As Shen Hanshan carried the pale-faced Zhao Zhi down from the carriage, they were caught red-handed by Zhao Yun, who was pretending to go out.
"Oh, Zhizhi, you're finally back!"
She stepped forward, ready to take Zhao Zhi from Shen Hanshan's hands.
Shen Hanshan glanced at her and asked coldly, "Can you carry me?"
Zhao Yun awkwardly withdrew her hand and followed closely behind the two, asking, "What's wrong with Zhizhi? She looks terrible."
Shen Hanshan replied, "I ate something that upset my stomach."
Zhao Yun hurriedly signaled Yu Ming to inform her mother, Zhang Wan.
Seeing that Shen Hanshan was about to walk straight into the inner courtyard, Zhao Yun reminded him, "Your Highness, you and your sister have already canceled your engagement, so it is not appropriate for you to enter the inner courtyard now."
Shen Hanshan frowned, clearly displeased with Zhao Yun's reminder.
"What do I need you to tell me what to do?!" he said impatiently. "Get out of my way!"
Zhao Yun was stung by his attitude and had no choice but to step aside and watch helplessly as the two disappeared from sight.
When she turned around, her mother, Zhang Wan, was standing quietly behind her.
Zhao Yun was startled. She complained, "Mom, how come you walk without making a sound?"
"Go back to your own courtyard," Zhang Wan instructed. "Yu Ming, take the young lady back."
"Mother, I want to go with you to see what's wrong with my sister!" Zhao Yun stomped her feet in anger.
“Go back and focus on your embroidery. I’ll tell you about Zhizhi later.” Zhang Wan’s tone left no room for refusal.
With a heart full of resentment and worry, Zhao Yun had no choice but to return to her own courtyard with Yu Ming.
Lanfang Courtyard.
When Chaoyan and Nanying saw Zhao Zhi being carried in by Shen Hanshan, they exchanged a glance, wondering what had happened.
Asagao deftly lifted the curtain, while Minami lifted the bed curtains.
Shen Hanshan carefully placed Zhao Zhi on the bed.
He was about to help Zhao Zhi remove the clothes on which she had vomited food residue when Chao Yan hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, let me do these small things."
Shen Hanshan suddenly realized something, withdrew his hand somewhat embarrassedly, and went to stand in the outer room.
Zhang Wan arrived shortly afterward. She gave Shen Hanshan a deep look and said, "Your Highness, it's late. Please go back now. Thank you for taking Zhizhi home."
"Madam, please take Zhizhi's pulse first. I will leave once she is well."
Shen Hanshan's attitude was somewhat tough.
Zhang Wan was puzzled by his attitude towards Zhao Zhi. "Since Your Highness cares so much about my Zhizhi, why did you take the initiative to break off the engagement some time ago?"
Shen Hanshan glanced at Zhao Zhi and thought to himself, "Isn't this all your daughter's doing?"
Zhao Zhi's face was pale, and she managed a weak smile as she called out, "Mother."
She winked at Zhang Wan and explained in a low voice, "I just ate two ears of corn because I was greedy, and I ate them a little too fast, and then I threw up."
Zhang Wan nodded slightly and began to take Zhao Zhi's pulse.
A moment later, she gave Zhao Zhi a reassuring look, indicating that the child was alright.
Then, she stood up and turned to Shen Hanshan, saying, "Your Highness, my daughter Zhizhi has always had a weak stomach. This time, she probably ate something that didn't digest properly, and with the hot weather, it's normal for her to vomit. Please don't worry too much."
Upon hearing this, Shen Hanshan finally felt relieved and nodded repeatedly, "That's good. Zhizhi, I'll head back now."
Zhao Zhi nodded, then asked Zhang Wan, "Mother, could you please see Prince Rui off for me?"
Just as Zhang Wan saw Shen Hanshan off, Zhao Shouzhen returned from the palace.
He noticed that the carriage that had just left looked familiar and asked Zhang Wan curiously if there were any guests at her home.
Zhang Wan then recounted how Zhao Zhi had been unwell and had been sent back by Prince Rui.
After having dinner, Zhao Shouzhen pondered the matter and felt that Shen Hanshan's recent actions were all rather strange.
"If you say this brat likes our Zhizhi, then he was the one who initiated the annulment of the engagement. If you say he doesn't like Zhizhi, then he's constantly pestering her. How is our Zhizhi ever going to get married like this!"
Zhang Wan was also troubled; Zhao Zhi had already started experiencing morning sickness.
Back at the palace, Zhao Yi was still instructing Zhao Zhi on how to handle state affairs. With the two spending so much time together, it seemed likely that Zhao Zhi's pregnancy would soon become an open secret.
Although the Empress Dowager left a will stating that six months after her death, the people of Dasheng would not be affected by the national mourning and could freely marry and have children.
But Zhao Zhi's situation remains difficult.
She was not yet married, and having a child out of wedlock was still considered taboo in Dasheng, let alone the fact that she was also the eldest princess.
“By the way, sir,” Zhang Wan said softly while gently massaging Zhao Shouzhen’s shoulders, “news has come from the brothel that Liu Yun has passed away.”
Zhao Shouzhen's body stiffened instantly upon hearing the news, but he quickly regained his composure.
He instinctively asked how Liu Yun died.
“Master, it’s best not to ask any more questions,” Zhang Wan said calmly. “That kind of death was a punishment for her.”
Zhao Shouzhen remained silent for a long time before nodding and softly saying, "Okay."
Then he lay down and told Zhang Wan to get some rest as well.
Zhang Wan left the inner room and went to the outer room, signaling Baozhu to tell Zhao Rou about Liu Yun's death and the cause of death, hoping that she could learn from the experience and not repeat the same mistake.
Baoqing Courtyard.
After Baozhu left, Zhao Rou felt as if all her strength had been drained, and she sat weakly on the edge of the bed.
After a long silence, she finally spoke in a trembling voice, "Le Kui, my aunt is dead."
"My mother, she's dead."
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