Chapter 3

"Once you can see every card someone holds, no amount of hatred can make them dangerous."

5.

More than another month passed. A banquet was held at the palace.

I attended with Gu Chengzhang. Han Yan followed behind.

Throughout the feast, her eyes kept darting toward my belly. She couldn't conceal her impatience.

When Gu Chengzhang rose to offer a toast, she came over with her cup. She lowered her voice—just enough for the neighboring tables to hear.

"Sister, His Highness has been visiting you for so long. Why is there still no sign? My brother is still in prison... He really can't wait much longer."

I lifted my cup, took a sip, and met her gaze calmly.

"Lady Han, the imperial bloodline concerns the foundations of the state. Since when is it your place to discuss it before everyone? Besides, your brother broke the law. The law will deal with him. What has that to do with whether I'm pregnant?"

Her face flushed, then paled. She was about to argue when she caught sight of Gu Chengzhang returning.

Suddenly, she seized my wrist and began to cry.

"Sister! I know you resent me, but how could you curse my brother to die in prison?"

With that, she flung herself backward, pulling me into the Taiye Pool beside us!

"Help!"

Water flooded my mouth and nose.

Through the chaos, I saw Gu Chengzhang leap in without hesitation and swim desperately toward the struggling Han Yan.

He caught her in his arms and carried her toward the bank. From the moment he entered the water until he climbed out, he didn't look back at me once.

Fortunately, Wanhe was an excellent swimmer. She jumped in and pulled me out.

Soaked through, I shivered uncontrollably.

On the bank, Han Yan huddled in Gu Chengzhang's arms, sobbing so hard she could barely speak.

"Your Highness... I told Sister I thought I was pregnant, and she... she suddenly pushed me in! Our child..."

I stared at her in disbelief.

Pregnant?

I'd heard nothing of it!

Gu Chengzhang's gaze stabbed at me, full of anger and disappointment.

"Pei Lingyi! How could you be so vicious!"

"Please investigate, Your Highness!"

Wanhe immediately knelt.

"Lady Han grabbed Her Highness's hand and fell backward herself! I was standing beside the pool. I saw it clearly!"

"Liar!" Han Yan shrieked.

"You're her wretched servant. Of course you'd cover for your mistress!"

Gu Chengzhang's face was livid. Clearly, he believed her.

He looked at my bedraggled figure without a trace of pity, only disgust.

"Guards, take the Crown Princess—"

Before he could finish, darkness rolled across my vision. The world spun, my limbs gave way, and I fainted.

When I opened my eyes, I was lying in the Warm Pavilion of the empress's palace.

She held my hand tightly, her face a mixture of joy and anger.

"Lingyi! Child, you're two months pregnant. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

I blinked weakly. A blush rose to my cheeks at just the right moment. After two labored breaths, I spoke.

"Mother... I wanted to wait until the third month, until the pregnancy was secure, and surprise you and Father..."

Pained and amused at once, she gently patted my hand.

"You! Always so cautious about everything!"

Then the emperor entered with Gu Chengzhang.

His face was dark as he turned to rebuke his son.

"Fool! Lingyi is carrying my grandchild. In such a delicate condition, why would she push anyone? Apologize to her at once!"

Gu Chengzhang looked at me, conflicted. Finally, he approached the bed and spoke quietly.

"Lingyi... I blamed you unjustly."

I lowered my eyes and shook my head.

"You were only worried, Your Highness. I understand."

Han Yan stood nearby, deathly pale, a hatred in her eyes fierce enough to burn everything.

The empress gave her a cold glance. Her voice chilled.

"Han Yan, I thought you had some sense. Today, I see I misjudged you."

Han Yan dropped to her knees.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty! I... I panicked. I was afraid for my child and spoke without thinking..."

Gu Chengzhang couldn't bear it. He still pleaded for her.

"Mother, Han Yan fell into the water too. She's had a terrible fright. The child she's carrying..."

The empress cut him off with a raised hand and issued her order.

"Enough. Since you are pregnant too, remain in the Pavilion of the Resting Moon and rest. Unless it's important, you are not to go out."

The words struck like thunder.

Han Yan jerked her head up, her face white. This was confinement in all but name!

When everyone had gone, only Wanhe and I remained.

I stroked my still-flat belly and smiled.

This child had arrived at exactly the right time.

Wanhe lowered her voice until it was barely audible. She was plainly baffled.

"Your Highness, when did you learn you were pregnant? How did I..."

I couldn't help laughing, mischief filling my eyes.

"Of course I didn't know."

As she stared, astonished, I explained.

"But in that situation, claiming the pregnancy could clear me of trying to harm an imperial heir. And I could turn it against Han Yan, let her taste confinement for herself..."

"Why wouldn't I claim it?"

6.

The next day, rewards came from the palace in an endless stream.

Silks, medicines, jewels, and ornaments filled the rooms. More than half went straight to my chambers.

Han Yan's share was pitiful by comparison.

She stood in the corridor, watching the attendants come and go through my doors. The venom in her gaze was frightening.

I approached and spoke for her ears alone.

"You suffered yesterday, Sister. But now that we're both carrying imperial children, you must be more careful. If anything disturbs your pregnancy again, won't His Highness worry?"

Every word struck where it hurt most.

She suddenly raised a hand to push me.

I was ready. Just before her fingertips touched my sleeve, I tripped myself, cried out, and fell backward.

"Lingyi!"

Gu Chengzhang's voice came at precisely the right moment.

He strode over to find me on the ground, pale-faced, clutching my belly.

Han Yan's hand was still suspended in the air.

"It wasn't me! Your Highness, I never touched her!"

She hurried to defend herself, every trace of color gone.

I said nothing. I merely lifted tear-filled eyes and silently watched him.

He frowned deeply, bent to lift me, and gave her a cold look.

"Go back to your rooms. Without my order, you're not to set foot outside your pavilion!"

He carried me back. After taking my pulse, the imperial physician said there was no serious harm. I simply needed quiet rest.

I caught Gu Chengzhang's sleeve and pleaded softly.

"Don't blame Sister Han Yan. She's only worried about her brother... Will you stay with me tonight?"

Looking at my bloodless face, he finally softened and agreed.

That night, I nestled obediently into his arms and made a quiet suggestion.

"Your Highness, tomorrow... let me speak to Father. Han Yan's brother has done wrong, but for her sake and the child's, let's spare his life. Then she can rest in peace."

Moved, Gu Chengzhang stroked my hair and sighed.

"Lingyi, you've always understood what matters and observed propriety. It is I who have wronged you."

I buried my face against his chest, concealing a cold smile.

The next day, I went to the imperial study myself. To "earn blessings for my unborn child and put Sister Han Yan's mind at ease," I asked the emperor for leniency.

He praised my generosity and agreed. Han Yan's brother would lose his office and be sent into exile, but his life would be spared.

That very night, he was released from prison.

Before dinner, I had Wanhe dress my hair and make me up carefully. I put on the East Sea pearl earrings bestowed on me that day.

Wanhe looked puzzled.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince went straight to Lady Han's pavilion after court. I'm afraid tonight..."

I smiled at the mirror.

"He will come."

Sure enough, near midnight, my door quietly opened.

Arms chilled by the night dew encircled me from behind.

"Lingyi, you've been wronged."

Gu Chengzhang sounded tired.

Pretending to have just woken, I turned into his embrace, showing exactly enough attachment.

"If you come, Your Highness, I don't feel wronged. I only wished to ease your burdens."

He sighed and held me tighter.

"You're the sensible one. Han Yan... made another scene today."