Chapter 32 The Scheme: Why is there still no sign of pregnancy?
The flower hall of the Governor's Mansion.
The sound of the porcelain shards breaking made the flowers and leaves tremble.
"A bunch of useless trash." Shen Chun was so angry that her eyebrows shot up, and she kicked the scout kneeling on the ground in the stomach.
Hangzhou is his territory, yet he has been outmaneuvered time and time again by that brat Pei Xiaoyun. His meticulous plans have been thwarted, and five spies have died in vain.
The staff all lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
The tense atmosphere was broken only when Shen Mingshu entered.
He witnessed Pei Xiaoyun personally leading a group to intercept and kill him, clearly indicating that he did not intend to let the eldest son of the Lin family go.
The godfather only wanted the eldest son of the Lin family to make a topographical map of Clearwater Bay so that he could arrange his troops and prevent the river bandits from harming the people again.
However, Pei Xiaoyun, for his own selfish reasons, forcibly imprisoned innocent people, which was really not the demeanor of a regent.
He's more like a petty person settling personal scores.
“Godfather, the prison warden’s brother is my former comrade-in-arms.” He stepped forward and said, “In order not to alert the enemy, you should withdraw the remaining spies. I will infiltrate and investigate Young Master Lin’s side, and then we can make further plans.”
Shen Chun shook her head, revealing a worried look: "No, Pei Xiaoyun is ruthless. I can't let you take this risk."
“Godfather, if I don’t go, no one else will.” Shen Mingshu’s eyes were firm. “Besides, he already has some doubts and will definitely take strict precautions. Those spies will not escape his notice.”
Shen Chun closed her eyes, sighed deeply, and patted his shoulder: "You must be careful. If you can't rescue the person, then give up. Getting out of here unharmed is the most important thing."
He already knew exactly what kind of heart this adopted son had.
He was an upright and righteous man, and he would repay even the smallest kindness with great generosity.
If we can rescue Lin Xian through him this time, it will be worth the ten years of nurturing he has done.
That night, at the third quarter of midnight, a lone wild goose streaked across the dark sky.
Disguised as a jailer, Shen Mingshu successfully infiltrated the suburban prison.
Inside the prison, the dim light of an oil lamp cast flickering shadows.
Having fought on the battlefield for many years, he was used to the smell of blood. Entering the blood-stained prison, he did not frown at all, and carried a lantern to search for the cell where Lin Xian was imprisoned.
The innermost cell was bathed in moonlight.
The young man sat quietly against the wall.
Lin Xian's hands were covered in bloody wounds. By the faint moonlight streaming in through the skylight, he took out the medicine Ming Ying had given him before she left. He stroked the smooth, glossy bottle, as if he were touching her warm fingertips.
The clear, frosty sunlight shone on his face, and a faint smile graced his lips, as gentle and subtle as moonlight.
He hoped she would listen to him.
Ignore him and don't ask anyone for help because of him.
A lingering shadow hung on the ground. Sensing something amiss, he put away the bottle of medicine and said, "Did Pei Xiaoyun send you to kill me?"
He felt a moment of relief.
If he were truly dead, Pei Xiaoyun might no longer hold a grudge against her or torment her.
“Young Master Lin,” Shen Mingshu said in a low voice, holding up an oil lamp, “I am from the Governor’s Mansion. Governor Shen is my godfather. I’m here to save you.”
Seeing that Lin Xian was safe and sound, he felt relieved.
This means that Pei Xiaoyun does not want to kill him for the time being, and they still have time to plan a rescue.
Lin Xian suddenly turned around and looked at the man in front of her.
His features seemed somewhat familiar, but he had never had any dealings with the Governor's Mansion before, let alone met Shen Chun's adopted son.
He suppressed his surprise and said calmly, "You can't save me, so you should leave."
Pei Xiaoyun was so intelligent he was almost demonic, and he acted with lightning speed. No one could get the slightest advantage from under his nose.
"Why do you say that, Young Master Lin?" Shen Mingshu knew that he was a scholar. Seeing him now covered in blood and disheveled, he felt a pang of pity. "I don't need to wait too long. Once I figure out the layout of this prison, I can get you out."
Lin Xian remained silent for a long time before cautiously asking, "My Lin family has been in business for generations and has never had any dealings with the Governor's Mansion. Why did you save me?"
Shen Mingshu did not want to hide anything from him and told him the truth: "To be honest, Young Master Lin, my father wanted to ask you to make a topographical map. Young Master Lin is a great painter, and it is really not right for him to be buried like this."
