The pregnant woman pressed down on the wife, and the cousin collapsed into the prince's arms.

After Wang left, she naturally didn't go anywhere else, but went to Ningxiang Pavilion.

She truly loved Shen Yunshuang. Seeing her pale face and sickly appearance as she leaned against the soft pillow, she felt a deep pity for her.

Thinking of the outrageous things her son had done, she felt even more guilty towards her niece. She stepped forward and assured her, "Shuang'er, don't be afraid. Your aunt has already instructed the servants to keep your drowning a secret. Not a single word will be revealed."

Shen Yunshuang was surprised, not expecting that Wang Shi had such a plan.

Even though Pei Jingnian had already said he would take her as a concubine, Wang, the mother, placed her niece in a position even higher than her son.

Thinking of this, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and tears rolled down her cheeks like a broken string, staining her soft robes.

She threw herself into Wang's arms, her voice weak and choked with sobs: "Aunt..."

Wang held her close, comforting her repeatedly and assuring her that she would never make her a concubine.

Although things took an unexpected turn, Shen Yunshuang was not about to go against Wang's wishes at this moment.

After all, things that are too easily obtained are never cherished.

She wanted Pei Jingnian to know that he had overcome many obstacles to finally be with her.

Men are all like that; they only cherish what they have obtained through great hardship.

That's just human nature.

_

So, under Wang's arrangement, the matter gradually calmed down. Shen Yunshuang was able to focus on recovering, and Su Wanrou, who had been anxious, also recovered. Only Pei Jingnian, who was still immersed in the joy of taking his cousin as a concubine, waited for several days, but there was still no movement in the mansion.

When they arrived at Fuxi Hall, his mother repeatedly said that she would not grant his request and that Shuang'er would not become someone's concubine.

Pei Jingnian, his face ashen, asked, "What did my cousin say?"

My cousin clearly had feelings for him back at Ningxiang Pavilion!

Madam Wang disagreed, replying, "Shuang'er will naturally listen to me. I am her own aunt; would I possibly harm her?"

Pei Jingnian truly did not expect that things would take an unexpected turn, and that the one obstructing him was none other than his own mother!

Seeing his mother's unyielding attitude, he softened his voice: "Mother, I truly love my cousin."

Her son's seemingly affectionate cry of "Mother" truly touched Wang's heartstrings.

She looked up at Pei Jingnian, and her usually cold and aloof eyes now held a plea.

She was somewhat moved, but she simply couldn't bring herself to ask Yunshuang to become her son's concubine.

Otherwise, how could she face her sister in the future?

Thinking of this, she hardened her heart and earnestly said, "Since you are so fond of her, you must not let her be relegated to the position of concubine. You should keep your feelings to yourself, find her a good family, and marry her off in style so that she can be the principal wife, managing the household affairs. That is the best thing for her!"

Every word his mother said pierced Pei Jingnian's heart. He knew all too well how much he had wronged his cousin by making her a concubine.

But he had his own selfish motives, his own selfish motives…

Seeing her son's face turn paler and paler, Wang was not without heartache, but she also knew her son's temperament. She had made her point clear, and Pei Jingnian would not insist.

Pei Jingnian didn't say anything more, but he had anger bottled up inside. In addition, he hadn't slept all night and had been exposed to the cold wind in the study. The next day, he developed a high fever and fell ill.

He had always been very healthy, but when illness strikes, it comes like a landslide. The more vulnerable a person is, the more severe their illness tends to be. When Madam Wang heard about this, she immediately became anxious, and Su Wanrou was also extremely worried. She rushed to Heyingxuan.

She only learned the reason for Pei Jingnian's illness from her mother-in-law's few words. Her heart felt as if it had been stabbed, bleeding profusely.