With those words, a Palace Lady had already taken Prince Duan’s Consort to change, while nursemaids came to clean up.
The Empress also lightened the mood with a smile, and the others stopped looking at A wu.
A wu kept her head down, hunched over, carefully inching back to her seat, but she felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles.
How embarrassing…
Soon, the banquet ended.
Most people gave thanks and left, while some stayed to keep the Empress Dowager company.
Prince Duan’s Consort also stayed.
Consort Kang came forward to speak with her, asking if she’d been startled, and Prince Duan’s Consort replied with a reserved smile that she hadn’t.
But as the conversation shifted, Consort Kang brought up A wu, her words full of reproach.
A wu knew she was at fault and repeatedly apologized to Prince Duan’s Consort.
Prince Duan’s Consort didn’t mind much—she knew Emperor Jingxi doted on this little Imperial Noble Lady so much he even went to the Empress Dowager for her sake; she was the Emperor’s favorite, and a stained skirt was nothing to fuss over.
Instead, she comforted A wu, telling her not to worry.
A wu was grateful, but felt even more guilty, thinking her own fright had been truly inexplicable.
Princess Dening was chatting with the Empress Dowager, and somehow the earlier incident came up.
She grumbled, “Imperial Grandmother, New Year’s is always so festive, but this year something like that happened. Dening feels it was a disgrace.”
Though the Empress Dowager felt A wu was indeed out of line, she didn’t want her granddaughter to dwell on it.
She smiled, “You, such a small matter, and you remember it so well.”
Princess Dening huffed quietly, “Imperial Grandmother, Father dotes on her far too much! That Caolijin she wears must have been a reward from Father. He only thinks of her when giving out treasures!”
The Empress Dowager’s smile faded at these words.
Princess Dening, seeing this, was about to continue when the Empress Dowager said, “Dening, we, the princesses of the Great Hui, are noble by birth, raised in luxury, wanting for nothing. Why fixate on a small trinket? If your father dotes on a consort and gives her a reward, so what? Who cares for that? Or do you care?”
Princess Dening’s face changed, realizing her mistake.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Consort Kang, “Don’t be so shallow, or when you marry, your husband’s family will laugh at our royal family for not knowing how to raise daughters.”
She clearly looked down on Consort Kang.
Princess Dening blushed, wanting to argue but too embarrassed.
Just then, she noticed a commotion where everyone seemed to be gathering around A wu.
She quickly changed the subject, “Imperial Grandmother, look!”
The Empress Dowager looked over and saw that A wu seemed to have collapsed, “What’s happened?”
A Palace Lady stepped forward respectfully, “Imperial Noble Consort Ning has fainted.”
Princess Dening was astonished, “Could it be she was so frightened by her mistake? Or is she pretending? Fainting on purpose? Dening couldn’t believe it—such a pretty young lady, could she really be so scheming?”
The Empress Dowager immediately ordered A wu to be taken away and summoned the Imperial Physician.
Prince Duan’s Consort frowned at the scene and was little uneasy.
Her own skirt had been stained, and she hadn’t complained—yet now, A wu had fainted.
This little lady could truly make the Emperor spin in circles.
Just then, Emperor Jingxi arrived.
As he entered, everyone knelt to greet him, the hall filling with the sound.
Emperor Jingxi had finally found a moment to come greet the Empress Dowager, but hearing that A wu had fainted, he was both worried and displeased.
Ever since hearing the Prince of Nanfujun’s words and recalling the past, he felt a lingering fear and an instinctive urge to make amends—to warm A wu’s heart and help her forget the past.
Most of the Outer Noblewomen had already left; those who remained were all members of the royal clan and consorts of the Imperial Harem.
He didn’t hide his concern and asked directly, “Mother, how did Imperial Noble Consort Ning suddenly faint?”
His tone was calm, but everyone was startled.
That magnificent, solemn Dragon Robe and the slightly raised brows made it clear to all that the ruler was displeased.
Prince Duan’s Consort felt uneasy—she couldn’t gauge Imperial Noble Consort Ning’s standing and didn’t want to be used as a stepping stone.
The Empress Dowager’s face also darkened; she felt A wu had indeed misbehaved today and should be taught a lesson.
If she couldn’t do it, who could?
She snapped, “Emperor, you ask me—who should I ask? Are you here to demand an explanation?”
Emperor Jingxi heard her tone and knew the old lady was unhappy.
He softened his voice, “Mother, I mean nothing else, just asking. It’s the New Year—let’s hope nothing bad happens.”
He added, “She’s weak; just a few days ago, the Imperial Physician was still treating her. She’s only just recovered.”
