CHAPTER 687: CHAPTER 687: GUILT

If this tragedy was to be blamed on anyone, it was Fan You himself for being too reckless. So many wrongdoings, why did he commit them all by himself! So many laws, yet he did not take them to heart. Did he really think himself so favored by the late emperor that he could disregard everything? Ridiculous!

With this thought, Zhao Junyao’s last trace of guilt vanished. An emperor’s heart should indeed be as hard as iron. That’s what his father had taught him.

"The benevolence of women is the greatest harm to the people! The country has its laws, and the family has its rules; the Three Bonds and the Five Constants are iron decrees. If every day you’re worrying about this person or pitying that one, then what’s the use of having laws?! How can the people believe in the law, believe in the imperial court?"

After much thought, Zhao Junyao felt he had done nothing wrong. And so, as time passed, he gradually put the matter behind him.

「...」

It entered the twelfth lunar month. The days grew colder. Thankfully, the Ground Dragon heating had already been lit in Xia Ruqing’s chambers; otherwise, her frail body surely couldn’t have withstood it.

These days, the palace had been incessantly busy with various matters. Therefore, the news of Xia Ruqing’s pregnancy had not been made public. Yet the Imperial Medical Bureau came to check her Peaceful Pulse from time to time; she indeed could hardly keep it a secret. And so, Imperial Doctor Zhang knew.

By the twelfth lunar month, her pregnancy was a full three months along.

On this day, when Zhao Junyao arrived, Imperial Doctor Zhang was taking her pulse. Zhao Junyao found out about her pregnancy when she was two months along, which was also when Imperial Doctor Zhang had just confirmed it. Seeing Imperial Doctor Zhang just finish taking her pulse, he asked with a smile, "Is everything alright?"

However, Imperial Doctor Zhang’s gaze was somewhat complicated, and he even shook his head slightly.

Xia Ruqing’s heart sank with a thud. What’s going on? What does shaking his head mean?

"What’s the matter?" she asked weakly.

The expression on Zhao Junyao’s face also turned quite grim. "What’s going on, speak clearly!" His voice carried an icy chill, frighteningly cold.

Imperial Doctor Zhang then realized his lapse and hurriedly kowtowed to admit his guilt. "Your servant was momentarily distracted, deserving of death!"

Zhao Junyao grew impatient, waving his hand. "Speak clearly!"

He was actually a bit afraid, terrified that Qingqing was in danger.

Imperial Doctor Zhang hurriedly spoke. "Your Majesty, Consort Xian Pin’s pulse is somewhat complicated; your servant believes it looks like twins, but due to the early stage of the pregnancy, it cannot yet be confirmed..."

"Twins?" Xia Ruqing was so startled that her eyes went wide.

Zhao Junyao was also extremely shocked, but he was careful to keep his emotions from showing on his face.

Imperial Doctor Zhang looked at Xia Ruqing and nodded. "That’s right! However, it’s not certain yet; we will be able to confirm as the months go by!"

When Zhao Junyao heard Imperial Doctor Zhang confirm this, the anger and impatience in his heart instantly dissipated like smoke. In their place surged excitement, happiness, and agitation; his whole being trembled with excitement.

"Good!" he exclaimed. "Rewards! All those in Qingya Residence, you all have rewards! And Imperial Doctor Zhang, you have worked hard! A generous reward!"

Zhao Junyao’s speech was somewhat incoherent. Li Shengan didn’t dare to remind him, only nodding in agreement nonstop.

"Many thanks, Your Majesty!" The Imperial Physician and the palace attendants behind him all knelt down in a rush, loudly expressing their gratitude.

Xia Ruqing lay on the bed, somewhat at a loss. "Your Majesty..."

Is it really good to be so conspicuous?

Zhao Junyao hurriedly stepped forward and carefully supported her. "Qingqing, you must not move carelessly or speak carelessly. Don’t spread word of this matter; I will protect you well, rest assured!"

