Chapter 110: Chapter 110

For over several months, the Ninth Prince's residence had been in a state of high tension.

Everyone nervously survived the dangerous first trimester, but according to the imperial physicians, the situation still hadn't improved much.

The slightest mishap could still lead to miscarriage. Even after five months, the mother herself might be in danger...

In just these few months, not only had An Ning's face visibly paled, but even Yin Zhen himself had grown increasingly haggard, with dark circles under his eyes that couldn't be concealed. The occasional visiting princes and princess consorts were all shocked by what they saw.

The Tenth Prince, always outspoken, immediately voiced his concern before all his brothers:

"Ninth Brother, take a closer look—could there be something wrong in your residence? Our sister-in-law used to be so healthy before! She could ride dozens of laps on horseback without even breathing hard. How could pregnancy reduce her to this state?"

Remembering what he'd just seen—five months pregnant yet barely showing, her face deathly pale with visibly poor vitality—the Tenth Prince couldn't help but think back to his own son who had recently perished in harem conflicts. His grief made him overanalyze things.

In his view, pregnancy was a woman's matter—if the mother was healthy, the child should be fine too!

Unfortunately, his words had barely left his mouth when the Fifth Prince harshly kicked him.

They all knew something about this sister-in-law.

How could they not? A beauty always stood out, especially one whose grace and charm surpassed all others, carrying an air reminiscent of ink wash paintings.

The Third Prince had once privately complained to his wife that such a gem was wasted on a scoundrel like the Ninth Prince.

Last year at the Mulan hunting grounds, they'd all witnessed—just as the Tenth Prince said—her riding over a dozen laps across the vast fields. Not only could most pampered princess consorts not manage it, even some of the men would struggle.

Take the Fourth Prince—after just a few laps, his face had turned red.

Yet this seemingly delicate sister-in-law had completed it effortlessly.

Not to mention how dark the Fourth Prince's face became upon hearing this later. That single incident had made the Ninth Princess Consort's physical prowess famous among the brothers.

But seeing her now...

The brothers exchanged increasingly awkward glances, noticing how their Ninth Brother's face had darkened ominously nearby.

Among them, the usually sociable Eighth Prince could only awkwardly raise his wine cup in discomfort...

While the front courtyard was mired in awkwardness, the atmosphere among the princess consorts was much better.

Over the years, though An Ning avoided managing affairs, she'd maintained good relations with her sisters-in-law. Now led by her cousin, several experienced mothers shared pregnancy tips.

Only the Fourth Princess Consort, seeing how different her sister-in-law looked now, had a sudden realization.

Since Honghui's passing half a year ago, the Fourth Princess Consort had been consumed by regret—regretting not taking better care of her son, regretting overworking during pregnancy and failing to give him a strong constitution.

But seeing the Ninth Princess Consort now, Ula Nara suddenly understood—perhaps Honghui's weak health hadn't been her fault at all?

Remembering the early deaths of Hongpan and Hongyun, along with Lady Song's two daughters who died young...

If men could influence offspring so greatly, then perhaps the problem lay with her husband...

The Fourth Princess Consort unconsciously clenched her handkerchief.

Normally, as someone who strictly followed rules and sought perfection in all things, Ula Nara would never entertain such thoughts about her husband.

But this concerned her only son...

Lost in these thoughts, she remained silent throughout the carriage ride home, even avoiding her husband's offered hand when alighting...

After this minor incident, An Ning's bedridden days continued as usual. Due to the difficult pregnancy, she hadn't left the residence since conception.

All food was triple-checked to prevent any potential harm.

As for the concubines—before An Ning could act, Yin Zhen had already placed them under strict confinement.

Before seven months had passed, Madam Aisin Gioro arrived with bundles of supplies. Seeing her daughter, she immediately burst into tears.

"My poor child! Just a pregnancy, how could it... This is worse than..."

"That son-in-law of ours..."

"Ahem!" An Ning hurriedly coughed as her mother's words grew increasingly inappropriate.

Truthfully, after months of the imperial physicians' "efforts" (and hair loss), An Ning's condition had improved significantly, with the fetus no longer showing constant signs of premature birth.

Of course, to avoid jinxing it, the old physicians dared not take credit, only saying the princess consort's strong constitution allowed the fetus to develop better with longer gestation.

Based on recent pulse readings, this wasn't entirely false either.

With her mother by her side, An Ning's days improved further, even her previously poor appetite recovering somewhat.

Feeding his wife bite-sized pear pastries with a delicate silver fork, Yin Zhen finally relaxed slightly seeing her rare good appetite.

But human nature always wants more.

Hearing everyone predict a little prince, An Ning shot her husband a sidelong glance without humoring him:

"I think this one feels more like a sweet little princess!"

"Don't say that, my wife—no, my ancestor!" If not for holding the jade plate, he might have jumped three feet high. Seeing her expression, he forced himself to speak gently:

"Wife, it's not that I wouldn't cherish our daughter, but our family truly has a title to inherit!"

Too bad you'll never have that precious heir in this lifetime.

Glancing at his slightly darkened expression, An Ning secretly snorted, then accepted the apricot preserve he cautiously offered with an ingratiating smile.