Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1038 - 1036_1

Chapter 1038: Chapter 1036_1

In the Guanyin Temple, Xiao’er and Du Yijin followed the Empress Dowager’s orders, kneeling and bowing their heads, then casting the holy grail. The first time the two cast it, it indicated both positive and negative signs, which delighted the Empress Dowager!

"Great! A month from now, you should be able to carry the royal great-grandson! The royal family finally has hope of multiplying! Remember to eat a vegetarian diet for a month after you go back!" The Empress Dowager happily announced.

Du Yijin nodded with a face full of smiles, obviously she believed it.

But Xiao’er thought that the main factor still lied in human effort! As for eating a vegetarian diet, this was a bit difficult for her, because although she loved to eat vegetables and fruits, she could not live without meat!

Inside, Xiao’er could only silently say: meat and wine pass through my intestines, but Buddha remains in my heart!

Because it was slightly late and they still needed to rush down the mountain, they did not linger in the temple longer. They had a meal of vegetarian food in the temple and hurried down the mountain.

The eunuch sent by the Empress Dowager to accompany them didn’t catch up with them, so Yang Liu had to carry the Empress Dowager down the mountain again.

Xiao’er saw that Yang Liu had been carrying their load all the way and planned to take a turn herself, but Yang Liu did not agree. She joked - how could she let the Princess carry the Empress Dowager down the mountain while she was present!

Halfway through their journey, a wind started blowing and the sky began to darken. June weather, like a child’s face, changes so quickly.

Xiao’er looked at the dark clouds rolling in from the horizon and her face changed.

Being caught in a storm on the mountain was the most dangerous!

Indeed, the noble invite storms whenever they step outside! In the future, we should refrain from going out with the Empress Dowager whenever it’s avoidable!

"It looks like it’s going to pour soon, let’s pick up our pace and try to get down the mountain before it starts raining."

Everyone sped up after hearing this. Xiao’er held onto Du Yijin, fearing that she may accidentally slip.

Despite the fact that Yang Liu was carrying the Empress Dowager, Xiao’er was not too worried, because she was quick and agile.

"Everyone hurry as much as possible, but be careful where you step, don’t fall!" Xiao’er reminded.

The summer rain usually comes fiercely. They did not even reach the foot of the mountain before the rain began to pour, first a few fat drops, then a dense shower, soaking everyone’s clothes through in an instant!

Luckily there was no thunder, Xiao’er thought.

But as soon as this thought crossed her mind, a bolt of lightning struck, reaching halfway up the mountainside.

The Empress Dowager almost had a heart attack from the scare.

"Let’s find shelter from the rain!" The Empress Dowager was almost in tears. Didn’t she check the calendar before going out? Why so many difficulties?

"No, we have to keep moving." With such heavy rain, not only is there a high risk of landslides on the mountain, but there’s also an increased chance of getting hit by lightning. It’s too dangerous!

The Empress Dowager did not refute upon hearing these words. She also wanted to get to the foot of the mountain as soon as possible and take shelter from the rain in the carriage.

Halfway down, Du Yijin couldn’t help but clutch her stomach and her face turned pale.

Xiao’er noticed her condition and immediately asked, "What’s wrong? Did you get your period?"

Du Yijin shook her head: "I’m not sure. Maybe, since my menstrual cycle has been delayed for several days this month."

Prior to this year, her menstrual cycle was often irregular, either delayed or early, but this year it had become regular.

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er’s face changed. To be on the safe side, Xiao’er immediately squatted midway and said, "I’ll carry you down the mountain!"

Hearing this, Du Yijin quickly shook her head: "No need, my stomach just hurts a bit, I can walk on my own!"

Letting Xiao’er carry her down the mountain, regardless of how much physical effort it would require from Xiao’er, given the fact that it was raining and the mountain path was slippery, she would feel guilty for the rest of her life if they were to have an accident!

