IDWBE -Chapter 443 How Bold a Person Can Be

The most important thing was that Mingyue’s life and death had nothing to do with her; she couldn’t let herself be implicated.

Before entering Ankang City with Yan Hong, and prior to entering the Prince He’s residence, their master Hu Shilu had already warned them: within the Prince He’s residence, failing to report what you know is a serious crime. Everything must revolve around the Prince He, for the sake of everything related to him.

At this stage of her life, with elders above and children below, if anything went wrong, could her whole family survive?

Her husband, though a good man, was useless—she couldn’t rely on him to support the family; otherwise, they would starve.

“Thank you for your concern, Ms. Chen,” Mingyue said calmly. “The Prince He is extremely wise; how could he not know these signs?”

Chen Xilian paused for a moment before replying, “You are right, Miss.”

She was not surprised.

Most of their so-called “medical” knowledge came from that lazy Prince He.

Sometimes, the Prince He would even spread basic medical knowledge in Baiyun City.

To prevent people from carelessly eating mushrooms, he had even created nursery rhymes. The one she remembered most went:

“Red umbrella, yellow stalk, eat it all and lie on the plank, lie on the plank, sleep in the coffin, then bury on the hill, bury on the hill, crying aloud, relatives come to eat, eat together, umbrellas, all the village lies on the plank.”

Even three-year-olds could sing it. From a young age, they had a strong sense of caution: words could be taken lightly, but mushrooms must never be eaten indiscriminately.

It was no surprise that the Prince He could tell Mingyue was pregnant.

Mingyue sighed. “I come from humble origins. I truly dare not put the Prince He in a difficult position.”

Chen Xilian smiled. “Miss, you worry too much. You know the Prince He better than anyone.”

Looking at Mingyue’s expression, she felt a bit wary—could Mingyue really be about to do something foolish? Losing the Prince He’s child would be a grave offense!

“Miss, you worry too much,” Mingyue seemed to sense Chen Xilian’s thoughts and kept gently stroking her belly. “Until the Prince He decides, no one may harm him.”

Chen Xilian smiled. “I will accompany you, Miss, awaiting the Prince He’s instructions.”

If the Prince He decided to keep the child, she would certainly be called to ensure the pregnancy.

If he decided not to, she could provide a medicine that would safely terminate the pregnancy without harming the body.

So rather than waiting for the Prince He to summon her, she might as well wait outside proactively.

Most importantly, she was also responsible for guarding others; she could not trust Mingyue’s words completely.

“You are being overly cautious, Ms. Chen,”

Mingyue said with a wry smile.

She finally understood the meaning of what the late Aunt Lai Ru had said: the royal family was a cage with invisible bars, and no one could escape.

She was a trusted aide by the Prince He’s side.

She had assumed that aside from Hong Ying and Zixia, no one in the Prince He’s residence could threaten her so freely.

Yet, unexpectedly, even a simple midwife like Chen Xilian could treat her this way!

All because it involved the Prince He!

No one dared to provoke the Prince He’s wrath!

That, she realized, must be the power of authority!

“Miss speaks in jest,” Chen Xilian said, cupping her hands. “I have a seventy-year-old mother above and young children below; I dare not make a single misstep. I hope you understand.”

Mingyue forced a smile. “Very well. Then let’s go together.”

She turned and, without waiting for Chen Xilian, walked straight toward the back garden.

Chen Xilian followed at a measured pace. When Mingyue entered the back garden corridor, she stayed behind and simply nodded to Tan Fei and Lei Kaishan on duty.

She thought to herself: the Prince He’s residence is indeed extraordinary; even the gatekeepers are top-tier experts!

Lei Kaishan glanced at her and suddenly extended his hand. “Great Doctor Chen, my body has not been in the best condition lately. Could you take my pulse?”

Chen Xilian glanced at him, then smiled. “Guard Lei, you are polite. I am merely a midwife and understand nothing beyond that.”

The Chen family and Lei family had always had tensions in Baiyun City, so their relations were not cordial.

Normally, she would not bother with members of the Lei family.

Now, she agreed to safeguard the pregnant Lei Ying only because of Liang Yuanzhi!

