Volume One, Chapter 32: Assisted Conception

Xie Wanqing stared at Qi Xiuyu’s blood-stained undergarments, a cold shiver running through her. If her feigned pregnancy were exposed, even her father could not save her. She had at most ten days; if Qi Xiuyu could not consummate their marriage, she would have no choice but to pretend to suffer a miscarriage. Yet, once a miscarriage occurred, her status within the manor would only decline further.

With a cold, hardened expression, Xie Wanqing turned and walked into the outer room. The physician had already written out a prescription and was about to hand it to her when she whispered, “Physician, do you have any medicine that could cause a woman to appear to have had a miscarriage without actually being pregnant?”

The physician was startled, then lowered his head. When it came to the affairs of the inner chambers, it was best for him to feign ignorance.

“This… Second Mistress, such medicine does exist, but…”

“But what?” Xie Wanqing’s eyes brightened at the mention of the medicine.

“To simulate the signs of a miscarriage when there is no pregnancy, the medicine comes at the cost of damaging a woman’s fertility. At best, it causes heavy bleeding; at worst… it leads to lifelong infertility or even death by hemorrhage.” The physician stroked his beard. “Second Mistress, I advise you: this medicine is far too cold and harsh. It should not be used.”

Xie Wanqing’s heart plummeted to the depths once more. “I understand. Thank you.”

If only she had known, she never should have told this lie. Her mind was in turmoil. As she looked at Qi Xiuyu lying on the bed, the pity she felt for him was gradually replaced by resentment. If it weren't for the fact that ten years ago, he had clearly chosen her yet still harbored lingering feelings for Xie Mingyue, she would never have done those things. If she hadn't done those things, she wouldn't have been held captive by Xie Mingyue through Nanny Zhang, nor would she have been forced to burn down the ancestral hall.

And yet, look at Qi Xiuyu—he still hovered around Xie Mingyue, never fully committing to distance. Although they both worked in the shadows to sow discord between the First Master and his wife, Xie Wanqing knew her own motives were driven by a desire to see Xie Mingyue suffer, while Qi Xiuyu’s were driven by his refusal to let Xie Mingyue belong to Qi Jinshan. He was still pining for that wretch!

The more Xie Wanqing thought about it, the angrier she became. Her emotions surged, and when she looked at Qi Xiuyu, she no longer felt the sweetness she once had. She had imagined that when her husband returned to the capital, they would enjoy a period of newlywed bliss after their time apart. Who could have known everything would turn out like this?

She walked to the doorway and saw a row of unfamiliar servants waiting in the courtyard. “What is the meaning of this?”

Her face was grim, and the servants appeared fearful. “Second Mistress, we were sent by the First Mistress to serve you.”

“Sent by Xie Mingyue?” A buzzing sound echoed in Xie Wanqing’s head. She could no longer hold back the tension that had been building inside her. With a crash, she swept the tea set off the stone table in the courtyard. “Get out, all of you! Since when is it her place to arrange the staff in my courtyard?”

She could not help but fly into a rage. Qinghua, who had been standing at the front, attempting to curry favor, was so frightened by Xie Wanqing’s behavior that she screamed and fell to the ground.

“Second Mistress, Second Mistress! The Marquise ordered the First Mistress to assist with the household management, so that is why the First Mistress made these arrangements!” Seeing the vicious look in Xie Wanqing’s eyes, she realized the situation was dire and shouted quickly.

Xie Wanqing was filled with soaring resentment. “My husband took the blame for me, and for that, he was beaten until he looked like that? And now, they let Xie Mingyue manage the household—isn't that a deliberate insult to our Second Branch in front of the entire manor?” She gritted her teeth, hating Lady Luo to the core. “Your own son, you don't even protect him, letting him be beaten until his flesh is torn! And you hand the power over to an outsider!”

Hongxia hurried to her side, covering her mouth in a panic. “Mistress, Mistress! You are tired; please go back inside and rest!” Heavens, these servants might be spies for either the First Mistress or the Marquise—how could her mistress just start cursing like that?

After venting her frustrations, Xie Wanqing regained her composure and glared at the panicked servants. “Since you are in my courtyard, you are forbidden from harboring any divided loyalties from this day forward. Otherwise, watch your own skin!”

Hongxia paced around the crowd with her hands on her hips as Xie Wanqing narrowed her eyes at the group, suddenly pointing at Qinghua. “You—step forward.”

