Chapter Seventy

Yan Shi Ning, why did you kill my son? Pei Zhang asked.

Yan Shi Ning was prepared for Pei Zhangs accusation. She cried and hit her forehead on the ground.

Imperial father, its true I asked Xiao Tu to pour the tea for big sister Dian Thi, Yan Shi Ning said. But I didnt know what was inside the tea. I also drank the tea and was harmed too my son could have died

Yan Shi Ning sobbed pitifully.

Who can be certain you didnt risk your sons life to kill my son? Pei Zhang asked. Even though you drank the tea, you and your son are safe. What about my son? Your venomous snake heart schemed this!

Yan Shi Ning heard Pei Zhang spit blood lies and threw dirty water over her body.

Seventh brother, what are you saying? Yan Shi Ning asked. Are you saying because I want to kill your second wifes child that I would risk harming my own child?

To succeed you would willingly do anything! Pei Zhang said.

If what seventh brother saying is true then wouldnt it also be true seventh brother would be willing to kill your son to frame me? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Pei Zhang was choked by Yan Shi Nings sharp words. Why would I ask my second wife to kill our son to frame you?

Yan Shi Ning laughed coldly. Seventh brother can suspect that I have a venomous snake heart and willing to sacrifice my son to succeed. Then why cant I suspect your second wife?

Everyone talk less, Consort Mu said. What scheme? What frame? Take back your words!

Mother, youre also a mother, Yan Shi Ning said. You understand the importance of flesh and blood. As long as a conscience exists, a mother would never risk their own childs life. I didnt commit the crime and I believe big sister Dian Thi didnt commit the crime either. Although we dont know who the culprit is but I didnt accuse big sister Dian Thi. So why is seventh brother certain that Im the culprit?

Yan Shi Ning could only deflect suspicion on Pei Zhang because Dian Thi swallowed the evidence.

I can also empathise with seventh brothers state of mind, Yan Shi Ning said. If I lost my son I believe I would act more irrational than seventh brother and his second wife. But I dont want dirty water to be poured over my body.

Yan Shi Nings breaths were shallow and her body swayed.

Pei Jin caught Yan Shi Ning before she fell on the ground.

Imperial father, you know clearly what kind of person I am, Yan Shi Ning said. Imperial father, everything I said earlier was true-

Yan Shi Ning fainted.

Shi Ning! Pei Jin cried out.

Imperial father, even if she isnt the culprit, Pei Zhang said. But they drank from the same cup. Why is it the person who drank the tea first is affected more than the second person who drank the tea?

Your majesty, its because my mistress body is healthy but seventh princes second wifes body is weak, Xiao Tu said.

The emperors imperial guards reported that Yan Shi Ning was healthy and active at the Feng Zhao villa while Dian Thi was mostly bedridden after being seven months pregnant. So the emperor didnt believe Yan Shi Ning was the culprit. But he looked at Pei Jin asking the imperial physicians to save Yan Shi Ting the he looked at Pei Zhangs tears and heard Dian This sob it conflicted his heart.

Ninth son, your wife is weak, the emperor said. Your wife and son should stay in the palace until they recover.

Pei Jins back stiffened. His father wanted to hold his wife and son captive in the palace. It meant his father suspected him.

The emperor sent Yan Shi Ning and his grandson to the chamber with a spacious nursery and a beautiful courtyard.

Pei Jin changed Yan Shi Nings clothes and laid her on the bed.

Yan Shi Ning secretly opened her eyes and saw Pei Jin guarding her. She smiled and her stomach hurt.

Shi Ning, are you in pain? Pei Jin asked.

It hurts, Yan Shi Ning said.

You know how to feel pain? Pei Jin asked.

What? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Pei Jin wanted to hit Yan Shi Nings bottom. But he only gently bit her finger. When youre home Ill punish you.

Yan Shi Ning looked pitifully at Pei Jin.

Shi Ning, you and our son needs to stay in the palace, Pei Jin said.

Yan Shi Ning widened her eyes.

Pei Jin kissed Yan Shi Nings forehead. Shi Ning, dont worry. Ill escort you and our son home soon.

Yan Shi Ning understood the emperor was suspicious of her and Pei Jin.

Shi Ning, you made the right decision, Pei Jin praised.

I fear itll be hard for me to see you in the palace for several days.

Ill take good care of our son, Yan Shi Ning said.

I want you to take good care of yourself first, Pei Jin said.

What? Yan Shi Ning asked.

I cant lose you, Pei Jin said. If we lose our child later we can have another child.

Ill take good care of myself, Yan Shi Ning said. I want to tell you a secret.

Um? Pei Jin asked.

Earlier I only pretended to faint, Yan Shi Ning said.

Pei Jin was speechless. He realised why a healthy Yan Shi Ning would suddenly turn weak.

I needed to faint to be more convincing, Yan Shi Ning said.

Shi Ning, then why didnt you wake up until now? Pei Jin asked.

While you were holding me, Yan Shi Ning said. I felt sleepy and slept.

Pei Jin didnt know what to say.

Later Pei Jin returned to the manor. After Pei Jin recounted what happened in the palace to everyone, everyone were both happy and sad.

They were happy Yan Shi Ning gave birth to their young master but they were sad Yan Shi Ning, Xiao Tu and their young master were held captive in the palace.

Bei Dou was the least happy. Pei Jin asked to borrow Xiao Tu for one day, but Xiao Tu ended up implicated in a calamity.

Pei Jin, you married a good woman, Bei Dou said. If she didnt react fast then we could have all died.

Bei Dou thought Yan Shi Ning was suited to Pei Jin and his Xiao Tu was the best woman in his eyes. It was only recently he instructed Xiao Tu how to help a female cook give birth but Xiao Tu was a fast learner and was able to help Yan Shi Ning give birth on her own.

Whats your next step? Bei Dou asked.

First I need to find out why Pei Zhang needed to kill his own son, Pei Jin said.

Bei Dou nodded his head. They wouldnt gain anything to kill their own son.

Luckily Shi Ning ruined their scheme otherwise none of us would be alive, Pei Jin said. Imperial father is only holding Shi Ning and our son captive to warn me to behave. Although seventh brother won this battle even a vicious tiger wouldnt eat its own child. Especially if the child is a boy and would earn imperial fathers favor. I dont believe seventh brother would act this irrationally.

Are you saying theres something suspicious about the birth of Dian This son? Bei Dou asked.

Pei Jin nodded his head.

Thats possible, Bei Dou said. Ill send someone to seventh princes manor to investigate.

I want my wife and your wife to come home soon, Pei Jin said. Otherwise youll be suffering with me.

Two people? Bei Dou asked. Its three people.

Three I forgot about my son, Pei Jin said.

***

End of Chapter Seventy