Chapter 42

When the guards stationed at the Xiao family gate finally withdrew, everyone knew that the tide had turned for the Xiao family.

Soon, they saw Old Madam Xiao leading Xie Yunyan and Su Jinyuan back to the Xiao residence in the emperor’s carriage. Accompanying them were the imperial physician and palace personnel, who carried a golden-thread nanmu coffin containing Xiao Jin’s and others’ remains.

Everyone understood. The Xiao family had won.

“Old Madam, His Majesty has already ordered that General Xiao and his men be interred for now, with the Ministry of Rites handling the funeral arrangements. Once the Linchuan matter is fully investigated and concluded, He will personally issue an edict to announce it to the world. Please, Sixth Young Master, take good care of your injuries.”

Feng Huan said in a gentle tone, “His Majesty also expects the Xiao family to produce another valiant general.”

Old Madam Xiao’s eyes harbored a trace of sarcasm that she did not show outwardly; she merely led Su Jinyuan in bowing in thanks, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Xie Yunyan began to move as if to stand, but Feng Huan quickly restrained him, saying, “Madam and Sixth Young Master, there’s no need for further courtesy. Our household must return to the palace to report, so please allow me to take my leave now.”

Old Madam Xiao saw Feng Huan escorted out. Only after he had gone did she turn around to see the gathering of Eldest Madam Xiao, Steward Deng, Nanny Chen, and the various servants of the Xiao family in the Xiao courtyard.

“It’s all over now,” she said softly. “Little Sixth is home—the Xiao family will be alright.”

Everyone was overwhelmed with joy and burst into tears.

The coffin was placed in the courtyard. Eldest Madam Xiao and Second Madam Xiao clutched their heads in grief and wept bitterly while Huo Rou rushed over to Wei Wanyun. Embracing her, Huo Rou alternated between crying and laughing, “It’s all over now; it really is all over…”

Wei Wanyun’s face was as pale as paper; with reddened eyes, she shed tears, “It’s over, it’s over…”

“Darling, did you see? The Xiao family is safe.” But as Wei Wanyun suddenly clutched her stomach in pain and her vision began to black out in waves, just as a smile appeared on her face, her eyes closed, and she collapsed to the ground.

“Third Sister-in-law!”

“Wanyun!!”

Huo Rou was startled and quickly grabbed Wei Wanyun, preventing her from hitting the ground. Second Madam Xiao and the others then gathered around her.

Wei Wanyun looked as pale as paper; her eyes tightly closed as her frail form trembled.

Old Madam Xiao stepped forward, picked her up, and quickly led her into the house while the rest followed. Once inside, Xie Yunyan steadied himself by gripping Su Jinyuan’s arm and then addressed the elderly man with a white beard who had now joined them, “Doctor Gao, could you please check on my Third Brother’s wife?”

Doctor Gao, who was well aware of the happenings in the palace and knew that the Xiao family—now having had their grievances cleared—might still be destined for great fortune, did not dare to delay. He immediately went forward to take Wei Wanyun’s pulse. However, as soon as he felt her pulse, his expression froze in shock.

“This is…”

Quickly, he switched hands to check again. Observing the deep concern etched on his face, Old Madam Xiao and those around her couldn’t help but worry.

“Doctor Gao, what is the condition of my granddaughter-in-law?” Old Madam Xiao inquired anxiously.

After hesitating, Doctor Gao replied, “Old Madam, the Third Young Master’s wife exhibits a joyous pulse.”

“A joyous… joyous pulse?!” Eldest Madam Xiao was stunned, and soon, every member of the Xiao family in the room fell silent in astonishment. When they finally grasped the implication of Doctor Gao’s words, an expression of wild joy spread across their faces.

Could it be that Wei Wanyun was pregnant?!

“Is what you’re saying true? Is she really expecting?” Eldest Madam Xiao asked with a delighted smile.

Su Jinyuan also felt the hand of Xie Yunyan—who had been steadying her—tighten. Turning her head, she saw the young man’s eyes widen in astonishment, yet the corners of his eyes and eyebrows betrayed a hint of uncontrollable glee. Her own mouth curved upward in a smile.

Doctor Gao, glancing nervously at the assembled crowd, pressed on, “The Third Young Master’s wife is indeed pregnant, and she’s already over three months along. But…”

“But what?” Eldest Madam Xiao interrupted urgently.

