Rumor Has It That I'm Pregnant with His Highness' Child

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Chapter 517: Garlic Ribs

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

When Xiao Juan returned to the Langjun Imperial Palace, it was already late at night.

The winter night was exceptionally cold. As soon as he pushed open the door, a cold wind blew into the house.

Granny Xiu Yan helped him take off his cloak and handed it to the maidservant beside him.

“Have you had dinner?”

Xiao Juan said, “No, where’s Niaoniao?”

“The Princess Consort is still in the study. She said she wanted to write some recipes. She’s been writing all afternoon. She’s put in a lot of effort. Even dinner is in the study.”

“I’ll go see her.”

With that, Xiao Juan walked out.

Granny Xiu Yan quickly chased after him. “You haven’t eaten your dinner yet. I got someone to save food for you. I’ll send it to you now.”

Xiao Juan did not stop and went straight to the study door.

The door was only ajar. It opened with a gentle push.

He walked in and saw Yu Niaoniao sleeping on the desk.

She had the recipe she had just finished writing in front of her and a brush in her right hand. There was a little black ink on her face, making her look strange and ridiculous.

Xiao Juan took the brush from her hand and placed it on the brush mountain. Then, he wiped the ink off her face with a wet handkerchief.

His movements were very gentle, and the look in his eyes was even gentler.

Niaoniao was sleeping soundly, unaware of everything around her.

Xiao Juan brought a blanket and gently covered her.

The dim candlelight fell on her face, casting her in the only light in Xiao Juan’s eyes.

He just stared at her quietly for a long time.

Until there was a gentle knock on the door. Granny Xiu Yan stood at the door and asked.

‘Your Highness, where do you want your dinner?”

Xiao Juan raised his hand and gestured for her to keep quiet.

Unfortunately, he was too late. Yu Niaoniao was already awake.

She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She asked in a low voice, “Ah Juan, when did you come back?”

Xiao Juan said, “I just returned. Don’t sleep here. Be careful not to catch a cold. Go back to the room and sleep.”

Yu Niaoniao yawned loudly.

“Aren’t you going to sleep together?”

Xiao Juan said, “I haven’t washed up yet. Go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Oh, then I’ll get going.”

Yu Niaoniao put away the recipe in front of her and stood up to walk out. Granny Xiu Yan said, “Princess Consort, shall I send you back to your room?” Yu Niaoniao waved her hand. “No need. Stay here and serve Duke Lang.”

Granny Xiu Yan could only stay where she was and watch the Princess Consort leave.

Then, Granny Xiu Yan got someone to send the food to the study.

“Your Highness, eat it while it’s hot.”

As she spoke, she placed a full bowl of rice in front of Xiao Juan. Xiao Juan did not eat directly. Instead, he looked at her and asked.

“How many years have you been in the palace?”

Granny Xiu Yan said, “Almost forty years.”

Xiao Juan asked, “Then do you know about Imperial Concubine Meng?”

Granny Xiu Yan said, “Of course, I do.”

“Imperial Concubine Meng was a rare kind person in the palace.”

“Back then, I had just entered the palace and was bullied at a young age.

Coincidentally, Imperial Concubine Meng saw me.”

“Not only did she reprimand the palace servants who bullied me, but she also rewarded me with a box of ointment. That ointment was very effective. After I applied it, the bruises on my body quickly dissipated.”

Xiao Juan did not expect her to have such a relationship with Imperial Concubine Meng. He immediately took out the jade bracelet.

“Have you seen this bracelet?”

Granny Xiu Yan took the bracelet and took a closer look. Then she shook her head. “No.”

Xiao Juan asked again, “This is Imperial Concubine Meng’s bracelet. Are you sure you’ve never seen her wear it?”

Granny Xiu Yan still shook her head.

“Indeed not.”

Xiao Juan was a little disappointed. It seemed that the clues had been cut off again.

Granny Xiu Yan returned the bracelet to him and suggested.

“If you want to know about Imperial Concubine Meng, why don’t you ask the palace maids serving her? They must know more than me.” Xiao Juan nodded. “Yes, I’ll get someone to ask later.”

Granny Xiu Yan suddenly thought of something and said.

“If you really can’t find any clues, you can try your luck with the Empress

Dowager. Imperial Concubine Meng had a good relationship with the Empress

Dowager when she was alive. The Empress Dowager might know about her.”

Xiao Juan was rather surprised. “Why is the Empress Dowager on good terms with Imperial Concubine Meng?”

Not only were the two of them separated by seniority, but they were also not related by blood. Logically speaking, they were not related at all.

Granny Xiu Yan said, “I heard that the reason why the Empress Dowager could enter the palace as a consort back then was because of Imperial Concubine Meng, but I’m not very sure what happened.”

Xiao Juan looked thoughtful.

Granny Xiu Yan waited for a moment. Seeing that he had nothing else to ask, she silently retreated.

After dinner, Xiao Juan washed up and returned to the bedroom. He saw that Niaoniao was already lying on the bed and sleeping.

He took off his coat, lifted a corner of the blanket, and lay down quietly beside Niaoniao.

Yu Niaoniao sensed the movement beside her and opened her eyes slightly.

Xiao Juan asked, “Did I wake you up?

Yu Niaoniao turned around and crawled into his arms.

“What took you so long?”

Xiao Juan hugged her. “I’m sorry. I was too slow.” Yu Niaoniao raised her head. “I don’t want an apology. I want a kiss

Xiao Juan kissed her almost without hesitation.

Their lips touched, then parted.

Yu Niaoniao smacked her lips and chuckled.

“It smells like garlic!”

Xiao Juan had garlic ribs for dinner just now. He did not expect her to taste them even after he rinsed his mouth.

He smiled involuntarily and patted her back gently.

“It’s getting late. Go to sleep.”

The next morning, Yu Niaoniao and Xiao Juan finished their breakfast.

Yu Niaoniao wiped her mouth and said to Xiao Juan.

“I have something on today and have to take leave. I can’t go to the Justice Department with you.”

Xiao Juan asked casually, “Where are you going?”

Yu Niaoniao smiled mysteriously.

“I’m not telling you.”

Xiao Juan did not need to guess to know that she probably wanted to sell recipes to earn money.

However, in order to preserve the surprise, he did not ask anything and only reminded her.

“Don’t go out alone.”

Yu Niaoniao said, “Got it.”

She put on her veil and ran out happily. When she saw Ling Hai on the way, she immediately waved at him.

“Come here. I have something to tell you!”

Ever since Ling Hai came to the Langjun Imperial Palace, he had been very uneasy. Everything here was too unfamiliar.

Everyone in the residence had their own things to do, except for him.

He was like a useless person.

Ling Hai did not want to wait like this, so he took the initiative to look for the Princess Consort, wanting to get some work.

Hearing the Princess Consort say that she had something to discuss with him, Ling Hai perked up and quickly ran to her.

“What can I do for you?”

Yu Niaoniao said, “I’m going out to do something. Go get my carriage.”

“Yes!”

Ling Hai thought that the Princess Consort’s carriage should be a famous colt similar to Dark Cloud, but when he arrived at the horse shed, he saw a gray donkey..