Chapter 66: Love at First Sight Where is the Fifth Prince now?

When Zun You heard the Zhang family physician say there was nothing wrong, he felt relieved. “Mm, use only the best medicine for her, and under no circumstances harm the child.”

The physician hurried to assure him, “Yes, Your Highness. I have been careful all along, using only gentle, harmless remedies. You need not worry.”

“Very well, I trust you. Go and prepare the medicines,” Zun You said with a wave of his hand.

“Yes, then I shall take my leave.” With that, the physician picked up his medicine chest and departed.

“Your Highness, could you stay with me a little while longer?” Li Meiren pleaded, her voice tinged with distress. “I feel so unwell, confined here day after day. I am truly weary of it all.” As she spoke, tears began to fall.

Zun You had intended to leave, but hearing her plea, he did not stand up. Instead, he looked at her intently.

“Your Highness, I know you have been angry with me all this time, but I truly knew nothing of Cui’er’s actions. She was my maid from childhood, brought as part of my dowry. I would never have imagined she would do such a thing behind my back.” She wiped her tears herself and poured out her grievances to Zun You.

“Even if you were unaware, this matter began because of you. Do you admit your fault?” Zun You’s gaze was cold as he fixed his eyes upon her. Just the mention of the incident brought a pang of guilt toward Wen Yueqing.

“Your Highness, you must believe me! I never wished harm upon Miss Wen. For the sake of my own child, I would never do such a thing,” Li Meiren cried, surprised by his words. It seemed the prince was convinced of her guilt.

She slowly sat up, speechless, and wept even more softly.

Zun You continued to watch her coldly as she cried. After a while, seeing her tears were futile, she gradually quieted, sitting there as she wiped her face.

“I ask you simply—do you acknowledge your fault?” Zun You asked again, expressionless.

Li Meiren bit her lip and said nothing.

“In that case, you will remain in confinement. I will not mistreat you, but do not ask for my presence again.” Zun You stood as if to leave, but Li Meiren, calculating the time, realized not even half an hour had passed. She needed to delay him.

“Your Highness, please don’t go! I admit my fault,” she cried anxiously.

“Then tell me, what was your mistake?” Zun You sat back down once he saw her willingness to confess.

“I… I should not have complained about Miss Wen as I did, which gave Cui’er wicked thoughts. My greatest failing was not disciplining my maid properly and not managing my servants well enough.”

Li Meiren spoke in a low voice, her head bowed.

“I will never oppose Miss Wen again. Even if Your Highness takes her into your chambers, I will utter no complaints.” Li Meiren reasoned to herself that saying so now was harmless—after tonight, no matter what happened, she would still triumph.

“Remember your words today. I’m letting this go solely for the sake of the child. If it happens again, don’t expect me to be lenient.” Seeing her admit her fault, Zun You decided to let the matter rest. After all, Cui’er had already paid with her life, Wen Yueqing was unharmed, and he could not truly bring himself to kill Li Meiren. He would treat it as a lesson, but warn her to prevent any future offenses.

“I dare not repeat my mistake. Thank you for forgiving me, Your Highness,” she said, gratitude and joy mingling in her expression.

“Your Highness, would you like to feel the child? He moves now—just a moment ago he kicked me.” As she spoke, Li Meiren cradled her belly with one hand and stretched the other toward Zun You.

“No, I should head back. Rest well,” he replied, feeling no desire to touch another woman, even though she bore his child.

Though Zun You was curious—could a child of six months truly move?—the thought of Wen Yueqing’s face left him strangely uninterested in anyone else.

Li Meiren’s face showed a hint of embarrassment when he refused.

In a soft, tender voice, she said, “Your Highness, are you still upset with me? Don’t you want to touch your child, even once? He’s especially lively.”

Just as he hesitated, unsure of how to respond, the Zhang family physician returned, personally carrying a bowl of soup.

“Lady Li, please drink this while it’s hot. You’ll feel better afterward,” the physician said, handing her the bowl.

“Very well, I’ll drink it.” Still wanting to delay, Li Meiren said, “Your Highness, won’t you stay until I finish this soup?”

“Fine, take your time. I’ll watch,” Zun You replied, willing to give her some dignity in the physician’s presence.

In the front courtyard, Wen Yueqing was chatting with Tong’er.

A young eunuch, Ah Jiang, came to find her. He knocked lightly on the door. “Is Miss Wen inside? I have something to tell you.”

The unfamiliar voice made the two women exchange glances. Who could be coming at this hour?

“Wait a moment, I’ll open the door,” Tong’er called from inside, then went to admit their visitor.

Ah Jiang lifted the door curtain and stepped in. The two women immediately noted his unfamiliar face—this eunuch had never been seen before.

“What brings you here?” Wen Yueqing stood up promptly, seeing him bow to her.

The eunuch smiled. “Miss Wen, the Fifth Prince wishes to speak with you on an important matter.”

Both mistress and maid were greatly surprised.

Wen Yueqing wondered why Zun Yi sought her now, especially since he was said to have left the residence already.

But if he hadn’t sent the message himself, how could this unknown eunuch know to ask for her? No one in the household could possibly know what had transpired between them the other day. She hadn’t even told Tong’er—for the fewer who knew, the better, especially since she herself had no ulterior motives.

Tong’er asked hesitantly, “The Fifth Prince? What could he want with Sister Qing?”

“That I do not know. The Fifth Prince only said it was urgent and that Miss Wen must come in person,” Ah Jiang replied, making a polite gesture for Wen Yueqing to follow.

After a moment’s thought, Wen Yueqing nodded. “Very well, I’ll go see what this is about.”

She resolved that, should Zun Yi confess his feelings again, she would make her refusal clear—she would never leave with him.

“Miss Wen, the Fifth Prince says it’s best if you come alone. Otherwise, it may be inconvenient,” Ah Jiang said, lifting the curtain for her to pass through first.

“Tong’er, wait here for me. I’ll be back soon,” she said with a smile.

“Miss, are you sure you don’t want me to accompany you?” Tong’er asked, anxious.

“It’s fine. What could happen inside the residence? I’ll return shortly,” Wen Yueqing replied, thinking it best not to let Tong’er in on anything.

“All right, Sister Qing. Walk carefully in the dark,” Tong’er said, watching her go.

“Where is the Fifth Prince now?” Wen Yueqing asked as she walked ahead.

“He’s by the little garden,” Ah Jiang replied, following behind her.