"I'd say you're more like a flirt." Qian Renxue touched her swollen lips, her delicate face flushing red again.
"As for Yan Yan, you really can't blame me. It was that old rascal Dugu Bo who drugged me." Yang Yunhai shifted the blame in a heartbeat.
Qian Renxue was stunned. Her mind instantly went to Chrysanthemum Douluo. Chrysanthemum Douluo was an expert in pharmacology, knowledgeable about countless rare treasures—there was no way he didn't know about the side effects of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. Perhaps he had deliberately concealed it, never explaining to his disciple Yang Yunhai.
So, Yang Yunhai giving her the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower was actually Chrysanthemum Douluo deliberately setting up his own disciple?
Most likely, Dugu Bo was also involved—and the mastermind at that. After all, that man's belly was full of schemes; he'd even swindle his own granddaughter.
Her fist clenched at the thought.
She raised her head to glance at Yang Yunhai, lightly biting her lip. With Yang Yunhai's cleverness, he had probably guessed this after the fact. But since things had already happened, it was beyond remedy. With this in mind, she decided not to voice her suspicion.
"That old man truly has no respect for his age," she muttered softly.
Still, she could understand—it was true that Yang Yunhai was outstanding enough.
"Agreed." Yang Yunhai nodded seriously. Feeling that Qian Renxue's emotions had eased, he reached out and took her right hand.
"Xue'er, since I'm here, let me check your body, and also see how our child is doing."
Qian Renxue's face flushed deeper, but she gave a small nod and let out a soft hum, allowing Yang Yunhai to examine her.
Before long, he let her clothes fall back into place and nodded. "It's just a bit of internal heat, nothing serious. I've already asked Teacher to prepare some herbs. Once he returns, I'll refine a few special pills for you to stabilize the pregnancy. From now on, I'll come once or twice a week. Find a chance to mention it to Xue Ye—just say that my medical skills are extraordinary and you'd like me to check the Crown Princess's condition regularly."
He added, "Along with that, I'll prepare some secret medicinal supplements that only I can refine."
"Mm." Qian Renxue nodded lightly.
A substitute was still a substitute. At this stage of the plan, she still had to stay in the East Palace to maintain control. Yang Yunhai couldn't come every day, so once or twice a week was already more than enough for her.
"As for the Grand Worship," Yang Yunhai went on, "Xue'er, we can't hide this forever."
Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "I'll write to Grandpa in the next few days."
Hearing this, Yang Yunhai grew a little tense.
Sensing the quickening of his heartbeat, Qian Renxue hurried to reassure him. "Don't worry. I'll explain everything clearly. Grandpa won't blame you."
Yang Yunhai nodded slightly, then pulled Qian Renxue into his arms, letting her rest in his lap as he held her quietly.
Qian Renxue relished the feeling, leaning against him as drowsiness overcame her. She hadn't slept well in days, but today, for the first time, she felt completely at ease.
Time slipped by until noon, when Snake Lance Douluo's voice called softly from outside, "Your Highness, Young Master Yang, the meal is prepared."
Qian Renxue slowly stirred awake, just in time to hear Yang Yunhai say, "I'll bring it in so we can eat together."
"Mm." She nodded, slipping from his embrace and standing up.
Yang Yunhai rose as well and strode out.
Watching him leave, Qian Renxue touched her lower belly, a faint smile curling at her lips.
"Heh, so a little sweet talk is enough to make you lose yourself?" Qian Muxue's voice was sharp with disappointment.
Qian Renxue's face instantly hardened. No one would like having their life constantly spied on and interfered with.
"Xue'er, do you really want to erase me that badly?" Qian Muxue sighed, then her tone shifted slyly.
"Think of it this way—don't you find that our Xiao Yun is… rather impressive in certain regards? Without me, could you really handle him? Besides, don't forget, he has two other beauties at his side. Maybe I'm not your rival—you shouldn't just see me as a fragment of your consciousness, but as your partner… even your sister. We are one, after all. Aside from Grandpa, who in this world could be closer to you than me?"
"Shut up!" Qian Renxue's face flared red, her spirit violently trembling.
"What you think, I think as well. Xue'er, deep down, you already know." Qian Muxue chuckled, her voice fading. "You love him too much. You're too afraid of losing him…"
Qian Renxue said nothing, slowly sitting on the edge of the bed.
Moments later, the sound of footsteps reached her ears. She rose, inhaled deeply, and walked out.
There was Yang Yunhai, setting dishes onto the table one by one. He turned, smiling. "Come, sit."
"Mm." Qian Renxue gave a faint smile and took her seat.
Yang Yunhai sat beside her, scooped rice into a porcelain bowl, and set it before her with chopsticks. He then served himself and placed vegetables into her bowl. "Eat up."
Qian Renxue nodded and began eating quietly. After a few bites, she asked out of the blue, "Yun, what do you think of Qian Muxue?"
Yang Yunhai froze, then replied after some thought. "From my experience, she should be a second personality you've developed—a self-protection persona, one that embodies absolute rationality. When I think through problems, I also consider different perspectives, even an opponent's. In a way, that's like talking to myself. From a medical perspective, your condition is indeed a kind of disorder."
"Perhaps, when you reflect on problems, you should try more often to think from another point of view."
"Use reason to process things."
"Over time, you might be able to assimilate her, making her unnecessary. Then she would simply fade away."
"So, I don't see her as good or bad. At the core, she's just one of many thought patterns within the human mind. It's only that, for you, this one has left the deepest impression."
"No matter what, Xue'er, from now on I'll be with you—facing everything together."
As for multiple personalities and schizophrenia, he didn't fully understand. The only thing he could do was offer more companionship and guidance through his words and actions.
'A disorder? A rational line of thought forming a persona?' Qian Renxue nodded slightly with a soft hum.
"This guy knows quite a lot," Qian Muxue muttered.
'But I… I don't want to disappear.' She looked at the "Yang Yunhai before her," a flicker of complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
'Truly a heartless man.' She frowned, secretly grumbling.
"Yun, I'm curious," Qian Renxue changed the subject, "why do you value the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud so much? Could it be hiding some kind of secret?"
(End of Chapter)
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