Chapter Ninety: The Han Clan Finally Awakened

Shen Qingyun’s expression remained faintly cool. “Let us watch and see.”

For several days after that, there was no particularly strong reaction from Shen Zhifeng’s side. Shen Sisi, on the other hand, fell completely silent, devoting herself to embroidering her wedding dress.

Yet on this day, an invitation to the noble consort’s banquet was delivered to the Duke’s residence, and this time it named only Shen Qingyun, without Shen Sisi.

Anyone with a sharp eye could see what that meant. The young woman already engaged had not been invited, so this banquet was surely meant to select brides for the imperial princes and the nobility after all.

Lady Jiang grew anxious. “My lord, if we delay any longer, with Shen Qingyun’s looks, if some great household takes a fancy to her, it will be too late.”

Shen Zhifeng also steeled his heart. “You are right. We can no longer put it off.”

That night, Aunt Feng from the kitchen secretly added something to the food.

Just then, a maid from the Warm Jade Pavilion came over. “Are all the dishes ready?”

“They’re ready, they’re ready,” Aunt Feng answered with a smile. “They’re all being kept warm in the kitchen. We also bought some fresh game today; it is both flavorful and nourishing. Shall I send it over now?”

The maid nodded, and with others carrying the meal, she left.

Aunt Feng wiped her hands with the cloth at her waist and watched the maid’s figure disappear into the main kitchen before she let out a shaky breath and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

At the Warm Jade Pavilion, Madam Han looked at Shen Qingyun with gentleness. “Have you lost a little weight? Has managing the household lately been too tiring, or should Mr. Xu slow your lessons a little?”

“Not at all. I even think I’ve grown a little plumper,” Shen Qingyun replied coyly.

Nursemaid Chen smiled as she lifted the curtain and came in. “Young lady, that only means you’ve grown up. A little slenderness suits you better now. Besides, the kitchen has stewed some game today, perfect for nourishing you.”

The maids behind her entered carrying all manner of dishes and set a full table before them, steam rising in inviting clouds.

The fragrance made Shen Qingyun truly feel a little hungry. During this period, she had nearly every day gone to keep Madam Han company at supper, and so now she naturally began eating and drinking at once, just as she was used to.

Madam Han lovingly ladled a bowl of broth for her. Floating atop it were bits of fresh green scallion, and the rich aroma of meat mingled with the scallions, instantly stirring the appetite.

Shen Qingyun blew on it and took an eager sip, nearly burning herself.

Madam Han laughed. “Slow down. No one is taking it from you.”

“Mother, aren’t you going to drink any?” Shen Qingyun asked, blinking.

“No. You know I’ve never cared much for such things. You drink more, and think of it as nourishing me instead.” Madam Han looked at her tenderly. “If you like it, then have the main kitchen buy more.”

Shen Qingyun nodded, then praised Nursemaid Chen. “This broth really is excellent. I wonder which cook made it; tell her to stew it again in a few days.”

Seeing that Shen Qingyun liked it, Nursemaid Chen even ate an extra half bowl of rice, and smiled all the more brightly. “It was made at Aunt Feng’s instruction. I’ll go ask her later. Today we stewed quite a lot; each master’s table was sent a large bowl, and there is still some left. Young lady, is there enough? If not, this servant will bring you more.”

“That’s enough, that’s enough.” Shen Qingyun smiled helplessly, patting her little belly. “Look, it’s already bulging. I’ll have to walk in the garden later to help it settle.”

Nursemaid Chen and Madam Han looked at her and burst into laughter.

Shen Qingyun was rubbing her stomach when her brows suddenly drew together, and a trace of pain appeared on her face.

“Qingyun, what is it? Have you eaten too much and upset your stomach?” Madam Han noticed at once and asked with concern.

“I’m fine, Mother. It was probably because I ate a little too quickly just now. I’ll rest a moment and be all right.”

Shen Qingyun answered with a smile and rose to take a few steps, but suddenly she bent over, clutching her stomach, her brows knotted tightly. “Ah...”

“Miss, are you all right?” Yicui hurried forward and supported her.

Shen Qingyun wanted very much to shake her head, but wave after wave of searing cramps surged through her, the pain shooting from her abdomen into every nerve in her body, leaving her unable to speak.

In just a moment, her little face had gone pale, her lips had lost all color from the pain, and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

Madam Han panicked and cried out hurriedly, “Nursemaid Chen, go call the household physician, quickly! Go at once!”

At the same time, she and Yicui helped Shen Qingyun onto the nearby bed. “Qingyun, are you all right? Is it very painful? Go, send someone to bring Aunt Feng from the main kitchen to me!”

Tonight they had all eaten the same food, except for that bowl of broth, which only Qingyun had drunk.

The household physician arrived very quickly. Seeing his young mistress lying there weakly, her face twisted in pain, he was startled too. Hastily, he laid a silk handkerchief over her wrist to take her pulse, then went to inspect the remaining broth, dipping a fingertip into it and tasting it.

“This...” The physician’s face turned strange, as though he could hardly believe it, and he took her pulse again with great care.

Madam Han watched in terror, gripping her handkerchief so tightly that it seemed it might be torn apart. “What is it? Is it some serious illness?”

Sweat dripped from the physician’s forehead. After a long while, he said, somewhat haltingly, “Miss’s condition seems... seems like she has been given a drug to prevent childbirth.”

“What!” Madam Han cried out, the world going dark before her eyes.

“Madam!” Nursemaid Chen and the senior maid hurriedly supported her as she began to sway backward.

Madam Han felt a rush of dizziness in her mind, but thinking of Shen Qingyun, she forced herself to steady. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Do not speak recklessly about an ailment like this. Are you certain?”

The physician nodded with difficulty. “Eighty or ninety percent certain.”

“Then hurry and prescribe medicine. Qingyun has only just drunk it; is there any way...” Madam Han’s fingers dug so hard into her palm that they trembled.

Her Qingyun was still so young, not yet married, not yet with child. She must absolutely not be struck by such a drug.

The physician wrote out the prescription. “Madam, since the medicine has already been taken, I fear it may still damage the young lady’s body. This...”

Before Madam Han could say more, a maid came to report that Aunt Feng had been brought over.

The usually gentle Madam Han saw Shen Qingyun’s face white as paper, saw her gasping in pain, and in her eyes burst a fury and hatred she had never shown before. While ordering the physician to prepare medicine to relieve Qingyun’s suffering, she took Nursemaid Chen to the next room to interrogate Aunt Feng.

Aunt Feng had never done such a thing before. She had not expected to be dragged to the Warm Jade Pavilion so quickly. Kneeling on the floor, she trembled uncontrollably, and anyone could tell at a glance that there was surely something wrong.

Madam Han entered the room and sat in the chair above, her gaze on Aunt Feng like that of one already dead.

“Chen nursemaid, beat her first!”

Nursemaid Chen stepped forward and struck with all her strength. After ten slaps, Aunt Feng’s cheeks were already swollen high, burning with pain.

She worked in the main kitchen, where the little maids had always treated her with respect. When had she ever suffered such treatment? In an instant, she broke into tears.

“Speak. Did you put medicine in today’s soup or not?” Nursemaid Chen seized Aunt Feng by the hair and forced her to raise her head, while two maids behind her held her body down.