Chapter 60

Chapter 60

I miscarried.

The physician Steward Li brought in sighed and blamed himself repeatedly, saying that if he had arrived just a bit sooner, perhaps the child could have been saved.

The Marquis Manor had been in an uproar all night. In the small hours of the morning, even the Empress Dowager had arrived in person.

According to Cuinong, Eunuch Gao had tearfully praised me before the Empress Dowager, describing how gentle, virtuous, and filial I was toward my grandmother, and how deeply I loved and worried for the Marquis-so much so that I had disregarded my own safety to rush over and comfort him.

Because of this, an imperial edict soon arrived, conferring upon me the title of Second-Rank Lady of the Court.

Early this morning, the Empress Dowager departed for Wutai Mountain. It was said that because of the heavy snow this winter and the frequent occurrence of ominous omens, she had to go and pray for the prosperity of the state and the dynasty.

Of course, Yuan Heng was the one officially escorting her.

I hoped that once Yuan Heng left on this journey, he would never return.

***

At noon, I had just taken some painkillers and was preparing to sleep when Cuinong said Meng Huaiqing had come to deliver medicine.

Through the layers of gauze curtains, the man’s silhouette was somewhat blurred.

Meng Huaiqing walked over slowly and sat on the small stool by the bed.

After a moment of silence, he said in a low voice, “Let me check your pulse.”

His hand had just touched the gauze curtain when I spoke to stop him.

“Don’t move.”

Meng Huaiqing’s left hand paused, then he rested it lightly on his leg.

I couldn’t help but mock him. “Cuinong told me that for this trip to Wutai Mountain, the Empress Dowager took Director Lin of the Imperial Medical Bureau with her. Since your medical skills are so divine, Mr. Meng, why didn’t she take you?”

Meng Huaiqing said softly, “I have served the Marquis for over three years. I understand his body best, and I understand him best. The Empress Dowager already sent someone to fetch me; I leave this afternoon.”

I raised my hand, turning it over to look at my pale fingers. “Oh. So you came to see if I was dead yet before you left?”

“I beg of you, don’t say that!”

Meng Huaiqing lowered his head. “If I didn’t check your pulse once, how could I leave in peace?”

I sneered. “Didn’t you say last night, sir, that you weren’t skilled in women’s and children’s medicine? You refused to treat me then, and I had to wait for another physician. I waited until I miscarried. Get out. I want to rest.”

Meng Huaiqing suddenly yanked back the gauze curtain. He glared at me, his voice suppressed with anger. “Now that Yun Sheng is dead, you’ve escaped the fate of being skinned alive. But do you think the Marquis would have allowed you to give birth to that bastard child later on? Besides, Cheng Wei killed and harmed you in your past life, yet you actually thought about keeping the baby? Ye Qingqiu, you are simply too… vile.”

I propped myself up with my arms and stared at him. “So you made the decision for me? Hmm? You poisoned me twice, and I’ve been taking so much medicine on and off. Even if I had managed to give birth to this child, it would likely have been a fool or an idiot. And even if it weren’t, it would have been plagued by illness and misfortune! By what right, Meng Huaiqing? By what right did you poison me!”

Meng Huaiqing was even angrier than I was. “To save you, of course! I had to find a way to enter the Marquis Manor to see you.”

I laughed outright. “To save me? Please, don’t make me laugh.”

Meng Huaiqing sat directly on the edge of the bed, grabbed my arm, and pulled me toward him. He gritted his teeth and whispered, “You poisoned the Marquis, didn’t you! His previous vomiting and diarrhea weren’t from drinking too much at all-those were the initial reactions to being poisoned!”

My scalp prickled. I gave the man a cool look and struggled to break free from his grip. “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m just a weak woman secluded in the inner chambers. I know nothing of pharmacology. How could I poison anyone?”

Meng Huaiqing didn’t let go at all, leaning in inch by inch. “Whether in your past life or this one, you’ve always been very curious about Song Yan. If there’s anyone else in this world who holds a deep-seated grudge against the Marquis, it can only be the Song Family! Song Yan is calculating and famous for his courage and strategy; he is naturally the accomplice you’d want to cooperate with.”

His breath was right in my face. I turned my head away. “You’re talking more and more nonsense. I’ve never even left the Marquis Manor. When would I have ever met Song Yan?”

“You did. You went out once.”

Meng Huaiqing stared into my eyes. “You went back to your parental home once. If you met Song Yan, it would have been then. Don’t deny it. I told you, when it comes to the art of poison in this world, no one surpasses me!”

I curled my lips. “Oh. So I poisoned him. Are you going to go and report me? Go ahead.”

Meng Huaiqing was so angry his breathing became heavy. “The Marquis goes to the palace often. If he happens to feel unwell and an Imperial Physician detects an abnormal pulse, and a thorough investigation is launched, do you even want your life anymore!”

I said indifferently, “Either he dies or I do. Since you won’t help me, I have to do it myself.”

Meng Huaiqing’s eyes turned red. He gritted his teeth and gave a grim smile. “If I weren’t helping you, I wouldn’t have driven my best friend to his death!”