Chapter 69 : Heart Knot

Ever since she was angered by Princess Ziyang, Song Ruoer’s pregnancy had become unstable. She suffered occasional abdominal pain, and today she even experienced bleeding.

Frightened, Song Ruoer fainted on the spot. When she woke up, Yue Shaozhi had already returned.

After the imperial physician examined her, he concluded that her condition was due to emotional distress and advised her to learn how to stay calm and at peace.

Song Ruoer weakly agreed, but once the physician left, she could no longer hold back her tears.

Yue Shaozhi held her in his arms and gently comforted her. “I’ve sent someone to invite your mother.”

Song Ruoer buried her face in his embrace and sobbed, “I only want you.”

What good would it do if Zhou came? Deep down, Song Ruoer knew what she truly cared about.

Over the past few nights, she had been plagued by nightmares dreams filled with mocking faces that, in the end, all turned into Yue Shaozhi.

Trembling, Song Ruoer clutched Yue Shaozhi’s collar and begged, “Shaozhi, please stay with me for a few days. Just these few days.”

Yue Shaozhi’s dark eyes showed no emotion. “Alright. I’ll stay with you.”

Relieved, Song Ruoer kissed him on the lips and whispered, “Shaozhi, I love you.”

…

When Zhou arrived and saw how haggard Song Ruoer looked, her heart ached. “She was fine before, how did she become like this?”

Song Ruoer had just woken up and noticed Yue Shaozhi wasn’t there, so she asked Yunchun, “Where is the prince?”

Yunchun replied, “Princess, the prince is in the study.”

Knowing that Yue Shaozhi was still in the residence, Song Ruoer let out a breath of relief. Then she turned to Zhou and said, “It’s nothing. I just haven’t been sleeping well lately.”

Zhou frowned. “You’re my daughter, how could I not know what’s on your mind? That princess is truly vicious. If she causes me to lose my grandson, I’ll make her pay!”

Song Ruoer didn’t want to hear the word “princess” again. “Mother, please don’t say any more.”

Seeing her impatience, Zhou quickly stopped herself. “Alright, alright, I won’t say anything. Didn’t a doctor give you a prescription before? Why don’t you take the medicine?”

Song Ruoer said, “The prescription has expired and needs to be updated. But Master Yu is no longer in the capital, and we don’t know much about the imperial physician we invited.”

Zhou replied unhappily, “How can an imperial physician compare to a miracle doctor? The less he knows, the worse it is. Can’t you send someone to look for the miracle doctor?”

Song Ruoer said, “The miracle doctor’s whereabouts are unpredictable. Even if we found him, he wouldn’t return to the capital.”

Zhou snorted, “That miracle doctor has quite a temper. Not even the royal family can summon him? Isn’t he afraid of getting his head chopped off?”

Song Ruoer rubbed her forehead and changed the subject. “How is Shihe doing lately?”

Talking about her son, Zhou’s expression turned to both frustration and concern.

“He was punished by your father yesterday.”

Song Ruoer said, “Even though Shihe has been with Grandfather for years, he still lacks experience. Mother, you should remind him from time to time not to idle around and to focus on his studies.”

Zhou nodded. “I’ve already spoken to him. Today he stayed quietly in the study room. Strangely enough, even though your father is strict, he never forced him to take the imperial exam. He just tells him not to cause trouble.”

Song Ruoer said, “After all, he’s the only legitimate son in the family. Father probably can’t bear to see him suffer.”

Zhou smiled. “I don’t mind. Whether Shihe passes the exam or not, this household will eventually be handed down to him.”

Song Ruoer said, “Shihe lacks stability.”

Zhou responded, “I’ve already spoken to your father, we’ll arrange a marriage for him soon. We’ll find a well-educated, well-mannered woman, bring her into the family, and settle her here. Then he’ll gradually settle down too.”

Song Ruoer said, “Let the boy choose for himself, what girl would be willing otherwise?”

Zhou replied matter-of-factly, “I don’t care how picky he is, and I don’t care whether the girl is willing or not. It’s the parents’ command and the matchmaker’s word that settles it.”

Song Ruoer felt a bit unhappy, though she couldn’t quite explain the feeling in her heart. “If I hadn’t met Yue Shaozhi, would Mother and Father have casually arranged a marriage for me too?”

Caught off guard by the question, Zhou smiled awkwardly to cover her embarrassment. “Oh, look at you, we’re talking about your brother here. Besides, you’re different from Shihe. You’re the precious gem of your father and mer, we would never let you suffer any grievance.”

“Besides, you’re already the Princess Regent. Why bother thinking about something that never even happened?”

Song Ruoer fell into thought. That’s true, why should she care about something that would never happen again?

At that moment, Yunchun came in with a freshly brewed dose of medicine.

The strong, bitter smell made Zhou quickly cover her mouth and nose with a handkerchief.

Song Ruoer frowned, closed her eyes, and drank the medicine down in several large gulps.

Yunchun promptly handed her some candied fruit.

Seeing her pregnant daughter like this, Zhou felt distressed. “How about I risk my pride and go find Song Ying, ask her for some of those leaves that can turn bitter medicine sweet?”

Song Ruoer waved her hand and said, “Don’t bother. It’s useless. Even if she has it, she’ll say she doesn’t.”

Zhou thought the same. Just then, Imperial Physician Chen entered.

“Princess, have you finished your medicine?”

Song Ruoer replied, “Yes.”

Imperial Physician Chen said, “Princess, you must keep a positive mindset. If your mood is good, your body will naturally stabilize.”

Song Ruoer: “Thank you, Imperial Physician. I will.”

Zhou then turned to him and said, “Imperial Physician Chen, may I ask you something?”

Imperial Physician Chen: “Please go ahead, Madam.”

Zhou: “Do you know of a type of leaf that can turn bitter medicine sweet?”

The imperial physician stroked his beard and thought for a moment. “That kind of thing is rare and not easy to find in ordinary herbal shops. Madam, you might try the largest herbal medicine shop in the capital.”

Zhou: “Do you mean the one in the eastern part of the city, Xingping’an?”

Imperial Physician Chen: “That’s the one.”

Zhou: “Thank you.”

After he left, Zhou said to Song Ruoer, “You heard him. I’ll go ask now. I don’t believe Song Ying has a monopoly on all the medicinal herbs in the world!”

—

Song Ying had just finalized a cooperation deal with the boss of Xingping’an. She had just boarded her carriage and hadn’t even sat down yet when Faer said, “Miss, look…it’s Madam.”

Mistress and servant ducked behind the curtain and watched as Zhou stepped out of her carriage and, supported by attendants, walked into Xingping’an.

Faer asked, “Is the Marquis sick? Why would Madam need to come in person to get medicine?”

Song Ying looked away and said, “If you’re curious, go ask her yourself later. Right now, let’s go home I’m hungry.”

Faer: “Got it.”

Song Ying was in a good mood. Today, she had secured a long-term business deal with Xingping’an. Even when she closed her eyes, she could see gold coins dancing in front of her.

“Miss, it’s Boss Chen!”

Faer liked to lean against the carriage window and look around. Whenever she spotted someone familiar, she’d let Song Ying know.

Song Ying opened her eyes and looked out. Sure enough, Chen Hong and Chen Ju were standing at the door of a tavern, talking about something.

Chen Hong clearly looked angry, he waved his sleeve and stormed off.

As the carriage was about to pass him, Song Ying quickly pulled Faer to sit on the other side, avoiding being seen.

After the carriage passed by, Chen Hong suddenly stopped. He scratched his head. For a moment, he felt that something had seemed… familiar?

He turned around and looked at the carriage that had just gone by…