Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

Yuan's voice echoed in the empty room, carrying a subtle hint of helplessness and determination: "Whether the Emperor still approves of our family is not something you and I can easily judge."

Weiyuan Hou's face darkened. He tried again to get some information out of Yuan, but was still met with silence.

His anger gradually grew. Was his mother truly determined to hide something, even going so far as to create a rift between him and him? "Mother, what was the Emperor's attitude when you met him? You stayed out all night before returning. There must be something fishy going on. The Emperor must still be doting on his beloved son."

Yuan sighed softly and finally broke the silence: "You don't need to ask too much about these things."

Upon hearing this, Weiyuan Hou said with a hint of pleading and confusion: "Mother, then you..."

Yuan knew that if she didn't give the boss some guidance, he might continue to sink into the haze of yesterday and be unable to extricate himself.

So, she said earnestly: "Boss, if you continue to be so depressed, the emperor will find out and will probably become even more distant from our family. Take yesterday for example, if you had behaved more properly, the emperor might have looked at our family differently. But when the emperor sent someone yesterday, you looked... Alas!" At this point, Yuan's voice choked a little, and she really couldn't continue.

Weiyuan Hou felt a pang of guilt. He was well aware of his own incompetence yesterday. The Emperor's sudden arrival, accompanied by his beloved son, had caught him completely off guard. He slapped his head in frustration, his heart filled with self-blame.

"Mother, what can I do?" There was a hint of helplessness in Weiyuan Hou's voice.

Yuan sighed again. She knew her son's pain, but some things couldn't be solved by running away. "What's the point of asking me? The key lies with you." Yuan's words carried a hint of blame, but more of it was caring.

Weiyuan Hou lowered his head and remained silent. After a moment, he raised his head again, a determined light flashing in his eyes: "Mother, I want to talk to you about my son."

Yuan Shi looked at her son and knew that he had made up his mind. So she began to tell him every detail of his life in the palace and everything she had experienced in the palace gardens.

"I also told Ai'er about the family matters," Yuan added.

Upon hearing this, Weiyuan Hou's face instantly turned gloomy: "Mom, what did you say? What is there to talk about these family matters? Isn't this making a fool of ourselves for our beloved son?" He felt unhappy and felt that his dignity was challenged.

However, Yuan didn't care about her son's reaction: "Big brother, you have to know that this is the truth. You did something wrong, and you don't want people to talk about it? What's more, Ai'er is your daughter. She has the right to know everything about the family."

Marquis Weiyuan wanted to argue, but Yuan was no longer interested in continuing the conversation. She shifted her focus and asked, "Do you regret it now? When you treated your beloved son like that, how could you not have imagined this would happen?"

Weiyuan Hou was speechless. He had indeed been somewhat negligent and indifferent to his son. Thinking about it now, he was filled with guilt and self-blame.

At this moment, Yuan suddenly changed the subject: "But, speaking of which, Ai'er is pregnant now. You must treat her well and not be like before."

Upon hearing this, Marquis Weiyuan was so shocked that he almost jumped up: "Mother, what did you say? My beloved son is pregnant? How is this possible?" He looked at Yuan in disbelief, as if expecting her to deny it.

However, Yuan nodded firmly: "Yes, you heard it right. Ai'er is indeed pregnant, and it has been three months. I only learned this news yesterday. You see, this is fate! Ai'er is blessed and will naturally be blessed by heaven."

Weiyuan Hou was still immersed in shock, unable to extricate himself. He muttered to himself, "My beloved daughter is pregnant... for three months... and I only found out now..."

Yuan Shi looked at her son with a wave of emotion. She knew that this news was undoubtedly a huge blow to Weiyuan Hou. But at the same time, it was also an opportunity for him to wake up.

"Mom, when did you know the news?" Weiyuan Hou finally found his voice.

"Yesterday." Yuan answered briefly.

Weiyuan Hou was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and looked at Yuan Shi: "Mother, why don't you let my daughter come home? She is pregnant now and needs family care."

