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Lady Chang had long guessed that Xiao Jinyan rushed to Hehuan Hall because he heard the news of Shen Chuwei’s joyful encounter. She smiled slightly, "Concubine also intends to visit Hehuan Hall. May I accompany Your Highness?"

Xiao Jinyan looked at her, her face full of pride in the spring breeze, the bottom of his eyes icy cold with not a trace of emotion.

However, due to his uncle’s face, there were some things he couldn’t say, nor could he be too excessive.

His voice was still neither cold nor hot, "Tomorrow is your Grand Ceremony of Enfeoffment, you should still prepare well, lest there be a mishap tomorrow that makes people laugh."

In fact, Xiao Jinyan truly wished for a mishap to occur tomorrow to cancel the Crown Princess’s Grand Ceremony.

Lady Chang was stunned for a moment, realizing that the Grand Ceremony was indeed tomorrow, and it was indeed better to be well-prepared.

But having Xiao Jinyan say it out loud, inevitably made her lose face.

"Concubine understands."

Xiao Jinyan withdrew his gaze and strode towards Hehuan Hall, disappearing from view after a short while.

Lady Chang stood still, watching as Xiao Jinyan’s figure disappeared at the corner, naturally feeling sad being ignored by the one she cared for.

But then she thought, tomorrow I will be the Crown Princess, what does it matter if I’m not liked?

In her heart, she sneered coldly again, Xiao Jinyan, do you really think Shen Chuwei is pregnant? It will turn out to be nothing but false joy!

And the child I bear will truly be the eldest son, the legitimate eldest son, incomparable by anyone.

Not even Shen Chuwei is worthy!

Lady Chang withdrew her gaze and proudly returned to Xinlan Hall, flicking her handkerchief dismissively.

Hehuan Hall

When Xiao Jinyan arrived, Shen Chuwei was eating tangerines, freshly picked from the backyard of Xiyun Pavilion.

Seeing Xiao Jinyan, she quickly put down the tangerine in her hand and stood up to greet him.

"Your Highness."

Concubine Xu had just stuffed a slice of tangerine into her mouth when she saw Xiao Jinyan, she hurriedly spit it out and got up to greet him.

"Your Highness."

Upon seeing Concubine Xu was also there, he said, "Both of you may rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Once Xiao Jinyan sat down in a chair, he noticed a pile of tangerine peels on the table and frowned slightly. He lifted his eyes to Shen Chuwei and asked, "What did Imperial Doctor Zhao say?"

"Imperial Doctor Zhao diagnosed Concubine’s pulse and said that Concubine is blessed with happiness," Shen Chuwei said, handing over the prescription Imperial Doctor Zhao had given her to Xiao Jinyan to see, "Your Highness, look, just now Concubine mentioned feeling nauseous and uncomfortable, and he prescribed some medication, in fact, it’s a concoction to induce menstruation. "

Whether Shen Chuwei was truly blessed with happiness, Xiao Jinyan was all too clear; from the time Shen Chuwei had her menstrual period to this day, they had never shared a room—how could there be a pulse of joy?

If an Imperial Doctor couldn’t even determine an obvious pulse of joy, he is surely unfit to hold the title of Doctor.

Xiao Jinyan holding a prescription in one hand, glanced at the handwriting on it, which was clearly from the same person.

He was even more certain now that Imperial Doctor Zhao was not only trying to frame Concubine Xu but also Xiao Jiu.

Concubine Xu looked at this scene in shock, only now realizing that the prescription for conceiving, His Highness was aware of it.

Just now, she was almost scared to death.

But now, it seemed His Highness wasn’t angry at all!

Xiao Jinyan looked up at Concubine Xu.

Concubine Xu fearfully lowered her eyelids.

Xiao Jinyan said nothing, because just as Xiao Jiu had said, Concubine Xu had no intention of harming her.

It could now be nearly certain that there was a problem with this Imperial Doctor Zhao, and there must be someone behind the scenes directing him.

Seeing Xiao Jinyan’s attitude, Concubine Xu couldn’t wait to ask, "Your Highness, do you plan to arrest him now?"

Xiao Jinyan indifferently replied, "The time isn’t right yet."

"Concubine understands," Concubine Xu didn’t dare to ask further.

During the evening meal, Xiao Jinyan ordered someone to invite Imperial Doctor Zhao over again, to re-examine Shen Chuwei and wish her peace of mind.

Liu Xi went to invite Imperial Doctor Zhao.

