In the evening.
With less than half an hour before dinner, Pei Yao arrived at Yuzhang Palace.
As he stepped out of the sedan chair, a fox darted towards him, circling his feet and brushing against him, looking up with a few cries.
"You're lively today," Pei Yao said with a smile, looking down at it.
The fox cried again and then rubbed against Hong Zheng's leg.
Pei Yao soon realized why the fox was so active.
Right after the fox ran out, the Second Princess and the Fourth Prince came running out from the hall, laughing and chasing after it.
"Father!"
"Father!"
The two children shouted, racing each other to see who could be louder.
Pei Yao responded, squatting down with open arms, waiting for the two little ones to jump in.
The Second Princess, running faster, dived into Pei Yao's embrace, her eyes twinkling with joy.
Not to be outdone, the Fourth Prince hugged Pei Yao's neck tightly with his small arms.
"Wan'er, Ji'er, be careful!"
Fang Yun emerged from the hall, holding up her dress, reminding them from behind.
Seeing Pei Yao carrying both children, she arched her eyebrows and approached.
"Your Majesty, aren't you afraid of tiring yourself? These two are quite heavy now."
"They're not that heavy, just two little tots," Pei Yao said in high spirits. "If I don't carry them now, I won't be able to when they're older."
His words made the children laugh happily.
Indeed, apart from Pei Yao, no one else would carry both siblings like this.
Inside, the children soon wanted to get down and play with the fox again.
Qingrong brought water, and Fang Yun personally assisted Pei Yao in washing his hands, casually chatting with him.
"Wan'er and Ji'er have grown a lot taller lately. With the warm weather, I measured them for new spring outfits. Their measurements have increased significantly since winter."
"Kids grow quickly. I noticed the First Prince has grown a lot taller since last year," Pei Yao said with a smile, watching the Second Princess and Fourth Prince play.
Then he turned to Fang Yun, "It's because you take good care of them."
"They're my children, of course I'm attentive. What mother doesn't love her children?" Fang Yun smiled gently.
Pei Yao's gaze softened further.
He took her hand and sat beside her, chatting and watching the children play, waiting for dinner.
But just as dinner was served and they had only taken a few bites, hurried footsteps sounded in the courtyard.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something's wrong! Yang Fei is in trouble! Please come to Zhongcui Palace quickly!"
"What's happening outside, Hong Zheng!" Pei Yao frowned, putting down his chopsticks.
Hong Zheng hurried out to check and returned with a second-ranked maid from Zhongcui Palace.
"Your Majesty, Yang Fei has had a miscarriage scare and is bleeding. Please come quickly; we're all terrified and don't know what to do!"
"How could this happen? How are they looking after her!" Pei Yao stood up, "What happened?"
"Your Majesty, it's not negligence. It's the Third Prince..."
The maid, clearly frightened, knelt, struggling to explain.
Fang Yun glanced at her and immediately stood up, frowning.
"Discuss the details later. Yang Fei's condition is urgent. We should go to Zhongcui Palace."
Pei Yao, anxious, nodded and quickly headed out.
Fang Yun instructed Qingrong to stay and watch over the children, then followed with Yanwei and Yuanhe.
Upon arrival at Zhongcui Palace, they first saw the tearful Third Prince, held by his nursemaid.
Wanting to cry but holding back, he looked pitiful.
But Pei Yao ignored him for now and went straight to Yang Fei.
Yang Fei's face was pale.
Whether from pain or fear, she was sweating, clutching the blanket tightly, and her eyes were filled with terror.
"Your Majesty!"
Seeing Pei Yao, Yang Fei called out, her voice trembling.
In her fear, seeing the one who could save her child, she instinctively showed vulnerability.
Though not close to Yang Fei, Pei Yao responded softly, given the situation.
"I'm here. Don't be afraid. The physician is here."
"Your Majesty, please save my child!" Yang Fei's tears fell, reaching for Pei Yao.
Frowning, Pei Yao patted her hand reassuringly.
"It'll be alright."
Then he called out, "Where's the physician? Why aren't they here yet!"
"I'm here, forgive my delay, Your Majesty!"
Physician Wu arrived, sweating from running, and hastily bowed.
"Get up and check on Yang Fei," Pei Yao said impatiently.
Physician Wu quickly approached to examine Yang Fei.
Feeling her pulse, his expression changed.
Seeing his expression change, Yang Fei became anxious.
"Physician Wu, how is my baby? Tell me quickly!"
"Your Highness, the pulse indicates a severe miscarriage risk. You've been anxious, tired, and unwell lately, and the pregnancy was already unstable. Proper rest and care would have helped, but now..."
Physician Wu sighed and slapped his thigh in frustration.
Pei Yao's face darkened as he turned to Siqi, who was attending at the bedside.
"Tell me, what happened today? How did Yang Fei end up with such a severe miscarriage risk?"
Siqi hesitated, glancing at Yang Fei before speaking.
"Your Majesty, the Third Prince accidentally spilled scalding water on Her Highness. She was burned and, while avoiding it, hit her lower back on the table corner. The shock caused the miscarriage risk."
"The Third Prince spilled tea on Yang Fei?"
Pei Yao was clearly skeptical.
Siqi quickly added, "The Third Prince meant well. He learned in class to be filial, so when Her Highness brought him back for dinner, he wanted to serve her tea. But he's young and unsteady, and he accidentally spilled it while handing it to her."
Siqi bowed again, "The Third Prince is young and meant well. Please don't punish him."
As she spoke, the nursemaid holding the Third Prince suddenly exclaimed, "That's not true!"
YOU ARE READING
The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)
RomanceAuthor: Huatang Xiuge Translator: Me (Xiaobai) 东宫掌娇 Upon entering the Eastern Palace, Fang Yun lived cautiously, burdened by the label of a substitute bride and daughter of a traitor. She knew well that, as a daughter of low birth, she had been cas...
