allonlinenovel Chapter 160: Is the Oriental Pearl Tower pregnant?
Chapter 160: Is the Oriental Pearl Tower pregnant?
As Liu Qiqi spoke, she subconsciously stroked her slightly protruding belly, which was already two months pregnant, and a trace of sorrow and resentment appeared in her eyes.
Just then, light footsteps sounded outside the door. It was Dongfang Mingzhu coming to visit Liu Qiqi. However, as soon as she reached the door, she heard Liu Qiqi's angry scolding voice coming from inside the house.
"Oh dear, Auntie, what's wrong? Why are you so angry? You must be careful of the little brother in your belly!" Dongfang Mingzhu hurried into the room and asked with concern.
"What else could it be? Of course, it's your heartless father! Last night, he actually spent the whole night with that slut Wen Nuan next door. The sounds they made were so disgusting, it was enough to make anyone ashamed and furious!"
Liu Qiqi said through gritted teeth, her eyes flashing with resentment.
"So that's what made you angry, Auntie. But Mingzhu has come to bring you some good news, and I hope it will cheer you up," Dongfang Mingzhu said with a smile, trying to ease the tension.
Hearing this, Liu Qiqi calmed herself down a bit, took a deep breath, and tried to stay calm: "Oh? What good news does Mingzhu have? Tell me about it."
"Of course, Xiao Cui has achieved great success!" Dongfang Mingzhu said with a smile, in a way that only the two of them could understand.
"In front of her?" Upon hearing this, Liu Qiqi's face immediately lit up with surprise, and she thought to herself: This is truly wonderful news!
"Don't worry, Auntie. Xiao Cui saw her drink that stuff with her own eyes. That way, no matter how much trouble she causes, she won't be able to shake your position in the mansion. After Father kicks Lu Wan Ning out of the house, Auntie, you can give Father another little prince..." Dongfang Mingzhu described the bright future to Liu Qiqi in a very enthusiastic manner.
Liu Qiqi was overjoyed, her face filled with anticipation and excitement.
"My Mingzhu is truly exceptionally intelligent, hahaha!" Liu Qiqi couldn't help but laugh triumphantly.
Just then, a voice announced from outside the door that the Marquis had arrived.
Upon hearing this news, Liu Qiqi hurriedly tidied her makeup and clothes, and then quickly went to greet her.
"Why did you suddenly come to visit me today, my lord?" Liu Qiqi asked softly.
"Father!" Dongfang Mingzhu, standing to the side, also bowed and greeted him.
"Oh? Mingzhu is here too!" Dongfang Zheng's gaze swept over Liu Qiqi and finally landed on Dongfang Mingzhu.
"Qiqi, I rushed over to visit you and the child in your womb after the morning court session. I wonder how you've been feeling lately? Are you alright?" Dongfang Zheng stepped into the room, his eyes full of concern, and asked Liu Qiqi softly.
Seeing Dongfang Zheng's concern for her, Liu Qiqi felt a surge of sweetness in her heart and quickly replied coquettishly, "My lord, I didn't sleep a wink last night."
After saying this, she slightly furrowed her brows, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
"Don't worry, don't worry, this is normal. But Qiqi, for the sake of the baby in your belly, you must rest more in the future..."
Dongfang Zheng quickly offered words of comfort, then changed the subject, continuing, "I have come here today because I have something to tell you. Lu Wanning's father holds considerable military power, and we cannot act rashly against him at the moment. But rest assured, after you give birth to your son, everything will develop as you wish."
Upon hearing this, Liu Qiqi was secretly overjoyed, but she still forced a gentle and obedient demeanor and replied understandingly, "I understand the Marquis's predicament. I will take good care of my pregnancy and wait for good news."
"Mingzhu, it is good that you are here. I have something to tell you. Today, His Majesty issued a decree stating that the Crown Prince will marry Li Shuyao, the daughter of the Right Chancellor, in seven days! As for Li Sisi and Li Yanran, the Crown Prince has already sent betrothal gifts and brought them to his residence!"
Upon hearing this news, the Oriental Pearl Tower was struck dumb, its heart filled with indescribable mixed emotions.
She stared wide-eyed at her father in disbelief, her lips trembling slightly, unable to utter a word for a long time.
"Hmph! It's all your fault for being so incredibly stupid. Don't think that your father can't see through the mystery. It was clearly a scheme you meticulously designed, but in the end, it benefited others instead!" His father's words were like a sharp sword, piercing straight into Dongfang Mingzhu's heart.
"Daddy..."
Oriental Pearl's eyes reddened, tears welled up, and her voice trembled with a sob and grievance, "My daughter knows she was wrong, but what am I supposed to do?"
The father sighed softly, his tone softening slightly, and said, "After you have your coming-of-age ceremony in a month, the Crown Prince will come to welcome you into his family. After all, you are the daughter of this Marquis, of noble status, and will naturally be treated differently from the two young ladies of Minister Li's family. At that time, the Crown Prince will also hold a grand banquet, but the scale will probably not be as grand as that of the Empress."
Dongfang Mingzhu bit her lower lip, suppressing her inner resentment and disappointment, and replied softly, "Thank you, Father, I understand..."
Despite her deep reluctance, she had no choice but to silently accept it all, as things had come to this.
"Alright, take good care of your aunt. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now!"
After seeing her father off, Dongfang Mingzhu returned to her room and slumped onto the bed, her eyes vacant and lifeless.
"Miss, don't be sad. This may be the best outcome," the maid whispered, trying to comfort her.
Dongfang Mingzhu gave a bitter laugh: "The best ending? I'm not reconciled! Why can Li Shuyao become the Crown Princess, while I can only be a concubine!"
At that moment, an evil thought began to sprout in her mind...
"If that's the case, then I will take back everything that belongs to me!" Dongfang Mingzhu's eyes hardened.
"Mingzhu, don't overthink things. With such a close relationship between you and His Highness the Crown Prince, why are you so worried?"
Seeing her beloved daughter looking worried and absent-minded, Liu Qiqi quickly offered words of comfort and advice: "Mingzhu, you and the Crown Prince have already consummated your marriage over a month ago, so why is there still no sign of pregnancy?"
"Auntie!" Dongfang Mingzhu blushed and hurriedly stopped Liu Qiqi, not allowing her to continue speaking.
"All of you, step back!" Dongfang Mingzhu immediately ordered, signaling all the servants to leave quickly.
After everyone had obeyed and left, she slowly opened her mouth and said, "Auntie, to be honest, my period has been delayed for several days, and I am really worried that this child is not from the Crown Prince!"
At this point, Dongfang Mingzhu couldn't help but recall the horrible experience of being assaulted by a drunkard that night. Good heavens, if she had truly become pregnant and the father was that scoundrel, the consequences for both her and her aunt would have been unimaginable...