novelraw Chapter 376 Weakness
Chapter 376 Weakness
It wasn’t until they left the city that the steeds truly bolted, heading along the official road toward the Royal Hunting Grounds a hundred miles away.The Emperor’s personal eunuch, Li Shengan, stayed behind in the palace to ensure nothing went awry. Only a few of Li Shengan’s disciples followed.
「...」
「In the palace」
With the Emperor gone, the Empress relaxed completely. Since that incident, she had always been somewhat afraid of the Emperor. Even without leaving her residence, she lived in constant trepidation every day, fearing she might do something wrong and provoke the Emperor’s anger once again. Now, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
After breakfast and her medicine, the Empress lay down on a soft couch to rest. She asked Yu Lan, "Has anything happened in the palace lately?"
Yu Lan remembered being told that the Emperor had encountered Honored Lady Jiang in the Imperial Garden, and she recounted the incident.
Upon hearing this, the Empress smiled. "Just as I expected! Honored Lady Jiang bears some resemblance to Lady Xia. In the twilight, mistaking one for the other is perfectly normal!"
Yu Lan laughed. "Then, Your Majesty, why don’t we... sound out Honored Lady Jiang? If Honored Lady Jiang knows her place and is willing to follow Your Majesty and serve you, perhaps she could become the next Xia Jieyu. If she were to have a child, Your Majesty could take it into your care; what a delightful affair that would be!"
The Empress thought for a moment, then frowned and said, "This is a good idea, but it requires careful, long-term planning. We mustn’t rush! In the past, the Emperor would show me some consideration, favoring the women I promoted. Now, however, I’m truly uncertain if I can even get them into the Emperor’s bed. It won’t be easy to accomplish this!"
Yu Lan remained silent. If Her Majesty wasn’t confident, she certainly dared not presume any more.
With furrowed brows, the Empress pondered for a good while before saying, "Alright, first go and gauge Honored Lady Jiang’s attitude. If she is willing, I can lend her a helping hand. Tell her, if she’s willing to stand by me, she won’t lack anything that Xia Jieyu has!"
Yu Lan assented and departed.
「...」
「In Xifu Palace」
With the Emperor away from the palace and no one accompanying him, Noble Concubine Shih felt somewhat more at ease. Her cousin, in the end, was still the same, she thought. To him, women were nothing but a seasoning, a distraction amidst his busy affairs of state. As long as one was obedient, attractive, and could serve him well, anyone could be favored. Who could truly be important enough to make him lose sleep? She herself was once favored like no other, but wasn’t she now easily cast aside? Xia Jieyu, too, would face such a day. After all this time, she had come to accept it. She understood that to maintain long-lasting favor, a child was the only true tie. Therefore, she had to take good care of Honored Lady Shih, ensuring she gave birth to a healthy, plump son. Only then would she truly be set for life, without worries.
Having made up her mind, Noble Concubine Shih hurriedly took a sip of tea to compose herself.
Ying Yue, as usual, brought in the soup tureens, large and small. "Your Highness, the Imperial Kitchen has prepared red date pork ribs, clear stewed beef, and wolfberry black chicken soup today!"
Noble Concubine Shih frowned. "Only three soups?"
Ying Yue hesitantly nodded. "Your Highness, that’s quite a few! Weren’t there always three soups in the past?"
Without giving it much thought, Noble Concubine Shih ordered directly, "Tell the Imperial Kitchen to add more soup! Add two more fortifying soups, beneficial for a pregnant woman!"
Ying Yue hastily nodded. "This servant will go right away!" Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel-fire.ɴet
Noble Concubine Shih thought to herself. She had absolutely no reason to feel guilty. Her younger sister was pregnant, after all. The Imperial Kitchen, seeing that she had lost the Emperor’s favor and was merely an Honored Lady, prepared her meals as usual. While they didn’t skimp, they weren’t particularly meticulous either. That being the case, if she, her elder sister who held the rank of Noble Consort, took a little extra care of her, who could possibly object? As she thought this, she felt increasingly justified.
「...」
Before the midday meal, all five soups were finally prepared. Noble Concubine Shih took the soups to Honored Lady Shih’s quarters.
Honored Lady Shih was lying in bed, sound asleep. Ever since becoming pregnant, Honored Lady Shih had not gotten out of bed, merely resting after her meals each day. The nutritious soups provided by Noble Concubine Shih offered different varieties daily. Gradually, she began to put on weight. At least, a double chin had appeared.
When Noble Concubine Shih saw the double chin, a flicker of a smile touched her eyes.
Ying Yue placed the soup on the table, and Noble Concubine Shih approached to wake Honored Lady Shih.
"Sister... Sister! It’s time for the midday meal!"
Zhaoer also hurried over. "My lady, the Noble Consort is here!"
Honored Lady Shih, hearing someone calling her and smelling the aroma of the soup, opened her eyes. "Noble Consort!"
Noble Concubine Shih sat at the edge of the bed. "I’ve told you, there’s no need to call me ’Noble Consort’; we are sisters!" Having said that, she instructed Zhaoer, "These nutritious soups are all the best from the Imperial Kitchen. Serve some to your mistress!"
Zhaoer responded and departed.
Honored Lady Shih felt somewhat embarrassed. "Noble Sister, you bring soup every day. How can I possibly accept this kindness!"
Noble Concubine Shih patted her hand. "If you really feel embarrassed, then drink more soup. Don’t let this elder sister’s concern go to waste!" While speaking, her gaze again fell on Honored Lady Shih’s stomach. "After all, your child is also my child; how could I possibly not care for it!"
Honored Lady Shih caressed her belly, a flash of resentment and reluctance in her eyes. She wasn’t showing yet, but she could feel a little life inside her, changing every day, slowly growing! In a few more months, would it become someone else’s child? Would it have to call someone else ’Mother’? This might be the only child she would ever have in her lifetime. How could she bear to give it away?
"Sister, what are you thinking about? Drink the soup, will you?" Noble Concubine Shih’s words brought her back to reality.
Honored Lady Shih looked up, forcing a dry smile. "Thank you, Noble Sister!" After she spoke, she took the soup and drank distractedly.
Watching Honored Lady Shih consume all the soup, Noble Concubine Shih left, satisfied.
One bowl of soup was small. But five bowls? Ordinarily, Honored Lady Shih couldn’t possibly drink that much. Now, however, she drank that amount every day and had gradually become able to stomach it. It was just that after drinking, she would feel bloated and terribly uncomfortable. Furthermore, she found herself visiting the restroom much more frequently.
After drinking the soup and eating a bit of the midday meal, Honored Lady Shih went back to sleep.
The next time Zhaoer awakened her, it was because the Imperial Physician had come to take her pulse. No matter what, this was an imperial heir; they couldn’t possibly neglect it.
The Imperial Physician, from behind a curtain, placed four fingers together on her pulse. His expression gradually grew solemn, and he seemed to want to say something yet hesitated.
Honored Lady Shih asked, "Imperial Physician? How is the child?"
The Imperial Physician withdrew his hand. After a long pause, he said, "Honored Lady Shih... the child is fine. However, if you continue like this, you will..."
Honored Lady Shih hurriedly asked, "Will what?"
The Imperial Physician didn’t continue. He merely stressed, "You are still young. After meals, you should walk around a bit, as it is conducive to delivery!"
Honored Lady Shih looked at the Imperial Physician and shook her head. "Imperial Physician, I always feel so weak. I really don’t want to get out of bed!"
Honored Lady Shih appeared somewhat feeble.