What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 378 - 374: Thank You

Gu Ning has been in labor for more than five hours.

When Tang Xiaobai saw her, she was drenched in sweat, as if she had just been pulled from the water, her face pale and exhausted, she seemed too weak to even open her eyes.

However, before Tang Jiaojiao could finish her sentence, she suddenly opened her eyes.

As she first opened her eyes, her gaze was unfocused.

"Xiao Bai?" she called out weakly, her sight gradually coming into focus, resting on Tang Xiaobai’s face.

Tang Xiaobai quickly kneeled closer, grasped her arm, and hoarsely said, "Mother..."

"Why are you here..." she only managed half a sentence before her expression became pained and unfocused again.

Tang Shigong held her tightly, quickly whispering in her ear, "Ah Jiao just married into the Eastern Palace yesterday, she should be paying respects to the Empress and Emperor now, yet she defies protocol to rush back, who knows what punishment she will face. Ah Ning, can you bear to let her face internal and external struggles right after her wedding?"

Gu Ning’s gaze refocused slightly, beginning to brim with tears.

Tang Shigong kissed her forehead and softly said, "Ah Ning, we already have both a son and a daughter."

"Mother," Tang Xiaobai choked back tears and called again, "Please, for the sake of your children, take care of yourself."

Gu Ning closed her eyes.

Tang Shigong wiped away her tears and nodded at Doctor Feng, "Please, Doctor Feng, save my wife over the child."

Feng Hua hesitated, "It’s not entirely hopeless—"

"It’s I, Tang, who refuse this chance," Tang Shigong gently interrupted him, unconsciously stroking Gu Ning’s hair, "Please ensure my wife’s safety, Doctor Feng."

Feng Hua sighed.

Lady Yan’s situation was indeed critical, but it hadn’t reached the point of life or death yet. In other households, they would urge to hold on a little longer; Duke Yan Mansion, with only one legitimate son, was more willing to give up than an average family.

Duke Yan’s love for his wife was not just a rumor.

Feng Hua felt a sense of admiration, while instructing for the medicine to be brewed, he also retrieved a needle pouch.

Suddenly, someone burst in from outside the door.

Before the person even stood firm, their voice had already landed, "Let me try—"

Everyone turned in amazement.

A frail woman stood uneasily at the door, coughed lightly behind her hand, and said, "I can ensure the safety of both mother and child." Her voice, though soft, had a calm confidence.

"Do you know medicine?" Tang Jiaojiao questioned, full of disbelief.

Tang Xiaobai also found it hard to believe.

When had anyone ever heard that Zhong Chuchu knew medicine?

Even if long illness made a doctor, obstetrics was not her field, was it?

Zhong Chuchu did not directly answer whether she understood medicine or not, her eyes flickered, and she said, "The lady has been kind to me, I would not harm her. I have an eighty percent chance of ensuring both mother and child are safe!"

Eighty percent was already very high.

Tang Shigong looked at Feng Hua.

Feng Hua understood and asked, "May I know what Miss Zhong intends to do?"

Zhong Chuchu, face unchanged, said, "Doctor Feng knows better than anyone what should be done. The lady is struggling because it came on suddenly, her vitality is depleted. I happen to have a good medicine—" and with that, she glanced around the room.

"Everyone out," Tang Shigong ordered.

This "everyone" included the siblings, Tang Xiaobai and Tang Jiaojiao.

As soon as Tang Jiaojiao left the birthing room, she demanded of Tang Xiaobai, "What good medicine does she have? What medicine could she have that even our Duke Yan Mansion doesn’t?"

Tang Xiaobai was also confused, "I don’t know."

"Did Tao Fen give it?" Tang Jiaojiao asked.

Tang Xiaobai shook her head.

If Tao Fen had good medicine, he would have brought it out immediately.

But there was no time for detailed thought, as they were quickly consumed by the commotion from the birthing room...

...

Half an hour later, the sound of a baby crying pierced the air.

Born!

Tang Xiaobai held her breath and rushed into the birthing room.

Gu Ning was still lying in Tang Shigong’s arms, her eyes closed tight.

"Mother..." Tang Xiaobai’s heart was in her throat.

Feng Hua withdrew his hand from taking her pulse, exhaled in relief, "The lady is just extremely tired."

Tang Xiaobai’s legs went weak, nearly collapsing to the floor.

Tang Jiaojiao supported her and said, "Look at how little courage you have..." but her voice was choked.

Tang Shigong finally lifted his head, his gaze settled on Tang Xiaobai, paused, and said, "There’s still time for the Ancestral Shrine visit—"

...