He spoke a few more words to Lin Xian, telling him to wait patiently for a few days, at which time someone would surely come to rescue him.
"Wait." Lin Xian called out to him as he was leaving.
“Young Master Shen, I can help you make the map, but you must rescue my wife. Otherwise, even if you get out, I will not make this map.”
He was a useless, all-encompassing person.
This is the only chance to rescue Ah Ying by leveraging the power of the Governor's Office.
He was willing to do anything as long as she was safe and sound.
Shen Mingshu neither agreed nor refused, but returned to the governor's mansion and told Shen Chun about the matter.
“Saving him is already extremely difficult, and now you want to risk saving a woman?!” Shen Chun paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his face gloomy.
Is a woman who has been violated still worth his lingering thoughts about?
His stance was clear: he would not save that woman.
Once Lin Xian is in his hands, even if he doesn't want to paint, he has his own ways to make him paint.
Shen Mingshu seemed to be deep in thought. He could tell from Lin Xian's expression that he was deeply devoted to his wife.
Even at that point, they still think about each other all the time.
How could a good person suffer such an undeserved calamity?
If we can save them, it would be best to save them all.
Late at night, Pei Xiaoyun returned to his residence, and someone came to report that Lin Xian had fallen ill with a strange disease.
Many doctors have already been called in during the day, but none of them have been able to help. If we leave it unattended, the prognosis is probably not good.
Pei Xiaoyun frowned, feeling annoyed.
If Lin Xian hadn't still been somewhat useful, he would have simply died.
The other doctors couldn't help him, so he could only ask someone to summon He Lianqing to treat him.
He was aware of He Lianqing and Mingying's past relationship, and he feared that Mingying might use He Lianqing to secretly reconnect with Lin Xian.
He would never allow such a thing to happen.
He summoned Xingwei and instructed her, "Go and keep an eye on He Lianqing, and don't let him do anything other than seeing patients."
"yes".
Xingwei stepped out into the night and bumped into Mingying, who had long hair and wore a thin dress.
The two brushed past each other; one figure was gloomy and cold, while the other was delicate and slender.
Mingying nervously hooked her fingertips and walked inside.
After Pei Xiaoyun gave her a two-month deadline, she stopped taking the contraceptive pills.
But for some reason, he was no longer like before, always forcing her to do things. Instead, he deliberately treated her coldly, or even stayed away from home at night.
If I do the math, more than half a month has passed. How long is two months anyway?
She felt uneasy.
Tonight, upon hearing that he had returned to his residence, she took the initiative to come and find him.
As she stepped outside, she seemed to hear people talking about Lin Xian inside. She went in, stood by the door, and tentatively asked, "What happened to him?"
Pei Xiaoyun was writing something with ink when he heard her voice and looked up.
She seemed to have just taken a bath; her cheeks were flushed from the hot water, her long hair was half-dry, and a sweet scent of soap wafted through the air.
The soft light and shadow fell on her, making her waist appear incredibly slender and her figure exquisitely graceful.
His dark eyes gleamed, and a slight smile played on his lips; he knew what she had come for.
He told her she had two months, and deliberately ignored her for a while, and she immediately came looking for him.
This has never happened before.
Who doesn't enjoy a beautiful woman throwing herself into their arms?
"Come here." His gaze fell on the papers on the desk, but he stretched out his arms to her.
As she approached, her clothes brushing against his fingertips, he put down his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, his gaze sweeping over her abdomen: "He's doing very well, yet you still have the mind to worry about other people's affairs. Half a month has passed, why is there still no sign of pregnancy?"
Mingying bit her lip, her face embarrassed, her voice barely audible, full of resentment: "If you don't return to the manor, how am I supposed to..."
Can she have a child on her own?
Meeting his arrogant yet wicked gaze, she blinked and quickly looked away, her face as red as a steamed shrimp.
He did it on purpose; he just didn't want to let Lin Xian go.
"So, you came to me tonight just to have sex with me?" Pei Xiaoyun's fingertips brushed across her face, like gliding across delicate, snow-white tofu.
Mingying shrank her slender neck and backed away slightly.
These humiliating words struck her heart like sharp needles piercing her soul.
Why would she inexplicably come looking for him?
"What are you hiding for?" Pei Xiaoyun's expression was grim as he took in her flustered look. "Your time is running out. Do you really want to watch him die?"
His voice carried an extremely dangerous allure, compelling her to come closer.
