Facing her husband’s questioning, Dong Boyun could only keep wiping away her tears.
"You don’t need to cry anymore. Just like your sister said, when you decided to poison, you had already made your choice, so whatever happens afterward, you have to bear it. This is the consequence of your own doing. Previously, I thought you had sothing on your mind that influenced your pregnancy, so even when Mother asked to tell you not to wander outside, I feared it might upset you, so I didn’t say anything. Now I realize, it was because you poisoned soone else that you got yourself involved," Wang Wen spoke without raising his voice, but one could hear the disappointnt from the tone.
In the Capital, the Vice Minister Mansion was not a particularly prominent noble family. Wang Wen had been diligent since childhood and remained upright in character, hence he deeply despised such sordid tactics and the filthy dealings that went on behind the scenes among the noble families.
After marriage, he saw that his wife was gentle and virtuous, which pleased him. The most gratifying thing was that his wife was upright without the arrogance typical of won from noble families. But now, seeing it clearly, he realized he had misjudged her. It turned out, out of his sight, his wife had done such things.
"Husband, I know no matter what I say now, you won’t forgive ! Since the imperial physician said I affected my pregnancy, I’ve been feeling very guilty. ... I realize I’ve been selfish. Though married for rely a year, I kept serving my own family. But husband, as soone who also knows filial piety, understands this. Even though I’m a concubine’s daughter, I’ve had an aunt who bore and who has protected all these years in secret. I couldn’t stand by and watch sothing happen to her. I knew today’s matter couldn’t be hidden for long. I originally intended to tell you after giving birth. If you couldn’t accept it then, you could set aside. I can never forgive myself for betraying Lin Youning by trusting , by doing such things in secret. If you can’t accept it and set aside, I could enter a temple and chant sutras for a lifeti to atone for my faults."
"Now that you already know the truth, speak your mind directly, husband. If you wish to set aside now, I won’t complain, nor will I resent you."
Wang Wen turned his back on her, refusing to look at her, "Alright, since your pregnancy is affected, you should focus on taking care of yourself."
Without saying more, he swiftly walked away.
Watching her husband leave, Dong Boyun couldn’t help but lay on the bed and cry again. She could have lived a happy life, loved by her in-laws and respected by her husband, yet all of this was ruined by her own hands.
Dong Boyun didn’t manage to fall into a deep sleep until dawn. When she woke up the next morning, her belly was slightly aching. Her maid, noticing the situation, imdiately fetched the imperial physician. After the physician applied acupuncture and prescribed dicine, she still had a miscarriage in the afternoon.
Since it had been four or five months, the child had human form when delivered, with the midwife assisting on the side.
Upon hearing it was a boy, Mrs. Wang Sr. fainted, causing the household to rush and fetch the imperial physician for her.
When Mrs. Wang Sr. awoke, she lanted, unsure what sins the Prince Mansion had committed to deserve such events. For years, the Prince Mansion had been peaceful and prosperous, but these troubles began after this daughter-in-law joined the family. Initially, things seed fine, so how did such incidents suddenly occur?
Wang Wen comforted his mother, though he understood the situation clearly; he restrained himself and did not disclose the truth to her.
On Dong Boyun’s side, she beca even weaker. The loss of the child was a significant blow, particularly after three days of bedridden recovery with no visit from her husband.
Such consecutive troubles left Dong Boyun visibly thinner. Once able to get out of bed, she packed her belongings and departed the mansion, heading directly to the East Mansion without notifying anyone.
Lin Youning knew about Dong Boyun’s miscarriage and felt sorry for her, but couldn’t help a sense of indescribable sorrow.
When hearing Dong Boyun had arrived at the mansion, she doubted her ears, but upon confirming the truth, she invited her in.
Shanmoi and Hailan, however, held so grievances against Dong Boyun. After all, their lady treated her so well, yet she secretly hard her. Fortunately, the child in the lady’s womb survived. Otherwise, they could only imagine what state she would have been in. Thus, they naturally bore no goodwill toward Dong Boyun and behaved quite differently than before.
Dong Boyun noticed but did not expose them. Upon reaching Lin Youning, she only asked for a private conversation, requesting Lin Youning to dismiss the servants from the room.
Without questioning, Lin Youning asked the people inside to leave. Shanmoi and Hailan remained vigilant until Lin Youning reassured them with a smile, prompting the two to leave.
"Since visiting last ti, I knew you had guessed it. It was who wronged you, yet you still preserved a final bit of dignity for . Now that I’ve miscarried, I view it as retribution from the heavens. My jealousy led to this; though the child ca into my womb, it still left , perhaps not wanting such a malicious mother." Dong Boyun looked steadily at Lin Youning, her tears dried from a night of weeping. "I didn’t co for forgiveness; considering your kindness, I feel we should settle what lies between us and end our relationship.
Lin Youning remained silent, allowing her to continue.
"I am grateful that the child in your womb is safe, and that you are unhard, otherwise my conscience would bear guilt for life. Yet losing my child brings a cold comfort, nicely attributing to karma—a punishnt from the heavens, making facing you less distressing.
The Dong Mansion coerced with my aunt, forcing to poison you, promising it would only cause a false pregnancy. I didn’t understand the purpose and questioned them, but they didn’t explain. It wasn’t until later that I found out you were truly pregnant. The dicine caused severe pregnancy reactions and would harm the child, a fact I realized after the second ti I let you eat."
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