“However, the Third Young Master’s wife has been excessively anxious. Moreover, after experiencing extreme sorrow and extreme joy—having clashed with someone and been injured, and then having been caught in the rain and chilled—I’m afraid that this child might…”

And with that, the news hung uncertainly in the air.

Doctor Gao’s further words went unspoken, but everyone understood exactly what he meant.

Old Madam Xiao’s face instantly paled several shades, and Eldest Madam Xiao—who had just been overjoyed—suddenly looked horrified, her body staggering nearly to collapse.

“Mother!” Huo Rou immediately rushed to support her.

Ignoring the dizziness clouding her mind, Eleest Madam Xiao turned anxiously to Doctor Gao and pleaded, “Doctor Gao, I beg you, please save this child—I beg you…”

Doctor Gao, who already knew that all of the Xiao family’s sons had perished in battle, understood that the baby in Wei Wanyun’s womb was the posthumous child of the Third Young Master—the only remaining bloodline in the Xiao family besides that young lady. He said gravely, “I will do my utmost to treat her, but the condition of the Third Young Master’s wife is truly dire. The baby is still very premature, and her body is weak. You must be prepared for the worst…”

He added with regret, “I may not be able to save her.”

At his words, Eldest Madam Xiao’s vision darkened.

Even though her heart ached, Old Madam Xiao managed to speak: “Please, Doctor Gao, do your best to treat her. On behalf of the Xiao family, I thank you.”

“Old Madam, please don’t insist—I cannot accept such lavish courtesy,” Doctor Gao replied quickly as he stepped aside. Then, turning to the assembled members of the Xiao family, he said, “Madam, please have someone fetch some hot mugwort water. I’ll begin by applying acupuncture for the Third Young Master’s wife. Also, I’ll write a prescription immediately—have someone go and fetch the medicine. As for Sixth Young Master’s injury…”

“I’m fine,” Xie Yunyan interjected. “First, save Third Sister-in-law!”

“Wait a moment.” Old Madam Xiao called after Doctor Gao, “Huo Rou, come here.”

Huo Rou, as if understanding Old Madam Xiao’s meaning, stepped forward, her eyes filled with hopeful expectation as she looked toward Doctor Gao. Old Madam Xiao said, “Please, Doctor Xiao, also examine her.”

Doctor Gao checked Huo Rou’s pulse and, after a brief moment, shook his head, “The Fourth Young Master’s wife shows no sign of a joy pulse.”

In an instant, Huo Rou’s eyes lost their light; Old Madam Xiao gently stroked her hair in consolation before turning back to Doctor Gao and saying, “Thank you, Doctor Gao. Please, do everything you can to save my granddaughter-in-law. Just tell me anything you need, and I’ll have it fetched immediately.”

The rest of the Xiao family slowly withdrew from the room. Nanny Chen hurriedly sent someone to bring hot water and then had another person take out the prescription to buy the necessary medicine.

Everyone anxiously watched the tightly sealed door, praying that nothing would go wrong with the child in Wei Wanyun’s womb.

As time passed, their anxiety mounted. When Doctor Gao finally emerged from the room, his face was etched with panic: “This is bad—the Third Young Master’s wife has started bleeding. I fear the child cannot be saved…”

Eldest Madam Xiao staggered and then collapsed to the floor, and Huo Rou and the others stood with red, tearful eyes.

Seeing the blood staining Doctor Gao’s hand, Su Jinyuan suddenly slapped her own face.

Xie Yunyan, reacting quickly, grabbed her wrist and demanded, “What are you doing?”

With tears in her voice, Su Jinyuan looked up and choked, “It’s all my fault—I should have thought of this. How could I have not foreseen it?”

Xiao Yunquan and the others had only been away from the capital for just over a month, while Wei Wanyun and Huo Rou had long been married into the Xiao family and had always been devoted to their husbands. Perhaps even before leaving the capital, Wei Wanyun and the others were already expecting.

“I should have foreseen this. I shouldn’t have taken her along when we stormed the palace. I should have had her stay at home. If her child can’t be saved…I…how could I ever face the Xiao family?”

Previously, when Su Jinyuan had been endangered by blades at the palace gates, not a single tear had fallen. But now, her eyes were red, her face ashen, and her hands trembling uncontrollably. Though she had never wept under such dire circumstances before, at this moment, she looked utterly distraught.