Chapter 143: Pregnancy According to my experience, the young lady is already pregnant...
Old Madam Dou was satisfied with her granddaughter-in-law Cui Lingyan, but when she thought of her granddaughter Lu Danruo who was now kneeling in the ancestral hall as punishment, she felt disappointed again.
She sighed softly and said, "As an elder, I'm so foolish that I asked you to come all the way here. Go back and rest. Although you are young, you should take care of your health."
Cui Lingyan saw the tired look in the old lady's eyes and knew that she would rather be alone and quiet than ask her to accompany her. Besides, Nanny Sun was there, so she nodded, stood up, bowed to Old Lady Dou, and left the room.
When she returned to Songxue Hall, Lu Bingzhi had not yet eaten and was still waiting for her.
Cui Lingyan's expression was gentle. She moved closer to Lu Bingzhi, sat down, and recounted what had just happened in Qingde Courtyard. Then, with a touch of emotion, she said, "Madam's disturbance has truly disappointed Grandmother. Although Grandmother didn't show it too obviously, she must be upset inside."
"I don't know who found that wandering monk to tell Pei An's fortune. It doesn't look like something done by someone in the harem."
While Cui Lingyan was guessing, she picked up a skewer from the plate, picked up a piece of dessert and started eating.
The snacks are made in the shape of plum blossoms, small pieces that can be eaten in one bite.
Cui Lingyan ate half a plate before putting down the skewer in her hand.
She didn't notice that Lu Bingzhi was looking at her at this moment, with a hint of hesitation and joy in his eyes. Until she raised her head and saw that Lu Bingzhi's face looked a little strange, she thought that he was unhappy because of the things that Cen had caused.
After all, he grew up as the prince of the Duke of Wei, and he must have deep feelings for the Duke's Mansion and his grandmother, Old Madam Dou. He must not want to see the old lady still worried about these things in the mansion at such an old age.
She wanted to say something to comfort him, but he asked, "Are you still hungry? If so, tell the kitchen staff to make a few more dishes and send them over."
Cui Lingyan felt for a moment and found that she was still a little hungry. It must be because she had accompanied the old lady to worship Buddha today and walked back and forth several times, which made her very tired and therefore hungry.
She smiled at Lu Bingzhi and nodded.
After hearing what the prince and the young lady said, Bi Tao and the others went downstairs to order the kitchen to prepare without being told.
Soon, several maids came in one after another, setting a table full of food, and the aroma filled the air.
Cui Lingyan personally served a bowl of rice to Lu Bingzhi and started to eat it herself. She ate slowly, mouthful by mouthful, but after the meal, she ate half a bowl of rice more than usual, plus the half plate of snacks she had before, her appetite was even better than that of Lu Bingzhi.
Cui Lingyan didn't notice anything wrong. After all, she never pretended to have a cat-like appetite in front of Lu Bingzhi, nor did she deliberately lose weight. She didn't eat too much anyway, and she wouldn't get fat by taking a walk in the garden every day.
Noticing that Lu Bingzhi was looking at her, she followed his gaze to the plate of spicy and sour sweet and sour lotus root in front of her. Thinking that he liked it too, she pushed the plate towards him.
Lu Bingzhi didn't like sweet things, and he wouldn't touch this kind of sweet and sour food on a normal day. But when he saw Cui Lingyan's action today, he scooped a spoonful of it into his own bowl for the first time, and took a bite without frowning.
Seeing him like this, Cui Lingyan couldn't help but chuckle and said, "It's sour and sweet, actually quite delicious. You should try it more often in the future."
After finishing dinner, the maid took away all the dishes on the table and placed tea on the couch.
Cui Lingyan drank half a cup of tea and felt a little sleepy. She yawned slightly, and a hint of fatigue appeared between her brows.
"Sir, please go to the study to handle official business. I'll go in and rest for a while."
Lu Bingzhi looked at her deeply, stood up, picked up Cui Lingyan by the waist, and walked towards the inner room.
After placing the person on the bed, he spoke softly, "I won't go to the study today. I'll accompany you early."
Cui Lingyan had known for a long time that this man was not as cool and reserved as he appeared to be in certain matters, ever since she consummated her marriage with him. She was really tired today and could not stand his tormenting. She pushed his arm and said coquettishly, "You can accompany me, but please don't torment me, my lord. I am really exhausted today."
