Chapter 87 (1/2)
This chapter has been brought to you by me, and WanderingGummiOfDoom.
Chapter Eighty-Seven: Poison
What was the biggest rumor going around Jing right now?
It was that when the Crown Princess had been in labor, the evergreen tree by the imperial tomb had been struck by lightning, and that a fire had started in the suburbs of Jing. Phenomena like this did not happen at the birth of someone normal, but it would have been better not to have these things occur.
Someone said that the imperial grandson was a demon and would bring calamity to the entire country. Others said that this was the warning that the heavens and the Yan ancestors were giving because this imperial grandson was not the child of the Crown Prince but born of the adulterous affair between the Crown Princess and Sheng Junw.a.n.g.
Negative gossip was always more welcome than praise for others, and spread the fastest. The news that the Crown Princess had committed adultery and given birth to a demon spread through the entire country. In some remote places, the rumor had become the Crown Princess having illicit relations with a feral man and giving birth to a monster that would bring calamity.
People did not completely believe in monsters and demons, but definitely feared them. Also, the rumors about the imperial grandson were so detailed that even the people who did not originally believe them started to believe them.
”So the rumors outside say that the imperial grandson has three eyes, six arms, black skin, and fangs?” Hua Xi Wan sipped tea, and laughed, covering her mouth with a fan. ”What is all this nonsense?”
Hong Ying said with a smile, ”The people outside have not seen the imperial grandson. Isn't it normal for the rumors to get exaggerated as they spread?”
Hua Xi Wan smiled. However, when she turned her head, she thought, this was such a coincidence. Just as the thunderstorm seemed to be coming, the Crown Princess went into labor. There were so many places the lightning could strike—why did it strike the evergreen tree by the imperial tomb? Also, the buildings had been burned down, but no one had been hurt. It was as though someone had known there would be a fire and saved the people beforehand.
”Bai Xia, when the fire started, who saved the people in the buildings?” Hua Xi Wan covered her lower belly lightly. Today, her monthlies had come. Not only could she not eat ice, she wasn't even allowed to have ice in the room. This was both hot and uncomfortable; she felt uncomfortable all over.
”I heard it was the Guard Office patrol that coincidentally pa.s.sed by and saved the people. It is a pity that the fire was too strong, and so while the people were saved, the buildings were burned.” Bai Xia knew that Hua Xi Wan had a hard time with the heat and got hot water to wipe Hua Xi Wan's hands and face to lower her temperature. She wrung out the handkerchief and handed it to Hua Xi Wan. She continued, ”It is so coincidental—this Guard Official patrol used to be under the command of Official Zhang Hou. After Official Zhang Hou went to the Judicial Office, his second-in-command took his spot.”
”Zhang Hou?” When this person was mentioned, what Hua Xi Wan thought of first was that honest face and upright figure. ”I heard that he was slighted greatly in the Judicial Office. How is he now?”
”A few days ago, someone criticized the Chief Justice. He was stripped of his role and Official Zhang Hou took over. Now he is the Chief Justice.” Bai Xia took the handkerchief that Hua Xi Wan had used. ”The people all say that Official Zhang is a stupid person but a lucky one. They forget how just a short time ago they laughed that Official Zhang was too stubborn and did not recognize what was good for him.”
”People are always like this.” After wiping her neck and arms, Hua Xi Wan felt that her body wasn't so sticky anymore. She said in a good mood, ”I think that this Zhang Hou has pretty good luck.”
She looked outside the door. Wind suddenly gusted strongly. It seemed as though a great storm was about to come again.
”Has w.a.n.g Ye returned to the fu?” She suddenly recalled that Yan Jin Qiu seemed to have been very busy recently. Even though he squeezed out time every day to accompany her, from the speed with which he fell asleep at night, the energy and attention he was using recently were multiple what they were usually.
”This servant doesn't know; this servant will go and ask.” Bai Xia looked at the banana tree that was swaying in the wind and handed the basin of water to Hong Ying. She prepared to leave.
”It is about to rain, do not leave.” Hua Xi Wan walked to the doorway and enjoyed the power nature from the wild wind. Then she pointed at Yan Jin Qiu who was coming from afar with flapping clothes. ”Isn't he coming back now?”
Bai Xia turned around to look. She saw w.a.n.g Ye walking over with a few attendants, and moved to stand at the side with a smile.
”The wind is so strong—what are you standing at the door for?” Yan Jin Qiu touched Hua Xi Wan's fingertip when he came in. He found that there was a thin layer of cold sweat on her and asked worriedly, ”You are having a cold sweat in such heat—are you well?”
”I was too hot, so I wanted to feel the wind by the door.” Hua Xi Wan whispered in his ear, and after seeing his expression become unnatural, she touched her belly and said, ”Now do you know what is going on?”
Yan Jin Qiu coughed lightly. He looked at the servants around and waved for them to leave. Then he carried Hua Xi Wan onto the bed before reaching out to lightly ma.s.sage her belly. ”Since you are not comfortable, nap for a while. When it is time for the evening meal, I will wake you.”
Maybe because it was the first time that he was doing such a thing, Yan Jin Qiu's movements were very unpracticed and awkward. After rubbing while not daring to use too much force and only rubbing at the one spot, he caused Hua Xi Wan to complain. ”Are you ma.s.saging my stomach for me or scratching an itch?”
Yan Jin Qiu increased the force. After ma.s.saging for a while, he saw the breathing of the person on the bed became regular. After she sank into a deep sleep, he lightly took his hand away and covered her with a silk blanket.
The sound of rain splatting came from outside. He walked to the window and saw the banana tree that was vibrating from the wind and rain. He narrowed his eyes in a good mood.
Thunder suddenly reverberated. He abruptly turned back to the bed to look at Hua Xi Wan. Seeing that she had not been startled awake by the thunder, he quickly walked to sit down at the edge of the bed and reached out to pat the hump under the blanket. As he listened to the sounds outside, the gentleness in his eyes could turn people into a puddle.
What the sound of the rain gave people was not irritation but another kind of serenity and peace.
When Hua Xi Wan woke up, she found that someone was sitting beside her. Turning her head, she saw Yan Jin Qiu was leaning against the bedframe and holding a book. She covered her mouth as she yawned and said, ”The room is so dark—why are you reading here?”