Chapter 214: After All, It Was Done Out of Good Intentions

Speaking of Dongxun.

The state letter had just been sent off when the great wedding escort army on the Dongxun side had already set out.

The general in charge of the escort sat on horseback, gazing into the distance toward Da Yin.

The Regent had said that this wedding escort was merely a pretext; the Cheng Family Army and Da Yin would surely both end up badly wounded, and their trip was to seize the chance to play the fisherman's game.

Da Yin was completely unaware of Dongxun's scheming, and while dealing with the Cheng Family Army, still had to worry over the marriage alliance matters — the Shunhe Emperor wished he could split himself into eight.

Just as they were busy tearing their hair out, the rumors in the Capital kept growing.

"Bastards!"

Hearing the rumors, the Shunhe Emperor hurled the memorial straight at the Governor of the Capital's head.

"Why have these rumors still not been dealt with?!"

"And where did that midwife even come from?!"

"You know nothing when questioned — do you still want to keep your post?!"

The Governor of the Capital knelt on the ground with a terrified, trembling face, begging for forgiveness.

"It is your subject's incompetence; I beg Your Majesty to pardon me."

Could he say he had long stopped wanting the job?

In this court nowadays, who else was like him, busy from dawn to dusk and still getting no thanks for his trouble?

The Shunhe Emperor gave a stern order.

"Anyone who dares spread such rumors has a truly vicious heart — their heart deserves death! Find that midwife at once and execute her on the spot!"

"Yes, I obey the Imperial Decree."

The Shunhe Emperor sat in his chair, resting his eyes, rubbing his aching temples.

Shi Gui stepped forward lightly and replaced the cup with a cool tea.

"Your Majesty may rest easy. Now that Dongxun is also willing to lend troops, we will surely crush the rebels utterly."

"Mm…"

The Shunhe Emperor opened his eyes.

"Speaking of Dongxun, how are the preparations for the marriage alliance coming along?"

Shi Gui reported in detail.

"The Empress Dowager and the ministers of the Ministry of Rites are preparing day and night. The Imperial Observatory has also chosen the date — ten days from now is an auspicious hour."

Hearing this, the Shunhe Emperor nodded in satisfaction.

"Although the time is a bit rushed, these are special times now. Little Seven should understand me."

"By the way, how has Noble Consort Jia been these past few days?"

Mentioning the child still in her womb, the Shunhe Emperor's expression softened considerably, and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

"Imperial Physician Qian goes to take Noble Consort Jia's pulse every three days. The little Prince is doing very well."

"That is good to hear."

Though he said so, the Shunhe Emperor still wanted to go see for himself, just to set his mind at ease.

Thinking this, he rose and walked out.

"Set the course for Yongxiu Palace!"

……

Fengyi Palace.

The moment the Emperor went to Yongxiu Palace, the Empress knew of it, and inside Fengyi Palace there was inevitably another round of crashing and clanging.

"That wretched little tramp!"

The Empress was quite beside herself with rage.

"The child isn't even born yet, and she's already seduced His Majesty so that his eyes hold only her — he can't even see Her Highness's (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Bengong))))))))) Hao'er anymore!"

Hua Ru signaled with her eyes for the palace servants inside to leave and close the door, then softly offered comfort.

"Imperial Consort (Gongzhu), calm your anger. She won't be pleased with herself for much longer."

Speaking of this, the Empress curved her lips into a cold smile and reached up to touch the phoenix hairpin in her hair.

"Yes, she won't be able to gloat much longer!"

Her Hao'er was the Crown Prince of Da Yin, second to none, above ten thousand men.

Even if it were only a fetus, it could not steal the glory and halo that belonged to Hao'er!

She absolutely would not allow it!

……

Yongxiu Palace.

"How is the fetus in Noble Consort Jia's womb?"

The Shunhe Emperor held Noble Consort Jia in his arms and looked toward Imperial Physician Qian, who had just finished taking her pulse.

Imperial Physician Qian glanced up at Noble Consort Jia, seeming a little hesitant.

Seeing his expression, the Shunhe Emperor's face showed displeasure.

"What on earth is going on?!"

"Is there something wrong with the fetus?"

Noble Consort Jia gently rested her hand on the back of his hand.

"Your Majesty, calm your anger. It is this concubine's own doing."

She lowered her head slightly.

"Perhaps this concubine's morning sickness is severe, and I cannot eat anything at all."

After saying this, she glanced at Imperial Physician Qian, then tugged at Shunhe Emperor's sleeve, swaying it twice, and whined softly.

"Imperial Physician Qian has advised me many times, and even tried to prepare medicinal meals for me, but I just feel nauseous and can't eat them."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Imperial Physician Qian nodded repeatedly.

