Nan Chengyao was not in the government office, so Qin An led his mother to the main hall and accompanied her personally.

  After he bowed and retreated, leaving me time to talk to my mother, he only instructed the maid to serve carefully.

  Mother got up with a faint scent and bowed to me: "Have met three queens."

  I hurriedly helped her up: "Since theres no outsider around, Mother is still treating her daughter like this, isnt she trying to make Qinger feel uneasy in her heart?"

  Mother straightened up and said seriously: "No matter when, the etiquette between monarch and minister cannot be abandoned. Moreover, at present, the Murong family cannot take a wrong step, and let people grasp the small handle to speak."

  I saw a different seriousness in Mothers expression than usual and couldnt help but ask: "What happened?"

  "Mother softly sighed: Huaner is back."

  This is what I had expected, but what I hadnt anticipated was the heavy tone in Mothers voice when she mentioned it.

  I hesitated for a moment, smiled and said: "Mother hasnt seen where I live yet, why dont let Qinger accompany you to visit my place in Gui Mo Ge for a while, what do you think?"

  My mothers eyes were filled with a look of approval, and she smiled at me and nodded.

  Arriving at the Ink Pavilion, after serving tea with poetic and artistic flair, everyone else withdrew, leaving only my mother and me in the room, along with Shu Ying, An Xiang, and Bi Zhi, three old acquaintances from the Xi manor.

  Bi Xi served her mother for many years, and she was always meticulous. She carefully examined the house again, then went to the corridor outside the window to take a look, making sure no one was there before returning to nod to her mother.

  The house was quiet, and I heard my mothers soft sigh in my ear: "Huaner is pregnant."

  I was slightly startled and turned to look at my mother, her expression was one of helplessness and worry, and it didnt seem like she was joking with me, this was too big a thing to be taken lightly.

  But what I dont understand is that even if the worry on Mothers face is real, why does she still have a hint of joy in her eyes despite trying to hold it back?

  After a moment of hesitation, I asked directly: "Do you already know who the father of the child is?"

  The mother nodded and paused for a moment before speaking again, her voice laced with a sigh: "Its the current Crown Prince, Nan Chengyan."

  This time, I wasnt too surprised, although I didnt expect it to be the prince, but this explained the hidden joy in my mothers eyes.

  The crown prince has not yet married, if Ruan Er can successfully marry into the East Palace, then the Murong family can be said to have reached its peak. Two daughters, one married to the most favored third prince, and the other, it is very likely that she will become the future empress.

  But such great imperial favor is not something that everyone can bear. I let out a faint sigh in my heart.

  My mother didnt notice my silence and continued with a tone of helplessness mixed with joy: "Huaner, this child, is really making a fuss. Last night when the prince himself sent her back to the mansion, I couldnt believe it. But I saw that the prince treated her well, although perhaps it was because of the flesh and blood in Huaners belly. However, for someone who has been pampered like that to have such considerate behavior is truly rare."

  I remained silent and continued to listen to my mothers voice.

  "According to Yuner, they met unexpectedly during the Lantern Festival last year and both had feelings for each other. They originally planned to wait for the Crown Prince to formally ask for the Emperors permission to marry, but unexpectedly, the Emperors decree was issued first, betrothing her to the Third Prince. The situation was sudden, and she couldnt think much, so she took Yuner with her and fled in the middle of the night, leaving home to seek refuge with the Crown Prince."

  The mother suddenly laughed: "No wonder, your father sent many people to find her but couldnt find her, it turned out that she was hiding in the East Palace. With the Crown Princes deliberate protection, its no surprise that they cant be found."

  Perhaps seeing me remain silent, Mother gradually put away her smile and held my hand, saying: "Qinger, Mother knows youre feeling wronged. This matter is ultimately all about Huaners nonsense. But dont hold it against her, shes your younger sister after all, and she doesnt understand things yet."

  I shook my head and asked, "How is Xiaoyu doing now?"

  Her mother heard this and slightly furrowed her brow: "If she can marry into the Eastern Palace, then its naturally good. If not, her whole life will probably be ruined."

  I didnt speak, but Shu Ying couldnt help but ask: "Isnt Miss Huan already pregnant with the crown princes child? How can she not be married into the East Palace?"

  Her mother didnt scold her for interrupting, nor did she pay attention to her. She just looked at me silently, and after a while, she finally let out a soft sigh and instructed Bi Xi to bring Pu Ying and An Xiang to wait outside the door. Then, holding my hand, she said:

  "Qinger, Mother wont hide it from you. Its not that the Crown Prince is willing to marry, but even if he was, Huaner might not necessarily be able to enter the Eastern Palace. The Murong family has great power in the court, and the Emperor has already begun to suspect them. The Murong family already has a daughter who is a princess, and he may not want to see another Murong woman become the Crown Princes consort. If our guess is correct, then Huaners child might not be the key to her marrying the Crown Prince. In the Emperors words, it might even become an excuse for her being unworthy of being the Crown Princes consort due to her lack of virtue."

  I looked at my mother and quietly opened my mouth: "Since Father and Mother can both see through this situation, why must they insist on sending Rouer into the Eastern Palace, putting her and the entire Murong family in harms way."

  "Mother looked at me incredulously, then turned away, her voice tinged with sadness: "Qinger, your father and I have always felt guilty towards you. We were wrong to you. But you cant misinterpret us like this. Do you think we would sacrifice our own daughter for power? Youre wrong! If it werent for Huaners deep feelings for the Crown Prince and her pregnancy with his child, I wouldnt be willing to let her get involved in this messy situation. The aristocratic families are complicated, and Ive already lost one daughter to them; your grievances are clear to both me and your father, so how could we possibly want Huaner to enter the imperial family again?"

  "Mother said, tears falling: Which parent doesnt hope for their children to have a smooth life? But in our family, sometimes many things are beyond our control. Now that Huaner is like this, apart from the crown prince, which good family would want her? Even if someone marries her because of the influence of the Murong family, how will they treat her? Your sister hasnt experienced anything, and she has such a proud temperament... Im afraid she wont be able to bear it in the future..."

  My mothers voice choked with sobs and couldnt say any more, but at that moment, I felt deeply self-reproach.

  Whats wrong with me? Is it because Ive been with Nan Chengyao for too long, and his excessive suspicion and distrust of anyone has affected me to the point where I even suspect my own parents, causing my mother such distress.

  She hastily fetched a handkerchief to wipe away her mothers tears, and she herself couldnt help but choke back tears and feel deep regret: "It was Qingers fault, Mother shouldnt be sad anymore, it was Qingers fault."

  My mother just looked at me shaking her head, tears still falling down.

  I held back my tears and forced a smile: "Mothers kindness I understand, Huaner is my own sister, I will not let her suffer. When the third prince returns to the mansion, Qinger must ask the prince to plead with the emperor, it will definitely fulfill Huaner and the crown princes marriage..."

  My words were left unspoken as Mother tightly wrapped her arms around me, sobbing uncontrollably.