Chapter 134: Who is Playing the Fool to Catch the Tiger?

If not now, then when?

Taking a deep breath, Qin Wanyu suddenly calmed down. Her long eyes lowered, as if unwilling to pursue the matter further, or perhaps simply refusing to listen to Mrs. Di’s frantic words any longer. After a brief word to Shui Ruolan, she turned and walked toward the door.

Shui Ruolan was momentarily stunned but quickly got up and followed closely behind Qin Wanyu.

“Hey…” Mrs. Di’s face flushed pale and dark as she opened her mouth to call someone to stop Shui Ruolan, but Madam Zhou grabbed her firmly, whispering a warning, “Madam, do not act rashly!”

Glancing at the disorganized servants on both sides, Madam Zhou waved her hand, and one by one, the servants retreated, leaving only herself and Mrs. Di’s mother and daughter in the room.

“But… but this is such a great opportunity…” Mrs. Di tore at the handkerchief in her hand, her gaze fixated on Shui Ruolan’s retreating figure, grinding her teeth with hatred. “If that wretched woman really gives birth to a son, where will my status in this household stand in the future?”

Qin Yuru, sitting quietly nearby, heard this for the first time and widened her eyes in shock. Yet, she held her tongue, remaining silent and listening to Madam Zhou and Mrs. Di’s conversation.

“Madam, we don’t even know if it’s true. Even if the doctor is called, it might just be overexertion or difficulty adjusting to the new environment. After all, she has never been to the capital before. Madam, we should investigate further, but right now, you still need to explain the matter concerning the Second Miss to the General. This is not the best time!”

Madam Zhou’s words carried a deeper meaning as she advised cautiously.

Earlier, she had received news that Shui Ruolan had summoned a doctor. Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou reported it to Mrs. Di, who immediately suspected a pregnancy and grew anxious, pacing the room. It was only after Madam Zhou advised caution and suggested confirming the facts before taking action that Mrs. Di’s frantic mood calmed somewhat.

Originally, the two had planned to investigate quietly before making a move, but unexpected trouble involving Qin Yuru and Liu Rongzhi erupted. When Mrs. Di hurried over, she was met with chaos and felt dizzy with anger. Yet when Madam Zhou whispered that this could be an opportunity, she immediately understood.

Since Shui Ruolan was in charge of the rear courtyard, she would naturally come to handle the situation. Whether Shui Ruolan was truly pregnant or not, provoking Liu Rongzhi to lose her temper and “accidentally” shove Shui Ruolan could cause a miscarriage. If the child were lost, the blame would not fall on their family, and at most, Liu Rongzhi would be sent away. Mrs. Di had grown increasingly displeased with Liu Rongzhi but had to tolerate her due to Qin Yuru’s situation.

What Mrs. Di did not expect was that Qin Wanyu had managed to anger Liu Rongzhi into fleeing. Without such a “willing participant” to take responsibility, matters became more complicated. Still, Mrs. Di did not give up and sought another chance amidst the confusion. Yet events took an even bigger turn when Qin Yuru, furious, scolded Qin Wanyu, causing Qin Wanyu to bring up her own background.

In the end, Qin Wanyu left in sorrow, with Shui Ruolan following her. Even if Mrs. Di wanted to seize this chaotic moment to create an opportunity, she found none and had to watch helplessly as Shui Ruolan left with Qin Wanyu.

They had yet to confirm whether Shui Ruolan was pregnant, but the ominous feeling grew stronger.

“Did that little wretch do this on purpose, just to protect Shui Ruolan?” Mrs. Di gritted her teeth, her eyes dark with malice.

“That… shouldn’t be. The Second Miss is still young. Even if she has grown wiser, she couldn’t possibly understand so much. It’s probably just a coincidence,” Madam Zhou said doubtfully.

“Then how could it be such a coincidence? Madam Zhou, have you considered that everything that has happened recently has been strangely favorable to that wretched girl? She escaped every time, not only unharmed herself but causing me and Yuru so much grievance!” Mrs. Di’s complexion twisted with rage at the thought.

“I suspect it’s still related to Lady Shui,” Madam Zhou pondered. After all, what could an eleven-year-old child do? Shui Ruolan was an adult. She hesitated before reminding Mrs. Di, “Madam, hasn’t Lady Shui always hidden her strength, playing the fool to catch the wise?”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Di’s suspicion shifted fully onto Shui Ruolan. A sinister shadow flickered under her eyes. “It must be that wretched Shui Ruolan. Before she married the General, she had already schemed against me thoroughly. If she bears a child now…”

The more Mrs. Di thought, the more terrified she became. She refused to accept it.

“I won’t let her give birth to that child!” she bit her molars hard.

“Not letting her give birth… actually, there are ways,” Madam Zhou lowered her voice.

“What ways?” Mrs. Di asked.

“Madam… do you still want to conceive?” Madam Zhou hesitated, then asked.

