Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 134 - 117: The News of Xi Consort’s Pregnancy Spreads Through the Palace

Chapter 134: Chapter 117: The News of Xi Consort’s Pregnancy Spreads Through the Palace

The news of Concubine Xi’s pregnancy spread through the harem like wildfire.

The eunuchs rushed to Changle Palace to deliver the joyous news, knowing they would surely be handsomely rewarded.

The task fell to Eunuch Qin, who was clever enough not to hurry but to wait until the Imperial Hospital’s top obstetrician, Doctor Zeng, had checked Concubine Xi’s pulse and completed the diagnosis, before taking Doctor Zeng and Gong Mei to Changle Palace—since the Empress Dowager cared about the imperial heirs, he brought someone along to answer any questions as he lacked medical knowledge.

Regarding Concubine Xi’s diet and daily activities, Gong Mei, who knew them, was also brought along.

Coincidentally, Changle Palace had a visitor.

With the end of the year approaching, Consort Jiang’s desire to restore her position had swelled to the utmost; she had been meticulously copying Buddhist scriptures and praying for the Empress Dowager’s blessings every day. The Empress Dowager had a soft spot for her family and, with the New Year imminent, she allowed her to join for meals and conversation.

Upon hearing that a palace maid from Xianfu Palace was waiting at the palace gates for an audience, Consort Jiang smiled faintly:

"What a rare visitor! Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager doesn’t wish to meet with outsiders today."

The Empress Dowager ignored her sarcastic remark and instructed the nanny to inquire about the matter.

"Your benevolent heart gives others a chance to be presumptuous, sending a palace maid with a message shows great disrespect towards you."

Consort Jiang sighed; though her words were meant to provoke, they pointed out an underlying problem. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

If Concubine Xi had a request for the Empress Dowager, not coming personally but sending a palace maid could be considered disrespectful.

The Empress Dowager, being as calm as a Jade Bodhi, said, "We must hear what it’s about."

The nanny, upon seeing Doctor Zeng and noticing Gong Mei’s joyful expression, had her suspicions.

The obstetrics department in ancient times was called "qianjin ke."

Since it had been a long time since any concubine in the harem had encountered joy, Doctor Zeng was more idle compared to others; a consultation indicated a great occasion: "Doctor Zeng, could it be..."

After receiving a confirmation, the nanny took the initiative to bring both into the Empress Dowager’s presence.

"The Empress Dowager hasn’t spoken yet, why did the nanny bring them in?"

Consort Jiang’s expression turned sour.

Gong Mei, accompanying Concubine Xi to Jianzhang Palace for greetings daily, was annoyed upon seeing that face!

The Empress Dowager, upon seeing Doctor Zeng and recalling who he was, immediately sat straighter, her gaze turned suspicious.

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, a joyful pulse was diagnosed in Concubine Xi over two months!"

The words landed like thunder, shocking everyone in the room.

This thunder opened up the Empress Dowager’s meridians, her eyes suddenly brightened up, yet she feared the joy might be unfounded and asked in disbelief, "Really? Was the diagnosis clear? Does the Emperor know about this? Good, good, the palace should have more children, preferably a prince to accompany Jing’er."

The same thunder nearly drove Consort Jiang to madness.

She felt as if a piece of burning charcoal had been stuffed into her belly, her internal organs were charred, her mind was jumbled, and her eyes reddened instantly.

"Joyful pulse..."

Consort Jiang murmured.

How could this happen? Why was Concubine Xi so fortunate?

She wanted to conceive! She wanted a backup! As soon as she had a child, the Jiang Family would support her fully, and the concubines who couldn’t bear children would no longer dare to put on airs before her. But now Concubine Xi was pregnant, Consort Jiang was full of hatred, her calf muscles and internal organs twisting into knots, her palms sweating, her mind tangled, with nothing but buzzing sounds in her ears, unable to hear the Empress Dowager’s words.

"Why was the peaceful pulse not diagnosed before? Since it’s over two months, is the fetus stable? Today wasn’t a routine day for the peaceful pulse check, why did Concubine Xi suddenly summon the Imperial Physician? Is there something wrong with the child in her womb?" The Empress Dowager’s questions came rapidly, her gaze turning to the young girl beside Doctor Zeng: "I recall you’re Concubine Xi’s Chief Palace Maid, report after a while on her status."

Doctor Zeng dared not keep secrets and hurriedly explained, "I reviewed the previous pulse records and didn’t detect a joyful pulse then. This time, it should be Concubine Xi got startled, causing a movement in the fetus, which made the pulse heavier..."

He hadn’t finished speaking when the Empress Dowager anxiously asked, "How did Concubine Xi get startled and disturb the fetus? How is she caring for the fetus?"

Even though Concubine Xi was previously seen as a good child by the Empress Dowager, those in power always valued the fetus."

Concubines are merely vessels.

Doctor Zeng actually did not detect a pulse indicating fetal movement, but Doctor Zhang was there first, and he had to agree with the previous physician’s opinion, otherwise he would offend people. Moreover, Kong Mei, having pushed Concubine Xi to the ground, causing fetal movement, made sense, so he explained it that way.

