瑞王府.西花厅
Qing Miao offered Bi Luo Chun tea, its aroma filling the air, but Yan Qing had no inclination to savor it. He spoke directly, "The Eldest Miss has guessed most of it. I will complete the story for you now."
Lu Nian Fu was shocked. "Uncle Yan, what has happened to you?"
Yan Qing closed his eyes. "It is not I who has had an accident, but your mother. That beast from Ping Ning Bo's estate beat her so severely that she cannot get out of bed."
Lu Nian Fu shot to her feet. "What did you say?"
"This matter must be traced back twenty years ago..."
As the tea fragrance curled upwards, Yan Qing's voice mingled anger with helplessness. The utter ruin of the Ban family was also Yan Qing's disaster. The childhood sweetheart he loved had married another, but her chosen man was no good person.
Of Ping Ning Bo and his wife, Ping Ning Bo held a considerably higher favorability in Lu Nian Fu's heart. If she had not stumbled upon the entanglement between Yan Qing and Madam Ping Ning Bo, she would never have guessed that the one quietly preparing a lifetime's fortune for her would be Madam Ping Ning Bo.
Nor would she have ever shown them even a shred of good feeling.
Yet, even with that understanding, she could never have imagined that Ping Ning Bo, who always greeted her with a kind and benevolent smile, would be such a person.
Even Qing Ya's eyes widened in shock.
Lu Nian Fu's mind buzzed, and after a bout of dizziness, she fainted.
"Miss." Qing Ya was truly frightened. "Heavens, Uncle Yan, how could you not give us a heads-up that the story you were about to tell was so significant? Miss is pregnant, how can she endure such a shock? Someone, quickly find a physician!"
"What, the Eldest Miss is pregnant?"
Yan Qing was also stunned.
Soon, hurried footsteps echoed from outside. When Situ Yan, who was in the study, received the news and rushed over, Qing Ya had already carried the unconscious woman into the bedroom. He quickly removed his waist token and sent someone to the palace to summon an imperial physician.
Ji Jin examined her pulse. "Fortunately, it is only a disturbance of the fetus. I will prescribe a formula; two doses of medicine will suffice."
"Really? Then why did she faint?"
"Her emotions were unstable, with drastic ups and downs. I say, Your Highness, these are all major taboos for pregnant women. Be more mindful when you deliver news in the future. The Princess Consort's physique is average; she cannot withstand such shocks."
Situ Yan nodded. "Calling her Princess Consort sounds rather awkward. Old Ji, your sister-in-law's health will be in your hands from now on."
Sister-in-law? More like sister-in-law.
Ji Jin rolled his eyes at him but did not argue about the seniority.
He was a Prince now, alas.
That was the downside of a brother rising to prominence; one had to think twice before contradicting him.
A short while after Ji Jin left, Lu Nian Fu woke up. The moment she opened her eyes, she met Situ Yan's worried gaze. "A'Yan."
"You're awake. Do you feel unwell anywhere?"
"I'm alright."
"Alright? Ji Jin said you disturbed the fetus and need to rest well. Leave those troublesome matters to me; your man is here."
Lu Nian Fu blinked. "My mother..."
"Rest assured, I know everything. No wonder Ping Ning Bo's estate has fallen into such disrepair; it is because of unworthy descendants who have committed too many sins." However, he needed to carefully consider how to deal with him.
Beating the mouse might break the jade bottle. Dealing with Ping Ning Bo was a minor matter; it would not be worth it if it endangered his own wife.
Besides, his own wife had just completed three years of mourning for her adoptive father. He did not want her to abstain from meat again for this beastly biological father.
Lu Nian Fu sighed. "How can I not worry? When you act, remember to tell me. Otherwise, I will be even more anxious."