Zhuang Dongqing felt a bit uncomfortable after calming down from the excitement. After all, there was still something inside her. She had already decided not to rely on the male lead. Once her thoughts slipped, it was like swimming in a sea of difficulties. So, she decided to take a backstroke approach. First, lie flat. She drank some hot water, calmed herself, and asked Liu Fu to bring paper and pen.

In less than half an hour, the paper went from her hands to Liu Fu’s, then to Liu Mama, and finally ended up in the lady’s fingers. Bi Shuyu looked at the words on it and read expressionlessly: “Roast duck, chicken stewed with mushrooms (the mushrooms must be fresh), chopped pepper fish head, plus a vegetable soup, and no other vegetarian dishes.”

Bi Shuyu looked at Liu Mama. Liu Mama confirmed, “Yes, these are the dishes the second young master ordered, saying he wants to eat them tonight.”

“……”

The paper was crumpled in the lady’s fingers, “What does he take the Zhuang family for, he…”

Liu Mama quickly advised, “Madam, don’t get angry, you’re still sick, and besides, this isn’t really a big deal.”

Indeed, it wasn’t. The harm wasn’t great, but the insult was strong. What did he take her for…

Seeing Bi Shuyu’s expression was off, Liu Mama quickly said many good things, coaxing her repeatedly.

Bi Shuyu took a deep breath. Don’t get angry with a fool. Don’t get angry with a fool. Don’t get angry with a fool. She repeated it three times in her heart, then gritted her teeth and said, “Make it for him!”

That night, Zhuang Dongqing devoured three bowls of rice. Delicious. Burp.

At the Dali Temple.

Liu Qi placed the exam papers on the desk, “Master, the candidates for these papers, along with the remaining officials, have been interrogated by the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate today.”

He took out a list from his sleeve, “Those circled in red and black are considered problem-free by both the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate. If the Dali Temple also agrees today, they should be released again.”

Cen Yan took the list and glanced at it, “Who used the red pen?”

“The Censorate.”

Cen Yan’s gaze fell on a corner. Zhuang Xingchang’s name had a black circle but no red circle. Next to it, Zhuang Yue’s name had no circle at all.

Liu Qi also noticed Cen Yan’s gaze, hesitated, and stood for a while. Cen Yan asked, “Anything else?”

“Just a small matter,” Liu Qi reported, “Master Zhuang and his eldest son were both taken to the Ministry of Justice. The Zhuang family has two candidates this year. When they were taken, the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate both suggested bringing the second young master of the Zhuang family for questioning, but you denied it. Today, the Left Censor asked about it again, wanting a reason.”

Cen Yan calmly said, “There are no secret codes on Zhuang Dongqing’s exam paper.”

Liu Qi said, “The Left Censor believes this only proves that the second young master didn’t collude with the examiners, but it doesn’t prove he wasn’t leaked the questions. Moreover, since Master Zhuang and the eldest young master were taken, the Censor thinks the second young master shouldn’t be left out, should…”

“Should be taken for questioning without distinguishing right from wrong, is that what he means?”

Cen Yan’s tone was flat, but Liu Qi couldn’t figure out his thoughts, so he respectfully lowered his head. After a moment, there was a light chuckle.

“If he has time to ask me, he could figure it out himself.”

Cen Yan pulled out a stack of rice paper from under the desk and tossed it on the table, “Take this to the Left Censor. If he pesters again, just impeach him for dereliction of duty. His Majesty is already furious about the exam case. If he finds out other princes are involved, next time I’ll have to visit his house at midnight.”

Liu Qi opened it and was surprised to find it was the articles and poems he had previously collected while investigating Zhuang Dongqing.

“This is…?”

“Probably really broke his brain,” Cen Yan stared at the writings, pausing with an unclear meaning, “The exam answers mostly consist of entire sections copied from previous coursework. If the questions were leaked, wouldn’t he find a famous teacher to polish and refine them?”

How could they be exactly the same as before?

Frowning, Cen Yan added, “Since you have to see the Left Censor, ask him why they didn’t circle Zhuang Xingchang, a minor official during the spring exams.”

After ordering dishes for two days, six meals a day, Zhuang Dongqing finally felt alive again. Unfortunately, happy times are always short-lived.