"That's exactly how it is."

"Your Majesty, please also urge Imperial Consort (Gongzhu) more. This subject truly has no other options."

Hearing them speak thus, Shunhe Emperor's expression eased considerably. He turned to look at the beauty in his arms and gently tapped the tip of her nose.

"You, you—already a mother, yet still throwing little tantrums."

"If you don't eat properly, how will Our imperial child grow?"

He looked toward Shi Gui, who was waiting nearby.

"Go to the Imperial Kitchen and give the order: have them keep some appetizing side dishes and tonics like bird's nest ready at all times. They must be prepared around the clock."

"Whenever Noble Consort Jia wishes to eat, send them over at once."

Shi Gui lowered his head and answered.

"Yes."

"Xiyue Emperor, there's no need for such trouble."

Noble Consort Jia grabbed his hand.

"This consort wants to eat something sour."

Shunhe Emperor raised his brow slightly.

Sour?

Sour for a boy, spicy for a girl!

An auspicious sign!

"Good, what does Imperial Consort wish to eat?"

Noble Consort Jia pressed her lips together in thought, her eyes turned toward him revealing a hint of longing.

"This consort wants to eat sugar-preserved green plums and dried sour apricots."

Hearing this, Shunhe Emperor was momentarily lost in thought.

Scenes from over twenty years ago surfaced in his mind.

Back then, someone had also nestled in his arms like this, gently stroking her swelling belly as she spoke:

"This consort doesn't want any rare or precious delicacies—just some dried sour apricots and sugar-preserved green plums made by my mother and Eldest Sister-in-law…"

"Xiyue Emperor? Xiyue Emperor?"

Two calls pulled him back to himself.

Looking at Noble Consort Jia in his arms, Shunhe Emperor felt a touch of absent-mindedness.

Looking closely, she really did resemble her—just lacking a few traces of heroic spirit.

He said somewhat absently.

"It's not some rare delicacy. If you want to eat it, just have the Imperial Kitchen make it."

"Why does Xiyue Emperor look at this consort so?"

Shunhe Emperor suppressed his strange emotions and gently caressed her cheek.

"I hadn't noticed before—Imperial Consort is actually so beautiful."

Noble Consort Jia shyly covered her face.

"This consort isn't wearing any makeup at all. Xiyue Emperor, please don't tease this consort."

"Oh?"

Shunhe Emperor raised his brow slightly.

"Why is that?"

The palace maid Lian'er, standing nearby, replied respectfully.

"Replying to Your Majesty, Imperial Consort (Gongzhu) fears that face powder and lip rouge might affect the Prince in her belly."

"So that's how it is."

Shunhe Emperor nodded slightly.

The Consort in this harem constantly change their tricks to catch his attention. Not to mention during pregnancy—even when serving in bed, they would love nothing more than to wear heavy makeup.

He never expected Noble Consort Jia would meet him bare-faced for the sake of the unborn child.

This made Shunhe Emperor even more pleased with her.

Noble Consort Jia whined softly.

"I'm afraid that for the next few months, this consort will look this plain. Xiyue Emperor must not find this consort distasteful."

"Haha."

Shunhe Emperor laughed twice in good spirits.

"How could that be? Imperial Consort is doing this for the sake of Our imperial child—We are deeply pleased!"

"We still have matters to attend to. Imperial Consort, rest well."

After saying this, he gave the imperial physician and palace attendants a few more instructions, then strode away.

After he left, Noble Consort Jia looked at Imperial Physician Qian, who was still waiting nearby, and spoke leisurely.

"Is Imperial Physician Qian feeling unwell today?"

"N-no, this subject is fine."

Noble Consort Jia lowered her head and stroked her belly.

"From now on, what you should say and what you shouldn't say — make sure you remember it clearly."

Imperial Physician Qian nodded repeatedly, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Yes, yes, yes."

At that moment, a little palace maid walked in carrying a bowl of medicine.

"Imperial Consort (Gongzhu), the tonic has arrived."

Noble Consort Jia extended her hand.

"Give it here."

Holding the tonic, her nostrils flared slightly twice, and the corner of her mouth curved into a smile.

Then she drained it in one gulp.

Gazing at the medicine bowl in her hand, Imperial Physician Qian suddenly spoke up.

"Actually, Your Highness's pregnancy is stable — there's no need to take tonics every day. After all, medicine is three parts poison."

Hearing this, Noble Consort Jia smiled meaningfully.

"If I don't drink it, wouldn't this kindness go to waste?"

After all, it is the Empress Dowager's painstaking thoughtfulness!