A smile flashed in Shen Tangning's eyes: "I didn't expect my husband to be so enlightened. Then I won't disturb you from your studies."

She trimmed the wick of the lamp, lifted her skirt, and went out the door.

Chi Yan slowly came to her senses.

Hmm, something seems off?

Xueqing smiled and waited at the door with a lantern: "Miss, this trick is really effective. Even the young master knows to study hard now."

Shen Tangning smiled slightly: "Tell the kitchen to make a bowl of bird's nest soup and send it over to the young master. The night is long, so don't let your husband go hungry."

"Don't worry, Miss, I understand."

*

Time flies, and it's already late April.

A major event occurred at the Ningyuan Marquis's residence: Shen Xiwei was found to be pregnant.

The reason was that when she came to pay her respects to the old lady, Shen Xiwei suddenly felt dizzy.

Chi Jingyu, who was standing next to her, tensed up and immediately asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Shen Tangning sat to one side, her eyes flashing, enjoying the show.

Shen Xiwei rubbed his forehead, his brows furrowed slightly as he shook his head and forced a smile: "I'm just a little dizzy, Your Highness, don't worry."

Lady Hou couldn't stand her seductive appearance and sneered, "If you're so weak, then stay in the courtyard and don't go out too much! Otherwise you might bump into something and then blame it on someone else!"

Shen Xiwei's face paled slightly, and she bit her lower lip.

Chi Jingyu couldn't bear to see her suffer: "Mother, Xiwei has been frail since childhood. Perhaps she is truly unwell. Why are you being so harsh?"

Lady Hou laughed angrily: "Me, harsh? I think you're blinded by greed!" Her eyes turned cold as she stared at Shen Xiwei, convinced that she was deliberately trying to make her uncomfortable. She almost gritted her teeth as she said, "Since you're not feeling well, then please have the royal physician come and take a look at you to see what's wrong!"

Shen Xi lowered his head slightly, a smile flashing in his eyes.

"I will obey Lady Hou."

Shen Tangning had already anticipated what would happen next, and her interest grew even stronger.

Shen Xiwei deliberately staged this scene during the greetings to make it clear to everyone that she was pregnant, so that the Lady of the Marquis would not be able to punish her easily.

After all, if Lady Hou were more ruthless, she could either abort the child directly, or the practice of keeping the child and discarding the mother was not uncommon among wealthy and powerful families.

The imperial physician arrived quickly. Sensing the awkward silence at Furong Courtyard, he dared not say much and focused on taking Shen Xiwei's pulse.

Lady Hou looked on coldly, a mocking smile curving her lips: "Doctor Zhang, you should take a close look and see what exactly is wrong with Concubine Shen's health!"

Chi Jingyu pursed her lips: "Just tell me the truth."

The physician examined her pulse, his heart filled with doubt and uncertainty, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He confirmed it several times before bowing and revealing the truth: "Madam, Your Highness, the concubine's pulse is like a flowing pearl, smooth and rapid. She is pregnant!"

He didn't dare to offer his congratulations. Glancing at the Lady Hou's face, which turned ashen in an instant, he felt that he had been very wise!

Upon hearing this, even Chi Yan, who had been lazily dozing off, straightened up and looked over with great interest.

Shen Xiwei stared wide-eyed in confusion, then subconsciously looked at Chi Jingyu: "Your Highness, I...we're pregnant?"

Chi Jingyu also snapped out of his surprise, took her hand, and his cold expression wavered: "Xiwei, you heard right, you are indeed pregnant."

Lady Hou's expression shifted rapidly. How could this be?

She clearly had someone watch this little bitch drink the contraceptive soup, how could she possibly be pregnant?

"This child cannot be kept!"