"Enough of your nonsense! Hurry up! Do you not care about the life of the child in your stomach?" Xiao’er almost shouted.

Upon hearing Xiao’er’s words, Du Yijin was initially shocked. Her first reaction was to wonder if it could be a coincidence? Following that thought was a concern that if it did happen, she could not allow anything to happen to her child. So she leaned onto Xiao’er’s back, "Thank you, Xiao’er."

Xiao’er didn’t say anything. After she carried Du Yijin on her back, she spoke to the Empress Dowager and the maid who came with Du Yijin, "You all hurry down the mountain, we will wait for you at the foot of the mountain!"

Then, she spoke to Yang Liu, "Yang Liu, can you use Qinggong to get down the mountain now?"

Xiao’er was planning to use Qinggong to descend the mountain. Thankfully, they were already not too far from the foot of the mountain.

"Yes, I can!"

So the two of them used Qinggong to sprint towards the foot of the mountain.

But not long after they started running, they saw Zhao Yong rushing over.

Seeing him nearing, Xiao’er said, "Zhao Yong, carry the Empress Dowager down the mountain. Yang Liu is almost out of strength!"

The Empress Dowager initially wanted to refuse - how could she let a man carry her down the mountain - but hearing Xiao’er’s words, she wisely kept her mouth shut!

After hearing Xiao’er, Yang Liu put the Empress Dowager down.

Zhao Yong quickly squatted down, and then the Empress Dowager climbed onto his back.

"Princess, I’ll take the Empress Dowager down the mountain first, then come back to take you!" Zhao Yong carried the Empress Dowager, used Qinggong and ran down the mountainside as fast as he could.

"Princess, I’ll carry the Crown Princess, you should hurry down the mountain too!" Yang Liu remembered that Xiao’er’s period was also several days late. However, she mentioned that her body had undergone some changes recently but wasn’t sure if she was pregnant. So Xiao’er told her not to tell anyone, so as to avoid causing unnecessary laughter.

Xiao’er nodded, then let down Du Yijin and let Yang Liu carry her.

When Zhao Yong returned after dropping off the Empress Dowager, Xiao’er told him, "There are more people up the mountain. You should go and get them down!"

Zhao Yong nodded his head and dashed up the mountain.

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, Shangguan Xuanyi had just arrived on horseback.

He was worried after seeing the eunuch come back to find someone to carry the Empress Dowager down the mountain. Directly abandoning a heap of chores, he rushed to catch up, but unexpectedly the sky darkened as he walked, and it soon started to pour rain!

Seeing Shangguan Xuanyi arrive, Xiao’er felt a sense of relief that couldn’t be explained. She cheerfully said, "Brother Shangguan, you’re here!"

Shangguan Xuanyi looked at Xiao’er, who was completely drenched, and couldn’t smile. Only this silly girl could still laugh at a time like this!

He walked up to Xiao’er, picked her up directly, walked to the carriage, and put her into it: "Quickly change your clothes!"

Shangguan Xuanyi stayed beside the carriage.

Xiao’er poked her head out of the carriage, "Yijin, come in and change clothes too!"

Shangguan Xuanyi’s face turned black when he heard this.

Du Yijin seeing Shangguan Xuanyi’s expression didn’t dare to get in the carriage. She shook her head, "You go first. I’ll change in a while."

Xiao’er wanted to say more, but Shangguan Xuanyi glared at the meddling Xiao’er, then explained, "Shangguan Ruixi will be here soon. He took a carriage, so he is a little slower."

As expected, as soon as Shangguan Xuanyi’s words fell, Prince An’s mansion carriage appeared. Xiao’er then said, "Then you should get in the carriage and change your clothes."

Only after Xiao’er had changed her clothes did Shangguan Xuanyi get into the carriage.

Fortunately, their carriage had a hidden compartment with a set of clothes for the two of them stored for emergency. Otherwise, Shangguan Xuanyi would have to bear wearing soaked clothes back to town!