Before bed, Zhuang Dongqing touched her full stomach, thinking about her decision, just hoping these meals weren’t her last, sending her on her way.

She slept until daylight. Strangely, after deciding not to find Li Yang, Zhuang Dongqing slept soundly. Even though she didn’t know where the road ahead led, she was no longer anxious. Anyway… the result should come soon, whether life or death, it wouldn’t torment her.

Thinking this way, Zhuang Dongqing felt relieved, her mental burden lifted, and her whole body felt much lighter. But, happy times are always short-lived.

After breakfast, both she and Liu Fu changed clothes. Before going out, Zhuang Dongqing wanted to practice some calligraphy to calm her mind. After making two mistakes with traditional characters, she let herself go, letting simplified characters run rampant, not correcting them, not wanting to.

After copying two sheets, she burned them as usual. Turning around, Liu Fu stood at the door with a bundle, ready to go.

Zhuang Dongqing untied her apron, took a deep breath, and said, “Let’s go.”

In the morning, they strolled through the market, eating along the way. At noon, they chose a restaurant they previously couldn’t afford, got a private room, ordered a table full of dishes, and after eating, Zhuang Dongqing found a teahouse, ordered two cups of tea, and took a nap on the table.

After the nap, basking in the sunlight streaming through the window, everything outside was bathed in golden light. The street was bustling with people, from commoners in plain clothes to wealthy young masters passing by with fan handles, and even nagging, old-fashioned scholars. Zhuang Dongqing suddenly realized she hadn’t really looked at this world calmly.

Hmm, there’s still some time. From here to the prince’s mansion, it would take a while.

After drinking two cups of tea to refresh herself, before leaving, Zhuang Dongqing confirmed with Liu Fu, “Did you bring everything Liu Mama gave?”

Liu Fu patted his chest, “Don’t worry, young master, I have everything.”

Zhuang Dongqing: “What about the letter I wrote yesterday?”

“It’s in the bundle.”

“Do you remember the location?”

Liu Fu recited the contact address left by Li Yang. After reciting, Liu Fu proactively said, “The clothes you packed, two sets each, I’ve folded them all, and the monthly savings are in there too.” He patted the bundle.

Zhuang Dongqing stood up, stretched, “Alright, let’s go.”

Liu Fu finished his tea before getting up, being thrifty, not wasting a drop.

The Zhuang residence was in the west of the city. Zhuang Xingchang, a minor official, could live in that house thanks to his wife’s family. The prince’s mansion was different. The current Duke of Dingxi was prestigious, and his mansion was granted in the south of the city.

Entering the southern city area, the attire of passersby became more luxurious. Zhuang Dongqing glanced at a stewardess who just brushed past her, then looked down at her own clothes. The servants of noble families wore better materials than she did.

After greeting the Duke of Dingxi’s mansion, recognizing the door from afar, Zhuang Dongqing headed to the nearest teahouse. Upstairs, she chose a spot with a view of the mansion’s gate and ordered Liu Fu a cup of tea.

Zhuang Dongqing: “If I don’t come out by sunset, take that letter and go to that place.”

Go find Li Yang.

Liu Fu: “Will Young Master Ji save you?”

Apparently, he had also heard of the Duke of Dingxi’s notorious reputation.

Zhuang Dongqing choked for a moment, only saying, “He’ll understand after reading the letter, just listen to him.”

Thinking for a moment, she added, “Unless Young Master Ji personally asks you for something, keep everything else safe.”

“Got it, young master, I’ll handle it well!”

Looking at Liu Fu’s determined expression, Zhuang Dongqing’s lips moved. She wanted to say something more, but in the end, after a long gaze, she only said, “Then I’m relieved.”

“Alright, young master, you should go.”

“……Okay.”

Stopping the excessive chatter, Zhuang Dongqing walked away quickly without looking back.

Once away from Liu Fu, standing on the street, Zhuang Dongqing allowed herself a moment of daze. These days, she ate well, slept well, and hadn’t experienced morning sickness again. Actually, life was quite smooth.

Unfortunately, this kind of life couldn’t last forever.

Steadying her mind, Zhuang Dongqing moved forward again. To find Cen Yan.

