Chapter 54 Pregnancy
Mu Xi asked one last time: "Have you said everything you can say? Is there anything else you want to say but are hesitant to say? If you say it now, I'll take responsibility for anyone who blames you in the future."
Lian Qiao was so anxious she was about to cry: "This servant...this servant...please, Your Highness, save Sister Pan'er. If Your Highness agrees, we can ask the Second Young Master and he will know everything."
It's the Second Young Master again?
Seeing that she couldn't get any more information out of Lian Qiao, Mu Xi didn't intend to make things difficult for her: "Alright, your task is complete. Go now, and don't mention this matter to anyone else."
"This servant understands." Lian Qiao kowtowed, then rose and withdrew.
After Lian Qiao left, Mu Xi felt weak again and instructed Bai Ji: "You saw and heard everything just now. When the Second Young Master comes back, tell him what happened and then have him come to see me."
"Yes," Bai Ji replied.
"I'm tired now and need to rest. You can stay outside and keep watch," Mu Xi said, shifting her weary body and slowly lying down.
I slept fitfully until the lights were turned on, and I could hear the fine rain outside the window, which hadn't stopped yet.
Concerned, Mu Xi sat up and asked, "Who's outside?"
Immediately, Tao'er pushed open the door and came in: "Young Master, you're awake. The ginseng soup is just simmering on the stove."
Before Mu Xi could give any instructions, Tao'er turned around and went out to bring in ginseng soup: "This is red ginseng. Doctor Luo said it's the most effective for replenishing blood, and he told you to drink it like tea recently."
The ginseng soup was brought to Mu Xi's lips, and after taking a spoonful, Mu Xi remembered to ask, "Where's Bao Fan?"
Tao'er also knew the effects of Bao Fan: "Your Highness, don't worry. When the red ginseng was brought back, Doctor Luo had Bao Fan try it. However, Doctor Luo said that red ginseng is not suitable for Bao Fan and told him not to drink too much of it."
Mu Xi's throat was dry, so she only drank most of the bowl before remembering the important matter: "Where is the Second Young Master? Has he returned from the Marquis's place?"
Tao'er glanced at Mu Xun's courtyard with her peach blossom eyes: "They've been back for a while. Bai Wei and Bai Ji have gone to serve the Second Young Master his meal. They said the Second Young Master will come to see the Heir Apparent after he finishes his meal."
Mu Xi had no choice but to wait.
Tao'er asked again, "Young Master, what kind of porridge would you like to drink? Doctor Luo said that you should drink porridge for the next few days. The rice is already simmering on the fire, and we just need to add the ingredients."
"No need, I don't have an appetite right now." Since her serious injury, Mu Xi's appetite has indeed been affected. Then she thought of Zhe Lan, "By the way, is there still no news from Zhe Lan and the others?"
"No," Tao'er shook her head.
Mu Xi was disappointed, but there was nothing she could do.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside.
"It seems the Second Young Master has arrived." Tao'er took the initiative to open the door.
When the door opened, it was indeed Mu Xun.
Mu Xi perked up again: "Come in quickly, I have something to ask you."
Mu Xun then said, "Brother hasn't had dinner yet, has he? Tao'er, go and bring some plain porridge. You don't need to add anything, just a little honey will do."
"Yes." Tao'er turned back to get the white porridge.
Mu Xun stood at the door and took the white porridge, then told Tao'er, "You stay outside and don't let anyone disturb you."
Tao'er acknowledged and withdrew.
Mu Xun then took the bowl of white porridge and closed the door tightly.
Mu Xi observed Mu Xun's actions and found him to be meticulous and cautious. But why were all the things that happened to her since she transmigrated so...unfortunate?
While she was lost in thought, Mu Xun had already scooped up a spoonful of the white porridge and tasted it.
I tested the temperature again.
no problem.
Then he switched to a spoon and fed it to Mu Xi's mouth: "Doctor Luo said that one should eat less while sick, but one still needs to eat."
Mu Xi really had no appetite.
Mu Xun then advised, "Eat your porridge while you eat, and I'll tell you everything you need to know."
Mu Xi then opened her mouth and took a bite.
In Mu Xun's eyes, which were as clear as a still lake reflecting the moon, two crescent moons reflected a smiling image: "That's good, eating more will help you recover faster."
Mu Xi was eager to know what was going on: "Tell me."
Mu Xun scooped up another spoonful of white porridge and fed it to Mu Xi: "Cao Qinshi, her husband's surname is Cao, and everyone is used to calling her Granny Cao. She was originally an old servant under Father. She was originally a lowly maid in the mansion. Later, after Gao entered the mansion, the West Courtyard needed to add manpower, so Father gave Granny Cao to Gao. Unfortunately, Granny Cao was never given an important position in the West Courtyard and has been doing rough work for many years. However, her daughter Cao Pan'er, who was born later, was beautiful and caught the eye of Mu Xun."
Mu Xi immediately sensed something amiss, swallowed a mouthful of porridge, and asked, "Wait, are you saying that Granny Cao was specially sent by Father?"
Mu Xun nodded, continuing to feed the porridge: "Yes, but Father didn't originally want her to do anything. It was just to keep an eye on the West Courtyard to make sure there were no excessive or drastic actions."
It seems that this father and son haven't been completely idle over the years, but their accomplishments have been quite limited.
However, Mu Xi then thought of the night before: "Was that Granny Cao outside the window the night before last?"
Mu Xun wasn't so sure: "Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't. Originally, I went to the Court of Justice this afternoon to see Granny Cao and get to the bottom of things, but the West Courtyard was keeping a close eye on things, and the Court of Justice wouldn't let me see her. However, judging from the statement the Court of Justice gave me, the night before last, Granny Cao must have followed Madam Han all the way to the East Courtyard. Later, after hearing the commotion inside the house, she guessed what had happened. After Madam Han died, she connected the dots. Coupled with her daughter's situation, she came up with this plan to try and save her daughter."
“That speculation makes sense.” Mu Xi was fed another spoonful of porridge by Mu Xun. “However, why didn’t she come to explain herself in person before turning herself in? Why did she have to send a maid?”
Mu Xun sighed, "Alas, she's probably afraid that Father won't agree. But I didn't expect that girl Lian Qiao. She was born into the household and speaks clearly, so we always used her as a messenger. Whenever Granny Cao had any news, she would inform Lian Qiao, and Lian Qiao would inform Bai Wei and Bai Ji. But I didn't expect... this time Granny Cao went directly to my brother."
"Even Father disagrees, yet Granny Cao has come to me again?" Mu Xi began to suspect that both "her side" and "the other side" had impure motives. "Is this a 'coup'? Is she threatening me with her life? Is she going to act first and ask for my permission later, forcing me to agree to save her daughter? But her daughter's situation... isn't it enough to threaten her life?"
Mu Xun didn't hide anything: "Cao Pan'er, the daughter of Granny Cao, was wrongly imprisoned by the Court of Justice. Lian Qiao already told you this during the day. However, what Lian Qiao doesn't know is that Cao Pan'er was already pregnant before she was imprisoned. Now, half a year has passed, and the child is more than eight months along and is about to be born..."
"Ah..." Mu Xi hesitated for a moment before managing to refrain from asking, "Whose child is that?"
Mu Xun didn't keep them in suspense: "I sent someone to the prison to inquire, but Cao Pan'er refused to say who the child's father was, but insisted on giving birth."
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