Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

This showed Lin Zizi’s unparalleled elegance.

Jiang Ning looked into the mirror and glanced down at the dazzling shoes peeking out from under her skirt, indicating her satisfaction.

She was not very particular about clothes, jewelry, or hairpins, only really caring about shoes.

All sorts of shoes, some made of gold thread and others embedded with pearls and gems.

The more elaborate and luxurious, the more she liked them.

In the East Palace, she had a dedicated dressing room, with one whole wall lined with cabinet after cabinet filled with luxurious shoes.

Anyone who took the trouble to get to know her preferences would know to present her with valuable, exquisite shoes.

In this regard, many people secretly speculated that it was probably because the Princess Consort had been disabled for years and could not walk properly.

This obsession with shoes was unusual.

The direct daughter of the Jiang Family, now the Princess Consort, having such a small hobby was harmless.

Many people were happy to cater to it.

Jiang Ning lifted her foot, gazing contentedly at the magnificent shoes for a long time before she finally looked away, asking, “What time is it? Go see if His Highness has returned.”

Chunlai hurriedly went to find out.

But after waiting and waiting, Li Hongyuan still didn’t come.

The sky gradually darkened. When the last rays of light finally disappeared from the room and lamps were lit everywhere, there was still no one in sight.

The two children were tired from playing. Jiang Ning arranged for them to eat and wash before coaxing them to sleep. When she returned to the dining hall, Li Hongyuan was still nowhere to be found.

Even the usually composed Huang Ying couldn’t help but frown, “Chunlai, didn’t you go inquire? Ask why His Highness still hasn’t come.”

Chunlai fretted, “I asked several times, but was turned away by Li Xiu each time, saying that His Highness is busy and asking the Princess Consort to wait.”

“What’s going on?” Huang Ying looked at Jiang Ning, “Our Crown Prince needs to take care of his body. He has scheduled meals and medication. Why hasn’t he come for dinner at this time?”

Jiang Ning sat at the table, facing all the dishes, and said, “These dishes are all cold.”

“Perhaps His Highness is preoccupied with state affairs and won’t come tonight,” Huang Ying whispered softly, “Master, you should eat something to fill your stomach first.”

Jiang Ning yawned, “I’m not very hungry. Since he said he’d come, let’s wait a little longer, otherwise, it would seem insincere.”

Out of concern, Huang Ying advised her to lie down in bed and wait while having Chunlai warm up the dishes again.

It wasn’t until late into the night that an anxious Huang Ying personally went to find Li Xiu, forcing him to reveal Li Hongyuan’s whereabouts.

As it turned out, Li Hongyuan had returned to the East Palace long ago.

However, he had not come to see the Princess Consort, but rather went to Concubine Li’s room.

Huang Ying was stunned.

Clearly, the Princess Consort had sent someone to invite the Crown Prince, and he had agreed himself. Why had he gone to Concubine Li’s room instead?

Could it be that the Crown Prince was unwilling to even send a messenger to the Princess Consort, making her wait until midnight?

Huang Ying’s hand, hidden in her sleeve, trembled with anger as she stared at Li Xiu and calmly asked, “It’s already so late. Has His Highness retired to Concubine Li’s room for the night?”

Li Xiu laughed, “Not yet. His Highness is having dinner with Concubine Li and has been talking and playing chess with her. I reckon they’ll be retiring soon.”

“I understand!” Huang Ying turned and left.

As she approached the room and saw the Princess Consort sitting alone at the table, she didn’t even have the courage to come closer.

She didn’t know how to tell her what she had just learned.