Since the New Year, A wu had been paying extra attention to the Empress.
She noticed that the Empress had become reclusive, rarely appearing outside her chambers.
Though still managing the affairs of the Imperial Harem, it was clear she had grown lax and her spirit was no longer what it used to be.
On one occasion, A wu specially went to pay her respects, only to find her looking pale and unwilling to speak much.
Emperor Jingxi seemed busier than before.
Several times when he came to Langhua Hall, his expression was noticeably stern and cold.
A wu had her suspicions but dared not ask too much.
Politics were not to be meddled with in the Imperial Harem, and the day the emperor confided in her in the Imperial Study was an exception.
Since he did not bring up the topic himself, she refrained from probing further.
She harbored a faint worry—fear that the Empress, driven to desperation, might act rashly, or that Lu Yunjian, when cornered, might drag her into trouble.
But touching the child growing in her womb, she understood one thing clearly: at least during her pregnancy, she was safe.
So… for now, she decided not to dwell on such thoughts.
She resolved to quietly nurture the child while carefully watching the situation around the Empress.
Now, A wu was surrounded by many female attendants and medical officials.
Every day she was accompanied by female physicians, and the Imperial Physicians came regularly to check her pulse.
One day, after another pulse reading, the Imperial Physician wore a grave and serious expression.
After consultation among themselves, several Imperial Physicians hurriedly went to report to Emperor Jingxi.
It was said that the emperor was then receiving envoys from the Foreign Tribes.
Upon hearing the news, he immediately abandoned the meeting and rushed to Langhua Hall.
A wu was astonished.
Emperor Jingxi examined her closely, his expression both protective and cautious: “Are you feeling alright?”
A wu replied, “What’s wrong with me?”
The emperor grasped her shoulders firmly and solemnly informed her, “The Imperial Physician said you are carrying twins.”
“Ah?”
A wu was surprised but then thought of her three elder brothers and said, “Two of my brothers, the second and third, are twins.” Â
Emperor Jingxi said, “So that explains it. Looks like you inherited that from your mother.”
Though normally calm and composed, the emperor now showed signs of restrained excitement.
There was anticipation, but more so worry and prudence.
After all, carrying twins was a heavier burden than a single child, and the Imperial Physicians needed to be extra vigilant.
He held her close, soothing her gently, then spoke of the arrangements ahead.
He would assign the best senior Imperial Physicians to be on duty, ready at all times to respond to any situation.
He also mentioned that the Imperial Physicians had carefully studied past cases of twins in the royal family.
He treated the matter with utmost seriousness, treading as if on thin ice.
A wu, however, felt no alarm.
She smiled, touching his overly serious face: “Your Majesty, you look like you’re facing a great enemy. It frightens me just to see you like this.”
Tilting her head, she teased, “Being so solemn makes you look old. You’re already older than me—what will happen if you age too quickly?”
Emperor Jingxi paused, then smiled.
His eyes lowered slightly, lips curling in a faint smile as he took her hand and pressed it to his lips, giving a light kiss.
“What can we do? When I grow old, A wu, you’ll have to stay by my side. You mustn’t dislike me.”
A wu scrunched her nose and said, “I will dislike you, so you mustn’t grow old!” Â
The emperor whispered softly in her ear, “A wu, be good, don’t dislike me.”
His voice was low and tender, tinged with a hint of pleading.
Like a gentle breeze in March, it warmed the heart.
A wu blushed, biting her lip, deliberately lifting her chin and casting a sidelong glance at him.
“Why don’t you call me ‘Sister’ then? That way, I won’t mind you growing old.”
Emperor Jingxi’s expression darkened slightly, then he playfully bit her ear.
A wu giggled, trying to push him away.
“Don’t! Don’t bully me or I’ll report to the Empress Dowager!” Â
The emperor held her fast and bent down to kiss her again, and A wu laughed and squirmed.
In the midst of their laughter, a eunuch came to report outside: the envoys from the Foreign Tribes were preparing to depart.
The atmosphere immediately shifted, and Emperor Jingxi straightened his robes, preparing to leave.
“Consort Hui and Lady Meng will stay with you. I have already ordered someone to inform the Empress Dowager. She will be pleased to hear the news.”
A wu nodded, “Yes.”
As Emperor Jingxi was about to exit the hall, he suddenly remembered something and said, “In everything, you must listen to the female attendants, understood?”
A wu: “Understood!”
***
The news that A wu was carrying twins spread quickly.
It was said that the Empress Dowager was so overjoyed she nearly jumped up and came hastily to Langhua Hall herself to visit A wu, giving her a flurry of instructions.
A wu naturally complied with every word.
The Empress Dowager also specifically ordered the Imperial Physicians, Imperial Kitchen, and all relevant departments to take utmost care.
This was a royal blessed pregnancy—two at once—nothing could be left to chance.
If anything were to happen through negligence, she would hold someone accountable.
Her own grandchildren had to be carefully and diligently cared for, with no mistakes allowed.
