Free Web NovelChapter 400: Chapter 402: Don’t Cry
Perhaps the Fetal Protection Pill had taken effect. Hua Manman felt the pain in her abdomen lessen.
But she didn’t dare to move, letting Li Ji hold her tightly in his arms.
Li Ji whispered many things in her ear, all words of self-reproach and regret.
Tears streamed down his cheeks, dripping onto Manman’s neck.
The spot where they landed felt as if it had been scalded, and a pang went through Hua Manman’s nose.
She whispered, "Don’t cry."
Li Ji lowered his head and buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice thick with tears.
"I’m not crying."
Hua Manman reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.
’Although he said they could have other children, she knew that if this baby was truly lost, it would leave a permanent scar on his heart.’
’Regret and self-reproach would ensnare him, and he would never be able to let it go for the rest of his life.’
Hua Manman didn’t know how to comfort him. All she could do was hold him quietly, just being there with him.
They held each other tightly, as if they were the only two people left in the world, with only each other to rely on.
After some time, a knock came at the door.
The old doctor’s voice came through the door. It was trembling, as if he had to summon all his courage to speak.
"We’ve brewed a restorative tonic. Would the Princess like to have some?"
Li Ji took a deep breath, turned his head, and quickly wiped the tears from his face. Then, as if nothing were wrong, he said to Manman.
"I’ll go get the medicine."
Hua Manman looked at his red-rimmed eyes, and her heart ached.
She nodded.
Li Ji opened the door and took the tonic from the old doctor.
The old doctor’s gaze met the prince’s red eyes. He was so frightened he began to tremble all over, and his words came out haltingly.
"Is... is the Princess alright?"
Li Ji said hoarsely, "Examine her again."
He wasn’t sure if the Fetal Protection Pill had worked. He needed the doctor to check on her before he could feel at ease.
The old doctor hastily agreed.
He stepped over the threshold into the room, bowed to the Princess on the bed, and then took a seat on the stool beside it.
Hua Manman extended her right hand and placed it on the pulse pillow.
The old doctor murmured an apology before extending a trembling hand and gently placing his fingers on the Princess’s wrist.
Li Ji stood beside them, staring without blinking.
He looked like a veritable King of Hell, ready to devour someone at any moment. His gaze was sharp and his aura was oppressive.
Even with his back to the prince, the old doctor could feel his presence, like needles on his spine.
’So terrifying!’
Fortunately, the old doctor had practiced medicine for many years and was a consummate professional.
Even though he was scared to death, he forced himself to calm down and focus on the beating of her pulse.
At first, his brow was slightly furrowed. Then, it drew tighter and tighter, only to suddenly relax before knitting together again, his expression growing grave.
His rapidly changing expressions made Hua Manman’s heart pound with fear, and she couldn’t help but grow anxious as well.
’Don’t tell me the Fetal Protection Pill didn’t work.’
’If that’s the case, I’m not just going to beat up Feihua Zhenren, I’m going to smash the system’s stupid face in.’
’Every single one of them trying to fool me with fake medicine!’
The moment the old doctor withdrew his fingers, Li Ji asked impatiently.
"How is she? How are the Princess and the baby?"
Hua Manman also stared intently at the old doctor, her heart in her throat, so nervous she forgot to breathe.
But the old doctor, lost in his own world, didn’t notice Prince Zhao’s inquiry.
He was still frowning, muttering in disbelief.
"How could this be? This shouldn’t be possible."
Li Ji, frantic with worry, grabbed him by the collar and demanded menacingly.
"Speak! How are my wife and child? Keep dawdling and see if I don’t cut you down where you stand!"
Yanked from his thoughts, the old doctor hastily begged for mercy.
"My Prince, spare me! I’ll talk, I’ll talk! The Princess’s pulse has stabilized, and the pregnancy is no longer in danger. The baby in her womb should be safe."
At this, his professional curiosity took over, and he couldn’t help but start musing aloud again.
"But how is this possible? There was already bleeding, so the baby certainly should have been lost. How could things suddenly turn around?
"In all my decades of practicing medicine, I have never heard of something so incredible. It’s a miracle, truly a miracle."
Li Ji didn’t care if it was a miracle or not.
All he knew was that his and Manman’s baby was safe!
Manman and the baby were both safe and sound!
He was so happy he felt like he could fly!
Li Ji shoved the old doctor aside and plopped down on the edge of the daybed. He grasped Manman’s hand tightly, his voice trembling with joy.
"Did you hear? Our baby is safe! He’s safe!"
Hua Manman could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
’Thank goodness, the system didn’t screw me over.’
Watching Li Ji’s ecstatic expression, her own heart filled with joy, and an uncontrollable smile spread across her face.
"Yes, we’re all fine now."
Li Ji’s smile was even wider than hers. He laughed as he spoke.
"Our baby is a real survivor. He’s sure to be a blessed one. Let’s give him a pet name... We’ll call him Fubao."
Hua Manman thought Fubao was a wonderful pet name and nodded in approval.
They looked at each other, their faces wreathed in smiles, grinning like a pair of fools.
Although the old doctor had said the baby in Manman’s womb was fine, Li Ji decided to have Feihua Zhenren examine her thoroughly, just to be safe.
Hua Manman also wanted to settle a score with Feihua Zhenren, so she readily agreed.
"Let’s go back right now."
This time, Li Ji didn’t dare risk traveling by horseback. He procured a carriage from nearby, carried Manman inside, and then drove it himself.
The carriage finally stopped at the main gate of the Duke Zhen Country Mansion.
When the gatekeeper saw Prince Zhao and his wife had returned, he rushed to open the main gates and sent someone to inform Princess Rouwan.
Ever since Hua Manman’s kidnapping, Princess Rouwan had been too anxious to eat or sleep, worrying day and night that something might happen to Manman. The little bit of weight she had finally managed to gain was now completely gone, leaving her as thin and sickly-looking as before.
Nanny Zhang hurried in, crying out with delight.
"Princess, Princess! Prince Zhao is back with the Princess Consort!"
Startled, Princess Rouwan shot to her feet, taking two quick steps forward to ask urgently.
"Where are they?"
"They’re in the front courtyard. The Princess Consort looks ill—her complexion isn’t good, and the Prince has been carrying her the whole time—but they’re both in one piece. They don’t appear to have any external injuries."
Nanny Zhang had barely finished speaking when Princess Rouwan was already hiking up her skirts and running toward the front courtyard.
Zhang Mo hurried after her. "Princess, slow down! Be careful you don’t fall."
Li Ji placed Manman on the daybed and urged a servant to fetch Feihua Zhenren.
When Princess Rouwan ran in, she happened to see Feihua Zhenren taking Manman’s pulse.
Afraid she might disturb the examination, Princess Rouwan instinctively slowed her steps.
Hua Manman saw the princess arrive and was about to speak, but Princess Rouwan silenced her with a gesture.
