Double Rebirth: The Scumbag Heroine is Terrified of the Yandere Prince! - Chapter 22

Seeing Xie Xuansong’s face twist with rage, the guard asked with a trembling voice, “My Lord, what do you mean?”

“I do want a child.” Xie Xuansong shot a glance at the doctor. The old man took the hint and scurried out.

Xuansong continued, “But this child,  it was absolutely impossible for her to be the one to bear it.”

Qingying had served him for years, but her status was lowly. Even if she gave him a son, the Imperial family’s eldest grandson, the child wouldn’t help his cause. Instead, the child would be looked down upon because of his mother’s low birth.

The first child Xie Xuansong wanted had to be born from his Consort, Song Xuerou. Only then would the boy be a legitimate eldest grandson and Xuansong’s rightful heir.

Therefore, since the very first time he had summoned Qingying to his bed, he had ordered the Imperial Physician to prepare “medicine” for her. If all went according to plan, Qingying should have been infertile for life.

And yet, she had just miscarried?!

Xie Xuansong’s expression was terrifying. This wasn’t just about a lost child; more importantly, it meant he couldn’t tell if the Imperial Physician had disobeyed him, or if Qingying had secretly found a way to conceive. Either way, it pointed to one fact: He had been betrayed.

After Shen Ruoli’s defection, he had encountered another betrayal!

The guard, seeing his master’s tense face, knew exactly what he was thinking. “I understand, My Lord! I will investigate this immediately!” Only the guard knew how Xuansong had struggled since Ruoli turned against them. This latest betrayal was even more critical—they didn’t know who the traitor was, nor when the next knife would be plunged into their backs.

Xie Xuansong watched the unconscious Qingying for a long while before summoning the doctor back in.

“When will she wake up?”

“Reporting to the Lord… I cannot guarantee that,” the doctor said cautiously. “This girl’s injuries are too severe. Almost all her bones are broken. Even if she wakes, she won’t be able to leave her bed for a long time.”

Between the battle with the bandits, the fall off the cliff, and the miscarriage, Qingying was hanging on by a single thread.

“However, she is truly lucky! They say surviving a great disaster brings future blessings,” the doctor added, trying to flatter him. “For her to hold on until now…”

The doctor trailed off as he met Xuansong’s murderous gaze. He quickly shut his mouth, realizing he had flattered the wrong person.

“Is there any way to make her wake up faster?” Xuansong demanded. He was desperate to interrogate her. Why was she pregnant? How did she fall off the cliff despite his careful arrangements? What happened yesterday, and why did Xie Yuanxun know so many secrets about the Chu Manor?!

“I… I cannot…” the doctor ducked his head. It was a medical miracle she was still breathing at all.

“Useless! Get out!” Xuansong kicked him. The doctor sprawled to the ground, coughing up blood, before scrambling out as fast as he could.

Not far away, the doctor bumped into Xie Yuanxun.

“Doctor Chen, what happened?”

“My Lord… I am fine. I shall take my leave.” The doctor shook his head bitterly and hurried away with his medical kit.

Beside Yuanxun, his strategist spoke meaningfully, “My Lord, this Prince of Chu is far too arrogant! He truly thinks this is his own manor! Doctor Chen is your most trusted physician, yet he dares to be so insolent!”

“He is young,” Yuanxun replied, though his own expression turned dark. Xie Xuansong was truly pushing his limits.

“The Crown Prince isn’t even this arrogant,” the strategist added. “Since he’s stuck in Fuzhou for who-knows-how-long, if you don’t show him who the true master is, he might forget his place.”

“Do you have a plan?” Before the strategist could answer, Yuanxun added, “See to it.”

“Yes, My Lord!” The strategist’s eyes flashed with cold intent. In Fuzhou, the Crown Prince’s word was law—but the King of Zhenbei provided the muscle.

…

It was midnight by the time Shen Ruoli and Xie Xuanyin arrived back in the capital. Ruoli had slept the entire way against his shoulder. Since her rebirth, she had been plagued by dreams of her past life, but today was a rare, dreamless slumber.

Despite the late hour, she was wide awake. Emperor Xie Yuanhe had exempted them from reporting immediately, but seeing Ruoli’s bright eyes, Xie Xuanyin prepared to leave.

“Rest well. I am going to the palace to report to Father.”

“Then I’ll wait for you to come back!” Ruoli grabbed his sleeve, looking up at him expectantly.

Xie Xuanyin felt a momentary flicker of softness. “No need,” he said, brushing her hand away. “I must also go to the Kunning Palace to see Mother.”

“I’ll go with you!” Ruoli immediately told Runyue to help her change.

In her previous life, because Empress Sun disliked her, Ruoli had avoided her mother-in-law at all costs—either faking illness or being utterly perfunctory. Eventually, the mutual dislike turned into open hostility. With the Empress Dowager’s backing, Ruoli had stood against the Empress, ultimately leading to the Empress’s tragic end.

In hindsight, the Empress’s dislike was justified. If Ruoli were the mother, and her daughter-in-law loved another man instead of her son, she might have been even crueler. Ruoli felt a deep sense of debt toward her.

“I’ll bring the peace charms I prayed for at the temple for Mother, Father, and the Empress Dowager. Wait for me, I’ll be quick!”

Ruoli disappeared behind the screen to change. Xie Xuanyin watched her silhouette, his eyes deepening with a dark, complex emotion. Shen Ruoli, are you so eager to start dealing with my mother?

On this trip, he had seen her “sincerity.” Her clinginess and bold attempts to be close had caused his hatred to dissipate slightly. He had thought that if they stayed like this, he could delay his revenge against her until after he dealt with Xie Xuansong.

But now, she had voluntarily asked to see Empress Sun. He remembered too clearly, if it wasn’t for her, how could his mother have met such a miserable end in the previous life?!

The hate he had suppressed began to grow like a weed fed by bitter memories.