The next morning.
Yunxi looked at the breakfast in front of her without enthusiasm. Since waking up, she had been unable to swallow even water because she felt nauseous and wanted to vomit. As a result, her face had become even paler.
"Ma'am, please eat something..."
"I can't, Auntie. I've tried, but all this food makes me feel even more nauseous."
"Would you like to eat something else? Like sweet crackers or a fresh vegetable salad with honey dressing? I think those foods are quite light and can give you more energy."
"Hmmm, no, Auntie, please just bring me some semi-ripe peaches. I really don't want to eat anything else."
"All right, I understand."
Sumi simply nodded obediently and then immediately asked the attendant to prepare the peaches requested by Yunxi.
Before long, the bright and fragrant peaches were served on the table. Yunxi smiled and got up from her bed. Thankfully, upon seeing the fruit, she regained her lost appetite.
"Let me help you peel and cut them, Madam."
"No need, Auntie, I'll eat them right away."
"Alright..."
Sumi stood there watching Yunxi, who had begun to eat the peaches heartily. Her mistress, who had been pale since morning because she had been vomiting her food, now looked much more cheerful.
Sumi smiled when she saw this, but a second later, she could no longer hold back her tears. Her heart ached and she could not accept the way the people of the palace treated Yunxi. Especially the Crown Prince, who had just hit his mistress. A husband who should have been pampering his wife during the difficult times of her pregnancy had instead easily raised his hand against her. Such an act deserved to be condemned!
"Auntie..."
Yunxi realised that Sumi was crying. She felt worried. Since becoming her personal servant in this palace, Yunxi had never seen Sumi cry. She had always appeared brave and firm in protecting her.
"Auntie, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly crying? Is there a problem? Tell me... Don't make me worry."
Hearing Yunxi's question, Sumi sobbed even more. She was unable to answer.
"Auntie... Do you miss your family? If so, I can give you permission to go home to see them."
"Ma'am, I am crying for your situation. How can you not demand justice for yourself? You are pregnant, but those people treat you so badly. Even the crown prince, who should be protecting you, hits you? Madam, you can punish me for my insolence. But, Madam, let's just go home. Mr Wang Yibo would be very sad if he knew about your situation."
"Auntie..."
"In the past, I witnessed how Mr. Wang pampered your mother when she was pregnant with you and Miss Wang-shu. Whatever your mother asked for, Mr Wang would always try to get it, no matter what. But you... Madam, why are you so unfortunate, hiks hiks."
Yunxi unconsciously started crying too. She grabbed Sumi's fingers and led her to sit beside her.
"Auntie, as long as you are here, I will be fine."
"Madam..."
"Listen to me, I don't want Father to know because he will definitely be very sad. Also, now that I am carrying the royal heir, the Emperor and Empress will not let me leave the palace just like that. Besides, Auntie, I still have to find something in this palace. So, let's hang in there a little longer. At least until this child is born."
"You mean, Madam, you won't take your child with us?"
Sumi asked between sobs. She looked at Yunxi with a hopeful gaze, hoping that Yunxi had no intention of leaving her child in the palace. She couldn't imagine the fate that would befall the baby if it were left here.
"At the moment, I have no other choice. If there is a possibility that I can take him, I will. But at that time, my enemy will be this entire palace."
"So, Madam, you are serious about divorcing His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Yes, I am serious. But I have a few things I must finish as soon as possible. I don't have much time. Until this child is born, I must complete all my missions."
"Missions? What missions, Madam?"
"I'm sorry, Auntie, I can't tell you yet. It's not time. But, clearly, I will really need your help to complete them."
"Don't worry, Madam. I am ready for whatever you command."
"Thank you. In this palace, we can only trust and rely on each other."
"Of course. You're right, Madam."
"Thank you, Auntie."
Yunxi hugged Sumi, who hugged her back tightly. They cried together, sharing their sadness and strengthening each other.
"Master Yan Feiyu has come to visit!"
The voice of the palace guard in front of the Peach Pavilion startled Yunxi.
"Yan Feiyu?"
Yunxi looked at Sumi, who immediately stood up.
"I will meet him first, Madam."
"Hmn, alright. If there is nothing important, please ask him to leave."
"Yes."
