Chapter Ten: Su Baizhi’s Miscarriage

Yao Ruoshui desperately rushed towards Su Baizhi, but stumbled over something midway, falling heavily to the ground with a thud. Ignoring the pain in her body, she looked up at Su Baizhi, only to see blood staining her forehead as she lay unconscious on the floor.

Su Baizhi had hurled herself at the pillar with all her might, thinking her mother would hold her back. She had not truly intended to end her life—her aim was merely to make a point. Who could have foreseen that Yao Ruoshui would miss her? At that moment, even if she wished to stop, it was already too late. Just before slipping into unconsciousness, Su Baizhi wondered if she had only managed to make things worse for herself.

Seeing Su Baizhi passed out, Yao Ruoshui could no longer care about her own injuries. She cradled Su Baizhi’s neck, crying out in anguish, “Baizhi, how could you be so foolish? My lord, she has already gone to such lengths—what more do you want? Do you truly mean to drive her to her death?”

Yun Yanyi watched Yao Ruoshui’s tearful pleas. The wound on Su Baizhi’s forehead was plain for all to see. He glanced at the imperial physician and said, “Madam, do not worry. Physician Pang is present—let him examine Second Miss’s injuries at once.”

At his words, Yao Ruoshui immediately fell silent. She could not allow the imperial physician to approach—if he did, the secret Su Baizhi had guarded so painstakingly would be exposed to Yun Yanyi.

“No, there’s no need, my lord. Baizhi’s injuries are not serious. And you—why are you standing there gaping? Hurry and help the young mistress onto the bed!” Yao Ruoshui snapped at the maidservant, who stood frozen in shock.

Yun Yanyi blocked her way. “Madam, Second Miss’s injuries are severe, yet you refuse the imperial physician’s care. Do you not wish for your daughter’s recovery?”

Yao Ruoshui was at a loss. Of course she wanted Su Baizhi to be safe. She could only watch helplessly as Yun Yanyi lifted Su Baizhi. But the moment she was moved, a maid shrieked, “Blood! Miss is bleeding!”

Yun Yanyi looked down and saw that Su Baizhi’s skirt was stained red. Yao Ruoshui was so frightened she could barely speak. “Baizhi, don’t scare your mother!”

Yun Yanyi wasted no more time; he signaled his attendant to carry Su Baizhi swiftly to the bed. He immediately stepped aside for Physician Pang to begin treatment. The physician produced his instruments, placed his hand on Su Baizhi’s pulse, and after a quiet moment of diagnosis, turned to bow and report the truth to Yun Yanyi.

“Your Highness, Miss Su’s constitution is weak, and having suffered a miscarriage, she will require a period of quiet recuperation. The wound on her forehead is not grave—proper medication will ensure recovery, though a scar may remain.” With each word, Yao Ruoshui’s heart grew heavier. Now Yun Yanyi knew everything—what would he do next?

Su Hong hurriedly bowed to confess, “Please, my lord, do not be angry. The fault lies in my failure to guide my daughter…”

“Prime Minister Su, please rise. Since Miss Su already has someone she loves, it is I who have held her back. I shall go to His Majesty and ask that this engagement be annulled, so that Miss Su may be with her beloved…” Yun Yanyi’s face showed not a trace of anger, yet Su Hong dared not relax. After all, what man would remain unmoved upon learning that his betrothed had been so dishonorable?

“My lord, it is the Su family who has wronged you…” Su Hong said, his face full of shame. Yun Yanyi helped him up. “It is I who have disturbed you today. I take my leave.” With that, Yun Yanyi departed with Physician Pang. Su Hong wanted to say more, but seeing Yao Ruoshui weeping bitterly, his anger would not subside.

He knew the marriage between Su Baizhi and Yun Yanyi was over. Su Baizhi had committed an act of such grave disobedience—she had brought shame upon the entire Su household.

“You still have the nerve to cry? Is this how you manage your daughter, allowing her to do such disgraceful things? How are the younger ones supposed to find their place now? Who would dare to marry a daughter of the Su family after this?” Hearing that no one would dare wed a Su daughter, Yao Ruoshui thought of her youngest, but her thoughts were swiftly drawn back to Su Baizhi.

“Husband, what’s the point in saying more now? Let’s first see Baizhi awaken—that is what matters.” Yao Ruoshui ordered the servants to summon a doctor at once. Su Hong, seeing her maternal concern, realized nothing could be resolved until Su Baizhi awoke, and could only let the matter rest for now.

Yun Yanyi took Physician Pang to the palace, heading straight for the imperial study, where he waited a long while before being summoned inside. The emperor, without looking up, was busy reviewing memorials with a vermillion brush.

“Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“What brings you here, so anxious to seek an audience?” The emperor’s tone was cold. “Rise and speak. What matter has made you, a grown man, almost weep?”

“Your Majesty, perhaps it is best if Physician Pang reports directly—your servant is too ashamed to speak of it,” Yun Yanyi replied, sighing and coughing.

The emperor, impatient, waved his hand for Physician Pang to enter. Soon enough, the matter at the Su household was recounted in full detail to the emperor.

For a moment, the emperor was silent. This engagement had been his decree. Now that things had gone awry, it reflected poorly on him, and his displeasure with Yun Yanyi grew.

Yun Yanyi seemed oblivious to the emperor’s mood and spoke, coughing gloomily, “Your Majesty, now that such has befallen Miss Su, I beg you to rescind your order and dissolve the engagement between myself and Su Baizhi.”

“Nonsense. The whole country knows she is your betrothed. If you break off the engagement now, will that not make us the laughingstock of the world?” The emperor’s anger was plain on his face.

“Your Majesty, I truly cannot marry Su Baizhi. To bring such a woman into the royal family would only bring shame upon us. I beseech Your Majesty to understand my plight. This is the first time I have ever pleaded with you—I beg you to grant this request.” Yun Yanyi bowed deeply, and after a moment, a heavy sigh sounded above his head.

“Enough, get up. I will grant your request. Withdraw for now; when the time comes, I shall issue an edict to annul your engagement with Su Baizhi.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s great kindness!” Yun Yanyi withdrew from the study with a bow.

As for the Su household, when Su Baizhi finally awakened, it was already the next day.

Upon hearing she was awake, Su Hong hurried over. Today, he would have to find out who the father of the lost child was—his family could not bear this disgrace in vain. Now that Yun Lilu and the crown prince’s engagement was broken, and Yun Yanyi’s marriage to Su Baizhi was annulled, Su Hong had lost yet another possible alliance.