Chapter 169 Lin Shiyuan felt like he had dug a hole and buried himself.

Lou Yue hesitated for a long time, unable to give a clear answer.

Finally, she asked, "Miss, were you talking to Commander Lin inside?"

Xia Chan said, "When I went in, Commander Lin came out, but Miss didn't."

Lou Yue: "When did Commander Lin arrive? He's like a ghost."

Xia Chan glanced at her. Was that the important point?

The child in the young lady's womb is definitely Master Zhan's, but outsiders won't think so.

They are trying every possible way to pin a crime on the young lady.

This Commander Lin is too casual.

The cicadas were somewhat displeased.

Lou Yue brought the dinner, which was being kept warm on the stove, to the room.

She went inside with a curious and inquisitive look, and saw that the two people inside were just sitting there, not doing anything out of the ordinary, discussing something important.

When Lin Shiyuan saw Lou Yue enter, he said, "Have your dinner first."

He gathered up the scattered items on the table, leaving only his cup of tea.

Lou Yue calmly placed the bowls and plates on the table.

Yao Qingling glanced at him while holding her chopsticks: "Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something together?"

Lin Shiyuan looked at the dishes.

The dishes are plentiful and served in large portions.

He suddenly understood why she had gained so much weight.

However, Lin Shiyuan rushed over immediately upon hearing of the unusual activity at the Marquis's residence, even though he was hungry.

He didn't stand on ceremony with Qingling and nodded.

Lou Yue carried the tray out to get bowls and chopsticks.

Xia Chan saw her walk back and forth again, and wondered why she was still eating inside.

She sat on the porch by the door, keeping the maids away.

Inside the room, Yao Qingling ate for a while, then looked up at the man opposite her and suddenly felt a little dazed.

She hadn't sat down to eat alone with a man in a long time.

In the new mansion, whenever Zhou Zhining was around, Zhan Xingzhuo would spend most of his time with her and her son. Qingling didn't want to eat with them, so she had to sit at a table by herself.

The food got cold by the time they finished eating, and Zhan Xingzhuo still hadn't returned.

Later, she fell out with Zhan Xingzhuo and hated him whenever she saw him; she lost her appetite.

However, at this moment, Qing Ling had a good appetite when facing Lin Shiyuan.

She ate a bowl of rice and planned to have some more.

But seeing that even her fingers had become rounded and chubby, she paused for a moment, then put down her chopsticks.

Lin Shiyuan had already finished eating.

Having spent a long time in the military, I've long been accustomed to eating fast food and being ready to go to the battlefield at any time.

He was eating a snack to pass the time.

Yao Qingling glanced at him: "You like to eat snacks?"

Lin Shiyuan couldn't very well say that he was just watching her eat, nor could he stare at her directly, so he casually picked up a piece of pastry to chew on.

"The taste is acceptable, but I've had better ones before." The man glanced at her.

Qingling: "Oh? There's something even better than Louyue's? Which pastry shop makes it? I'd love to buy some and try it."

Lin Shiyuan felt like he had dug a hole and buried himself.

He didn't know which shop in the capital was good, so he casually mentioned Heweizhai, which Lin Qiao had mentioned.

Yao Qingling thought for a moment, then realized she had never heard of it and would ask Lou Yue later.

"Hmm, this name sounds nice. It suits the stomach, it goes well with the taste..."

The two chatted idly, and time passed little by little. Qingling didn't feel sleepy at all.

Or perhaps she just took a nap and is now full of energy.

Xia Chan and Lou Yue stood guard at the entrance like two stone lions.

Lou Yue couldn't resist any longer, yawned, leaned against a pillar, and fell asleep.

Xia Chan glanced at the door behind her several times, resisting the urge to go in and kick people out.

She hugged her knees and looked at the moon in the sky.

In such a vast sky, there is only one moon. I wonder if the moon feels lonely?

She also thought that if the young lady raised the child alone in the future, she would have to face a lot of gossip.

Moreover, it seems that Master Zhan and the Duke's mansion are coming to snatch the child away.

