After Being Marked by the Eldest Princess, I Got Pregnant with Her Child [Transmigration into a Novel] - Chapter 17

“Yan Chen… you… you…”

Song Shujiu was utterly bewildered. She had slept soundly until dawn, only to wake up and find the noble princess herself holding a steaming porcelain bowl, carefully blowing on each spoonful before offering it to her.

Half-sitting up, Song Shujiu couldn’t even form a complete sentence.

Was she okay?

Noticing her reaction, Yan Chen arched a delicate brow and paused the spoon at the edge of the bowl. Her voice, husky from just waking up, was irresistibly pleasant: “Awake?”

Song Shujiu’s gaze swept over her, scrutinizing every inch, before suddenly welling up with tears. Yan Chen frowned. “Why are you crying?”

Had someone done something to her here?

“Yan Chen, I—”

“Am I dying or something?”

“What?”

Had Song Shujiu lost her mind? What was she even saying?

“Otherwise, why would you suddenly care so much about me?”

Song Shujiu couldn’t believe it. Yan Chen, a noble princess, was serving her soup first thing in the morning. And yesterday, she hadn’t been feeling well had a physician examined her while she slept and diagnosed her with some terrible illness?

Yan Chen’s temples throbbed. What did she mean by “suddenly caring so much”?

“So, you’re complaining that I neglected you before?”

Song Shujiu chuckled awkwardly, scratching her head. “Not exactly. It’s just, these are all things I imagined doing for you. Now that you’re doing them for me, I just, can’t quite.”

Believe it.

Without another word, Yan Chen brought the bowl closer and held a spoonful to her lips. “The physician said you’re weak and need nourishment these days. If the Prime Minister comes demanding you back, I’d rather not offend her.”

Song Shujiu gasped. “You’re afraid of her?”

Was Song Lan really that terrifying in the book?

Yan Chen rubbed her temples. There was no point dragging this out, Song Shujiu would only come up with more absurd excuses.

“This is pigeon soup with morel mushrooms. Drink it while it’s hot.”

She had specifically instructed the chef to prepare it pigeon, morels, dried yam, lotus seeds, goji berries, and foxnut perfect for a woman in her condition.

Staring at the highly nutritious soup, Song Shujiu wondered if such a strong tonic first thing in the morning might be overkill. What if she overdid it?

“Aren’t you afraid that after drinking this, I might start getting,  ideas about you?”

It wasn’t her fault for overthinking. In dramas, characters who drank too many tonics often ended up with pent-up energy, leading to all sorts of unmentionable scenarios. Song Shujiu already had her own little fantasies about Yan Chen. What if the pigeon soup stoked those flames, and she lost control? The image of her and Yan Chen tangled up in bed, lost in passion just the thought made her shiver.

Yan Chen studied the girl before her with curiosity, her eyes flickering with amusement. Song Shujiu had a knack for being physically present while her mind wandered to the ends of the earth.

“I heard the Prime Minister hired a tutor just for you at the estate. If you were at the Imperial Academy, your absent-mindedness would get you punished to death.”

If she was this bold in front of her, who knew what mischief she got into outside?

Snapping back to reality, Song Shujiu realized she had already taken a sip without thinking. She immediately covered her mouth. “No more, no more. I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself.”

This silly girl—how could she be so dense?

Yan Chen sighed, glancing at her stomach. If their child inherited her scatterbrained nature, they’d be scolded by their tutors every day.

“Can’t control yourself?”

Yan Chen raised an eyebrow, leaning in closer until her breath brushed Song Shujiu’s ear. “Then don’t.”

Song Shujiu’s scalp tingled Yan Chen’s gaze was just too, she shuddered all over and obediently leaned forward to finish the tonic soup.

“That’s better,” Yan Chen said with satisfaction, watching her like a docile rabbit with its fur smoothed down.

During early pregnancy, Song Shujiu couldn’t afford any mishaps.

“Was the target captured?”

Song Shujiu thought of yesterday’s incident in the black market, Seventeen had pursued them. She wondered about that spy from Li Kingdom.

“Mhm.”

Yan Chen took the bowl, her eyes lowered, making it impossible for Song Shujiu to read her expression. But if she said the spy was caught, then it must be true.

“Impressive.”

Song Shujiu gave a thumbs-up. Regardless of anything else, Yan Chen’s competence in her duties was undeniable. With a team of capable subordinates, capturing a spy was child’s play.

“I’m occupied today. Find something to amuse yourself with.”

Worried she might wander off and cause trouble, Yan Chen added firmly, “Stay within the estate.”

Song Shujiu blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

“When the Flower Carriage Festival arrives soon, I’ll take you with me.”

It was a royal celebration, filled with fascinating traditions.

As if to placate her, Yan Chen dangled a sweet incentive.

Song Shujiu’s long black hair cascaded down her back, her eyes glistening with a hint of delicate grievance, like an oversized rabbit soft, drowsy, not yet fully awake. Her lips, moist from the tonic, looked even more tender, a delicate pink more tempting than peach crystal cakes. Yan Chen tilted her face up and, hooking an arm around her neck, naturally stole a kiss.
Song Shujiu went completely numb.

“You,taking advantage of me?” she mumbled, flustered so early in the morning.

Yan Chen arched a brow. “If I wish to.”
Song Shujiu belonged entirely to her, what was wrong with a kiss?

Did she think she could escape?

A blush crept onto Song Shujiu’s cheeks. She lifted her chin and huffed, “So unreasonable.”