Upon hearing this, Yuan couldn't help but laugh. "You're so bold! My daughter is now the Emperor's favorite concubine. She's pregnant, so naturally the Emperor and the palace physicians will take care of her. What can we do?"

Upon hearing this, Marquis Weiyuan felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

He said goodbye to his mother and returned to his own courtyard. All the way, Yuan's words kept echoing in his mind. His beloved son was pregnant... he would become the prince's grandfather... these thoughts made him both excited and nervous.

When he returned to the courtyard, he saw his wife, Zhao. Zhao was talking to someone, and when she saw him return, she asked someone to leave. Weiyuan Hou looked at Zhao, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart.

"Madam, I have something to tell you." There was a hint of heaviness in Weiyuan Hou's voice.

Zhao looked at her husband's expression, and a sense of foreboding rose in her heart: "My Lord, please speak."

Weiyuan Hou took a deep breath and then slowly said, "My dear...I'm pregnant."

Zhao's face turned pale upon hearing this. She looked at Weiyuan Hou in disbelief, as if expecting him to deny it. However, Weiyuan Hou nodded firmly.

Zhao's body trembled slightly, the handkerchief in her hand wrinkled and crumpled. She was filled with jealousy and resentment. Why had that fool Zhang Tianai been favored by the emperor, even becoming pregnant? And yet, she, on the other hand, could never truly earn the true love of Marquis Weiyuan.

Weiyuan Hou sighed as he looked at his wife's appearance. He knew that Zhao had always harbored resentment towards his son, but now that the facts were before him, he could only do his best to comfort her.

"Madam, this is an honor bestowed by God on our family. We must celebrate well and pray for our son." There was a hint of determination in Weiyuan Hou's words.

Upon hearing this, although Zhao was still dissatisfied, she could only nod reluctantly.

Gazing at the silk handkerchief tightly grasped in her hand and her slightly pale, delicate face, the face of Lady Weiyuan Marquis seemed to be filled with endless thoughts...

"By the way," Marquis Weiyuan slapped his forehead, interrupting the silence, "You must make careful preparations for me. My beloved son will be due in a few months. When the prince is born, the full-month banquet must be grand and dignified. Don't forget Ci'er's share; he won't be left out."

Marquis Weiyuan's gaze fell on his wife again, and he rambled on about many details. He completely ignored her expression, because in his heart, what he said was the golden rule, unquestionable.

"Hmm?" Marquis Weiyuan's eyes were sharp, as if he was waiting for his wife's response.

"I understand, Lord." Zhao forced a smile. Although she felt mixed emotions, she could only agree. She clutched the handkerchief tightly, her fingertips turning white from the pressure.

After Weiyuan Hou left, she immediately ordered her servants to find out the truth, especially about that stupid girl Zhang Tianai. Zhao cursed in her heart: What the hell is that idiot doing!

Weiyuan Hou's back gradually disappeared behind the threshold of the study. He was thinking about writing a letter, but he couldn't decide the content.

Zhao stood there alone, like a statue without a soul. After a long moment, she slowly sat down, ignoring the calls of others. Her heart was filled with doubt and anxiety, and she could only hope in the servants who had gone out to gather information.

At the same time, Yuan learned all this, but remained silent, thinking to herself.

-

Meanwhile, at the He Mansion, He Qingru's midnight plan didn't go as planned. Wearing a veiled hat, she quietly left the residence and waited expectantly at the appointed location, but the man was nowhere to be seen. She searched everywhere, but to no avail, as if he had vanished overnight.

He Qingru felt a sense of foreboding. She wondered if the woman had been taken away or met with some misfortune. She waited for a long time, but ultimately had no choice but to return to the mansion, unaware of the pair of prying eyes not far behind her.

On the outskirts of Beijing, in a carriage not far from the manor, Zhang Tianai and Murong Shuo sat quietly. Zhang Tianai would occasionally open the curtains and look out the window, watching as noon approached.

"It should be here soon." She muttered to herself.

At this time, Nanny Li came over and gently knocked on the carriage wall, telling them that their destination was approaching. However, the emperor remained silent, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.

