Chapter 171 Shifting the Blame East

After leaving the Duke's mansion, Doctor He went to the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion that evening.

"I've told the Grand Princess everything you said. But Miss Qingling, what is the meaning of this?"

In Dr. He's opinion, the best way to sever the child's ties with the Duke's mansion is to ensure that the child is not Zhan Xingzhuo's.

It's Zhan Xingzhuo who loses face, but for Yao Qingling, it's nothing more than a lice that don't itch anymore. She's already divorced, so who she has children with is none of her business.

After the child is born, you can simply say that the baby was born prematurely and that's the truth.

"Judging from the Grand Princess's intentions, she definitely wants the child to be recognized as part of the family line." Doctor He gave Qingling a meaningful look.

The Duke's family has few heirs; the heir apparent has only one legitimate son, two illegitimate sons, and two illegitimate daughters.

Master Zhan didn't have a single one.

If one or two more die prematurely...

With such a large Duke's mansion and a Princess's residence, the more offspring the better.

Qingling smiled and said, "Doctor He, you don't understand the Grand Princess, nor do you understand Zhan Xingzhuo."

They have royal blood flowing through their veins, and are born noble.

The royal family cannot be insulted.

If a concubine in the imperial harem commits adultery, she will die a gruesome death, and her family will also be implicated.

The Grand Princess could reluctantly let Qingling leave, but she would never allow her to defile Zhan Xingzhuo's "harem".

Once the Grand Princess confirms that the child is not Zhan Xingzhuo's, Qingling may die in her sleep, on her way to the shop, or drown in the river.

Yao Qingling didn't want to die.

Dr. He sighed, "This is all I can do to help you. If you're capable, you'll have to walk the rest of the road on your own."

Qingling asked Xia Chan to see Doctor He off, and Xia Chan slipped Doctor He a silver note.

Inside the house, Qingling slowly sipped her white fungus and lily soup, thinking to herself, it's time to take the next step.

Xia Chan returned to her room, while Lou Yue was wondering when the Grand Princess would arrive at the Marquis's residence.

"I heard that the Second Master will be returning to the capital soon. Will the Grand Princess come to the manor and talk to the Lady of the Marquis, asking you two to get married again?"

Yao Qingling slowly sipped her bird's nest soup and said, "Let's talk about marriage later, but I think some people are going to have a hard time."

Yao Qingling's move was a classic case of diverting trouble eastward.

She had Doctor He mention Zhou Zhining to the Grand Princess.

The real reason for her divorce was that Zhan Xingzhuo had no feelings for her and used her as a shield; the Grand Princess was also just using her and treating her as a tool.

However, Zhou Zhining was indeed a major reason for her divorce.

Yao Qingling wanted to make the Grand Princess resent Zhou Zhining and pin the blame for Zhan Xingzhuo's "family separation" on Zhou Zhining.

Instead of arguing that she was immature, causing trouble while pregnant, and insisting on divorce.

It was Zhou Zhining who forced her to endure all kinds of humiliation and suffering, and she had no choice but to leave for the sake of her child.

If Zhou Zhining is doing well, then her remarriage with Zhan Xingzhuo will never be possible.

Of course, Yao Qingling was just making empty promises to the Grand Princess.

She wanted the Grand Princess to believe that as long as Zhou Zhining was still alive, she would never forgive her.

Lou Yue suddenly understood after listening, and nodded in agreement. So that's how it is.

"I knew it. Miss wouldn't make such a pointless arrangement without a purpose."

Xia Chan laughed: "Look at what you're saying, Miss only did these things out of necessity."

Although Yao Qingling has found a backer in the Marquis of Xincheng, they are not one of her own, and it is still uncertain whether the Empress will agree in the end.

Yao Qingling had more confidence in herself, and she did this to have an extra layer of protection.

“But…” Xia Chan thought of something, “But if Second Master finds out, will he return to the capital?”

Second Master Zhan is different from the Grand Princess.

After all, he and Yao Qingling had been husband and wife.

Xia Chan was speechless whenever she thought of Master Zhan's inexplicable confidence.

How could he possibly believe that while he was in love with other women, Miss Qingling still cared for him?

He always says he's good to the young lady, but I don't see what's so good about it.

Is it enough to just give your wife a meal, a piece of clothing, and the position of a legitimate wife?

Xia Chan still remembers the chaotic scene at the new mansion, where the lady didn't act like a lady and the guests didn't act like guests.

Master Zhan is a muddle-headed fellow. People say that a good wife should be chosen based on virtue. The Grand Princess found him such a good wife, but he treats a rotten vegetable leaf like a treasure.

Xia Chan also knew that this Second Master Zhan had extremely strong control over his affairs. If Yao Qingling hadn't obtained the Empress Dowager's decree, there would have been no way they could have divorced.

She was worried that when Master Zhan returned, he would become entangled with the young lady again.

Qing Ling said calmly, "He cannot return to the capital at will before the Emperor issues an edict. Besides, he is going to manage the flood control and the Luozhou area. If he returns without accomplishing his task, the Censorate will not let him off the hook with their pens and mouths. In that case, all the hardships he endured in Luozhou will have been for nothing."

Yao Qingling guessed that Zhou Zhining wouldn't let him come back at this time.

Zhan Xingzhuo always listened to Zhou Zhining.

She was still waiting for him to "return home in glory" and take care of the entire Zhou family.

Yao Qingling curled her lips in a mocking smile.

...

No one in Shengjing City spread rumors anymore that Yao Qingling was carrying a bastard child.

She was not slept with by bandits, nor by any other men.

The child belongs to Master Zhan.

The wind direction changed almost overnight.

Zhou Zhining clenched her fists so tightly that her teeth almost broke.

Yao Qingling is pregnant?

Oh, isn't she unable to have children?

Didn't Zhan Xingzhuo tell her not to have children?

He had said that Yao Qingling would not have his child.

Ha, how ridiculous.

Zhou Zhining forced a smile through her teeth, but tears welled up in her eyes.

They're all liars, they're all lying to her!

Zhou Zhining became increasingly saddened, and after watching the fallen flowers for a long time, she didn't even notice when someone came over.

Tao Weixian walked over with his hands behind his back, signaling the servants following behind him to walk quietly.

With a gentle wave of his hand, several servants carried a huge object covered with red silk to Zhou Zhining.

Zhou Zhining was stunned for a moment, then quickly wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and turned to look at Tao Weixian: "This is..."

Tao Weixian waved his hand, signaling all the servants to leave.

Tao Weixian said, "I noticed your mood has been fluctuating these past few days, so I specially brought you this novelty to cheer you up. Go and lift the silk and see what's inside?"

When Zhou Zhining looked at him, her eyes were still red, which was heartbreaking to see.

Tao Weixian said, "Go and lift the silk curtain quickly, your red eyes are making me uncomfortable."

Zhou Zhining pursed her lips, took a few steps, and lifted the red silk.

A red coral, as tall as a person, came into view.

She stared in astonishment, her mouth slightly agape, at the enormous coral tree.

Exquisitely crafted jade leaves hang from the branches, while the white ones are South Sea pearls, shaped like fruits.

In Liguo, red coral is extremely precious, especially such a large coral tree, which cannot be bought for a fortune.

Such a fine piece can only be seen in the royal palace.

Tao Weixian walked over to Zhou Zhining with his hands behind his back: "Do you like it?"

Zhou Zhining: "Give it to me?"

Tao Weixian said coldly, "Yao Qingling is pregnant, and I know you're unhappy about it."

He turned his head and looked at Zhou Zhining with a gentle expression: "But if it can make you smile, then it's worth it."