Yan Chen scoffed, pinching her cheek. “I decide what’s reasonable.”

If she willed it, it was law. If she didn’t, even reason held no sway.

Song Shujiu’s eyes shimmered. This Yan Chen, unapologetically domineering, radiated an aura that seeped into her vision, weaving into a dazzling tapestry where Yan Chen stood as the brightest figure.

Song Shujiu adored this sight, Yan Chen, shining boldly before her. She wrapped her arms around her neck and planted a loud kiss on her cheek.

“Since you’re so amazing, here’s your reward.”

Yan Chen paused, a flicker in her eyes. “Bold of you to reward me?”
Song Shujiu clung tightly, her gaze sparkling. What was wrong with rewarding her? She loved her, bound by an unbreakable connection. And someday she would return every single thing Yan Chen had done to her.

But for now, she bided her time, waiting for the perfect moment to turn the tables.

At the gates of Zhao Kingdom’s capital.

A grand procession marched through the bustling marketplace. Inside the ornate palanquin, Xie Ming You, clad in black robes, finally approached the imperial palace after the long journey.

Thinking of the figure seated upon the throne, a trace of disdain flickered in Xie Ming You’s eyes.

After all this time, they would finally meet face to face.

The Council Hall.

“The envoy from Yue Kingdom has entered the city. We’ve arranged their reception into the palace.”

Song Lan stepped forward and bowed.

Yan Yue nodded. “The envoy has traveled far and endured hardships. Let the Ministry of Rites assist in coordinating the welcoming banquet.”

Song Lan gave an approving nod.

This visit from the Moon Kingdom held extraordinary significance. If the two nations formed an alliance, it would become the most formidable weapon against the Li Kingdom.

Rubbing her temples, Yan Yue declared, “Court is adjourned.”

Lately, she’d been plagued by unease for reasons she couldn’t fathom. Last night, she’d even suffered a nightmare, a woman clad in dark robes emerging from swirling mists, each step causing black fog to spread outward. Though the figure’s face remained obscured, Yan Yue’s heart ached unbearably. When she tried to reach out, she found them separated by a vast river. The woman smiled a wicked, arrogant expression and leveled a sword directly at her.

Walking through the palace corridors after court, Yan Yue suddenly doubled over as the dull pain in her chest intensified.

Hualing rushed forward, concern evident in her eyes. “Your Majesty.”

Bent at the waist, Yan Yue spoke in a low, measured tone. “It’s nothing serious.”

With palace staff everywhere, it wouldn’t do for the sovereign to appear weak before her subjects.

In the Peony Bathhouse:

Shedding her magnificent imperial robes, Yan Yue stepped gradually into the milky bathing pool. Hualing directed numerous attendants to scatter countless flower petals across the surface.

The emperor’s frail constitution required frequent medicinal baths. Beneath the floral fragrance lay herb sachets dispersed throughout the pool bottom. The overpowering medicinal scent often nauseated Yan Yue, forcing Hualing to devise solutions like these special petals that masked the herbal odor.

Submerging completely, Yan Yue remained silent, her brow furrowed. Hualing dismissed all attendants except herself, gently pouring water over the emperor’s shoulders.

“Hualing, I’ve been unsettled lately. I feel something is about to happen.”

The sensation was peculiar indescribable yet vividly oppressive, more terrifying than her chronic illness. Like,  she’d done something before but forgotten.

Hualing’s gaze softened with pity. “Your Majesty, don’t dwell on such thoughts. You’re Zhao Kingdom’s most revered woman.”

Nothing would happen.

Hualing could only repeat these reassurances. Having served her for years, Yan Yue couldn’t bear to prolong the woman’s worry. With a weary wave, she said, “Leave me now. I wish to be alone.”

After a hesitant pause, Hualing rose with a nod.

Her departing glance brimmed with sorrow.

The emperor’s life had been too full of hardships even the throne couldn’t ease her troubled mind.

Alone, Yan Yue paced slowly through the water. The fluid embrace gradually soothed her agitation.

A sudden draft swept through. This bathing chamber, always kept at the highest temperature, had its doors tightly sealed during her baths yet today, inexplicably, wind crept in. Closing her eyes, Yan Yue couldn’t be bothered to investigate. The coolness might be welcome after constant heat that clouded her thoughts.

“Didn’t I dismiss you?” Yan Yue asked at the sound of approaching footsteps, exasperated.

Alone, she’d be fine.

This constant surveillance this utter lack of freedom stirred momentary resentment in the monarch’s heart.

“Quite the temper you have.”

Warm breath brushed her neck as a teasing voice spoke. Startled, Yan Yue’s eyes flew open.

Her body was stiff as if paralyzed. Someone pressed down on her shoulders, and she could even clearly feel the distinct knuckles of their hand. Turning her head, she saw a bewitchingly alluring face looking down at her from above. Those dark green eyes held a mysterious sense of detachment, as if concealing countless mountains of corpses and icy seas, carrying an indescribable madness and morbidity. She felt like a manipulated plaything, frozen in that upward gaze, her throat blocked by something, she wanted to speak but couldn’t utter a single word.

The black robes from her dream overlapped with the figure before her. Yan Yue trembled uncontrollably.

“You… you…”

Her voice was hoarse, struggling to form a complete sentence.

Xie Mingyou’s thumb lightly traced her parted lips, the rough touch making Yan Yue want to pull away.

“Long time no see, little girl.”

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