Lu Bingzhi chuckled and whispered, "I'll do as you say."
Cui Lingyan was a little surprised when she heard what he said. He had tortured her so badly before that she hadn't let him touch her for some days. She thought that he would never give in easily unless she went to the study today. She never expected that he would be so easy to talk to today.
Seeing the surprise in her eyes, Lu Bingzhi also got on the bed, held her in his arms, and explained: "I'm not that impatient. This kind of thing naturally requires your consent."
Cui Lingyan always felt that Lu Bingzhi was a little different today. Even though he spoke nicely, he still bullied others less than before.
Cui Lingyan wouldn't believe him if he said something nice to her now. However, seeing that Lu Bingzhi really didn't do anything else and was just accompanying her to sleep for a while, she didn't say anything else. Because she was too tired, she fell asleep quickly.
She slept deeply, and when she woke up it was already late at night.
After instructing Birou and the others to prepare bathing supplies, Cui Lingyan changed into a lavender casual dress embroidered with gardenias after taking a bath.
Her hair was simply tied up. Perhaps because she had enough sleep, she felt a little more energetic and was in a good mood. She asked Lu Bingzhi to play chess with her.
Her chess skills were decent, but she couldn't compare to someone like Lu Bingzhi, who had been taught by a famous teacher since childhood. Fortunately, she and Lu Bingzhi didn't play chess to win or lose, and Lu Bingzhi would give her some concessions, so the wins and losses weren't boring.
Moreover, she felt that Lu Bingzhi seemed to give in to her a lot more today than usual.
She looked up at him. After bathing, he changed into a sky-blue casual suit embroidered with emerald bamboo patterns. His hair was tied up with a jade crown. He looked noble and gentle.
Although it was still the same as usual, Cui Lingyan felt that Lu Bingzhi was in a good mood at the moment.
But the eldest and second houses in the mansion were in such a commotion today, and my grandmother, Old Lady Dou, was not happy either. It made no sense for Lu Bingzhi, a younger generation, to be in a good mood.
She endured for a while, but finally couldn't help asking, "What happened today that makes you so happy?"
Lu Bingzhi curled his lips, placed the jade chess piece in his hand on the chessboard, and said with a slight chuckle, "With the first and second houses making such a fuss, it's rare to have such a good show. It will definitely make people feel good."
Cui Lingyan felt that Lu Bingzhi wasn't telling the truth, but she didn't ask any further questions. She knew this man's temperament. If he didn't want to talk, he wouldn't tell her no matter how much she asked. Even if it was a honey trap, Cui Lingyan hesitated, feeling a little guilty. If it was a honey trap, she wouldn't be able to withstand it. There was no need to sacrifice herself just to find out such a little secret.
"Hmph, if you don't want to tell me, then don't tell me. The prince always tells lies like this." Cui Lingyan scolded.
Lu Bingzhi smiled softly, pointed at the chess pieces on the board, and said gently, "How about giving Yan'er more as an apology?"
His eyebrows and eyes were gentle, as if they could make people indulge in his eyes. Cui Lingyan herself had good looks and should not be obsessed with a good appearance, but when she met Lu Bingzhi, she was repeatedly intoxicated by him and felt that Lu Bingzhi's words were really touching.
Who says this person can't coax people? It's just that he doesn't want to coax people on weekdays.
Cui Lingyan felt that this man's words were the most pleasant when he spoke gently, and it was difficult to argue with him.
Cui Lingyan blinked, held up her chin, and looked at Lu Bingzhi seriously for a long moment before she said, "Forget it. I won't argue with the prince anymore."
The next morning after breakfast, the imperial physician checked Lu Bingzhi's pulse as usual.
Cui Lingyan was accompanying her, and suddenly heard Lu Bingzhi order the imperial physician, "Imperial physician, please take my wife's pulse as well."
As he finished speaking, Birou and Bitao, who were serving in the room, showed a hint of surprise in their eyes.
The young lady had always been in good health and wasn't feeling unwell. Could it be that they hadn't served her well enough and overlooked something?
Cui Lingyan also felt a little strange, but she would not offend Lu Bingzhi in front of the imperial physician. Seeing him waving at her, she walked over to him with a smile and sat down.
