The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 223 - Startling Revelation

Pei Yao didn't actually intend for anyone to serve him at night. After a long day of hunting, he had no such energy.

He called Fang Yun over because they had some things to discuss that couldn't be finished during the busy day and needed more time.

So, after bathing and lying down, they began to talk.

Initially, Fang Yun was quite alert. Gradually, Pei Yao noticed her speech becoming slurred and disorganized. Turning to look, he found her already half-asleep.

Seeing her like this made Pei Yao chuckle.

He wondered what exhausting activity she had been doing during the day to be even more tired than him.

Despite his inner musings, Pei Yao didn't wake her up.

He turned, pulling her into his arms, found a comfortable position, and closed his eyes as well.

Meanwhile, in the Third Princess's tent.

The maid, Xiaoqing, used the pretext of getting a late-night snack to step out. She returned shortly with a food box and entered the tent.

"What did Brother Yin say?" the Third Princess asked anxiously.

Xiaoqing replied seriously, "Master Yin said, 'Better to be safe than sorry. Such things should not be ignored.'"

Hearing this, the Third Princess's expression darkened. She nodded in agreement.

"Brother Yin is right. Fang Liangdi and the Crown Prince are not friendly to us. If she really knows something, it could harm me. Only the dead are safe."

"If you agree, I'll inform Master Yin. He said not to dirty your hands; he'll arrange it."

The Third Princess blushed slightly, "Alright, let Brother Yin handle it."

The hunt continued the next day, but without morning and afternoon sessions. Lunch was canceled, leaving only the return time in the evening.

Participants could come and go as they pleased, with prizes available but not as valuable as the first day's.

Yesterday's Lingbao Bow ended up with a young general under Pei Yao's command, still being talked about.

From today on, the event was more relaxed.

The women also had more freedom, not having to sit in the stands all day. They could walk around or rest in their tents.

Fang Yun chose to rest.

Despite it being September, the sun was still hot. The tent was much more comfortable.

She also had the little fox for company.

So, she spent the morning chatting with her maids and playing with the fox. After lunch, she napped.

The fox, cleaned up, was also on the bed, sleeping by her feet.

The countryside was peaceful. Yanwei and Qingrong guarded nearby but soon dozed off.

The tent was quiet. No one noticed two venomous snakes slithering in through a corner behind the bed.

The fox, with its keen senses, noticed something was wrong and woke up, becoming alert.

Though small and weak, it tried to warn, barking urgently, waking up Yanwei and Qingrong.

They wondered what the fox was fussing about until Qingrong saw a green snake climbing up the bedpost and screamed.

"Snake! Help! There's a snake!"

"Liangdi, wake up! There's a snake!"

The maids, panicking, pulled Fang Yun out of bed.

Groggily waking, Fang Yun saw the snakes and was terrified.

Grabbing Yanwei's arm, she tried to get off the bed quickly.

Startled from sleep, she lost her balance, tripping off the edge and falling.

Despite Yanwei's quick grab, Fang Yun fell hard, landing on her knees.

Qingrong rushed to help her up and move back.

"Liangdi, what's going on? Should we come in to help?" a man's voice called from outside. He was Pei Yao's secret guard.

"Snakes in the tent! Catch them quickly!" Fang Yun shouted.

Upon hearing the call, the guards outside immediately rushed in with their swords.

Qingrong quickly grabbed a robe from the rack and wrapped it around Fang Yun, then together with Yanwei, helped her to a safer spot behind another curtain.

Soon, the swift sounds of slashing were heard, and the tent fell silent.

"Liangdi, don't worry. The snakes have been dealt with. They were both venomous bamboo pit vipers. Should we report this to His Highness?" the guard asked through the curtain.

Fang Yun, now calmer, frowned.

"How could there be venomous snakes here? This seems suspicious. Please inform His Highness."

"Understood."

The guard acknowledged and left.

Once he was gone, Fang Yun felt increasingly unwell, with dizziness, chest tightness, and a vague discomfort in her lower abdomen.

Leaning against Qingrong, she said, "Liangdi, your face is pale. Did the scare affect you? I'll call for a doctor."

Fang Yun shook her head, "I'm fine. Let's wait for His Highness. If this was deliberate, we can't act rashly. I think my menstrual cycle might be causing some discomfort."

Given her history of irregular cycles due to cold constitution, it made sense if it was delayed.

Seeing her insist, Qingrong reluctantly agreed and helped her to a chair.

The guard moved swiftly, and Pei Yao returned quickly, riding directly to the tent.

Dismounting, he immediately asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Fang Yun replied, still pale. "Did you send someone to investigate?"

Pei Yao nodded, noticing her condition and softening his voice.

"Were you scared? I've already summoned a doctor. They should be here soon."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Feeling increasingly unwell, Fang Yun became more lethargic and didn't want to talk much.

Her state worried the two maids even more, thinking she might have injured herself in the fall.

Just then, the doctor arrived with his kit.

Pei Yao gestured for him to check her pulse without further ado.

As he prepared to sit down, the doctor exclaimed joyfully, "Congratulations, Your Highness! Liangdi is pregnant, almost two months along!"

"What?!"

Pei Yao almost jumped up, wide-eyed in disbelief.

He had expected the doctor to give some calming medicine for Fang Yun's fright and use the visit for other arrangements.

This revelation was a complete surprise.

Everyone was stunned, except the doctor who was beaming.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Pei Yao quickly moved forward, pushing the doctor aside and holding Fang Yun's hand.

"How do you feel? Is anything wrong?"