Min walked a few steps, knelt in front of Xiqiu’s bed, and couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. He nodded and said, "Mother, I understand, I don’t blame anyone!" Then he paused and looked at Xiqiu, "But just as you said, in a person’s life we face countless choices, so... I choose to stay in the residence. I am Xiao Huaimin; apart from this identity, apart from you as a mother, I am nothing, so I will only be Xiao Huaimin."

Xiqiu was taken aback, not expecting Min to make this decision. After all, for him, the identity of a Prince compared to that of a concubine-born son in the residence, anyone would understand the choice and sacrifice, but Min chose the latter. She asked, "Have you thought it through? No regrets?"

Min’s tears flowed uncontrollably, yet he still firmly nodded, "I have no regrets, I want to be Xiao Huaimin forever."

Xiqiu tightly furrowed her brow, looking at Min. After a long while, she finally nodded, "Alright, both mother and father respect your decision; your path is yours to choose." As for the Emperor, she wasn’t confident, but how would they know without trying?

Min nodded, knelt by the bedside, and kowtowed three times to Xiqiu, "Mother, I, Xiao Huaimin, have only you as my mother in this life!"

Xiqiu’s eyes reddened too, unexpectedly placing her hand on her empty abdomen, looking at Min before her, hearing the laughter of Zhi outside. She smiled faintly, even though her heart hurt, she felt satisfied. At least she still had Min and Zhi, didn’t she?

Min lay by the bedside, talking to Xiqiu for a long time. Due to being too weak, Xiqiu fell asleep while talking. Min tiptoed, covered her with a quilt, and left the room, seeing Grand Dowager, First Madam, and Ruan Jingliu were still there, then said, "Mother is asleep."

"This child, even in this state, still worries about others." Grand Dowager sighed, First Madam lowered her eyes without speaking.

Ruan Jingliu stood up and said to Grand Dowager and First Madam, "I’ll go in and check." Saying so, she lifted the curtain and entered the room, only to see Xiqiu didn’t fall asleep as Min said, but she was staring blankly at the ceiling...

"What are you doing?" Ruan Jingliu frowned and stepped forward, "Don’t you know your body is very weak and urgently needs rest?!"

Xiqiu turned her head to look at her, helplessly saying, "...I can’t sleep..." Clearly feeling so tired, but once her eyes were closed, she could hear the child’s heart-wrenching cries. How could she sleep?

Ruan Jingliu was taken aback, "If you can’t sleep, get up and drink the medicine. I will give you acupuncture, is that okay?"

Xiqiu nodded but asked, "How is my body?" Ruan Jingliu, upon hearing this, responded in a relaxed manner, "It’s not bad, just a bit weak after the miscarriage, with some nourishment it will be fine."

"You don’t need to deceive me." Xiqiu said softly, her tone frighteningly calm, "I am half a doctor myself, though I can’t treat illnesses, I’m very clear about medical principles. The child was nearly three months old, and then so much blood was lost..."

Ruan Jingliu sat down on the stool by the bed, her face turned somber, angrily saying, "You’re talking nonsense, a miscarriage naturally involves blood. You just need to listen to me and carefully recuperate, you will definitely fully recover."

Xiqiu frowned and scrutinized her.

Ruan Jingliu looked back, her eyes firm, saying, "You don’t believe me?"

Xiqiu managed to smile bleakly but forced a nod, "I believe you, if not you, whom else can I believe."

"Take the medicine." Ruan Jingliu turned back and had Bihuai bring the medicine, "Drink the medicine and sleep for a while." Then she assisted Xiqiu in sitting up to drink the medicine.

Fourth Master Xiao and Min went together to the study room. Xiao Yanyi nodded slightly upon seeing them enter, while Min called out, "Second Uncle."

Xiao Yanyi responded, "Sit down and let’s talk."

Min agreed, sat down, and nervously asked the question in his heart, "Father, how did mother get hurt?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Why would a fine horse go mad on the street? Even if he knew nothing, he could imagine the unusualness of the event.

Xiao Yanyi was slightly surprised, glancing at Min and quietly nodding. At such a young age, he could observe with such keen insight.

Fourth Master Xiao didn’t intend to hide it, and told him all about Ziyang, Shen An and Shen Ning, as well as the details of the carriage accident. Min listened and was too shocked to speak, "...The black-clad person, was it Shen’s?"

"Yes!" Fourth Master Xiao nodded.

Min could hardly believe it. He knew his identity was awkward, and he also knew that once exposed, it would undoubtedly bring huge calamity, but he didn’t expect Shen to already be so eager to act so swiftly.