The imperial physician also knew Lu Bingzhi's personality. Even though he had seen that the prince and the young lady had a good relationship, he still felt a sense of emotion in his heart.
In this prominent family, it is rare for a couple to get along so closely, let alone someone of Lu Bingzhi's status.
The imperial physician bowed to Cui Lingyan and stepped forward to take her pulse.
Cui Lingyan turned her head to look at Lu Bingzhi, remembering Lu Bingzhi's inappropriate good mood yesterday, and suddenly something flashed in her mind.
Her heart couldn't help but rise, but she felt it was unlikely. It had only been a few months since she and Lu Bingzhi consummated their marriage, and Lu Bingzhi had been poisoned before. How could he have made her pregnant so quickly?
Despite this thought, Cui Lingyan was still somewhat delighted, believing that pregnancy would be a good thing. After all, whether in the eyes of the world or in her own, having a child would solidify her position within the Duke's Mansion. Furthermore, if she became pregnant, the rumors about Lu Bingzhi's health would vanish.
She liked Lu Bingzhi, but didn't want others to speculate about him like that.
Bitao and Birou also came to their senses, with a hint of nervousness in their eyes, as they carefully thought about what was different about the young lady in recent times.
This thought really made them realize that the Young Madam was easily tired and ate more than usual. But the Young Madam had been either visiting the Marquis's residence or the Relatives' residence these days. She'd barely had any free time since her marriage, and she'd also have to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager at the palace. How could she not be tired? Noble ladies from wealthy families all went through this upon marrying into the palace. And since the Crown Prince had been poisoned, they didn't think much of it.
When he realized what was happening, he couldn't hide his nervousness. His eyes were all on the imperial physician, hoping to hear the good news from him that the young lady was pregnant.
After a long while, the imperial physician withdrew his hand and asked Cui Lingyan a few more questions. Then, with a hint of joy on his face, he congratulated Lu Bingzhi and Cui Lingyan, "Congratulations, Prince, congratulations, Madam. Although Madam's pulse is weak, according to my humble experience, she is pregnant."
Although she was prepared, Cui Lingyan was still stunned when she heard the imperial physician's words. A strange feeling arose in her heart, and her hand subconsciously placed on her lower abdomen.
She and Lu Bingzhi had a child here, so from now on, besides her husband Lu Bingzhi, she had another relative.
Cui Lingyan's eyes were a little red, and she felt both happy and sad in her heart.
Feeling her emotional ups and downs, Lu Bingzhi thanked the imperial physician and ordered his subordinates not to make the matter public and to wait three months until the young lady was pregnant before reporting back to the old lady.
Birou and Bitao knew the seriousness of the situation and understood that this taboo was observed by both the noble families in the capital and the imperial palace, so they quickly agreed. They simply thought about being more attentive when serving the young lady, so as not to let her get hurt and cause a miscarriage.
Although the news had not spread, Songxue Hall was still filled with joy.
When they were alone, Cui Lingyan said to Lu Bingzhi, "So the prince had already guessed it yesterday. Is it because of this mood that he is so happy?"
Lu Bingzhi smiled and nodded, "Seeing you use so many snacks, I have some guesses in my mind."
Cui Lingyan's cheeks flushed slightly. Before she could speak, Lu Bingzhi smiled and said, "I don't mean to laugh at you. No matter how much Yan'er eats, I, as your husband, can afford it."
As he spoke, he placed his hand on Cui Lingyan's lower abdomen, his movements were gentle, and his voice was particularly pleasant: "Not only Yan'er, but also this little one has to be taken care of."
After Lu Bingzhi said this, his eyes were somewhat deep and it was unknown what he was thinking.
Although it was only a moment, Cui Lingyan keenly felt that he must be thinking about her true identity. Now that she was pregnant, she was afraid that he would have to be more cautious and careful in his actions.
Cui Lingyan placed her hand on the back of his hand and whispered, "Of course I believe in the prince. The prince and this child are the people closest to me. The child and I will always be with the prince."
Lu Bingzhi was moved by her words, but then he felt a little guilty when he thought about the secrets she didn't know. All he could do was protect her and the child.
Only by returning to the palace and taking that position can he truly protect her and the child.
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