Chapter 1630: Have You No Regard for Your Lives?

More than a month later, Imperial Physician Mu personally took Consort Jing's pulse and confirmed her pregnancy.

Imperial Physician Mu was already in his seventies; he had seen every kind of scene, weathered every storm. But this time, he was still utterly shocked, unable to believe it.

The two of them were brazen beyond belief; their actions left one speechless.

He was so startled that for a moment he didn't know what to say. His mouth opened and closed, yet not a single word came out.

He had been secretly brought into Wang Fu by Chen Chen Guanlou, afraid of being overheard, not even daring to breathe heavily.

Seeing this, Chen Chen Guanlou laughed and said, "Speak freely and boldly. No need to worry about anyone hearing."

In his domain, no one could evade him and still manage to eavesdrop. Nor could anyone discover what was happening inside the room, or know that two extra men had appeared in Consort Jing's bedchamber.

"Y-you-you, you all... have no regard for your lives?"

Consort Jing was the late emperor's consort, a widow, an imperial widow—and now pregnant. The heavens have fallen!

This is a crime punishable by the execution of nine entire clans.

"You don't speak, I don't speak, no one will know. How could it cost us our lives?" Chen Chen Guanlou's tone was airy, his manner utterly nonchalant.

"But... in a few months, when Her Ladyship's belly swells and someone notices, won't that be terrible?"

"In a few months it will be the depths of winter. The weather is freezing, Consort Jing's health is poor, and she needs to stay in bed resting for a long stretch. Old Mu, this small matter isn't difficult for you, is it?"

Imperial Physician Mu's head was splitting. "What on earth are you two doing? What are you after? Aren't a man and a woman's pleasures enough—you have to have a child too? Truly not afraid of death?"

He was going mad!

Could they stop tormenting an old man.

He was already advanced in years, still hoping to retire in peace. Who could have imagined his days could grow so thrilling.

Thrilling beyond endurance!

"Mr. Mu, this child is something I insisted upon. Warden Chen took this risk only for my sake. I only wish to leave behind a bloodline for the Shen family. The Shen family should not be wiped out entirely. Please, I beg you to grant me this."

Consort Jing stepped forward two paces, bowed deeply, and performed a grand salute.

Given her status, performing such a grand salute was the height of sincerity.

Imperial Physician Mu panicked and hurriedly stepped aside.

He dared not accept such a grand salute!

"Your Ladyship, you mustn't! I understand your feelings. Your Shen family... back when they suffered the calamity, I saw it with my own eyes. It was truly tragic. The clan scattered and dwindled; I don't even know how many still live in this world. You are a branch-line descendant of the Shen family—why be so obstinate?"

"So I am a branch-line descendant. I did not know." Consort Jing gave a soft laugh. "I was less than a year old when my mother passed. My two elder brothers were still young and knew little. Regarding the Shen family, Mr. Mu, could you tell me more?"

"You've been in the palace all this time and never looked into it?"

"I never investigated in detail. I feared offending the late emperor, so I only made discreet inquiries. I learned that some clan members had been exiled, and I sent people to search for them, but found no trace. Perhaps they are all already dead."

Hearing this, Imperial Physician Mu could not help sighing along. The rise and fall of a great clan can happen in a single night.

Under the dominion of imperial power, no one is master of their own fate.

"About the Shen family's affairs, I don't know much. I only know that back then your Shen family got caught up in things and ran straight into the firing line. At that time it was still Emperor Emperor Taixing. Emperor Emperor Taixing was old, his temper was bad, and his suspicions ran deep—Heart Is Very Heavy. Better to kill the wrong man than let one go. Ai, such is the times, such is fate! Of the Shen clan's more than a thousand members, most were killed. Those who survived are barely clinging to life. Tomorrow I'll ask around for you—there are people who know more than I do."

"Thank you, Mr. Mu!" Consort Jing gently stroked her abdomen. "This child of mine depends entirely on you, Mr. Mu! I trouble you to take the trouble."

