Xiang'er stood at the doorway, holding a wooden fish, gazing at the flowers in the courtyard. Her plain clothes only accentuated her haggard appearance. Just as she was about to turn and go back into the inner room, a wave of nausea washed over her, causing her to gag.

Upon hearing the sound, Rongxi quickly brought over a spittoon, gently patted Xiang'er's back, and said worriedly, "Auntie, have you not been eating well? You haven't been eating properly for a month, and you haven't even been allowed to have your period!"

Rongxi's words reminded Xiang'er that more than a month had passed since Fukang'an came to her courtyard, and her period was already half a month late. This wasn't the first time she'd felt nauseous. Thinking of this, Xiang'er felt both happy and afraid.

Rongxi also realized what was happening and said with a bitter expression, "Could it be that Auntie is pregnant?"

Xiang'er nodded and quickly ordered Rongxi, "Rongxi, go and invite Yan Ning over. She should still be in the manor!" Xiang'er knew that only Yan Ning could save her child.

Fukang'an had to leave first, instructing Zhao Xing to escort Yan Ning back to the Fu residence. Just as Yan Ning and her entourage reached the gate, Rongxi came running up, panting, and said, "Madam, please wait a moment!" Seeing Yan Ning stop, Rongxi also stopped, curtsied, and, catching her breath, said, "My mistress wishes to invite Madam to Furong Garden!"

“Your mistress is a concubine, while my mistress is a wife. How can a wife go to see a concubine?” Mei Xiang said preemptively before Yan Ning could speak.

Upon hearing Meixiang's words, Rongxi lowered his head and said with difficulty, "Madam, my aunt is a nun who practices Buddhism while still keeping her hair, so it's very inconvenient for her to come out! That's why..."

Yan Ning glanced at Mei Xiang, signaling her not to say that, "Has something happened to Aunt Lian?"

Rongxi shook her head, then nodded, glanced at Yan Ning's face, and said timidly, "Auntie hasn't been able to eat properly for a month, and lately she's been vomiting everything she eats."

"Go back and take care of Aunt Lian first, I'll be right there!" Although Yan Ning didn't have a good impression of Xiang'er, given Xiang'er's personality, the fact that she took the initiative to contact her meant that something must have happened.

Rongxi nodded repeatedly after hearing Yan Ning's words, then turned and left.

Zhao Xing stopped Yan Ning, who was about to step forward, and said urgently, "Madam, you can't go! Aunt Lian is highly skilled in martial arts. What if she hurts you?"

Yan Ning hesitated for a moment, recalling the scene of Xiang'er shaving her head at Liuxiang Garden, and shook her head at Zhao Xing, "No way!"

Seeing that he couldn't stop Yan Ning, Zhao Xing called two guards and followed Yan Ning towards Furong Garden.

Xiang'er looked at the massive army behind Yan Ning and said in a cold tone, "I'm not going to eat you. Are you trying to start a war?"

Yan Ning glanced back and realized that her aura was too strong, so she left Zhao Xing and the others in the courtyard and took Zhu Xiang into the main room alone.

Yan Ning saw that Xiang'er, who was once plump and full-figured, was now just a skin and bones, withered and emaciated. She couldn't help but feel sorry for her, and a trace of pity appeared in her eyes.

Xiang'er noticed Yan Ning's gaze and said nonchalantly, "Don't put on that fake act!"

Yan Ning suddenly became angry, and said in an even colder tone, "What do you want from me?"

Xiang'er hesitated for a moment, then bit her lip and knelt down. Yan Ning was stunned by Xiang'er's sudden change, and it took her a while to react. She helped her up and asked, "What are you doing?"

Xiang'er remained kneeling and said, "I am pregnant! But the general will not allow me to give birth to the child, so I beg you, please help me! I, Li Xiang'er, have never begged anyone in my life! Now, I beg you, Yan Ning!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Ning swayed slightly. Zhu Xiang was the first to regain her senses and supported her. "Being pregnant is a good thing. How could Fukang'an not allow you to give birth to the child!" Yan Ning's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Xiang'er lowered her eyes, sighed, and said, "This is a long story!"

"Since you're pregnant, don't kneel. It will hurt the baby!" Yan Ning said, pulling Xiang'er up. Because of the baby in her belly, Xiang'er didn't struggle anymore and stood up with Yan Ning's help.

Xiang'er glanced at Zhu Xiang and said to Yan Ning, "Can she be trusted? Xi Ying can't know about this! Otherwise, I and my child will be in danger!"

Yan Ning nodded and said, "Zhu Xiang is very tight-lipped!" Seeing that Xiang'er looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated, she gestured to Zhu Xiang, and Rong Xi also went out with Zhu Xiang at Xiang'er's signal.

After Xiang'er and the other two closed the door, they told Yan Ning everything that she didn't know.

"I was originally a member of the Mingqi Sect, and I was betrothed to You Yuanzhi. When the sect was in chaos and leaderless, You Yuanzhi sent me to Fukang'an's side to gather military intelligence. Because of my help, You Yuanzhi gained the upper hand in numerous battles against government troops, becoming a meritorious member of the sect, and everyone elected him as their leader. However, neither of us expected that I would fall in love with the general! Gradually, You Yuanzhi realized this and wanted to take me away. But by then, I had already fallen deeply in love with the general and wanted to leave the Mingqi Sect to spend my life with him. So, I originally intended to send You Yuanzhi one last letter and then sever all ties with him, but…"

Xiang'er choked back tears, her words incoherent. "But, I never imagined that this last time would lead to the death of the General's elder brother. Of all his brothers, the one the General was closest to was his elder brother! Yet I killed him, and afterwards, the General began to suspect that there was a traitor among his men. When You Yuanzhi came to find me again, there were already people lying in wait. The General, out of consideration for our past relationship, kept me in the mansion and helped me conceal my identity. Otherwise, the Old Madam would never have tolerated me. The General wouldn't allow me to bear him a son, not wanting to disgrace the Fucha family bloodline."

"I didn't know. The general who led the attack on the White Lotus Sect was the general's elder brother. Otherwise, I wouldn't have told You Yuanzhi about the route the troops took during that attack." Xiang'er cried, releasing years of grievances and guilt that had been building up in her heart.

Yan Ning gently patted Xiang'er's back. She understood why Fukang'an, who was always generous and gentle to women, had been so resolute towards Xiang'er. "Then what are you going to do? What can I do?" Yan Ning also blamed Xiang'er for everything she had done, but the child in Xiang'er's womb was innocent.

"Now that the general knows You Yuanzhi is in the capital, my every move is definitely being watched! Can you keep this a secret for me for now? Find an opportunity to help me escape. I want to take my child and run away!" Xiang'er held Yan Ning's hands, her former arrogance gone.

“But this is Fukang’an’s child! He won’t let his child wander outside!” Yan Ning didn’t understand why Xiang’er insisted on leaving.

Xiang'er shook her head and said in a sorrowful voice, "No, if the general finds out, this child will surely be lost! Now only you can help me!"

Yan Ning looked into Xiang'er's eyes and said, word by word, "Believe me! I can definitely persuade Fukang'an to keep the child!"