The rules of the Great Hui Imperial Palace were strict, and even the Imperial Physician’s pulse diagnosis had its set procedures.
For an ordinary Imperial Noble Lady like A wu, the Imperial Physician would check her pulse once a month.
Each time after the visit, the Imperial Physician would hand-copy the Imperial Medical Case Record, write it on a Red Note, and record it in the register to be archived.
This time, A wu had suddenly fainted, so in a hurry, the physician on duty for today was summoned.
Usually, there would be four or five Imperial Physicians on duty, but since this was an order from the Empress Dowager herself, all four Imperial Physicians and four female medical officers arrived in full.
They first checked A wu’s pulse, asked her a few questions, and after the pulse diagnosis and inquiry, the female officers examined her body.
At the same time, they urgently retrieved the records of A wu’s medical case for the past two months since she entered the palace.
This made A wu feel uneasy inside.
A wu tried to discern something from the expressions of the Imperial Physicians, but unfortunately, they were all seasoned and composed, their faces calm and betraying nothing, giving away not the slightest hint.
After a short while, the Imperial Physicians and female officers respectfully withdrew, leaving only several Nursemaids standing by the bed.
Naturally, they were humble and attentive, but at this moment, A wu felt even more anxious.
Of course, she hoped her body was healthy and nothing was wrong.
Now, she was favored by the Emperor, and her good days were just beginning.
She wanted to live to a ripe old age.
But if her body had no ailments at all, and she had inexplicably fallen and fainted, it would be terribly embarrassing, especially during the New Year.
She would become a laughingstock.
Promotion.
Usually, A wu didn’t care about reputation, as she had always been thick-skinned, but now she found herself afraid—afraid that this incident would affect her.
Sometimes, a subordinate’s promotion depended entirely on a word from those above.
Emperor Jingxi favored her, but if the Empress Dowager or Empress insisted on finding an excuse to deny her promotion, her struggle would be pointless!
Besides, she understood that Emperor Jingxi was a man who valued Imperial Legalism.
Though he doted on her, when it came to matters of propriety and law, he wouldn’t easily indulge her, and might even be stricter.
A wu even recalled how, at night, he insisted she recite passages by heart.
He had once held her in his arms, moving slowly, yet with a book in his hand, forcing her to read.
Her body was limp, her voice trembling and uneven, but she still had to read.
She had stammered out, “A gentleman is cautious when alone, does not deceive in the dark, humbles himself for self-cultivation, does not deceive his own heart,” while below, it was as if a palm slapped a raging sea, water splashing everywhere.
In short, he was simply not human!
A wu sighed softly in her heart, hoping it was just a cold or something easily cured, nothing serious, so she’d have an excuse without losing too much face, but also without suffering.
—Of course, best if she didn’t have to take any medicine!
Just as she was thinking this, she heard the soft sound of footsteps, someone treading on the plush carpet and approaching the bed.
A wu quickly turned her head and saw Emperor Jingxi at a glance.
Clearly, he had just come from a very formal occasion, still dressed in a magnificent, solemn Dragon Robe.
A wu was momentarily stunned when she saw him, remembering that earlier this morning, he seemed to have worn his court attire when he took her.
The embroidery on the robe had scraped against the skin of her neck.
But actually, if not on the bed, upon seeing the Dragon Robe, one was supposed to kneel.
The Emperor’s attire determined the formality of the harem’s etiquette.
So she immediately tried to get up from the bed, but Emperor Jingxi strode forward and pressed his strong, slender fingers gently on her delicate shoulder.
“Just lie down, no need to get up.”
His voice was so warm and indulgent, without a hint of displeasure, that A wu felt a sudden panic.
Could it be she had contracted some incurable disease and was about to leave this world?
She hurriedly grabbed the Emperor’s wrist and looked up, asking, “Your Majesty, what is wrong with A wu?”
The dignified man lowered his eyes, his long, powerful fingers tenderly stroking her soft hair.
His eyes were full of laughter.
“Don’t you know yourself?”
A wu shook her head in confusion.
Emperor Jingxi asked, “Have you felt any discomfort these days?”
A wu thought for a moment, then shook her head again.
Emperor Jingxi: “When was your last period?”
A wu froze, blinking in confusion.
She vaguely guessed, but dared not believe it, just staring blankly at Emperor Jingxi.
Emperor Jingxi rubbed her cheek, then pressed a soft kiss to the corner of her lips.
A wu trembled, “So… what exactly is it?”
Emperor Jingxi chuckled softly, then leaned to her ear and said in a low voice, “A wu is pregnant. It’s already been more than a month. Didn’t you notice yourself? Your period was overdue and you didn’t even realize? How can you be so silly?”
The word “silly” was so affectionate and gentle, sweet to the bone.
