Chapter 73 Before The Storm (1/2)
The Empress? Pregnant?
Yun Shang was so taken aback that she was at a loss for a while. Then she heard the courtiers congratulating His Majesty in chorus, ”Congratulations to Your Majesty. Congratulations!” Yun Shang was still pondering over the news she had just heard. What? The Empress is pregnant? Yun Shang turned around to look at Emperor Ning, who also looked astonished. Yun Shang stared at Emperor Ning for a long time before speaking, ”Your... Your Majesty...”
Emperor Ning turned to Yun Shang with a perplexed stare. Yun Shang felt her hands trembling in her sleeves. She bit her lip to steady herself, ”Congratulations to Your Majesty. Soon I will have one more younger brother or sister.”
It seemed Emperor Ning was still flabbergasted. He breathed out an ”oh” after a long while before sinking into another trance.
The Imperial Physician kneeling on the ground waited patiently for a response from the Emperor, who, however, stayed silent. So the Imperial Physician spoke, ”Your Majesty, the Empress has been pregnant for about a month. Her Majesty is very well. But Her Majesty got quite excited just now and that is not good for the baby. However, please don't worry, Your Majesty. Her Majesty will be fine after resting.”
Emperor Ning nodded speechlessly. After a moment, he turned and rushed out of the Hall. Lord Zheng hastily followed the Emperor. Watching the Emperor's fading figure, Yun Shang felt at a loss for what to do. She frowned, but after noticing that everyone was staring at her, she realized that she was the only composed master in the Hall. So she waved and said, ”This is a great and happy event. Rise to your feet. There will be awards from His Majesty.”
Everyone stood up at Yun Shang's words. The Princess turned to look at the Imperial Physician, and smiled, ”Though the Empress is physically well, Her Majesty still needs particular attention for her pregnancy. When you return to the Imperial Hospital, please prepare some medicines conducive to Her Majesty's pregnancy and send them to Qiwu Palace.”
The Imperial Physician nodded and withdrew. Then Yun Shang had time to think this over. What happened? How could the Empress be pregnant at this moment? In her previous life, Hua Jing was the Empress's only child. She hadn't given birth to another one. Why? And pregnant at this moment...
Yun Shang thought about the differences in events from her previous life and her present life. Lady Jin had spent her days at the Cold Palace and had been trapped there until the end of her life. However, in this life, her mother had not only been released from the Cold Palace, but she was pregnant as well. Was it possible that everything would change in this life?
In her contemplation, Yun Shang heard a groan. She turned and caught a glimpse of the Empress who had awoken from her faint. She ran to the Empress and inquired eagerly, ”Your Majesty...”
The Empress winced and raised one of her hands to prop up her forehead. It seemed that she was experiencing some discomfort. Yun Shang stepped nearer, ”Your Majesty, are you feeling well?”
The Empress lifted her eyes to glance at Yun Shang. Then she said weakly, ”Why am I here? I remembered I was in Qinzheng Hall. I remember...”
Yun Shang said hastily ”You passed out in Qinzheng Hall a little while ago. When the Imperial Physician checked you, he said that you are pregnant. Your Majesty, congratulations to you.”
”Pregnant?” The Empress looked confused. It took a moment for Yun Shang's words to register. ”Pregnant? You mean I am pregnant?”
Yun Shang nodded as she tried to squeeze out a smile. ”Yes. You are pregnant, Your Majesty.”
The Empress flashed a brilliant smile at Yun Shang's words. ”That is really wonderful. In recent years, no one in the imperial household has been lucky enough to bear your father a child. I was quite worried about the decline of your father's bloodline. I was even considering selecting some fair ladies to marry your father and bear him more children. It was completely unexpected that Lady Jin would get pregnant. And now, so am I.”
Yun Shang grinned, ”His Majesty is blessed by Buddha.”
The Empress seemed ecstatic, ”Reward. Everyone will get a reward.” Then she summoned Xiu Xin. ”I'm uncomfortable here. I'm afraid I might hurt the baby. Escort me back to Qiwu Palace.”