The Empress is in dire need of people, and he must seize every opportunity to become her confidant.

After all, a master willing to go to such lengths to personally rescue a mere eunuch is hard to find even with a lantern.

Ma Ji was so slapped that she saw stars. Her eyes were wide open, and she tried to slap back, but Zhang Zhong twisted her arm and she couldn't move.

Zhang Zhong's cold gaze swept over Ma Ji's abdomen, exuding a powerful sense of intimidation.

Maggie's arrogance immediately subsided.

On Su Wanwan's turf, if Su Wanwan were to be ruthless and cause her to miscarry, she would have nowhere to turn to cry.

Maggie carefully protected her lower abdomen, afraid of suffering an even greater loss.

She knew very well that the imperial heir in her womb was her greatest asset.

However, this was the first time anyone had dared to hit her since she moved into Xiaoyuan!

That's outrageous!

That's outrageous!

That damned lackey, how long does he think Su Wanwan can keep jumping around?

She had to wait for the Emperor to come and support her, so that he could kill this lowly servant!

Maggie remembered Zhang Zhong's face with venomous resentment.

He Ying finally snapped out of her daze and angrily shouted, "What are you all standing there for? Take Miss Ma away!"

With someone taking the lead, things became much easier, and Maggie was successfully taken away.

Su Wanwan gave Zhang Zhong an approving look.

Zhang Zhong showed some courage by stepping forward at a crucial moment, which was a testament to her cultivation and trust in him.

Maggie was absolutely furious!

Su Wanwan actually confined her to the room, and no matter how much she threw a tantrum or threatened her, it had no effect whatsoever.

She could only wait for Lu Xingjian to come and rescue her.

We need to use a good self-inflicted injury ruse to make the Emperor determined to depose Su Wanwan from her position as Empress.

However, this wait lasted for several days.

Maggie was both resentful and angry.

This reminds me of Su Wanwan's analogy of a "chess piece".

She immediately dismissed the idea.

It was all that bitch Su Wanwan's doing, stirring up trouble.

Little did Su Wanwan know that the Emperor always took her with him when he left the palace, afraid that she would be bored if she stayed in the palace alone.

This kind of pampering is unique.

He knew that he was coming to cause trouble with Su Wanwan's illegitimate child, but he didn't stop him.

It is obvious that Lu Xingjian intends to depose the empress, and she may be able to become empress by virtue of her son.

It's infuriating that he hasn't shown up to rescue me since I haven't been back for so many days.

...

He Ying looked at the little boy sitting on Su Wanwan's lap, sobbing as he ate his snack, and asked cautiously:

"What's his name?"

Su Wanwan gently patted the little boy's head, her eyes crinkling with joy. "His name is Yan Ge'er, the 'Yan' in 'pen, ink, paper, and inkstone'."

Yan Ge'er held up the pastry in his hand and brought it to Su Wanwan's lips: "Mother, eat."

Su Wanwan ate the snack with his chubby little hand, "Yan-ge'er is so good."

He Ying swallowed hard, unable to suppress her worry, and asked:

"Your Majesty, is he really your child?"

Su Wanwan gave a soft "Mmm".

"How could this be?" He Ying was completely dumbfounded.

They clearly knew each other.

Otherwise, the child wouldn't have cried out "Mother" as soon as he arrived.

But on second thought, it makes perfect sense.

The year the Empress was practicing asceticism at Jiming Temple in Jinling, she was managing the accounts at the Xu family's residence.

At that time, she was just a second-class maid, and later she was promoted to serve the Empress.

Judging from the child's age, was it secretly born to the Empress during that time?

Su Wanwan asked gently, "What, can't I have children?"

He Ying pouted, her tone resentful: "Your Majesty, this is not something to joke about."

"If civil and military officials question your innocence and reputation, how will you face others?"

"Moreover, the Emperor sent Ma Ji to provoke you, and he himself hasn't come to see you for so many days. He's probably furious. You need to think of a way to get through this difficult situation!"

As she spoke, He Ying's eyes hardened: "This child cannot be kept!"

Yan Ge'er sat there timidly, and upon hearing this, he burst into tears.

Su Wanwan's smile gradually faded as she gently patted Yan Ge'er's back to comfort him.

"When has my reputation ever been good?"

"You don't need to persuade him anymore, Yan-ge'er has to stay."

He Ying hesitated, wanting to say something but then stopped, not daring to say anything more.

...

For the next few days, Su Wanwan waited anxiously for news from Lu Xingjian.

The fact that Yan Ge'er is here means that his people have thoroughly investigated Jinling.

This carefully planned stakeout has finally come in handy.

When Lu Xingjian arrived, Su Wanwan was very excited and greeted him all the way to the door.

Lu Xingjian nimbly dismounted and frowned when he saw her.

"How did you lose so much weight?"

Su Wanwan: "..."

He wasn't much better himself, was he?

His face was weary and dusty, his boots were covered in dust, and his sideburns were messy and frizzy from the wind.

Su Wanwan was worried and wanted to speak, but in the end she swallowed her words and said instead:

"Was the journey smooth?"

Lu Xingjian glanced at He Ying and the others waiting outside the door, then took her hand and walked into the room, squeezing her hand tightly before smiling gently.

"Don't worry, everything went smoothly and was arranged. Let's head straight back."

When they turned to the side, their eyes met, and only the other could understand the emotions contained in their eyes.

Su Wanwan felt a little more at ease.

At the table in the room, Yan Ge'er was eating milk custard with a spoon.

Lu Xingjian didn't say much, glanced at Yan Ge'er, and casually tossed the riding whip aside:

Where is Maggie?

Su Wanwan raised her eyelids. "Are you worried that I'll bully her?"

“No.” Lu Xingjian paused, then lazily sat down on the edge of the kang. “Her brother, Ma Ang, sent a memorial to the emperor, specifically asking about her situation.”

Su Wanwan lowered her eyes.

Ultimately, the fact that he asked Maggie right away shows that he really cares.

She couldn't help but wonder if the child in Maggie's belly was actually Lu Xingjian's.

Otherwise, where would Maggie get the confidence to challenge the Queen to her face?

"The imperial physician just went to take the pulse; why don't we call him over to give his report?"

Lu Xingjian was probably exhausted, and he leaned back against the large cushion with a lazy air: "Well, you look too haggard. Let the imperial physician take a look at you."

The imperial physician arrived quickly: "Miss Ma's pregnancy has stabilized considerably, and there is no major concern for now."

Lu Xingjian didn't react much, but simply asked the imperial physician to take Su Wanwan's pulse.

This request took quite a bit of effort, and the imperial physician was very cautious.

Lu Xingjian, who had been leaning against the cushion behind him, gradually became serious upon seeing this and sat up straight.

The imperial physician took his pulse for a full quarter of an hour before finally calming down.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty and Your Majesty! Your pulse is like pearls rolling on a jade plate, a slippery pulse. Your Majesty is more than a month pregnant."

Lu Xingjian was stunned.

It took me a while to react.

He Ying knelt down happily beside her: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Su Wanwan looked up at Lu Xingjian and asked, "Is Your Majesty unhappy?"

Lu Xingjian was stunned when he heard the news.