"Princess, I'm alright."

"This princess is particularly ironic, so please stop calling me that. From now on, whether there are people around or not, you can call me Zhaole. If you're unhappy, just call me Li Zhaole, but please don't call me Le'er."

"Why?"

"It makes me feel nauseous."

"good."

I leaned against the wall, watching the rain outside. The fallen leaves, soaked by the rain, looked like people abandoned after losing their usefulness. For example, the eldest princess—she could enrage her father; it shows how outrageous the crown prince's actions were.

Xie Yuancheng tried his best to stop it at the time, but he also felt responsible. He was not the kind of person who would condemn someone without distinguishing right from wrong.

Even if everyone misunderstands him in the future, I will stand by his side and support him.

"sister in law."

"You're awake."

"I've been asleep for a long time. Thank you so much for saving my life. I'll repay you in the future."

"It's alright, it's good that you're alive."

Sometimes, living without hope is even more painful.

"You're so young, don't overthink things."

Li Zhaole was complaining that she was hungry. The fact that she could still eat and drink despite what she had gone through is what I admire most about her.

"I'll go find you some food."

Li Zhaole came over holding her pregnant belly and sat down with me in front to watch the rain.

"There will be food soon," she said to her stomach.

"When you get back, have the imperial physician give the child a proper check-up, and the baby will be born safely."

"I want to invite a royal physician from outside the palace. The royal physicians in the palace have countless innocent children in their hands."

I suddenly thought of Wan'er, but she shouldn't have gotten involved for no reason, so I kept quiet.

"It's not easy to find imperial physicians outside the palace, so the Empress won't agree."

"Yes, why don't we give birth to the baby outside and then go back?"

"Isn't that the same?"

Li Zhaole sat beside me sighing. I advised her to think positively, that there would always be a way.

“What can be done? Back then, my mother killed the children of those concubines without batting an eye. I also heard that Consort Ji was unable to have any more children because she was the most favored concubine in the harem.”

She, she gave birth to me, even though it wasn't by my father's will.

However, Dad looked very happy, perhaps they had some past connection.

"Alright, that's all ancient history, let's not think about it anymore."

"That's true, it happens every day. I'd better just take good care of my child."

We sat and watched the rain without saying a word. Lingwu caught a few pheasants and roasted them. I don't know how he roasted them, but they smelled especially delicious.

I feel better after eating. I've learned so much lately, I feel like I'm overwhelmed.

Meng Anshi arrived at daybreak.

"Anshi".

Luckily I woke up early; actually, I hadn't slept well.

"Did Yuancheng write to you?"

"Madam and the Marquis are truly of one mind; he sent a message this morning."

I hurriedly opened it and saw that it was just a note, and I didn't recognize any of the words on it.

“This is the lord’s code with us; we have a way to decipher it.”

I handed him the note and asked him to translate it.

"The Marquis said he was in good spirits, and Young Master Yu always slept in his arms, waking him up before dawn every day."

Thankfully, this is great news. I was so happy when I heard it. My Yu'er, he's starting to bother his dad now.

"The Marquis also said that he is worried about his wife and will come to the capital to meet you once his old illness has improved."

"Why is he in such a hurry! Anshi, write back to him quickly and tell him that everything is normal and that he should rest well. Yu'er is so young, and none of us are by his side. Yu'er will cry his eyes out."

"Madam, news of the assassination attempt on the princess and her husband yesterday has already spread. Soon, the palace guards will come out to welcome you."

"It hasn't been long, but the news has already spread."

"It was passed down by the Crown Prince."

How did he know?

"The Crown Prince has already returned to the palace."

"So fast, only a little over a month, and their marching troops are so many people."

"News from the palace says the Emperor is critically ill, and the Crown Prince rushed back overnight."

"Critically ill!"

What a coincidence.

"Don't worry, Madam. I've already spoken with Anxiang, and I will accompany you to the palace. There's one more thing."

"What else?" I felt my heart couldn't take the shock anymore; one thing after another had happened these past few days.

"General Ji encountered bandits in Sizhou and was injured, so he is recuperating in Sizhou and will not return to the court for the time being."

Sizhou is known for its bandits and outlaws; why not mention encountering monsters?

I crouched down, clutching my stomach, tears streaming down my face. It was my fault that my father got hurt.

“Madam, the Imperial Guards had already set off when I arrived. They will begin searching the mountains soon. I will go in and call Lingwu to take you and the princess to another location.”

I wiped away my tears; now is not the time to cry.

Lingwu led us through several places, and I don't even remember the way we came from.

The Imperial Guards arrived quickly. I had just helped Li Zhaole walk along the path, pretending to head towards the capital.

"The Imperial Guards respectfully welcome the Princess and her consort back to the capital!"

"Get up, everyone."

Li Zhaole has always played himself in this role.

Sitting in the carriage, once we arrived in the capital, it felt like the past month had been a dream. The bustling crowds couldn't dispel the grief in my heart. I gazed into the distance towards the Ji residence, wondering how my mother was feeling at home.

I really hope she doesn't know about her father's affairs in Sizhou, so that one less person will have to worry.

"After I return to the palace and stay for a few days, I will take you to see the Ji residence."

Li Zhaole touched her belly; she was quite observant.

Thank you.

"You have to be like me, so that even if you're unhappy, no one can tell."

I looked back at her; her face was full of joy, but I, sitting next to her, couldn't feel it at all.

"Understood."

If you want to proceed cautiously step by step, the first step is to disguise yourself.

After entering the palace, Li Zhaole went straight to Heqing Hall.

Stepping back into this familiar place, I was filled with mixed emotions.

When Zhang Mama and Anxiang saw me return, they nodded repeatedly, but Xiren was nowhere to be seen.

"Where did Xiren go?"

Anxiang's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "If Xiren knew that the Prince Consort was worried about you, she would be very happy. Prince Consort, I have prepared hot water for you, and I will help you change your clothes."

What did she mean by that? Did Xiren leave the palace?

After taking a bath and changing into a very formal outfit, Anxiang whispered to her, "Madam, there are many eyes and ears in the palace. Your return this time may cause dissatisfaction from many parties."

"I know, the Crown Prince and the Empress will lead the way."

"Yes, one is the head of the harem, and the other is the crown prince. They are the most difficult to deal with."

Has Yuancheng written to us?

"He's here. The Marquis assured the Madam that he's been taking care of the young master every day."

"You guys changed your tune on him pretty quickly."

“Everyone has followed the Marquis for many years. He has already given instructions that no one is allowed to call him Young Master or Young Marquis. He said that such a title is a disgrace.”

"Yes, I hate this title too."

The Emperor bestowed a title upon Yu'er, Marquis Shouyang. My son, even the Emperor himself has no right to give him such an embarrassing title.