Chapter 264:
It could be considered a sudden whim.
After Xie Wanning’s death, Lu Ziyan, who had become indifferent to everything, suddenly took an interest in other people’s wives and concubines giving birth.
Even the usually steady Xie Yanyu was quite startled at the moment.
But with this plague god by his side, he didn’t even have the chance to send someone to warn them.
He feared that any unusual movement would be noticed, leading to more harm than good.
…………
On the other side, Ji Chengfeng moved swiftly and strode straight into Xie Wanning’s courtyard.
Pei Yuqing had already come out and was pacing anxiously back and forth in the hall, completely losing his usual calm and composed demeanor.
Seeing Ji Chengfeng enter, he didn’t even bother to greet him, staring straight at the delivery room door like a stone gazing after his wife.
Just then, the heavy curtain was lifted, and Old Woman Ma came out carrying a basin of bloody water, bumping straight into Ji Chengfeng.
Seeing the bright red in the basin, Ji Chengfeng paled: “How is it? Is she okay?”
“Don’t worry, sir, the midwife says everything is going smoothly for now.” Old Woman Ma was eager to dump the water and left carrying the basin after speaking.
Pei Yuqing nearby heard his concerned inquiry and finally spared him a glance.
This glance reminded Ji Chengfeng, who quickly said: “Brother Pei, quickly tell your people to hide. The Crown Prince has arrived in Bianzhou and is already at the residence. Don’t let him see them.”
These words were like a bolt from the blue. Pei Yuqing didn’t even have time to be jealous and frowned: “Lu Ziyan is here?”
Ji Chengfeng nodded solemnly and briefly explained a few sentences.
Inside the delivery room, Xie Wanning’s cries of pain had already changed tone.
Time was pressing.
Pei Yuqing’s mind was in great turmoil.
Lu Ziyan had come.
Xie Yanyu’s arrival in Bianzhou was by the Emperor’s decree, which was completely explainable.
But here, if Lu Ziyan encountered his people… with his keen senses, how could he not suspect something.
He forced himself to steady his mind and called Pei Shu inside, giving him a few instructions.
Among the people he brought, only Pei Shu was a long-time attendant by his side; the others were newly appointed newcomers.
To avoid any mishaps, they all hid in the courtyard and were not allowed to show their faces for these few days.
Ji Chengfeng reminded him: “Brother Pei, you should hide too.”
“No need. With Wanwan giving birth, where could I hide? I don’t think he’d come to the courtyard where the madam is giving birth.”
So, here was safe.
Pei Yuqing said: “I’ll stay in Wanwan’s courtyard these few days.”
This made sense, so Ji Chengfeng thought for a moment and no longer tried to persuade him.
However, before he could relax, a familiar voice came from outside the courtyard.
It was Lu Ziyan.
Pei Yuqing’s body stiffened abruptly.
The courtyard where Xie Wanning lived was not large, and the delivery room was set in the warm pavilion. They were standing in the hall now, with not even a room to hide in.
Ji Chengfeng said: “Don’t worry, I’ll go out and check. I don’t think he’ll come in.”
With that, he turned and walked out.
Lu Ziyan indeed wouldn’t enter the place where someone’s wife or concubine was giving birth.
At this moment, he stood under the wutong tree in the courtyard, listening to the cries of pain from inside growing louder and louder, his brows slightly furrowed.
Xie Yanyu beside him probed: “What’s wrong with you?”
Unexpectedly, this cheap eldest brother-in-law would care about him. Lu Ziyan glanced faintly at him and said: “It hurts.”
Few people knew that the current Crown Prince had a heart condition.
Xie Yanyu was not in the know and felt even more unsettled upon hearing this.
Lu Ziyan no longer looked at him but placed a hand over his own heart.
For some reason, the closer he got to this courtyard, the more his heart hurt.
Upon reaching the courtyard, it hurt even more.
When he heard the woman’s cries of pain from inside, his heart hurt unbearably.