With these words, the attendants and Palace Ladies grew anxious—the Emperor truly treasured the Imperial Noble Lady.
If anything happened to her, someone would surely be held responsible.
At this moment, the female physician and Imperial Physician had already checked her pulse.
Emperor Jingxi ordered them to wait in the side hall—he wanted to see for himself.
The Empress Dowager smiled, “Very well, call the Imperial Physician—at least find out what’s wrong.”
Her words carried a hint of sarcasm; Emperor Jingxi glanced at her, “As you wish.”
The Imperial Physician and female physician entered, kneeling respectfully.
The Empress Dowager asked, “What’s wrong with Imperial Noble Consort Ning? Is she ill?”
Emperor Jingxi’s gaze fell on the Imperial Physician, clearly concerned.
The Imperial Physician replied, “Reporting to Your Ladyship, all four attending Imperial Physicians have checked Imperial Noble Consort Ning’s pulse. She is healthy and shows no discomfort.”
At these words, Consort Kang, Princess Dening, and some others showed faint mocking smiles.
Prince Duan’s Consort also seemed amused.
Emperor Jingxi’s face remained expressionless.
The Imperial Physician, still kneeling, continued respectfully, “In our opinion, Imperial Noble Consort Ning’s vital energy is full, her pulse is smooth and lively, like pearls rolling on jade—this is the Joy Pulse. Imperial Noble Consort Ning is newly pregnant; her condition is a little unstable, so after being startled, her emotions fluctuated, leading to her fainting. But there’s no need to worry, just take good care of her.”
As he spoke, Emperor Jingxi’s gaze sharpened.
The Empress Dowager stared at him and asked, “What did you say?”
At that moment, everyone in the hall was staring at him.
The Imperial Physician took a deep breath, “Imperial Noble Consort Ning has the Joy Pulse—she has been pregnant for over a month.”
Any earlier and it would have been too soon to tell.
The Empress Dowager was incredulous, “She’s pregnant?”
Sweat beaded on the Imperial Physician’s forehead, “It is indeed the Joy Pulse; the female physician and I have both confirmed it.”
The Empress Dowager burst out laughing, “She’s pregnant! She’s pregnant! Our Great Hui Imperial Harem has good news at last!”
Her voice was so excited, she nearly rose from the Phoenix Throne.
Everyone was stunned—after so many years, there had been no happy news in the Imperial Harem.
The Imperial Son was about to become a father, and Princess Dening was already grown!
Yet now, the Emperor’s little Imperial Noble Lady was pregnant.
A matter of great joy!
Finally, everyone reacted, stepping forward to offer congratulations, all kinds of auspicious words filling the air.
In the midst of this commotion, Emperor Jingxi slowly came to his senses.
At first, he hadn’t even understood what it meant.
It had been so long since he last became a father, he’d given up hope for offspring.
Yet now, A wu was pregnant!
A wu, pregnant!
His little A wu was carrying his child.
The news was so joyful he needed time to process it.
Suddenly, everyone noticed the Emperor had been silent and turned to look.
They saw the Emperor who was sitting , seemingly unresponsive, his face… calm?
As everyone wondered, they saw the Emperor’s lips curl into a smile.
The smile widened, growing into an irrepressible, radiant grin.
The always reserved Emperor—he couldn’t stop smiling!
Emperor Jingxi knew all eyes were on him, knew he ought to maintain his dignity as ruler, but—
A wu was pregnant.
It was a happiness so sweet it felt unreal.
He smiled as he rose, joy and delight filling his eyes, mingled with lingering surprise.
Still, he tried to restrain his exuberance, maintaining a regal composure as he bowed to the Empress Dowager, “Mother, your son will go see Imperial Noble Consort Ning first.”
The Empress Dowager said, “Go quickly, go see her!”
With her approval, Emperor Jingxi lifted his Dragon Robe and strode swiftly to the inner hall—almost flying!
He was clearly impatient!
Everyone gasped, seeing how delighted the Emperor was—he didn’t care about anything else.
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed, “The Emperor is human too. Knowing he’s to be a father, he’s so happy he’s lost his wits!”
Everyone laughed, sharing in the royal family’s joy.
But there were a few who couldn’t smile at all.
The Empress sat in silence, forcing a smile, her heart in turmoil.
Consort Kang’s face was rather awkward.
She was feeling sour, and saw Princess Dening beside her, eyes shining, “I’m going to be a big sister? I’m going to have a little sister!”
Consort Kang:”……”
How did she end up with such a silly child?
She gritted her teeth—she’d have to teach Dening well at home.
With a little sister, their father would surely dote on the younger one.
Once Dening married, would he still care about her?