Chapter 71: The Best for You

“Master…” Qing’er said cautiously.

After a pause, Xia Tong softly replied, “Please let her in.”

She still needed to have her breakfast. Ever since she got pregnant, her meals had become exceptionally light, and her room was carpeted to prevent any falls. When Fang Yu entered with someone, Xia Tong stood up and performed a half-bow.

“Since the princess is expecting, there’s no need to worry about such mundane formalities.”

Princess Changyang quickly stepped forward to assist her, casually glancing around the elegantly decorated room, feeling a mix of emotions. Hearing about it was one thing, but seeing it was another.

“Etiquette should not be neglected,” Xia Tong smiled and slowly sat down, glancing at her. “It seems the princess is quite well-informed. Not many people know about this matter.”

The woman across from her wore a pale purple palace gown and had already removed her fox fur coat, handing it to her maid. Upon hearing Xia Tong, a gentle smile appeared on her delicate face. “There are no secrets in this world, especially not regarding such a joyous occasion.”

The room fell into a heavy silence, and Fang Yu and the others discreetly withdrew. With just the two of them left, the stillness deepened, and even their breathing felt loud.

After taking a sip of porridge, Xia Tong gazed at the pastries before her and said lightly, “Good news and happy events naturally cannot escape the princess’s attention.”

She then casually remarked, “Speaking of which, the princess and the prince do have a bond. If it weren’t for Concubine Liu’s passing, the princess might have already married the prince and wouldn’t be here today.”

Xia Tong believed that a princess should have her own thoughts and considerations. The relationship between Gu Qin and the royal family was fraught with danger. Eventually, one side would fall. What could Princess Changyang gain from marrying him? Yet, Xia Tong noticed that the princess didn’t seem unwilling. Could it be that someone still liked Gu Qin despite his notorious reputation?

Princess Changyang smiled lightly but said nothing. Instead, she walked to the window, gazing at the snowflakes falling outside, her eyes filled with a tinge of bitterness. Some things were simply beyond her control.

“The same could be said for you, Princess. If it weren’t for that accident, I would be calling you sister-in-law right now,” she replied softly.

Xia Tong set down her spoon and fixed her gaze on the woman by the window. “There are countless unexpected events in this world, and no one can say for certain. It’s most important to cherish what we have now. Once you take a wrong turn, there may be no way back.”

As a princess, marrying anyone would guarantee a life of honor and favor, but Xia Tong truly couldn’t understand what was going through the other woman’s mind.

“But what if it was wrong from the beginning?” Princess Changyang suddenly turned around, looking intently at the uniquely beautiful woman. Her voice carried a hint of bitterness. “What you can give the prince, I can give it to him too. Whatever the prince desires, I can provide, no matter what.”

As their eyes met, Xia Tong displayed a trace of astonishment, not expecting that the princess would be willing to forsake her royal family for Gu Qin.

“All I want is to stay by the prince’s side. Do you understand?” The princess slowly approached, her brow filled with determination.

No one can stop it.

The room fell silent again. Xia Tong didn’t speak. At this point, there was nothing more to say. The other party had come to inform her that she must marry into the Regent’s residence. A woman’s ambition knows no bounds, and once she married into the Regent’s residence, she would surely want even more.

“The princess is joking. You’ve long wanted to marry into the Regent’s residence so you can always be by the Prince Regent’s side,” she said lightly.

Princess Changyang didn’t respond immediately but stared at her for a long time. After a moment, she slowly smiled and said gently, “It’s getting late. Take good care of yourself, princess.”

With that, she opened the door. A cold wind rushed in, and the maid quickly draped fox fur over her shoulders. Looking at the snow falling outside, she suddenly recalled what her mother had said. Some things were simply beyond her control.

Once the princess left, Fang Yu hurried back inside, only to find Xia Tong calmly enjoying her breakfast. She had no idea what Princess Changyang had just said.

“The princess’s visit to the Regent’s residence is certainly not just for idle chatter. I heard she went to the study to find the prince earlier. I wonder if the prince saw her,” Fang Yu remarked.

Even without much appetite, Xia Tong forced herself to drink a few more spoonfuls of congee. She waved Fang Yu away and grabbed a sour plum from the cabinet, wincing at the sourness.

“The prince’s affairs will be handled by him. You should spend more time with my mother when you’re free so she doesn’t keep making me drink various soups. I’m not tired of it, but the baby in my belly surely is,” she said.

Fang Yu chuckled softly, and Xia Tong picked up her book before leaving the room. According to the time, her mother would be bringing soup soon, so she could only stay at Gu Qin’s place to avoid her mother.

Xifeng was still outside her courtyard, unwavering in his watch. When he saw her emerge, he dutifully followed her. Xia Tong glanced at Fang Yu holding the umbrella for her. Xifeng was a reliable person. She would have to ask Fang Yu about her thoughts someday, especially since they weren’t getting any younger.

“By the way, you’ve been with the prince for so long. Do you know anything about his relationship with Princess Changyang?” Xia Tong suddenly turned to Xifeng.

Upon hearing this, he frowned in thought and followed her calmly over the shallow snow, shaking his head slightly. “Master and Princess Changyang have only met once. At that time, there was an assassin trying to kill the Master, and after the assassin was killed by his subordinates, Princess Changyang witnessed it. Master didn’t pay her any mind, and they haven’t seen each other since.”

Xia Tong pondered this, lowering her head. A woman’s thoughts are always fickle, and no one knows what Princess Changyang is thinking. However, if she insists on marrying into the Regent’s residence, given Gu Qin’s notorious reputation, he certainly wouldn’t let her off easily.

Upon arriving at the study, she quickly brushed the snow off her clothes and stepped inside. The room was still warm from the burning charcoal, but it was empty.

If Gu Qin had gone out, Xifeng would know. But with such a small study, where else could he be?

Suddenly struck by an idea, she approached the bookshelf and pushed against it with all her strength, but it didn’t budge. Frowning, she started to feel along the spines of the books, thinking there had to be something.

Just then, the bookshelf slowly moved aside, startling her. Gu Qin suddenly emerged from behind it, holding a small wooden box. Seeing her sneaking around outside, he couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

“What are you up to, you little spy?”

The bookshelf began to close again. Xia Tong glanced back at the hidden passage and pouted. “You always accuse me unjustly. I just wanted to see if you were in there.”

Wrapping his arm around her waist, Gu Qin casually set the box on the table and gently patted her head. “I think you were trying to steal something.”

“How can you always assume I’m guilty?”

Xia Tong puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him in dissatisfaction. Aside from saving the heroine in the past, when had she ever betrayed him?

Perhaps she had gained a little weight these past few days. Her face had rounded out. Gu Qin pinched her cheeks lightly, his gaze growing even more intense.

“I’ll be going out tomorrow. You’d better not wander around the palace,” he said in a deep voice.

Seeing his expression, Xia Tong knew he was up to something again. She looked at him softly and asked, “Is it dangerous?”

Since getting pregnant, she has become more sensitive. She was worried something might happen to him. Even though he could be very ruthless at times, she had grown accustomed to his presence, no matter how fierce he was.

Meeting her clear eyes, which now held a trace of worry, Gu Qin’s expression darkened. He suddenly leaned down and kissed her forehead, his voice low and solemn. “This king wants to give you the best.”