Shen Youying roughly knew what she wanted to say after all that she had told her.

She lowered her head slightly, recalling Xue Shen's actions in defending her in public, and whispered, "I know, the Prince isn't entirely as the rumors say..."

Jiang Yun squeezed her hand and smiled, "Don't blame me for speaking so frankly. I only told you this because I heard the Crown Prince talk about your relationship with the other two. I felt that you were not as afraid of the Prince of Qin as others. I've also heard about your marriage to the Lu family, but sometimes fate plays tricks on people. There are too many regrets of being destined to be apart. It's better to cherish the present."

"We women are mostly not in control of our own lives. This marriage may not be what you want, but if you put your heart into it, even if you can't live in perfect harmony, you can still get by. I'm telling you this not to give you any advice, but just because I think the more you understand the King of Qin, the closer you and your husband will be. That way, the King of Qin will have someone who truly cares for him, and you yourself will be more at ease."

Shen Youying looked at her with some surprise. She didn't expect the Crown Princess to be so observant. No one else noticed the estrangement between her and Xue Shen, but she did.

They even considered her feelings, not saying anything explicitly, but offering gentle comfort instead.

Looking at her, Shen Youying thought to herself, "No wonder the Crown Prince has been unable to have an heir and has refused to take a concubine. Such a gentle and tender woman."

Then, recalling Xie Qinglan's unfulfilled feelings, she couldn't help but sigh for Xie Qinglan.

“I understand what you mean, sister-in-law,” Shen Youying said softly.

Seeing that she was a perceptive person, Jiang Yun stopped there and didn't say anything more. Instead, she picked up the food box next to her and put out several plates of fruit and pastries: "These were made by the chef of the Chu Prince's Mansion. His skills are outstanding. I specially brought a few plates for you to try."

Shen Youying picked up a fruit and put it in her mouth. It was sweet at first, but after biting into it, it was so sour that she almost cried.

She swallowed it whole, glancing in surprise at the Crown Princess who was eating the fruit without changing her expression.

Seeing that she wasn't eating, Jiang Yun assumed she didn't like it and told her to try another one.

Having prepared herself mentally, Shen Youying took a small bite, and it was indeed extremely sour.

She looked at Jiang Yun with increasing surprise, and as her gaze shifted, she suddenly noticed that Jiang Yun's lower abdomen seemed to be slightly protruding.

Because of her long illness, Jiang Yun was very thin, almost thinner than a piece of paper. Yet, despite her slender frame, her lower abdomen was slightly protruding.

As if struck by a thought, Shen Youying's gaze froze: "Sister-in-law, you..."

"Shh—" Jiang Yun noticed that she had noticed her stomach and raised her finger to signal her to be quiet.

She lowered her eyes, gently touched her belly, and smiled, "It's not even four months yet. I'm not feeling well, and the Crown Prince hasn't spread the news out yet."

Shen Youying immediately understood. No wonder the Crown Prince said he would take her to visit him at the Spring Banquet, but then suddenly said he wouldn't come. It turned out he was taking care of his pregnancy.

She whispered her congratulations.

Jiang Yun gave her a teasing look and said, "You and the King of Qin should hurry up too."

Shen Youying blushed, thinking that if the Crown Princess knew that she and the Prince of Qin had not even consummated their marriage, perhaps she wouldn't have said those words to her.