The daughter of the Marquis is too delicate, the abstinent prince pinches her waist and loves her

Chapter 145 Live Well
Sheng Yunqing was taken aback by his sudden approach, her fingertips unconsciously clenching her sleeves. She pretended to be calm and said, "I want you... to live well, and stop taking yourself for granted."

Ye Jinchen's eyes flickered slightly, and he suddenly raised his hand to stroke her cheek, his thumb gently caressing the light blue circles under her eyes: "These past few days, you've been searching through ancient books and looking for medicine for me. Haven't you been sleeping well?"

Sheng Yunqing was taken aback, not expecting him to notice these details. Her heart softened, but she still retorted, "Don't flatter yourself. Golden Crow Feather Spirits are so rare that even Senior Brother has never seen one. I was just doing this to study it."

"Is that so?" He chuckled, then suddenly leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Then let this thing live inside me for a few more years, so Qing'er can study it properly."

"You!" Sheng Yunqing clenched her fists instinctively, glaring at him through gritted teeth, and said, "Ye Jinchen, try making me angry again!"

Seeing her intensely concerned gaze, Ye Jinchen smiled contentedly and said, "I won't tease you anymore."

He stroked her tense little hand, opened it and held it in his palm, and said, "The people sent by the Royal Palace have found out that there is a Glazed Epiphyllum growing in the snowy mountains of the Northern Border. They have sent people to search for its whereabouts and will have news soon."

"Really?" Sheng Yunqing's originally dark eyes instantly lit up, and she looked at him with hopeful eyes.

A playful glint appeared in Ye Jinchen's eyes as he said, "You really do care about me."

A warm breath brushed past her ear, and Sheng Yunqing's heart suddenly raced. Realizing what was happening, she glared at him.

Was he testing her just now?
Enraged, Sheng Yunqing grabbed his arm and bit down: "I'll teach you to play me again!"

Prince's Mansion.

On the stage that had been set up, actors were performing a song called "The Female Imperial Scholar".

Bai Muling picked up the longevity cake from the plate, looked at the slightly bored Ye Jingnian beside her, raised her hand and handed it to him with a charming smile, saying, "This morning, my grandmother sent someone to deliver it to me. Your Highness, please try it."

Ye Jingnian didn't taste it from her hand, but took it from her hand and put the pastry in his mouth without even looking away from the table.

Since she became pregnant, she has received a constant stream of gifts from the Empress Dowager and the Empress, and her figure has visibly become much fuller.

Seeing that Ye Jingnian did not refuse her, the beauty's delicate lips revealed a smug smile: "Grandmother said that this Longevity Thousand-Layer Cake was specially made by the imperial chef for our children, and everyone in the princes and nobles' mansions in the capital has a share."

She sighed slowly, her gaze languid as she looked at the stage, her tone arrogant as she said, "Even the Sheng family sent some."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jingnian remained silent, letting out a barely perceptible snort of disdain.

Hearing the noise behind her, Bai Muling glanced around and saw a familiar figure.

That nearly sixty-year-old old nanny was Zhang, the nanny who served the Empress Dowager.

Seeing this, she tactfully got up and greeted Zhang Mama with a smile as she led two maids toward her, saying, "Zhang Mama, why did you come in person?"

Zhang Mama bowed to Ye Jingnian and Bai Muling with a kind smile and a respectful yet authoritative tone: "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager, mindful that Your Highness is carrying the Emperor's child, has specially instructed this old servant to convey a message: a woman's pregnancy is the most suitable time for quiet contemplation and self-cultivation. Copying Buddhist scriptures can not only cultivate one's character but also accumulate blessings for the child in her womb. Therefore, she requests that Your Highness copy the Diamond Sutra three times a day to show your sincerity."

As she finished speaking, she waved her hand behind her, and a palace maid presented her with a scripture, saying, "Your Highness, this is a gift from the Empress Dowager."

Bai Muling's smile froze slightly, her nails digging into her palms, but she still wore a gentle smile and said, "Thank you for your consideration, Grandmother. Since it is Grandmother's will, I will obey."

Zhang Mama nodded and added, "The Empress Dowager also said that the Crown Princess is in a very precious position now, so there is no need for her to personally pay her respects. She can just stay at home and rest during her pregnancy."

These words sounded like expressions of understanding, but in reality, they were a disguised form of confinement. Ye Jingnian listened from the side, a mocking smile curving his lips. He slowly wiped his hands and said, "Grandmother is indeed very thoughtful. The Crown Princess usually acts too flamboyantly. It would be good for her to copy scriptures and calm her mind."

Bai Muling's face paled, and her forced smile almost crumbled: "Your Highness is right..."

Ye Jingnian stood up, glanced down at her, and said in a cold tone, "Since the Empress Dowager has given the order, you should copy the scriptures properly and not disappoint her 'intentions'."

After saying that, he turned and left without even giving her a second glance.

As Ye Jingnian walked away, Bai Muling's smile vanished completely, and a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes.

She gritted her teeth and whispered, "Granny Zhang, why did the Empress Dowager suddenly order me to copy scriptures? Did someone say something to her?"

The Empress Dowager just had people make the Longevity Thousand-Layer Cake this morning, how come she has changed her attitude so drastically in less than two hours?

Zhang Mama lowered her eyes and said calmly, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has her own considerations, and this old servant dares not presume to guess, however..."

She paused, then said meaningfully, "This morning, Prince Ye came to the palace for an audience. This old servant noticed that he didn't look well. He had a long private conversation with the Empress Dowager, and then left with a gloomy face..."

Bai Muling's pupils contracted, and she instantly understood the key to it—Ye Jinchen!

He must have sought justice for Sheng Yunqing before the Empress Dowager!

She suppressed her anger and forced a smile: "Thank you for your advice, Granny."

Granny Zhang curtsied and said, "This old servant takes her leave."

After Zhang Mama left, Bai Muling suddenly swept the pastry and fruit plate off the table, and the cherries bestowed by the Empress rolled all over the floor, the bright red juice splashing on her skirt like bloodstains.

"Sheng Yunqing...you're really something!"

"Your Highness, the news of the Crown Princess's pregnancy has only been out for two hours, yet she is already so arrogant. I am worried that... Her Highness may be implicated." Yan Chuan said with a worried expression.

Ye Jingnian's eyes flashed with sarcasm as she said, "I will not get involved in her messy affairs. If Ye Jinchen wants to cause trouble, he won't be able to find a way to cause trouble for me."

He let out a long sigh of relief and said, "As long as her pregnancy is saved, the Duke will naturally help me."

Yan Chuan bowed his head: "Your Highness is right."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Jingnian's steps slowed down. Looking at the tightly closed doors and windows in front of him, he raised his long eyebrows and asked, "How long has Zhixing been sick?"

"Your Highness, it has been four days since the fifteenth."

Ye Jingnian frowned slightly and said, "Still not better?"

"I heard from the doctor that Miss Zhixing is weak and bloodless. She has taken a lot of tonics and only now does she have the strength to get out of bed."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jingnian remained silent for a long time without saying a word.

Yan Chuan pursed his lips and tentatively asked, "Does Your Highness wish to go and take a look?"