Chapter 257: The Illegitimate Young Master

"Don't give me that nonsense."

Yuan Siyin raised her hand and flicked Yuan Fuqing's forehead, making his eyes well up with tears.

He thought his older sister would praise him, but instead he got a good beating.

Yuan Siyin slowly withdrew her hand.

My aunt and my father and his sister, one became the Empress Dowager and suffered in the deep palace, and the other went to the frontier and could not return for many years.

This is hardly a good path, but they consider it the best option. Not only is it difficult to walk, but there's also no turning back.

"I will walk my own path, and I don't need anyone to protect me. The same goes for you."

As Yuan Siyin spoke, she didn't forget to pinch his chubby little face, which felt as good as ever.

"Alright, I'm going to get some sleep. I'll pack up and head back to the Yuan residence in a few days."

Despite saying that, Yuan Siyin did not sleep very well.

Xiao Quanzi had been out and about a dozen times, just as the first watch of the night was about to begin, when news came from outside the palace that a baby boy had been born.

"This is such a blessing. The baby was so lucky. She survived the premature and difficult labor and it's a boy. Maybe that girl is really blessed."

Zi Yuan kept her eyes downcast and her mind at ease, simply nodding without offering any opinion.

Xiao Quanzi was somewhat depressed.

You could say Zi Yuan is unlike her daughter, since she doesn't seem to care about unimportant people; yet you could also say she's like her, since she's such a quiet, reserved person.

"Is the young lady asleep?"

Although it was pitch black and you couldn't see anything, Xiao Quanzi still subconsciously squinted and peeked inside.

"Let's rest now. I'm afraid we'll have to wait until tomorrow to hear the news."

Yuan Siyin turned over, feeling a little thirsty, and groggily called out to Ziyuan.

Hearing the sound, Zi Yuan pushed open the door and went in. Knowing that she was thirsty, she quickly poured tea and handed it to her. When she put her hand under the quilt, she felt that it was a little cold, so she squatted down in the corner and fiddled with the charcoal brazier.

"But Xiao Quanzi was whispering outside, acting suspiciously."

Yuan Siyin took a couple of sips of warm tea, casually put it aside, lay down, and asked a question while waiting for Ziyuan to come over and tuck her in.

"Yes, Qingzhi has given birth."

"Boy or girl?"

"boy."

"I understand. You don't need to guard anymore. Go back and rest."

After saying that, Yuan Siyin fell asleep again.

Zi Yuan gently placed a hot water bottle at her feet, thinking that her mistress used to often light a lamp to read storybooks when she was bored, but now she didn't have that energy anymore.

...

Within a few days, the entire capital knew of the existence of this illegitimate young prince.

Shen Ruolan initially intended to harm Qingzhi and her unborn child, and therefore tried her best to conceal this information from the outside world.

Who knew that Yuan Siyin would suddenly appear out of nowhere? Now that the child has been born, there's no way to hide it anymore, so they have no choice but to let it go.

Looking at the baby sleeping soundly in the cradle, Shen Ruolan felt a mixture of envy and jealousy.

"The concubine is drinking tea."

Qingzhi lay on the couch inside, her face pale. No matter how hard one tried to see her through the screen, it was impossible to get a clear view. Fearing that Shen Ruolan might have some designs on her own flesh and blood, she could only send Yulan to serve tea.

Not only was she afraid, but Yulan also subconsciously felt a bit of fear towards Shen Ruolan.

Although she had the Yuan family's support, once the young master was born, that support would reach its limit. If she stayed by Qingzhi's side any longer, who knows what might happen next?

Shen Ruolan withdrew her gaze, glanced slowly at the tea in Yulan's hand but did not take it: "No need, I didn't come here for this tea."

Everyone says childbirth is a woman's ordeal, and this has truly been tough on you, sister. Someone will bring you nourishing foods later; just relax and recover in peace.