Doctor Zhang's prescription, confirmed by Lady Cheng, was unsuitable for pregnant women.
"Although pregnant women need nourishment, excessive supplementation can be harmful," Lady Cheng advised during her visit, "Like saying that while medicines can save lives, improper use can also harm. That prescription looks beneficial, but taking it repeatedly could be fatal."
This was expected. The Empress wouldn't genuinely wish her well.
Chengying planned to pretend ignorance of the Empress's scheme, exaggerating the incident with Xie Yuchan to gain sympathy. This way, the Empress would ease off temporarily, allowing her to focus on recovery.
Thus, Chengying pretended to be ill, rarely leaving the palace until spring. The Empress assumed the child might not survive and stopped harassing her.
As the weather warmed, Chengying's belly grew larger, and the baby became more active. Cui Yi enjoyed listening to the baby's kicks, looking delighted.
Spring brought new growth, and Chengying resumed her plans. She assigned land in Ma Bei Shan to soldiers from the Western Camp for farming. These young men, skilled farmers, worked diligently, planting rice and other crops.
Chengying directed the troops to rotate duties, ensuring the fields were well-tended. The soldiers, motivated by the promise of food security, performed exceptionally well.
"No need for just rice and wheat; soybeans and sorghum are good too."
"After planting rice, consider raising ducks to control pests. Buy chicks from the market."
"The nearby river is perfect for fishing. Ensure the soldiers have enough protein, but release small fish for sustainability."
By mid-May, Chengying focused on preparing for childbirth, receiving reports and making adjustments.
Stable progress was reported. The crops flourished, and early estimates suggested sufficient harvests to sustain the troops. Combined with state provisions, food security improved significantly.
Chengying dictated, and Bai Li Zan recorded notes, which became routine.
One day, Cui Yi returned unusually grim-faced. Seeing Chengying chatting with Bai Li Zan, his expression darkened further.
"Your Highness has returned?" Chengying greeted warmly.
Bai Li Zan bowed, but Cui Yi coldly dismissed him: "There's nothing for you here. Leave."
Surprised by Cui Yi's tone, Bai Li Zan sensed tension and promptly left.
"Why are you angry with Mr. Bai?" Chengying asked, confused.
Cui Yi sat down without his usual inquiries about her health: "You seem close to Bai Li Zan?"
Chengying was puzzled: "We often discuss matters. What's wrong?"
"What matters?"
Cui Yi's tone carried a hint of danger. Chengying suddenly realized someone had sown discord. She knew Cui Yi trusted Bai Li Zan, but now he questioned their relationship.
"Discussing ways to recruit talents, ensure soldiers' welfare, and prevent Your Highness's power from weakening."
"Is that so?" Cui Yi wasn't convinced. "Bai Li Zan was recommended by you. You claimed your father admired him, but when I asked Chancellor Changsun, he denied ever knowing such a person."
Was it discovered? Chengying felt a chill. She fabricated the story to leverage Cui Yi's distrust of her brother. Initially, it worked, but now, someone had planted doubt.
Who? Who slandered her behind her back?
Upon the mention of this matter, it seemed that Cui Yi had already sought confirmation from his father-in-law, Changsun Tai, which meant that it must have happened at least yesterday. To think that Cui Yi could actually keep something to himself was both a relief and a cause for concern for Chi Ying. Although she had always hoped that Cui Yi would think things through before acting, he should never hide things from her.
Cui Yi's sharp gaze, as piercing as an eagle's, locked onto her eyes, seemingly trying to discern the truth from them: "I heard that on the day you were kicked by that Xie girl, Baili Zan carried you back to the main courtyard. What exactly is going on between you two?"
Chi Ying took a deep breath and met his gaze without flinching: "Mr. Baili is both my teacher and friend. His thoughts are meticulous, and his insights are unique. He has taught me many things, and I respect him like an elder brother. There is nothing more between us."
"Then how do you explain how a secluded lady like yourself came to know a scholar named Baili Zan, who hails from Gong County and only recently arrived in the capital?" Cui Yi was clearly not satisfied with her answer and continued to press her.
