Chapter 116

Chapter 116: Perhaps Just a Guess

Sheng Zhi Wan instructed Shopkeeper Lin to find a young maidservant who was skilled in martial arts, of suitable age, and whose background was clean enough to withstand scrutiny.

But it was difficult enough to find someone who was both skilled in fighting and of the right age.

After all, how many families would teach martial arts to their fourteen or fifteen-year-old daughters?

Moreover, the girl’s family background had to be spotless and verifiable.

Most common families could not afford martial training for their daughters, and even those who could would rarely choose to do so.

Shopkeeper Lin searched tirelessly for two months before finally finding a suitable candidate. But he couldn’t understand why the Princess was being so cautious.

Outside, she was an esteemed Princess. Inside, she was the Duke’s Heir Consort.

Who could threaten someone of her status?

Who would dare to investigate her personal attendants?

Yet Shopkeeper Lin didn’t know that Sheng Zhi Wan was not guarding against outsiders—but against the man sitting on the throne.

All her loyal attendants in the past had been quietly reassigned to other palaces by this Imperial Father of hers.

“Tell me about this candidate,” Sheng Zhi Wan said, lowering her eyes.

Shopkeeper Lin replied, “She was originally from Xing Family Village near Capital City. She has an elder sister and two younger brothers. Born strong and with a huge appetite, her family couldn’t afford to feed her, so they abandoned her in the mountains at the age of four. Later, she was discovered by a wandering monk and raised at a monastery.”

“She stayed at the monastery until recently when her family visited the monastery to pray for a child for their daughter-in-law and recognized her. They accused the monk who rescued her of kidnapping and trafficking.”

Sheng Zhi Wan frowned slightly.

Shopkeeper Lin continued, “Having no choice, she returned to her family, only to be quickly sold for fifty silver ingots to a local wealthy man as his new wife.”

“When my men found her, she had lifted that man up like a stick and was swinging him around.”

Even now, recalling that scene made Shopkeeper Lin’s heart shudder.

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled faintly. “She sounds like a pitiful yet formidable girl. Once the medicinal herbs are collected, bring her to Duke Residence for my approval. I’ll decide then if she stays.”

“Yes,” Shopkeeper Lin responded, then suddenly remembered something else. “Princess, there’s another matter. Lady Tao visited Merciful Creek Hall a few days ago and was confirmed pregnant.”

“Oh?” Sheng Zhi Wan raised an eyebrow slightly.

It seemed Lord Duke was still vigorous despite his age, producing such good news quickly.

Then Concubine Lian’s turn would not be far away either.

That evening, Sheng Zhi Wan visited Concubine Lian’s courtyard immediately upon returning to Duke Residence.

Concubine Lian had also wanted to speak to her. Seeing her arrival, she quickly dismissed her attendants.

“Princess, my monthly cycle has been late for over ten days already!”

“And perhaps it’s my imagination, but lately certain smells make me nauseous…” As she spoke, Concubine Lian instinctively touched her stomach.

Sheng Zhi Wan asked her to extend her hand.

Concubine Lian was confused at first, but when Sheng Zhi Wan gently pressed her fingers to Concubine Lian’s wrist, understanding finally dawned. “Princess knows medicine?”

“A bit,” Sheng Zhi Wan withdrew her hand without directly responding. “Your pulses match those of pregnancy. Judging by your pulse, it’s been about a month and a half.”

“I’ll write you a prescription to ease your morning sickness.”

Concubine Lian was astonished.

She had calculated based on her encounters with Lord Duke, and indeed, their last intimacy had been around a month and a half ago.

Yet the Princess had known this simply by feeling her pulse…

Even Imperial Physician Song might not achieve such accuracy. Could the Princess actually be better than Imperial Physician Song?

The idea startled Concubine Lian momentarily.

No, impossible. How could the Princess, so young, possibly surpass an Imperial Physician? Perhaps she’d only guessed it since the Duke had stayed overnight with Concubine Lian on that particular date.

Concubine Lian reassured herself inwardly.

Sheng Zhi Wan had already written the prescription. “Have you thought about how to safely deliver your child? Madam Cui made you take a contraceptive medicine because she doesn’t want anyone else giving birth besides herself.”

“I have a plan!” Concubine Lian said firmly. She lifted her eyes and told Sheng Zhi Wan, “In fact, I’ve always had evidence against Madam!”

“Before Madam married into the household, Lord Duke had a cousin he deeply loved. Madam fell for Lord Duke at first sight and secretly had someone humiliate that cousin.”

“The cousin was strong-willed and chose to end her life afterward. Lord Duke was depressed for a long time. Madam seized that opportunity to comfort him and won his heart.”

Sheng Zhi Wan remained silent.

She hadn’t expected such a scandalous past.

“You intend to threaten Madam with this?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked.

Concubine Lian replied, “If Madam tries to harm my child, this will be my only protection.”

“As long as you’ve thought it through,” Sheng Zhi Wan nodded and reminded her, “there’s another thing you might want to know.”

“What is it?”

“Lord Duke has been keeping a mistress outside.”

Concubine Lian was initially stunned, but quickly nodded knowingly, “Ah, no wonder Lord Duke is always away from home, claiming he has engagements. It turns out he has another family outside.”

“But Princess, don’t worry. I’m only a concubine. How many mistresses Lord Duke has outside has nothing to do with me.”

She only wanted a child; she didn’t truly love Lord Duke.

“Good. That mistress is also pregnant and will soon enter the residence. When she arrives, I don’t want you harming her child for any reason, understand?” Sheng Zhi Wan added clearly.

“Huh?” This revelation truly shocked Concubine Lian.

She stared at Sheng Zhi Wan.

But Sheng Zhi Wan said no more and returned to Pinglan Residence in a good mood.

To gain a child without enduring pregnancy or childbirth? How could something so good exist?

Perhaps after Qi Fei Yan’s execution, she would present these two generous gifts to her mother.

With such pleasant thoughts, Sheng Zhi Wan slept soundly.

In contrast, Qi Fei Yan at Lian Residence was furious all night.

At dinner, Old Madam Lian had decided to promote several of Lian Wen Hui’s concubines officially.

In the past, Lian Wen Hui’s promiscuity happened away from her sight. The maids serving him were always forced to drink contraceptive soup before bed, ensuring they wouldn’t conceive.

But now that they were official concubines, things changed entirely.

These women could now legitimately bear children for Lian Wen Hui!

Her mother-in-law, Madam Lian, even implied that Qi Fei Yan was morally deficient, failing to produce an heir despite three years of marriage.

“Sheng Zhi Wan! It’s all because of Sheng Zhi Wan!”

“One day, I’ll make Sheng Zhi Wan pay, and that little lowly maid, Ting Lan!” Qi Fei Yan gritted her teeth in anger.

Her eyes landed on Chun Chan, the trembling maid beside her, and she struck her fiercely. “Lowly wretch! Are you laughing at me as well?”

“Maidservant wouldn’t dare!” Chun Chan knelt down immediately, trembling in fear.