Imperial Physician Mu shot a glance at the chief culprit, Chen Chen Guanlou. "I too am ill-fated—an old man still subjected to such a shock, nearly scared to death. You two truly have nerve."

"Old Mu, given our friendship, you know my temperament; I won't stand on ceremony with you. Keep mother and child safe, and afterward you Will Surely Have Weight. Whatever rare medicinal ingredients you want, just write out a list, and I'll get them for you."

Imperial Physician Mu loved collecting rare and precious medicinal ingredients, but his finances were limited.

Over the years he had repeatedly taken advantage of the Heaven Prison—taken advantage of Chen Chen Guanlou's, that is.

Their friendship required no ceremony.

Imperial Physician Mu opened his mouth and rattled off a long string of medicinal ingredients; Chen Chen Guanlou took up his brush and recorded them one by one.

He was preparing to shear the wool of Hou Fu.

These rare medicinal ingredients—nowhere else had them, but Hou Fu certainly did.

Even if Hou Fu didn't have them, Hou Fu certainly had the channels to help him gather them.

"Tomorrow, I'll personally deliver the ingredients to your residence."

Imperial Physician Mu immediately beamed with joy; whatever danger, whatever thrills—all were dismissed from his mind.

Although he did not specialize in obstetrics, with his medical skill, mastery of one field meant mastery of all. Ensuring Consort Jing's safe pregnancy and smooth delivery was well within his abilities.

"Have you thought about what to do after the child is born? My lord, surely you don't mean to raise the child yourself?"

Chen Chen Guanlou shook his head repeatedly. He couldn't raise a child—he didn't have the patience. An occasional bit of teasing was fine. All he could do was give money!

Consort Jing pressed her lips into a smile and said softly, "My elder brother has already married and will soon move into Wang Fu to reside. Very soon, my elder brother's wife will be found to be with child. When the time comes, I must trouble Mr. Mu to make a few extra visits."

Imperial Physician Mu's face lit with understanding—using the elder sister-in-law's belly as a cover to give birth. Truly, her obsession ran deep.

"Are you certain this can work?"

He always felt this matter wasn't entirely safe. If someone saw through it, they'd all die!

Consort Jing had gone mad!

She truly had no fear of death!

"It must work, even if it can't! Sailing against the current—advance or fall back! These many years I've lived just so; one more thing makes no difference." Consort Jing's face was calm as still water; she paid no heed to the dangers lurking ahead. She looked like a woman whose fate rested in her own hands, for whom anything was possible.

Confidence!

Certainty!

Full of vigor!

If she had feared death, if she had not dared shoulder the slightest risk, she would never have made it before Emperor Jian Shi, nor won his favor, nor safely borne Prince Rui.

Everything she had today came from her willingness to risk it all—her ability to stake her life, to face danger without fear.

If they truly were discovered, at worst she would argue her way out. If she couldn't argue her way out, at worst she would die and be done with it.

After her death, she trusted that Chen Chen Guanlou would also protect Prince Rui and raise him safely!

She had faith in him.

Mu Yiguan Mu shook his head vigorously. "Madmen, they are all madmen."

Only two madmen together would do such a crazy thing. If anyone else were in the situation, no one would dare do this.

Chen Chen Guanlou and Consort Jing smiled at each other.

That's right; both of them were a bit neurotic, a bit mad; let neither despise the other.

"Life is short; one must go mad a little to not have walked through the human world in vain." Consort Jing's expression was serene, unafraid of life or death. "Having Mr. Mu worry for us is our sin. Just give your orders; this Palace will certainly follow the medical advice and cooperate. Striving not to trouble Mr. Mu."

How strangely polite.

Mu Yiguan Mu was too embarrassed to continue complaining. He coughed lightly. "Your Ladyship's body is being well nurtured; just pay attention to diet and rest. Think and worry less, keep your mood relaxed; it benefits both the adult and the child."

"Thank you, Mr., for the reminder; this Palace will keep it firmly in mind." Consort Jing performed a deep bow.

Mu Yiguan Mu dodged again; he could not accept it!