Pin Shanhe

East Suburb Inn.

Chu Lingyu seemed to have anticipated their arrival, as tea had already been prepared on the table.

After Shen Fu sat down, she picked up the teacup beside her.

Upon opening the lid, a sweet aroma wafted out – it was a cup of jujube and ginseng tea!

It was obvious that they knew she was pregnant and prepared this specially; I never expected them to be so thoughtful.

Xiao Xuanjin also had mixed feelings. Seeing another man showing such concern for his wife, he did feel a little uncomfortable.

But the other party did something so impeccable that it was impossible to feel any resentment towards them.

Chu Lingyu was clearly very interested in Shen Fu's pregnancy and couldn't help but ask a few more questions.

"I haven't congratulated Princess Xuan on becoming a mother yet. How many months pregnant are you?"

"It's been almost three months."

"I've heard that pregnancy is extremely difficult for women. Your Highness is currently in the early stages of pregnancy; are you experiencing any discomfort?"

Although Shen Fu had a good impression of the Crown Prince of Dongyue, she had only met him twice and was, strictly speaking, a stranger. Naturally, she could not reveal all her secrets.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am perfectly fine."

Xiao Xuanjin saw everything and couldn't help but become more vigilant.

He seemed unusually concerned about Shen Fu, even asking about her pregnancy in great detail.

Could it be that the other party has already guessed something and is deliberately trying to test us?

Shen Fu didn't think much of it, never forgetting the purpose of her visit today.

"We are grateful for His Highness's generous help yesterday and would like to contribute to the search for the princess. However, we do not know how old the princess is. If you can provide any other clues, we can help you find her as soon as possible."

Chu Lingyu's gaze darkened, and his tone carried a hint of deeper meaning.

"How old is the Princess Consort of Xuan?"

They weren't discussing Princess Dongyue, so why did the topic suddenly shift to themselves?

But thinking that she would need someone's help later, she answered truthfully, "Seventeen."

"What a coincidence! She's the same age as my younger sister. How many months old was she?"

"..."

Isn't this Crown Prince of Dongyue a bit too gossipy?

If they keep asking, won't they have to dig up their own family tree?

But she patiently replied, "June, it won't be the same month as your imperial sister again, will it?"

"No, my younger sister was born in May."

Xiao Xuanjin did not miss the disappointment in the other person's eyes.

Could he be mistaking Shen Fu for the Dongyue Princess who was lost among the common people?

Thinking of Shen Fu's unusual pregnancy symptoms, which were very similar to those recorded in the secret tales of the Dongyue royal family that Jun Qiyuan had mentioned, he also had some doubts.

But Shen Fu is the daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo and grew up in Dayong. How could she be involved with Princess Dongyue?

To be on the safe side, he quickly asked, "Besides age, are there any other clues that could prove my identity?"

He didn't hide anything, and revealed another secret that no one else knew.

Back then, Empress Dongyue suffered a shock and went into premature labor. After giving birth to a princess, she sent her trusted maid with the child away.

To escape assassins, the palace maid boarded a cargo ship bound for the Yong Dynasty and disappeared without a trace.

It wasn't until two months ago that they finally found the palace maid who was already terminally ill.

They learned that the ship had been attacked by pirates years ago, and they were about to find the cabin where the pirates were.

To protect the princess from harm, the palace maid hid her in an empty water vat and went out herself, only to be defiled by pirates.

Later, the government noticed something unusual at sea and sent people to rescue them.

Several other cargo ships also came to help.

After being rescued, the palace maid immediately returned to the cabin, only to find that the vat was empty.

The princess has disappeared!

According to her, when the pirates boarded the ship, she had a premonition that something was wrong and was worried about being separated from the princess, so she bit a deep tooth mark on the princess's shoulder.

While fighting the pirates, another ship also carried out a rescue operation.

There were several high-ranking officials and nobles from the capital among them!

Feeling she had failed the Empress's trust, she was too ashamed to return to Dongyue and went into hiding.

But over the years, she never gave up searching for the princess, until she was exhausted and beyond medical help.

Now that she has revealed this crucial clue to them, she can die in peace.

Shen Fu suddenly realized: "You mean... the princess was likely rescued by a nobleman back then, and is currently in the capital. The only clue to confirming her identity is whether she has that tooth mark on her body?"

Chu Lingyu's gaze was fixed on her.

From the moment I first saw Shen Fu, I had a strong intuition, as if drawn by some unseen force.

This is a question that probably only one person knows the answer to.

He looked at Xiao Xuanjin, only to see the other man gently shake his head.

Others may not know, but doesn't he understand?

Shen Fu didn't have any teeth marks on her body, only a crescent-shaped birthmark.

Shen Fu was oblivious to the unusual situation between them, preoccupied only with Jun Jingyan and Yun Dai.

Would it be unreasonable to ask someone to speak directly?

It would be awkward if the other party rejected you outright!

Now, she has seized a good opportunity.

"If the princess is really in the capital, I will definitely help you find her."

Chu Lingyu felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

Could it be that he really made a mistake?

No, that won't happen!

He believed in the pull of bloodlines and in his own intuition.

He probably guessed that she was doing this because she needed his help, so he gave her a way out.

"If you can really do it, I will grant you one request."

Shen Fu was overjoyed; before she could even speak, the other party had taken the initiative to bring it up.

This went too smoothly!

"Can I get an advance payment?"

Looking at her expectant eyes, Chu Lingyu couldn't help but feel doting and reached out to gently rub the hair on her forehead.

"sure!"

Looking at the man in front of her, Shen Fu felt an even stronger sense of familiarity.

There was an urge to snuggle into his arms and see if his embrace was warm.

When she realized what was happening, she was startled.

How could I have such feelings for a strange man?

Even if they're not strangers, this shouldn't be the case!

The man couldn't bear to watch them gaze at each other so affectionately any longer.

The previous suspicions about their relationship were already forgotten, but now that it has been "clarified," it's time to stop.

He stepped forward and pulled Shen Fu into his arms, warning her, "Men and women should not touch each other. I hope Your Highness will be mindful of this."

Chu Lingyu also understood that his behavior just now was indeed a bit abrupt before his identity was confirmed, but he really couldn't help himself!

He didn't say much, but just gave the man a deep look.

"Take good care of her. If there is even the slightest mishap or mistake, even if you are the God of War of the Great Yong, I will take her away from you."

Shen Fu was startled. What was going on with them?

The atmosphere was just peaceful, how did it suddenly become so tense?