CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72 SUDDEN VOMITING

The Emperor had a strong tolerance for alcohol, accepting every drink offered to him.

However, he had already consumed seven or eight cups before the meal, his face naturally gaining a hint of redness.

Lin Guifei immediately signaled to Dong Yuzhong with her eyes and then spoke.

"Your Majesty, it would be best to eat something first; otherwise, drinking on an empty stomach is quite uncomfortable."

Dong Yuzhong nodded and approached to serve the Emperor.

As usual, he picked a little of everything.

The Emperor chose a few dishes to eat, finding the taste much like before.

Yet, he suddenly remembered the meals he had at Xianyi Palace, abruptly finding today’s fare somewhat bland.

The accompanying concubines weren’t many, and throughout the meal, the Emperor didn’t hear any commotion from Lin Wanyi’s side.

Through the pillars, his view was not very clear, only faintly catching a glimpse of her profile.

He thought to himself that she was quite good at being idle; such a talkative person on ordinary days, yet today she didn’t even stand up to say a word.

Emperor Yu Wenhong hadn’t yet had a chance to speak when Lin Guifei preemptively chimed in.

"Your Majesty, don’t just focus on drinking. The Imperial Kitchen has prepared a new dish today, made with premium pork drizzled with osmanthus honey, baked to make the skin crisp. Your Majesty and the sisters should all try it; I find it quite appetizing."

After speaking, palace maids filed in, placing a dish on everyone’s table.

Indeed, it had a crystalline color and an enticing aroma.

Having just drunk wine, the Emperor found it best to suppress it with meat.

After a bite, it didn’t taste greasy, only crispy with a delicate fragrance.

"Not bad, the Imperial Kitchen has truly put effort into this dish."

Receiving the Emperor’s praise, Lin Guifei’s smile became even more pronounced.

"Sisters, you all should try it too; His Majesty finds it delightful."

"Yes."

Then, the concubines began to eat.

Looking at the meat dish, Lin Wanyi, who was already feeling nauseous, couldn’t hold back any longer.

To others, the aroma was pleasant, but to her, it was an emetic scent, and her retching overwhelmed the roars of approval.

Everyone turned to look.

Seeing Lin Wanyi covering her mouth with one hand and patting her chest with the other, Princess Consort Yi was the first to reprimand.

"With His Majesty present, how dare Lin Changzai make such a scene, what does this mean?"

Hearing this grand accusation, Lin Wanyi opened her mouth to defend herself, but just as she let go of her hand, the scent of meat wafted into her nose again, bringing another wave of nausea.

Princess Consort Yi was infuriated.

"What are you doing? Are you deliberately disgusting me?"

On the verge of fury, she was unexpectedly stopped by Lin Guifei.

With excitement in her eyes, she turned to the Emperor and said.

"Your Majesty, judging by this, could it be that my sister is expecting? I recall that when I was pregnant with Ming Ruo, I couldn’t stop vomiting either."

As soon as Lin Guifei spoke, everyone’s expressions became intriguing.

Some showed disgust, some jealousy, and others frowned, pondering something unknown.

Yet, Lin Guifei was genuinely pleased.

It had only been two months since Lin Wanyi entered the palace, and she was already expecting.

Thinking of giving birth to a son after ten months, by then she could rightfully have her brought over to be raised by her side.

Perhaps she could even ascend to the Empress through the son.

Delighted, she immediately shouted outside.

"Quick, summon the Imperial Physician!"

Then she glanced at the Emperor, unable to contain her joyful heart.

The Emperor was initially surprised, but upon reflection, it seemed quite possible.

Lin Wanyi’s physique seemed frail, yet unexpectedly, she became pregnant with the dragon child soon after being favored, truly underestimating her.

Though he said nothing, his brows and eyes were full of happiness.

"Dong Yuzhong, have Lin Changzai’s food removed, then send her to rest in the side hall and wait for the Imperial Physician to examine her."

"Servant obeys."

At this moment, Lin Wanyi was vomiting violently, unable to care for any other matters.

However, Xia An was extremely anxious, knowing that her mistress had a cold condition, making it impossible for her to be pregnant.

It was originally because of the cool breeze before bed yesterday and rushing travel today that caused physical discomfort.

The ruckus Lin Guifei made made it seem as if she intentionally portrayed herself as pregnant in front of everyone.

If the Imperial Physician later discovered Lin Wanyi was not pregnant, it would be hard to step down gracefully.

Anxiously, she turned to Qiu Ming, saying.

"Mr. Qiu, the mistress’s vomiting is due to a headache, it’s unrelated to pregnancy."

Qiu Ming knew as much, but he couldn’t make decisions on his own and could only try to calm her down for the time being.

"Don’t worry, you go attend to the mistress first, I’ll find a way to inform my teacher."

"Okay."

In the side hall, after vomiting violently, Lin Wanyi was extremely weak.

Xia An approached her side; seeing no one else to serve, she immediately placed her hand on Lin Wanyi’s wrist to check her pulse, fearing missing any detail.

Moments later, she opened her eyes to find Lin Wanyi had regained some consciousness.

She looked at Xia An with eyes full of worry.

"I..."

"Don’t worry, mistress, nothing is amiss."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanyi finally relaxed.

She would rather be misunderstood, thinking she staged this to vie for favor than actually be pregnant now.

She touched her flat belly, but that uncomfortable feeling rose again.

"Did you bring the Silver Soul Pill?"

Xia An nodded; a few pills were hidden in her hairpin.

There were both life-saving pills and poisonous ones to be used only as a last resort.

The Silver Soul Pill Lin Wanyi mentioned was the poison.

"Bring it."

"Mistress?"

"Since the Imperial Physician is coming to examine, don’t miss this chance."

Xia An understood her mistress’s intentions immediately, gritted her teeth, and handed it to Lin Wanyi.

Regardless of her discomfort, Lin Wanyi swallowed it.

Fortunately, the poison pill was small, making it not too difficult to swallow.

Xia An handed her warm water, while gently patting her back to ease her symptoms.

The Silver Soul Pill was poisonous and, once ingested, caused dizziness and vertigo, justifying her recent symptoms of vomiting due to dizziness.

Most importantly, to detoxify the Silver Soul Pill, one must use a cold remedy.

Thus, her cold condition would inevitably recur, such that the situation could naturally come to light.

The matter of Lin Wanyi’s cold condition was known only to those in the East Cross Courtyard.

Over the years, it had been mostly cured, only that she continued medication to ensure her body’s recovery.

During Doctor Fang’s visit, he didn’t detect anything amiss.

Firstly, Doctor Fang specialized in external injuries and had limited knowledge of internal injuries, particularly women’s ailments.

Secondly, Lin Wanyi intentionally stopped her medication to avoid the Imperial Physician’s detection.

Now, however, she was truly besieged on all sides.

The only way to make others drop their guard was to make her cold condition apparent.

In this way, everyone would know she was unlikely to conceive, redirecting suspicions elsewhere.