Mingying, panting slightly, took small steps and walked over.
Pei Xiaoyun pulled her close, buried his face in her slender neck, and inhaled her sweet, alluring scent. He deliberately said, "I'm not in the mood tonight. If you're in a hurry, why don't you serve me first?"
His clothes hung to the ground, casting a shadow.
Mingying knelt in his shadow, touching a burning heat.
"You promised, you can't lie to me." Her eyes were watery as she repeatedly asked him to confirm.
Pei Xiaoyun lay lazily in the armchair, facing her, not even needing to think before he lied, and chuckled: "A word spoken is a word kept."
Spring breezes warm the incense burner and the mosquito net.
The rainwater is in harmony.
"A bit higher."
Mingying cooperated with him in a dazed manner.
Her initiative drove Pei Xiaoyun into a frenzy of excitement. He was both jealous that she could go to such lengths for Lin Xian and desperately wanted more.
A wolf, having drunk its fill of blood, lay with its belly exposed, its jaws wide open, and let out a burp that reeked of the prey's aroma.
The woman in his arms had a face as white as snow and a body as soft as jade; how could he not feel bliss?
He suddenly realized that there was still plenty of time, and what good would it do to get her pregnant at this point? Once she achieved her goal, she wouldn't be so proactive.
They should cherish each other, entwine slowly, and ideally be together like this every night.
In the early morning, Mingying was still lying weakly on the bed, fast asleep.
Pei Xiaoyun was the first to stand up and secretly instructed Kong Qing to find some contraceptive pills for men that would not harm their bodies.
Poor Mingying got up and subconsciously touched the porcelain bottle under her pillow. After struggling a few times, she sighed.
She can't eat this anymore.
May his wish be fulfilled soon, and may everyone be freed from this burden as soon as possible.
She silently stuffed the porcelain bottle back under her pillow, but the suffocating feeling around her neck never dissipated; instead, it accumulated more and more.
—
Lin Xian contracted smallpox due to the dampness of the prison.
This disease is dangerous; the two prisoners who were infected at the same time both died from it. Fortunately, Lin Xian was young and took some medication to suppress the symptoms, so he was still in relatively good spirits.
The cell door opened and closed, and a man and a woman entered.
The man was carrying a medicine chest; he was a doctor. The woman was dressed in tight-fitting clothes and carried a long sword; she looked like a guard.
He Lianqing had previously visited a village in the north with her senior sister to treat this disease. Upon hearing that it was smallpox, she was not afraid and came here with the medicine.
This was the first time he had seen Lin Xian. The man in the cell was pale-faced, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. Even though he was wearing a dirty prison uniform, his body did not bend.
Seeing this scene, he was deeply moved.
A loving couple was torn apart like that.
One is imprisoned here and suffers endless torment, while the other, even with fine clothes and delicacies, does not have a good life.
"Young Master Lin, I've come to treat your illness."
Lin Xian immediately opened his eyes and saw two people standing brightly in front of him.
The person who could enter so ostentatiously must not be from the Governor's Office. It must be that Pei Xiaoyun thought he still had some use, so he sent someone to treat him.
In the past, if he had died, he would have simply died.
His death would at least stop Ah Ying from worrying about him.
But then he remembered what Shen Mingshu had said yesterday.
The man said he would rescue him and would also do his best to save his wife.
Thinking of this, he suddenly didn't want to die like this. He hoped to be able to reunite with Ah Ying openly and honestly.
"Thank you for your trouble." He clenched his fist, put it to his mouth, coughed twice, and nodded to He Lianqing.
He Lianqing kept a close eye on Xingwei, leaning against the door and never leaving her side.
He knew that Xingwei was there to keep an eye on him, and if he dared to say anything to Lin Xian in person, he would probably be killed on the spot.
“Young Master Lin, please take this medicine first.” He poured out a pill and placed it in Lin Xian’s hand. “I have a medicinal wine here that is specially used to treat smallpox. After taking this pill, you should wipe your whole body with the medicinal wine.”
Lin Xian took the medicine, drank some cold water, and swallowed it cooperatively, saying, "Thank you."
The jailer followed orders and brought a bucket of hot water. He Lianqing poured the cold medicinal wine into the water, instantly suppressing the rising steam.
He raised his voice and said to the outside, "Miss Xing, could you please turn around first? It's not very convenient."
Xing Wei twitched her eyelids, seemingly unconcerned: "Stop talking nonsense."
