"You say she's pregnant, and it's mine?" Lu Yuanhong asked.
Eunuch Yun nodded, "Manager Wang said that after the poetry banquet, Wang Mei stayed at the Wang residence and had no further contact with any other man."
"Hmph!" Lu Yuanhong snorted when he heard this.
He remembered the poetry banquet. He had indeed been attracted by Wang Mei's beauty, and they had a night of passion. However, he never expected anything to come of a single night. He knew better than anyone why Manager Wang had sent Wang Mei.
Now that she was pregnant, Manager Wang would surely try to control the situation, but fortunately, his own mother had intervened.
"Your Highness," Eunuch Yun said, seeing Lu Yuanhong's brows furrowing and then relaxing, knowing he was thinking for the best. He quickly continued, "The child was almost killed, but who would have thought... it was saved by the Dali Temple..."
"What? What did you say?" Lu Yuanhong's eyes widened.
Eunuch Yun quickly comforted him, "Your Highness, do not worry, this matter is not irretrievable."
"How, Eunuch Yun, do you have a solution?" Lu Yuanhong asked.
Eunuch Yun said, "It's like this, the child is not at the Dali Temple; Wang Mei took him away. Although Wang Mei has not returned to the Wang family, according to the servants, she wouldn't have gone far during her confinement, so she should still be in Jincheng. Therefore, my suggestion is..."
As Eunuch Yun spoke, he leaned closer to Lu Yuanhong's ear.
Lu Yuanhong listened, and his sword-like brows slowly relaxed. "Good, we will proceed as you suggest. We must find her, even if it means using everyone in the Crown Prince's residence. I am not yet married, and His Majesty intends to choose someone from the Fu or Hua families. The Fu family is on our side, and I favor the young lady of the Hua family, Hua Yao. In that case, the only one who can oppose us in court is the Prince Xian's residence.
If news of me having an illegitimate child before marriage were to spread, given General Hua's character, the Hua family would rather rebel than marry Hua Yao to me. Therefore, this matter must succeed and cannot fail."
"Good!" Eunuch Yun said and quickly walked out of the room.
At the same time, in the secret chamber of the Prince Xian's residence.
Zhong Li held the child, using a small spoon to feed him milk from the bowl bit by bit.
Wang Mei lay on the bed, looking at the scene before her, a relieved smile on her lips. "When I rushed into that room, I thought my life was over. I never expected... not only to have my life spared but also to be with my child.
It is a pity for this child, though. Your mother's milk is not abundant, and the child is not getting enough to eat."
As she spoke, her eyes began to redden.
Zhong Li shook her head, "What nonsense are you talking about? If I can protect you, I can protect this child. No matter who he belongs to, he is a life, and no one can take him away."
"Mm!" Wang Mei nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked at Zhong Li. "When he was in my womb, I was still hesitant and didn't quite want him. After he was born, seeing how adorable he is, I instantly felt how cruel my previous thoughts were.
Now that the child and I are safe like this, it is also thanks to Master Zhong."
Zhong Li smiled and handed the child to Wang Mei, saying, "I am an official of the Dali Temple, so this is what I should do."
Wang Mei shook her head and remained silent.
"However, now your father, as well as the Crown Prince and the Empress's people, are looking for you. I apologize for the inconvenience of you staying here," Zhong Li said.
Wang Mei hugged the child tightly and said, "It's not an inconvenience. How can it be considered inconvenient? I'm afraid I'll be a burden to the Prince Xian's residence."
Zhong Li tucked the quilt around Wang Mei and comforted her, "The Prince is aware of your presence in the residence, and he hasn't said anything. You shouldn't burden yourself. Later, Mo Cang will send a girl named Yin Shuang to take care of you. Just tell her whatever you need."
"Alright!"
After Zhong Li finished speaking, she teased the child again and prepared to leave.
"Master Zhong!" Wang Mei called out, stopping Zhong Li.
Zhong Li paused, waiting for her to finish.
"I heard about your affairs. It seems Zhong Wuyou's body has not yet been found."
Zhong Li remained silent, her fingertips gripping the doorframe turning slightly pale.
"If you like children," Wang Mei said softly, "you can come and see my Fu'er often."
"Alright!" Zhong Li nodded heavily in agreement.
Outside the secret chamber, Lu Wu Xie was waiting for her.
As soon as he saw Zhong Li emerge, he stood up and went to meet her, "How is it, is the child alright?"
"Mm, he can eat and sleep, but the mother's milk is scarce, likely due to insufficient nutrition," Zhong Li said.
"It's alright. When Yin Shuang arrives, she'll know what to do," Lu Wu Xie said, putting his arm around Zhong Li as they walked out of the room.
"By the way, weren't you going to interrogate those black-clothed men who harmed Lin Jin? Why are you back so soon?" Zhong Li asked.
Lu Wu Xie flicked Zhong Li's nose, "You wouldn't want to know the methods of the Ministry of Punishments."
Zhong Li understood; he must have found something out.
"What did they say? It shouldn't be the Empress, right?" she asked.
Lu Wu Xie's expression turned serious. "You would never guess who it is."
Zhong Li pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and threw out a name: "Shen Ying."
Lu Wu Xie raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhong Li with surprise. He knew she was intelligent but hadn't expected her to guess this.
"How did you guess?"
Zhong Li, mimicking Lu Wu Xie's earlier gesture, reached out and flicked his nose, "I'm not telling you!"
"Are you going to tell me or not?" Lu Wu Xie feigned seriousness, pulling the woman in his arms closer. "If you don't tell me, I have reason to suspect you and Shen Ying are in cahoots."
"How could I!" Zhong Li also put on a look of mock tears.
"Then you say... Father..."
Lu Wu Xie was about to continue bantering with Zhong Li, but midway through his sentence, he saw someone approaching from the opposite direction and his expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
Zhong Li, hearing his call, also returned to her usual cold demeanor. She instinctively tried to push Lu Wu Xie aside.
Lu Wu Xie felt it and tightened his grip on her waist with his fingertips.
"Your Highness," Zhong Li said helplessly, having no choice but to face the situation.
Lu Fengyang walked up to the two of them and scrutinized them for a long time, "Is Master Zhong here at the Prince Xian's residence to see someone?"
Zhong Li knew he was referring to Wang Mei. "Yes, I have caused trouble for the Prince Xian's residence. I ask for Your Highness's patience for a few days, and Zhong Li will surely find a more suitable place."
"No matter!" Lu Fengyang waved his hand and said, "When the State of Lin was destroyed, only two people survived from this place. Now, as long as I am here, those inside will still be able to live."
Zhong Li understood the implication of Lu Fengyang's words and her face lit up with joy. "Then thank you, Your Highness. I shall take my leave!"
She knew that Lu Fengyang had always wanted Shen Ying to marry Lu Wu Xie. Regarding her, perhaps if she hadn't rejected the marriage, Lu Fengyang might have shown her some courtesy. Now that things had come to this, she was self-aware.
"Since you have matters to attend to, then go!" Lu Fengyang said, watching Zhong Li withdraw from Lu Wu Xie's embrace and look eager to leave. He paused for a moment and added, "I don't know what will happen next, but if possible, Master Zhong can come and visit often."
"Ah?" Zhong Li was a bit bewildered. Halfway on her path, she turned back with a confused look.
Lu Fengyang had already waved his sleeve and walked far away.
Lu Wu Xie looked at her in this manner and said, "Li'er, I thought you were clever just now, but why do you become so slow when faced with such a matter?"
Zhong Li glared at Lu Wu Xie, threw out a "hmph," and left.