Just as she was deep in thought, Bai Yujing suddenly spoke calmly, his deep voice echoing in the room.
"I've only met the princess a few times; how could I possibly be infatuated? Besides, given the princess's noble status, I absolutely do not believe you would fall for someone you dislike or even hate. I once thought that simply making things public would make the princess stop. But now it seems I was wrong. Reflecting on recent events, it seems the princess has been relentlessly pressuring me. Upon closer examination, your actions don't seem like a man pursuing love; they seem more like you have some ulterior motive. What has the princess gained from this? Damaging her reputation, incurring infamy, and even causing the most respected Prince Hao's mansion to be criticized. Or perhaps..."
The more he spoke, the more panicked Princess Ziyan became, and she hurriedly interrupted him, "Shut up, don't say any more!"
She glanced at Bai Yujing in surprise, only then realizing that this man was the top scholar who had distinguished himself in this year's imperial examination. At first, she thought he was just a young and impetuous scholar, inexperienced despite his high ranking. However, she hadn't expected him to be so shrewd and resourceful, almost uncovering some of the deepest secrets of the Prince Hao's mansion.
She smiled slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of vulnerability and grievance.
Why does Yujing harbor such suspicions about me?
"When we first met, I was indeed captivated by your charm, and thus fell in love with you... If you want to know why I am so persistent in my pursuit of you, then I will tell you. My father has long intended for me to choose a suitable husband from among the newly appointed scholars, and you have become the top scholar. For me, isn't this an arrangement of heaven? How could I not seize this heaven-sent opportunity?"
Bai Yujing keenly caught the key information in her words and frowned as he pressed, "Princess, you are of noble status. Why does His Highness Prince Hao choose a son-in-law from among the newly appointed scholars?"
Seeing that he still harbored doubts, Princess Ziyan couldn't help but regret her words. She sighed softly, her tone tinged with helplessness: "It is precisely because of my noble status that my vision is naturally far-reaching. I look down on those scions of noble families in the capital. Therefore, the king has turned his attention to the newly appointed scholars. The imperial examination selects talent based on ability, and many scholars, though of humble origins, are exceptionally talented and of noble character. Yujing is one of the best among them."
When she set aside her arrogance, her eyes revealed tender affection, as if she had truly fallen into an unspeakable love.
Bai Yujing's deep gaze lingered on her for a long time, as if he were deep in thought. After a while, he slowly spoke: "Unfortunately, a forced union will ultimately not have a happy ending. I hope the princess can understand this."
Upon hearing this, Princess Ziyan's face turned ashen. After a moment, she seemed to have made up her mind: "Enough. I have done my best, but you remain unmoved and have no feelings for me. I understand. Let's drop this matter."
Hearing this, Bai Yujing and Jiang Huaiyu exchanged a smile, a sense of relief evident in their eyes. However, just as they were about to relax, Princess Ziyan's words took an unexpected turn.
"but……"
A complex smile suddenly appeared on her face. "Yujing, you still have a favor to do for me."
"What is it?" Bai Yujing asked anxiously.
Princess Ziyan did not answer directly, but clapped her hands lightly, and footsteps were heard outside. Azi led a doctor in a medical robe into the room.
Princess Ziyan's gaze fell on Jiang Huaiyu's lower abdomen. "When we last met, I noticed that Sister Jiang seemed to be feeling unwell, so I specially invited this doctor to diagnose her today." She waved her finger. "Doctor Liang, thank you for your trouble."
Bai Yujing was full of doubts, while Jiang Huaiyu frowned, looking somewhat wary. She bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Princess. My health is fine and I do not need a doctor's diagnosis."
"Now that the doctor is here, sister, please sit down. It's just a pulse check, it won't tire you out."
Jiang Huaiyu had no choice but to comply.
After examining the woman's pulse for a while, Physician Liang reported to Princess Ziyan: "Your Highness, this lady is three months pregnant."
Bai Yujing was stunned on the spot, and asked blankly, "What did you say?"
After Liang Langzhong finished his diagnosis, he left. Princess Ziyan looked at Bai Yujing's expression and asked with a hint of mockery, "Such an important matter, does Yujing really know nothing about it?"
Bai Yujing looked at Jiang Huaiyu in disbelief, "Huaiyu, you..."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled gently and explained, "I was worried that it would affect your exam performance, so I planned to tell you after the results were released. But then these things happened, so I haven't had a chance to bring it up."
Bai Yujing was overjoyed and even showed a childlike, innocent smile.
"Are we really going to have a child?"
His voice trembled, filled with tenderness, "Huaiyu, you've suffered so much. You were six months pregnant and I was the one who burdened you, keeping you in constant fear. I'm so sorry..."
In a brief moment of ecstasy and deep remorse, he completely forgot where he was and that there were other people in the room.
Jiang Huaiyu coughed lightly and whispered a reminder, "Yujing, the princess is still here."
Bai Yujing then seemed to wake from a dream. He didn't want to leave Jiang Huaiyu's side for even a moment, and asked softly, "Princess, you haven't said anything yet. What are your instructions?"
Princess Ziyan's face was already ashen. She gritted her teeth and forced a smile: "The two of you are so deeply in love, it seems that I really shouldn't interfere."
"Azi, bring it up."
As soon as she finished speaking, Azi came in carrying a bowl of dark-colored medicinal liquid.
Princess Ziyan said with a smile, "Sister Jiang has been worried these past few days, which may be bad for the baby in her womb. This is a medicine I specially prepared to help with the pregnancy. Scholar, please feed Sister Jiang while it's hot. This is what I asked you to do."
"Medicine to prevent miscarriage?"
Her sudden change in attitude aroused Bai Yujing's suspicions, and he doubted her good intentions.
Princess Ziyan smiled warmly, "Don't worry, Physician Liang's medical skills are renowned in the capital, and all the medicinal materials are of the highest quality. Consider this bowl of medicine to prevent miscarriage as my apology for confining you for three days."
However, Bai Yujing remained inactive.
Jiang Huaiyu stared at the bowl of medicine, her unease growing stronger. She suddenly asked, "May I ask, Princess, is this a medicine to prevent miscarriage, or is it an abortion medicine intended to take the life of the fetus in my womb?"
Princess Ziyan's face darkened, and her tone turned cold and hard, "My good intentions are not something you can presume to be malicious."
Bai Yujing respectfully cupped his hands, "Princess, please calm down. Since it is a medicine to prevent miscarriage, I will feed it to my wife immediately."
"Yujing..."
Jiang Huaiyu called out softly, and Bai Yujing gently shook his head at her.
Seeing this, Princess Ziyan looked satisfied, a faint, cold smile playing on her lips.
Bai Yujing picked up the medicine bowl and slowly walked towards Jiang Huaiyu. However, at that moment, he suddenly slipped and almost fell to the ground, spilling the medicine all over the ground.
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