"It's nothing," Wang Qingyao said in surprise. "It just means a mother should do more good deeds, accumulate virtue, and then Bodhisattvas will bless the child to be healthy and safe. Aunt Luocheng, don't you agree?"
Aunt Luocheng nodded in agreement.
Wang Qingyao's gaze fell back on Han Suqin's face. "What's wrong with you, Qi Princess Consort? Your complexion looks so bad."
"Nothing... nothing," Han Suqin forced a smile. "Perhaps I'm a little tired from standing for so long while making tea."
"Then please sit down quickly."
Luocheng helped Han Suqin to sit.
Han Suqin watched Wang Qingyao staring at the cup of tea with great interest but not drinking it, and felt a pang of anxiety.
"Second Sister, please drink it quickly. It won't taste good when it gets cold."
Seeing that Wang Qingyao had said so much and Han Suqin still showed no remorse, her heart turned cold. She reached out and touched the teacup. "Unfortunately, it's already cold."
Han Suqin froze.
"Although it's spring, I'm pregnant and cannot drink anything cold. I can only辜负 (gūfù - fail to live up to) the Qi Princess Consort's kind intentions. I hope the Qi Princess Consort won't be angry with me?"
"How could I be?" Han Suqin's smile was more bitter than a cry. Looking at the cup of tea, she said, "Let me make another cup for Second Sister."
As she said this, she was about to get up. Wang Qingyao quickly pressed her down. "No need. You were tired just now, how can I ask you to make tea again? You should sit and rest. It's just a cup of tea, it doesn't matter if I don't drink it."
Wang Qingyao exerted considerable force, pinning Han Suqin so she couldn't move. Even if Han Suqin wanted to force herself up, she couldn't.
"It's my poor hospitality," she finally gave up.
Wang Qingyao sat for a while longer, making small talk about trivial matters, and then gracefully left the Qi Prince's mansion.
Han Suqin watched her departing back, her eyes filled with fear.
Princess Yin Yue had said that if Wang Qingyao's child did not die, her child would have to die!
As soon as Wang Qingyao left, Yin Yue came to find Han Suqin.
Seeing her, Han Suqin instinctively lowered her head in fear.
Aunt Luocheng was disappointed by her lack of spirit.
"What is it, Side Consort?" Aunt Luocheng asked on Han Suqin's behalf.
"I have a few words to say to the Princess Consort. Aunt, please step down first."
Aunt Luocheng remained standing. Princess Yin Yue couldn't order her around.
Princess Yin Yue's eyes turned fierce, and she glanced at Han Suqin.
Han Suqin said in a low voice, "Aunt Luocheng, please go out first."
Aunt Luocheng looked at Han Suqin with surprise. Han Suqin gave her a reassuring look with feigned ease. Aunt Luocheng hesitated for a moment and then went out.
"Was the matter handled?" Princess Yin Yue asked as soon as the door closed.
"No... no, the Ding'an Princess Consort didn't drink it," Han Suqin stammered, her voice growing softer.
Princess Yin Yue frowned and raised her hand as if to slap her.
Han Suqin let out a small cry and flinched, instinctively covering her face.
Yin Yue did not slap her, still mindful of Aunt Luocheng, and resentfully lowered her hand.
"You're useless! You can't even handle such a small matter!" she glared at Han Suqin, extremely displeased.
Han Suqin cowered and weakly explained, "Today was an accident. In a few days, I'll invite the Ding'an Princess Consort again, and I'll definitely make her drink it!"
"Did she become suspicious?"
Han Suqin quickly shook her head. "Impossible. I did it very discreetly. She couldn't possibly know. She's just pregnant and particular about what she eats and drinks. She wouldn't drink the tea if it was a little cold."
"It better be," Princess Yin Yue said. "Do you remember what I told you? If her child doesn't die, your child must die. It's one life for another. You choose."
Han Suqin's face instantly turned pale, and she whispered, "I haven't forgotten."
Princess Yin Yue snorted and added, "And this Aunt you keep talking about, you'd better find a way to send her back to the palace, or don't blame me for being impolite."
With that, Princess Yin Yue strode away.
Aunt Luocheng came in and noticed Han Suqin's unusual complexion. She asked with concern, "Princess Consort, what happened? What did the Side Consort say to you?"
Han Suqin shook her head, saying nothing.
Han Suqin's betrayal made Wang Qingyao very angry.
If she hadn't had clairvoyant eyes today, she would have fallen into Han Suqin's trap, and the consequences were unimaginable.
As soon as she returned to the Ding'an Prince's mansion, she asked Yin Zhu to bring her some desserts. Eating desserts improved her mood. She couldn't let such a despicable person upset her, which would be bad for the baby.
When Xiao Yun returned, she told him about the incident and scolded Han Suqin again.
"You went to the Qi Prince's mansion? You went to the Qi Prince's mansion alone?" Xiao Yun was too surprised. Who was the Prince of Qi? Who was Princess Yin Yue? And Wang Qingyao was pregnant. Wasn't that like a lamb walking into a tiger's den?
Xiao Yun was both shocked and frightened, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.
Seeing Xiao Yun's reaction, Wang Qingyao suddenly remembered that she hadn't told him about Han Suqin asking her to visit the Qi Prince's mansion more often.
She thought she had.
"Not alone," she said guiltily. "Zhenzhu, Yin Zhu, Shanhu, and Manao all went with me."
"Heh," Xiao Yun gave a cold laugh. "What good would that do? Princess Yin Yue is not to be trifled with, and there are many soldiers from the Xia Kingdom hidden in the Qi Prince's mansion. If a fight broke out, you and your maids wouldn't stand a chance against so many."