“Dr. Chen is too modest,” Lei Kaishan said with a laugh. “Is it too much to expect a little courtesy?”

He was displeased in his heart.

Though merely a minor guard of the Prince He, he was ninth-rank!

In Baiyun City, not much value—but across the martial world, who could challenge him? No one dared provoke him lightly!

For him to even smile at Chen Xilian was already generous, yet she dared to treat him coldly! Truly ungrateful!

If this woman were not someone the Prince He valued, he would have cut her down without hesitation!

Snow kept piling up in the garden. Lin Yi stood at the entrance of the rockery, tossing food to a pigeon curled up in a crack.

Hearing footsteps, he turned and saw Mingyue, smiling, “Why the worried look again? Who has upset you?”

Mingyue knelt abruptly. “I know my fault, Master.”

Lin Yi sighed. “You’ve been with me all these years. You know what I dislike the most.”

Not speaking plainly first, but kneeling to apologize—what bad habit is this?

Such inefficient communication often irritated him.

Mingyue forced a smile. “Master, I’m pregnant.”

“Really?”

Lin Yi smiled. “I wanted to ask yesterday but didn’t, worrying it would pressure you. I didn’t expect you to tell me now—don’t cry, it’s good news. I will grant you the title of Shuren. From today, you will stay in the rear chambers. Let Zixia find two maids to attend to you.”

“Master, you cannot!”

Mingyue shouted. “This is against regulations! I beg you to retract the order!”

Zixia hesitated, “Master, by law, one without children cannot be titled.”

She loved Mingyue like a sister and wanted what was best.

But Mingyue, like her, was only a maid; by birth, she didn’t deserve a title.

Even if granted, it could bring disaster.

This was the classic “virtue does not match position”!

Mingyue cried loudly. “I only wish for the safety of the Prince He’s child; I dare not ask for more.”

She prayed to all the deities for a daughter.

As for a son?

She didn’t dare imagine.

Once the Prince He ascends, any son she bears as a maid would have no chance of survival.

Yet she was a mother, and ninth-rank!

If anyone dared harm her child, she didn’t know what she would do.

“That is true,” Lin Yi thought and sighed. “Then just have two maids attend you for now. You have served me all these years; you understand my nature. I will never treat you or this child unfairly.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Mingyue’s tears flowed freely.

Seeing her like this, Zixia felt a twinge of envy. Both served the Prince He, yet he treated Mingyue slightly more favorably—simply because her waist was softer, requiring less effort from him.

And now Mingyue was pregnant, while Zixia’s belly remained unchanged!

She could only blame her own lack of fortune.

Seeing Lin Yi look at her, Zixia hurriedly said, “Master, rest assured, I will take care of Sister Mingyue.”

Lin Yi stepped forward to help Mingyue, who quickly stood herself.

Lin Yi said helplessly, “Since you’re pregnant, be steady. Don’t be clumsy.”

Zixia covered her mouth, smiling, “Sister Mingyue has reached ninth-rank. Dr. Chen once said that the higher a woman’s martial skill, the more nourishing Qi she can provide the fetus. This child is perfectly secure.”

“Really?”

Qi as electromagnetic waves or gas?

Could it be measured?

How could its existence be proven?

Lin Yi felt they were dabbling in mysticism—but had no proof!

Mingyue shyly said, “Zixia is correct. Women trained in martial arts have an easier time bearing children. The time lingering near death is shorter.”

She could barely endure ten months of pregnancy; how could she complain to the Prince He later?

“I see. That explains it,” Lin Yi suddenly realized something.

“Master.”

Mingyue and Zixia exchanged a glance, not understanding what he meant.

“What do you mean, ‘I see’?”

Lin Yi smiled. “In Baiyun City, many parents forced girls to learn martial arts. I thought I had influenced them to see gender equality, equally valuing girls’ education. Now I see—I was overthinking.”

Mingyue nodded, suppressing a smile. “Girls skilled in martial arts can find better husbands.”

“Seems physical training does help with childbirth.”

Lin Yi remained skeptical about this so-called protective Qi.

He thought it was probably just the result of physical exercise.

