Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 285: How Could the Princess Not Think of Such a Clever Idea?

Chapter 285: Chapter 285: How Could the Princess Not Think of Such a Clever Idea?

When Li Tianze and Mo Qingshan stepped into Jingyang Palace together, the Empress was sitting on the bedcouch. A gentle male voice was heard, "The fetus in the Princess’s womb is safe and sound, but you have been overworked these days, resulting in a somewhat feeble constitution."

Treasure Bead, with her sharp eyes, spotted Li Tianze’s figure and gave a slight cough before hastily kneeling to pay her respects.

Struggling to rise, the Empress was stopped by Li Tianze, "As the Empress is pregnant, there is no need for such formalities."

Then looking toward the kneeling Imperial Physician, he said indifferently, "Imperial Physician Chen seems to be very diligent in your visits to Jingyang Palace, for every time I come, I see you here."

Imperial Physician Chen’s head lowered even more as he replied, "Thanks to the Princess’s trust, this humble official makes daily visits to check the Princess’s peace pulse and dares not slack off."

Li Tianze waved his hand for him to step back, then addressed the Empress, "I had already sent Zhou Fu to pass on my words; why did you still call for Imperial Physician Chen?"

The Empress reached up to touch her forehead, speaking softly, "Eunuch Zhou did come earlier, but as soon as he left, your concubine felt a bit dizzy and didn’t dare to trouble the Taoist. Instead, I had Treasure Bead invite Imperial Physician Chen over."

After speaking, she turned to Mo Qingshan with a pale smile, "I didn’t expect the Taoist to make an extra trip, I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience."

Mo Qingshan offered a stiff smile in response, "The Princess exaggerates."

By now, he was sure the Empress was hiding something, otherwise, why be so anxious to summon Imperial Physician Chen at the mere news of his intention to take her pulse?

She wanted to use Imperial Physician Chen’s words to convey that there was nothing unusual about the fetus in her belly, in an attempt to dismiss his concerns and stop him from making unnecessary checks.

But how could Mo Qingshan be someone who could be manipulated by others?

Instantly, he smiled slightly and said to the Empress, "A few days ago, while in the Jiangnan area, I met with renowned physicians and obtained a prescription for stabilizing pregnancy. The Princess might as well give it a try."

Having said that, from his bosom he took out the previously prepared prescription and handed it to Treasure Bead who was close by.

Treasure Bead then presented it to the Empress’s hands. The Empress glanced at it and said to Mo Qingshan, "Thank you for the Taoist’s attention. However, I am somewhat worn out today and would like to rest now; I hope the Taoist will not take offense."

Mo Qingshan was taken aback; he hadn’t expected the Empress to feign such an act to avoid his probing.

If he were persistent, he might instead arouse suspicion.

Li Tianze was not at all focused on the Empress, and seeing her like this, he didn’t say much. He casually reminded her to take good care of herself, then he left.

Mo Qingshan had no choice but to follow him out of Jingyang Palace.

As he was about to leave, he turned back unexpectedly and caught sight of the fleeting malicious expressions hiding behind the curtains in the Empress’s eyes.

After returning to the Prince Residence, Mo Qingshan sighed several times in regret.

"Had I known, I wouldn’t have let Zhou Fu pass on the message first; it only gave the Empress time to arrange things in advance."

It was a wasted trip, and he had lost two prescriptions, a total loss.

Qi Yu was not surprised.

The Empress had always been cautious and extremely good at putting on a front.

Unlike An Ruoya, who was overbearing and arrogant, relying on Li Tianze’s affection to do as she pleased in the harem, considering no one her equal,

but once that affection was lost, she would instantly fall from Heaven into Hell.

All those who had been bullied and looked down upon by her would seize the opportunity to take their revenge.

Yet, the Empress had always maintained a convincing facade; in the eyes of others, she was the compassionate yet dignified master of the harem.

She wouldn’t show you disdain openly but would instead find ways behind your back to plot against you, to torment you.

Moreover, she is skilled and covert in her methods, always acting through others and never staining her own hands with blood.

Thus, most people fail to realize that in the harem, it’s people like the Empress who are the most dangerous.

If An Ruoya is foolish, then the Empress is poison.

Qi Yu’s thoughts took a turn as she noticed Mo Qingshan still sighing to himself and shook her head amusedly, "Even if there wasn’t any prior notice today, with the Empress’s intelligence, she might well come up with a contingency plan on the spot."

Mo Qingshan, huffing with irritation, took a sip of tea before speaking, "I was already standing there, what could she possibly do?"

Qi Yu merely smiled without saying a word.

Some things, if spoken aloud, might just terrify Mo Qingshan.

The methods of the harem could be exceedingly vile.

She didn’t dwell on the issue and changed the subject, "Do you say Father Emperor is very concerned about Noble Consort Wan’s pregnancy?"

Mo Qingshan nodded, a question he had pondered for a long time without finding clarity, "Yes, His Majesty immediately said he wanted to use my method to steady the pregnancy when he heard about it, without a second thought for the Empress."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yu gave a light hum.

Seeing that she did not speak, Mo Qingshan assumed she was also at a loss.

Suddenly, Qi Yu chuckled softly, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm, "Isn’t it said that the Emperor and Empress are husband and wife after all? This kind of scheming is indeed well-matched."

Mo Qingshan knew she was making an indirect accusation but was unclear about the target of her derision.

Qi Yu spoke coldly, "His Majesty is no fool in love; he does this merely to make people think he holds Noble Consort Wan in high regard, that’s all."

Mo Qingshan noticed she had not said that Li Tianze himself valued Noble Consort Wan highly, but rather that he wanted others to believe so.

"Why would His Majesty do this?" He only paid attention to court gossip and had never delved into the palace’s deceitful games.

Qi Yu curled her lips in a cold smile, "Just wait until one day, if Noble Consort Wan’s child in the womb ’accidentally’ falls, no one will suspect that it was his doing. After all, His Majesty’s profound affection for Noble Consort Wan is evident to the heavens."

After hearing her words, Mo Qingshan felt an abrupt chill down his spine.

He stroked his beard with a sigh, "Truly a woman of misfortune."

The two of them exchanged a few more inconsequential words, then parted ways.

That evening, Qi Yu told Li Mingjue about the matter.

After listening, Li Mingjue fell silent for a moment, then said indifferently, "It wouldn’t be difficult to find out if there is truly a problem with the child in the Empress’s womb."

At hearing this, Qi Yu’s spirits lifted, and she quickly looked up at him with eager eyes, "Prince, do you have a good method?"

Li Mingjue, finding her thirst for knowledge somewhat amusing, couldn’t help but pinch her nose and chuckled, "With the Princess’s intelligence, how could you not figure it out?"

Qi Yu pushed his hand away and rubbed her now red nose, glaring at him discontentedly and said with a sarcastic tone, "Who could compare with the Prince?"

After speaking, she curled herself into the blankets and rolled a few times to the inside of the bed.

Li Mingjue lay down beside her and picked up the person wrapped like a spring roll.

He patted her back, soothing the person in his arms for a while; eyes hidden in the darkness seemed profound, revealing no emotion.

After a long while, when Qi Yu was almost asleep, she heard him say in a low voice, "There is a spy I have placed in Jingyang Palace."