Chapter 22: The Prince is a Woman 22

Chapter 22: The Heir is a Woman (22)

Yuan Bingjun's mind exploded into a blank void from the sudden news. He froze in place, his mind filled with nothing but the thought that it was all over, completely forgetting to react.

"Husband?" Ning Yulan had already noticed Yuan Bingjun spacing out. She tugged at him again, but he remained unmoved.

Just a moment ago, her husband had returned looking spirited; how could he suddenly look so soul-crushed?

"Doctor Yun, please come quickly and take a look. Is something wrong with my husband?" Driven by concern, Ning Yulan didn't think much of it, assuming Yuan Bingjun had suffered a sudden medical episode—much like her father, who had suddenly gone mad.

Catching the look from A-Zhen, Yun Qing stepped forward toward Yuan Bingjun, reaching out to take his pulse.

"Wu'er!" Qiao Hui suddenly called out, finally snapping Yuan Bingjun back to his senses.

As his consciousness returned, he saw Yun Qing approaching to grab his wrist. Subconsciously, he took two steps back, inadvertently pushing Ning Yulan aside in the process.

A-Zhen quickly reached out to steady her.

Ning Yulan stared at her empty hands in disbelief for a moment, dazed, before her gaze fell back upon Yuan Bingjun. "Husband, what is wrong with you?"

"Do not worry, Young Mistress. I will examine the Fifth Young Master," Yun Qing said with a slight smile. "As you know, my medical skills are quite decent. As long as I am here, the Fifth Young Master will be fine."

"Don't worry, Eldest Sister. You must trust Yun Qing's ability," A-Zhen urged. "Whether there is an illness or not, Yun Qing will know with just one pulse. You've witnessed it before, haven't you?"

Yun Qing walked toward Yuan Bingjun again, smiling brightly. "Fifth Young Master, let me take your pulse. Don't panic; I am a doctor, not a bad person."

A-Zhen watched Yun Qing's performance quietly, making no move to stop her. As long as the other party achieved the desired result, the process didn't matter. As for whether Yuan Bingjun would be frightened to death, that was also irrelevant; if he was, it was only because he was too fragile to handle it.

Yuan Bingjun recoiled again, stammering, "No, no need! I am in excellent health, there are no problems at all. There is no need to trouble Doctor Yun with a pulse."

His mind was in total chaos, and he had completely lost his composure. He knew he had to refuse Yun Qing at all costs.

However, his behavior appeared extremely strange to everyone present. It was merely a pulse reading; there was no reason to refuse. Moreover, Yun Qing was a skilled divine physician; if they missed this opportunity today, they might never be able to request her services again in their lives.

Why was he reacting so strongly?

None of the people present were fools, and all were accustomed to the intricacies of high-society households. Combining all the clues, a bold suspicion formed in their minds instantly.

Wu Fangfang's eyes widened. *Heavens, if that's the case... isn't Yulan in a terrible state?*

Chen Keshu could no longer maintain her composure. Her eyes darted inconspicuously between Yuan Bingjun and Qiao Hui. Judging by her mother-in-law's reaction just now, she suspected the elder had known something for a long time. She glanced at Ning Yulan again; if the truth was indeed what she suspected, the woman was truly pitiable.

Even Chen Keshu, who had always been jealous of Ning Yulan, felt a flicker of sympathy. Fearing someone might notice her gaze, she quickly lowered her head, appearing submissive while her mind raced with various thoughts.

A-Zhen lightly supported Ning Yulan, but her attention remained fixed on Yuan Bingjun.

Those clear, bright eyes seemed to see through everything. Yuan Bingjun's face was pale, and his legs felt weak. As his thoughts gradually returned, he realized his reaction had been too extreme and had already caused people to suspect something terrible.

But even if his mind had been clear, what other reaction could he have had besides refusing Yun Qing?

Today was a dead end.

What should he do? How could he navigate this crisis?

"Wu'er, what is wrong with you?" Qiao Hui spoke again. Her Wu'er was a clever boy; once he calmed down, he should know what to do next.

Yuan Bingjun indeed had a plan. He suddenly covered his face in agony, his eyes turning red as he actually began to cry. "Yulan, I'm sorry. I have failed you."

The hall fell silent. No one had expected this reaction.

"Yulan," Yuan Bingjun approached her, his face full of remorse and his eyes filled with deep affection. "The only reason I hid this was because I didn't want to lose you. I was afraid you would despise me. When you were being criticized by others, I wanted to confess, but when things reached this point, I lost my courage. I was afraid that once you knew the truth, you would leave me without hesitation."