In his words, there was an air of confidence and self-assurance, and hard-to-conceal excitement.

If it were twin boys, then he would never lack sons again. Without lacking sons, the Empress Dowager and those court officials would no longer pressure him to take more consorts. Yes... Just thinking about it fills me with joy!

Seeing Zhao Junyao, radiant and about to burst with happiness, Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but smile. "Emperor, you look as happy as a child!"

Zhao Junyao affectionately tousled her hair. "Don’t talk nonsense, I am your husband!"

She was somewhat at a loss for words after hearing this, and the corners of her mouth turned slightly bitter. Heh, a mere concubine like me, how could I be worthy of calling him my husband? Only the Empress has that right!

She shook her head, deciding not to think about it any further. Xia Ruqing simply smiled happily. "Yes, Your Majesty!"

「...」

The Laba Festival was just around the corner. Qingya Residence was busy preparing various types of porridge and pastries from early on. Since she was pregnant, there were many things she couldn’t eat, and even green beans had been limited as per the Imperial Physician’s advice. So, she could only add to the porridge those ingredients she was allowed to consume and simmer it.

Under Xia Ruqing’s supervision, a very special pot of Laba porridge was completed. It didn’t look very appealing. She even lost her appetite.

"I don’t want to eat this unappetizing thing!" Although a bit finicky, she simply didn’t want to eat it—what else could be done?

Zhao Junyao, not bearing to see it go to waste, tried a little himself before distributing the porridge to the servants. The servants, moved to tears by the less than delicious but exceedingly dignified porridge, expressed immense gratitude.

This scene made Xia Ruqing laugh. "You all should leave quickly, I... I can’t laugh! I just ate, and laughing too much will give me indigestion!"

Zi Yue stepped forward to pat her on the back. "Alright, my lady, let’s not laugh anymore!"

Xia Ruqing gradually managed to stop her laughter.

「...」

Since the Empress had fallen, the Noble Consort no longer caused trouble either. The others in the Harem had quieted down too. It wasn’t that they didn’t envy Consort Xian Pin’s exclusive affection. It was simply fear that stopped them from causing a fuss. The fate of the former Empress was a stark warning to all: did they desire favor or life? The answer was clearly obvious.

Therefore, they all behaved very modestly, usually not venturing out, choosing instead to stay in their residences enjoying the flowers, tea, poems, and prose. Life wasn’t necessarily easy, but it was certainly not sorrowful. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was no longer skimping on their allowances. With sufficient supplies of fabrics and charcoal, there was nothing they couldn’t endure. And so the days passed, one by one.

「In the blink of an eye, the end of the year approached.」

Setting aside the good news from other places for now, just focusing on Xia Ruqing’s situation, it felt like every day held great promise.

Zhao Junyao discreetly sent someone to tell her some good news. "Your brother has passed the imperial examination! Third place, he’s the Third Place Scholar!"

Upon hearing the term Third Place Scholar, Xia Ruqing immediately thought of the handsome and unrestrained image of these young scholars. She burst into laughter at once. "Oh, Emperor!"

Perhaps her brother’s scholarship could have qualified him for Second Place Scholar!

Regardless, it was a cause for celebration. Overjoyed, Xia Ruqing generously rewarded the servants with many gifts.

Zi Yue, with her sweet tongue and kind heart, immediately laughed. "Congratulations, my lady, joy has come to us in pairs!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled. "Get up, get up! Please don’t bow!"

Zi Yue and Zi Su both laughed. Zi Su said, "My lady, now that you know, should we prepare some gifts to send down?"

Xia Ruqing shook her head. "It’s a gift, not a reward!"

Zi Su quickly bowed her head, "This servant admits her mistake!"

She waved her hand dismissively. "It’s fine, let’s not fuss over these trifles. My older brother will certainly take care of everything for him outside the palace!"

Having passed the imperial examination, he could now become an official. With another pillar to support the family, how wonderful!