CHAPTER 630: CHAPTER 630 DON’T GO!

Returning to her private chamber, Honored Lady Cheng didn’t even drink a sip of water before lying down on the bed.

Her face was pale, her hands and feet icy-cold, and cold sweat beaded on her skin like droplets of water.

This scared Huan Cui witless.

"My lady, what’s wrong with you? Is your stomach hurting? Where do you feel uncomfortable?"

"My lady, please tell this servant!"

Honored Lady Cheng turned over, facing away, and said nothing.

But tears, like beads from a broken string, streamed down, quickly soaking the pillow.

Unable to get an answer and not daring to delay, Huan Cui hastened to summon an Imperial Physician.

In the palace, she was the only woman carrying the dragon’s seed. Her position might not be high, but what she carried in her belly was a precious treasure.

The staff from the Imperial Medical Bureau did not dare delay and arrived with the utmost urgency.

The person who came was Imperial Doctor Zhang.

Huan Cui arranged the bed curtains for Honored Lady Cheng and tidied everything up before Imperial Doctor Zhang entered.

After laying down the medicine pillow, Imperial Doctor Zhang began taking her pulse through a piece of cloth.

After the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, Imperial Doctor Zhang put away the cloth and let out a long breath.

"Honored Lady, there’s nothing seriously wrong. You must have been startled!"

"It’s late in your pregnancy, and the child is large, which naturally makes it more strenuous."

"You must maintain a good mood!"

"Only with a positive state of mind can you healthily deliver the child!"

Inside the bed curtains, there was no response for a long time.

Imperial Doctor Zhang didn’t prescribe any medicine and was about to leave with his medicine chest.

It was then that Honored Lady Cheng finally murmured from inside, "Thank you, Imperial Physician, I understand!"

Imperial Doctor Zhang acknowledged this and gave one more piece of advice.

"Honored Lady, if you feel uncomfortable, you must call for an Imperial Physician as soon as possible!"

After giving the advice, without waiting for Honored Lady Cheng’s response, he left with his medicine chest.

It was just a fright, nothing serious at the moment. However, if she kept up such a state of mind, it would be dangerous. When the mother is frightened, the child suffers too. Around eight or nine months, the child needs to turn. If the turn is successful, the birth will go well; if not... it’s hard to say.

Of course, Imperial Doctor Zhang naturally did not voice this. Discussing it would only scare her more. At this stage, one’s state of mind was the most important factor.

After Imperial Doctor Zhang departed, Huan Cui could finally relax. Seeing her mistress still looking sullen, Huan Cui sat by the bed and tried to comfort her.

"My lady! If you are feeling aggrieved, you can confide in this servant. Letting it out will make you feel better!"

"My lady!"

Honored Lady Cheng had a somewhat vacant look in her eyes, but her complexion had improved a little; she was no longer so pale. The cold sweat had also stopped. She glanced at Huan Cui and said weakly, "It’s nothing. I’m just tired. I want to sleep for a while."

Huan Cui was somewhat worried. "My lady, it’s almost time for lunch. You should at least eat something before you sleep!"

"No need!" Honored Lady Cheng replied. "I’m not hungry now. I’ll eat when I feel hungry later."

After speaking, she turned to face the inside of the bed. Huan Cui did not insist further. She placed ice basins around the bed, covered her mistress with a quilt, and drew the bed curtains. Then, she quietly closed the door and left.

Within the bed curtains, Honored Lady Cheng turned over, her face again streaming with tears. She touched her belly, murmuring low sobs, swallowing her tears and bitterness.

"Child," she whispered, "I am an Honored Lady; I cannot raise you myself! But... you have been in my belly for over half a year. How could I bear to part with you?"

Women are inherently weak, but become strong as mothers.

After crying for a while, a look of determination finally surfaced on Honored Lady Cheng’s face. She slowly caressed her belly with both hands, seemingly having made up her mind.

Gradually, she fell asleep.

When she awoke again, it was already mid-afternoon. Honored Lady Cheng had been woken by hunger. After her sleep, her spirits and body had recovered somewhat, and she felt like eating. Huan Cui was delighted and hurriedly ordered someone to prepare a meal. Meals for Honored Lady Cheng were always kept ready in the Imperial Kitchen. As soon as they were requested, they would be delivered immediately. After all, a pregnant woman couldn’t be kept waiting, could she?

After the meal, the sun outside was gradually setting. Even though it was still hot, there was a breeze in the evening, which made it bearable.

Honored Lady Cheng then took her Palace Attendants out for a walk. The Imperial Physician had also said that walking more would make giving birth easier.

Honored Lady Cheng made her way to the Imperial Garden. Just as she arrived at the edge of Taiye Pool, prepared to enjoy the evening breeze and admire the sunset, she had barely walked a few steps when she encountered Honored Lady Du head-on.

Honored Lady Du resided in Consort Hui Pin’s Zhaoxiang Pavilion, which was closer to Taiye Pool, so meeting her here was not strange.

However, Honored Lady Du lacked tact. Seeing Honored Lady Cheng approach, an individual she already disliked, she couldn’t resist making a few cutting remarks.

"Well!"

"Look, our future Consort has graced the garden with her presence?"

"Weren’t you too good for the likes of us, always hiding away in your palace and never coming out?"

There were many Honored Ladies in the Harem, and they often held private tea and poetry gatherings. Since becoming pregnant, Honored Lady Cheng had never attended. No matter how she was invited, she would only claim she was unwell and couldn’t come. In truth, she was also being cautious. However, such defensiveness tends to make women’s minds particularly sensitive. Who would feel comfortable being constantly guarded against? This was what led to Honored Lady Du’s current remarks.

Honored Lady Cheng did not wish to quarrel, so she simply smiled lightly and said, "The sunset is very beautiful, and the Imperial Physician has also advised me to walk more!"

Honored Lady Du was even more scornful. "Beautiful?!"

"Right! You feel uncomfortable in our presence, but you enjoy the scenery well enough on your own!"

If it weren’t for Honored Lady Cheng’s timidity, I wouldn’t have had to wait this long. I would have already taken her child... and presented it to the Empress as a token of allegiance! HEH HEH.

In the Harem, a woman who has been neglected for a long time will truly do anything to gain favor. The Empress doesn’t help me, doesn’t promote me, merely because she looks down on me. But if I could demonstrate my capability, solve a major problem for Her Majesty the Empress... then...

Honored Lady Du narrowed her eyes, a vision of a glorious and splendid future seemingly playing out before her.

So, she continued her verbal assault.

Honored Lady Cheng offered a few more words, but Honored Lady Du remained relentless. After a moment, Honored Lady Cheng no longer wished to engage with her. Planning to bypass her, she intended to head straight back to her palace.

But Honored Lady Du was not about to let her go. She thinks she’s too good for me! Honored Lady Du fumed internally. This prey before me is about to disappear, about to escape! If I don’t act now, all hope will be lost!

Growing desperate, Honored Lady Du stepped forward to block her path. "Don’t go, I haven’t finished speaking!"

Honored Lady Cheng, with her swollen belly, didn’t want to deal with so much. Leaning on Huan Cui’s arm, she ignored Honored Lady Du and left directly.

In her haste, Honored Lady Du quickly advanced in large strides. "Honored Lady Cheng, did you hear me? I haven’t finished my words!"

Honored Lady Cheng turned her head and gave a cold smile. "If you haven’t finished, you can save it for later!"

With that, she turned and walked away.

"You wretch!"

Honored Lady Du suddenly flew into a rage. The agony she had bottled up inside for so long burst out at that moment.

"Why do you get to have a child? Why do you gain the Emperor’s favor? Why, why?!"