The clingy concubine ran away, and the sickly prince lost control.

"It's half a jade pendant. Jing Bufan must have been in a hurry and accidentally knocked it apart, losing this half." Luo Qingyan examined the half piece of white mutton fat jade in her hand.

Pei Shiyuan took half of the jade pendant and held it up to the light: "Top-grade Hetian jade, this divine doctor must be very wealthy!"

Adorned with mutton-fat jade and able to afford a residence in the elegant Nanshan Garden, he is unlike the average Taoist hermit.

He won't go far.

Luo Qingyan pondered:

"That's right! Young Master, we can't let him use secret passages everywhere. As long as we post the pattern of this jade pendant around, Jing Bufan will definitely see it, and then he'll come looking for us."

"Good, leave the finding to us, don't worry about it." Pei Shiyuan gave Luo Qingyan an approving look. "Serve breakfast."

Two rows of identically dressed maids from Nanshan Elegant Garden filed in, carrying exquisite meals. In the blink of an eye, they arranged all the dishes and then withdrew in an orderly fashion.

"Eat up!" Pei Shiyuan handed the chopsticks to Luo Qingyan, who was fearless.

A faint smile appeared on Luo Qingyan's pale face; Pei Shiyuan still cared about people.

"Your Highness, you should eat too. Have some porridge first."

Last night, Pei Shiyuan vomited badly, so he ate some porridge to warm his stomach.

After breakfast and a short rest, the group returned to the Duke's Mansion.

A comfortable place to live.

"Qingyan, although you didn't see Jing Bufan in person, the young master is much better after using his herbs, thanks to you. These are all rewards for you. In addition, I have arranged a separate courtyard for you, Wenlan Residence, but don't move there for now. Trying to conceive as soon as possible is the most important thing."

The old lady's serious face softened with a touch of friendliness.

The physician has diagnosed that Yuan'er's life is not in danger, but he needs to carefully observe his physical condition and seek medical attention promptly if he feels unwell.

"I will follow the old lady's instructions. The young master is blessed with good fortune and a long life. This is a Buddhist scripture that I have copied over the past two days to pray for the young master's well-being. If the Buddha is watching over us, he will surely protect the young master."

Luo Qingyan presented it with both hands. The old lady was a Buddhist, and although she was not, she had to cater to her preferences in order to have a good life in the Duke's mansion.

"You've put a lot of thought into this, Granny Zheng. We'll put it in the ancestral hall later."

The old lady nodded with satisfaction, it seemed that Luo Qingyan was destined to have a prosperous son.

Luo Qingyan left Yi'an Residence, followed by two groups of maids carrying the old lady's rewards.

Besides headwear, jewelry, and silver, there were also precious ingredients such as bird's nest, shark fin, and cordyceps. Even more rare was a box of South China Sea pearls.

The Duke's mansion seemed to have been relieved of a major worry. In the sweltering summer heat, the mansion was quiet except for the chirping of cicadas.

We were busy all night, and the whole household was catching up on sleep this afternoon.

Luo Qingyan slept soundly.

Pei Shiyuan won't die.

He had no reason to refuse to have children.

You must try your best to get pregnant.

For the next few days, Pei Shiyuan rested in the mansion, with Luo Qingyan serving him.

"Your Highness, do you think Jing Bufan might have been kidnapped by some villain? Otherwise, there's no way we wouldn't be able to find him."

Pei Shiyuan sent out everyone, but they couldn't find Jing Bufan no matter what they did. Unless he had the ability to burrow underground, he couldn't escape.

Another possibility is that they were captured by other people.

"I can't rule out that possibility; I'm already looking in that direction." Pei Shiyuan's eyes were deep, and he always felt that there was an unseen force influencing everything.

"Let's not talk about that. Have you decided when Kangning Pavilion will open?"

"Everything needed for the opening of Kangning Pavilion is ready. I'd like to set the date for ten days from now, on the 18th of July. I've consulted the almanac, and that day is auspicious for opening and praying for blessings."

Luo Qingyan counted on her fingers.

"Okay." Pei Shiyuan nodded.

