Shadows beneath Deceit
Chapter 18: Shadows beneath Deceit
"What's that?" Wang Wei said, signaling Bao to check outside. Bao left to investigate and saw Princess Hua in the mansion river, struggling to stay afloat. Her gown floated around her like a ghostly shroud, her head submerged beneath the water.
"Princess!" Bao shouted, leaping into the water to rescue her. He pulled her to the shore, where Chen Xui's eyes were filled with tears. She had cried out for help, but none of the maids could swim. Bao rushed the princess to her room.
"Chen Xui, take care of the princess. I will go and tell the young master," Bao instructed. He hurried to the library to find Wang Wei.
"Young master, the princess fell into the pond," Bao said, breathless.
"How did she find herself in that situation?" Wang Wei asked, concern etched on his face.
"I don't know," Bao replied. "We need to send a signal to our spy to call a physician."
Before Bao could wheel Wang Wei to the room where the princess lay unconscious, General Wang and Madam Feng had already brought a physician to check on her.
"Please save the princess, she carrying the general's grandchild," Madam Feng pleaded. Just as the physician was about to examine her, Wei and Bao arrived.
"Wait!" Wei called out as Bao wheeled him inside the room.
"Why do you tell them to wait? Are you going to endanger the princess and the baby's health?" General Wang demanded.
"The princess is my wife, and I decide which physician will check on her," Wang Wei asserted.
"Wei, this is a serious crime if the princess dies because of this. Do you want to drag us into a grave situation with you?" Madam Feng warned.
Before they could continue, the physician Wang Wei had invited entered. It was Courtesan Rong, her face covered with a linen cloth.
"Please, everyone step outside. The only person I need to assist me is the princess's maid," she instructed. They all complied.
"She is having a fever. Go make this medicine and herb soup for the princess," Courtesan Rong said, handing over a paper with her recipe. They fed her the medicine, and soon after, the physician came outside.
"Is the princess's baby still intact?" Madam Feng asked anxiously.
"I am so sad to tell you this, the princess lost her child," Courtesan Rong said gently as she left.
"Lost her child? How could she lose her pregnancy? There are no signs of blood on Princess Hua; how could this happen?" Madam Feng exclaimed.
"Madam Feng, are you suggesting my wife is not pregnant and deceived the majesty? Or do you mean the physician is lying?" Wang Wei challenged, his voice cold.
Madam Feng fell silent, unable to respond.
"Your presence is no longer needed here," Wang Wei said firmly as Bao wheeled him back inside.
"Wei, are you telling me to leave as well?" General Wang asked, but Wei remained silent.
The princess, who had been lying on the bed, slowly opened her eyes.
"Princess, what happened?" Wang Wei asked softly.
"I don't know. I didn't see the face of the person who pushed me; they were as fast as a hare, running through the fence," Princess Hua replied, her voice shaky.
Wang Wei turned to Chen Xui.
"I didn't see the person either," she said, her eyes wide with fear.
"Okay, please take care of the princess," Wang Wei said, wheeling himself back to his library.
"Young master, who do you suspect?" Bao asked, concern lacing his tone.
"No one," Wang Wei replied, nodding slowly.
That day, no one knew who had pushed the princess. As night fell and everyone settled into sleep, a dark figure lurked in a shadowy store filled with various items.
"You failed to kill her this morning; I hope you don't fail me tonight," an unknown voice said, dripping with menace.
"I won't," the other person replied, determination in their tone.
"Failing this time might cost you your fingers; you know I kill people slowly," the unknown voice warned again.
"I won't fail," the other person insisted.
Meanwhile, Princess Hua slept soundly in her room, with Chen Xui curled up on the floor beside her. Suddenly, Chen Xui heard the sound of someone walking on the roof above them.