Proud Feather

Chapter 77 You are happy
As soon as Chu Ling arrived at Yongchun Palace, he saw Concubine Xian hurriedly getting off the warm sedan chair.

"The virtuous concubine."

When Concubine Xian saw her, she felt like she had seen a savior: "Princess, have you heard about it too?"

Chu Ling said, "I saw the imperial physician on the way and thought that Concubine Shu was ill again, so I came to see her." He added, "This is a great joyous event. Father will surely be delighted when he hears about it."

The Concubine Xian's smile faded a little, and her tone became more complicated: "Yes, Your Majesty will be very happy to know!"

She couldn't help but feel jealous. There weren't many princes and princesses in the harem before, so she could still comfort herself with the virtuous concubine. But she didn't expect that the virtuous concubine, who was older than her, could still get pregnant.

Of course, to be honest, Concubine Shu is less than 40 years old now and has given birth to children, so it is reasonable for the old tree to bloom.

Just as he finished speaking, the royal carriage arrived.

Chu Ling and Concubine Xian came forward to pay their respects, but the emperor didn't even look at them. He just waved his hand and went into the house.

Xianfei was even more heartbroken. Although she held a high position, she had never been favored. These days, Shufei was under house arrest, and the emperor finally got closer to her. Did he wake up from his dream after just a few days?

"Empress Xianfei." In a daze, Chu Ling held her hand and said meaningfully, "Having it is a blessing, but not having it could also be a blessing. Who knows?"

Xianfei glanced at her in confusion, not understanding what she meant. Why would it be a blessing if she didn't have one? Was it because she was old and giving birth would be dangerous? And since she held a high position, would she be seen as a thorn in the eyes of others if she did give birth? The Second Prince was already an adult and had his own factions within the court...

Many conspiracies and intrigues flashed through her mind, all of which were the bloody stories her parents had told her about before she entered the palace, and the chaos that had occurred during the reigns of Emperor Xuanzong and Emperor Xiaozong.

Before she could figure out what was going on, Chu Ling had already followed her in.

It was still the same room, the same bed. Concubine Shu looked much more haggard than last time, and she couldn't even hide the fine lines at the corners of her eyes and her dull complexion. She sat there blankly, as if she had not yet come to her senses.

"Shufei!" The emperor strode in, his brows knitted tightly. "The imperial physician said you are pregnant?"

"Your Majesty!" Concubine Shu's eyes finally showed some movement as she explained anxiously, "I, I don't know why this happened. Clearly..."

She covered her belly with her hands, still looking incredulous: "How could she be pregnant? There has been no movement for so many years, and I have never doubted it. It's really..."

Seeing her like this, the emperor's expression relaxed for a moment, and he said, "Don't worry, where is the imperial physician? Ask him to come over and talk."

After hearing these words, Concubine Shu finally calmed down a little, and one of her hands tightly grasped the emperor as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw.

Chu Ling was filled with doubts.

It's not like Concubine Shu is too old to have children. Isn't pregnancy a great joy? Why don't they both act happy?
She turned her head and saw that Concubine Xian was also confused.

The imperial physician came in quickly and reported, "Your Majesty, the Empress is indeed pregnant."

"Nonsense!" the emperor exclaimed angrily. "Didn't you just examine me a few days ago? Why didn't you mention it then?"

"I am terrified!" The imperial physician shuddered with fear. "A few days ago, your Majesty's pulse was weak and I couldn't tell... I am not well-trained, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The emperor took several deep breaths before calming himself down and ordered, "Call the hospital clerk, and see who else is on duty at the Imperial Hospital, and call them all over!"

The palace people took the order and left.

Not long after, a group of imperial doctors came over.

They checked her pulse one by one and finally reached a consensus: "Your Majesty, the Queen's pulse is still very weak, but it should be a pregnancy pulse."

The room was silent for a moment. Concubine Tian Shu looked at the emperor timidly, her tone pleading: "Your Majesty..."

The emperor regained his composure and, seeing the bewildered expressions of the crowd, he said, "When I entered the capital to ascend the throne, I brought only the Empress with me. Consort Shu was already pregnant with He'er at the time, but the inaccurate news frightened her into giving birth, causing her health to deteriorate. I consulted many renowned physicians, and they all said she could not conceive again. Envoys of the Manor, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

So that's how it is. Xian Fei understood and felt even more sad. Shu Fei was able to give birth to a pearl even though she was so old, so why didn't she have this luck?

The manor envoy replied, "Your Majesty, Concubine Shu is indeed weak, but after so many years, perhaps she has gradually recovered."

"Is that so?" the emperor pressed. "Can her body really bear a child? There have never been many children in the palace, and I thought it was difficult for me to have children."

The manor attendant hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is in good health, and has had many princes and princesses. How could it be difficult for him to have children? It's just that kinship requires fate."

At this point, the emperor's expression changed slightly: "So, is it fate that Concubine Shu has this child?"

The envoy of the manor dared not agree. Concubine Shu's pulse was so weak and she was so old, who knew if she could be saved.

"Your Majesty!" Fortunately, Concubine Shu pulled the emperor over. "It's been so many years, and I really haven't dared to have any improper thoughts... If this is fate, can you keep it? He'er is already grown up, and it won't affect him..."

As she spoke, Concubine Shu's voice became nervous and her eyes pleading.

After a moment, the emperor finally sighed, "He'er is about to have a child herself, how can it affect him? Don't think too much, since you're here, just stay."

Concubine Shu was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am so lucky in this life. You favored me when I was young, and now that I am old, you have chosen me again..."

As she spoke, her eyes were filled with tears, and she seemed to be feeling more genuinely than the last time when she pretended to be sick.

"Alright, alright, I know. Don't cry anymore." The emperor turned and instructed the imperial physician, "Shufei is weak. You must take good care of her. Do you understand?"

The envoy of the manor quickly responded: "Yes, I obey your order."

The imperial physician withdrew, and the entire Yongchun Palace became joyful. Chu Ling suddenly smiled and raised his voice: "Father!"

The emperor turned his head, his eyes gentle: "A Ling, you are here!"

Chu Ling smiled and said, "I saw the imperial physician on the road and was worried about the Concubine Shu, so I came to visit her. I didn't expect to hear such great news."

She turned around and said, "Empress Shufei, congratulations! I'm going to have a brother and sister again!"

Facing her smiling face, Concubine Shu politely responded: "Thank you for your concern, Princess. I..."

She sat up a little straighter, and Chu Ling quickly pressed her down: "Madam Shufei, please don't move. The imperial physician said that you are weak and you must take good care of yourself."

Then he turned around and said, "Father, Concubine Shu is already like this, can we forget about the previous punishment? It wasn't her fault in the first place, she was just implicated. How can a mere Tian Hui'er be as important as my brothers and sisters?"

The emperor had just that in mind, and these words touched his heart. He smiled and said, "A Ling is really different now. He's not willful at all anymore, and he even knows how to think about others."

"Of course!" Chu Ling raised her head with a proud look, "I've grown up! I was a younger sister before, but I will learn to be an older sister from now on."

The emperor was overjoyed and felt even more pity for his daughter. He said, "No matter how many brothers and sisters you have, you are always your father's favorite child."

"Father!" Chu Ling hugged his arm, tears welling up in her eyes. "You are also my most beloved father!"

In just a few words, the scene became filled with the deep affection between father and daughter. Concubine Shu gritted her teeth, and Concubine Xian was full of admiration.

I finished writing a little early today, and my goal is getting closer!