I am the champion of palace intrigue, and even the proud prince bows his head in submission.

Chapter 490 Qin 9 is slightly pregnant (Bonus Chapter)

Winter passed, and spring soon arrived.

The room was quiet, with sheer curtains hanging gently. A breeze wafted through the newly opened apricot blossoms in the courtyard, carrying a delicate fragrance.

Qin Jiuwei leaned against the soft couch, still asleep from her afternoon nap.

She wore only a light smoky blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) embroidered with delicate branches of crabapple blossoms. Her belt was not tightly fastened, making her appear even more languid and relaxed.

Her black hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands falling around her temples. Her long eyelashes cast a faint arc on her face.

The sunlight fell on her cheeks, giving them a soft glow.

Xie Yanli pushed open the door and happened to witness this scene.

He paused in his steps.

Without uttering a sound, he slowly approached the soft couch, his gaze sweeping over her sleeping face inch by inch.

He looked down at her, his fingertips resting on a strand of hair by her temple, and leaned down to gently kiss her cheek.

The moment warm lips touched soft skin.

Qin Jiuwei then woke up.

She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze still somewhat hazy, but when she saw Xie Yanli's face so close to hers, her eyes flickered slightly.

She raised her hand and wrapped it around his neck, not with much force, but pulling him closer.

Xie Yanli was slightly taken aback, chuckled softly, and his gaze fell on her lips.

"Just in time to wake up."

He spoke softly, his lips almost touching hers.

But the next moment, Qin Jiuwei frowned slightly, and a sudden feeling of nausea rose in her throat.

She raised her hand to cover her mouth, quickly turned to the side, and coughed softly.

"What's wrong?" Xie Yanli's expression changed, and he quickly supported her shoulder. "Where do you feel unwell?"

Qin Jiuwei frowned slightly, her face showing a hint of discomfort.

"I feel a little...nauseous."

Xie Yanli's voice tightened, "Did you eat something bad? Was the snack at noon too sweet?"

He immediately stood up and ordered the maid, "Quickly, go and fetch the royal physician!"

Then he turned back, knelt down beside the couch, and gently patted Qin Jiuwei's back with his palm.

A moment later, a maidservant hurriedly led the family physician to the palace.

The physician dared not delay and immediately sat down in front of the soft couch, reaching out to take Qin Jiuwei's pulse.

Xie Yanli stood to the side, looking nervous, his eyes fixed on the physician's movements.

A few breaths later, the physician suddenly raised his head, his face beaming with smiles, and said, "Young Master, congratulations."

"Young Madam is pregnant! It's been almost half a month!"

Xie Yanli didn't react for a moment, "Pregnancy?"

"Exactly." The physician nodded. "The pregnancy is stable, but there's a slight heatiness; a few days of recuperation will do the trick."

Xie Yanli walked over in a few steps, his eyes flashing with excitement.

"Madam, we're having a child!"

Qin Jiuwei looked at him, and her eyes instantly reddened.

A joyful atmosphere quietly permeated Qinglan Courtyard.

The news of Qin Jiuwei's pregnancy spread throughout the entire Marquis's mansion in less than half a day.

When Madam Xie, who was bedridden, heard the news, she was overjoyed and burst into tears, exclaiming, "Heaven has finally opened its eyes! Our Xie family has a great-grandson!"

Unable to go in person, she immediately sent hundreds of precious tonics and nourishing items over.

Soon, Qinglan Courtyard was piled high with treasure boxes, brocade cases, incense, medicinal cuisine...

Qin Jiuwei instructed people to store all these items in the warehouse.

He then sent Xiaohe to Yi'an Courtyard to express his gratitude and pay his respects to Madam Xie.

As evening approached, Lord Xie also came over in person.

Lord Xie sat for almost half an hour, giving detailed instructions before getting up to leave.

Seeing that Lord Xie had left, Xie Jue boldly rushed towards Qin Jiuwei's side.

He brought his face very close, looking intently at her lower abdomen.

“Mother,” he asked earnestly, “you’re pregnant. What does that mean?”

"Is there really a baby in your belly?"

