Chapter 150

A few months later, on a fine day, Mu Yuanzhi entered the palace by imperial order.

Pingnan Wangfu had long been ready; Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin moved back to live there, leaving the princess's residence empty. The Noble Consort hinted repeatedly to the emperor, but could not get it back.

Pei Yunxi had moved from the Premier's residence to the Xiao household, simply because she was pregnant and needed support there.

That day, Mu Yuanzhi bumped into Pei Yunxi in the palace; Pei Yunxi walked exaggeratedly, as if she were a seven‑ or eight‑month pregnant woman, needing two maids to support her as she walked with her belly protruding.

She beamed with spring‑time cheer; seeing Mu Yuanzhi, her show‑off expression became especially obvious, her belly more pronounced—though she had hardly shown any pregnancy before, now it looked even more awkward.

Mu Yuanzhi did not want to see Pei Yunxi at all, but the bridge ahead was completely blocked by Pei Yunxi and her two maids, leaving no way to go around.

"Mu Yuanzhi sister, long time no see!" Pei Yunxi covered her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled, very affected. "I had originally planned to visit you at Pingnan Wangfu a few days ago to catch up, but I'm pregnant, and Xiao Yichen brother is very nervous; he insists I rest at home. Only now, after much difficulty, have I obtained his permission to come to the palace to pay respects to Father Emperor."

In every word she bragged about how favored she was, and while speaking she kept stroking her belly.

Mu Yuanzhi looked at her as if she were a street‑performing circus troupe.

No, the performers in a circus act far more naturally than Pei Yunxi.

After speaking, Pei Yunxi saw Mu Yuanzhi unmoved and found it especially dull; she had meticulously planned this chance encounter, rehearsing her lines in her mind over and over, yet Mu Yuanzhi showed not the slightest reaction!

Could it be that Mu Yuanzhi truly no longer likes Xiao Yichen at all?

Then why does she keep trying to attract Xiao Yichen, making him constantly think of her?!

Or is Mu Yuanzhi merely pretending not to care?

Surely, matters of the heart cannot be let go of so easily.

If Mu Yuanzhi has no such intention, she should stop constantly appearing before Xiao Yichen!

"Sister, won't you congratulate me?" Pei Yunxi released the maids' hands, walked up to Mu Yuanzhi, and spoke in a soft voice neither loud nor quiet: "Or is your heart feeling heavy now, unable to utter even a word of congratulations?"

Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help but snicker: "Pei Yunxi, you really look embarrassing."

Pei Yunxi choked up at once, her expression twisting; she glared at Mu Yuanzhi's calm face, seeing not a trace of panic, distress, or jealousy, only an indifferent sneer.

She is carrying Xiao Yichen's child, after all!

Isn't it worth Mu Yuanzhi becoming jealous to the point of madness?!

"Are you pretending indifference, sister?" Pei Yunxi pressed on, unwilling to give up, stroking her belly as she said: "The child in my womb is Xiao Yichen's, the Xiao Family's bloodline—something you have yearned for for years but could never obtain!"

At that moment, the maid beside Pei Yunxi saw Xiao Yichen approach; he halted, clearly having heard her words. The maids rushed to tug their mistress, but Pei Yunxi, whose gaze was fixed solely on Mu Yuanzhi, never saw Xiao Yichen, ignored the maids' hints, and even flicked her hand impatiently.

She fixed her gaze on Mu Yuanzhi's eyes, trying to see any change in her expression.

Mu Yuanzhi curled her lips in a smile, shook her head, and said: "You're wrong, Pei Yunxi; he is something I discarded, a man I threw onto the trash heap that someone else picked up as a treasure."

Pei Yunxi stared wide‑eyed in disbelief.

What is Mu Yuanzhi saying?!

She actually dares to say Xiao Yichen is a southern trash heap?!

She's gone mad.

That is the dream of countless young women in Jingcheng, the great favorite beside the emperor, Xiao Yichen!

Pei Yunxi still recalls the first time she saw Xiao Yichen, her heart fluttering—a feeling she would never forget; at first sight she decided on him, wishing to marry such an excellent husband and spend a lifetime together in love.

Now she has already realized more than half of that goal; if it weren't for Mu Yuanzhi getting in the way here, she and Xiao Yichen would naturally be a loving couple!

"Sister…"

"Ah Zhi!"

Pei Yunxi's unfinished words were drowned out by a louder voice; she glanced guiltily at the striding Xiao Yichen.

How could Xiao Yichen brother be here? When did he arrive? How much did he hear?

Pei Yunxi glared angrily at the two maids, thinking they were good for nothing, couldn't even keep watch, utterly stupid!

The two maids lowered their heads, daring neither to be angry nor to speak.

"Xiao Yichen brother!" Pei Yunxi laughed as she went up, grabbed his arm, half her body leaning on him, and coquettishly asked: "Did you come to pick me up?"

She seemed unable to hear Xiao Yichen calling Mu Yuanzhi, nor see him looking for Mu Yuanzhi, and simply threw herself onto him.

Xiao Yichen wanted to take her hand, but she held on so tightly that if he forced her away she would fall.

And she is pregnant now!

Just thinking of this, Xiao Yichen's heart sank to the depths.

He feels terrible; he was schemed against by Pei Yunxi!

That bowl of aphrodisiac soup was her trick to make him drink it; otherwise he would never have touched her!

Now the obstacles between him and Ah Zhi have multiplied!

Xiao Yichen clenched his fists.

With no one blocking the way ahead, Mu Yuanzhi stepped forward and walked on, too lazy to bother with the two of them.

"Ah Zhi!" Xiao Yichen, unwilling to give up, seeing Mu Yuanzhi walk away so quickly, couldn't help wondering whether she actually cared as well.

Very concerned about Pei Yunxi's pregnancy.

If that's the case, then he still has hope!

"Xiao Yichen brother!" Pei Yunxi stomped her foot in anger!

What's wrong with him? She's pregnant, yet he's still thinking of Mu Yuanzhi!

Why? Could her baby not compare to Mu Yuanzhi? This is the Xiao family's flesh and blood, the Xiao family's legitimate heir!

It is the embodiment of their love, the most fortunate baby in the world……

Resentment and incomprehension flooded over her; Pei Yunxi, heedless of any onlookers, grabbed Xiao Yichen's arm and cried: "Xiao Yichen brother, I'm carrying your child—can't you stop always thinking of Mu Yuanzhi?!"

She felt utterly wronged; from childhood to adulthood, even her earlier life in the common folk had never been so miserable. Though she grew up among the people, she was well‑fed and clothed, having suffered little—yet all her hardships came from Mu Yuanzhi!

Pei Yunxi had thought her reproach would make Xiao Yichen reflect, but his expression suddenly turned furious beyond containment, and he even shoved her hand away, saying: "You know full well how this child came about; our Xiao Family's bloodline is tainted!"

Pei Yunxi staggered backward step by step; if the maids hadn't been supporting her, she would have fallen.