Chapter 107:

After eating, Layue’s previously gloomy mood seemed to improve significantly. Strangely, she suddenly felt very drowsy, her eyelids heavy. Thinking for a moment, she dismissed everyone and prepared to take a short nap.

Layue usually did not nap during the day, but today she fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.

This nap lasted until evening.

Jinxin and the other maids were somewhat worried.

Jinxin had originally planned to discuss summoning the imperial physician in the afternoon, but seeing that their mistress had slept straight through until evening, she became even more anxious.

Layue slept heavily, completely unaware of time passing.

“Jinxin…” she murmured sleepily, her voice soft from just waking up.

Jinxin hurried into the room: “Mistress has awakened? Let me help you up.”

Seeing the dazed look in her mistress’s eyes, Jinxin suggested: “Mistress, I’ve noticed your condition has been unusual these past few days. Perhaps we should summon the imperial physician for a consultation?”

Layue looked at Jinxin and asked directly: “Can’t we just call Cuiwen directly? That would be much more convenient. I’m just feeling a bit unwell from the heat, that’s all.”

Jinxin silently scolded herself for forgetting about Cuiwen’s medical skills.

“Look at my mind, how could I forget? I’ll go fetch her right away.”

Upon hearing that her mistress was unwell, Cuiwen was anxious and hurried in to pay her respects before immediately checking Layue’s pulse.

After a moment, Cuiwen frowned, observing her mistress’s drowsy appearance.

She spoke: “I recommend that we summon the imperial physician directly.”

“What’s going on?” Jinxin asked anxiously.

Cuiwen relaxed her expression and smiled slightly: “Mistress seems to be with child.”

Ding! Shen Layue was stunned, and Jinxin beside her was equally shocked: “Mistress is with child? Then we definitely need to summon the imperial physician.”

After all, how could they announce that Cuiwen from their palace had diagnosed the pregnancy?

Soon, everything became a flurry of activity. In no time, Jinxin was seen running to instruct Xiaodengzi to report the news to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

Although they knew Cuiwen would never misdiagnose, there was still some nervousness as they awaited the imperial physician’s confirmation.

Coincidentally, the attending physician was Master Wan, and upon seeing him, Cuiwen was visibly excited.

Before long, Emperor Jing strode into Tingyu Pavilion.

Upon entering, Emperor Jing noticed Cuiwen and Master Wan standing aside and his gaze flickered.

The young girl lying on the bed smiled brightly at him.

“How is Concubine Chun?”

Master Wan respectfully replied: “Your Majesty, I have just diagnosed Concubine Chun. She is one month pregnant.”

“Does she need to take any medicine? What is her physical condition like?”

“Concubine Chun is in excellent health and does not require any medication. However, in the early stages of pregnancy, she may experience some anxiety and unusual eating habits. The young maids around her are not aware of these pregnancy symptoms.”

The Emperor nodded.

“That’s good then.”

Emperor Jing looked at Layue from head to toe, noticing her bright eyes and apparent happiness.

“It feels like only yesterday when you first entered the palace. Now you’ve grown from a thirteen-year-old girl into such a charming young woman. And now you’ve even given birth to my child.”

Layue didn’t know whether it was due to the pregnancy, but she felt tired and leaned into his arms, murmuring: “We promised each other, remember? Look, our eldest princess is coming.”

The Emperor smiled faintly at her words, his voice low: “Say, about our eldest princess, was it that night I was drunk?”

Layue cautiously looked around, then exhaled in relief when she saw that the maids and eunuchs had already left: “You must maintain proper decorum in front of others.”

Seeing her like this, the Emperor laughed: “I still remember how obedient you were that day.”

Layue, seeing that he was deliberately teasing her, complained: “You even bit me that day.”

The Emperor hadn’t expected her to bring that up and laughed: “Are you blaming me for that? You’re such a calculating little girl.”

“You did bite me, and now you won’t let me talk about it. From now on, you can’t bite me anymore. I’m a woman with child now.” She was clearly acting like a little girl.

The Emperor paid no heed and took her soft little hand, giving it another gentle bite.

This action made Layue huff in annoyance and turn her face away: “Your Majesty, if you keep doing that, I’ll go tell the Empress Dowager.”

Seeing her like this, the Emperor laughed again.

“You really are still such a little girl. Alright then, I won’t tease you anymore, or you’ll go complain to the Empress Dowager. Call your maids in.”

Layue didn’t know why the Emperor wanted to do this and looked at him blankly. But seeing her like this, he sighed: “Now that you’re pregnant, your mind seems even slower.”

Layue pouted at him but still called out loudly: “Jinxin, you senior maids come in.”

One by one, they entered.