Chi Ying countered with a question: "Who told Your Highness that there was something between Mr. Baili and me?"
Cui Yi's face darkened, and his voice grew harsher: "It is I who am asking the questions now! When did you meet Baili Zan, and what was your purpose in recommending him to me?"
Even his pronouns changed, making Chi Ying sneer coldly: "How can Your Highness believe slanderous rumors about me after all we've been through together? You doubt my fidelity and suspect me of ulterior motives."
Cui Yi pressed his lips together in silence, staring at her without saying a word.
"If Your Highness already has a bias, then whatever I say will be in vain. If you suspect that I have been unfaithful to you with Baili Zan, then by all means, investigate. Every time I met with Mr. Baili, there were maidservants present to see and hear everything. You may check what we said and did. If you find any evidence to support your suspicions, I will hang myself right in front of you without hesitation!"
With these words, Chi Ying threw off the blanket on her lap and, with the help of a nearby maid, stood up and walked away.
The sudden deterioration of the relationship between the Duke and the Duchess left everyone in the residence feeling caught off guard. The maidservant who witnessed the scene secretly shared it with her close friend, who then spread it further. Thus, the rumor evolved from "The Duke suspects the Lady and Mr. Baili of having an affair" to "The child in the Lady's womb is not the Duke's but Mr. Baili's," and eventually became "The Duke has long known about the affair between the Lady and Mr. Baili but tolerated it due to lack of an heir."
By the time the rumor made its way back to Chi Ying, it had transformed into "The Duke cannot have children, so he secretly arranged for the Lady and Mr. Baili to conceive. However, he later regretted it and wanted to terminate the pregnancy, but the Lady refused."
"This is ridiculous! How twisted must someone's ears and mouth be to distort the truth so much?" Xiao Qiu was furious and ready to confront the gossiping maidservants.
Chi Ying remained calm: "There's no need to deal with them. This might even be beneficial."
Xiao Qiu stomped her feet in frustration: "Beneficial? Someone is deliberately slandering you and Mr. Baili. We can't just let it go!"
Chi Ying smiled: "Preventing people from talking is harder than stopping a river. Even if you punish them, the rumors will continue to spread. Since we know it's a conspiracy, it's best to ignore it. Look at Mr. Baili; he remains unperturbed."
Xiao Qiu was indeed anxious. Ever since the unpleasant confrontation between Chi Ying and Cui Yi in the courtyard, Chi Ying had not returned to the main chamber for three days, choosing instead to sleep alone in the side room. Cui Yi had not visited her once either, as if their past intimacy had never existed.
As Chi Ying's due date approached, Xiao Qiu, as her maid, felt increasingly worried, especially since neither her natal family nor her husband's family could be relied upon.
Dong Yue brought in a bowl of mushroom chicken porridge and placed it beside Chi Ying, adding with a smile: "The innocent will clear themselves. The more you try to argue or defend yourself, the more they'll think you're guilty. Ignoring the rumors is the right approach. They'll eventually lose interest and stop spreading them."
Chi Ying nodded: "Listen to Dong Yue, Xiao Qiu. Don't get flustered every time something happens."
"But Madam, what about the Duke? He hasn't visited you for three days. If this continues, and you give birth to a daughter, what will happen? Will we just watch him marry another woman's daughter?" Xiao Qiu paced anxiously around the room.
"Although the Duke hasn't come to see you, he still returns home at the usual time, showing that he still cares for you." Dong Yue blew on the porridge to cool it and then knelt down to massage Chi Ying's swollen feet, which had become quite severe in recent months.
Xiao Qiu exclaimed in surprise: "If he cares, why doesn't he come over? It's just one wall separating you, and you're about to give birth. Is he still sulking?"
Dong Yue smiled: "Men don't like being cuckolded, even if it's just a false accusation. He won't take the initiative to reconcile. But if he shows up when you go into labor, everything will be resolved."
Xiao Qiu was still puzzled: "What if he doesn't come?"
Chi Ying sneered, glancing toward the door: "If he doesn't come, someone else will. Make sure you catch that person, the one who pretends to mourn while actually plotting against us. That person is the one who sowed discord between us."