"Your Highness," Luo Qingyan called out tentatively.

"Just say what you want. What are you doing, sneaking around like this?" Pei Shiyuan gave Luo Qingyan a speechless look.

"The old lady wants us to have a child as soon as possible," Luo Qingyan said shyly. "You have no reason to refuse me."

Pei Shiyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he stammered, "No rush, I have other things to do."

She then turned her wheelchair around and left immediately. As soon as her health improved, she urged him to have a baby.

The key point is that he now feels there is a dark force clinging to the Duke's mansion.

He doesn't even know how he got sick, so how can he protect his wife and children? The most urgent task is to find out who is targeting the Duke's mansion.

Anyone who dares to take his life is a threat to the downfall of the Duke's mansion.

We must find him.

Watching Pei Shiyuan's departing figure, Luo Qingyan pouted, knowing full well that this was how it would turn out.

Pei Shiyuan's mind wasn't on personal matters; he'd been feeling a bit better these past few days and had been staying up late in his study.

Fortunately, she saved Pei Shiyuan's life this time and has gained a foothold in the Duke's mansion. She is not in a hurry to rely on her child for support.

Pei Shiyuan wasn't in a hurry; she would take her time and win him over sooner or later.

Having children and money is her ideal life.

Luo Qingyan sat at the small table, drinking tea.

"girl."

"Granny?" Luo Qingyan stood up in confusion. Granny Liu would never come unless there was a reason.

"I've heard that ever since your mother went to work as a servant on the pleasure boat, your father hasn't gone there to see Piaoxue."

"It was Liu Mama who reported."

"We have to let him go. Not only do we have to let him go, but we also have to make sure Mother sees him." Luo Qingyan pondered, "Hasn't Piaoxue always hoped that Father would marry her? Father also has this intention, but he didn't dare to before because of Mother. Now that Mother can't return to the manor for another year, isn't this a perfect opportunity?"

"Miss, I'll go find the old people in the manor right away. If that's the case, the master will definitely go to see Piaoxue." Granny Liu had been in the Luo manor for more than ten years. Although she had suffered hardships, she still had a few servants she got along well with in private.

"Whether Piaoxue comes in or not is none of my business. The main thing is that if this matter gets out of hand, Father's chances of promotion will be gone. He can't blame us for not helping."

The father's inaction at home emboldened the mother's domineering nature.

Luo Qingyan had been bullied and had told Luo Daocheng about it, but not only did he not stand up for her, he also scolded her and even told Sun that she was causing trouble, which led to Sun punishing her even more severely.

She didn't want to deal with this father who was unworthy of his position, but he kept pestering her, wanting to use his connections with the heir to get a promotion. She had no choice but to make him back down.

"Miss, I understand." Granny Liu nodded and withdrew.

The girl has suffered so much, why should she repay evil with kindness and instead vent her anger?

Los House.

Luo Daocheng paced around in frustration.

"Father, what's wrong? Luo Qingyan assured you that you would definitely be promoted, and it would only take a word for the young master without costing any money, so please don't worry!"

Luo Haitang brought in tea and noticed that Luo Daocheng seemed preoccupied.

Upon seeing that it was Luo Haitang, Luo Daocheng immediately sat down upright, his brown cheeks flushed: "I'm fine, it's just that the weather is a bit hot, and I've been too busy with official duties lately."

At this moment, outside the side gate of the Luo residence.

"I'm so grateful for your care in the past. This is just a small token of my appreciation." Granny Liu slipped a silver ingot to Granny Wang of the Luo family and whispered something in her ear.

Wang Mama's daughter was punished by Sun Shi and had her leg broken, leaving her disabled and limping. She has remained unmarried ever since.

"Old sister, it's nothing, just watch!" Granny Wang whispered. Sun Shi had left her daughter disabled, and she was worried about not having a chance to take revenge.

A moment later, Luo Daocheng's personal servant, Si Gui, arrived.

"Master." Si Gui bowed and rolled his eyes mysteriously.

"Haitang, you can go down now," Luo Daocheng said. "Sigui, what's the matter?"

"Snowflakes are falling..."