Chapter 261: The Second Female Lead is Pregnant

Early the next morning, Wan Ning knew that she was still under house arrest. This newfound freedom was hard-won and she didn't dare to waste any time. After giving a brief explanation to the family, she returned to the palace.
Recently, Concubine Zhou found that her body was a little strange. She often felt dizzy, nauseous, and had abdominal pain. She always felt very weak and would only lazily get up after the sun had risen. It was the same a few days ago, and her personal maid Ling'er mocked her, saying that she had become bolder because of the Emperor's favor. She knew Ling'er was reminding her to maintain her usual humility.
Keling'er how could she know that Cairen was really uncomfortable and wanted to sleep. Luckily the Emperor didn't come to Yunyan Pavilion last night.
She didn't have any serious illness herself. In her memory, when she was young at home, some young women would also have the same symptoms, as if drowsiness and nausea were signs of pregnancy.
Although not completely certain, there is about a 50% certainty now.
She knew that becoming pregnant with the Dragon's child would make the other concubines in the palace jealous. So she immediately increased her vigilance, rallied her spirits, and pretended as if nothing had happened. She only confided in Ling and Xi, her two trusted personal maidservants, about this matter. After all, they took care of her intimately, and they couldn't be kept in the dark about anything, nor should they be.
The two girls had never experienced such a thing before and were a little scared. The first thing that came to the minds of the two maids was to tell Miss Wanning about this.
Zhou Cairan thought to herself that it was such a big matter that she couldn't handle it alone, and the first person she should tell is indeed Wanning, who could protect herself. At least there would be someone to face it together.
This chaos, even Wanning was forgotten.
As soon as Wanning came back, after resting for a couple of hours, she was called to the side hall. "Miss, you've been feeling bored, want someone to talk to?"
"Isn't it? Come sit here quickly."
Wanning lowered her head in shame, "It's all my fault. Several familiar ladies have cut off contact with Yunyan Pavilion, even the queen..."
"Where have you been? The Emperor still comes here anyway. They are just afraid to openly defy his orders." The lady pulled her to sit beside her and asked with a smile, "Wanning, has your mood improved a bit since returning to the palace this time?"
"Much better, as long as no one causes trouble."
The girl burst into laughter and said, "Did my brother come to see you again? Of course he would, especially at times like this." She held onto Wanning's hand and said, "I know you're not feeling well, and you should have rested more. I asked you to come because there's something I want to tell you."
This brought Wenning's thoughts back, and she stared with puzzled eyes.
"Wenning, I might be pregnant."
Wenning became even more perplexed, and her face instantly turned to joy: "Congratulations, madam."
"I'm not even sure yet, how can you be so sure?"
"Actually, I don't really understand either, it's just based on your usual condition. I've noticed something different about you for a while, so I consulted the imperial physician at home, and they are reliable. Your menstrual cycle didn't come this time, right?"
"No."
"Then it is certain." Wan Ning said with joy. "That's great."
"Frau, it is good news for both you and me that you are expecting the Dragon's child, but it may not be the same for the Emperor. The Gao family is currently flourishing, and you have close ties with them. The Emperor has always been apprehensive about your pregnancy. If someone were to align themselves or even exploit the Imperial Prince to control the court, it is something he least desires."
"Hasn't the candidate for the crown prince already been decided? Why can't other people just live their lives peacefully?"
"Madam, you are thinking too simplistically. As long as the crown prince has not ascended the throne, everything is uncertain."
"If you become pregnant with the Dragon's child, Lady Jin, you cannot escape promotion to the position of Jeeyu," Wenning firmly said, "I hope you won't blame me for taking this opportunity to make the Gao family suffer a bit. At least, we will reclaim everything that should have belonged to the Li family."
"I don't quite understand this. Didn't you say that the Gao family could be my support? The Emperor should at least give them some face."
"Times change. Right now, you are carrying the dragon child, so the Gao family should rely on you. Of course, the child needs to be born safely and grow up healthy. Madam, you don't have to worry too much. You know that your relationship with the Gao family has deepened even further. Uncle is now your adoptive father. With the current Gao family's young mistress around, Uncle will not die, let alone the Emperor favors the Gao family's young master. How the Emperor handles things is their business. Anyway, the Emperor does not allow us to interfere. He will handle everything well."
Wannin comfortingly took her hands again and said, "Madam, please rest assured."
Although Madam Zhou didn't know what kind of trouble the Gao family was facing, when Wannin said that they wouldn't be completely defeated, she felt that she had no other choice but to trust Wannin, or rather, she trusted the Emperor more.
She smiled reluctantly at Wanning.
However, Wanning's face gradually changed, and the lady looked at her teary-eyed and asked, "Wanning, what's wrong? Is it because your brother always makes you cry recently, and you've gotten used to crying? Brother is really something, I must definitely vent for you someday."
"Cai Ren, no, it's not like that. I have always felt guilty for asking you to enter the palace. Now that you finally have your own child, I feel a little better."
"Wan Jiejie, you don't need to blame yourself. We come from different backgrounds and have different expectations in life. I don't have such high requirements like finding someone who truly loves me. In this society, some people have already lost their humanity for a few taels of silver. Where can you find such a person you mentioned? Besides, the Emperor has been very good to us. We are all satisfied with our current life."
Zhou Cairen only wanted to comfort Wanning, but when the emperor was mentioned, she became worried again: "The emperor actually made me drink contraceptives. How should we face him?"
"Didn't the emperor stop giving it to you later? This means that he wants you to conceive his child. When the emperor comes tonight, I will face him with you. From now on, we will be together."
"Thank you, Wan Ning."
"I should be the one thanking you."
Wan Ning gently caressed her stomach, "Little baby, you must safely come into this world and accompany your mother, giving her someone to rely on. We won't fight for any throne, as long as we have a peaceful and content life."
Zhou Cairan held Wanning's hand and said, "Wanning, I also think the same way."
Wanning squatted in front of Cairan, staring blankly at her belly. Cairan seemed to understand her thoughts. She must be curious about how it feels to have a little baby in her belly.
"Wanning, say something that makes you unhappy."
"Justran, feel free to say it."
"If the Li family hadn't experienced the unexpected, you would have become a mother long ago. As a woman, having a good home and giving birth to children for the man you love is truly the happiest thing in life. It's normal for men to do things that we can't think of. Brother did indeed do some things he shouldn't have, but that's also because he cares about you."
Sai Ren tried to advise once again. She was afraid that she wouldn't be able to finish her words as Wan Ning would interrupt and put on another face. Surprisingly, Wan Ning did not interrupt this time, her smile just faded a bit.