There was a pause before Mr. Luo continued, "The outside world has always known that Mu Shaoling frequents Quanya, and someone has even managed to get wind of ’his’ visits there. Moreover, they’ve been trying to find out exactly what he does in Quanya, particularly in recent years since Mu Shaoling has been intercepting those trying to probe, which only piqued their curiosity further. Now that the matter of his accomplishments has come to light, those noble families with a vested interest can hardly be kept at bay, and each one of them supports their own prince."
Mr. Luo leaned forward, his voice a whisper, "As for the royal family, they’re quite different from other dynasties. The royal clan does not get involved in matters of succession. As long as he who sits on the throne bears the name Baili, it matters not who it is; their status and wealth remain unaffected. They enjoy the respect and honor that comes with being royalty, simply by virtue of their birthright."
"I see," Ye Zi’an nodded in understanding.
"However, Mr. Luo, once Mu Shaoling enters the Capital City, I’m still going to beat him up," Ye Zi’an said, his composure returning. The thought of what he had just read in the letter made him feel like hitting someone. He mused to himself that it’s no wonder his lady gets the urge to hit someone when upset. Some people really do deserve it—they wouldn’t know their place until you give them a good thrashing.
Mr. Luo’s curiosity was piqued, "Why are you so bent on hitting him?"
"This is the letter from Mu Shaoling," Ye Zi’an said as he handed the letter to Mr. Luo.
Mr. Luo read the letter but saw nothing amiss.
"Mr. Luo," Ye Zi’an huffed, "that scoundrel Mu Shaoling says my lady is a month and a half pregnant. He’s definitely lying to me—he’s either shortened or lengthened the duration of the pregnancy."
At that, Mr. Luo couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of his mouth, a look of bemusement crossing his face.
Failing to notice Mr. Luo’s strange expression, Ye Zi’an continued, "I reckon he’s underreported the time. It’s not a month and a half, it’s got to be two or even three months. It just can’t be a mere month and a half; I was still in the prefecture back then, how could that be possible?"
Mr. Luo was left startled and confused by his words.
"I had only been back home for a little more than half a month when I left the prefecture. It’s too short a time; not even a divine physician could have deduced that. Trying to damage the relationship between me and my lady, huh? He’s underestimating me." Ye Zi’an chuckled at the end, his foolish grin almost unbearable to watch. So much for his usual indifference. "I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl? My lady says she dislikes girls because they would share her affection for me, but I dislike boys because they would split her affection for me."
Mr. Luo felt he couldn’t listen any longer.
Unable to help himself, he blurted, "Shut up!" Seeing Ye Zi’an still beaming, Mr. Luo maliciously teased, "How can you be so sure your lady is so loyal to you? What if... haha."
"Mr. Luo, in this world, only my lady would never betray me, nor disdain me," Ye Zi’an responded with confidence as Mr. Luo finished speaking. "No matter what happens to me, she will always treat me with the same devotion. You should know that I was once a cripple, and many in the village looked down on me, even deeming me a harbinger of misfortune. Only my lady staunchly defended me, insisting it was Ms. Hua Junior who brought calamity upon others."