Chapter 25

At Xiyan Palace,

Jun Zechen carefully placed Su Jingyao on the bed.

Her delicate brows were furrowed tightly, her face twisted in pain. One hand clutched her stomach, while the other held onto Jun Zechen’s strong hand.

“Your Highness… it hurts…”

Her weak and trembling voice sounded like a candle flickering in the wind, making people feel pity for her.

Seeing her holding her stomach in pain, Jun Zechen was full of worry and confusion. He didn’t understand why her stomach would hurt.

Still, he gently placed his free hand on her stomach, trying to comfort her.

“Yaoyao, hold on. The imperial doctor will be here soon.”

His frown deepened, his brows forming a “川” shape. His eyes turned cold and sharp, making everyone around him afraid to even breathe too loudly.

Miaoyun hurried back into the palace, carrying a cup of flower tea.

“Miss, please drink some flower tea to warm yourself. Your forehead is sweating.”

Su Jingyao took the tea and sipped it slowly, her lowered eyelashes hiding the unreadable thoughts in her eyes.

Miaoyun took the empty teacup and quietly stepped away.

Gradually, Su Jingyao felt dizzy, her vision blurred, and finally, she fainted.

Of course, this was all part of her plan.

Her stomach was not actually in pain. It was her injured ankle that was unbearable. But by pretending her stomach hurt, no one would suspect anything.

The tea Miaoyun gave her had been specially prepared beforehand. It contained a medicinal herb called “Fuzi,” which would temporarily disrupt her pulse, making it seem like she had suffered pregnancy complications.

When the imperial doctor checked her pulse, he would naturally diagnose her as pregnant and having suffered from stress on the baby.

Jun Zechen would tell the doctor that she had complained of stomach pain before fainting. The doctors in the palace were all experts at reading the situation. They would know exactly how to phrase their diagnosis to benefit her.

The first child in the Eastern Palace, suffering from pregnancy complications at the Crown Princess’s birthday banquet—this would definitely alarm the Empress.

Today, the Crown Princess had struck an Eastern Palace concubine, causing her to suffer pregnancy complications. On top of her history of jealousy and controlling behavior toward the Crown Prince, the Empress would never let this slide.

As soon as Su Jingyao fainted, Jun Zechen’s face turned dark and oppressive, like a storm brewing. His entire presence became frighteningly intense.

He gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.

“Where is the doctor?!”

His voice was filled with urgency and rage, like a volcano about to erupt.

The moment he spoke, Anshun rushed in, leading Imperial Physician Li.

Physician Li barely had time to bow before Jun Zechen snapped impatiently,

“Come here now! The side consort has fainted—check what’s wrong with her!”

His voice was icy cold and commanding.

Imperial Physician Li hurriedly stepped forward, his hands trembling slightly as he took Su Jingyao’s pulse.

As time passed, his expression became increasingly shocked and puzzled.

This…

Jun Zechen saw him hesitating and his lips pressed into a firm, hard line. His sharp gaze shot toward the doctor like a blade.

“What is wrong with her?!” His voice was deep, anxious, and filled with concern.

“Your Highness, congratulations! The side consort is already nearly a month pregnant!”

The doctor’s voice carried a hint of excitement.

Jun Zechen froze in place, as if struck by lightning.

She’s pregnant?!

A wave of joy surged in his heart—this was his first child!

His heart pounded violently in his chest, as if it might burst.

He quickly asked, “She said her stomach hurt before she fainted. Check her—does she have any problems?”

His voice was filled with urgency and an almost imperceptible tremor.

“Your Highness, her pulse is slightly irregular because she has suffered pregnancy complications. There is no sign of miscarriage yet, but she needs to rest carefully. I will immediately prepare medicine to stabilize the pregnancy,” Physician Li said respectfully.

“Do it now!”

Jun Zechen waved his hand, his tone firm and anxious.

Standing nearby, Ling Yue staggered, almost losing her balance.

Su Jingyao is pregnant?

Ling Yue bit her lip, tasting bitterness.

Wasn’t this exactly what she had been hoping for?

Su Jingyao is pregnant.

Ling Yue wondered if this meant the prince would stop favoring her. Would his heart return to her? He had promised never to love anyone else, and Su Jingyao was just a tool to continue his bloodline.

After the royal doctor left, female attendants carefully examined Su Jingyao’s injured leg and ankle.

Prince Jun Zechen walked outside with a serious expression, his sharp gaze filled with suspicion. He needed to find out what had happened today. Ling Yue followed him.

Meanwhile, An Jingyan arrived at Xiyan Palace.

After falling into the water, her maid had quickly rescued her. Now, her clothes were still wet, and there was a clear red slap mark on her face. Despite her messy appearance, her delicate makeup made her look even more pitiful.

She rushed over without changing her clothes because she needed to confront the crown princess directly. She could not let herself be falsely accused.

Prince Jun Zechen sat at the head of the room with a cold, imposing aura. His presence alone created an invisible pressure. His sharp eyes scanned the two women before him.

