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

Since Qin Shi arrived, Su Wanrou's mood has indeed improved a lot, and her health has gradually improved as well.

Seeing that she was depressed, and noticing that the weather was fine, her maidservant advised her to go for a walk in the garden.

It was June, and the summer heat was just beginning to set in. However, because the Hou Mansion Garden was filled with flowers and trees and had been dug into a lotus pond, it did not feel hot. Instead, there was a cool and refreshing atmosphere.

Su Wanrou sat in Qingyi Pavilion, watching the lotus leaves spread across the flower pond. The pink and white lotus flowers stood tall and graceful. A gentle breeze blew, and the flowers swayed, carrying a light lotus fragrance.

She leaned against the carved pavilion railing with one hand, her fingers unconsciously twirling a fallen petal, and the gloom in her heart slowly eased a little.

At this moment, several figures appeared at the end of the winding bluestone path in the distance.

Shen Yunshuang wore a sky-blue silk dress, her figure slender and delicate, but her belly was high and protruding. Six months of pregnancy did not diminish her beauty. Her face was bare, with delicate eyebrows and a charming face. She was gentle and languid, and occasionally turned her head to whisper to the man beside her.

Pei Jingnian, standing beside her, carefully supported her waist, showing his protectiveness. His gaze, when lowered, revealed a tenderness that Su Wanrou had never seen before.

The petals on her fingers had been crushed into mud. Su Wanrou sat stiffly in the pavilion, her gaze fixed on the two of them, staring at them in a daze.

The pomegranate and hibiscus flowers along the roadside were in full bloom, making the two of them appear even more affectionate and tender, a dazzlingly perfect match.

What an enviable couple!

She was the legal wife, but at this moment she was like a mouse in the dark, watching her husband dote on another woman.

Her gaze fell on Shen Yunshuang's swollen belly. In an instant, all the neglect she had suffered since Shen Yunshuang entered the manor, and all the disgust she had endured since becoming pregnant, surged up and pierced her heart.

The garden was ablaze with vibrant colors, but Pei Jingnian and Shen Yunshuang failed to notice Su Wanrou.

Dr. Zhang said that Shen Yunshuang's pregnancy was stable and smooth, and that she often walked around the yard, which helped with a smooth delivery.

That's why the two of them appeared in the garden today.

Pei Jingnian carefully supported Shen Yunshuang, constantly watching the pebbles and grass under his feet, afraid that she might trip and startle the baby.

Just as Shen Yunshuang looked up and spoke softly to Pei Jingnian, a gray-black wildcat suddenly darted out from the flower bushes in the shadows. It moved extremely fast, letting out a sharp hiss before flicking its tail and grazing past the hem of Shen Yunshuang's skirt.

The incident happened so suddenly that Shen Yunshuang froze, her heart pounding. Instinctively, she protected her pregnant belly and leaned softly into Pei Jingnian's arms.

"Master..." Her face paled instantly, her voice trembled slightly, and she called out timidly.

Pei Jingnian's heart tightened, and he held her tightly in his arms, gently stroking her tense back and soothingly whispering, "Don't be afraid, it's just a cat."

Then, a cold glint appeared in his eyes, and he turned to his servants, sternly ordering, "Give the order to thoroughly clean the flowerbeds and rockeries in the back garden. No wild animals are to be allowed to linger. Today, the concubine was frightened. If this happens again, you will all be punished!"

He then gently stroked her pregnant belly and soothed her softly, "Is there anything that's bothering you?"

Shen Yunshuang leaned on his shoulder for a while to calm down before shaking her head with pitiful eyes, still shaken: "Don't be angry, Master. It's just that the cat appeared too suddenly, and I was a little scared, but I'm fine now."

Although she said she was fine, Pei Jingnian was still very worried, so he stopped taking her to secluded places and went straight back to Ningxiang Pavilion.

Su Wanrou watched the whole thing from the pavilion, and all she did was act so dramatic over a cat.

And then there was Pei Jingnian's nervous expression...

She had never seen Pei Jingnian like this before.

Back at Jinlan Courtyard, Su Wanrou kept replaying the memories of their tender moments together. Her heart felt like it was being repeatedly cut by a dull knife, the pain making it hard to breathe.

Bao Shan observed the Crown Princess's expression and carefully comforted her from the side, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is only worried about the child in the concubine's belly. Please don't take it to heart."

Child… Yes, Su Wanrou suddenly remembered what her mother, Qin Shi, had told her.

If you give birth to a legitimate son, you will have nothing to fear.

As the moment approached, hope rekindled in Su Wanrou's eyes. She suddenly remembered the prescription given by Renhetang. Because the medicine was so fishy and unpalatable, she only tried it once and then put it aside, refusing to take it again.

If she had gritted her teeth and taken the medicine back then, would she be able to conceive a legitimate son now?

After all, Shen Yunshuang's body was so weak, yet she was able to conceive successfully thanks to Renhetang's prescriptions.

"Baoshan, do you still have the prescription from Renhetang that you had before?"

……

_

Since that day, Su Wanrou has been taking medicine every day. Even though the medicine is extremely bitter and makes her stomach churn and feel nauseous, she grits her teeth and drinks it down one dose after another.

At the same time, she knew she needed to quickly erase the negative impressions her mother-in-law and the young master had of her. Therefore, she went to Fuxi Hall every day to talk to Madam Wang.

She repented for being deceived by her servants and nearly making a grave mistake. From now on, she will be law-abiding and dutiful in fulfilling her duties as a legal wife.

She looked much more haggard after her illness, and with her plain clothes, she no longer looked as dignified and noble as before. Madam Wang watched coldly, but did not soften her heart in the slightest.

Now, all she hopes for is that Shen Yunshuang can give birth to her child safely. As for Su Wanrou's repentance today, whether it is sincere or not, she has no intention of investigating. She will just maintain the relationship and protect the reputation of the Marquis's mansion.

As for Pei Jingnian, he showed his disgust for her even more thoroughly. Several times when she brought snacks to Heyingxuan, Pei Jingnian refused to let her in.

Shen Yunshuang had seen everything Su Wanrou did, and it was within Shen Yunshuang's expectations that Su Wanrou had drunk the medicine.

Now that the stage has been set, she is even more determined to accompany Su Wanrou in this performance.

Therefore, she not only did not harbor any resentment towards Su Wanrou, but also advised Pei Jingnian to visit Jinlan Courtyard more often.

"The Crown Princess has been ill for a long time, yet you have never visited her at Jinlan Courtyard. If outsiders knew this, they would inevitably gossip, saying that you have mistreated your principal wife."

Pei Jingnian looked at Shen Yunshuang and, seeing that she showed no resentment or jealousy, couldn't help but ask, "She harmed you like that before, don't you hate her at all?"

Shen Yunshuang shook her head, nestled in his arms, and said slowly, "Since I entered the manor, I have received all your favor. It's inevitable that my sister will harbor resentment and do some outrageous things, but I won't blame her. I only ask that I don't damage your reputation or the honor of the Marquis's manor, and that I can stay by your side for a long time."

Every word she uttered was for his and the Marquis's family's sake, which deeply moved Pei Jingnian.

Her magnanimity only highlighted Su Wanrou's ruthlessness. Although he loathed her to the extreme, he still listened to Shen Yunshuang's suggestion and went to Jinlan Courtyard.

The moment Su Wanrou learned that Pei Jingnian was coming to Jinlan Courtyard, she knew that she absolutely could not miss this opportunity.