TSWRLM -Chapter 248 Congratulations, Madam, You’re Pregnant

Old Madam Xiao already knew that Shen Qingyuan had made a big impression during the winter hunt, but seeing him in person, she couldn’t help but ask if he had gotten hurt.

Although Shen Qingyuan answered every question, his tone remained distant. Fortunately, with Chun Xi there, the atmosphere didn’t become cold.

They stayed for dinner. Old Madam Xiao had specially instructed the kitchen to prepare fine dishes and good wine. When it was time to eat, besides Madam Xiao and Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue, Father Xiao also brought his two sons to the Pine-Crane Courtyard for the meal.

During dinner, Father Xiao praised Shen Qingyuan without restraint. Xiao Qingyun and Xiao Qingyang were also very impressed with him, thinking him resilient and able to endure solitude without being influenced by outside opinions.

The meal was thoroughly enjoyable. Shen Qingyuan was persuaded to drink a couple more cups, and by the end, he visibly relaxed, no longer as aloof as at first.

Xiao Qingyang personally saw them to their carriage. Once inside, Shen Qingyuan held Chun Xi, burying his face against her neck.

The hot breath on her neck tickled. Chun Xi couldn’t help but ask, “Husband, have you drunk again?”

“No,” Shen Qingyuan shook his head. After a moment, he added, “I just feel that marrying you was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

He had known for a long time that he wasn’t the biological son of the Marquis of Qingyuan and Madam Mo. Over the years in the marquis’ residence, he had always felt like an outsider.

Every time he came to the Xiao household, even though Old Madam Xiao showed some concern for him, it was only a few light words that didn’t really matter. He always understood that he was surnamed Shen and that no matter how good the Xiao family was, he would have to return to the marquis’ residence.

That was the path chosen for him since birth by Old Madam Xiao.

He had no right to refuse.

Therefore, he couldn’t become close to the Xiao family. He even harbored subtle resentment toward Old Madam Xiao. But after marrying Chun Xi, he gradually reconciled with the past.

Tonight, dining at the Xiao household, he felt a kind of long-desired happiness he had never been able to attain before.

Chun Xi probably understood why Shen Qingyuan felt this way. She wrapped her arms around his waist, about to say something, when suddenly the carriage curtain was pulled aside. Princess Hengyang’s urgent voice reached her ears: “Shen Qingyuan, I need A-Xi urgently. Lend her to me for a moment.”

Before Chun Xi could react, her wrist was grabbed, and Princess Hengyang started pulling her out.

Shen Qingyuan held Chun Xi by the waist, refusing to let her be pulled out of the carriage.

Feeling resistance, Princess Hengyang softened her tone: “I really have an urgent matter. Consider it my apology for tonight, alright?”

If it weren’t truly urgent, no dignified princess would come to a couple’s carriage at night.

Chun Xi exchanged a glance with Shen Qingyuan. After a moment, he said, “Just this once. Never again.”

“Alright, alright! I promise just this once,” Princess Hengyang quickly agreed and pulled Chun Xi into her own carriage.

She didn’t bring any maids; it was just the two of them. Once inside, she didn’t rush to speak.

Chun Xi waited, and seeing that the princess remained silent, asked, “Princess, what’s the urgent matter? If you don’t tell me, I can’t help.”

Princess Hengyang pursed her lips. After a long moment, she said, “I haven’t had my period this month.”

“Ah? That’s fine. Last month I was traveling and exposed to the elements, so mine was delayed too.”

“I threw up this morning and couldn’t eat anything.”

“Could it be that you caught a chill during the winter hunt or ate something bad?”

As she spoke, Chun Xi recalled how she had handled those two wild rabbits.

During the winter hunt, all the accompanying meals were prepared by royal chefs, checked strictly by the Imperial Guards. There shouldn’t have been a problem. If her cooking had been bad and the princess got sick, it would have been a disaster.

Chun Xi was still thinking when Princess Hengyang suddenly rolled up her sleeve and held out her wrist: “A-Xi, do you know how to check a pulse?”

“…???”

“Princess, I did learn some medicine and massage techniques from the imperial physicians while at the Wei household, but you’re overestimating me. Besides, you should see an imperial doctor if your body isn’t well. How could I—”

Before Chun Xi could finish, Princess Hengyang interrupted: “I suspect I’m pregnant.”

Ah?

Chun Xi’s mind went blank. Seeing the princess’s serious expression, she blurted out, “Isn’t it the Prince’s?”

Princess Hengyang gave her a big eye-roll: “I may enjoy some fun, but I do have limits.”

Chun Xi didn’t understand: “A pregnancy is a good thing. Why all the secrecy? Did the Prince trick you somehow?”

He hadn’t tricked her, and this child was her own decision. But she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly—it was only a few times! She hadn’t fully experienced it yet.

Princess Hengyang awkwardly said, “I heard giving birth is painful. I wasn’t ready, but Mother and the Empress keep urging me to have a child. If they find out, they will insist I keep it.”

“……”

So Princess, you came to me for what? I don’t know medicine! You want me to abort the child? That’s royal blood—I’m not that reckless!

Chun Xi felt like a shining sword was hanging over her head, making her hair stand on end.

She couldn’t directly advise the princess to give birth, so she spoke cautiously: “Childbirth is indeed painful, but abortion is also extremely painful and very harmful to the body. If you’re careless, it could be life-threatening.”

Princess Hengyang frowned. She had studied medical texts and knew Chun Xi wasn’t bluffing.

She frowned and whispered, “I’m not saying I definitely want to abort. I just want to confirm if I’m pregnant, then make the next decision.”

Chun Xi immediately said, “Alright, let’s go to a clinic. If the diagnosis confirms pregnancy, we’ll just say it’s me. No one else needs to know for now, okay?”

“Okay!”

At the clinic, Princess Hengyang was still nervous, so Chun Xi pretended to check her pulse.

To avoid attention, they didn’t go to the main medical hall, just a small nearby clinic.

The doctor, an old man with white hair and beard, seemed reliable.

Chun Xi, curious, asked, “Doctor, if a period is late and there’s nausea, could it be anything other than pregnancy?”

The doctor stroked his beard and said slowly, “There are many illnesses with similar symptoms. Just from these two signs, one cannot be certain of pregnancy. But judging by the pulse, Madam, you are indeed pregnant.”

“I knew it! It might not be pregnancy—” Chun Xi was comforting the princess when she suddenly turned to the doctor, “Doctor, what did you just say?”

The doctor withdrew his hand, smiling: “Congratulations, Madam. You are pregnant. Your body is strong, the pregnancy is still early, but the pulse is strong. This child will be carried safely to term.”

“……???”

She had only been pretending to accompany the princess for a pulse check!