Qiao Hui breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he sincerely admitted his fault, knowing Ning Yulan's character, she believed the girl would forgive him. However, a sense of unease still lingered in her heart.

Ning Yulan's lips were deathly pale. She gently pushed Yuan Bingjun away. "So, you just stood there and watched me swallow bitter medicine for ten years?"

"Yulan, I was always trying to stop it. Every time, I tried to stop it," Yuan Bingjun sobbed painfully. "I wanted to tell you the truth, and I couldn't bear to see you drink that bitter medicine, but I feared that if I spoke, you would leave and never look back."

He reached out to grab her hand, but she dodged him.

She shook her head. "If you had been honest from the beginning, I wouldn't have left you."

"But it has been ten years, Yuan Bingjun! Ten years!"

For ten years, she had lived with guilt, self-reproach, and the suspicion that she was being punished for some past sin. She had endured the bitter medicine daily. Because of the medicine, her health was poor, and she frequently vomited.

If he truly cared for her, could he really watch her suffer for ten years?

If it weren't for Doctor Yun today, would he have watched her drink that medicine for the rest of her life?

"No, you don't care about me."

"What you care about is your own reputation."

At this moment, Ning Yulan's mind was incredibly lucid.

Thinking about it, what kind of reputation had she had all these years, and what kind of reputation did Yuan Bingjun have? It was laughable—absolutely laughable.

"Yulan, Wu'er truly cares for you. He was only forced into this position. As his mother, I will plead for him today. Please, forgive him just this once, alright?" Qiao Hui walked over, even appearing as if she might kneel before Ning Yulan.

She knew perfectly well that if Ning Yulan agreed, today's matter could be kept strictly secret.

Ning Yulan moved away quickly. She had no personal grudge against this mother-in-law. Even if the woman was an accomplice, it was understandable that she would look out for her own son.

"Lady Duke, may I ask what kind of medicine you gave my eldest sister to make countless doctors diagnose her with infertility?" A-Zhen suddenly asked. "Doctor Yun is interested in this medicine and wishes to study it."

As the words fell, the crowd gasped in unison.

There was such a thing?

Wu Fangfang and Chen Keshu could hardly believe it. They had assumed the parents-in-law and the brother-in-law had bribed the doctors. They hadn't realized there was more to it!

Qiao Hui's attempt to kneel faltered; she stumbled as if about to collapse, and her maid rushed to support her.

*It's over!*

Those two words rang simultaneously in the minds of Qiao Hui and Yuan Bingjun. Both looked toward A-Zhen. They should have been wary; Ning Zhen appearing here could never be a good sign.

Ning Yulan's body felt weak, yet a mocking smile remained on her face.

A-Zhen took her hand, her voice gentle. "Don't be sad, Eldest Sister. Once this matter is settled, I will pick out some fertile men for you. You can have whichever kind you like."

The crowd: "..." *Is that something one can say out loud?*

Chen Keshu sighed. *Damn it, she's making me jealous again. If only my brother were this considerate.* She felt a genuine pang of envy.

Ning Yulan, who had been sinking into sorrow and despair, actually burst into laughter.

Looking at the serious A-Zhen, she couldn't help but pat her head. "A-Zhen, why are you still so sweet?"

"Fine. I'll wait for A-Zhen to pick a good one for me."

A-Zhen said, "He will definitely be handsome, capable, and young." Her implication was that the man over there was old and not worth remembering.

Ning Yulan understood the meaning, and her sadness truly began to dissipate.

On the other hand, Yuan Bingjun was furious. He roared, "Ning Yulan, I am your husband!"

Without even looking back, A-Zhen said, "Not for much longer."

"The way your Duke's Manor harmed my sister will not go unpunished."

Yuan Bingjun moved as if to charge forward in agitation but was held back by Ying Fang.

"Eldest Sister, I will take you to the Palace. We will let His Majesty preside over justice."

Ning Yulan nodded. "Alright."

At this moment, she trusted no one but A-Zhen.

***

The Imperial Palace.

Ye Ji looked down at the group of people below. After learning the situation, he was actually laughed out of anger.

He had originally intended to summon that person once they left the Duke's Manor.

But this person was quite something—they had proactively come to the Palace, and brought a whole crowd with them.

Probably here to visit their brother-in-law again.

Every time something happened, they used him and then left. This time, he wouldn't let them leave the Palace so easily.

Hah, do they think this place is a marketplace?

Since you've come, don't even think about leaving!