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The Wife Ran Away with the Master’s Concubine 147.1

Part 1

 

On the thirteenth of July, You Yuji left home early and boarded a carriage heading to the Zhao residence—today was Jiang Chun’s due date. From a few days ago, You Yuji had sent Lady Jing to help. It was said that Jiang Chun had been experiencing intermittent abdominal pain since last night, and this morning the pain had become more frequent and severe. The baby was expected to be born today.

 

The wheels of the carriage rattled in her ears, and Zhenxu looked at You Yuji with some concern and said, “Madam, I heard that someone in your condition should avoid such things. It’s busy and chaotic during childbirth, and I’m afraid it might not be good for you.”

 

You Yuji, leaning against the wall of the carriage, was lost in thought. Hearing Zhenxu’s words, her gaze unconsciously shifted downwards, falling on her own belly. She was now just over four months pregnant, but she was already starting to show. Her summer dress was light and thin, and her waist was naturally slender. As she reclined, the clothes clung to her body, making her belly more noticeable.

 

“It doesn’t matter,” You Yuji smiled, retracting her gaze and continuing to lean against the soft cushion, lost in her thoughts again.

 

Zhenxu didn’t persuade further and poured a cup of warm water, placing it beside You Yuji.

 

You Yuji was worried about Jiang Chun while also thinking about the war. A few days ago, news of a major defeat on the frontline reached them. During the morning court, His Majesty vomited blood and fainted, subsequently falling gravely ill. Now, rumors were spreading that His Majesty didn’t have much time left.

 

In his youth, His Majesty had fought many battles, accumulating numerous injuries. At his advanced age, he could no longer endure such stress. Unifying the twelve kingdoms was his lifelong obsession, the drive that kept the aging emperor going. His Majesty’s heavy obsession with achieving this goal meant he feared he wouldn’t live to see the twelve kingdoms united. The news of the defeat had hit him hard, and he couldn’t take it.

 

You Yuji lifted the curtain by the bedside and looked out.

 

Since the day His Majesty fainted, the number of soldiers and officials from various factions in the capital had been increasing daily. His Majesty, now aged and frail, had never firmly established an heir due to his fear of choosing the wrong person who wouldn’t carry on his grand ambitions. But for decades, having no legitimate and trusted heir had been detrimental.

 

You Yuji gazed at the soldiers hurrying outside the window, thinking that something significant might soon happen in the capital. Suddenly, she saw Chen Qi turning the corner, and she quickly let the curtain fall.

 

In the midst of the impending storm, You Yuji suddenly remembered Si Que’s calm reassurance for her to rest and nurture her pregnancy the last time he returned.

 

You Yuji frowned.

 

She actually knew what Si Que was planning. She looked at the gently rippling water in the porcelain cup on the small table in front of her, feeling a bit confused. She wasn’t sure if the path Si Que had chosen was the right one.

 

In the sweltering summer, the carriage passed by a locust tree on the roadside, and the piercing cicadas’ cries drilled into the carriage, falling into You Yuji’s ears. The noise was incessant.

 

You Yuji straightened up and took a few sips from the cup of warm water.

 

Her furrowed brow gradually relaxed.

 

Before arriving at the Zhao residence, You Yuji imagined Jiang Chun screaming and crying, Zhao Sheng sweating profusely as he paced back and forth, and the maids and elderly women rushing about.

 

However, in reality, when she stepped into the small courtyard, she saw two maids, about fifteen or sixteen years old, dozing under the eaves. The courtyard was quiet and peaceful.

 

The two maids, upon seeing a guest arrive, immediately stood up and greeted her politely.

 

Lady Jing also came out of the house to greet You Yuji. She frowned disapprovingly and said, “Why did you come, Madam?”

 

You Yuji didn’t answer but asked softly, “How is Ah Chun?”

 

As she asked, she walked inside with the few people around her.

 

Jiang Chun, who was inside, had already heard You Yuji’s voice and called out eagerly, “Yuan Yuan, you’re here!”

 

Hearing Jiang Chun’s voice, You Yuji noted that it was cheerful and not much different from her usual lively tone, not quite like someone about to give birth.

 

The maid lifted the curtain for You Yuji, who stepped into the well-shaded inner room and saw Jiang Chun lying on the bed, holding a book in her hand.

 

The midwife and a few experienced women were waiting nearby, each with a cheerful smile on their face.

 

“Didn’t you say you started labor last night?” You Yuji asked as she walked to the bedside. Jiang Chun put down her book and reached out to You Yuji.

 

You Yuji held her hand and sat down by the bed, glancing at the book Jiang Chun had casually tossed aside. To her surprise, she found it was “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.”

 

“Yes, I was in labor all night, but this morning, the baby calmed down,” Jiang Chun said with a laugh, patting her large belly. “Maybe it’s asleep?”

 

Seeing Jiang Chun’s carefree smile, You Yuji couldn’t help but smile too and asked, “Where’s Zhao Sheng?”

 

“He went to the kitchen to make osmanthus cake for me,” Jiang Chun smacked her lips, feeling even hungrier. She looked past You Yuji towards the door and complained, “He’s so slow! He better not still be cooking by the time I give birth!”

 

As soon as Jiang Chun finished speaking, she suddenly cried out, “Ouch, it’s happening! It’s really happening this time!”

 

The women in the room immediately began to busy themselves in an orderly manner. You Yuji had already stood up and moved to the side, waiting anxiously.

 

However, after Jiang Chun had been in pain for a long time, the activity subsided again.

 

Jiang Chun groaned and complained, “It’s all Zhao Sheng’s fault!”