Sumi wiped away the remaining tears and immediately left Yunxi's room to meet Feiyu.
"Master Feiyu, welcome."
"Hm, is Yunxi inside?"
"Yes, Master, but Madam is resting because she is not feeling well. The mistress said that if it's not urgent, she doesn't want to be disturbed."
"Hmmm, is that so?"
Yan Feiyu stared at Sumi with a slight smirk.
"Yes, sir." Sumi stared back at him with a smile, then bowed his head again.
"Well, alright. This... Yan Ling entrusted this to me, give it to Consort Yunxi, this ointment can heal skin wounds quickly."
'Tsk, what a loser, he doesn't even want to deliver it himself, instead he sends his servant?' Sumi cursed silently. Ever since the beating incident, Sumi's respect for Crown Prince Yan Ling had completely disappeared.
However, he chose to accept it politely.
"All right, I will pass it on to Her Ladyship."
"Very well. Thank you. I'll be going now."
"All right, sir. Take care on your way. Please convey my gratitude to His Highness the Crown Prince for his kindness."
"Hahahah, Sumi, don't force yourself. Even if you curse him in front of me, I will support you."
"How dare I, sir?"
"Hmm, never mind. Don't forget to give the ointment to Consort Yunxi. Even though she doesn't like Yan Ling, believe me, that ointment is very effective."
"All right, thank you. I will definitely pass it on."
Feiyu nodded, then casually walked away, leaving Sumi still standing in front of Yunxi's room.
"Just return it. That ointment will be a new problem for me. Besides, these scars will soon disappear. If he wants to help, he should just stay out of my sight. That would be better."
"Yes, Madam. I will send the ointment back."
Yunxi nodded, then returned to her bed. She really didn't want to move. Her body was very tired now.
"Baby, why do I feel like you're draining all my energy? Don't be a naughty child, be obedient, hm?"
Yunxi stroked her belly. At least she would enjoy this time with her child now, before they would eventually part ways when the baby was born...
Yan Ling stared at the ointment in front of him with a gloomy expression. So, it really was returned as he had guessed?
"Fine. I was just being kind. If she he doesn't want it, it's not my fault. Just throw the ointment away!"
"But this ointment is very rare, only the royal family has it, Your Highness, are you really going to throw it away?"
Kasim Chan Jing said respectfully.
Yan Ling turned his face away. He knew that. But, remembering Yunxi's rejection made him feel humiliated, so that every time he saw the bottle of ointment, his anger flared up again.
"It's up to you. You keep it then."
"Yes, Your Highness, Crown Prince."
Kasim Sima Jing nodded obediently.
A few days later, Yunxi's condition worsened. The palace physician had to examine her every day.
Yunxi's appetite had decreased significantly. She could only eat peaches, pears, and fruits that contained a lot of water. Meanwhile, a young pregnancy must be nourished with sufficient nutrients.
"Madam, your condition is really not good. Are you sure you don't want to tell the palace, especially His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"No, don't. Just give me supplements to help meet the nutritional needs of my pregnancy. I am sure that I will be fine."
"But Madam..."
"Please, Doctor... I'm really fine. I will be fine as long as I take supplements and I will try to eat something other than fruit."
"You must promise, Madam."
"I promise."
Hearing Yunxi's words, the court physician just sighed heavily and shook his head. He honestly still didn't understand why Consort Wang insisted on bearing all this alone, even though she was the wife of the Crown Prince, the Emperor and Empress's chosen daughter-in-law.
After the court physician left, Yunxi no longer wanted to lie down. She called Sumi, who was waiting outside her room.
"Auntie ..."
"Yes, Madam."
Sumi immediately entered and approached Yunxi, who was standing in front of the mirror.
"I think I need some fresh air. Have you found the hiding place to calm my mind that I asked you to look for?"
"Yes, Madam, I have found it. The place is the Delima Pavilion. According to the servant who provided information about the place, the Delima Pavilion was originally the residence of the Chief Lady-in-Waiting of the palace kitchen, but since the current Emperor came to power, the Chief Lady-in-Waiting of the palace kitchen has been moved. Since then, the pomegranate pavilion has been empty. Now there are even rumours that the pavilion is haunted."
