Chapter 334 Becoming a Father
Seeing that her expression softened and seemed genuine, Pei Siyan asked, "Shall I help you over there first?"
"Um."
Pei Siyan considerately supported her waist and walked from behind the screen to the seat by the window. "Hurry up and get a soft cushion!"
The palace maid immediately laid out a soft cushion on the rosewood chair, and he helped her sit down, saying, "Take it easy."
"Your Highness, you're really alright." Dou Wenyi felt that Pei Siyan was making a mountain out of a molehill.
Dou Yingxue spotted the loving couple from afar, and a look of worry instantly crossed her face. "Crown Princess... what's wrong?"
Dou Wenyi's face flushed slightly, and she subconsciously pushed Pei Siyan's hand away. "It's alright. I didn't sleep well last night. The shad had a very strong fishy smell."
With outsiders present, their intimacy was truly inappropriate.
"Oh, that's good." Dou Yingxue replied dryly, nervously brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
She stole a glance at the Crown Prince, then quickly looked away, her demeanor like that of a young girl experiencing her first love, perhaps thinking that this series of subtle movements was harmless. Little did she know, her every move was being observed by others.
Dou Wenyi really hoped she had misread it and shook her head inwardly.
Just as he was about to speak, Pei Siyan shouted, "Guards!"
His face was already tinged with gloom. "The Crown Princess is unwell and should not entertain guests. Please escort Miss Dou back—"
Dou Yingxue turned pale and immediately knelt on the ground, her soft eyes brimming with tears. "This humble woman... wishes to enter the palace as a maid. I beg Your Highness for mercy!"
Her face was as pale as snow, her voice was very soft, and her body was so frail that it broke one's heart.
But in Pei Siyan's eyes, she was utterly repulsive.
Her affected manner was exactly like that of those scheming women in the palace who wanted to climb into someone's bedchamber.
He glanced at her impatiently with his phoenix eyes, then turned to look at Dou Wenyi, as if seeking an explanation.
Dou Wenyi sighed helplessly and told him the gist of the matter.
Pei Siyan let out a cold snort, almost laughing in anger, "So, Duke Anguo wants to become my brother-in-law?"
"Father, Mother, they do have this intention..."
Dou Yingxue trembled uncontrollably, her back already covered in a thin layer of cold sweat. Pei Siyan's aura was terrifying, especially the way he looked at her, as if she were a dead object.
She couldn't imagine how miserable her future would be if he were really her husband!
Pei Siyan said in a deep voice, "The maids of the Great Zhou are all selected through rigorous screening. How can we treat them lightly?"
"Dou Yingxue, have you thought this through? Do you really want to enter the palace as a maid?"
Dou Yingxue subconsciously looked at Dou Wenyi.
Dou Wenyi shook her head, frantically trying to signal her not to talk nonsense.
She seemed not to understand, and replied to herself, "Your Highness, I have made up my mind. I want to be a maid."
Dou Wenyi looked at her incredulously, "Fifth sister, think carefully before you answer. If the marriage with the Duke of Anguo doesn't happen, you're not without options."
A ruler's word is law; Pei Siyan's words are equivalent to an imperial edict!
Dou Yingxue hesitated for a long time before nodding heavily, her tone resolute, "Crown Princess, I am serious, and I hope you can grant my request."
"However, since you have such ambition, then start as a palace maid. Go to the laundry department first and get familiar with the palace environment. There will be an examination for maids in three months, and you will be qualified to take it."
Pei Siyan's golden words pointed her to a bright future.
He paused, then changed the subject, "However, if you can't even last three months, then don't even dream of becoming a maid."
Upon hearing her words, Dou Yingxue was stunned, her face turning slightly pale.
Her resolute vows were merely a way to demonstrate her determination and buy time; she had no real desire to become a palace maid.
"Anxi."
"Your servant is here!"
"Take her to the laundry department, but don't tell anyone her true identity."
"yes."
Dou Yingxue had no choice but to follow behind Anxi, her back soaked with sweat. The sweltering summer heat made her feel hopeless about her future.
——
As soon as Dou Yingxue left, Physician Hu rushed over with his medicine chest, looking worried. "Your Highness, is something wrong?"
Without hesitation, Pei Siyan blurted out, "He vomits at the sight of fish, has had a poor appetite lately, and is easily sleepy, even for short periods, like falling asleep in the carriage..."
Dou Wenyi was slightly surprised; she hadn't expected Pei Siyan to have noticed all of her little changes.
"How many of these situations are there?"
Pei Siyan wasn't so sure this time. "It's been a bit strange lately, it's been almost a month now."
Dou Wenyi stretched out her hand, revealing her fair wrist, and smiled gently, "Doctor Hu, I sometimes feel a bit stuffy, and I especially like to eat sour and spicy food, or flavors I haven't tried before."
Pei Siyan stood there blankly, his narrow phoenix eyes seemingly fixed, his whole body frozen in place.
Physician Hu already had a plan in mind. He placed his hand on her wrist and carefully took her pulse.
For a moment, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and even breathing became a cautious affair.
After a moment, Physician Hu smiled and said, "In my humble opinion, the Crown Princess's blood and energy are abundant, and her pulse is smooth and powerful, like pearls rolling around on a plate. Although she is still young, it is undoubtedly a sign of pregnancy. Congratulations, Your Highness!"
"What did you say?"
Pei Siyan's sharp gaze suddenly fell on his face, as if he didn't believe him. "Say it again?"
Physician Hu took a deep breath. "The Crown Princess's pulse indicates she is pregnant; she is likely more than a month along."
The month is a bit early, but it should be correct.
Pei Siyan looked incredulous, yet it seemed as if he had finally come to his senses.
He suddenly hugged Dou Wenyi tightly and kissed her hard on the cheek. "We'll have our own child soon? Then I'll be a father?"
"Hmm?" Dou Wenyi's face flushed, her eyes smiling.
After two lifetimes, Pei Siyan finally had an imperial heir!
...
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