"To apply the medicinal wine, you need to remove your clothes. Men and women should not touch each other." He Lianqing wanted to let Xing Wei leave for a moment so that he could have a few words with this young master Lin.
But then I thought, someone like Xingwei, who isn't even afraid of killing, wouldn't care about these strict rules between men and women.
"This disease is contagious, you'd better stay away from it."
However, Xingwei remained unmoved and fearless, his sharp gaze seemingly able to see through everything.
He Lianqing remained silent and could only treat Lin Xian's illness first.
"Young Master Lin, please turn around."
When Lin Xian turned around, she blocked the faint light coming from the skylight.
Under the cover of a dim, indistinct shadow, He Lianqing spoke in a very soft but quick voice, “If there’s anything you want to say to her, you can write it down and I’ll pass it on to you.”
Lin Xian's eyes flickered slightly, and a ripple of emotion stirred within her.
Pei Xiaoyun forced him to draw a picture, so she sent someone to bring him brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
That very evening, he wrote down everything he wanted to say to Mingying and entrusted He Lianqing, who came to treat him the next day, to deliver it to her.
He was wary, fearing that the doctor was Pei Xiaoyun's man and wanted to use Aying to trick him into revealing information. Therefore, he did not write down the governor's office's intention to rescue them on the paper, but instead wrote down some ordinary words.
He must be extremely careful; this is his only chance, and he must not expose himself.
For several days in a row, He Lianqing did not see Mingying.
Pei Xiaoyun is now wary of him, and there are spies everywhere in the mansion. Unless Mingying is unwell and asks him to go see a doctor, he cannot go to her without permission.
He tucked the paper into his pocket and sighed.
He couldn't bear to do it, but that was all he could do to help.
A few more days passed, and Mingying began to feel anxious.
Pei Xiaoyun pressured her relentlessly, harassing her every night, determined to get her pregnant.
But when she touched her flat stomach, her period had just ended, and there was still no sign of pregnancy.
She should have been relieved that there had been no news for so long, but she was really afraid that he would hurt Lin Xian.
Pei Xiaoyun returned to the manor every night, but never took the initiative to look for her, so she could only endure the shame and seek him out.
For her, such sexual intercourse only brought overwhelming shame and indignation; she felt nothing else. She only hoped it would end soon.
The room was bathed in the warm glow of spring, and the air was thick with the scent of spring.
"Didn't you come looking for me?" Pei Xiaoyun gently tucked her sweaty hair behind her ear and smoothed her furrowed brow with two fingers. "If you're unwilling, I won't force you. Don't come looking for me again next time."
He knew that she was throwing herself into his arms for Lin Xian's sake, and couldn't wait to get pregnant with his child.
But how could he do as she wished? He took the contraceptive pills every day, so how could she possibly get pregnant?
If it were in the past, Mingying would have been overjoyed to hear him say that.
But now, time is of the essence, and she has no choice but to do it, enduring his amused gaze and the humiliation.
When the commotion subsided, she went limp and collapsed into his arms.
Pei Xiaoyun propped herself up on one side, her gaze lingering on her lower abdomen, and instead accused her first: "There's still no sign of pregnancy, did you use some kind of contraceptive behind my back?"
Mingying shrank back.
Although she no longer uses that thing, she's afraid he'll find out she used to use it and come after her.
She blinked her tired eyes and glared at him: "Maybe it's your problem."
She was also puzzled as to why this was happening.
"Really?" Pei Xiaoyun, as always, liked to play with her fluttering eyelashes with his fingertips. "You think there's something wrong with me? But you always beg and cry..."
"Then let Doctor He take a look." Mingying turned her face away, gritting her teeth as she interrupted him.
Pei Xiaoyun turned her warm face to meet her bright eyes: "Why did you let him come here? If you want to get pregnant, just make love to us a few more times, and you'll naturally get pregnant. If you can't get pregnant, it just means you haven't had enough."
If He Lianqing were to come and see, what if she noticed something and discovered it? Wouldn't He Lianqing be furious? She'd put on that same old face again.
Furthermore, he suspected that her failure to conceive last time was a deliberate ploy by her and He Lianqing to fool him, so he specifically instructed the guards not to allow He Lianqing to enter the main courtyard unless it was for an important matter.
"Shameless." Mingying pushed him away, spitting out the two words through gritted teeth.
During the day, she sent Yu'er to find He Lianqing, wanting him to check if she had developed a chronic illness during her previous childbirth that prevented her from getting pregnant again.
