Chapter 203: In the end, she still didn’t birth her (1/2)

Han Yunxi rejoiced over the fact that she didn’t have to ask him. Though her face was worth nothing, she’d still redeemed herself. She knew that Long Feiye had intentions to foster her skills ever since she killed those Poison Humans last time. She was happy to agree to his terms–to not drag at his heels the next time they went out to do business!

A husband and wife who were only together in name and not reality couldn’t last long. So what if the rumors of her being favored grew stronger? Leaving aside outsiders, even people by her side like Zhao mama wanted to figure out the truth. Even those noble wives with name and power, sons and daughters, fallbacks and background had to struggle and fight to keep their positions, much less someone with nothing like herself. Her awkward identity could support her within the Duke of Qin’s estate, but what of her place in the Tianning Imperial Family?

On the second day of her arrival at the Duke of Qin’s estate, she had told herself: if there was no way to cast off the shackles of her fate, then she had to firmly hold onto to her biggest patron, Long Feiye. The best way to conquer a man was through his stomach–such words were pure nonsense!

Actually, the best way to conquer a man was to have him come of his own will to conquer you.

Thinking up to here, Han Yunxi unconsciously licked her lips. The startling scene from before appeared before her mind again. He had said, Han Yunxi, from this day one, your innocence belongs to your lordship.

Did this count as ‘conquering?’

No, it was more like he’d claimed his authority over an object, at most.

“Conquer” seemed like a most fantastic tale when used in conjunction with Long Feiye, Han Yunxi decided, regardless of whether he was doing the conquering or being conquered himself. She shook her head and filed the thought away. All she wanted was a peaceful existence at the Duke of Qin’s estate and to have this fellow see her worth so he wouldn’t kick her aside one day in a fit of bad temper.

Mm, she should work hard and learn the Tang Clan assassination weapons!

Han Yunxi was embroiled in her own thoughts when a happy Zhao mama came to call her over. “Esteemed wangfei, Imperial Physician Li is waiting in the guest hall of the main courtyard; esteemed imperial concucine is there as well. Hurry on over.”

As expected, the news had moved Grand Concubine Yi. Han Yunxi was extremely sleepy, but had to pep herself up to follow Zhao mama. As it turned out, Murong Wanru was there along with Grand Concubine Yi. According to ettiquette, a married daughter shouldn’t visit her parental home so casually, but Grand Concubine Yi doted on Murong Wanru and didn’t fuss over the fact. Murong Wanru had been diligently making trips to the Duke of Qin’s estate recently.

Seeing Han Yunxi arrive, Grand Concubine Yi couldn’t resist getting up to greet her. She carefully took Han Yunxi’s hand and led her to sit down, speaking thrice as intimately as usual. “Yunxi, why didn’t you tell mufei you were feeling uncomfortable for so long? What if you hurt your body? Hurry, hurry, let Imperial Physician Li take your pulse!”

Han Yunxi saw how hard it was for Grand Concubine Yi to hide the delight in her eyes and knew things were over. She couldn’t help but silently curse Long Feiye, whose single sentence cast her into utmost misery! See this, Murong Wanru had already raised her high up before she even took her pulse.

“Sister-in-law, congratulations, congratulations! Mufei has been waiting for news from your stomach for a long time. You’ve finally brought her credit this time!”

Hearing this, Han Yunxi withdrew her hand with a smile. “Since Wanru meimei1 is so certain, I think we should ask Imperial Physician Li to go back.”

Murong Wanru never got tired of praising someone in a way that placed them at a disadvantage, but Han Yunxi was already sick of it. Imperial Physician Li’s hand froze in mid-air as he was left at a loss.

“Sister-in-law, I didn’t…” Murong Wanru didn’t know how to explain, but looked piteously at Grand Concubine Yi. “Mufei, I didn’t mean it that way. I was being happy for sister-in-law’s sake.”

Grand Concubine Yi was about to speak when Han Yunxi said, “If Wanru meimei didn’t mean it that way, then does Wanru meimei think I’m not pregnant?”

“I didn’t!” Murong Wanru denied immediately. She was filled with hate, why did her faceoffs with Han Yunxi always leave her speechless? The empress dowager had given her three months’ time, but she’d rather this woman disappear from the Duke of Qin’s estate this instant!

“Then just what did you mean?” Han Yunxi pressed. By now Murong Wanru was completely out of things to say. She looked pitifully at Grand Concubine Yi, her eyes red as if she had suffered a great grievance.

Grand Concubine Yi shot Han Yunxi a glare. “Yunxi, you can’t joke with things like this. Wanru was celebrating for your sake! Hurry and have Imperial Physician Li take your pulse.” She saved Wanru from embarrassment as she patted the girl’s hand. Murong Wanru looked at her like a poor and pitiful little wife. Though Grand Concubine Yi didn’t speak, her grip on Wanru’s hand tightened to comfort her. None of this escaped Han Yunxi’s eye. She really couldn’t understand why a shrewd woman like Grand Concubine Yi couldn’t see past Murong Wanru’s white lotus facade?

She was just an adopted daughter with no blood relations. Murong Wanru owed Grand Concubine Yi for her kindness, but Grand Concubine Yi didn’t owe Murong Wanru her love. How could Grand Concubine Yi be so hoodwinked with such a personality? Fine, her relationship with Grand Concubine Yi had only warmed up recently, while Murong Wanru had stayed by her side for a dozen or more years.

As Imperial Physician Li took her pulse, mother and daughter both looked over. Grand Concubine Yi felt anxious while Murong Wanru felt pained. She couldn’t bear it even if Han Yunxi wasn’t pregnant. Zhao mama had said that the Duke of Qin personally asked for Imperial Physician Li, which was enough to confirm that this woman had been visited in the bedchamber! His Highness Duke of Qin had been akin to an Immortal in her heart ever since her youth. Whenever she thought of someone sleeping with him, her insides would shudder!

Silence descended on the audience hall as everyone fell into anxiety. Perhaps it was contagious, because even Han Yunxi fell into deep thought while already knowing the results. Would Long Feiye allow any woman to bear his child?

Suddenly, Imperial Physician Li released her hand and broke her train of thought. He rose to his feet in a rush and said with a fearful bow, “To report to esteemed imperial concubine, esteemed wangfei’s pulse looks…” Though he didn’t want to say it, he had to anyways. “…like it isn’t a pregnancy pulse.”

Immediately, Grand Concubine Yi stood up. “What do you mean, ‘looks like?’” I want a clear answer!”

A frightened Imperial Physician Li backed up a few steps and braced himself to answer. “Esteemed imperial concubine, this official confirms that esteemed wangfei has no pregnancy pulse.”