After leaving the palace, Xie Zhaozhao, Lu Feiyan, and Yuanyuan boarded the carriage together, and Xie Tingting also boarded the carriage.

"Elder sister, if you have time, come to the Crown Prince's residence and talk to me." Xie Tingting said sincerely, "I am too weak to talk to you because I am physically unable to do so."

Xie Zhaozhao said, "There are many things to do at the manor these days. I will go after a while when things are a bit easier. Please take good care of yourself."

As she got into the car, she kindly reminded her, "As long as the child is healthy, it's not necessarily better if the child is bigger."

Xie Tingting nodded: "Thank you, elder sister, I'll remember."

As the carriage drove away from the palace, Xie Tingting remained silent.

Cai Lan asked, "Is Your Majesty unhappy?"

"Do you think the eldest sister meant well by repeatedly emphasizing that the baby was big and that childbirth would be difficult?"

Cai Lan herself had never given birth, and she said, "After all, the young lady has never given birth either. Is she worried because she sees the Empress's big belly?"

Caiwei asked cautiously, "Empress, Imperial Concubine, Princess Yurong, and the Grand Secretary's wife, who do you trust the most?"

Xie Tingting glanced at the driver in front and the guards on both sides, her face darkened, and she said sternly, "Such treasonous words are forbidden from being spoken from now on!"

Caiwei immediately slapped her own mouth: "This servant deserves to die!"

Xie Tingting didn't speak, but Caiwei's words still made her think.

Who does she believe?

She doesn't trust anyone!

The Empress hoped she would give birth to a grandson because she wanted to bind Xie to the Crown Prince. However, in the end, the one who would sit on the Empress's throne would definitely be Wei's woman.

Consort Xi, being her own aunt, probably didn't want her to give birth to a child with Wei's bloodline, so she avoided going to Consort Xi's place if possible.

Eldest sister? She probably wouldn't even want the Crown Prince to ascend the throne!

Grand Secretary Gu and the Crown Prince are mortal enemies. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, Gu Shaoyu may not be the first to be killed, but he will definitely be among the top three.

Therefore, Princess Yu Rong is probably the most credible one.

Princess Yu Rong had told her that she had no husband and no children, and since she and the Crown Prince were siblings, she naturally hoped for the well-being of her brother's children. Furthermore, the Wei clan was a huge threat to every emperor, and the Crown Prince might not spare them after ascending the throne!

Xie Tingting drew back the curtains, looked at the greening willow branches outside, and stroked her belly. Her baby's little feet were kicking her again. She smiled and said softly, "The wind, frost, snow, and swords of winter have ultimately been defeated by spring!"

Back at the manor, just then, another batch of tonics that Princess Yu Rong had sent to Xie Tingting arrived.

"Consort Xie, the princess has sent you many tonics, as well as dozens of chopped chickens and ducks."

The imperial physician examined the items and found that everything the princess sent was highly nutritious for pregnant women and fetuses, and there were no food interactions that could cause adverse reactions.

Wei Chuchu smiled and instructed the cook, "Make this soup for Consort Xie, and add some goji berries, codonopsis, and scutellaria to help relieve dryness."

The cooks were all very happy, saying, "Consort Xie is so favored. His Highness the Crown Prince and Consort Wei treat her extremely well, and the Princess has high hopes for this imperial nephew."

"Of course, our Crown Prince's residence is harmonious. Everyone is united as one, sharing both glory and loss. The masters are all clear-headed, unlike some residences where there is infighting."

Xie Tingting listened and smiled slightly. These words meant for her were meant to be heard.

She didn't believe Wei Chuchu was being so kind.

However, of the chicken and duck soup with angelica root that I made today, she only drank a little soup and obediently ate half a bowl of brown rice.

Xie Zhaozhao returned to her residence, and the rewards from the palace arrived.

Root carvings of the Chinese pine, beads made of the Chinese pine, and even foot basins made of the Chinese pine.

The tribute from Goryeo was very down-to-earth.

Lu Feiyan circled around these things a few times, tapping and smelling them, before concluding, "They're all good stuff, extremely beneficial to the body."

Manman hurriedly boiled a pot of water and used a new foot basin to soak Xie Zhaozhao's feet.

The warm water under her feet caused a fine, thin layer of sweat to appear on Xie Zhaozhao's nose.

"Madam, Madam."

Inside the house, a few people were discussing the health benefits of the Red Pine Bonsai when Mo Yan excitedly called out from outside, "Come and see who's here!"

Manman went out and scolded, "What are you shouting about? -- Ah, Xu Li is back! Hurry up and wash up..."

What started as one excited voice turned into a chorus of cheers.

Xu Li is back?

Xie Zhaozhao soaked her feet for less than fifteen minutes, but didn't want to continue. She dried her feet with a handkerchief, put on her shoes, and walked out of the inner room.

Xu Li entered and knelt down excitedly to pay his respects.

Xie Zhaozhao said, "Stand still, let me take a look."

Xu Li had been gone for more than half a year and had grown much taller. Originally, he was only five feet two inches tall (about 1.6 meters), but now he was five feet five inches tall (about 1.69 meters).

His eyes were bright and full of confidence.

"You're in great shape," Xie Zhaozhao said with satisfaction. "You've been completely transformed!"

Although he had washed his face, his eyes were bloodshot, clearly indicating that he had been traveling through wind and rain, and his face was chapped and his lips were cracked.

“Master, letter…” His voice was hoarse, but he smiled foolishly as he handed her a bag.

Xie Zhaozhao took the package and said, "Don't talk for now. Take a bath and rest first, and then I'll have a doctor examine you."

Lu Feiyan immediately said, "I'll take a look at him."

Yes, we have a little miracle doctor in our family.

Xu Li was too embarrassed to let the girl see him, and refused to reach out even at the cost of his life, saying that he wasn't sick.

Lu Feiyan rolled her eyes at him: "Let me tell you, if you keep acting up, I'll give you a packet of poison and make you mute."

Xu Li looked at Xie Zhaozhao and wondered what was going on. Why did the madam choose such a fierce maid?

Lu Feiyan examined him, then suddenly blinked her big eyes and circled around Xu Li twice.

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