Chapter 31 Catching mice

"Are you sure? Is Tang Fengyi really pregnant?"

Su Jingyao half-lay on the couch, stretched her arms lazily, and asked in a flat tone.

Her fair skin glowed softly under the sunlight, and her delicate face had a faint smile, but the meaning behind the smile was hard to guess.

"Yes, the Crown Princess recently went to the Imperial Hospital and got a lot of herbs to help her get pregnant in several batches. But if you look closely, some of them are used to stabilize the pregnancy."

Li Jing lowered his head and stood aside respectfully.

"I guess that the Crown Princess is covering for Tang Fengyi. Tang Fengyi must be pregnant."

Su Jingyao nodded. She had already guessed it, but Li Jing made her more certain.

Then he said, "In half a month, it will be the Crown Prince's birthday. Now that His Majesty's health is getting worse, the Crown Prince has to spend more and more time handling state affairs, and he returns to the East Palace much later."

"The Crown Prince's birthday this year will not be a grand celebration. The Queen wants to hold a family dinner in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. I wonder what surprise the Crown Princess has prepared for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Su Jingyao's lips curled up in a sly arc.

Her slender fingers gently stroked the hair on her chest, and the hair entangled between her fingers.

"The Crown Princess must have a plan for hiding the fact that Tang Fengyi is pregnant."

A hint of contemplation flashed across Li Jing's eyes.

"In my humble opinion, the Crown Princess may confront An Liang Di at the Crown Prince's birthday banquet."

Su Jingyao also nodded in agreement. There was no one from her group in the Crown Princess' Qiluan Palace, so it would be difficult for her to know her plan. She could only rely on An Liangdi.

Then she stopped struggling and asked another question.

"How is your majesty's health? Do you know the exact time?" Su Jingyao asked rather cryptically.

Li Jing understood what she meant, "Your Majesty's medical records are strictly guarded by the head of the Imperial Hospital, Qin Taiyi, so I cannot see them."

There was a hint of regret in his voice.

"However, as a newcomer, I have previously accompanied Doctor Qin to examine His Majesty. Although I was only an assistant and did not diagnose His Majesty's pulse, I can tell from his complexion that he is not in good condition. I wonder if he can survive until next spring."

Su Jingyao frowned in thought, her slender white jade fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of the couch, making a crisp sound.

He muttered to himself, "The prince's birthday is in half a month, and I'm already seven months pregnant. The baby will be born in another two months, which will be around the New Year. The timing is about right."

She gave birth to the child before Jun Zechen ascended the throne, then took care of herself after the baby was born, and prevented Jun Zechen from going to Ling Yue on the first night of his ascension to the throne.

Time flies, and half a month has passed in a flash.

Su Jingyao changed into a loose palace dress early in the morning. The color of the dress was as elegant as the flowing clouds in the sky, and it fit her figure softly.

She sat down slowly on the couch, her posture dignified and elegant.

She picked up a book of poetry and turned the pages gently in her hands, making a slight rustling sound.

She lowered her eyes slightly, her thick and long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyelids, and her expression was indifferent.

Su Jingyao said calmly, "Miaoyun, send someone to invite Imperial Physician Jin, and let's go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and have Imperial Physician Jin come over to check my pulse."

Su Jingyao knew that today was not a simple matter. Although it was a fight between the Crown Princess and An Liangdi, who could guarantee that she would not be involved?

When Li Jing came, he saw Su Jingyao sitting on the couch, holding a book of poetry in her hand, reading it intently.

Her skin was as white as snow, and glowed softly under the sunlight. Even without makeup, she was still breathtakingly beautiful.

Her hair fell on her shoulders as softly as silk, swaying slightly with her movements, adding a touch of charm.

Li Jing didn't dare to look at her again. A panic surged in his heart. He quickly bent down and bowed his head, greeting her respectfully.

"I pay my respects to the Concubine."

"Get up."

Su Jingyao slowly raised her head and her eyes fell on Li Jing.

She put down the book in her hand and got up from the couch.

"I will bring Miaoyun and Miaoxia with me to the Hall of Supreme Harmony today. Please take a closer look to see if there is anything dirty on the three of us."

When Miaoyun and Miaoxia heard their master's instructions, they finally understood why their master had dressed up more than an hour in advance and asked Doctor Jin to come over. So that was the reason.

They looked at each other, their eyes full of affirmation for their master's thoughtful consideration.

"Yes, Concubine."

Li Jing stood up and simply walked around Miaoyun and Miaoxia, but did not find anything unusual.

He then circled around Su Jingyao again, looking focused and serious.

"Is Concubine using any spices today?"

Miaoxia was in charge of Su Jingyao's makeup and dressing. She spoke up as soon as Li Jing asked.

"Doctor Jin, the master has never had the habit of using spices. Normally, the master only uses flower essential oils for skin care."

Li Jing frowned slightly and fell into deep thought. His brows were tightly wrinkled, and faint lines appeared on his forehead.

Su Jingyao saw this and felt a little confused. She raised her eyebrows and asked, "Is there something wrong?"

She stared at Li Jing closely, not missing any expression on his face.

"Chuanxiong, safflower, salvia miltiorrhiza, and motherwort are common herbs for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Pregnant women should never touch them."

"Chuanxiong has a strong and unique aroma, safflower also has a unique aroma, salvia has a strong herbal flavor, and motherwort has a light grassy flavor."

"The concubine smells of motherwort. She uses ointments and essential oils to protect her skin all year round, so she already has a faint fragrance. The smell of motherwort is masked by this smell. If you don't smell it carefully, you can't even detect it with dust."

Moreover, this grassy smell is difficult to detect unless you are very familiar with the smell of motherwort.

"Maybe you can find out what on my body is contaminated with motherwort?" There was a hint of chill in her voice.