Would things be better if the woman had a man to protect her, and if the child had a father?

Sometimes Xia Chan thought that staying in this Marquis's mansion was meaningless. With her young lady's abilities, she could move out and live on her own instead of suffering here.

Putting aside other things, back then, when Master Zhan had a falling out with the Duke, all he did was move to the new mansion to live alone, separating the mansion but not the family.

Miss's house in Tongluo Lane is still empty.

A young lady could also find a man to marry into her family, thus shielding her from gossip and preventing her from being bullied because there was no man in the house.

However, it's not easy to find a man willing to marry into your family; you can't just pick one up off the street...

Xia Chan was lost in thought when she heard the door open behind her.

She got up.

Lin Shiyuan came out, and Xia Chan asked, "Is Miss asleep?"

Lin Shiyuan nodded.

Just as he was about to leave, Xia Chan called out to him, "Commander Lin, there are some things I want to say to you."

Lin Shiyuan raised an eyebrow, put his hands behind his back, and walked to a magnolia tree.

Xia Chan pursed her lips and asked, "Does Commander Lin have a crush on my young lady?"

The man frowned slightly.

No one has ever asked him this question directly to his face, but a few people have said that he and Yao Qingling have an affair.

Lin Shiyuan glanced at Xia Chan indifferently and nodded.

His composure surprised Xia Chan.

Lin Shiyuan's thinking was simple: Xia Chan was Yao Qingling's confidante, so it wouldn't be a problem if she found out.

These maids are loyal to Yao Qingling; they should know that he is one of their own.

Xia Chan thought that Commander Lin's hobby was quite peculiar.

He couldn't understand why the young lady had this thought before, since he didn't know she was pregnant. She was young and beautiful, but her behavior was different from other noble ladies.

But now that he knows the young lady is pregnant and the father of the child is powerful and influential, it's troublesome just thinking about it. Doesn't he mind?

To be honest, by the late stages of pregnancy, the young lady's appearance had changed. Although she looked cute with her round and chubby figure, don't men prefer a slender figure?

Even though he is Lin Qiao's brother, Xia Chan should remain rational.

She didn't want the young lady to get hurt.

Xia Chan said, "Even if you like it, it's not allowed. Commander Lin, Miss is currently unmarried. You can't just come and go as you please, disregarding Miss's reputation."

“Next time you come to our courtyard, please have the gatekeeper announce your arrival.” She paused, then added, “It would be best if Lin Qiao could relay the message.”

Lin Shiyuan: "..."

Becoming Commander Lin is not as convenient as when Lin was in charge of affairs.

Lin Shiyuan cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Miss Xia Chan is right, I have learned a lot."

With a single leap, the man reached the rooftop and vanished into the night.

Xia Chan looked up at the dark sky, wondering if the warning she had just received had actually worked.

The news that Yao Qingling was pregnant spread quickly.

When Princess Deyang learned that Qingling was pregnant, she was stunned for a long time.

"She's pregnant? She's actually pregnant?" He clenched his fists tightly, his emotions a jumble of feelings.

Neither of the two nannies, Jia and Rong, spoke; they were very cautious and careful.

At this time, even uttering a single wrong word would invite the Grand Princess's scolding.

Zhan Xingxiang and Cui entered together; Cui observed the Grand Princess's expression and, seeing her gloomy face, knew she was angry.

She gently nudged her son, urging him to go over and cheer up his grandmother.

The child, in a sweet, childish voice, rushed into the Grand Princess's arms, calling her "Grandmother" in a soft, endearing voice, and offered her a candied hawthorn.

The Grand Princess looked down at her grandson, but her mind was on the baby in Yao Qingling's belly.

If she had gotten pregnant after marriage, the child would be walking by now.

Zhan Xingxiang said cautiously, "Grandmother, the second..." She quickly corrected herself, "Madam Yao is pregnant. Should we send someone from our household to check on her?"

Madam Cui glanced at her: "She's already left the Duke's Mansion, she's no longer a member of the Duke's Mansion, what's she going to see?"