chapter 10
Chapter 10
Ye Liaozhai pondered for a moment and said, “Go and summon Bian Imperial Physician from the palace!”
After Bian Imperial Physician arrived at Ye Mansion, Ye Liaozhai personally led him to Wenxiang Courtyard, where he checked Aunt Liu’s pulse on the spot.
After taking her pulse, Bian Imperial Physician cupped his hands and smiled, “Congratulations, Prime Minister, it is indeed a pregnancy pulse!”
“Really?” Ye Liaozhai sprang to his feet.
“Absolutely certain!”
Ye Liaozhai was instantly overjoyed.
He had thought Aunt Liu was faking it, but unexpectedly, it was true!
To have a child at his age, nearly fifty, what a blessing!
As for those rumors about his kidneys being weak, this was a resounding slap in their faces…
His concubine was pregnant, and they still said he was impotent?
Bian Imperial Physician, standing to the side, even gave him a thumbs up. “Prime Minister, impressive!”
“Hahaha…” Ye Liaozhai laughed, cupping his hands repeatedly. “Thank you for your trouble today, Imperial Physician. I will be sure to visit and thank you in person another day!”
After Bian Imperial Physician left, Aunt Liu, with tears streaming down her face, said, “Master, I was possessed by a Fox Demon and did many crazy things. I have no face to go on living… But now that I carry your flesh and blood, I must give birth to the child first, then atone with my death!”
Her face was still marked by whip scars, and with her tear-stained, wounded appearance, she was far from beautiful.
Ye Liaozhai glanced at her, then quickly looked away, forcing himself to be patient. “Don’t overthink things. Focus on nurturing the pregnancy!”
With that, he left without looking back.
Aunt Liu watched his departing figure, secretly gritting her teeth.
She had taken a Secret Pill from the Streets, which could create the illusion of pregnancy; even a divine physician could not distinguish the effect of a pregnancy pulse.
But this could only buy her a little time. If she wanted to survive, she had to truly become pregnant!
Yet now she had lost favor, and Ye Liaozhai would never come to sleep with her again.
If she wanted to get pregnant, she would have to secretly find someone else, and time was running out…
Aunt Liu clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms:
“It’s all because of that Ye Piaoling, forcing me into such a predicament…”
Qiao Shu entered carrying medicine and, hearing this, said, “Madam, the Eldest Miss is truly hateful. Did you see how arrogant she was? Originally, all the Ye family property would have belonged to Young Master, but now that Ye Piaoling’s Immortal Vein has recovered, she will definitely come to snatch it!”
These words struck a chord with Aunt Liu.
This was exactly what she feared. If Ye Piaoling had remained a useless person, it would have been fine, but now that she had become a genius again, Ye Tianbao might not be able to compete with her in the future.
“The Eldest Miss is especially narrow-minded. Her Immortal Vein hasn’t even fully recovered, yet she already injured Young Master and framed you, Madam. Once her Immortal Vein is restored next month, she’ll bully us even more!”
Qiao Shu continued to incite her: “Madam, you are simply too kind-hearted. If it were someone else, for the sake of Young Master, they would have taken the chance to eliminate her while her Immortal Vein was still crippled… Otherwise, once her cultivation is restored, it will be even harder to deal with her!”
As Aunt Liu listened, her expression grew uglier.
Yes, she had always hated Ye Piaoling. If not for this eyesore of a legitimate daughter, her son would have been unrivaled in the household!
So when Ye Piaoling became a useless person, she was happier than anyone. Later, when Ye Tianbao bullied his sister, threw stones, spat at her, even killed her pet bird… Aunt Liu knew all about it, but never restrained him. On the contrary, she thought her son was remarkable-even the legitimate daughter had to suffer his bullying.
And when she managed the household, she often bullied Ye Piaoling herself, withholding her monthly allowance and necessities.
Now that Ye Piaoling had returned, everything she did was clearly revenge against them!
Therefore, Ye Piaoling absolutely cannot be allowed to stay; she must be dealt with as soon as possible by hiring an assassin!
Aunt Liu took a deep breath and said, “You may leave now. Let me think about it.”
“This servant takes her leave.”
Qiao Shu withdrew, an inward sneer curling on her lips.
Ye Piaoling won’t let her return to the Falling Petals Courtyard? Then let her wait for death herself-Aunt Liu will surely find a way to get rid of her!
With these thoughts, Qiao Shu exited Aunt Liu’s bedchamber.
Suddenly, two Shadow Guards hurriedly approached. “Miss Qiao Shu, come with us!”
“What are you doing?” Qiao Shu was startled.
The Shadow Guards gave no explanation, quickly escorting her to the Prime Minister’s Mansion (main courtyard).
Ye Liaozhai was not at home today. In the main courtyard of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, aside from the steward, there were several men dressed in black. Judging by the totems on their attire, they were actually Shadow Guards from Chonghua Palace!
The steward was bowing and scraping to the leading man. When he saw Qiao Shu arrive, he quickly pointed to her and said, “Lord Liang Yun, this is the Qiao Shu you were looking for.”
Qiao Shu was stunned.
Chonghua Palace, and Liang Yun, leader of the Shadow Guards at the Regent King’s side, had actually come to find her?
Liang Yun studied Qiao Shu, his brow slightly furrowed.
The expert who had awakened the Master had left behind a handkerchief. He soon traced it to a renowned embroidery house in the capital, crafted by an embroideress.
When the embroideress saw the handkerchief, she immediately recognized it. She had embroidered it years ago while practicing her skills, and then given it to her niece.
Her niece was named Qiao Shu, a maid at the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
Yet now, Qiao Shu seemed nothing like the great expert he had imagined.
Liang Yun produced the handkerchief and asked coldly, “Is this yours?”
Qiao Shu stared at the handkerchief.
Her aunt had given it to her years ago; she hadn’t liked it and had given it to the Eldest Miss…
Now, the unattainable Chonghua Palace had come for her over a handkerchief?
Qiao Shu’s thoughts raced as she cautiously asked, “Lord Liang Yun, why do you ask?”
Liang Yun’s expression did not change. “Just answer: yes or no.”
Qiao Shu lowered her gaze.
Chonghua Palace was a place she never dared to even look up to, yet now, because of this handkerchief, she was somehow involved…
After a moment, Qiao Shu nodded. “It is mine.”
Liang Yun said, “There is a line embroidered on this handkerchief. Do you know what it is?”
Qiao Shu answered, “There are trees on the mountain, and the trees have branches.”
The answer was correct.
Liang Yun sneered, “Take her away!”
Immediately, the Shadow Guards stepped forward and took Qiao Shu away from the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
Qiao Shu’s heart was in turmoil. When she arrived outside the gates of Chonghua Palace, she finally could not help but ask again, “Lord Liang Yun, why exactly are you looking for me?”
Liang Yun replied indifferently, “It is the Regent King who wishes to see you.”
“What?”
Qiao Shu was both delighted and terrified at his words.
So it was not Liang Yun looking for her, but the exalted Regent King!
The Regent King had tracked her down over a handkerchief embroidered with a love poem-what could possibly be behind this?
Qiao Shu was lost in thought when suddenly Liang Yun said, “You have offended the Master.”
With that, he suddenly struck her with his palm.
“Ah!!!”
Qiao Shu was sent flying by the blow, spitting blood.
She crashed heavily to the ground, coughed up another mouthful of blood, and trembled in horror.
Liang Yun looked at her with a face full of regret. “I actually do not like to lay hands on women, but since you have offended the Master, I cannot very well bring you before him unscathed, can I?”