“What do you mean?” Mrs. Di blushed slightly, glancing at her daughter. “Yuru, go to the inner room. I have something to discuss with Madam Zhou.”

Such matters were improper to discuss in front of her daughter.

“Yes, Mother!” Qin Yuru obediently rose and turned toward the inner chamber, but as she entered, she paused, closed the door partially, and stood against it, lowering her breath to eavesdrop closely.

“Madam, if you do not want to conceive, it is possible to sever the General’s line…” Madam Zhou’s voice dropped further. “I know a midwife who understands such things. Her husband was once an imperial physician but was later disgraced and sent away.”

“No!” Madam Zhou immediately shook her head, her voice trembling. If Qin Huaiyong discovered this, her freedom would be over. She dared not take such a risk.

“Then we can only act on Lady Shui,” Madam Zhou said.

“How?” Mrs. Di liked this idea. She had always wanted to strike at Shui Ruolan. “Should we first ask the doctor to confirm?”

“No, Madam. Asking too many questions might expose you. If something goes wrong, the investigation might end up on your head!” Madam Zhou shook her head. “We have too few people in this mansion. It might be fine in Jiangzhou, but not here.”

“Has my sister-in-law sent the people she promised?” Mrs. Di asked at once.

“Soon, within days. Then you will have more hands at your disposal. But regardless of whether Lady Shui is pregnant, we can treat it as if she is,” Madam Zhou planned.

Their voices dropped lower. Mrs. Di nodded repeatedly, while behind the door, Qin Yuru pressed her ear tightly, hearing everything clearly.

Shui Ruolan accompanied Qin Wanyu back to the courtyard, worried for her.

When they entered the room and sat down, Shui Ruolan anxiously asked, “Wanyu, are you alright?”

“I’m fine!” Qin Wanyu shook her head. “Mother, I just realized that Mrs. Di must have already suspected you. You must be even more careful.”

Instinctively, Shui Ruolan clutched her belly, her face paling slightly. “She knows?”

“Not exactly knows, but suspects. Your summoning of the doctor is no secret in the mansion. If she investigates, she will find out.”

“But she can’t suspect me just because of this!” Shui Ruolan hesitated.

Qin Wanyu bit her lip, her gaze turning cold. “Mother, with Mrs. Di’s temperament, she would rather kill wrongly than let go. If I’m right, she was already set to move against you, using Liu Rongzhi.”

“Then… what should I do?” Shui Ruolan’s face drained of color as she turned to the seemingly composed Qin Wanyu.

Although usually quiet in the Qin household’s rear courtyard, Shui Ruolan was not completely unaware of Mrs. Di’s nature. Hearing Qin Wanyu’s words, she immediately understood.

“Mother, Mrs. Di will surely make a move soon. When you go out, bring more maids and servants with you. Be sure no one can push through to you. As for Father, you should explain everything clearly to him soon, so that Mrs. Di cannot scheme against you before the truth is known, and then claim ignorance.”

To prevent today’s chaos from repeating, Qin Wanyu felt it best to tell Qin Huaiyong. Initially, she wanted Shui Ruolan to remain silent to avoid arousing Mrs. Di’s suspicion until the pregnancy was secure after three months, but now that suspicion existed, they had to act swiftly.

“All right, I will assign more people to accompany me. I will talk to Grandmother and Father about this immediately,” Shui Ruolan agreed, sharing Qin Wanyu’s cautious approach.

“As for Mother, all your expenses must be carefully inspected, especially anything with a scent. You must not use it. Have your closest attendants handle your clothes and personal items. It’s best to set up a separate small kitchen for your meals. The main kitchen is crowded and careless; accidents are inevitable.”

Qin Wanyu detailed her instructions.

At these words, a chill crept down Shui Ruolan’s back, her unease growing. She had hoped telling Qin Huaiyong would suffice, but thinking further, her cousin was in the outer courtyard and might not understand the complexities inside. Her child might not be protected.

She guarded her belly, her eyes steeling with determination. Though gentle by nature, she was now fiercely protective as a mother, resolved to safeguard her unborn child no matter what.

“I will ask my cousin to arrange a small kitchen for me, and one for Mrs. Di as well!”

Only the old matriarch’s quarters had a small kitchen in the Qin estate; neither Mrs. Di nor Shui Ruolan had one. If Shui Ruolan had only one, Mrs. Di would surely exploit it to cause trouble. The best plan was to set up kitchens in both courtyards.

“Mother, Mrs. Di will surely stir up trouble over the small kitchen arrangement. You must be cautious!” Qin Wanyu warned again. “Not just this, keep a close watch on Yulan Pavilion and other matters as well.”

“I understand,” Shui Ruolan nodded solemnly.

As they spoke, Qingyue suddenly ran in to report, “Madam, Second Miss, the General has arrived!”

Since arriving in the capital, Qin Huaiyong had never visited Qin Wanyu’s Zhifang Pavilion. Both women were momentarily stunned…