Chapter 109: Expecting

The person who walked in was none other than Su Yunyun, who had left the Prince Xian’s residence a week prior. However, while Su Yunyun had departed dressed as a woman, she now appeared as a man—presumably her true identity. At the time, Su Yunyun claimed to have urgent matters to attend to and promised they would meet again soon. Liu Ling’er never imagined that their next encounter would be in this place, nor that Su Yunyun, with a simple change of attire, would be revealed as His Highness Su of the Western Wei—a transformation nothing short of astonishing.

Liu Ling’er had always assumed he was her maid Xiao Tao’s cousin, and at most a young master from a wealthy family. She never dreamed he was a prince of a foreign nation, hiding his real identity so cleverly!

Su Yunyun strode boldly into the Phoenix Perch Palace, followed by the Western Wei delegation. The group surrounded Su Yunyun like stars encircling the moon, escorting her to stand before Baili Hai and Empress Dowager Chu Meier.

It was not only Liu Ling’er who was shocked; Baili Hai, seated upon the dragon throne, was even more so. The reason was simple: this Prince Su bore an uncanny resemblance to the beautiful woman he had flirted with at the Prince Xian’s residence not long ago.

Though he had made a spectacle of himself that day, Su Yunyun’s unique charm and demeanor were unforgettable.

As Su Yunyun approached, Baili Hai sprang to his feet from the throne, eyes wide with disbelief and his expression utterly bizarre.

Everyone in the hall was stunned. Previously, there had been the Fourth Prince of Nanman, and the Crown Prince and Princess of Zhongtong, but Baili Hai had remained composed throughout. Now, however, his entire demeanor changed upon seeing this Prince Su.

It must be admitted that Prince Su was rather handsome, but not so much as to surpass Pan An or rival Song Yu—certainly not enough to warrant such a reaction!

The atmosphere in the hall grew strange under Baili Hai’s expression. Baili Xian, well aware that Su Yunyun was a man—and with recent information about Su Yunyun gathered by his Yuntian League—had also been surprised when he first learned the truth. Now, however, he remained serene, sipping tea as if nothing had happened.

Steadying himself, Baili Hai spoke before Su Yunyun could utter a word. “May I ask Your Highness Prince Su for your full name?”

Since Su Yunyun dared to attend the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, she was well-prepared for any questions. She smiled slightly. “Your Majesty of Eastern Chu is too courteous. My full name is Su Mo. Isn’t that right, Sister Tan?”

Tan Cai’er was taken aback; Prince Su was being mischievous again. But since he had addressed her directly, she could hardly pretend not to hear. Rising to her feet, Tan Cai’er replied, “Blessings upon Your Highness. In such a public gathering, I dare not call you by name lest you hold it against me before my mother.”

With those words, she tacitly confirmed Su Yunyun’s claim. Baili Hai coughed lightly and said, “Ahem, has Your Highness ever been told that someone looks remarkably like you?”

“Oh! Has such a thing happened? Who might that be?” Su Yunyun asked, her face the picture of curiosity. Baili Hai glanced at Baili Xian, then at Liu Ling’er, noting their unchanging expressions before answering, “That person is named Su Yunyun.”

“What? How does His Majesty know my younger sister’s name? Might I ask Your Majesty to tell me where she is now? To be frank, my sister and I are twins—though we look alike, she is the more mischievous one. She slipped out of the palace to play and has not returned for a month.” Su Yunyun gazed at Baili Hai with an expression of sincere anticipation.

The resemblance, the act—it was all too convincing. Were it not for the fact that she knew Su Mo was Su Yunyun, Liu Ling’er might have been deceived as well. Such acting would win him an Oscar in the modern world.

Coughing awkwardly, Baili Hai sat down in silence. So, it turned out that the Su Yunyun from before was actually Prince Su’s twin sister. No wonder there was such a striking resemblance.

“Oh dear, I nearly forgot the main purpose of my visit,” Su Yunyun exclaimed, patting her forehead. She then took a sandalwood box from one of the envoys behind her and presented it with both hands to Chu Meier. “May the Empress Dowager of Eastern Chu remain ever youthful and enjoy happiness in all things.”

Chu Meier opened the box, her face breaking into a smile. “Your Highness is most considerate. I am very fond of this gift.”

Although everyone was exceedingly curious about what gift the Empress Dowager had received, none dared step forward to look—such a breach of decorum would have been unthinkable.

Guided by the palace maids, Su Yunyun went to her seat. As she passed Tan Cai’er’s table, she paused, picked up a cup of wine, and said, “Sister Cai’er, I was unable to attend your wedding, so let me offer you this toast now. May you and General Liu share lasting happiness, grow old together, and soon be blessed with children.”

It was only right for Tan Cai’er to accept the prince’s toast. But as she raised the cup to her lips, her body trembled, and she abruptly dropped the cup, covering her mouth with her hand as she began to retch.

What was this all about? Su Yunyun was somewhat frustrated—had she said something wrong? Cai’er hadn’t even drunk the wine before feeling nauseous.

Liu Ling’er quickly took Tan Cai’er’s hand and checked her pulse. At once, Liu Ling’er was stunned. The pulse was unmistakably that of a pregnant woman! Could it be that Tan Cai’er was expecting? That explained why her pulse had felt odd when she had held her hand earlier.