The second day after the Crown Prince’s wedding, they were supposed to greet the Empress and Emperor and meet the court officials, thereby completing the ceremony.

The arrangement in the Taiji Palace was already prepared, yet it was still empty.

The Emperor was still in the Chengjia Hall.

The Empress and Emperor were esteemed, and before the Crown Prince and Princess arrived outside the Taiji Palace, neither would leave their quarters.

"The Crown Prince hasn’t left Duke Yan’s Mansion yet?" the Emperor asked.

"I heard Lady Yan is unwell, and His Highness the Crown Prince might not be able to leave for a while."

The Emperor chuckled, "It seems the Crown Prince is more devoted to his mother-in-law than to me, his uncle."

The surrounding area fell silent immediately.

Only Consort Zheng smiled and chimed in, "The Crown Prince is, after all, still young, perhaps we should send someone to urge him?"

The Emperor waved his hand, "No need, I’m rather curious to see how long he’ll stay at Duke Yan’s Mansion."

By now, the intended time for the greeting had been delayed by half an hour. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

The civil and military officials had already waited nearly an hour.

Someone needed to provide an answer.

The Emperor closed his eyes slightly, the corner of his mouth curving into a subtle smile.

Then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort have left Xianfu Temple—"

"Left where?" The Emperor’s eyes suddenly opened.

"Left, left Xianfu Temple..."

...

Xianfu Temple was built to pray for Emperor Hui Zhao and Empress Xiao’ai, where ceremonial clothes and crowns of the royal couple were enshrined.

"...Regretting my parents’ early passing, unable to receive the Crown Princess Consort’s greeting, I, in the early morning, took her to Xianfu Temple to pay respects to Empress Hui Zhao, fulfilling the role of a filial child, thus causing this slight delay. I submit to Your Majesty’s punishment."

The words sounded like shattered ice, the hall remained silent.

Tang Xiaobai secretly glanced beside her.

Her profile was like carved ice and jade, cold and calm, showing no sign of regret.

So bold!

Tang Xiaobai thought and slightly lowered her gaze, subtly supplementing that hint of regret.

After the Crown Prince finished his explanation, the Emperor did not speak, and neither did Zheng Shidao.

When they left the Eastern Palace, it was still early, so not many people saw them.

But when they exited Xianfu Temple, many witnessed the scene.

No one spoke for a long time, and finally, the Emperor slowly opened his mouth, "The Crown Prince’s filial piety is commendable—"

A single word, "filial," was enough.

...

They completed the audience with the Empress and Emperor, met the court officials, and visited the Ancestral Shrine.

By the time they returned to the Eastern Palace, it was already nightfall.

Upon entering Lizheng Hall, Li Mu felt his sleeve tugged slightly. Just as he was about to turn his head, the elegantly dressed Crown Princess suddenly dove into his arms, embracing his waist affectionately.

This... was too sudden...

Li Mu, startled but pleased, held her, contemplated, and comforted, "Mother should be alright now, you can check if there’s anything needed from the Eastern Palace Treasure House later, and send it to your mother."

The Crown Princess looked up from his embrace, but instead of the worry he expected, there was a face of amused resignation, "What’s left in the Eastern Palace Treasure House?"

Li Mu thought about it too, the good things were all given as wedding gifts.

"There will be more in the future," he said.

Tang Xiaobai chuckled, cupping his face, "Lower your head!"

Li Mu obediently lowered his head.

She rose on her toes and kissed him lightly.

"Thank you."

Thank you for accompanying her home upon hearing the news;

Thank you for bearing the pressure and staying half an hour at Duke Yan’s Mansion;

Also, thank you for having prepared a backup plan, allowing this matter to smooth over.

"There’s no need for thanks between us," said the Crown Prince, slightly displeased.

"If not thanks, then what should I say?" Tang Xiaobai tilted her head and smiled at him.

Li Mu gazed at her silently, his eyes gleamed, full of hints.

Tang Xiaobai wrapped her hands around the back of his neck, pulling him down.

Their eyes sparkled, laughter warm and full of intimate meaning.

Just as Li Mu’s heart fluttered, a report sounded from outside the hall, "Your Highness, Doctor Feng awaits your instructions—"

...

Feng Hua had just returned from Duke Yan’s Mansion.

"...Both mother and child are safe, it’s just the young master was born prematurely and will need careful nurturing for some time."

Tang Xiaobai, in her hurry, only now realized she had a younger brother.

But she was more concerned about Gu Ning, "Why did my mother suddenly give birth prematurely?"

Feng Hua’s expression turned somber, "The lady seems to have come into contact with something inappropriate—"