The Empress Dowager bestowed many gifts upon A wu, including various nourishing delicacies, and also gave her a dazzling jade bracelet.
Her words were: “This bracelet will protect you and bring good fortune while warding off misfortune.”
After saying this, she personally fastened it onto A wu’s wrist.
A wu felt that the Empress Dowager’s gaze was full of such care and affection, as if she wished to worship her.
Since the Lantern Festival, A wu occasionally rested in Fengtian Hall.
At first, when the other consorts heard about this, they found it difficult to accept, but they could only harbor their displeasure silently and sigh to themselves.
Even the cats and dogs of the Imperial Harem seemed to know—the palace that had been barren for fifteen years was now about to hear joyous news.
Moreover, this Noble Consort was carrying twins.
Jealousy and envy were pointless—she was simply with child.
The emperor’s face beamed with delight, the Empress Dowager prayed and chanted daily in gratitude, and the other consorts could do nothing but flatter her.
Soon, the other consorts came to terms with it.
Though this Noble Consort stirred bittersweet feelings, she was undeniably beautiful.
If they were the lord, wouldn’t they want to hold such a beauty close as well?
Besides, she was indeed fortunate—having only been in the palace a few months and already pregnant, and with twins no less.
Her belly was a testament to her good fortune.
No wonder the emperor doted on her and the Empress Dowager favored her—it made sense.
Looking around at their sisters, some were more beautiful, some more talented, others more clever.
Yet none had such good fortune.
Everyone was enduring their lot.
Once they accepted this, they settled down quietly and even began to scheme whether they could curry favor with this promising Noble Consort.
Some even began counting on their fingers, thinking that after the Noble Consort gave birth to the emperor’s heirs, there would surely be a general amnesty and rewards in the palace.
Would they be able to share in the benefits?
Amid such eager anticipation, A wu’s days became increasingly comfortable.
When she stayed in Fengtian Hall, the emperor would accompany her, checking on her constantly.
When she returned to Langhua Hall, the consorts would come by to tease and chat with her.
Emperor Jingxi also had a jade amulet specially made for her to wear, claiming it would protect her.
When A wu’s pregnancy reached three full months, she was granted the title of Noble Consort.
Spring was in full bloom, the weather gentle and clear—a perfect season for the investiture ceremony.
For this occasion, Emperor Jingxi ordered meticulous preparations, leaving no detail unattended.
Her investiture register was crafted first by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works, then submitted to the cabinet.
The Ministry of Rites formally petitioned for her investiture.
The Grand Academician and the Minister served as chief investiture envoys, and a well-looking assistant minister and scholar were chosen as deputy envoys.
The day before the ceremony, they respectfully reported to the Ancestral Temple Rear Hall.
On the day of the investiture, before dawn, A wu rose to dress and prepare.
She donned the official Noble Consort’s ceremonial robe and wore full formal makeup.
Under the escort of the umbrella bearers, she proceeded to Taihe Hall.
At Taihe Hall, officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Honglu Temple had set up the ceremonial table, and Luan Yi Guards awaited outside the cabinet doors.
Seeing the elaborate protocol, A wu felt a bit dizzy, but with the escorting rites officials and female attendants at her side ready to guide her, she had nothing to worry about.
She only needed to follow the attendants’ prompts.
Moreover, because she was pregnant, everyone was especially considerate and attentive toward her.
Soon came the formal investiture.
Escorted by the Luan Yi Guards and accompanied by female attendants, A wu, clad in her ceremonial robe, knelt facing north.
With officials from the Astronomer Royal and eunuchs attending, the chief and deputy investiture envoys read aloud her official investiture decree.
She received the gilded investiture register and the Seal of Investiture, which bore cloud and dragon-phoenix patterns.
After receiving the investiture register, A wu performed the Six Solemnities Three Kneels Three Kowtows Ritual.
Once the ritual concluded, the eunuchs left the palace, and guided by a female attendant, A wu proceeded to the Hall of the Empress Dowager to pay respects.
The Empress Dowager, upon seeing A wu, smiled broadly.
For fifteen or sixteen years the palace had been without news of heirs, and now suddenly there was a set of twins—a double blessing.
The elderly lady said she smiled in her dreams every night!
She looked kindly at A wu and said, “You are with child now, so some rites may be skipped when possible. Be very careful with the children in your womb.” Â
A wu pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and respectfully said, “Yes, Your Majesty, I will be extremely careful.”
After paying respects to the Empress Dowager, A wu proceeded to salute the emperor and empress.
Because the Empress claimed illness and did not rise, A wu only needed to salute the emperor.
Again, she performed the Six Solemnities Three Kneels Three Kowtows Ritual with solemnity.
During this, she felt the gazes of many consorts upon her.
Emperor Jingxi, meanwhile, smiled warmly and looked at her with tenderness.
After she finished, Emperor Jingxi stepped forward, took her hand, and said, “Noble Consort, you may rise.”
As the emperor’s Noble Consort, now with her investiture confirmed and status established, if the Empress remained ill, she was entitled to manage the harem and accompany the emperor at important ceremonies.
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