Qinghua walked out with her head bowed, her heart pounding.

“You look familiar.” Xie Wanqing frowned at her.

Qinghua pursed her lips and knelt. “Second Mistress, I am from the First Mistress’s kitchen.” Seeing Xie Wanqing’s expression darken, she quickly added, “But I was also bestowed upon the First Mistress’s courtyard by the Great Elder Mistress.”

One of Lady Yun’s people? Xie Mingyue must not have wanted her, so she shoved her off on her. She certainly could not be a spy.

Xie Wanqing’s expression softened slightly, and she revealed a trace of a smile. “Rise. If you serve me wholeheartedly, I will naturally not treat you unfairly.”

Hongxia immediately pressed a piece of broken silver into Qinghua’s hand.

“Thank you for your grace, Mistress.” Qinghua clutched the silver, secretly curling her lip. They all said Xie Wanqing was generous, so why was this reward less than half of what Xie Mingyue gave? Still, the Second Master currently held no official post, while the First Master was a third-rank official; it was only natural that the Second Branch had no money. She tucked her hand into her sleeve, feeling the other bulging purse, her mind racing.

When she left the First Branch, Wutong, the First Mistress’s personal maid, had secretly slipped her a bag of money. “This is just for you, for no other reason than for you to do well in the Second Mistress’s service and speak a good word for me,” Wutong had whispered.

At the time, Wutong had spoken in a low voice. “I saw early on that you were capable. I have long since grown tired of the First Mistress’s ways, but the First Master would never let me leave. When you have established yourself in the Second Branch, help me.”

Wutong had appeared so humble. Although Qinghua suspected she might be helping Xie Mingyue set a trap, the weight of that bag of silver made her feel a bit lightheaded. Everyone knew the First Mistress was difficult to serve; after being worn down by her for so many years, Wutong’s loyalty likely had long since evaporated.

“Very well, Sister Wutong. Wait for me; I won't forget you.”

She had come to the Second Branch feeling happy, her initial reluctance vanishing. Even the personal maid wanted to leave; it seemed the First Branch was not a place worth staying.

Qinghua felt another pill in her sleeve. This, too, was from Wutong. She claimed it was a royal pregnancy-assistance pill that the First Master had requested for the First Mistress, but the First Mistress refused to take it. She had stolen it to give to Qinghua as a gift to present to the Second Branch.

Qinghua was not foolish enough to give the pill directly to Xie Wanqing. Instead, she told Xie Wanqing exactly what Wutong had said about wanting to defect, even producing the bag of silver.

Xie Wanqing brought her into the room and picked up the pill, smiling. “You are truly quite useful. Wutong was Xie Mingyue’s former maid, loyal to the bone—it is unlikely she would betray her. They are certainly trying to use you to harm me.”

Qinghua immediately knelt and kowtowed. “Mistress, please see the truth; this servant has no desire to overstep her bounds.”

“Rise, I do not doubt you,” Xie Wanqing said, putting the pill away with a cold laugh. “Xie Mingyue is still so naive, thinking that just because you are one of the Great Elder Mistress’s people, you wouldn't serve me.”

She and Lady Yun had a private understanding regarding their accounts, and Lady Yun did not get along with Xie Mingyue. Compared to Lady Luo, Lady Yun’s goodwill toward her was far more sincere. Therefore, someone from Lady Yun’s courtyard was naturally much more trustworthy.

“Go and fetch the physician from the Second Master’s courtyard. We shall see what this pill really is.”

Xie Wanqing sent Qinghua on the errand. The physician, thinking she was pestering him about the miscarriage matter again, was about to refuse, but his attitude shifted after sniffing the pill.

“This is a pregnancy-assistance and fetal-preservation pill, and it has been enhanced with century-old red sage—a rare and precious medicinal ingredient. Excellent medicine!”

Upon hearing this, Xie Wanqing’s heart filled with suspicion. Wutong did not know she was faking her pregnancy; could this really have been something she stole from Xie Mingyue’s room?

Qinghua, unaware of the situation, offered her congratulations. “Congratulations, Mistress! After taking this, the fetus will be much more stable. When you give birth to the Second Young Master, no one in this manor will be able to surpass you.”

Xie Wanqing’s mind was in chaos, all her focus landing on two words: *Pregnancy assistance.*