The faint sounds from outside made the Empress Dowager lower her gaze. These palace intrigues—she had witnessed them all her life, grown weary of them, and seen through them completely.
"Let them in."
The Emperor opened his mouth but ultimately did not object. He had recognized the voice.
Following behind Yu Xiang, who was suppressing her anger, was Haoyue’s chief maid. The maid first kowtowed to the two seated above, then prostrated herself on the floor and choked out, "This humble servant begs Your Majesty the Empress Dowager to show mercy and summon a physician for my lady. My lady would not have pleaded repeatedly if she were not truly unwell. I beg for your grace."
The Empress Dowager was in no hurry to respond. She knew this was far from over.
Sure enough, as soon as the plea ended, a shrill, piercing cry came from outside: "Quick, someone! My lady is bleeding!"
The room fell silent.
The Emperor sprang to his feet, his face alight with wild joy, and hurried toward the door. Only when he reached the threshold did he realize he had overreacted. Turning back, he explained awkwardly, "This son has lost his head. Please forgive me, Mother."
The Empress Dowager watched her eldest son calmly. She had married the late Emperor at fifteen, given birth to him at sixteen. Though pure affection was rare in the palace, she had done her utmost to give him the deepest, most selfless love she could muster. She remembered their once-close bond, his childish vow to protect her, his breathless excitement when he first became a father and rushed to share the news. He had once been spirited, his eyes bright and clear. But somewhere along the way, he had aged into this weary, decrepit state—looking scarcely better than she did.
Why dwell on such thoughts? Suppressing the ache in her heart, the Empress Dowager said softly, "Take her back."
"Mother," the Emperor stepped forward, "the palace has not seen the birth of a prince or princess in years. This son was simply overjoyed."
"I share your happiness. Go now. I am tired."
The Emperor could not linger further and took his leave.
As the rustling noises outside faded away, the Empress Dowager covered her eyes. She had exhausted every means to soften the Emperor’s stance—if he relented, this matter could be resolved. Yet Haoyue had to stir trouble at such a time!
A moment later, she lowered her hand, all emotion wiped away. Once again, she was the composed, unshakable Empress Dowager, as if no storm could ever break her.
"To see blood on the first day of the new year... If nothing happens this year, so be it. But if trouble arises," the Empress Dowager sneered, "remember this. Ensure the Emperor recalls this blood—whether real or feigned—when the time comes."
"Yes, this old servant will remember."
The vast hall, warm as a spring day, still left the Empress Dowager feeling chilled. She picked up her hand warmer and put it on, thinking of the son who had promised to dine with her—a pledge he had likely long forgotten.
"Your Majesty, Chen Qing requests an audience."
Chen Qing? The Empress Dowager snapped back to attention and immediately summoned him in.
Having served in the Seven Constellation Bureau for years, Chen Qing had little trouble gaining entry—especially since he was now here through official channels, delivering an item for his master.
After paying his respects, Chen Qing placed a red sandalwood food box, all too familiar to the Empress Dowager, on the table. Bowing his head, he said, "My master ordered this humble servant to kowtow to you on his behalf."
Chen Qing knelt again and performed a formal obeisance. "May you live a long life."
The Empress Dowager gazed at the box for a long moment, her voice hoarse as she replied, "This gift I accept. Rise."Chen Qing stood up and, without waiting to be questioned, proactively stated his purpose, "My master had Lady Fu Dong personally prepare some dishes you like, all light and easily digestible. He requests that you try a bit of each. My master said he will send me again tomorrow to deliver more."
Her hand touched the food box, feeling its warmth—a slight temperature that nonetheless warmed her heart, lifting her spirits somewhat. "How is Yan Xi's injury?"
"Replying to the Empress Dowager, my master had a fever all last night. Shaoyao and the eldest young lady diligently attended to him, and the fever subsided by this morning. He has improved significantly now and should be able to come personally to pay his respects to you in a few days."
"The fever is true, and the two of them caring for him all night is also true, but 'improved significantly' is an exaggeration, isn't it?" The Empress Dowager looked at him. "Tell me the truth."
"Yes. Shaoyao said my master needs to rest in bed for some days and will suffer a bit, but for now, it seems his life is not in danger."
The Empress Dowager had guessed as much and sighed, turning to instruct Yu Xiang, "Go fetch that set of pearl jewelry. Also, Shaoyao likes my pair of jade beads—bring them all for Chen Qing to take. Consider it my New Year's gift to them."
"Yes."
Meanwhile, Like Orchid Palace was bustling with activity, yet the joy on the palace servants' faces was unmistakable.
After nine years, a consort in the imperial palace was once again carrying the royal bloodline. Whether it was a prince or a princess, it was a momentous occasion, especially for those in Like Orchid Palace. Seeing the Emperor personally feed the consort medicine from the corner of their eyes only confirmed this further.
Haoyue obediently drank a bowl of miscarriage-prevention medicine, wiped the corner of her mouth, and hesitated to speak.
The Emperor, in high spirits, smiled at her expression. "Speak."
Haoyue lowered her eyes. Her face, free of makeup, appeared full and radiant due to her youth, but her pallor now made her look pitiable. The Emperor, being no stranger to beauty, felt an added tenderness in his heart.
"Say what's on your mind. I will support you."
"Your servant has not been wronged, so there is no need for support, but..." Haoyue gently stroked her belly and looked up, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "It's just that this is a child I've longed for with great difficulty. I fear my fortune may be too shallow to keep it. I boldly wish to request Lady Shaoyao to serve as my personal physician. Rest assured, I dare not harbor any ulterior motives—it's only that a female doctor would be more convenient, don't you agree?"
The Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly but did not consent. "The Imperial Hospital has physicians specialized in this area. Do not worry unnecessarily—they would not dare be negligent."
"But Your Majesty, I trust Shaoyao more."
"I trust her as well." Remembering his niece who had rushed in yesterday without even a glance at him, the Emperor felt a mix of annoyance and helplessness. "She is not just a physician but also a princess. Do you wish for her, with her noble status, to attend to you daily by your side?"
Haoyue bit her lip, making it even paler. "I dare not think that way. I am just truly worried..."
"I understand. Rest assured, I will make arrangements. No one will treat you lightly." The Emperor turned to instruct Lai Fu, "Promote Haoyue to the rank of Pin and increase her privileges by two levels."
"Yes."
"Your servant thanks you for your grace." Haoyue bowed on the bed, and the Emperor pressed her to lie back down. "Recover well and give birth to my prince or princess—that will be the best thanks."
"Yes, I will certainly do so."Haoyue covered her mouth as she yawned, and the Emperor, seeing this, decided not to linger any longer. "Rest well."
Haoyue tugged at his sleeve. "This humble consort will only sleep for a short while. Will Your Majesty return later?"
"Yes," the Emperor nodded, quite pleased. "Shall I come to dine with you?"
"Very well. This humble consort will await Your Majesty."
The Emperor gently touched her face before striding away in high spirits.
The smile on Haoyue's face gradually faded. She had originally intended to keep it concealed a while longer, but today she had no choice but to bring the child to official approval. It was a pity her scheme had not yet succeeded. Now that she knew the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau was actually The Heir, if she could get Shaoyao under her control and use the child as leverage to seize evidence against her, would Gu Yanxi, bound by deep sibling affection, come begging to her?
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