Leaving the Capital

Belle gently touched her belly and nodded, saying, "That's right. If Princess May hadn't come to warn us, the Prince of Qin's Manor would have been in grave danger last time. She's truly a benefactor to our household."

At that moment, Princess May was hurrying toward the main gate of the Prince of Qin's Manor. She adjusted her bamboo hat, let down the white veil, and walked briskly, as if something urgent was pressing on her.

As Princess May turned a corner, she suddenly collided with someone. Her body swayed and she fell to the ground, clutching her stomach in pain. She snapped, "Who are you? Can't you watch where you're going?"

A pretty, lively child immediately ran over, apologetic. It was Quentin Lin.

"Sorry, sorry, sister! It's my fault—I was running too fast and didn't see you, so I knocked you over when I turned the corner." Quentin Lin apologized quickly and rushed to help Princess May up.

Princess May's fall wasn't serious. As Quentin Lin helped her up, his hand happened to rest on her wrist, feeling her pulse.

Quentin Lin pulled her up and exclaimed, "Sister, is your baby all right? Did you hurt your belly?"

Hearing this, Princess May's expression changed instantly, as if pricked by a needle. She covered Quentin Lin's mouth and whispered, "Where did you come from, you little rascal? Stop talking nonsense! There's no baby in my belly. How can you say such wild things at your age?"

Quentin Lin quickly pried her hand away and looked at Princess May in confusion. "I just felt your pulse—you’re two months pregnant. How do you not know? Sister, being pregnant is a happy thing! You should go home and tell your husband. Your family will be so happy!"

Princess May bit her lip, her face darkening further. She shoved Quentin Lin away and said, "How strange. Mind your own business!"

With that, Princess May adjusted her bamboo hat, hurriedly left the Prince of Qin's Manor, and walked even faster.

Quentin Lin stood there, scratching his head in confusion, muttering to himself, "What a strange sister. Did I say something wrong?"

After thinking for a while, Quentin Lin, being only six years old and having never met Princess May, quickly forgot about it and ran off to the library across from the academy to read.

Meanwhile, Princess May left the Prince of Qin's Manor and hurried back to Ling Manor.

At Ling Manor, everyone else had been dismissed. The remaining maids and guards, all brought from the Kingdom of Chu, were already prepared. As soon as Princess May returned, they immediately escorted her out of the capital, heading back to Chu.

Princess May sat in the carriage as it traveled through the streets of the capital. Peeking through the curtain, she noticed soldiers patrolling everywhere.

Since the new emperor had just ascended the throne, the city was under strict surveillance. They were still purging the remnants of the rebels and searching for the traitor Gregory Gu Jr. Not only were all vehicles and people entering or leaving the city rigorously checked, but even those walking the streets were frequently stopped and searched.

Without changing her expression, Princess May lowered the curtain, tapped the wooden plank under the carriage three times, and whispered, "The streets are full of soldiers searching for rebels and fugitives. Stay hidden and don't make a sound, or neither of us will survive."