No Prying into the Prince's Secrets - Chapter 3

Naturally, my claim that getting a period meant having a baby was mercilessly exposed when the doctor arrived.

What surprised me was the way the doctor stroked his beard and told Feng Lian kindly, “You have a weak constitution, miss. The dragging pain in your lower abdomen during your courses is caused by cold in the womb. With proper treatment, you’ll be fine. It won’t affect your ability to bear children.”

I could hardly bear to listen. What womb did Feng Lian have? The only gong that applied to him was the one in the word for castration.

“In that case, prescribe something to strengthen her health.” I turned to Uncle Chen. “Arrange nourishing meals and medicinal dishes too. It doesn’t matter how precious the ingredients are, as long as they work.”

Uncle Chen pressed his lips together, clearly wanting to say “no,” but in the end he agreed. “I’ll see to it.”

The doctor was obviously one of Feng Lian’s men. And quite the accomplished actor, too.

I took Feng Lian’s hand and gazed into his eyes with tender devotion.

As he watched me warily, I told the doctor, “I’m truly taken with Lian’er. I want to give her favor beyond compare.”

The doctor nodded benevolently. “Such constancy is rare, Your Highness.”

“So I’d like you to prepare her body, doctor. Let’s make sure she bears a son on the first try. Once Lian’er has given me my eldest son, I’ll have grounds to raise her from concubine to princess consort.” I spoke with perfect sincerity.

The doctor, who knew perfectly well that Feng Lian was a man in disguise, said nothing.

“What’s wrong? Can’t you do it? No matter. I’ll summon an imperial physician!”

The doctor was so agitated that his beard and eyebrows seemed to fly in all directions. “There’s no need to trouble an imperial physician over such a trifling matter! I can manage it.”

Only after he had left, mopping his sweat, did I let my smug smile fade.

Feng Lian stood up and gave me a sinister look. “You’re making a fool of me on purpose. You already guessed—”

“That you would guess my identity.” Utterly unruffled, I went on, “Lian’er, I am indeed a woman. It’s a long story.

“But as a prince, I can’t become pregnant. I’ll have to leave the future of this household to you.”

I waved a hand expansively and declared, “Whoever you have a child with, that child will be mine—the Prince of Anyang’s!”

Feng Lian stared at me in utter bewilderment.

Suddenly saddled with the future of the princely house, Feng Lian was still looking dazed.

It took him a long time to force out, “Who am I supposed to have this child with?”

Seeing how completely I’d bamboozled him, I nearly burst out laughing.

“The man you love, of course. He’ll have to put up with not being officially acknowledged, though.”

“If he refuses, I’ll have him tied up and brought here!” Clasping Feng Lian’s hand tightly, I told him in all sincerity, “We’re sisters. There’s no need to stand on ceremony!”

Feng Lian looked lost and utterly confused. He had never imagined that hiding his identity and movements would require him to produce a child.

Of course, an unexpected move like that could only fool him for so long. Once he recovered, he’d start scheming again.

For instance, to get out of having a baby, he brought back a handsome young gentleman with feminine features and falsely claimed this was the man he loved.

The gentleman’s name was Liu Ru. The moment he saw me, he tried to steal my soul with his eyes. Naturally, I guessed what Feng Lian was up to.

Liu Ru was one of his people. This was simply a way to give him an excuse to stay at the residence, get close to me, and win me over, making it even easier for Feng Lian to act in the Prince of Anyang’s name.

If he could get me pregnant, wouldn’t that put me even more firmly under his control?

Quite a plan. Several birds with one stone.

When it was nearly time for bed, I stopped Liu Ru and Feng Lian.

“Master Liu, I hope you won’t mind me saying this, but I’ll have to be present when you and Lian’er sleep together.

“Otherwise, if any unsavory rumors get out, it’ll be bad for all three of us.

“There’s one thing I can promise: I won’t peek.”

Liu Ru’s eyes widened in shock. For a long time, he couldn’t get a single word out.

Feng Lian had no grounds to disagree. Digging his nails into his palm, he forced a smile. “I understand your good intentions, Your Highness.”

Inside, I was laughing to myself.

Careful with that bird-killing stone. It might land on your own foot.