Zhang Tianai didn't say much, just silently drank a sip of water. After noon, they finally arrived at the huge manor. The manor was silent and deserted, with only the guards patrolling everywhere.

This manor seemed isolated from the world, with only the presence of guards reminding them that this was not an uninhabited place. Zhang Tianai wanted to ask Murong Shuo something, but seeing his indifferent expression, she could only swallow her words.

Murong Shuo walked straight into the room, gave her a cold glance, and then turned and left. He left no words behind, simply sending someone to tell her to have lunch and rest. If she felt any discomfort, she should consult the imperial physician. He, on the other hand, was going hunting.

"Hunting?" Zhang Tianai was stunned when she heard this. She thought the emperor was busy with important matters, but she didn't expect him to have so much leisure time.

"The emperor may have seen the mountains." Nanny Li explained on the side.

Chunmei also nodded. They all saw the delicate relationship between the emperor and their master. But whenever the master asked, they always hesitated to speak, fearing that they would anger the master.

Zhang Tianai didn't say anything more, just asking if Eunuch An was going with them. After learning that Eunuch An was also going, she stopped asking questions. She imagined the mountains behind the village, and an inexplicable feeling welled up in her heart.

This farm is not far from her former farm. She also had a farm as a dowry, but she lost it later.

"I wonder how long the Emperor will hunt," Zhang Tianai thought to herself. Summer wasn't the best time for hunting, but autumn was excellent. But at this moment, she felt a little uneasy.

"Maybe it won't take long." replied Li Ma.

Chunmei shook her head, indicating that she didn't know either.

Zhang Tianai smiled slightly: "If it's interesting, I might not come back until the evening."

Nanny Li laughed when she heard this. "People who come to the farm usually want to go hunting. There's a mountain behind us."

Zhang Tianai and Chunmei looked at Li Ma together, as if expecting something.

At this time, a guard came in and asked Zhang Tianai what he needed. Zhang Tianai said casually, "I'll take whatever I have."

Soon, palace servants arrived from the farmhouse's kitchen, bringing in food. It turned out there were also busy maids working on the farm, but they were just menial servants, responsible for miscellaneous tasks in the kitchen and other areas. These maids weren't allowed to be seen in public, nor were they allowed to be seen by others. But Zhang Tianai didn't force herself to see them.

The food was placed on the table. Zhang Tianai took a quick look and began to eat. These dishes were all specialties of the farm. The chicken, fish, and duck were all free-range and tasted extremely delicious. Even the vegetables were grown on the farm.

Although the meal seemed simple, Zhang Tianai ate it with gusto. She even invited Li Ma and Chunmei to join her.

After finishing her meal, Zhang Tianai went to the back room. It contained a bed and a couch, clean and tidy, elegantly furnished. She lay on the couch, her mind racing. She thought about the Emperor, the praise and expectations Nanny Yu and her grandmother had once bestowed upon her.

At first, she felt a little strange and uncomfortable, and had trouble falling asleep. But gradually, she relaxed and drifted off to sleep, while Matron Li and Chunmei watched over her.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Tianai felt a warm presence behind her. She didn't wake up, but instinctively embraced him. When she woke up again, she found a man lying beside her—it was Murong Shuo.

"Your Majesty..." Her voice was soft and gentle.

"Awake? Then get up." Murong Shuo's voice was cold and distant. He let go of her and sat up.

Zhang Tianai asked in a low voice: "The Emperor is back? When did he come back? And..."

"Just now, it was already dark." Murong Shuo looked out the window and answered lightly.

Zhang Tianai then realized that it was already late. She felt an inexplicable emotion in her heart, wondering if they would return to the garden tonight.

"Let's go back tomorrow morning." Murong Shuo seemed to see through her thoughts and said lightly. Seeing that Zhang Tianai was sleeping soundly, he didn't have the heart to wake her. After saying this, he stood up and walked out.

Zhang Tianai quickly followed, her heart filled with anticipation and trepidation. At the evening barbecue party, the emperor finally began to pay attention to her...