Chapter 324: A Bit Chubby

Pei Biao felt a bit resistant inside, not knowing what the witch doctor meant, but still ordered someone to fetch a chessboard, and with difficulty reconstructed yesterday's game.

The witch doctor pondered over this dead game.

Pei Biao was getting a bit impatient, after all people came and went here, and if someone saw him looking quite familiar with this witch doctor, that wouldn't be good.

"Sir, have you figured anything out?"

He asked.

The witch doctor didn't speak, his gaze still on the board.

Pei Biao had no choice but to wait patiently; during that time he tried to stay as far away as possible, although this place was already rather secluded, after all it was inside the palace gate.

After about a quarter of an hour, Pei Biao couldn't help but ask again: "Sir, what exactly have you figured out?"

Doesn't this person worry at all about being discovered?

The witch doctor then withdrew his gaze, looked again at Pei Biao, and said: "Your Highness, you shouldn't solve this dead game."

"Why? Is there something off about this dead game?" Pei Biao asked nervously.

"Of course." The witch doctor said, "This dead game has no solution."

"But I can solve it!" Pei Biao said, bewildered.

This guy, pretending to be mystical, also won't give a proper explanation!

The witch doctor sighed and said: "Forget it, since Your Majesty set up this dead game for you, it shows he also has his own concerns; solving it or not may make no difference."

"From the start, I've completely failed to understand your words, Your Highness." Pei Biao's tone inevitably carried some dissatisfaction.

The witch doctor smiled slightly: "You don't need to understand; Your Highness just needs to follow my advice."

"What other advice do you have, sir?" Pei Biao asked.

"At this point we can only do this: use their scheme against them."

The Ninth Senior still kept his doors closed, and Mu Yuanzhi didn't go to see him; she already understood his meaning—he didn't involve himself in anything, had no intention of actively resolving anything, and certainly had no plan to intervene in what was happening in Great Zhou now.

Thus they waited in obedience to the imperial decree.

Pei Di told her he had gone to see the Ninth Senior, but the Ninth Senior wouldn't even see him, claiming illness and staying indoors.

As for Pei Di himself, lately the Eastern Palace's affairs have been dwindling; documents that should have been sent to the Eastern Palace for review have half ended up with Pei Biao, and rumors of a change of heir have been spreading ever more widely, even reaching the common folk.

Allowing such rumors to fester would naturally shake the foundations of the state, but the new emperor simply paid no heed.

Some officials in court who had long disliked the new emperor's enthronement of a young ruler had already secretly contacted Pei Biao, throwing their support behind the eldest son.

"But more people are supporting Pei Di than I imagined." Gu Rongjin showed a somewhat surprised expression.

Mu Yuanzhi: "After all, Xiao Di is now the true crown prince; the emperor is currently suppressing all matters, which is too obvious—he's just trying to catch the turtle in the jar?"

Gu Rongjin nodded: "You're right; whether it's an omen of disaster, a marriage alliance, or the crown prince's position, he gives the impression of ignoring everything—anyone with a bit of sense knows what's going on, too bad there aren't many sensible people."

"Or perhaps those above simply don't care that much." Mu Yuanzhi said, "After all, imagination is just imagination; reality is unpredictable, and someone will inevitably act on it."

"We too are now just a pawn on someone else's chessboard." Gu Rongjin said.

Mu Yuanzhi: "I only hope the one moving the pieces won't let us down."

"Besides, Xiao Yichen is also on Pei Biao's side—I can tell." Gu Rongjin said.

"Could that witch doctor also be connected to Pei Biao?" Mu Yuanzhi said.

"Certainly, my informants have seen them whispering together more than once." Gu Rongjin said, "They might soon show their fox's tail."

Mu Yuanzhi: "Then we'll catch them all in one net."

After she said that, she furrowed her brows and held her stomach.

"What's wrong?" Gu Rongjin instantly grew nervous, rose and went over to check.

"Nothing, the baby kicked me playfully." Mu Yuanzhi rubbed her stomach with a complex mood.

Gu Rongjin squatted down and, addressing Mu Yuanzhi's belly, lectured: "How can you be so mischievous? Kicking your mother? When you grow up, will you still be like this?!"

Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help but laugh: "Can the baby understand what you're saying?"

"Probably? Everyone says that. Our baby is smarter than ordinary infants, surely understands completely; I'll start educating him properly now, so he learns to cherish his mother!" Gu Rongjin said.

He squatted, reached out to help his wife rub her belly, imagining that the fruit of their love would arrive in a few months, feeling both anticipation and a sense of unreality.

May their baby be born safely, grow up happily, and be healthy and strong.

"I think your belly is too big, not at all like that of a typical pregnant woman at this stage..." Gu Rongjin looked up at Mu Yuanzhi, "Could it really be twins?"

Mu Yuanzhi laughed upon hearing that: "If they were a dragon and phoenix pair, that would be even better."

"That's good, but having two at once would be hard on you." Gu Rongjin frowned tightly, "I'm starting to regret it—we shouldn't have had a child; everyone says giving birth is like passing through the gates of hell, and I've seen others suddenly go into labor and suffer that pain..."

He blamed himself.

"Rongjin, at this point you're still saying these things; the baby will hear and be unhappy." Mu Yuanzhi complained.

"What the hell does he understand!" Gu Rongjin this time didn't say the baby was smart, "If he really did understand, he should be sympathetic to his mother—that's what my good eldest son should be!"

Mu Yuanzhi took hold of Mu Yuanzhi's hand, smiling: "I know you feel sorry for me, but I also want a child of our own; I'll just strive to overcome the difficulties."

"Okay, I won't say more; I'll listen to you." Gu Rongjin rose and happily embraced Mu Yuanzhi.

At that moment, the steward knocked on the door and said General Qi had come to visit.

"Old Qi, why are you so eager to come running to my place these days?" Gu Rongjin reluctantly let go of Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi: "General Qi might have something to say; go on, don't complain."

"He'd better have something to do!"

The steward wanted to speak but held back: "General Qi said he's come to see the Princess."

"Why is he looking for my wife again?!" Gu Rongjin instantly grew annoyed, "Come on, Xiao Yuanzhi, I'll go with you."

Then he turned to the steward and said: "Have General Qi wait in the side hall; tell him we'll be right there."

"Understood."

Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin arrived at the side hall; Qi Shihuai, who was sipping tea, heard the commotion, looked up, and smiled: "It's been a while since I've seen the Princess; it feels like there's been quite a change."

You can't speak!

Gu Rongjin finished scolding, then hurried to look at Mu Yuanzhi, and saw that the daughter-in-law's face had indeed slumped.

Mu Yuanzhi frowned and asked, "Am I fat now?"

"Well, you are a bit chubby." Qi Shihuai nodded honestly.

Gu Rongjin: "Qi Shihuai!"

This guy! He just wasted all his effort for nothing! So aggravating!