Yes, this was the last non-solution she came up with. Since the original body would eventually marry the Duke of Dingxi, worrying about escaping the plot line, she might as well accelerate to the end.

Of course, there might be two outcomes. Cen Yan listens to her and keeps her. The second outcome is that Cen Yan, without a word, kills her.

Both are fine. The former means continuing to endure ancient life in a different place. The latter, a quick death, is also a relief.

Even confiscating a family requires a few days in the Ministry of Justice before being dragged to the execution ground. If she could skip the torture and resolve it in a day, Zhuang Dongqing felt she wasn’t that afraid of death.

Of course, if it really came to that, she hoped the knife on her neck would be quick. A big mansion like this surely wouldn’t lack a good knife. If she could even choose her death method, being anesthetized before being killed would be even better. Very humane!

After a series of wild thoughts, she had already reached the mansion’s gate. Zhuang Dongqing shook her head, going over her affairs once more.

If she didn’t come out, Liu Fu would find Li Yang. After reading the letter, Li Yang should take him in. The deed and registration were there. Liu Fu had mentioned wanting to be a shopkeeper, but being a merchant wasn’t well-regarded. Farming was too hard, so Zhuang Dongqing chose a craftsman registration for him, asking Li Yang to find a master to teach him a trade.

She had thought about the follow-up. If Liu Fu could learn well, then have Li Yang help him change to a craftsman registration. If not, finding someone to teach him to be a shopkeeper would be easy for Li Yang. Then, change to a merchant registration. All the money was with Liu Fu, allowing him to be independent without relying on Li Yang.

Thus, Liu Fu was settled. Li Yang’s debt to her was cleared.

After confirming everything, Zhuang Dongqing stepped forward, announced her name, and requested to see Cen Yan.

When Liu Qi heard the name Zhuang Dongqing, his mind went blank for a moment. After confirming it was indeed the second young master of the Zhuang family, he quickly went to the gate himself. At a glance, it really was him.

Liu Qi felt complicated but didn’t show it. After briefly verifying Zhuang Dongqing’s identity, Liu Qi asked, “May I know why the young master seeks our prince?”

Zhuang Dongqing scratched her hand, “……I need to see the prince to say.”

Alright then. Liu Qi led her inside. After being announced, Cen Yan raised an eyebrow.

“With how busy it is lately, and today being my day off, coming today means he must have inquired.”

There was no anger in his words, and Liu Qi even sensed some amusement. Liu Qi lowered his head, preferring to pretend he didn’t notice.

“Let him in.”

Zhuang Dongqing entered the study, feeling very uneasy. She looked the same as the day Cen Yan went to the Zhuang residence to take people.

Zhuang Dongqing greeted, “Zhuang Dongqing from the Zhuang family, greets the prince.”

After being told to rise, Cen Yan said, “Now you recognize me?”

This was a teasing reference to the day at the spring banquet when Zhuang Dongqing didn’t recognize him.

Zhuang Dongqing: “……”

She lowered her eyes, “Your Highness, you jest.”

“That day, I was blind. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Cen Yan laughed. Zhuang Dongqing found it even more terrifying. Her hair stood on end because of that laugh.

“They say my reputation is bad. The young master must feel it now.”

“……”

Zhuang Dongqing didn’t know if his reputation was bad, but her mind was so tense it went blank. Why tease her at a time like this?! Does he have to be so mean?! She didn’t believe Cen Yan couldn’t see how nervous she was! Very!!

Noticing her slightly trembling fingers, Zhuang Dongqing discreetly pulled her hands into her sleeves, trying to cover it up.

“Your Highness, you’re joking.”

Darn it, she stuttered. How could she be so useless, ugh!

Fortunately, Cen Yan’s next words stopped the teasing, and he said seriously, “Just say what you have to. I’m about to head to the Dali Temple. After today, it might be a while before you see me again.”

Liu Qi was surprised but quickly realized this was to test Zhuang Dongqing.

Zhuang Dongqing had intended to be tactful, but after being teased out of the routine, she forgot all her lines.

“Then, I’ll really say it.”

Might as well go for broke. Taking a deep breath, afraid Cen Yan would change his mind, Zhuang Dongqing blurted out, “I’m pregnant, with yours.”

After she spoke, the room was silent for a long time.