Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 399: Evading Calamity Outside the City

Chapter 399: Chapter 399: Evading Calamity Outside the City

"Now that the marriage is settled and the gifts have been exchanged, everything is ready. Just wait for the new year to pass, and your marriage with the young man from the Dou Family can take place. Time flies indeed."

"Who says it doesn’t? But once Qiuyue gets married, there will only be Ke Li left in our family who hasn’t married yet. In recent days, my daughter-in-law has sought out several matchmakers, but hasn’t found a suitable match."

Madam Dong was both happy and worried.

She was happy that her niece found a good family for marriage.

But she was worried that her son still didn’t have a wife.

Seeing her like this, Mrs. Dong comforted her.

"There’s no rush about Ke Li’s marriage. The master has already told me that we’ll make plans after he starts his exams next year. The difference between a Scholar and an Advanced Scholar is vast. If he becomes an Imperial Student, would you still worry about finding a satisfactory daughter-in-law?"

Hearing this, Madam Dong finally smiled.

Indeed.

Her son’s future is what she worries about most now.

So earlier, at the temple, she earnestly prayed for many blessings.

Just as she was thinking about this, she heard the urgent sound of horse hooves approaching from afar.

The old driver, Old Jiang, saw that the person was from their household and immediately stopped the carriage.

The carriage halted, and Madam Dong lifted the curtain and asked.

"What’s going on?"

"Madam, people from the house have come."

Madam Dong looked puzzled. They were almost in the city, so why would the household send someone?

Could something urgent have happened?

Worried, she asked the approaching person.

"Has something happened at home?"

The person was a loyal servant of the Dong Family for many years.

He quickly said.

"Madam, indeed something has happened. Second Master was falsely accused of causing someone’s death, and now the victim’s family is blocking the house, looking for trouble. The Old Master advised that you go to the estate outside the city to avoid trouble until everything is settled. He will come to fetch you home once everything is resolved."

His voice was not loud, as they were on the main road.

There were many travelers and carriages passing by.

If others learned of this, it might lead to more trouble, so he spoke softly.

Hearing this, Madam Dong’s expression changed immediately.

Beside her, Mrs. Dong asked anxiously.

"How is Second Master?"

"He sustained some minor injuries and has been sent home to recuperate. The Old Master is concerned for your safety, so he requests that you leave quickly to avoid being found and troubled."

Madam Dong decisively said.

"Old Jiang, turn the carriage to the estate outside the city."

"Yes."

Then she spoke to the rider.

"Go ahead to the estate and tell the steward to gather all the capable farmhands and have them guard around the estate, not allowing anyone to approach. Wait for the Old Master’s command to proceed."

"Yes, Madam."

The Dong Family has always treated the farmhands and servants kindly.

Therefore, even in such dangerous times, there was no fear of anyone betraying them.

After the Dong Family’s carriage turned around, it headed towards the suburban estate.

The dust kicked up by the horse’s hooves made the situation in Shengjing City even more unclear.

While these baseless accusations arose at home, the traveling palace remained peaceful.

Today, the Emperor had many state affairs to attend to, so when Mrs. Yun, the Second Madam, entered the palace, she didn’t see him.

The children were taking their midday rest, and in Ruiyang Pavilion, there were only Lin Wanyi, Mrs. Yun, and Xia An.

As for Qiu Ming, he always waited three meters away outside.

He couldn’t hear what the masters were discussing.

Recently, Lin Wanyi wasn’t feeling well, so she sought Mrs. Yun for a consultation.

Indeed, upon examination, she was found to be pregnant again.

"Congratulations, Your Highness, congratulations on your pregnancy."

Xia An beside her was overjoyed, looking at Lin Wanyi with excitement.

Yet there was a tinge of regret.

How could she not have noticed this despite being by her master’s side for so long?

Unlike Xia An’s excitement, Lin Wanyi seemed unsurprised.

Retracting her hand, she reflected.

It might have happened during the Mid-Autumn festivities.

At that time, she forgot to bring her contraceptive medicine upon returning to the capital.

And now, joy came unexpectedly.

Touching her still flat abdomen, Lin Wanyi didn’t know what to feel.

Happy? She was somewhat happy.

After all, it was her child.

Yet troubled? She was somewhat troubled.

With four children already, she wondered how she could manage another.

Since the Second Prince returned to the palace, he moved to the Prince’s Residence.

With Nanny Du managing, Xiao Luzi accompanying, Yun Qi and Yun Fei attending closely, along with two little eunuchs running errands, and six guards keeping watch.

Even if Lin Wanyi was concerned, she had to follow palace rules.

She could only hope daily for a chance to see the Second Prince again.

Feeling both amused and exasperated, she said.

"No sooner is one sent off than another arrives. Could it be twins again this time? I might not be able to handle it."

Now already three months pregnant, Mrs. Yun could diagnose how many children she bore.

Hearing her remark, Mrs. Yun gently smiled and responded.

"Rest assured, this time it’s just one child. The pulse is strong and stable. If my predictions are correct, it should be a little prince."

Mrs. Yun was always calm in speech, and since she dared say this, she was eighty to ninety percent sure.

Hearing this, Lin Wanyi smiled slightly.

For her, if it were a princess, she would have liked it more.

But the Emperor once expressed his wish for another prince, so he was now content.

Lin Wanyi didn’t plan to tell the Emperor, lest it be a princess, and he fret needlessly for months.

Still, a princess would be nice.

From how the Emperor treated his three daughters, he didn’t seem to prefer sons over daughters.

Xia An discerned Lin Wanyi’s thoughts and teased.

"Your maid believes that as long as it’s the mistress’s offspring, His Majesty would love it very much."

Lin Wanyi felt a bit shy.

Yet she found the statement quite reasonable.

After all, compared to Princess Ming Ruo and the Third Prince.

Her children in the palace saw the Emperor more often.

Hence, they received more paternal love.

Mrs. Yun deduced.

"Don’t worry, Your Highness, the child is perfectly fine. Since it’s only one this time, we can relax a bit. Calculating the days, the birth should be around May or June next year. But, it will be hot then, and the confinement might be uncomfortable."

Lin Wanyi sighed softly.

Everyone thought she was worried about her confinement.