Gong Mei then stepped forward: "Responding to the Empress Dowager, it was Concubine Lan’s Chief Palace Maid who pushed the mistress to the ground, causing the fetal movement."

She intentionally omitted the location.

Sure enough, as soon as the Empress Dowager heard this, her brows knitted tightly.

She didn’t have a good impression of Concubine Lan, only remembering her as a coquettish and seductive woman. However, she never criticized the concubines for such traits: "Did Concubine Xi experience any bleeding? Is the fetus still stable?"

Upon learning that Concubine Xi’s health was robust, and she had been taking good care of herself, so even if there was slight movement in the fetus, both her and the baby’s state were stable, the Empress Dowager’s brows relaxed and she revealed a look of relief and happiness.

"Amitabha, Buddha bless."

Turning her head, the Empress Dowager noticed the regret on Consort Jiang’s face.

Her heart skipped a beat.

At this moment, the nanny interjected: "Surely it is because of Lady’s usual devotion to Buddha that moved the Buddha, and it was Lady’s blessings that allowed Concubine Xi to have a stable pregnancy."

The Empress Dowager gave a small smile, accepting the compliment, but did not truly consider Buddha’s blessings as all-powerful. She sent Nanny Ye to Xianfu Palace to care for Concubine Xi and instructed her to discuss with Doctor Zeng about selecting some appropriate supplements to take along: "Watch her intake, I remember Concubine Xi has a tendency to indulge, don’t let her overdo it."

As for Concubine Lan...

The Empress Dowager hesitated slightly, she was aware that Concubine Lan had been recently favored by the Emperor, and was mindful not to disrespect the Emperor’s preference, so she only punished Concubine Lan by docking her salary for six months and grounding her for one month: "Replace the staff at Youlan Garden with those who know the rules; her chief palace maid and the eunuch failed in their duty to advise their mistress, thus are unfit to serve in the master’s presence, send them to the Laundry Bureau."

When concubines cause trouble, it can’t be devoid of the servants’ influence.

With a change of personnel, Concubine Lan might find it inconvenient, but with past lessons, the new palace attendants wouldn’t dare to go along with their master arrogantly flaunting her power. Presumably, they can remain obedient for a period, at least allowing Concubine Xi to peacefully nourish her pregnancy.

...

Youlan Garden.

Die’er had not returned for a long time after fetching melons and fruits from the Imperial Household, so Concubine Lan sent another swift-legged eunuch to inquire, and upon learning that Die’er had pushed Concubine Xi in the South Fruit Room, and Concubine Xi had been diagnosed with a Peaceful Pulse, her legs went weak and she could hardly stand, luckily the palace maid beside her responded quickly and supported her.

"It’s over, it’s over..."

Concubine Lan’s lips trembled: "Concubine Xi’s child mustn’t be harmed! How did Die’er, while fetching items, end up entangled with Concubine Xi?"

She certainly didn’t want Concubine Xi to conceive.

But she also knew if the child in Concubine Xi’s womb were lost because of her, she would be Yan Chi’s sinner. For these days, her favor from the Emperor was only evident in comparison to others. The Emperor would only summon her, speak with her, but had not favored her intimately; she was still a virgin.

Concubine Lan had tentatively asked the Emperor once, and the Emperor had merely glanced at her indifferently: "You previously said you were unwilling, and I still don’t see you willing now."

She regretted it so much, wondering why she had to act coy back then!

Concubine Lan was assisted by the palace maid to slowly sit down.

The sun was right overhead, yet her hands and feet were ice-cold: "Quickly move the charcoal brazier over here, can’t you see I’m cold?"

Concubine Lan loudly chastised the palace maid to calm her inner fear.

The charcoal brazier was moved to her feet, it didn’t feel as cold, but her heart was still anxious.

Until the Empress Dowager’s edict arrived, and discovering it was merely a salary reduction and grounding, Concubine Lan heaved a sigh of relief, and her face showed a familiar pride: "It seems the Empress Dowager also knows I have to serve the Emperor, forgiving me, the Empress Dowager’s benevolent grace is felt by me, though I am grounded, unable to go to Changle Palace and kowtow to express my gratitude!"

Having said that, she kowtowed three times towards the direction of Changle Palace.

"I really wish to visit Concubine Xi, apologize to her personally, but alas I can’t go."

Having accepted the punishment, Concubine Lan’s mood was quite good.

She felt it was a good sign, proving she was also quite favored and esteemed in the Empress Dowager’s eyes. Being grounded for a month might seem long, but given the Emperor’s frequency in flipping the cards, he likely wouldn’t forget her. Once her grounding lifted, she could sob before the Emperor, and all would be well.

Ah, Concubine Xi was fortunate too, this child was probably conceived during her previous favor, letting her have a second spring.

However, being able to conceive doesn’t necessarily mean she can safely deliver.

Looking at her, it seems she doesn’t have such luck.

After the eunuch who delivered the edict had just left, another eunuch from Zichen Palace arrived.

He didn’t come alone; he brought a breathless corpse and a decree of demotion.

"Concubine Lan, for allowing servants to harm their mistress, has failed in virtue, unfit to remain a concubine, demoted to Attendant Lady, during the grounding period in Youlan Garden, she is to pray to Buddha daily for Concubine Xi’s blessings, so decreed."