.

Though she was physically weak, her mind was still sharp.

She quickly perceived the inconsistency in all this.

She touched her belly and thought quickly.

Could all this be a scheme?

If not, how is it so coincidental that just after Zhuixia left the palace, her abdominal pain acted up?

The more she thought, the more terrifying it became.

She immediately instructed Zhuimeng to find Doctor Cheng.

"Quick, go to Zhuixia’s room and gather all the fetus-preserving medicines that this palace has taken before, and send them to Doctor Cheng to see if there’s anything wrong."

"My Lady, when Zhuixia left, she cleaned the room completely. I’ve already searched, and nothing is left."

In this way, isn’t it leaving no evidence?

Lan Chun didn’t even need an investigation to know that something was certainly amiss!

Ridiculous, simply ridiculous.

The fact that she had always treated this person like a treasure, only to find out she was the one causing harm.

But there was no time for these thoughts now; the most important thing was to inform the Emperor of this matter.

If the Emperor knew, perhaps she and the Second Princess would receive more compassion.

"Where is the Emperor? Why hasn’t he come to see this palace? Why aren’t you quickly going to invite him, saying this palace has important matters to report."

Lan Chun’s words left Zhuimeng in great difficulty.

How could they not want to go and invite the Emperor? But currently, their courtyard is almost as restricted as the Yao Tai Pavilion.

Although not explicitly prohibiting entry or exit, who has paid them any heed lately?

Seeing her troubled expression, Lan Chun felt a deep despair.

"It can’t be, can’t be. The Emperor is not a ruthless person; isn’t he very fond of the Second Princess? How could he treat this palace like this? Surely you haven’t made a proper effort to invite him, quickly, hurry!"

As she spoke, she kept pushing Zhuimeng, hoping she could quickly resolve the matter.

Unfortunately, Zhuimeng was sobbing, and Lan Chun also followed suit, suffused with emotions of despair.

Lan Chun’s courtyard was filled with a sense of bleakness, whereas Noble Princes Consort Ying’s courtyard carried an atmosphere of tranquility.

She was now the focus of attention in the traveling palace.

Her belly was visibly pronounced.

A nanny who specialized in assisting childbirth had examined her and said that the child had already started to descend, and she could give birth as quickly as in three to five days, or take up to half a month.

Having passed the Mid-Autumn Festival, the child’s birth at any time is welcomed.

It’s the golden, crisp autumn season, and the timing chosen for this child’s birth is truly fortunate.

She could no longer engage in embroidery, so every day she took several strolls around the courtyard.

She hoped for a smooth delivery.

This child seemed large, but both the imperial physician and the childbirth nanny said the child’s size was normal.

She hoped not to suffer too much during childbirth.

Mu Daying, who always accompanied her, was extremely cautious and attentive.

Not only for her life in the harem but also for her father’s upward trajectory in the court.

This Noble Princess Consort Ying was the only daughter of the Assistant Minister of Rites, and serving her well was akin to leveraging the power of the entire Pei Family.

How could she possibly sabotage herself and disrupt her own future?

Moreover, the Emperor had been visiting Noble Princess Consort Ying more frequently, which also allowed her to gain considerable exposure.

One focused on needing help to solidify her favor during childbirth, and the other looked to advance further using the opportunity.

So both were of one heart and mind.

One day, Mu Daying was helping with some embroidery in the room, saying as she worked.

"This tiger whiskers are always hard for me to embroider, it still requires your embroidery skills, my Lady."

While Noble Princess Consort Ying wasn’t an exceptional talent, since it was for her unborn child, naturally, she devoted extra maternal care and thought to it.

So she took the embroidery, making some simple adjustments, and the tiger whiskers became vivid and lifelike.

Mu Daying was full of praise upon seeing this.

"My Lady, you are truly amazing."

With a smile, Noble Princess Consort Ying wasn’t as excited as she had heard such compliments many times before.

It was the sudden fetal movement that made her gasp.

Mu Daying’s quick reflexes had her support her at once and ask.

"Is everything alright, my Lady?"

After taking a few deep breaths, Noble Princess Consort Ying’s fetal movements calmed down.

As she touched her belly, she was full of maternal love.

"Perhaps the baby knows it’s about to come out soon; it has been moving a lot more these past two days."

"It’s a good sign when the child is active, it shows your baby is healthy and lively."

Mu Lanchun’s words resonated well with Noble Princess Consort Ying.

They seldom discussed whether the child would be a Prince or a Princess; to Noble Princess Consort Ying, the smooth birth of the child was all that mattered.

Otherwise, enduring like the Second Princess was unbearable even to hear.

Upon seeing her expression, Mu Lanchun guessed she was thinking about the Second Princess.

She had little interaction with Lan Chun, so whether the Second Princess lived or died wasn’t significant to her.

Thus, she spoke words of comfort.

"My Lady, take heart. Some things are predestined, and everyone has their fate. We common people cannot control it."

Noble Princess Consort Ying nodded; she was merely expressing regret.

If truth be told, asking her to assist the Second Princess was beyond her capability.

"Alright, my Lady, would you like to take a walk in the courtyard? I will accompany you."

The most important thing now was to ensure a safe and smooth childbirth; everything else could wait.

Thinking about it, Noble Princess Consort Ying replied.

"Yes."

Days passed, and soon it was two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Due to the Second Princess’s condition being much more stable than before, and the newly appointed Nanny Ji coming to take care of her personally.

Second Madam Dong Mrs. Yun finally anticipated the day she could leave the palace.

Her stay had lasted nearly a month.

Yet without causing any disturbance, she had gained a new understanding of the Emperor’s ability to govern his subordinates.