After the Frost Descent, a biting cold wind ripped through every corner of the Forbidden City like sharp knives. Fine snowflakes fluttered down like ethereal butterfly wings, blanketing this ancient and solemn imperial city in a silvery white. Inside the Moon-Raising Pavilion, the fireplace burned brightly, its glowing charcoal illuminating every corner. Even so, Su Jinli felt waves of increasing abdominal pain wash over her like a surging tide.
She clutched the quilt tightly, her lower lip bitten until it turned white. She groaned, her nails unconsciously digging deep into the back of Jiang Yan's hand, and she squeezed out two words with all her strength: "Here it comes..." The voice was weak but carried the tenacity of a soon-to-be mother.
Jiang Yan's heart instantly rose to his throat. His official robes, already drenched with cold sweat, clung to his back. Hearing Su Jinli's voice, he felt like he'd been struck by thunder. He shouted at the door at the top of his lungs, "Quickly call in the imperial physician!" His roar was filled with anxiety and fear, as if it would shake the entire Lanyue Pavilion awake.
Before she could finish her words, Lingge stumbled into the room, the bowl of abortion-preserving medicine in her hand shaking violently, the brown liquid spilling onto the floor. Her face was filled with panic, and she cried out in a sobbing voice, "Madam! Medicine... medicine..."
"What's wrong?" Su Qingyao rushed in, holding a gleaming kitchen knife. Her crimson skirt, like a blazing flame, swept past a basin of medicine residue as she ran, instantly knocking it over and spilling the residue all over the floor. She had been watching the brewing of abortion-preserving medicine in the kitchen, and had witnessed the new maid sneakily sprinkle a handful of ashes into the pot while no one was paying attention.
"The medicine has been replaced!" Lingge pointed at the broken medicine bowl on the ground with trembling fingers, her voice trembling with anger, "The maid said... that the Empress Shu's people gave her money and asked her to do this..."
"Shufei?" Jiang Yan's pupils suddenly shrank, as if he'd been struck hard by a punch. He knew that although Shufei had been confined, her father still held significant power within the Ministry of Revenue, a force to be reckoned with. He was about to order a full search of the mansion to uncover any remaining Shufei followers when Su Jinli was struck by another sharp pain. Her hands clenched tightly around the bedsheets, her knuckles whitening and leaving deep wrinkles in the sheets.
"Forget it!" Su Qingyao's eyes widened as she slammed the kitchen knife into the door frame. The blade instantly dug into the wood with a dull thud. She turned to look at Jiang Yan and said firmly, "I'll stay in the delivery room! Where's your brother? Tell him to go to the palace and get Doctor Zhang!"
At that moment, Young Marquis Su was shouldering his wooden sword, stamping anxiously at the gate. He exuded the heroic spirit of youth. Upon hearing the commotion inside, he leaped onto his horse without hesitation, shouting, "Sister! I'm going to rob the imperial physician!" His voice resonated like a bell, brimming with fearless courage. The chestnut horse, seemingly sensing its master's eagerness, raised its head and neighed, then galloped out of the Prime Minister's residence like a flash of red lightning. The horse's hooves shattered the thin ice on the ground, making a crisp sound that startled a snowflake perched on the eaves. It fluttered its wings and frantically took to the sky.
In the delivery room, Su Jinli's vision darkened with pain, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, soaking her hair. Jiang Yan was anxious, and with trembling hands he gently wiped the sweat from her forehead, but his hands were shaking even more than Su Jinli's. His voice was choked with sobs as he said, "Jinli, hold on... You must hold on..."
"Water...water..." Su Jinli's cracked lips moved slightly as she uttered the two words with difficulty. Her voice was as weak as a gossamer thread, as if a gentle breeze could blow it away. Lingge hurriedly brought a bowl of water and carefully held it to Su Jinli's lips. Just as the water was about to touch Su Jinli's lips, Su Qingyao suddenly reached out and overturned the porcelain bowl, shouting, "Don't drink it!" With a look of panic, she quickly took out the silver hairpin on her head and dipped it into the spilled water. The tip of the silver hairpin instantly turned black, as if stained with ink.
Jiang Yan whipped his head around, looking at the overturned basin of medicine residue. His eyes were filled with anger and shock, and a sense of foreboding welled up in his heart. After a careful inspection, he discovered that the substituted medicine had been laced with croton powder! If Su Qingyao hadn't been so perceptive and aware of the situation, the consequences would have been disastrous, putting Su Jinli and her unborn child in grave danger.
Jiang Yan's heart burned with rage. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the strain. He knew this was no simple conspiracy; a far greater crisis lay hidden behind it. The remnants of Concubine Shu's followers had the audacity to attack Su Jinli at this critical moment. He vowed to bring these people down and make them pay a heavy price for their evil deeds.
At this moment, Su Jinli struggled in excruciating pain, her consciousness gradually blurring, but she was always supported by a belief in her heart: she must save her child. She gritted her teeth, enduring the pain in her body. Every breath seemed to be torn with pain, but she still did not give up, using all her strength to fight this sudden crisis.
Su Qingyao stayed in the delivery room, her eyes fixed on Su Jinli, a mixture of worry and anger. She gripped the kitchen knife tightly, as if this would give Su Jinli some strength. She knew she couldn't panic at this moment, she had to remain calm and protect her sister and the unborn child.
Outside the Prime Minister's residence, Young Marquis Su galloped through the streets on his chestnut horse. The cold wind scraped across his face like a knife, yet he remained oblivious. His only thought was to fetch Imperial Physician Zhang as quickly as possible to save his sister and nephew. Passersby dodged, frightened by his impulsive demeanor. But Young Marquis Su paid no mind to these thoughts. He simply waved his whip, urging his horse to go faster.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
