The Empress spoke with a face full of sorrow, her tone filled with regret. After speaking, she subtly observed Chu Yanxi's reactions.
"Mother… you said just now that she actively begged you to marry me, not that you were bestowing her upon me?" Chu Yanxi immediately seized upon the words in the Empress's speech, earnestly seeking the truth.
Picking up her teacup and taking a gentle sip, the Empress adjusted her robes. "This Palace did indeed intend to bestow a woman from the Liu family upon you. The one I had initially favored was not her. Upon learning of this, she knelt before me for a day and a night, begging this Palace to consent to her marriage to you. I saw her deep affection and that she was a gentle and well-behaved girl, which is why I allowed her to marry you."
These words repeatedly played in Chu Yanxi's mind. He had previously believed that Liu Meng Han was the woman chosen by his mother and that her marriage to him was for surveillance.
Having always harbored a deep aversion to Liu Meng Han, he now realized it was all a misunderstanding. It was Liu Meng Han who had pleaded to marry him.
The wall of ice he had erected in his heart instantly developed fine cracks.
"I should not have been soft-hearted back then and let her marry you; then you wouldn't have to suffer so much. Xi'er, Mother doesn't ask you to treat her like you treated Feng Ruo Yan, but Meng Han is now married to you, your rightful wife. You should at least be courteous to her, allowing her some standing in your estate."
The Empress earnestly advised, patting Chu Yanxi's shoulder and skillfully concealing her calculations in her eyes.
"Yes, your son understands. Since she has married me, she is rightfully the Third Prince's Consort. No one in this estate will trouble her."
Upon careful reflection, he realized he did indeed owe Liu Meng Han. He could not treat her as he treated Feng Ruo Yan, but he would at least afford her basic respect.
"I am relieved that you think this way."
The Empress let out a quiet sigh of relief, a faint smile of satisfaction appearing at the corner of her lips. It was indeed her deliberate plan, intended to sway Chu Yanxi's heart.
...
"Princess Consort, please slow down." The maidservant beside her busily supported Liu Meng Han, her face filled with worry. "Your body is already weak, and now you are even heavier. You should be recuperating in your estate, yet you insist on wading into this mess."
"I am fine. The Prince's heart has finally begun to waver slightly. I must seize this opportunity to make the Prince completely let go of his reservations. What does it matter if it's a little more tiring?"
She had worked hard for so long, putting in so much effort, only to have the Third Prince finally look at her with a bit more favor.
This was now the most critical juncture, and not the slightest deviation was permissible.
"But… Princess Consort…"
"Enough, there's no need to say more. Go and see if we have arrived at the Ling Estate."
"Yes, Princess Consort."
Liu Meng Han sat in the carriage, her mind racing. How should she speak to Feng Jin about this matter later? How could she get Feng Jin to agree to accompany her?
All these considerations were quite worrying. Liu Meng Han sighed helplessly, unsure how difficult it would be to handle later.
"Princess Consort, we have arrived at the Ling Estate. I have already sent someone to announce your arrival."
Liu Meng Han withdrew her thoughts. Since she was here, she could only take things as they came. Today, she absolutely had to get Feng Jin to accompany her.
"Let's go in."
...
"Young Madam… Young Madam…"
Cai Qing called out in a flurry, shattering the long-held tranquility of the courtyard.
Feng Jin was trimming flower branches. With Cai Qing's sudden shout, her hand trembled slightly, and she accidentally cut off another blooming branch before proceeding.
"What is it now that has you so flustered? Is the sky falling?"
She reluctantly put down her pruning shears, casting a regretful glance at the miscut branch. What a shame to have cut it wrongly. It immediately looked quite unsightly.
"Chu Qing, move this potted flower further away. It's really an eyesore."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Chu Qing carried the potted plant and found an inconspicuous spot for it, placing it down.
"Tell me, what is it?"
"Young Madam, it's… it's the Third Prince's Consort. She's here, and she's already seated in the front hall."
Cai Qing panted heavily, speaking intermittently.
"She's here, so what? It's not like a flood or a fierce beast has arrived. There's no need to be so panicked. You made me cut a flower incorrectly. Alright, let's go over."
She stood up, tidied her clothes, and walked towards the front hall.
Liu Meng Han was extremely anxious and had no mind to sit. She stood at the doorway, constantly peering outside. Upon seeing Feng Jin's figure appear, she hurried towards her.
"Princess Consort, slow down… be mindful of the child in your belly."
Feng Jin was startled by the sight and quickly instructed Cai Qing and Chu Qing beside her to support Liu Meng Han.
The child in Liu Meng Han's womb was the Third Prince's legitimate heir. The Empress cared immensely for this child. If anything were to happen to Liu Meng Han while she was under Feng Jin's care, Feng Jin wouldn't be able to explain herself even with ten mouths.
"Princess Consort, please be slow. Whatever it is, we can discuss it calmly."
She quickly soothed Liu Meng Han, fearing that something else might happen to her. Feng Jin did not want to be burdened with such trouble.
"Young Madam, I have come today to beg the Young Madam to save a life."
Feng Jin was immediately stunned. What was this about needing her to save a life?
"Princess Consort, please sit down and have some tea. We can discuss it slowly."
Liu Meng Han let out a deep breath. "Young Madam, it's… it's Feng Ruo Yan. She had postpartum hemorrhage after giving birth and is now in critical condition. The imperial physicians are helpless. Only the Young Madam can save her. I implore the Young Madam, with your benevolent heart, to save her."
This was strange. Logically, if Feng Ruo Yan were to die, Liu Meng Han should be the happiest. Why was she personally asking Feng Jin to save Feng Ruo Yan now?
For a moment, she couldn't figure out what trick Liu Meng Han was playing.
Seeing Feng Jin's prolonged silence, Liu Meng Han became anxious. "As long as the Young Madam agrees to accompany me this time, I will pay any consultation fee."
"Princess Consort, I am simply curious why you care so much about Feng Ruo Yan. If she were to die, it would bring you countless benefits."
Feng Jin spoke directly, without concealment. She wanted to know what game Liu Meng Han was playing.
Upon hearing Feng Jin's question, Liu Meng Han's body stiffened. How could she ask so directly? She was caught off guard.
"This… this…" Liu Meng Han hesitated slightly, but she knew that if she didn't tell the truth today, Feng Jin would absolutely not go with her. After weighing her options, she decided to tell Feng Jin the truth.