"Mr. Xie, please rise," Chi Ying couldn't bear to watch any longer. Although Xie Yong wasn't very capable, he wasn't bad and was pitifully dragged down by his sister. "Although His Highness won't marry Miss Xie, we are still relatives. We shouldn't throw our own family out, right? It's just some angry words."
Cui Yi glared at her—these annoying people should be thrown out. Why keep them?
Chi Ying looked at him helplessly—how can I explain this to Mother Duanyuan? Think from my perspective.
Reluctantly, Cui Yi accepted it: "Get up. Don't mention this again."
Xie Yuchan, devastated by her shattered dream, sobbed uncontrollably, losing all her usual arrogance. She left, clinging to her brother, sobbing.
"His Highness really avenged our Lady today!" Xiao Qiu exclaimed joyfully after the Xie siblings left.
Cui Yi sternly ordered: "When I'm not here, you must protect Lady. Anyone who dares to be disrespectful, hit them with a flower pot right in the face."
Xiao Qiu was ecstatic: "Right in the face?"
Cui Yi nodded: "Right in the face."
Chi Ying pretended to be stern: "Xiao Qiu, stop fooling around. His Highness has been back for a while, and you haven't even served tea. What are you doing?" Xiao Qiu stuck out her tongue and hurried to fetch tea.
News of Chi Ying's pregnancy soon reached the palace, partly due to her intentional leaks. Emperor Jianyuan and Consort Duan couldn't force Cui Yi to marry under these circumstances, especially if anything happened to the child, making it difficult to explain to Changsun Tai.
However, while Emperor Jianyuan, Consort Duan, and even the Empress sent gifts and condolences, someone wished for the child's demise.
As winter approached, it became colder. Chi Ying stayed indoors most of the time, walking around the courtyard, playing with Xiaotaosu, feeling neither bored nor stifled.
Madam Fan visited the Wu to see her daughter and was horrified upon seeing Xiaotaosu on Chi Ying's lap: "Where did this wild cat come from? Get rid of it immediately! Oh dear!"
Xiao Qiu hastily removed Xiaotaosu. Chi Ying stood up, puzzled: "Xiaotaosu is a pet here. It won't scratch anyone."
"Oh my dear! Didn't the doctor tell you that pregnant women shouldn't touch cats? Otherwise, the child might be deformed!" Madam Fan anxiously brushed off the cat fur and held Chi Ying's hands: "You're going to be a mother soon. Be more careful. It's freezing out here. What if you catch a cold?"
Chi Ying was gently pushed inside by her mother: "It's not that cold. The room feels stuffy. I needed some fresh air."
Madam Fan sighed: "You don't understand childbirth." She scolded Chi Ying and Xiao Qiu, who dared not argue and could only bow their heads.
After exhausting herself, Madam Fan accepted a cup of hot tea from Chi Ying: "Sit down, drink some tea."
Madam Fan sighed deeply and sat on the couch. Servants brought a hand warmer, which she placed aside, then held Chi Ying's hands: "I've always wanted to visit you, but your father forbade it, fearing the Crown Prince would suspect our closeness to the Wu王府, affecting Lingfang. My dear, is His Highness treating you well?"
Chi Ying stroked her mother's hand: "Mother, don't worry. His Highness treats me very well." Xiao Qiu quickly added: "Yes, yes, when he heard Lady was pregnant, he was overjoyed."
Madam Fan showed a slight smile, but her brows remained furrowed, indicating distress.
"What's troubling you, Mother?" Chi Ying asked.
Madam Fan sighed, speaking softly: "Ying'er, your father has something to discuss with you but can't come here himself. Can you visit home sometime?"
Chi Ying relaxed: "Anytime. Why didn't Father send someone earlier? I'll prepare the carriage now."
Madam Fan hurriedly said: "Take our carriage. I came by carriage, and it's waiting outside."
Chi Ying felt slightly puzzled, sensing her mother had planned this, expecting her immediate return. But dismissing her doubts, she agreed: "Alright, Xiao Qiu, inform Uncle Wang I'll return after dinner. If His Highness returns early, tell him to eat alone."
Traditionally, daughters returning home should bring their husbands, but given Changsun Tai's concerns, Chi Ying thought it best not to involve Cui Yi.
The Taifu Mansion's carriage waited at the front gate. Madam Fan and Xiao Qiu carefully helped Chi Ying into the carriage. Several maidservants wanted to accompany her, but Madam Fan stopped them: "No need. I'll send the Princess back after dinner." The maidservants hesitated but obeyed after Chi Ying reassured them.
