Chapter 271: The Empress Is Pregnant

"Weren't you unconscious? I see the Empress full of vigor; where is any sign of illness?"

Hearing the Emperor's voice, the Empress was startled, hurriedly rose: "I, your humble consort, present myself before the Emperor."

The Emperor stepped forward, sat directly on the main seat, and did not help the Empress who was kneeling on the ground.

Mamah helped her up, whispering: "Emperor, the Empress has been unwell for several days, and just now showed signs of fainting; I, an old servant, dared to have someone request Divine Doctor Chi Nan Yi."

"Oh? Is that so?" the Emperor's gaze swept over the Empress's slightly pallid face: "Since she has been unwell for several days, why not summon the Grand Physician to take a look?" He waved his hand, and Eunuch Li, with a knowing look, went out to summon the Grand Physician.

The Empress sat beside him, whispering: "Emperor, I have heard that you intend to re‑investigate the White family treason case."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, turned his head to look at her: "The Empress's information is indeed well‑informed." His tone was neither cold nor warm, making the Empress's heart leap.

She could not understand why she was increasingly unable to read this person beside her pillow.

"Emperor, I thought this matter has been over for many years; rather than re‑investigating and continuing to entangle ourselves, we should let it rest—the White family's treason is an undisputed fact, and even a new investigation would not change the result. Why waste manpower and resources on this?"

The Emperor, hearing this, gave a faint smile: "Does the Empress think the same?"

The Emperor, hearing this, felt that she had touched his heart, pulled his hand, and softly said: "Emperor, I have been unwell lately, reflecting on many past matters; Concubine Bai's self‑immolation left you with great regret, yet I find myself somewhat envious of her, for she can keep her most beautiful self forever in your heart."

The Emperor lowered his gaze; no expression could be read in his eyes.

At that moment, a court attendant led the Grand Physician inside.

The Emperor, seizing the moment, gestured: "The Empress is unwell; give her a thorough diagnosis."

"Yes, Emperor."

Grand Physician Wen stepped forward, placed his fingers on the Empress's pulse; after a short while, his face brightened, and kneeling on the ground he respectfully said: "Congratulations, Emperor, the Empress is expecting."

"Really?"

"Absolutely certain, Your Majesty's pregnancy…" He glanced at the Empress: "It has been over a month."

The Emperor nodded: "The dates do match." A modest smile rose on his face: "Empress, you have endured hardship."

The Empress feigned coyness, glanced at her belly, eyes brimming with excitement: "Emperor, I have finally become pregnant again."

All previous births were princesses; since Concubine Bai's death, the palace has not produced a prince.

More than a decade has passed; the Inner Palace bearing a child is a momentous joy.

"But Emperor, the Empress's body is no longer as it once was; carrying a child will be very arduous, and when I examined her pulse, I sensed hidden worry, which may be harmful to the fetus."

The Empress rubbed her head, while the handmaiden behind her skillfully massaged her acupoints.

"Emperor, the Empress must not add any more worries."

The Emperor, hearing this, nodded, and with a smile said: "Since today you are here to take the pulse, I will entrust this pregnancy of the Empress to you; should any mishap occur, bring your head to see me."

"Yes, I will obey the decree," Grand Physician Wen hurriedly replied: "I will now go prepare a tonifying prenatal medicine for the Empress."

After Grand Physician Wen left, the Empress, with a shy expression, stroked her belly, eyes full of anticipation: "Emperor, I never expected I could become pregnant again."

The Emperor gave a faint smile, an inscrutable look flashing in his eyes: "Indeed, I did not anticipate it either."

"Emperor, do you wish this child to be a prince or a princess?"

"Either is fine." He narrowed his eyes, looking at the Empress's belly: "As long as it is born of the Empress, it is fine."

"Emperor, the Grand Physician just said my worries are excessive, I was thinking…"

Before she could finish, the Emperor already rose, turned to Eunuch Li and said: "Tell Grand Physician Wen to prescribe some warm, soothing sleep decoctions for the Empress, lest her excessive worries keep her from resting."

"Yes."

"Emperor…"

"Empress." The Emperor, with his back to her, said coldly: "Now that the Empress is pregnant, focus on nurturing the fetus. I will entrust the affairs of the harem to others; as for the court, Empress, do not forget—the harem is forbidden from discussing state affairs. Do not think that bearing a prince allows you to break the rules."

The Empress could not help but feel a sudden fright.

The Emperor's reprimanding tone was so evident; what else could the Empress not understand?

"I dare not."

"That is for the best."

With those words spoken, he walked straight away.

Only after his figure vanished did the Empress, with Mamah's help, finally rise.

A nameless panic lingered in her heart.

Not right, not right!

What is happening?

She is pregnant; shouldn't the Emperor be pleased?

Now not only does it displease the Emperor, but even the authority over the Six Palaces is to be transferred.

What on earth is going on?

"Send someone to my father with a letter, ask what exactly happened, why the Emperor is so cold toward this palace?"

The court attendant obeyed and left; meanwhile, Chi Nan Yi had already returned to the Chi Family.

Master Chi paced around the main hall repeatedly.

"Go, see if the little miss has returned."

"Master! The little miss has already returned!"

Master Chi's eyes brightened at the words.

"Maternal grandfather, what is this?"

"Where did you just go?" Master Chi asked her with a nervous expression.

"The Emperor summoned me to the Palace; I just came out of the Imperial Study."

"Enter the Palace!"

"Indeed, they let her enter the Palace!"

"Chi Nan Yi, has the Emperor ever said anything to you?"

Just as the words fell, before Chi Nan Yi could answer, a servant ran in: "Master, someone has come from the palace, saying they are here to give the young lady a reward."

Chi Zhong Shan's heart sank; he grabbed Chi Nan Yi and pulled her behind him, gritting his teeth as he said, "Yi'er, wait here for now; I, your maternal grandfather, will go to the palace to beg the Emperor to take back his order."

In his view, the Emperor summoned her solely to have her marry Prince Li.

Now that the reward has been issued, doesn't that mean she has agreed to this marriage?

Chi Nan Yi had guessed roughly what was going on, and she could barely hide a smile: "Grandfather, it's not like that……"

"Yi'er, you do not know how perilous the road ahead is; if you marry Prince Li, you will inevitably be drawn again into the midst of right-and-wrong struggles—Prince Li is the second imperial prince; how could he lack the ambition to contend for the throne? Even if he now promises to be with you for life, to protect you completely, yet at a critical moment he might abandon you for the throne and for power. If that day ever comes, your maternal grandfather would rather die than see it. So wait here; even if I must sacrifice my life, I will not let you repeat your mother's tragic fate."

Seeing his expression of resigned readiness to die, Chi Nan Yi said with a smile, "Grandfather, you're overthinking; it's not about this matter."

"What?"

"The Emperor summoned me to the palace for the case of the Bai and Situ families; he learned of my identity, knew I wanted to kill my enemies, and thus gave me this opportunity."

As the words fell, the palace eunuch in charge of distributing the rewards had already led his people inside.

Chi Zhong Shan immediately recognized the official robe symbolizing a lower third-rank position.

"This… this is…"