My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Chapter 1280 - 1202: Infected by Poison Again

Qin Liuxi sat cross-legged, upright and composed, in the carriage of the Duke Cheng’en Mansion, learning about the recent happenings in the capital from Mrs. Mu Xi.

After the earthquake at the Holy Altar, the Saint was injured and resting, Prince Zhao was confined to his mansion, and Prince Cheng, along with Lin Xiang and a few Ministers of Military Affairs, was overseeing the state. Just when Prince Cheng thought that immense wealth was finally going to fall into his hands, the Imperial Family suddenly revealed that his deceased fourth brother was resurrected.

And that fourth brother was none other than Prince Rui, the eldest son of Prince Ning. Back then, when Princess Consort Ning was giving birth, she happened to be in the palace visiting her cousin, the Saint’s Princess Consort De, who was also in labor. When Princess Consort Ning first gave birth to a stillborn, to secure her position, she secretly swapped the fourth prince, who was struggling to be born, with Princess Consort De’s child amid the chaos.

Therefore, the current Prince Rui is actually the son of Princess Consort De, the true Dragon Son and Imperial Descendant. This was accidentally revealed by Princess Consort Ning’s mother, which prompted the Saint to investigate and uncover the truth.

The Saint had a deep affection for Princess Consort De; otherwise, after her death in difficult labor, she wouldn’t have been posthumously honored as Imperial Concubine Gongmin. During his injured slumber, he dreamt of the Imperial Concubine crying, prompting him to promptly correct Prince Rui’s identity.

This means that Prince Ning’s eldest son is already deceased. The current Prince Rui is the Saint’s son, with his birth mother being the Imperial Concubine Gongmin, as announced to the world.

As for whether the truth is as stated, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that since the Saint declared it so, it must be so. Any witnesses or testimonies need not be scrutinized, as the principal parties involved are already ’dead.’

Interestingly, upon hearing this, the Princess Consort Ru in the palace fainted from shock, and after waking, she lost her speech.

Qin Liuxi lowered her eyes to hide the derision beneath them; even the Emperor’s ’true love’ must yield in matters concerning his own interests and the bigger picture. Who knows what the ’Princess Consort Ru’ felt?

Her true identity has already ’died.’ Now she is merely a disgraced Princess Consort Ru, childless and out of favor.

When Prince Rui suddenly became the true Dragon Son and Prince, though he was not in the capital, his mansion was bustling with guests, though it quickly closed its doors to visitors due to Princess Rui’s severe illness.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the capital said that Princess Rui had little fortune, unable to bear the immense wealth. After all, correcting Prince Rui’s ’identity’ at this time also represents a signal sent by the Saint.

The Eastern Palace is likely to soon welcome a new master.

Prince Rui, in that year, had several accomplishments; contributing to disaster relief, executing rebels, and now volunteering to escort military supplies to the northwest. With frequent battles there, if he secures more achievements, combined with a good pedigree, the Crown Prince position is likely to fall to him.

Yet Princess Rui is bedridden with illness. If this isn’t called having little fortune, what is?

Mrs. Mu had come to Yufu Temple to pray for Princess Rui but unexpectedly encountered Qin Liuxi. She had long heard of Qin Liuxi’s abilities from Mu Xi. If she could help, Fifteenth Sister might be saved.

Qin Liuxi, noticing Mrs. Mu’s worried expression, said, "You are pregnant, so it’s better to relax. Holding grievances in your heart is not good for nurturing the fetus."

"Oh, what?" Mrs. Mu widened her eyes in disbelief, "What did you just say?"

Qin Liuxi looked at her abdomen and said, "You are pregnant."

Mrs. Mu stared blankly at her abdomen. She’s pregnant?

She and Mu Xi had been married for nearly three years, with no sign of pregnancy. Both her family and the Duke Cheng’en and Marquis Wei families were anxious since Mu Xi was the sole heir expected to carry on both family lines.

Her family background wasn’t prominent. As the eldest daughter of a fifth-rank Imperial Censor family, she married into royal relations because of her robust health and resilient nature, seen as good for childbirth.

Though three years older than Mu Xi, she agreed to marry him primarily because her mother needed ginseng supplements for her health, which the Gu family couldn’t afford. So she married for financial support.

Even though the marriage brought social pressure of bearing children and the likelihood of Mu Xi taking additional concubines to ensure heirs, she accepted due to the generous betrothal gift.

But for three years, there had been no news of pregnancy, and both families were preparing to select a favored concubine. But now, Qin Liuxi says she is pregnant.

She found it hard to believe.

However, the maid beside her, overjoyed, calculated with her fingers, saying, "Young Mistress, today was supposed to be your day for changing linens."

Mrs. Mu’s heart was stirred. On the day for changing linens, her period hadn’t come.

Overwhelmed with joy, Mrs. Mu was thrilled and asked, "The temple master really saw it?"

Qin Liuxi asked her to extend her hand, pressed two fingers on it, finding her pulse like a string of pearls, robustly throbbing, and said, "It’s indeed a pregnancy pulse, a month along. You’re in good health, likely from body refining in youth; a healthy mother leads to a strong fetal pulse. It’s important to avoid melancholy. A mother’s emotions can affect the child; mother and child are connected."

"Good, good." Mrs. Mu touched her abdomen, somewhat incoherently asking, "Do I need any fetus-preserving medicine?"

"If you’re not experiencing discomfort, there’s no need. Be careful in the first three months; the roads are slippery with cold, so take care while walking," Qin Liuxi advised.

Mrs. Mu expressed her thanks repeatedly and then took out a wallet, offering it to Qin Liuxi with both hands, "I heard the custom is to accept consultation fees for pulse reading and fortunes for a fortune. I don’t have much silver on me, but I will send it from home."

Qin Liuxi took it, feeling the weight and, considering the Mu Poodle, gave her a peace charm.

Mrs. Mu accepted it as a treasure.

At Prince Rui Mansion, the maid got off first, sending someone to deliver the news to the Duke Cheng’en Mansion. She also called for strong maids to help Mrs. Mu off the carriage. Though only Qin Liuxi checked the pulse, she seemed reliable, and since Mrs. Mu’s period hadn’t come, they needed to be cautious.

Mrs. Mu had sent word to the mansion earlier, and at the east corner gate was the wet nurse of Princess Rui, named Wang, who greeted them with a grand salute upon seeing them.

Qin Liuxi was a distinguished guest, so Mrs. Mu respectfully let her lead while she followed a step behind, with the group taking a small wooden oil car to the main hall.

The main hall of Prince Rui Mansion, at the center of Shengjing, was covered in a layer of snow from the continuous snowfall, with the red walls and white snow making for a striking contrast.

Unfortunately, the aura above was a mix of red and grey, with the Kun Trigram—or the southwest direction—dim and missing a corner, indicating that the hostess was unwell.

Qin Liuxi glanced at it, then averted her gaze. She was busy with many matters. If it weren’t for Qi Qian being the cleanup leader she had chosen, she wouldn’t have come, feeling somewhat guilty for causing trouble.

Upon entering the inner hall, Qin Liuxi was met with a rush of heat, instinctively shielding Mrs. Mu behind her to protect her from the conflicting extremes of cold and heat, which could easily cause illness.

She looked up to see a woman she had once met, wrapped in a thick cloak, weakly leaning against the bed. Quietly observing her, her gaze was complex as she forced a smile, "Master, long time no see."

Qin Liuxi frowned, pressing down on the restless golden silkworm poison on her wrist, and said, "You are infected by poison."

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