"I suggest that the concubine change her palace attire."

Li Jing's eyes revealed concern. There were so many calculations in the imperial palace. She would experience even more calculations in the future. This was only in the East Palace.

Miaoxia was shocked because she was in charge of her master's clothes. Her face turned pale instantly and she hurried forward.

"Master, I will help you into the bedroom. Please change out of your palace dress quickly. Fortunately, you have just put it on."

There was a hint of anxiety in her voice.

If the master wears this palace dress to attend His Highness' birthday banquet, the royal heir will surely be hurt in a few hours!

Su Jingyao nodded slightly and walked into the bedroom without saying a word.

Su Jingyao went into the bedroom and changed into her usual dress.

Miaoxia had just gone to the Imperial Household Department to get this palace dress a few days ago. She was pregnant and could not wear any of her previous palace dresses.

After Su Jingyao changed her clothes and went out, Li Jing walked around her and sniffed again, "My Lady Concubine, there is indeed no smell of motherwort now."

"Miaoxia, take the palace dress to Doctor Jin for a look." Su Jingyao ordered.

Miaoxia pushed the palace dress hanging on the hanger out of the bedroom, and Li Jing walked forward to take a careful look.

His brows wrinkled slightly and his expression became very serious.

"My Lady, this palace dress does smell like motherwort, and it seems to be woven with needlework?"

Li Jing spoke slowly, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Su Jingyao walked slowly around the palace dress, her eyes carefully examining every detail of the dress, not missing any suspicious spots.

On the surface, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this palace dress.

If it was a problem with the needle and thread, then when the Imperial Household Department presented it, the silk thread used to sew this palace dress had already been soaked in motherwort juice?

Su Jingyao pondered secretly, with a thoughtful look on her face.

Miaoxia also stepped forward, approached the palace dress, and carefully examined the intricate and exquisite embroidery on it.

Her eyes were fixed on the embroidery, without blinking, for fear of missing any details.

Suddenly, her brows frowned and a look of surprise appeared on her face.

"Master, the embroidery marks on these threads seem to be different." Miaoxia's voice contained a hint of doubt.

Upon hearing this, Su Jingyao walked forward, raised her hand and gently stroked the lines, with a solemn expression on her face.

It looked as if someone had re-embroidered it with new thread over the original stitches.

If that is the case, then there is a traitor in her Xiyan Palace!

Su Jingyao's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness for a moment, but her face remained calm.

He sat back on the couch, placed the soft pillow under his waist, half lying down, his body leaning back slightly, looking a little lazy.

"Miaoxia, call in those palace maids who are good at embroidery. I want to know who could do such a thing under my nose."

When she spoke, her eyes were sharp, making people afraid to approach her easily.

Miaoxia thought about it and realized that the only ones with good embroidery skills in Xiyan Palace were Ru'er and Meng'er.

She brought them both in.

"This servant pays respects to the concubine."

Ru'er and Meng'er saluted, their voices filled with respect and nervousness.

"Get up, I asked you to come in because Miaoxia said you are good at embroidery. I want to embroider a purse for His Highness, but it is inconvenient because I am pregnant. Today I want to see your embroidery skills."

Su Jingyao's voice was calm and gentle, and she continued, "Whoever of you embroiders best will embroider a purse for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Miaoxia, take two embroidered handkerchiefs and let them embroider a cloud. Let's see their skills."

After Su Jingyao gave the instructions, her eyes fell on Ru'er and Meng'er, her eyes full of well-intentioned expectations.

When Ru'er and Meng'er heard this, a look of surprise appeared on their faces, and a hint of joy flashed in their eyes.

This is a purse embroidered for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. If His Royal Highness likes it, there will be many rewards, and I can even show my face in front of His Royal Highness!

The two were secretly delighted and full of anticipation for this rare opportunity.

The two of them took the embroidery pattern prepared by Miaoxia, and with slightly trembling hands, they began to sew carefully stitch by stitch.

They were fully focused, their fingers dancing nimbly, as if they were weaving a beautiful dream.

A quarter of an hour later, Miaoxia took over the embroidery patterns from the two people, carefully examined the stitches of the two people, and then carefully examined the final knotting method.

"Ru'er, your embroidery is very good. Please stay. Meng'er still needs to practice her needlework skills. Please go out." Miaoxia said with a hint of majesty in her voice.

Meng'er pursed her lips, a trace of loss and unwillingness revealed in her eyes, and she bit her lips lightly.

She sighed in her heart that her embroidery skills were inferior to Ru'er's, and such a good opportunity was lost.

She bowed slowly and then quietly left the hall.

Ru'er's lips curled up slightly, with a smile on her face, her heart filled with pride and honor.

She could actually embroider a purse for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her!

This would greatly enhance her status among the ladies in the East Palace.

When Su Jingyao saw Miaoxia left Ru'er behind, she understood everything.

The palace maid named Ru'er must have tied the knots in the same way as the embroidery on the palace dress. Although the embroidery patterns of the palace dresses are imitated from the original embroidery patterns, each person's knotting method may be different.

It just so happened that, Ruer and Menger, Ruer's knotting method matched the one on the palace dress.

While Ru'er was immersed in her joy, Su Jingyao's indifferent eyes suddenly became sharp and swept towards her like a sword.

"Did you embroider the newly added embroidery on this palace dress?"

As he spoke, he pointed at the palace dress beside him.

Ruer shuddered and her body instantly stiffened, as if she had been cast under a spell.

But she quickly suppressed her nervousness and knelt on her knees, "Master, I don't know what you are talking about?"

She lowered her head, making it impossible to see her expression.

Su Jingyao only needed to look at her body's reaction in that instant to confirm her guess.

Obviously, the mouse was caught correctly.