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

She wore a light lotus-colored dress and applied a thin layer of makeup, which concealed her illness while retaining some of her post-illness haggardness and fragility.

Inside the room, lily incense burned. Su Wanrou sat upright on a wooden stool, her gaze fixed on the gilded incense burner not far away.

Actually, besides the scent of lilies, it also contains some aphrodisiac fragrance.

It was left to her by Zhou Mama before. At that time, Shen Yunshuang entered the manor and was favored exclusively. The young master no longer came to Jinlan Courtyard much. So Zhou Mama found this incense, saying that it could enhance the relationship between the young master and her.

It is also said that all men in the world like Shen Yunshuang, who speaks softly and gently, and that she should also be a little softer.

At that moment, Su Wanrou felt utterly humiliated. She was a noble lady from a prestigious family, inherently proud and aloof. To be forced to use such despicable means to win her husband's favor and to curry favor with others was far more unbearable than torture for her.

However, ever since the matter of the tonics was exposed, Pei Jingnian has become increasingly distant from her, and Wang Shi has stripped her of her power to manage the household. Even the servants have become increasingly neglectful of her. The ginseng soup that the kitchen sent her when she was ill was as bland as water. The pride of this noble lady, who had never suffered any hardship in her life, had long since crumbled into dust in the face of increasing neglect.

Now they've done something even more despicable than before.

Footsteps sounded outside. Su Wanrou quickly wiped away the tears that were about to fall from the corners of her eyes, her eyes showing a hint of weakness and forbearance. She quickly stepped forward and knelt down to greet them.

Pei Jingnian's expression was colder and harder than usual, as if he was just going through the motions.

He barely glanced at Su Wanrou, and after sitting down, asked casually, "Are you feeling better?"

Su Wanrou felt a pang of pain in her heart. She forcibly suppressed the surging emotions within her and replied in a slightly hoarse voice, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am much better now." She bit her lip, picked up the teapot herself, and poured tea for Pei Jingnian, saying, "I was confused before and was misled by Zhou Mama, which is why I made a mistake. I know I was wrong and will reflect on myself every day from now on and behave myself properly."

Pei Jingnian noticed that her gentle tone was quite different from before.

In addition, the room was filled with a subtle fragrance, and in no time, Pei Jingnian felt restless and aroused desire.

Since Shen Yunshuang became pregnant, he had not been close to her. His long-suppressed desire was stirred by the faint fragrance, and Pei Jingnian thought he had been abstinent for too long.

That night, Pei Jingnian stayed at Jinlan Courtyard.

When the news reached Ningxiang Pavilion, Lvrui and Xuezhi thought Shen Yunshuang would be jealous, but to their surprise, her expression was extremely calm, not even as emotionally volatile as when Chuntao seduced the young master.

Shen Yunshuang sensed the maid's doubts but didn't say anything. Everything was proceeding slowly according to her plan.

Pei Jingnian's visit to Jinlan Courtyard was within her expectations.

As for staying overnight, that was exactly what she wanted.

Since her rebirth, she has been acting. Many people get deeply involved in their roles, but she never will.

Pei Jingnian was nothing more than a pawn in her hands, a stepping stone for the child in her womb. She would never allow such ephemeral love to become her weakness.

Absolutely not.

_

Since Pei Jingnian spent the night at Jinlan Courtyard, the atmosphere in the manor has shifted somewhat. Many privately speculate that the Crown Princess has not completely fallen out of favor.

However, since that visit, the young master has never set foot in Jinlan Courtyard again, and has remained in Ningxiang Pavilion. Everyone then realized that the pregnant concubine was the most important person in the young master's heart.

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and Shen Yunshuang's belly was already eight months along. The day of her delivery was just around the corner, and the whole household was on edge. Wang Shi and Pei Jingnian's attention was entirely focused on Ningxiang Pavilion.

The maternity ward has already begun to be prepared, and tonics and maternity supplies are being continuously delivered to the hospital. Doctor Zhang is even living in the mansion, taking her pulse and ensuring her well-being every day.

Pei Jingnian invited a nanny who had delivered babies for noble ladies in the palace to serve him at his residence. After examining the fetus, the nanny repeatedly offered her congratulations, saying that Shen Yunshuang's pregnancy was stable and that she was very likely to have a full-term, natural birth.

Pei Jingnian was naturally relieved to hear this and eagerly awaited the birth of his child.

While everyone's attention was focused on Ningxiang Pavilion, Su Wanrou discovered that her period was late and she was feeling weak and sleepy. She suppressed her joy and asked someone to call the palace physician.

Dr. Zhang stroked his beard, examined the pulse again and again, and said, "It looks like a slippery pulse, but the pulse is too weak for the current stage, so it's hard to say."

Su Wanrou was overjoyed and almost cried tears of joy. She completely ignored the hesitation and uncertainty in Dr. Zhang's words and was absolutely certain that she was pregnant!

After years of waiting, it has finally come true today. All the pain and forbearance we endured have finally paid off!

The news spread throughout the Marquis's residence in no time. Madam Wang could hardly believe her ears and specially summoned Doctor Zhang to inquire about the matter in detail.

Dr. Zhang remained cautious, only saying that the pulse suggested pregnancy, but the pregnancy was too early to confirm.

Wang's feelings were complicated. If Su Wanrou hadn't exposed these harmful things before, her pregnancy would naturally be a great joy.

But now, Su Wanrou's character has cast a shadow over this joyous occasion.

But after all, it was Pei Jingnian's child. Madam Wang rewarded Jinlan Courtyard with many things and said to Doctor Zhang, "Then let's wait another month and go for another pulse diagnosis to confirm. The concubine is about to give birth, so be sure to take good care of her."

One was a baby nearing full term, the other a pregnancy still uncertain due to early pregnancy. Wang could naturally distinguish which was more important.

As for Pei Jingnian, upon hearing this news, he was more shocked than happy. He naturally wanted a legitimate son, but the thought that the legitimate son's mother was such a vicious person as Su Wanrou diminished his expectations.

But since they were related by blood, he still visited Jinlan Courtyard a few times.

Now that two people in the household are pregnant, Shen Yunshuang is still the most important person in his heart, so Doctor Zhang is still stationed at Ningxiang Pavilion.

Another doctor was found to serve Su Wanrou. This doctor, surnamed Li, was very confident in his medical skills. Moreover, he was unfamiliar with the situation in the mansion and thought that Su Wanrou was the legitimate wife and had a very high status. After taking her pulse, he made a decisive judgment that the princess was pregnant. As a result, he received a lot of rewards from Su Wanrou.

Su Wanrou was thus freed from her previous gloom, and the servants in the mansion also changed their tune accordingly, with no one daring to neglect Jinlan Courtyard anymore.

Even Linglan and Ruichu, since she became pregnant, have been coming to her almost every day to fawn over her.

Su Wanrou originally loathed the two of them, but now that she was finally able to hold her head high, she desperately needed Linglan's flattery to satisfy her previously despairing pride.

_

Ningxiang Pavilion

Shen Yunshuang quietly rested and recuperated, as if the Crown Princess's pregnancy had no effect on her whatsoever.

Aside from calling Linglan over for a brief conversation, he almost never leaves the house.