Chapter 2
Edward Quan ·
Liu Wanning suddenly clutched her stomach and cried out, her face contorted with pain.
“Wanning, what's wrong? Does your stomach hurt?”
Du Cheng was frantic with worry.
For a time, I had truly believed he was simply cold by nature.
Apparently he was nothing of the kind with other people.
“Perhaps just now…”
Liu Wanning tilted her head slightly toward me, then quickly looked away.
“Perhaps the baby was disturbed. My stomach hurts a little…”
She never said what had caused it. She didn't need to. Everyone understood she meant that my face had frightened her.
Du Cheng glanced at me with more undisguised disgust than ever.
“Oh dear, this is serious!”
My sister-in-law's shrill voice rang out.
“Qingyue, send for Cailian to examine her! We mustn't take chances in her condition!”
My mother-in-law looked even more displeased.
“Have your maid bring you a veil while she's at it!”
“Caiwei, go and fetch Cailian.”
“My lady!”
Before outsiders, Caiwei addressed me by my married title, lest anyone use her words against me.
“It's all right. Go.”
My mother-in-law was right about one thing.
We really mustn't take chances with Liu Wanning's condition.
If she miscarried now, Du Cheng wouldn't get his second wife, and the Du family would lose its chance to raise someone else's child.
What a pity that would be.
I knew Liu Wanning was putting on an act, but this was a useful opportunity for Cailian to examine her.
Thinking of what my inquiries had uncovered, I laughed coldly to myself.
She certainly had nerve.
She was passing off a street thug's child as Du Cheng's.
All I had to do was wait for the show to begin.
Before long, Cailian and Caiwei arrived together.
Cailian went straight to Liu Wanning to take her pulse. Caiwei came to stand beside me.
“Where is the veil?”
“My lady…”
Seeing that I would not relent, Caiwei reluctantly produced it.
Just as I put it on, Du Cheng turned to look.
His expression stilled. A flicker of regret passed through his eyes, only to give way to his familiar disgust.
After taking Liu Wanning's pulse, Cailian glanced at me.
I gave her a look.
Understanding at once, she rose.
“There is nothing seriously wrong with Miss Liu. She's merely a little tired. Rest will suffice.”
What could have tired her out so early in the morning?
Unless…
My mother-in-law did not doubt Cailian's judgment. Cailian had been treating her for three years, and she trusted her medical skill implicitly.
She gave Liu Wanning a displeased look.
“You're pregnant. A little restraint won't kill you! If anything happens to my precious grandson, don't dream of setting foot in this family!”
Liu Wanning's face turned ugly. She looked as though she wished the floor would swallow her.
My mother-in-law paid her no further attention and turned to Cailian.
“Prescribe her a restorative.”
“Old Madam, Miss Liu is in good health. It's best not to give her medicine unnecessarily. Every medicine has its harmful effects.”
That struck the old madam as excellent sense.
Nothing must harm her precious grandchild.
She turned to me.
“Arrange somewhere for her to stay, then. Let her rest.”
At once, Liu Wanning's stomach stopped hurting. Even her voice recovered its strength.
“I'm new here and unfamiliar with the residence. If I could stay a little closer to Second Master…”
“Let Wanning have Qiushui Pavilion. It's a pleasant place, suitable for her pregnancy.”
Du Cheng looked at me.
“Go and have it cleaned. Wanning will rest with me at Linfeng Residence first.”
With that, he helped Liu Wanning to her feet and left with her.