After the visitor entered the inner room, Xiao Qingyin noticed that the hatred in Ruan Lanruo's eyes had completely disappeared.

Instead, his expression was one of weariness mixed with a hint of eager anticipation.

I couldn't help but secretly think: Changing one's expression is truly an essential skill for people in the palace.

The newcomer was a charming young girl with a slightly chubby face, about sixteen or seventeen years old. She was wearing a pale yellow dress and a light green cloud-shaped shoulder cape, and looked very delicate and lovely.

This contrasts sharply with Ruan Lanruo, who is thin as a bone and lifeless.

She was shocked when she saw Ruan Lanruo. She rushed to the bedside and threw herself on Ruan Lanruo.

"Sister, how come you've gotten so thin in just half a month?"

The moment I looked up, my eyes filled with tears.

Ruan Lanruo smiled bitterly: "It's all because of diabetes. I can't eat anything except fresh fruit. How can I not lose weight?"

"You have to eat, even if you can't," the girl complained. "You have to think about the baby in your belly."

After speaking, he seemed to realize he had made a slip of the tongue and immediately covered his mouth.

"Sister, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up the child..."

Two lines of tears slid down Ruan Lanruo's cheeks.

She stared blankly into the air: "That child, I guess we're not meant to be."

"Sister, don't think too much," the girl said, wiping away Ruan Lanruo's tears with a handkerchief. "Take good care of yourself, and your child will come back to you."

"Really?" Ruan Lanruo murmured to herself, "Will he really come back?"

"Definitely!" the girl smiled.

I hope it's as you say.

Ruan Lanruo's brows relaxed slightly as she turned to look at the round table not far away.

“You’ve come at the right time. Doctor Xiao prescribed me some medicine to regulate my body. She said it has a remarkable effect on dispelling cold and warming the uterus. Don’t you always complain of pain during your period? I had someone brew an extra bowl of it. Drinking this will cure your problem.”

Xiao Qingyin raised an eyebrow.

That bowl on the table isn't some kind of soup to warm the uterus and dispel cold.

The girl's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly returned to normal.

"Sister, you're so kind to me. You're thinking of your younger sister even at a time like this. I'll take it back and drink it in a bit."

"The medicine will get cold soon, so drink it while it's still hot."

Ruan Lanruo urged, her eyes fixed on the girl.

The girl bit her lip, looking troubled.

"Sister, to be honest, I've had some stomach discomfort these past few days and just took some medicine. I'm not sure if it will cause any adverse reactions with this medicine. Perhaps I should ask the imperial physician first..."

"Dr. Xiao is right here, you can just ask her."

Ruan Lanruo interrupted her.

"Her skills are far superior to those of the imperial physicians. Yesterday, I almost met my maker, but she saved me. She also cured the illnesses of the Duchess of Anguo and my aunt."

The girl's face paled slightly, and she suddenly clutched her stomach, looking anxious: "Sister, I'm sorry, I have diarrhea again. I need to go to the toilet first, and I'll come back to see Doctor Xiao."

After saying that, he turned and left.

"stop!"

Ruan Lanruo shouted sternly.

"Why are you making such a fuss about taking your medicine? Are you afraid I'll poison it? I've always treated you like a younger sister, and you actually doubt me?"

The girl stopped in her tracks, turned around, and looked puzzled.

"Sister, what are you saying? I just have a stomachache. I'll take it to Doctor Xiao when I get back. If the two medicines don't mix, I'll drink it."

“Unless you drink this bowl of medicine right now,” Ruan Lanruo said coldly, “I will tell Your Highness that you told me that the more fresh fruit I eat, the more tender and juicy my child will be, so I will eat fresh fruit as my main meal.”

The girl was taken aback.

"Sister, are you confused? You were the one who couldn't eat and came to me to complain, so I suggested that you eat some appetizing fruit. When did I ever say that the more you eat, the better?"

"If you drink this bowl of medicine, I will trust you."

Ruan Lanruo gave a wink to the palace maid.

Immediately, two palace servants stepped forward, supporting the girl on either side, while a nanny picked up a bowl of medicine and walked towards her.

The girl's expression changed drastically.

"Sister, I know you're heartbroken about losing your child, but no matter how heartbroken you are, you can't make me suffer like that. I really didn't say anything like that."

Do you think I'd believe that?

Ruan Lanruo looked at her expressionlessly.

“Wang Liangdi, this is what you deserve.”

Anyone who dares to harm my child should be prepared for retaliation.

You'd better just drink it.

The old woman walked up to Wang Liangdi, pinched her chin, forced her to open her mouth, and was about to force the medicine down her throat.

Wang Liangdi's face was filled with fear.

No, no, she can't drink!

This must be a cure for infertility!

She suddenly kicked the old woman away, and while the palace servants were still stunned, she broke free from her restraints and rushed out the door without looking back.

He bumped right into Situ Sheng and fell to the ground.

"How could you be so reckless?"

Situ Sheng helped her up.

Consort Wang threw herself into his arms, choking back tears, and said, "Your Highness, my sister has gone mad. She insists that I made her eat so many fruits and she even tried to force-feed me a potion that would prevent me from having children."

"How is that possible!"

Situ Sheng frowned.

"Waaah, I finally managed to break free. If Your Highness doesn't believe me, go inside and see for yourself. The medicine is still inside."

Wang Liangdi was trembling all over.

"I'll go take a look."

Situ Sheng pushed Wang Liangdi aside and walked into the inner room.

Wang Liangdi followed closely behind him.

"Lanruo, Consort Wang said you..."

Situ Sheng stopped speaking before he could finish.

What did you say about me?

Ruan Lanruo put down her soup spoon and looked at him and Wang Liangdi with a puzzled expression.

“I was taking my medicine when Wang Liangdi suddenly rushed in, hugged me, and cried. I wasn’t feeling well, so I asked her to let go, but she wouldn’t. I had someone pull her away, and she turned and ran away.”

Wang Liangdi: "!!!"

Ruan Lanruo has always been honest, so how come she's suddenly become such a good actress?

"What exactly is going on?"

Situ Sheng looked sharply at Wang Liangdi.

"Your Highness, my sister really did have someone force-feed me medicine just now."

"Medicine? You mean this bowl?" Ruan Lanruo scooped a spoonful of soup and put it in her mouth. "This is a blood sugar-lowering and pancreatic-protecting soup that His Highness just sent to me."

Situ Sheng was naturally aware of this matter, and his face immediately tightened.

“Wang Liangdi, you have trespassed into the Crown Princess’s bedroom and disturbed her rest. You are hereby confined for one month.”

"Your Highness..."

Wang Liangdi looked aggrieved and tried to defend herself, but she was defeated under Situ Sheng's sharp gaze.

"Very well, Your Majesty, I will reflect on my mistakes."

She left dejectedly.

Ruan Lanruo handed the medicine bowl to the palace servant and said calmly, "Your Highness, what she said is true. I did have someone force-feed her the medicine."

Situ Sheng stared at her intently.

"I deliberately misled her into thinking the medicine was problematic, wanting to test whether she was a traitor disguised as a loyalist, but she refused to drink it no matter what."

You know how close I am to her. If she didn't have something to hide, why would she mistake my medicine for poison?

"But, Consort Wang has always been innocent and naive..."

Situ Sheng subconsciously tried to defend Wang Liangdi.