The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 229 - Caught in the Act

Pregnant women tend to be more sleepy.

After walking to digest, bathing, and getting into bed, Fang Yun almost instantly fell asleep.

Pei Yao, having never spent the night with a pregnant woman, lay beside her, feeling awkward, afraid of accidentally bumping her.

Unable to sleep, he quietly got up.

Hong Zheng, guarding outside, heard the noise and came in.

"Your Highness?"

"Shh."

Pei Yao gestured for silence, glancing at the sleeping Fang Yun.

Understanding, Hong Zheng followed Pei Yao out quietly.

"Are both sides being watched?" Pei Yao asked.

Hong Zheng nodded, "Yes, Your Highness. The Empress also has people watching the Third Princess. The Third Princess hasn't moved, and Marquis Jinrong's heir hasn't dared to come."

Pei Yao chuckled.

"It seems today's events didn't stir my dear sister enough."

He motioned for Hong Zheng to come closer, whispering instructions.

The next day.

Fang Yun woke to find Pei Yao gone.

She called for assistance.

"Where is His Highness?"

Qingrong, helping her get up, explained that Pei Yao had gone to the hunting grounds, specifically not waking her.

Feeling helpless, Fang Yun quickly dressed, had breakfast, and went to the viewing stands.

She felt embarrassed about being late, but the Crown Princess wouldn't mind.

Indeed, the Crown Princess's first words upon seeing her were, "Why didn't you rest in the tent? You don't have to be here. You need to take care of the baby."

"Thank you, Your Highness, and His Highness for your concern. I feel fine. I rested well and wanted to get some fresh air and chat with you. I hope I'm not a bother."

Fang Yun respectfully curtsied.

"Of course not." The Crown Princess smiled warmly. "Tianmo, prepare some snacks for Fang Liangdi. Pregnant women shouldn't drink tea, find something else."

Hu Liangdi watched their interaction, feeling a bit envious. She excused herself after exchanging pleasantries, feeling too sour to stay.

While chatting with the Crown Princess, Fang Yun noticed guards carrying a stretcher towards the ministers' quarters.

Upon inquiry, she learned that Marquis Jinrong's heir had fallen from his horse.

The Crown Princess showed little interest, but Fang Yun's eyes flickered with intrigue.

How timely. The Third Princess's lover injured. Would she remain calm?

Looking back, she saw the Third Princess peeking anxiously from her tent but quickly stopped by the Empress's maid.

She must have heard about Yin Changce's injury.

The hunting was paused due to the incident.

Not everyone visited, but most did, out of courtesy to the Marquis Jinrong's family.

Pei Yao, though not visiting himself, sent someone with gifts.

More importantly, to do something else.

After seeing the doctor, Yin Changce finally rested, only to hear people talking outside.

"Last night, the young Taoist said the man matched with the Third Princess had an Earth fate. I thought Master Yin had a chance. But with a leg injury, marrying a noble girl will be hard, let alone a princess."

"Indeed. The Empress is eager to find a suitable match for the Third Princess. She might decide after the hunt. Master Yin seems out of luck!"

Hearing this, Yin Changce's face darkened.

He wasn't foolish. He saw that the Empress was preventing the Third Princess from contacting him, not wanting him as a son-in-law.

Without marrying a princess, his family might truly decline.

Outsiders might not know, but Yin Changce was acutely aware that Marquis Jinrong's estate had been squandered by his father, leaving only an empty shell.

However, if he could secure the Third Princess, he could rejuvenate the marquisate. Wealth, prospects, and glory would all follow.

Determined, Yin Changce called his servant.

That evening, as the Third Princess dined, she found a note buried in her rice.

Startled, she discreetly sent away Empress Li's attendants and unfolded the note.

The familiar handwriting of Yin Changce greeted her, but the message broke her heart.

He wrote that he knew he was unworthy of her, opposed by Empress Li, causing him such heartache that he fell from his horse. Now injured and fearing he might be crippled, he didn't want to delay her further. He suggested ending their contact, vowing never to marry, wishing only for her to find a good husband and live happily.

Already deeply in love and worried about Yin Changce's injury, the Third Princess burst into tears upon reading the note.

"No, I must see Brother Yin. Xiaoqing, please help me. If I don't see him tonight, I'm afraid we will be separated forever!" the Third Princess pleaded, tears streaming down her face as she tightly held Xiaoqing's hand.

Xiaoqing, who had served the Third Princess since childhood and was very close to her, couldn't bear to see her this distressed.

Finally, Xiaoqing gritted her teeth and whispered a plan into the Third Princess's ear.

Later that evening, when the maid sent by Empress Li to watch the Third Princess reported back, she said the Third Princess had cried herself to exhaustion and went to bed early.

Empress Li, thinking her daughter was heartbroken, gave some instructions and sent the maid back.

Unbeknownst to her, during the short time the maid was away, the Third Princess, dressed in Xiaoqing's clothes, quietly slipped out.

In the shadows, a pair of eyes watched closely. Seeing the Third Princess enter Yin Changce's tent, they vanished into the night.

In Pei Yao's tent, where Fang Yun was staying, they were chatting when suddenly, they heard a commotion outside, with loud cries of fire.

Startled, Fang Yun was reassured by Pei Yao, who took her hand and smiled.

"Don't worry, stay here and wait. There's an interesting show to come."

Confused, Fang Yun watched him leave, wondering what was happening.

Soon, news came that the tents where the ministers stayed had caught fire. In the chaos, the Third Princess, dressed as a maid, was found in Yin Changce's tent.

Not only were they alone together, but when discovered, they were embracing.

Hearing this, Fang Yun couldn't help but laugh.

No wonder Pei Yao had been so secretive all day and insisted she stay with him that night. He had set this up.

What a perfect catch!