Looking at the four maids, the Emperor spoke: “Your mistress is young and inexperienced. Although you haven’t given birth yourselves, there are some things you should understand. Serve your mistress well and do your best. If there is any mistake, I’m sure you know that the punishment bureau is a place you’d rather avoid.”

The Emperor’s tone was completely flat, but they still hurriedly knelt down.

Thinking for a moment, he continued: “In a few days, I will assign an experienced old nurse to your mistress. I’ve been feeling like something was missing in Tingyu Pavilion, but I hadn’t thought of this. With an experienced nurse to guide you, you’d better serve her well.”

They hastily responded in agreement.

Layue didn’t know why the Emperor suddenly wanted to assign an old nurse to her.

But regarding the matter of the child, she assumed the Emperor had no reason to harm her.

Perhaps having an experienced old nurse would help avoid some problems, which would be a good thing.

“Thank Your Majesty for your kindness,” Layue said softly from her seat on the bed.

Seeing her soft and tender expression, the Emperor’s gaze softened.

“You’re young, so listen more to the old nurse. It will benefit you,” the Emperor said sincerely.

Layue obediently nodded.

“Alright, you may all leave now.”

“Yes.”

The next day.

Although rumors had already spread about Concubine Chun’s pregnancy, many still secretly hoped it was false news.

Otherwise, why hadn’t the Empress Dowager reacted yet?

However, early in the morning, someone was seen delivering rewards from the Empress Dowager to Shen Layue’s Tingyu Pavilion, confirming that the news was indeed true.

Everyone praised Concubine Chun’s good fortune.

In the palace, social interactions were necessary.

Gifts began to arrive from various consorts’ quarters. Jinxin and Cuiwen checked them together, increasing the chances of detecting any problems.

Seeing those suspicious items, Jinxin was so angry that her eyes turned red. These people were always trying to harm others; there wasn’t a single good person among them.

It was rare to see Jinxin so emotional. Although the other senior maids were also furious, they could only suppress their anger.

After learning everything, Layue didn’t react strongly.

Because she was worried that the bad smells might affect the fetus, Layue didn’t go to see those harmful items.

She gently kicked a small stone in the garden.

After thinking for a long time, Layue said: “Jinxin, pack up all the suspicious items and send them to the Empress Dowager later.”

Since she was going to visit the Empress Dowager to express her gratitude for the gifts, she might as well let the Empress Dowager handle this matter.

Don’t think she’s an easy target. In the past, she didn’t speak much because she thought it was unnecessary; no matter how much they fought, it would be meaningless if the Emperor didn’t like her. But since they all thought she was someone they could manipulate at will, then it was time for a joke.

Since the mistress had issued orders, Jinxin naturally packed up the items.

Some people needed to be taught a lesson, or they would take advantage.

After dressing in a yellow gown, Layue looked at the waistband in Apricot’s hand.

Thinking for a moment, she instructed: “Tie it a bit looser for me.”

“I understand.”

Layue dressed extremely simply today, without wearing any of her usual jewelry.

She looked plain and quiet.

Her long hair was tied into a simple bun on top of her head, making her look almost like a young man.

Upon arriving at Huici Palace, the eunuch Mama Gu was startled to see her: “Concubine Chun, what brings you here? Please, come in quickly. The Empress Dowager was just speaking of you, saying she would bring the eldest prince to visit you later.”

Layue laughed joyfully, her laughter like silver bells.

“That won’t do. How can elders visit juniors? Besides, I’m only newly pregnant and can still do everything normally.”

“But you must be careful, especially during the first three months. You’re still so young and inexperienced,” Mother Gu said sincerely to Shen Layue.

As soon as she learned about the pregnancy, Momo Gu insisted on helping Layue into the room, which made Layue blush deeply once more.

The Empress Dowager was speaking with Yan Yu when she heard the announcement and turned to her grandson: “We don’t need to go anymore.”

Yan Yu’s little face showed no expression, but he didn’t seem unhappy either.

As Layue entered the room, she was immediately called to rise before she could even curtsy and was seated at the Empress Dowager’s right side.

Looking carefully at this young face, the Empress Dowager smiled: “You’re a girl with good fortune. Just a few months ago, we were still talking about Concubine Qi here. Now you’ve become pregnant yourself. This is truly joyful news.”

Layue smiled shyly and lowered her head: “Yue’er has finally gotten what she wished for.”

The Empress Dowager laughed even more. In the palace, every woman hoped to give birth to a son and gain status through their child, but they would pretend not to care about power. None would be as straightforward as Shen Layue in saying she had gotten what she wished for.

That was exactly what the Empress Dowager liked about her.

She was clear-minded and straightforward.

However, what was in the large bag carried by the two maids beside her?

The Empress Dowager looked at Shen Layue with curiosity. Fortunately, the girl was not pretentious and spoke directly: “Please, Your Majesty, help me seek justice.”