"Nonsense! Haunted, my foot!"
"Hihihi, maybe someone wants the pavilion, so they deliberately started the rumour."
"Could be. All right, let's go there. I'm bored of being in my room every day."
"Now, Madam?"
"Yes, bring some fruit and snacks, as well as my painting supplies."
"Yes, ma'am. I will also prepare some herbal tea to reduce nausea."
"Hmn, okay. Now help me get dressed."
"Yes, ma'am."
Sumi quickly helped Yunxi get fully dressed and slightly touched up her pale face.
Shortly afterwards, they were ready to leave.
Because the pomegranate pavilion was quite far from the peach pavilion, Sumi prepared a palanquin for Yunxi. It was impossible for Yunxi, who was unwell and weak, to walk such a long distance.
On the way, unexpectedly, they met Yan Ling's entourage, who seemed to have just finished their work at the palace.
Seeing them, Sumi immediately informed Yunxi.
"Madam, His Highness the Crown Prince is here."
"Hmn, don't tell him the truth, just say we are going to the palace garden to paint."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Sumi exclaimed, then bowed respectfully, followed by the servants and palanquin bearers behind him.
Yan Ling said nothing, but he did not leave either.
Sumi had to admit that Yan Ling had a very strong and dominant aura of leadership. Anyone who faced him would immediately feel intimidated.
His towering figure, large and sturdy body, and handsome but very cold face made his conversation partners feel small.
Seeing that Yunxi in the palanquin did not move or make a sound, Yan Ling's face darkened. He glanced at Kasim Sima Jing beside him.
The eunuch, who had followed his master for many years, understood his master's intentions.
He asked Sumi,
"Where are you going?"
"The lady is bored in the pavilion every day, so today she decided to go to the palace garden to paint."
"Paint?"
"Yes, Eunuch Sima."
"Do you need me to accompany you?"
This time it was not Eunuch Sima Jing who asked the question, but Yan Ling. Everyone fell silent.
Yunxi heard Yan Ling's question and replied firmly.
"No need, Your Highness the Crown Prince, you must be very busy. So, please continue with Your Highness's work. Accompanying me will only waste your precious time."
"You!"
"Auntie, let's continue our journey and make way for His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Yes, ma'am."
"We request permission to continue our journey, Your Highness."
Sumi bowed respectfully, followed by the servants and guards carrying the palanquin, then walked away, leaving Yan Ling and his entourage still standing there.
"Let's go."
Yan Ling quickly stepped forward in anger.
Meanwhile, after walking for nearly 30 minutes, Yunxi and her entourage had arrived at the Pomegranate Pavilion.
Sumi and the servants quickly prepared the place with the best view for Yunxi to paint and spend her leisure time to calm herself in this place.
"This place is very beautiful and unique. What's so haunted about it!"
"Hihihi, I'm also surprised. It turns out that the Pomegranate Pavilion is this beautiful. The view from here is truly enchanting."
"Yes, if only I could move here... The Peach Pavilion is too small and cramped, isn't it?"
"Yes, Madam, I agree with you."
"What kind of son-in-law is the Emperor's choice? Clearly, my residence is only half the size of Consort Liu's Rose Pavilion."
"Are you going to ask the Emperor for this pavilion?"
"No need. It's enough to use this place to calm down and breathe fresh air. I don't want to be too greedy."
"Oh my, it seems that my secret headquarters has been occupied by someone new?"
The sudden sound of a strange voice startled Yunxi, Sumi and the servants who were there.
"Who is it?"
Yunxi stood up and looked for the source of the voice.
"Hahh, what a pity, Sister-in-law... Have you really forgotten me?"
Thud!
Someone slid down from above. Yunxi was startled again, but only for a moment. She then scanned her gaze to the young man in front of her.
His face was familiar. He was handsome, but also beautiful, a little like... Yan Ling?
Oh my God.
"Yan Xiao?"
"Exactly! Greetings, my beautiful sister-in-law, I am Yan Xiao!
"
Yunxi was stunned. It couldn't be, in her previous life she had never met Yan Xiao like this. She had only seen Yan Ling's younger brother a few times at palace banquets. Had she missed something? Or had she really forgotten a lot of things? Or did this event not happen in her previous life???