Chapter 117: Each with Their Own Schemes, Protecting the Pregnancy

Lady Jianghou nodded helplessly. "He has no sons, so he hopes I will bear the child and has even promised that this child will inherit the Duke's estate. No matter what, he forbids me from terminating the pregnancy, which is why it has been delayed and I haven't gone to the manor."

Shi Shaohua lowered his head, pondering for a moment, then looked at Lady Jianghou’s belly with some uncertainty. "Are you sure this isn’t his child?"

Lady Jianghou quickly waved her hand in denial, afraid Shi Shaohua wouldn’t believe her. "We’ve been together almost every day. Calculate the dates yourself—this is really your child. I haven’t even seen him this entire past month."

Shi Shaohua harbored deep disdain in his heart, but on the surface, he gently embraced Lady Jianghou with concern. "Weiwei, I believe you."

Lady Jianghou immediately began to weep softly. She was genuinely afraid Shi Shaohua might leave her because of this, yet he not only forgave her but also trusted that the child was theirs. In that moment, her love for him deepened.

They held each other tenderly for a while before Shi Shaohua spoke softly, "Weiwei, why not listen to the Duke? Let the child be born quietly. I can accompany you out of town to take care of you."

"How can that be?" she asked hesitantly.

"Why not? Didn’t the Duke say he would arrange everything? The excuse is already planned. Once your belly grows, we’ll go to a nearby town. You can say you’re going for a pilgrimage or that your health is poor—there will always be reasons to delay coming back."

Shi Shaohua was no stranger to clandestine meetings with other ladies and was adept at concocting excuses. He had also calculated the dates and was certain the child was indeed his. If this child could inherit the Duke’s estate, he would never have to worry even in old age.

He was determined to have Lady Jianghou bear this child.

He planned to leave a secret token for the child quietly, not raise it himself, and later recognize the child in private once it was older. It was a deal that could never lose.

With this in mind, Shi Shaohua worked even harder to persuade Lady Jianghou, promising he would find a way to secretly accompany her and take good care of her.

Under his persuasion, Lady Jianghou was moved. She was truly reluctant to lose this child. In the past, she worried the child would have nowhere to go, but now things were different—the child would effectively have two fathers.

"Alright then..." she finally consented, half reluctantly.

***

The next day, she confided in Shen Zhifeng, telling him that the child was already over two months along. Since they wanted to keep it under wraps, Jiang Lin and Shen Sisi’s marriage and coming-of-age ceremony needed to be arranged quickly so she could be free.

Upon hearing Lady Jianghou was willing to bear the child, Shen Zhifeng did not hesitate to agree. "Weiwei, rest assured, leave everything to me."

They agreed that once Shen Sisi reached her coming-of-age, Jiang Lin would formally propose the next day. The wedding date was set for seven days later. When her belly grew large, arrangements would be made for Lady Jianghou to go to a town on the outskirts of the capital to give birth and recuperate.

News of their secret plot reached others. Pearl and Yicui were utterly stunned. "Miss, their audacity is unbelievable."

Yicui found it hard to believe. "It’s one thing if the Duke doesn’t know, but Shi Shaohua doesn’t even care that his child is being claimed by someone else?"

Shen Qingyun remained composed. In fact, Shi Shaohua’s reaction was exactly what she expected. She had deliberately led him there to persuade Lady Jianghou not to abort the child, otherwise how could she present such a grand gift at Jiang Lin and Shen Sisi’s wedding?

"Shi Shaohua is nothing but a libertine, with no moral底线, driven by profit alone. His own child has the chance to become the future Duke. He’d be delighted—how could he refuse?" Shen Qingyun sneered.

Yicui nodded. "So, the only fool left is our Duke."

Pearl laughed so hard she could barely stand. "He’s practically rushing to be that bastard turtle. Well, he deserves it!"

Shen Qingyun tapped Pearl’s forehead, and the group shared a few jokes, laughing heartily.

Han Yu watched the scene quietly, his eyes full of envy and reluctance.

Han Feng gently patted his shoulder behind him. "When Miss’s coming-of-age ceremony is over and the year is up, it’s time for us to leave."

"Brother, if you want to leave, go ahead. I won’t stop you. But I promised Miss I would protect her for life." Han Yu’s eyes hardened as he shook off Han Feng’s hand.

Han Feng sneered, goading him. "So you’re willing to spend your whole life as a mere shadow guard, watching her marry and bear children, watching her lie beside another man. Is that your wish?"

Han Yu suddenly turned around, lips pressed tightly, suppressing his fury, saying nothing.

After a long moment, he turned away dejectedly, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Shen Qingyun’s exquisite profile. His heart was full of thoughts with nowhere to vent.

***

As if to confirm Han Feng’s words, the King of Li sent more gifts.

Pearl smiled as she brought them to their lady. "Miss, what is it this time?"

Even Yicui was becoming accustomed to it. Whenever the prince fancied something precious outside, he sent it all to Shen Qingyun. This time, returning from the border, he brought back foods from the frontier and some exotic gems and jewelry unknown in the capital. Every time they saw them, they couldn’t help but marvel.

As an ordinary girl, who wouldn’t like these? Shen Qingyun smiled helplessly and told Pearl to put everything away.

Pearl winked at Yicui as she walked away. "Our miss is about to come of age."

Yicui understood immediately, and the two maids quietly chuckled.

Shen Qingyun could do nothing but pretend not to hear, though her heart quickened. To be honest, she had never prepared herself to marry.

After the painful experiences of her past life, she remained hesitant. Now, she only wished to protect those truly worthy around her and repay all the suffering of her previous life.

But what would come after?

Shaking off her unease, she quietly gazed at the book in her hands. No matter what, only by being strong enough could she face all the unknowns ahead calmly.

In her past life, she had sought a shelter to protect herself, but this life, she realized the umbrella was in her own hands, allowing her to walk anywhere without fear of wind or rain.

Whether she wished it or not, time passed day by day until the day of Shen Qingyun’s coming-of-age ceremony arrived.

Though the ceremony was held at the Duke’s estate, Shen Qingyun had already been ennobled as a county princess, and with Han Rou managing affairs discreetly, the scale was naturally not small.

Early that morning, Shen Qingyun was awakened by two maids to begin preparations.