“Explain what happened today.” His voice was deep and commanding, carrying undeniable authority.

Hearing this, An Jingyan immediately knelt down, her back straight. Then, she began to cry and complain.

“Your Highness, I don’t know what I did to offend the crown princess. She suddenly slapped me and pushed me into the lotus pond! I am truly innocent…!” Tears streamed down her face, making her look extremely pitiful.

“An Liangdi, don’t falsely accuse me! You were disrespectful first, so I only slapped you. I did not push you into the pond!” Ling Yue’s voice was cold, and her eyes were sharp as she glared at An Jingyan.

Then she turned to Jun Zechen and explained, “Your Highness, An Liangdi insulted me first. I only punished her accordingly. And she fell into the pond on her own. In fact, she even pushed me while falling.”

“What did she say?”

Jun Zechen’s voice grew colder as he looked between Ling Yue and An Jingyan. However, he didn’t immediately trust either of them.

Ling Yue hesitated. When An Jingyan spoke earlier, only she had heard the words. An Jingyan had mocked her inability to bear children.

It was too humiliating to say out loud in front of everyone.

A cold feeling spread through her heart. Jun Zechen’s indifferent attitude made her wonder—did he not believe her?

Seeing Ling Yue remain silent, An Jingyan raised her voice.

“Your Highness, I have always respected the crown princess. During our conversation, I only mentioned that you spent last night at Xiyan Palace. She became angry and hit me! I am truly being wronged…!” She wiped away tears while secretly smiling in triumph.

Jun Zechen’s expression darkened.

Ling Yue had always been jealous, and it wasn’t surprising that she would hit someone over jealousy. However, he hadn’t expected her to act so recklessly in public.

His eyes filled with anger—but more than that, disappointment.

His cold gaze locked onto Ling Yue, who looked back at him with sadness and despair.

She wanted to explain but didn’t know how. In the end, she stubbornly said, “I didn’t do it!”

Her voice carried frustration and grievance.

Jun Zechen didn’t know how to deal with her. He had spoiled and indulged her for so long, making her the way she was today.

Just as he was thinking, an imperial maid named Jin Hua entered with a message from the empress.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Jin Hua said respectfully.

“Speak.” Jun Zechen’s voice remained low and authoritative.

“The Empress has heard that Consort Su is pregnant. She has sent me to check on her and to deliver her decree.”

Hearing this, Ling Yue’s heart tightened. She knelt down immediately, her body trembling slightly in fear.

Jin Hua read aloud:

‘The Crown Princess has shown improper conduct, acting out of jealousy. She openly assaulted a palace consort, causing harm to the imperial heir. Such behavior is unacceptable.

Starting immediately, the Crown Princess is to be confined for two months. During this time, she must copy the palace rules one hundred times as punishment.

She must reflect on her actions and learn to behave appropriately.’

Each word struck Ling Yue like a heavy blow.

“Your Highness, I—”

Ling Yue looked at Jun Zechen with pleading eyes, hoping he would defend her.

She wanted him to believe she was innocent.

But Jun Zechen wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. He knew Ling Yue might not be entirely at fault, but as the Crown Princess, she should have behaved with more grace and restraint. If the empress pursued the matter further, she could even be removed from her position.

He cut her off coldly.

“An Shun, take the Crown Princess back to Qiluan Palace.”

An Liangdi Punished

“The Prince Consort was frightened today, but she disrespected the Crown Princess. She is to be confined for a month.”

“Your Highness… I…”

An Liangdi wanted to defend herself, but when she saw the Prince’s cold and stern face, she couldn’t say anything.

She could only nod in agreement and turn to leave Yiyan Palace.

Although she was being punished, An Jinyan believed that the Prince was only doing this to protect the Crown Princess’s dignity.

Once her confinement was over, the Crown Princess would still be under house arrest. And now, Su Side Consort was pregnant. Soon, there would be no one in the Prince’s harem who could challenge her. She was confident that she would win his heart completely.

A triumphant smile appeared on her face.

Lingyue, on the other hand, was devastated by how Jun Zechen had treated her.

She walked out of Yiyan Palace in a daze, her steps slow and heavy as if each one drained all her strength.

An Jinyan quickly caught up with her, her face full of arrogance, her eyes filled with provocation and mockery.

“Crown Princess, it’s a miracle that your face is unharmed today. Oh no, actually, you should be thanking Su Side Consort for risking her life to save you, even though she’s carrying the royal heir.”

Lingyue glared at her furiously, her eyes burning with anger and hatred.

“An Liangdi, you are truly cunning. I will never forgive you!”

Her voice was laced with bitterness and rage.

Their conversation was quiet, but the tension between them was ice-cold and filled with resentment.

An Jinyan scoffed and turned away.

She walked lightly, as if celebrating her victory.

Meanwhile, Lingyue slowly made her way back to her palace, her eyes hollow and distant.

Her heart was filled with despair and helplessness.

Her husband… didn’t believe her.