Chapter 653: Chapter 240: Empress

Chen Wanqing was a month and a half pregnant. Since the pregnancy was not yet stable, she didn’t dare walk too fast.

The nanny knew she was an esteemed guest. Judging by her posture, she had also guessed the young woman was expecting, so she didn’t dare urge her to hurry.

The two headed toward the West Courtyard at a leisurely pace. Just as they passed through an archway, less than a hundred meters away from the courtyard, Chen Wanqing spotted a familiar figure.

Zhao Jing’s sleeves fluttered in the breeze. Wearing a jade crown and a sapphire-blue brocade robe, he stepped out from behind a rockery. He showed no surprise at seeing her. Quickening his pace, he walked up to her and supported her waist.

"Did Grandfather call for you too?"

Chen Wanqing nodded. "The nanny said an esteemed guest has arrived, someone around our age, and asked us to go over and host them."

Chen Wanqing had a lot she wanted to say. For instance, there were barely a handful of people in the entire Wei Dynasty who were around their age and could be called "esteemed guests" by their grandfather. She had her suspicions but didn’t dare to believe them, tightening her grip on Zhao Jing’s hand.

Zhao Jing sensed her thoughts through her slightly clammy palm. His face retained its usual serene and breezy expression, but he deliberately softened his tone. "Don’t overthink it, Wanqing. Just fulfill our duties as hosts and entertain them well."

Chen Wanqing turned her head to look at him. "Are you really not curious about who it is?"

"It would be a lie to say I’m not curious. But I can probably guess who it is," he replied. "We’re perfectly in tune, Wanqing. We’re likely thinking of the exact same couple."

The couple exchanged a glance, reaching an unspoken mutual understanding, and fell silent. They approached the West Courtyard.

Four guards in plainclothes stood watch at the entrance. At a cursory glance, one might mistake them for servants of the Xu family. Stepping closer, however, it was immediately apparent that these men exuded a martial aura. Even in casual attire, they couldn’t hide the fierce bravery in their bones. Their gazes were as sharp as knives, and one hand rested inconspicuously on their lower backs, concealing a lethal edge. Should an intruder come with ill intent, they would be struck dead in a single encounter.

The old nanny spoke to them in a low voice. "This is the young lady of the house and her husband. Our master specifically asked me to invite them over to accompany the esteemed guests."

The guards were clearly aware of this arrangement. They gave the couple a slight nod, signaling them to pass. Zhao Jing cupped his hands in a polite greeting, and Chen Wanqing gave a slight curtsy. Having exchanged pleasantries, the young couple walked through the entrance the guards had cleared for them.

Chen Wanqing and Zhao Jing had only visited the West Courtyard once before. That was when the old madam had taken the rest of the family to the temple to offer incense and fulfill a vow. Bored at home, the two had strolled through the entire estate.

The area was vast. Although it was a standard three-courtyard compound, it was exceptionally spacious because it had been built specifically as a guest residence. Furthermore, thanks to a large grove of plum blossoms planted inside, it was a somewhat famous spot for plum blossom viewing in the Capital City.

In the early years, when Xu Su Ying was still around, the old madam loved a bustling atmosphere. Every winter, she would send invitations to the noble ladies of the Capital City, inviting everyone to the estate to view the flowers. Later, when Xu Su Ying disappeared without a trace—neither alive nor dead—outsiders never got the chance to admire the Xu family’s plum blossoms again.

The courtyard was enormous. Since the servants were strictly disciplined and didn’t wander around except for cleaning and pruning, the West Courtyard felt exceptionally quiet. But today’s quietness was completely different from the usual. Today’s silence carried an air of solemnity and tension. It felt like an arrow nocked on a drawn bowstring—a volatile situation on the verge of erupting.

Without needing to deliberately search for them, the couple could sense intense stares and scrutiny from people hiding in the shadows. Chen Wanqing’s heart leaped into her throat, and even her footsteps became a little unnatural.

Seeing this, Zhao Jing comforted her in a low voice. "They’re just keeping an eye on us; they won’t make a rash move. Relax, Wanqing. We’re almost there."

They drew closer and closer to the flower hall. Here, the oppressive atmosphere grew even heavier. The psychological burden on Chen Wanqing was so overwhelming that she could clearly hear her heart racing in her chest—THUMP, THUMP.

She called out, "Jing."

Zhao Jing hummed in response. "Are you alright, Wanqing?"

"I’m okay."

Taking a deep breath, the two walked a few more steps forward. Once they reached this point, the shadowing, oppressive sensation completely vanished. They could faintly hear the voices of the people inside talking and laughing, as well as the soft, giggling coos of a baby being teased.

The couple exchanged another glance, both with a hint of shock in their eyes. They had never imagined that even the Crown Prince would be brought out of the palace.

Right at that moment, a pale, beardless eunuch with a kind and benevolent face walked out of the flower hall. Seeing the two standing at the bottom of the stairs, a smile appeared on his face. He gave them a slight nod before hurrying back into the flower hall to announce their arrival.

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