"What did you say? You're not sure?" The princess had regained her composure and was drinking pre-rain Longjing tea from a cup entwined with green branches.

"Yes, that's what Dr. Wu said. He said the pregnancy is still too early to be certain, and that we should continue to observe," said Granny Li.

"Oh, is that so? Then go and send some nourishing Chinese medicinal herbs to Lady Niu. Regardless of whether it's true or not, we need to make our stance clear," the Fujin said calmly.

"Princess, Lady Niu is pregnant. Perhaps there are people who are even more reluctant than us to let her give birth." Granny Li knew that the Princess Consort must be feeling terrible. The more she cared, the more nonchalant she would appear.

"Are you talking about Yan Yu, Wu Shi, or Wang Shi? But even if the master doesn't go anymore, what trouble can they cause? Yan Yu only goes there occasionally because of the children. As for the others..." The Fujin seemed to realize something and suddenly shut her mouth.

Empress Niu enjoys exclusive favor, and the other concubines are likely harboring resentment, so who knows what they might do!

Granny Li glanced at the Fujin, knowing she understood her meaning, and said, "Under your arrangement, Madam Wang has served the master several times. It's time for her to do her part for us."

The Fujin pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Hongshi has been raised here for half a year now, and I think the child has good potential. If he grows up safely, he may be a promising person. We must get rid of Niu Shi, but we need to consider how much she holds in the master's heart. We must be extremely careful when getting rid of her, and we must not leave any evidence against us in the master's mind."

Granny Li nodded and said, "Lord Wu has already sent someone to deliver a message, saying that he has found out the owner of that house, Princess. It's someone you would never guess."

The princess gestured for Granny Li to continue.

“It’s Ninth Prince’s private residence,” Granny Li said slowly.

A flash of surprise crossed the Fujin's eyes. She still stared at Li Mama in disbelief, but when the latter nodded heavily, she had no choice but to believe it.

"Fangyun is Ninth Prince's woman?" The Fujin still couldn't believe it.

"Judging from the current situation, it is highly likely. Madam, the Eighth Prince and our Master have always been at odds, and the Ninth Prince follows the Eighth Prince closely. That means that Fangyun, this maid, is an informant they planted here!" said Granny Li.

The princess consort gazed at the orchid by the window and asked in a cold voice, "Does Yan Yu know about this?"

Granny Li hesitated and said, "We don't know yet whether Princess Yu knows or not. Also, those two midwives were found by Madam Liu, but they later disappeared. Lord Wu went to look for them as Madam Liu instructed, but he couldn't find them at all."

The princess quickly replied, "Tomorrow, I'll go back to the manor. Father hasn't seen me for a long time."

Meanwhile, Lanqin was being held down on the bed by Nianxue and the others. Madam Song and Madam Geng were also standing to the side.

"What are you all doing? I don't even know if I'm pregnant or not, okay!" Lanqin said, covering her mouth with a smile. Although she was a little scared, when she really felt that she was pregnant and about to become a mother, her heart was full of joy.

"It's almost certainly true. In another five or ten days, we'll ask Doctor Wu to come and take my pulse again," Madam Song said with a smile.

“However, Doctor Wu is, after all, the Fujin’s person. Let’s think of a way to see if we can get the master to hire a doctor from outside for my sister,” Geng said.

"Don't worry, now that we're on guard, we won't let her get close easily," Lanqin said, seeing their concern.

“You mustn’t be careless. You should find your own doctor to put your mind at ease,” said Madam Song. Her first child had died a few days after birth. She had no idea how the child had died; looking back, she realized how incredibly naive she had been.

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say." Lanqin's heart was filled with warmth.

After everyone left, she took a good nap, and it was almost dusk when she fell asleep.

The Fourth Master had just returned when he heard the news that Lanqin was pregnant. Without waiting for Su Peisheng's congratulations, he immediately strode towards the South Courtyard.

Lanqin had already gotten up with Nianxue's help; she had slept very comfortably.

"May your master be well!"

Lanqin heard Siqi's greeting from outside and knew immediately that the Fourth Master had returned. Forgetting that Nianxue was still fixing her hair, she immediately stood up, ran to the door, and watched as the Fourth Master walked towards her.

"Princess, you're pregnant now, don't run around like that~~" Nianxue said anxiously beside her.

"Master, no, you have to stay with me." Lanqin said coquettishly, opening her arms and rushing into the Fourth Master's arms like a butterfly spreading its wings.

"Be careful, you must be extremely careful at this time, and you must not fall." The Fourth Prince hugged the little princess tightly and scolded her for her earlier recklessness. But in the end, he couldn't bear to be harsh, and his tone was so soft it was almost unreal.

Su Peisheng and everyone around him acted as if he were invisible, turning their heads away to avoid him. They were all used to his behavior of never hiding his relationship with the Fourth Master in front of the servants.

"What does Master want to compensate you for?" Fourth Master took Lanqin's hand and slowly walked into the house.

"I want my husband to stay with me for ten months. Everyone says that pregnant women are the most delicate and need their men to treat them like queens. Otherwise, after the baby is born, the queen will become a nanny." Lanqin blurted out the pregnancy tips her best friend had taught her.

"What queen nanny? What are you thinking about all day long with that little head of yours?" Fourth Master pulled Lanqin into his arms and made her sit down.

"Anyway, Master, if Lanqin is really pregnant, you mustn't go anywhere else. I want you to stay with me." In fact, Lanqin's mindset had undergone a subtle change ever since she learned that she was pregnant.

That's the Fourth Master. If I'm pregnant and can't take care of him anymore, will he go find other women?

"Alright, I'll stay with you. Give me a healthy baby." Fourth Master had been in a particularly good mood these past few days, and Lanqin's pregnancy undoubtedly made him even happier. So whatever Lanqin asked for, as long as it didn't violate traditional morality and law, he would grant it.

Besides, the Fourth Prince doesn't go anywhere else much. He occasionally visits Madam Song, mainly out of consideration for the Eldest Princess. He also occasionally visits Madam Geng, asking her to help him relax. He rarely visits Madam Wu or Madam Wang anymore. Yan Yu is still in her postpartum period and hasn't fully recovered, so he only visits to see the baby. As for the Fujin (Prince's wife), he hasn't been to the main courtyard in a long time, has he? She seems content with having Hongshi, and doesn't come to see him unless necessary.