Madam Fan's insistence on leaving the maidservants behind heightened Chi Ying's suspicions. What could her father want to discuss privately? Why now, after hearing about her pregnancy? Was there something secretive?
Despite her unease, Chi Ying convinced herself her parents wouldn't harm her. If they asked her to do something against Cui Yi, she would refuse. Her father was indeed caught between two brothers, making his position difficult.
Returning home after six months, Chi Ying felt strangely estranged. This was where she lived for fifteen years, yet it felt like entering someone else's house. Was the subtle rejection just her imagination?
"Ying'er, you're back?" Changsun Tai stood in the courtyard, amusing himself with birds. Hearing footsteps, he knew it was her without turning.
Chi Ying, wrapped in a sable coat, greeted him: "Daughter greets Father."
Changsun Tai chuckled: "No, no, you're now the Princess of Wu王府. I should greet you."
Chi Ying straightened up: "Father, joking aside, even after marriage, I remain your daughter. It's proper to pay respects."
Changsun Tai turned around, revealing more gray hairs.
"Even after marriage, still my daughter?" Changsun Tai asked slowly.
Chi Ying nodded firmly: "Yes, whether I'm a concubine or even Empress, before you, I am always your daughter."
Changsun Tai gazed at her for a long time: "Then will you listen to me?"
Chi Ying replied confidently: "Father's orders, I shall follow."
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Madam Fan intervened: "Let's move inside. It's cold, and Ying'er needs warmth."
Changsun Tai's words hinted at something, but since he hadn't clarified, Chi Ying pretended ignorance and followed her mother inside. Changsun Tai also entered and sat in the main chair.
"Ying'er, I heard you're pregnant," Changsun Tai said.
Chi Ying gently touched her belly: "Yes, Sister Cheng confirmed it. About three months."
Changsun Tai studied her silently for a moment: "If I asked you to terminate the pregnancy, what would you think?"
Chi Ying was shocked: "Terminate?"
Changsun Tai remained silent. Madam Fan squeezed Chi Ying's hand, looking distressed: "My dear, I know it's unfair, but we have no choice. You know how hard it is for us, right?"
Chi Ying couldn't believe they were targeting her unborn child. She had expected them to ask for information about Cui Yi or to poison him. Instead...
Madam Fan added: "Lingfang married into the Eastern Palace two months before you, but she hasn't conceived yet. If the Crown Prince learns you and the Prince are ahead, how will he view our family?"
Chi Ying angrily withdrew her hand: "What does it matter? Does he expect everyone else to stop having children until he does?"
Madam Fan was speechless. Changsun Tai explained: "Not exactly. I must support the Crown Prince over the Prince. Since you married the Prince, the Crown Prince trusts me less. I fear any misstep, even visiting you, could jeopardize everything. Serving a prince is like walking on thin ice. You understand, right?"
Chi Ying took a deep breath, trying to stay calm: "I understand. As your daughter, I must consider the Prince's interests. It's absurd to sacrifice my child for the Crown Prince."
Changsun Tai seemed relieved but started to speak again. Chi Ying interrupted: "Father, I cannot agree to this. I belong to the Prince, and I will prioritize his interests."
Changsun Tai shouted: "Beast!" and slapped Chi Ying across the face.
The sudden violence stunned everyone, including Madam Fan and Xiao Qiu. Madam Fan screamed and shielded Chi Ying.
Changsun Tai raged: "You truly are a daughter who has left the family. Your mother and I raised you for fifteen years, and you dare to speak like this for a man! For him, you'd hurt your own flesh and blood!"
Chi Ying, clutching her burning cheek, glared back: "Do you know how heartbroken I am hearing you want me to harm my own child?"
Changsun Tai, furious, moved to strike again, but Xiao Qiu intervened: "Lord, you can't hit the Lady! She's pregnant!"
"Get out of the way! Such a disobedient daughter deserves death along with that b*st*rd!"
"Lady!" Madam Fan couldn't bear it. "She is your daughter, and the child is your grandchild. How can you call him a b*st*rd?"
Chi Ying pushed her mother aside and stood tall: "Hit me then."
Changsun Tai's anger was palpable, but Chi Ying stood firm, ready to face whatever came next.
Tai's two eyes bulged out, his right hand trembled, and after several attempts to raise it, he dared not strike again. "If you kill me today, tomorrow the Prince will turn the entire Grand Tutor's residence upside down. The crime of harming the imperial heir—father, even if you had ten heads, they wouldn't be enough to atone," Cheng Ying said without any fear, staring directly into Changsun Tai's eyes. "I am going back now. Today's events will be as if they never happened. I won't tell the Prince, nor will I get rid of this child.