Mingyue didn’t argue, just nodded in agreement. Seeing Lin Yi give no further instructions, she left Zixia behind and quietly departed.

Outside the courtyard’s archway, she saw Chen Xilian standing in the snow.

She cupped her hands. “Thank you for waiting, Ms. Chen.”

Though strong and skilled, one could never be too careful; she might need Chen Xilian later, especially at childbirth.

So even if she were unhappy with Chen Xilian, she would not show it.

Chen Xilian smiled, seeing Mingyue’s relaxed expression. “Congratulations, Miss.”

Mingyue smiled but said nothing.

Tan Fei and Lei Kaishan beside her were confused.

Lei Kaishan boomed, “Miss Mingyue, since it’s a joyous event, should we have some wine?”

Mingyue shook her head. “Master Lei is injured. Better to recover; wine isn’t good for wounds.”

Lei Kaishan was surprised but pleased. “You noticed my injury?”

Mingyue smiled. “If I’m not mistaken, you were struck by the Absorbing Stars Technique. In Ankang City, very few could harm you this way.”

In other words, anyone truly stronger than Lei Kaishan wouldn’t bother using such a technique.

For instance, the monk, the blind man, Ye Qiu.

If Lei Kaishan had been forced to confront them, he wouldn’t just be slightly injured—he might be bedridden for weeks.

Now, he was only lightly drained of internal energy and stood unharmed.

The Absorbing Stars Technique was strictly transmitted by Hong Ying. Many knew of it in Baiyun City, but fewer than fifteen mastered it fully.

Those on par with Lei Kaishan numbered no more than five.

In Ankang City, only Liang Yuanzhi held a grudge against him.

Although deep within the Prince He’s residence, she wasn’t entirely ignorant. Some knowledge she had to have; otherwise, sudden questions from the Prince He would expose her incompetence.

“Insightful, Miss Mingyue,” Lei Kaishan said, pointing to his chest with a laugh. “A little pain can heal. My concern is this chest discomfort; I know little about the Absorbing Stars Technique. Even Adai and Yu Xiaoshi were clueless. Miss Mingyue, what should I do?”

Mingyue smiled. “If it’s just mild pain, why panic?”

“Ah!”

Lei Kaishan, delighted, knelt shamelessly. “Miss Mingyue, you are a Guanyin saving all suffering. Please guide me. My chest Qi surges; I have no strength. I am nearly useless—how can I protect the Prince He? Should anything go wrong, I would be utterly responsible!”

He truly hated Liang Yuanzhi! He hadn’t held back at all!

“Take this and swallow it.”

Mingyue threw a pill to him without hesitation.

Seeing his delighted face as he caught it, she realized—since when had she become so kind-hearted?

Lei Kaishan’s suffering was self-inflicted; shouldn’t he bear some hardship?

Why give him medicine?

She kept stroking her belly, watching Lei Kaishan swallow it in ecstasy, and felt a desire: I must make merit for my child.

Family, nation, or even the Prince He—all seemed less important than the child in her womb.

Shivering, she almost lost her balance. Chen Xilian quickly supported her. “Miss, are you alright?”

Tan Fei and Lei Kaishan were equally anxious.

“I’m fine. Perhaps the cold wind caught me. Farewell, I’ll rest now.”

Mingyue disappeared into the snow.

The snowfall intensified.

Zixia, beside Lin Yi, secretly hoped for nightfall, blushing as she thought of it.

After serving Lin Yi dinner and bathing, once he entered the kang bed, she appeared as usual, completely bare, on his left side.

Lin Yi laughed. “After this snow, the world feels clean again.”

Holding her warmth, he sighed. “Don’t worry; everyone’s constitution is different.”

He never imagined that someone would compete to bear his child in this lifetime.

“Master,” Zixia hesitated, then buried her head in Lin Yi’s chest, unable to fully rest it, whispering, “I dare not.”

Lin Yi laughed heartily, “As bold as a person, as productive as the earth.”

With a back-foot flick to enemies, waist supple as if boneless, limbs flowing like a storm, striking like leaves in the wind.

Lin Yi marveled—truly a ninth-rank expert.