The next day, Meng Qi woke up and sat there, hugging the quilt. She felt like she had just had a dream, but if it was a dream, it was a sweet night. She hadn't slept so deeply in a long time. But if it wasn't a dream, how could she have slept on the same kang with a familiar stranger and fallen asleep so quickly without any warning?
Looking at Mother Liu, who looked so excited as if she had a few more folds, directing the maids to take things, Meng Qi gently stroked her cheek, which was so hot, as if there was still a trace of warmth left.
That same day, soldiers seized talismans from Prince Duan's mansion, and figurines with needles stuck in them from Concubine Xiang's palace. A few days later, news spread from the palace that Prince Duan had been confined. Those who had given birth were to remain in the mansion, while those who had not were to be dismissed. The Emperor also gave Concubine Duan three days to vacate the mansion.
Before the end of the first month of the lunar year, news reached the palace of the passing of Imperial Concubine Xiang. She was said to have died of an acute illness. As a Imperial Concubine, second only to the Empress in status, her funeral was extremely simple, with not even the ladies of the Imperial Court invited to mourn.
While the streets were still buzzing about this incident, word spread that Prince Duan, being incredibly filial, had volunteered to go to the imperial mausoleum to observe three years of mourning for Consort Xiang. With this, Prince Duan completely withdrew from the fight for the throne and disappeared from public view.
After receiving wave after wave of "kind" care, Meng Qi lay down on the kang tiredly. If she had known that pretending to be pregnant would be so painful, she would have thought of other ways.
"Princess, Concubine Lin is here." Yuan Dong came into the room.
Meng Qi tied the headband back on her head helplessly. Since the news of her pregnancy was "confirmed", Xiao Lin was the one who jumped around the most, coming almost every day, sometimes several times a day.
After entering the room, she was very attentive, rubbing Meng Qi's shoulders and legs. When she saw Su Xin bringing in the "pregnancy-maintaining medicine", she wanted to taste it herself, which made Meng Qi very annoyed.
Xiao Lin came into the room with an exaggerated smile on her face, "Princess, are you feeling better today?" She looked around.
"The prince has left. There is something going on in the palace. If you want to see him, come early tomorrow." Meng Qi said lightly.
There was only one reason Meng Qi allowed Xiao Lin to bother her like this. She figured Xiao Lin's enthusiasm was due to two factors. One was that she was being pressured by the Lin family and wanted to see if she could use her pregnancy to persuade them to send someone else in. The other was that someone was plotting to use her as a tool.
So, Meng Qi wanted to see which one she guessed, or perhaps both. Moreover, Meng Qi already had a plan to get rid of Xiao Lin without Song Baimo getting angry with her or embarrassing Song Chengze.
Since childhood, Lin could see that the Lin family was also confused. Even if she was really pregnant, if they wanted to find a person to support Song Chengze, it would be the Huainan Marquis's Mansion that would send someone in. It was not the turn of the former princess's family to worry about it.
"Oh, Princess, what do you mean? I'm not here to see the prince. I'm here to serve you." After saying this, she looked outside again and said, "Isn't it time to take the pregnancy-maintaining medicine yet?"
Yuan Dong smiled as he served the tea, "She's already had it. The prince personally watched over the princess drinking it before he left."
Xiao Lin curled her lips in disdain and said sourly, "The prince is busy with all sorts of things every day, and he still has to worry about the princess taking her medicine. It really takes a lot of effort for him."
Meng Qi nodded. "Who says not? What I'm most worried about now that I'm pregnant is that the prince won't have anyone to serve him. To be honest, I even discussed with the prince yesterday that it would be proper for me to at least visit your courtyard."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lin looked up at Meng Qi with excitement. Meng Qi continued, "I even mentioned you specifically. Over the years, you've been the one who knows the prince's preferences best, and you're also a very attentive person. It's true that it's good for the prince to go to you and relax."
Then he sighed again, "But the prince said it's not necessary. Well, what do you think the prince means by this?"
Xiao Lin was disappointed at first, but then she forced herself to cheer up and said with a roll of her eyes, "Could it be that the prince despises us for our age and fading beauty?"
Meng Qi pretended to understand and sat up straight. "Yes, why didn't I think of that? You must have more experience. And there are so many people in the mansion, and I haven't carried anyone since I came in. It seems that I have to carry two for the prince."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lin raised her eyebrows and asked, "Does the princess have a candidate in mind?"
Meng Qi shook her head. "I just heard your reminder. There's no such thing as a candidate."
Xiao Lin clutched her handkerchief, seeming to be hesitant to speak. Seeing that Meng Qi didn't ask her, she thought for a moment and said, "The ones around the princess are all very good in terms of appearance and temperament. Why not..."
Meng Qi waved her hand and said, "No, I will never lift up the people around me."
Xiao Lin pretended to think, "If you don't mention the ones around you, then the ones in other courtyards are the only ones left."
Meng Qi nodded. "In other courtyards? Has the prince ever employed people from other courtyards before?"
Xiao Lin shook her head. "The prince has never taken in any maids except for the few of us who serve him."
Meng Qi sighed, "It seems that we have no choice but to look for it outside."
Xiao Lin thought for a moment and smiled, "Does the princess have anyone suitable in her own family? If you ask me, I'd say it's best if they come from the same family. I know their background well and they share the same aspirations as the princess."
Meng Qi glanced at Yuan Dong, who thought for a moment and said, "There really isn't anyone suitable. How about I go back to the Marquis of Huainan's mansion tomorrow and ask the Crown Prince's wife to take a look?"
Meng Qi nodded, "There's no need to rush. Take your time to get to know each other. You can find someone in the mansion to serve you first."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lin raised her eyebrows and thought for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, this is a good idea. Let's first find someone so that we can explain it to the outside world. Then we can carefully look for a decent and decent family. If there's no one suitable in the Huainan Marquis's Mansion, we can just ask other families. As you said, as long as we know the background, it will be fine."
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