Chapter 68: Empress Changsun Is Pregnant?

"Zi An, how is it?"

Seeing that Chen Yan said nothing, Li Shimin grew more worried.

Li Lizhi, standing nearby, stared intently at Chen Yan, fearing he might utter some bad news.

As for the eunuchs and palace maids kneeling on the ground, they dared not even breathe.

Since they serve the Empress, if anything were to happen to Her Majesty, they would have no good fate.

In an instant, the atmosphere in Lizheng Hall grew tense.

Chen Yan paused briefly and asked, "Her Majesty, has your menstrual cycle been delayed?"

The others were startled by the words.

Wasn't it a medical examination?

Why bring up the menstrual cycle?

Could it be that Her Majesty's condition is related to her period?

Li Lizhi's expression suddenly became uneasy.

She had never left her chamber, and hearing Chen Yan mention the word "menstruation" inevitably stirred a strange feeling in her heart.

Empress Changsun thought carefully, her brows slightly furrowing, "If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten; indeed it has been delayed by six days."

Chen Yan was startled, fearing he had erred, and felt Empress Changsun's pulse again,

After confirming he was correct, Chen Yan immediately performed the cross‑hand salute to the Empress, then reported to Li Shimin, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations to Her Majesty."

"Her Majesty's pulse is like beads rolling on a plate, the six pulses harmonious and smooth; this must be the auspicious sign of Lanmeng's omen."

At those words, Lizheng Hall fell silent for a moment.

Several palace maids and eunuchs breathed a sigh of relief, knowing their lives were spared today, and perhaps they might even receive some reward.

Empress Changsun's expression turned delighted, and her other hand instinctively reached toward her abdomen.

Li Shimin was puzzled for a moment, then asked, "Zi An, you said the Guanyin Maid… is pregnant?"

"Pregnant" means to be with child, a term from the Zuo Zhuan.

"Indeed, the Empress is pregnant, but it should still be early, with no obvious signs; I only said so after multiple confirmations," Chen Yan replied.

Li Shimin's face showed delight as he murmured, "Yes, yes, the Guanyin Maid's appetite had improved a lot the past two days, but today during the meal I saw her feel nauseous."

"So she is indeed pregnant."

Wushe, Li Junxian, and the group of palace maids and eunuchs loudly congratulated, "We, the servants, congratulate Your Majesty, congratulations to Her Majesty."

Li Shimin was very pleased, waving his hand large, about to grant each a reward, when he suddenly recalled something.

He turned his head and asked, "Zi An, since the Guanyin Maid is pregnant, why did she suddenly faint?"

"When the Guanyin Maid was pregnant before, this never happened."

When the words finished, Empress Changsun and Li Lizhi snapped out of their surprise and began to worry.

Exactly!

How could pregnancy cause fainting?

The only possibility is that Empress Changsun's body has a problem.

Chen Yan helplessly said, "There's no way around it; Her Majesty now carries a fetus, requiring a lot of nourishment, but Her Majesty's body is too weak, with both Qi and blood deficient."

"If she does not promptly nurture her body, she will likely faint again in the future."

Before arriving, he had considered many reasons for Empress Changsun's fainting, but never imagined it was due to pregnancy combined with her own malnutrition.

That made him initially worry as well.

Hearing that fainting might recur, Li Shimin became uneasy and pressed, "Zi An, is the Guanyin Maid's condition serious?"

"How can it be resolved?"

Chen Yan shook his head, "Actually, it's not that serious; she only needs to rest and eat the meals I provide on schedule."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin and his family of three immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Shimin said earnestly to Empress Changsun, "Guanyin Maid, you heard that, right?"

"You now have a child in your womb; you must not overexert yourself as before."

"Moreover, you must eat more meals from now on and take good care of your body."

Empress Changsun felt her husband's concern, warmth rising in her heart, "Do not worry, Your Majesty, I will attend to rest from now on."

"Besides, the meals Zi An sent are incredibly delicious; even if Your Majesty doesn't say so, I will certainly eat more."

Li Shimin burst into laughter, "Hahaha, that's true; the meals Zi An sent are indeed tasty, no wonder Li Lizhi said Sizi didn't want to return."

Chen Yan smiled.

Today Li Lizhi had asked Sizi whether she wanted to return to the palace to see Ah Ye Ah Mother, but Sizi refused without hesitation.

Then she kept crawling into Chen Yan's arms, fearing Li Lizhi would take her away.

When Li Shimin and his wife dined today, Li Lizhi recounted the incident as a funny story to the couple.

Li Shimin, that daughter‑servant, even laughed and scolded Sizi for being heartless.

"......"

Then, Li Shimin, holding Empress Changsun's hand as if no one were there, began to speak.

Li Junxian had unknowingly slipped out.

Chen Yan had something to tell Li Shimin, so he stayed.

Watching the happy couple, he let out a gentle sigh.

Why are they only busy being happy?

They don't even think about how many children they'll have.

There's nothing he can do; the couple are engrossed in conversation, and he can't disturb them, so he can only wait patiently.

Finally, Li Shimin seemed to recall that Chen Yan was still here, stood up, and said with a smile: "Zi An, you have indeed caused me trouble today."

It's getting late; I'll have Wushe send you back.

Chen Yan's mouth twitched, and he reminded: "Your Majesty, I still have something to say."

Go on, go on; apart from the Death-exemption Gold Medal, I can agree to anything you ask.

Chen Yan: "......"

Damn it, apart from the Death-exemption Gold Medal, he'll agree to anything.

He cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I don't want any rewards; I really have something to say, concerning the Empress."

Li Shimin asked doubtfully: "Didn't you just say the Empress was fine?"

If she's fine, what else needs to be said?

Empress Changsun and Li Lizhi also looked at him, puzzled.

Chen Yan glanced at the palace maids and eunuchs; Li Shimin's eyes narrowed, he immediately understood his meaning, and waved his hand, ordering all the palace maids and eunuchs, including Wushe, to withdraw.

All right, you can speak now.

Chen Yan pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "Your Majesty, actually, giving birth is a very dangerous, energy-draining affair for women."

And the Empress has already borne you three princes and three princesses, so her qi and blood are already deficient.

Furthermore, the Empress's health is poor, she was too young when she married you, and over the years she has been overworked...

He paused, then added more seriously: "Given the Empress's current condition, after giving birth to the prince or princess in her womb, she must absolutely not continue to bear children, otherwise..."

Although Chen Yan didn't finish his words, everyone present understood his meaning.

Empress Changsun hesitated for a moment, originally wanting to say something, but recalling her fainting earlier today, she closed her mouth again.

Li Shimin sank into a solemn expression, not knowing what he was thinking.

After a while, he let out a long sigh: "Zi An, you have enlightened me."

Before, I only cared about being happy, and forgot that this is already the seventh child between me and the Guanyin Maid.

The Guanyin Maid's health was never good; bearing so many children, I fear it has greatly depleted her vital energy.

"......"