He gently tapped her lower abdomen with his small finger, cautiously yet full of curiosity.

Qin Jiu looked at him with a slight smile, "Yes, it's true. In a few days, you'll have a little sister."

Xie Jue's eyes widened after hearing this.

"Is a little sister living inside your belly?"

Xie Jue cupped her face in her hands and thought seriously for a while, "Can she hear me now?"

"I don't know if she can hear me."

Xie Jueke lay down beside her belly and whispered, "Hello little sister, I'm your brother, I'll protect you... Please come out soon."

suddenly--

"stand up."

A long, strong hand reached out, grabbed him by the back of his collar, and lifted him up like a kitten.

Xie Jing said calmly, "Don't disturb Mother's rest."

Xie Jue's feet were almost off the ground as he was being pulled, and he said with a face full of indignation, "I didn't disturb Mother, I was talking to my sister!"

Xie Jing placed him on a cushion beside him. "She can't hear you right now, but your mother is in the early stages of pregnancy, and the fetus is still unstable."

Xie Jue snorted, walked over and sat down beside her, and asked softly, "Mother, are you still feeling unwell? Is anything bothering you? Did I disturb you just now?"

"You didn't disturb me," Qin Jiuwei said softly, "I'm just a little tired."

After speaking, Xie Jue subconsciously looked at Xie Jing.

My second brother was right.

My mother is really not feeling well.

Xie Jing remained unmoved. After learning that his mother was pregnant, he immediately consulted the family physician about many things, so he naturally knew the answers.

"The doctor said that the first three months are the most important for rest. One should not have extreme emotional fluctuations, and should pay special attention to rest, diet and daily life. In particular, the weather has been fluctuating between hot and cold these days, so it is best to avoid catching a cold."

Xie Yanli glanced at Xie Jing sideways.

He learned about these things from the imperial physician.

Unexpectedly, Xie Jing also consulted the royal physician.

This child is indeed thoughtful and knows how to take care of others.

When Qin Jiuwei was in her third month of pregnancy, her appetite changed drastically.

She, who used to prefer light and simple flavors, suddenly began to crave spicy food.

Small red chilies, chopped chilies, and sour soup—each one more pungent than the last. Even the chili sauces I used to ignore are now a must-have with every meal.

She herself found it strange.

At this moment, she was sitting by the window in Qinglan Courtyard, with a small bowl of pickled chicken feet on the small table next to her.

While eating, she frowned and said, "I didn't like spicy food before..."

Xie Yanli walked in carrying a cup of tea. Seeing that her eyes were red, he smiled gently and handed her the teacup.

"It's the one inside my belly that loves to eat."

Qin Jiuwei took the tea and sipped it.

"It's a pity that the chefs in our manor can't cook spicy food. I've been eating these pickled chicken feet for three days now."

Xie Yanli sat down, a glint in his eyes, "I'll come up with a solution."

That evening, Xie Yanli ordered someone to inquire about cooks in various households in the capital who were skilled at making spicy dishes.

Three days later, an elderly woman from Sichuan appeared in the kitchen of Qinglan Courtyard. Her surname was Zhao, and she was known as Granny Zhao.

He had been the head chef in the household of a salt merchant in Sichuan for many years. Later, when his master moved north, he was hired by Xie Yanli with a large sum of money and brought into the Marquis's mansion.

On her first day in the kitchen, Granny Zhao prepared a table full of Sichuan-style home-cooked dishes.

Spicy tofu pudding, sour and spicy fish, dry-fried green beans, and shredded tripe in chili oil—even the stir-fried lettuce has a subtle peppery aroma.

The aroma was so enticing that even the servants patrolling the courtyard in the distance swallowed hard.

Xie Yanli personally carried the hot dishes into the inner room, lifted the copper lids, and the hot and spicy aroma spread everywhere.

Qin Jiuwei's eyes lit up as soon as she smelled it.

Xie Yanli placed the teacup aside and carefully handed over a silk handkerchief: "Eat slowly, don't choke."

Qin Jiuwei's eyes were slightly moist as she ate, but she smiled happily.