Imperial Doctor Zhao was preparing medicine when he learned that His Highness wanted him to go and re-examine Lady Shen Chuwei for peace. He was flustered for a moment.

Liu Xi smiled and said, "Imperial Doctor Zhao, Lady Shen Chuwei is pregnant, and His Highness is happy but also concerned that Lady Shen Chuwei has been overworked these past few days, which might affect the baby."

Having served at the Imperial Medical Bureau for a year, Imperial Doctor Zhao was able to understand the underlying meaning in Liu Xi’s words—it was nothing more than His Highness’s concern for having shared the bed with Lady Shen Chuwei in the past few days, fearing problems may arise.

"I’ll go right away." Imperial Doctor Zhao tidied up the medical herbs at hand and quickly followed Liu Xi to Hehuan Hall with the medicine box in tow.

At that time, Shen Chuwei was lying in bed, watching Xiao Jinyan seated by the bedside. She noticed he had been staring at her for a full five minutes, as if determined to discern something profound before letting go.

She could hardly bear the intensity of Xiao Jinyan’s concentrated gaze and couldn’t help asking, "Your Highness, is there something dirty on Concubine’s face?"

Xiao Jinyan shook his head, "No."

Shen Chuwei’s beautiful starry eyes brimmed with confusion, "Then why do you keep staring at Concubine like this?"

Lui Xi hurried in to report, "Your Highness, Imperial Doctor Zhao has arrived."

Xiao Jinyan lifted his head towards Liu Xi, and then saw Imperial Doctor Zhao following closely behind, carrying the medicine box, a somewhat unfamiliar face around 30 years of age.

Imperial Doctor Zhao set down the medicine box and knelt to pay respects, "Wishing peace and safety upon Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan said, "Rise, and take a good look at Lady Shen Chuwei, to see if she has any ailment."

"Your servant will examine Lady Shen Chuwei’s pulse right away." Imperial Doctor Zhao stood up and approached the bedside. This was his second time taking Lady Shen Chuwei’s pulse, he went about it with practiced ease, bringing out the necessary tools and a silk handkerchief.

Xiao Jinyan sat by the bedside, watching, which put immense pressure on Imperial Doctor Zhao.

Shen Chuwei glanced at Imperial Doctor Zhao; there was nothing much to see in taking a pulse, so she turned her gaze back to Xiao Jinyan, noting how serious he looked at this moment.

Xiao Jinyan waited for Imperial Doctor Zhao to retract his hand, then feigned ignorance, "How is it? Is the fetus safe and stable?"

Imperial Doctor Zhao bowed his head in affirmation, "Your Highness, Lady Shen Chuwei’s health is robust without ailment, and the baby is secure, free from any significant concerns."

Xiao Jinyan’s tone grew colder, "Is that so? Are you certain you haven’t made a mistake?"

Imperial Doctor Zhao began to sweat profusely, unable to lift his hand to wipe it, he only repeated what he had said before, "Your Highness, your servant has made no mistake, Lady Shen Chuwei’s health is robust, and the baby is secure."

Xiao Jinyan said icily, "Then why does this palace feel uneasy? Do you know that Lady Shen Chuwei’s child will be my first, and if anything goes wrong, you won’t be able to bear the responsibility?"

Imperial Doctor Zhao felt a chill run down his spine, and his voice trembled, "Your Highness, your servant understands, I will re-examine Lady Shen Chuwei immediately."

"There’s no need," said Xiao Jinyan.

Imperial Doctor Zhao secretly heaved a sigh of relief, he had nearly thought that His Highness had noticed something, which had frightened him to death.

Shen Chuwei truly admired Xiao Jinyan at that moment; his acting skills were miles ahead of theirs, perfectly watertight.

She and Concubine Xu had almost lost composure several times, only diffusing the risk of exposure through the momentum of their conversation.

Xiao Jinyan ordered, "Liu Xi, go and invite Imperial Doctor Wen over to take Lady Shen Chuwei’s pulse for peace of mind."

"As you command," Liu Xi responded and quickly stepped out.

Hearing the invitation for Imperial Doctor Wen, Imperial Doctor Zhao, who was already on edge, felt his legs weaken. Remembering that Imperial Doctor Wen was not at the Imperial Medical Bureau today, he felt a little relieved; just surviving today would be enough.

Imperial Doctor Zhao comforted himself silently.

Liu Xi made a round trip to the Imperial Medical Bureau and didn’t see Imperial Doctor Wen; after asking around, he learned that Imperial Doctor Wen had left the palace for the day.