Chapter 131: Investigation, Magnificent Tidings!

Qin Wanru nodded slightly, smiling as she walked beside Shui Ruolan, the two of them strolling along the garden path with two maids closely following behind.

“Wanru, thank you,” Shui Ruolan said softly after a few steps.

“Mother, there’s no need to be so polite. I’m still young and rely on you for so much. I don’t want anything to happen to you—I will protect you!” Qin Wanru fluttered her long lashes twice, casting delicate shadows on her fair, smooth face. Her small, rosy lips curved gently, a beauty so tender it stirred the heart.

Such a refined and beautiful girl—why would the Di family refuse to spare her?

Thinking of the child’s background, Shui Ruolan sighed quietly, wanting to say more but knowing she had limited knowledge. She worried that guessing might mislead this innocent child, who was after all still so young.

Her lips moved slightly, but she decided it was best to keep silent for now, resolving to cherish her as if she were her own daughter.

“If you ever encounter difficulties, come to me. We’ve always gotten along well, and now even more so,” Shui Ruolan gently advised.

“I will, Mother!” Qin Wanru smiled, then, sensing the right moment, added with a hint of playful innocence, “Mother, I wish I had a little brother. Today I saw a child on the street—so adorable and amusing!”

Shui Ruolan fell silent, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, though her eyes grew softer still. “Children’s talk. How can you say such things?”

“Why not, Mother? That child was truly lovely. It seemed to be from a noble family in the capital, followed by several young attendants. Such a sturdy little boy, with a pleasant voice!” Qin Wanru’s smile deepened, her eyes curved in genuine delight.

She then tugged on Shui Ruolan’s sleeve. “If I had a little brother, wouldn’t Father be less biased and consider him more?”

Her words carried a trace of grievance, perfectly capturing the heart of a little girl.

“My child!” Shui Ruolan gently stroked Qin Wanru’s hairpin, her face growing redder. “Stop talking nonsense, you’ll make people laugh.”

“Laugh? Why? The other day, I overheard someone say there would be a new child in the household. Wasn’t it you, Mother? Are you hiding it from me on purpose?” Qin Wanru shook Shui Ruolan’s sleeve again, her face a mix of childish bewilderment and a touch of petulance.

Shui Ruolan’s expression changed abruptly. “When did this happen?”

“Nothing? Maybe I heard wrong. That day… Nurse Yu said she passed by the rockery and overheard two maids talking about… a child being born or something… she didn’t catch it clearly and didn’t say much on the way back. I just assumed it was about you…” Qin Wanru blinked, appearing somewhat confused.

“Who did you hear this from?” Shui Ruolan’s face darkened as she pressed further.

“Nurse Yu said she peeked but didn’t see who exactly. But it seemed to be someone from your quarters,” Qin Wanru replied, clearly aware she lacked details. It was just overheard gossip by the roadside, and since she hadn’t heard clearly, she hadn’t investigated further.

Shui Ruolan’s face grew grim, her hand trembling slightly. To others, these were mere fragments of conversation, but to her, it was like thunder on a clear day. Her health had indeed been poor lately, her monthly cycle delayed for days. She had thought it was simply fatigue from managing the household after arriving in the capital.

She hadn’t given it much thought and casually summoned a doctor who said it was mere exhaustion and advised her to take care. The prescribed tonic medicine was taken once, but she felt increasingly unwell. Just now, summoned in haste by the matriarch, she hadn’t taken the medicine but had accompanied her instead, planning to rest and take the medicine afterward.

Qin Wanru’s words suddenly ignited a spark of hope inside her, and her whole body trembled slightly.

She reached out and grasped Qin Wanru’s hand, no longer caring that she was just a child. “Wanru, please take my pulse!”

“Alright!” Qin Wanru had been looking for an opportunity to do just that.

She recalled that in the previous life, Shui Ruolan had suffered a miscarriage caused by the Di family’s harm, resulting in a double tragedy. Before her death, she had mentioned to Qin Wanru that she had suffered a miscarriage long ago, which had weakened her body for years before she finally conceived that last child.

That incident was also deeply entangled with the Di family, but the true evidence was never found, and the matter was left unresolved.

Qin Wanru didn’t know the exact time, but Shui Ruolan had said it was around the time they first arrived in the capital.