 

Jiang Chun repeatedly and emphatically claimed that she was about to give birth, but each time nothing happened. Initially, every time she said it was really happening, You Yuji would get anxious. After a whole day of fussing, it was only when the sun was about to set that Jiang Chun’s baby finally arrived with a loud cry.

 

The midwife happily announced that it was a boy.

 

You Yuji glanced at the newborn baby before turning her attention to Jiang Chun. Usually a fiery and bold person who even dared to ride horses while pregnant, Jiang Chun now lay weakly on the bed, her face wet with sweat or perhaps tears.

 

You Yuji bent down and wiped her face with a cloth.

 

“I’ll do it, I’ll do it!” Zhao Sheng hurried in from outside and took over from You Yuji, personally attending to Jiang Chun. Jiang Chun, clearly exhausted, quietly closed her eyes.

 

You Yuji went to the outer room and watched the newborn for a while. Knowing the household was busy, she left without having the maids inform Zhao Sheng, to avoid him coming to see her off.

 

After a day of rushing around, You Yuji was exhausted. On the way back, she leaned against the bumpy carriage wall, drifting in and out of sleep. When the carriage stopped in front of the You residence, Zhenxu alighted first, setting the footstool in place. Lady Jing was wrapping You Yuji in a large cloak, preparing to carry the sleeping You Yuji down.

 

Zhenxu suddenly let out a soft “ah,” and Lady Jing turned back displeased, scolding, “Don’t wake the lady.”

 

It was already dark. After speaking, Lady Jing noticed Si Que standing beside Zhenxu. He was dressed in his Poison Pavilion Master’s attire, with a crimson mask covering his face.

 

In the dim light, Zhenxu hadn’t noticed Si Que until he was very close, which startled her.

 

Si Que looked into the carriage. On the small table inside, a lamp cast a soft, yellow glow over You Yuji.

 

“Asleep?” Si Que asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

Si Que personally lifted You Yuji out of the carriage. Half-asleep, You Yuji opened her eyes and saw his fearsome crimson mask. She frowned slightly and turned her face to the side, burying it in his chest.

 

Si Que adjusted the cloak wrapped around her and carried her into the You residence.

 

Lady Jing watched Si Que’s retreating back and sighed softly. She wasn’t very satisfied with Si Que. More precisely, she was dissatisfied with You Yuji’s current situation. She felt that being in a relationship without a clear status and even lacking regular companionship was unfair to You Yuji. However, this was the path You Yuji had chosen, and she didn’t seem to mind much. As a servant, Lady Jing could only keep her regrets to herself.

 

Chen Qi stood in an inconspicuous corner, frowning as he watched the Poison Pavilion Master carry You Yuji off the carriage and into the You residence. Even after the gate closed, he remained there, his brow furrowed.

 

On that day at the Eastern Palace, he had tried to take You Yuji away but was refused. He couldn’t understand it. However, the Poison Pavilion Master had soon after disrupted what should have been a peaceful Lantern Festival, causing numerous casualties and leading to the Crown Prince being deposed. By the time he had realized and returned to the small courtyard to find You Yuji, she was already gone.

 

News spread from the Jinnan Prince residence that You Yuji had returned to her family home to care for her sick mother.

 

Was this really the case?

 

Countless times he had stood here waiting, yet he had never seen You Yuji. Later, when he saw her again, he watched from a distance. She still had that gentle smile, as warm as ever.

 

Watching her from afar had long become a habit for Chen Qi.

 

Until a few days ago, when he stood in the shadows watching You Yuji in her thin summer clothes. A gust of wind blew, lifting her light dress and revealing her slightly protruding belly.

 

For a moment, Chen Qi was stunned.

 

Had he seen wrong?

 

The night wind in summer was stifling. Chen Qi looked at the tightly closed gate in the distance, feeling a bit suffocated.

 

Many things slowly became clear.

 

The day he was attacked, the Poison Pavilion Master had appeared.

 

When she was taken to the Eastern Palace by the Crown Prince, the Poison Pavilion Master appeared again.

 

And now, he saw with his own eyes the Poison Pavilion Master carrying You Yuji inside.

 

It couldn’t be clearer.

 

That day at the Eastern Palace, she refused to go with him not because she was worried about implicating him, nor because she thought his plan was too reckless, but because… he was not the one she was waiting for.

 

Understanding everything, Chen Qi’s brow furrowed even deeper.

 

Was someone like the Poison Pavilion Master truly a good match for her? The unease in his chest made it hard for Chen Qi to even breathe.

 

After a long while, Chen Qi turned and walked back to his residence.

 

As soon as he returned to the Prince Pinghuai residence, a servant immediately came up to him, whispering in his ear. Without any expression, Chen Qi walked towards his father’s study. Before he even got close, he could hear his father’s furious voice.

 

“Father,” Chen Qi stepped into the study, glancing at the mess all over the floor.

 

“Has His Majesty lost his mind?” Prince Pinghuai was furious. He strode towards Chen Qi, his eyes wide with both shock and anger. “The name written on the decree is Prince Shengxiang? Ha, he must be out of his mind! Prince Shengxiang, who is not on good terms with his brothers, who framed the former Crown Prince and attempted to assassinate you, was exiled to his fief. And now he’s made Crown Prince? Ha, is His Majesty senile or mad? No, no… not senile, but mad!”

 

Just when they thought the throne was within reach, an unexpected decree slapped Prince Pinghuai in the face, making it hard for him to accept.

 

Chen Qi looked at his enraged father and suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion.

 

He spoke calmly, “Fourth Uncle never tried to assassinate me, nor did he attempt to frame the former Crown Prince.”

 

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