If that's the case, then Pei Xiaoyun won't need to use this to threaten her, which is naturally the best outcome.
But Yu'er couldn't find anyone and was stopped by the guards in the main courtyard. The guards had been instructed that Doctor He was busy preparing medicine for Pei Xiaoyun.
Upon hearing the reply, Mingying felt like prey whose path had been blocked, leaving her at the mercy of others.
What should we do?
Zisu has taken over Yuechan's place and is now setting out the meal.
The Suzhou government sent over some hairy crabs from Yangcheng Lake, and Pei Xiaoyun ordered someone to give them to Mingying to try.
Dip the prepared crab meat in vinegar sauce and place it in a clean bowl.
Mingying had no appetite; thinking about those things, how could she eat in peace?
She gave one crab to Yu'er and one to Zisu. Yu'er ate like a cat, licking her lips: "Please have some, miss. This crab meat is so delicious. I've never seen it before."
With her comforting words, Mingying picked up her chopsticks and ate a few bites.
She looked worried, and even the most delicious food tasted bland to her. She barely finished a small plate. When Zisu saw that she couldn't eat anymore, she asked someone to take it away.
The sky was dark, and lights were turned on in the courtyard.
Night fell again, and Mingying sighed, lost in thought.
He tried to get up to take a bath, but felt nauseous and vomited violently. He got out of bed, bent over, and his face turned pale.
Fish was so anxious that she ran around frantically. Since the old man hadn't returned to the mansion, she had no choice but to go find Doctor He again. When the guards outside the courtyard heard that Ming Ying was suddenly unwell, they didn't stop Fish anymore.
So, after so many days, He Lianqing finally met Mingying.
She lay on the couch, her features contorted in pain, as if she were extremely uncomfortable.
What did you have for dinner?
He asked questions while taking the patient's pulse.
The fish said, "We only used a small dish of crab meat."
After taking the pulse, He Lianqing, based on Yu'er's words, diagnosed that the sudden and persistent vomiting was caused by eating cold food, which irritated the stomach.
In addition, the contraceptive pills he gave her were inherently cold in nature. Although they did not cause much harm, taking too many would leave some coldness in the body, which would then be released when it clashed with the crab meat.
He wrote out a prescription and asked the maid to brew the medicine. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he took out the things Lin Xian had given him and stuffed them into Mingying's hand.
"Please keep this safe. This is a message that Young Master Lin asked me to give you a few days ago. I haven't had a chance to meet you yet."
Mingying gradually regained consciousness, held her breath, and gripped the things in her hands tightly. "How...how is he?"
He Lianqing is a doctor. How could he see Ziming? Could it be that he is ill?
No wonder she heard Pei Xiaoyun talking about Ziming when she went to the study to look for him a few days ago.
"It's smallpox, but don't worry, I can cure him."
After hearing his words, Mingying nodded, showing gratitude: "Thank you."
He Lianqing did not accept the thanks.
He and she were friends and old acquaintances. He couldn't bear to see her suffer, so he helped her if he could, at least he wouldn't feel guilty.
"I can also pass on a message to him for you."
He had barely finished speaking when he heard a maid outside calling, "Master."
Knowing that Pei Xiaoyun had returned, he immediately fell silent and lowered his head to pack his medicine box. "You must not eat cold foods for the next few days."
Pei Xiaoyun had just returned to the manor when a servant came to report that Mingying had been vomiting incessantly after her meal. He hadn't even had time to change his clothes before rushing over. When he entered the house, he saw He Lianqing packing up her medicine box to leave.
"Is she alright?" he asked as he walked over.
"It's nothing, I just caught a chill." He Lianqing replied calmly, without changing his expression. "I've prescribed some medicine; take it for three days and you'll be fine."
Pei Xiaoyun nodded. After the person left, he sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Mingying's pale face, and felt a pang in his heart.
"I haven't eaten the crabs sent from Suzhou. I wanted to give them to you to try first, but my good intentions have backfired."
He took her hand and said, "You're afraid of the cold, I'll prepare a mutton hot pot for you next time."
Mingying stared at him calmly, a hidden hatred surging in her eyes.
Lin Xian contracted smallpox, but he kept it a secret from her, and she knew nothing about it. Even if something happened to him, she would still be kept in the dark, and would even take the initiative to serve him.
She resisted the urge to slap him, shook off his hand, and turned away.
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Author's note: The slap is coming tomorrow. [doge emoji]
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