USWHC -Chapter 497 If You Love, Then Love Deeply (Part 7)

Just as she leaned in, Princess Pingning suddenly shrank back in fear, avoiding Princess Lanyi’s hand. Yet she quickly put on a pained expression and exclaimed, “Oh! The little one kicked me—haha, he must like the Princess!”

“I’d say it’s definitely a boy!” the Empress said cheerfully. “Boys nowadays all like our Princess Lanyi!”

Listening to them, Zhu Jie could tell that although their words sounded like compliments on the surface, every sentence was laced with barbs and hidden mockery. Lanyi must have heard about Princess Pingning’s unhappy marriage, so she deliberately circled around her with these remarks. As for the Empress—her words were even sharper, striking directly at Lanyi’s tangled relationships with men.

Even so, the hall remained filled with cheerful laughter. Princess Lanyi cooed sweetly, “Oh, so it’s a boy! Then I must have a feel!” As she spoke, she reached out teasingly once more, trying again to touch Princess Pingning’s belly.

“Ah, little sister, it’s only been a few days, but you seem taller!” Just as Lanyi’s hand was about to make contact, Pingning suddenly stood up abruptly, neatly avoiding her again.

Zhu Jie watched them coldly. They appeared intimate, yet were clearly wary and suspicious of each other. She sneered inwardly—so Lanyi had come today intending to expose Princess Pingning’s fake pregnancy.

Princess Lanyi’s hand hovered awkwardly before she stood up with a faintly embarrassed smile. “Is that so? Then why don’t we stand together and compare? That way we’ll know, right?” Her voice remained sweet, but her eyes now gleamed with unmistakable sharpness—she seemed to have already confirmed something.

“She’s with child—comparing wouldn’t be accurate. You should compare with Jinghan instead,” the Empress interjected, trying to smooth things over.

At that moment, a loud announcement rang out from afar: “His Majesty has arrived!”

Everyone in the hall immediately turned toward the entrance. The Empress quickly led the group out to receive him, and from a distance, the Emperor could already be seen approaching the corridor.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

“Greetings, Father Emperor!”

Just as Zhu Jie was about to kneel, she suddenly felt a heavy shove from behind. Startled, she involuntarily stumbled forward.

A cry rang out from behind, “Sister Ning’er!”

What happened? The Empress’s heart jolted as she turned around anxiously—and the sight made her gasp in shock.

Princess Pingning had lost her balance and was toppling straight down the steps—nine steps in three tiers! If she rolled all the way down, the child in her belly would surely not survive!

Zhu Jie’s eyes widened as well. If Pingning fell like that, her fake belly would surely be exposed!

“Why are you all still standing there? Someone, hurry!” the Emperor shouted in alarm.

But in the next moment, everyone gasped even louder. Even the Emperor stepped forward anxiously. At that instant, Zhu Jie swayed and lunged toward Princess Pingning once again.

Yes—just as Pingning was falling helplessly toward the steps, her vision darkened as someone threw themselves at her. She stared in shock—was this person trying to make things worse? Not only letting her fall, but intending to crush her as well?

In the chaos, Zhu Jie suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm. But the momentum of the fall could not be stopped—both of them tumbled down almost at the same time.

Princess Pingning shut her eyes tightly in fear, curling up and protecting her belly. But at the moment of impact, she froze—huh? It didn’t hurt?

She heard a series of thuds as they rolled, followed by a heavy bang. Her body jolted as if about to be flung away, but in the next instant, she was tightly held. Lying flat on the ground, she felt a strange softness beneath her. What… what was going on?

At that moment, sharp cries rang out—

“Ning’er!”

“Jinghan!”

The sunlight was suddenly blocked. Princess Pingning looked up at the anxious Empress and Emperor, momentarily stunned—since when had she become so important?

Then another shrill cry cut through the air: “Quick! Summon the imperial physician! Princess Lanqin is injured!”

Consort Duan and Princess Lanyi had also rushed forward in a panic.