The Second Prince felt tormented facing Su Qingyue's gentle words.
Su Qingyue, with her keen observation, noticed the Second Prince's unusual state.
"Has the Empress Mother scolded Your Highness again?" Su Qingyue gently massaged the Second Prince's shoulders with her soft fingers. "The Empress Mother means well for Your Highness; please don't harbor any ill feelings towards her."
The Second Prince was filled with a heavy heart, unsure how to confide in Su Qingyue.
"Then, let me share some happy news with Your Highness," Su Qingyue said.
"What news?" the Second Prince asked.
Su Qingyue took the Second Prince's hand and gently placed it on her flat abdomen. She looked at him with a beaming smile, remaining silent.
The Second Prince was initially uncomprehending, then erupted in joy. His voice trembled with excitement, "Qingyue, is it, is it that you are pregnant?"
Su Qingyue nodded softly.
"We're going to have a child, that's wonderful, we're going to have a child." The Second Prince happily scooped Su Qingyue into his arms.
"Your Highness, please be gentle. The household physician said that the first three months require utmost caution," Su Qingyue said softly.
The Second Prince carefully placed Su Qingyue onto a chaise longue. "Qingyue, do you feel unwell in any way? If you do, you must tell me and not endure it. This child has come at a perfect time, a truly auspicious arrival!"
Seeing the Second Prince's joyous demeanor, Su Qingyue was also very happy. She had married into the Second Prince's manor two years prior, and after six months, the Empress had begun to subtly, then overtly, urge them to have children. Within a year, the Empress had even bestowed several beautiful maids upon them, the meaning of which Su Qingyue understood perfectly.
Fortunately, the Second Prince had shielded her from this, stating he wished to have an heir first.
Now that she was with child, it proved that their bodies were healthy, and even if they had a daughter, it wouldn't matter. Of course, it would be best to have a son, which would relieve the pressure on both him and the Second Prince.
"Yes, this child is a little lucky star," Su Qingyue agreed.
The Second Prince thought that with Su Qingyue pregnant, the Empress Mother would likely cease her insistence regarding his cousin. After all, the Empress Mother had longed for this child for a long time.
"You rest now, I will go to the palace immediately," the Second Prince said.
"Your Highness, you have only just returned... If you wish to share this joyous news with the Empress Mother, tomorrow would be just as fine," Su Qingyue said.
"It's better to share it right away; the Empress Mother will surely be delighted," the Second Prince replied. "I will return very soon, and then I will spend quality time with you."
The Second Prince rushed to the palace without delay.
Empress Lu's brow was furrowed as she listened to the report from her subordinate.
After a long pause, she let out a humph, "Su Qingyue truly has good fortune."
Indeed, she was aware of Su Qingyue's pregnancy. The Second Prince was her son, and how could she not have eyes on his manor? She would not be at ease otherwise.
Therefore, even without Su Qingyue summoning a physician, Empress Lu knew of her pregnancy.
"This makes things not so easily dismissed."
The Second Prince entered Empress Lu's palace with great excitement, his tone brimming with enthusiasm. "Mother, Qingyue is with child."
Empress Lu feigned surprise, as if she were only just learning the news. "My son, is what you say true? Am I to become a grandmother?"
The Second Prince nodded happily. "Although the physician in my manor is not as skilled as those from the Imperial Hospital, he is a highly reputed doctor in the common folk."
The implication was that a pregnancy, a joyous pulse, would certainly not be mistaken.
"So, what is your intention, my son?" Empress Lu asked unhurriedly.