When A wu heard this, she could hardly believe it.
Before entering the palace, she had dreamed of bearing Emperor Jingxi’s child, but after seeing the reality of the palace and hearing a few old stories from Concubine Hui, she guessed that this old man probably couldn’t have children anymore, so she gave up thinking about it.
But now, she was pregnant?
She tested the waters, “Your Majesty means… A wu is carrying Your Majesty’s flesh and blood? I’m with child? Going to have a little baby?”
Emperor Jingxi looked at her still dazed expression and thought she was still so young—not yet seventeen after the New Year.
If it were Dening, the Empress Dowager would never let her marry so young, but A wu was already about to bear his child.
He felt even more tender and somehow guilty.
He pressed his forehead gently to hers and said with infinite affection, “A wu is pregnant, silly girl didn’t even realize it. I’ll order the Imperial Pharmacy and Imperial Medicine Bureau to select the best staff to stay by your side and take good care of you.”
But at this moment, A wu’s mind hadn’t caught up, or perhaps she just hadn’t reacted yet.
All she could think about was how she had fallen earlier.
She leaned against Emperor Jingxi, “A wu fell in front of so many people, it can’t be blamed on me. Turns out it was because I’m pregnant. Your Majesty, you must explain this clearly, so everyone won’t misunderstand and I won’t be embarrassed for nothing.”
Emperor Jingxi kept a calm expression, but inwardly he was displeased.
His beloved consort, if she fell or fainted, it must be due to physical discomfort.
Why would anyone blame her for it and make her so anxious?
But in front of A wu, he suppressed his emotions and reassured her, “Yes, of course it’s not your fault. If anyone dares to blame you, I’ll have them thrown out.”
That last word, “thrown out,” carried a hidden thunderous rage.
A wu was startled, “Your Majesty? What’s wrong?”
Emperor Jingxi: “Nothing.”
Only then did A wu feel slightly relieved, “So it’s not my fault!”
Emperor Jingxi immediately reassured her, “Of course it’s not A wu’s fault.”
A wu thought about it carefully—this was a great joy, a blessing that had fallen from the sky, so much so that she hadn’t even processed what it meant for her.
Now, belatedly, her senses were stirred, awakened, and joy overflowed from her entire being, spreading everywhere.
She was pregnant, carrying Emperor Jingxi’s child.
If she gave birth smoothly, if it was a daughter, she’d be a little princess; if a son, a little prince.
Either way, they’d be rewarded, and if it was a prince, he might even get a title.
Her own child would become a descendant of the Emperor, her bloodline merging into the royal family, and she would be honored for bearing imperial offspring.
Even if not honored, with her own children, she’d surely live a good life!
A wu was so excited she nearly jumped up.
She held her belly, beaming, “I’m pregnant! I’m really pregnant!!”
Emperor Jingxi saw her pure, unrestrained joy and was even more elated, overjoyed.
This meant everything to him.
He only had one son and one daughter.
After Princess Dening, there had been no news in the harem, though there were always rumors outside.
He might not care much, but he still hoped for more children.
But in this world, there were many things that not even the most powerful man could control—like heirs, like love, you couldn’t force them.
Even if you burned ten thousand sticks of incense before Buddha, there might be no response.
But now, he felt he suddenly had it all.
The woman he cherished was carrying his child, his bloodline had taken root in her body, and the two of them were closer, more intimately connected.
She belonged to him even more deeply.
Moreover, he was already planning to give A wu a rightful status.
If she could bear him a child, outsiders could say nothing.
If any old minister dared to nag, he could simply have them thrown out!
Righteous and justified—let them all get out!
The more he thought about it, the more excited and happy he became.
His chest surged with emotion, but when he hugged A wu, he tried to control his strength.
“A wu, you’re so remarkable. After just a few months of favor, you’re already giving me an heir. You really are my little blessing.”
A wu could feel the man’s cautiousness—he was both forceful and gentle, his body trembling slightly from tension.
She soon understood.
He was already over thirty, an old man, almost old enough to have grandchildren, and after years of having no offspring in the harem, suddenly he had a beautiful concubine like herself, who was going to give him a precious child—how could he not be overjoyed!
She couldn’t help but laugh, nestling contentedly in his strong chest.
“A wu is pregnant and will give Your Majesty a little baby!”
Her voice was soft and sweet, and when she mentioned “little baby,” it was even more tender.
Emperor Jingxi felt waves of sweetness flooding his heart, making it pound wildly.
He hugged her tightly, greedily inhaling her fragrance, his voice trembling, “Yes, A wu is going to give me a little baby… A wu is also my baby, my good baby.”
After saying that, he couldn’t help but bite A wu’s neck.
He almost wanted to swallow her up!