She had wondered if it was now and had deliberately brought up the topic to warn Shui Ruolan. Seeing her mother’s changed expression, it was almost certain.

Looking around, Qin Wanru led Shui Ruolan into a nearby pavilion. They didn’t sit on the cold stone bench but instead took a seat by the wooden railing, which was less chilly.

Placing her hand on Shui Ruolan’s pulse, Qin Wanru closed her eyes, quietly feeling the rhythm. Shui Ruolan watched her tensely, and even the maid Qiong Hua nearby was nervous, her hands fidgeting but not daring to disturb.

After a long moment, Qin Wanru lifted her hand. Shui Ruolan was about to ask but was signaled to wait. Qin Wanru switched to the other wrist and closed her eyes again.

This time, when she removed her hand, her expression grew a bit serious, her long lashes fluttering over her eyes.

“How is it? Am I… okay?” Shui Ruolan asked, pale and anxious.

“Mother, don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. You are indeed pregnant,” Qin Wanru confirmed. Earlier, with only one wrist, she was uncertain, but now with both, she was sure.

“Really? Madam, that’s wonderful!” Qiong Hua jumped up, thrilled.

Shui Ruolan said nothing, but tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes, unable to speak from emotion. A child was exactly what the Qin household needed, for both Shui Ruolan and Qin Huaiyong.

Even Qin Wanru felt the need for a child; only then could Shui Ruolan firmly establish her place in the household. Otherwise, incidents like this would keep recurring.

Qin Wanru even harbored a faint suspicion that Qin Huaiyong was not entirely reliable.

And now, for Shui Ruolan to get this far, if she could not depend on Qin Huaiyong, she could only rely on her own child.

“I… I took the doctor’s medicine yesterday because I was so tired. Could that cause problems?” Shui Ruolan’s voice trembled as she grasped Qin Wanru’s hand, which had grown cold.

If she had harmed her child by taking the wrong medicine, she would feel like a sinner for all eternity.

“Mother, what doctor?” Qin Wanru asked.

Shui Ruolan looked at Qiong Hua, who hurried forward. “It was the doctor we hired from the clinic across the street. People said the doctor’s skills were quite good.”

“When did you call him?” Qin Wanru pressed again.

“Just yesterday. Madam said she felt unwell and tired, so I suggested calling a doctor. Many people said that when you arrive somewhere new, you might suffer from the change in environment. I thought Madam was just like that. Besides, since entering the mansion, Madam has been busy with household affairs…” Qiong Hua nervously twisted her sleeves, her face pale as she hurriedly explained.

So it was sudden. The Di family had been scheming against Shui Ruolan at the banquet, but even if they sensed something wrong, they wouldn’t act immediately.

Thinking this through, Qin Wanru relaxed slightly and stood. “Mother, take me to see the medicine the doctor prescribed.”

“All right, come with me!” Shui Ruolan hurriedly rose, almost stumbling, but Qin Wanru and Qiong Hua caught her. The three then made their way to Shui Ruolan’s quarters.

After settling in the main hall and seating the guests, Qiong Hua quickly brought the medicine from yesterday. Qin Wanru opened a packet, examined it, then took a pinch to smell, a faint smile appearing on her face.

She wiped her hands clean with a handkerchief.

“Mother, rest assured. It’s just ordinary tonic medicine, nothing harmful. But even so, it’s best not to take too much—medicine always has some poison. Right now, your focus should be on preserving your health.”

Hearing this, Shui Ruolan finally exhaled, her complexion gradually regaining color. She took a sip of warm water from Qiong Hua and calmed herself.

“Mother, your health is fragile. You should rest more these days,” Qin Wanru advised.

“But… there are so many affairs in the household…” Shui Ruolan frowned, setting down the cup. Having just arrived in the capital, many things needed purchasing, and many matters required handling. She simply couldn’t rest. The day she accompanied Qin Wanru to Huaguang Temple was only because the matriarch had given her half a day off before some paperwork was transferred.

If she truly let go of the household affairs, would she let the Di family take charge?

If the Di family managed the estate again, as they had in Jiangzhou, placing their people everywhere, Shui Ruolan would find it difficult to regain control later.

Moreover, the more hands the Di family had in the household, the less safe the child in Shui Ruolan’s womb would be.

“Mother, delegate half of the household affairs!” Qin Wanru’s eyes slowly narrowed.