When Emperor Jingming spoke, naturally no one dared to object.
Several censors wore triumphant expressions, while Yujin furrowed his brow deeply, lost in thought.
Emperor Jingming stood up. “The censors and Prince Yan can wait in the Imperial Study. The rest of you may disperse.”
The Seventh Prince’s wife was still unaware of the situation. Feigning illness was one thing, but if there was a hidden ailment, it couldn’t be carelessly revealed in front of so many people.
It was truly exhausting.
Emperor Jingming rubbed his brow as he walked inside.
“We take our leave—” The officials withdrew from the great hall, each harboring their thoughts.
Apart from the censors and Yujin heading to the Imperial Study, in the blink of an eye, only a few princes remained in the hall.
“What should we do now?” Prince Lu scratched his head, not yet satisfied with the excitement.
All the princes looked towards the Crown Prince.
At times like these, of course, they should listen to the Crown Prince. If things went badly, he would be the one to bear the brunt.
The Crown Prince, for once alert, said irritably, “Why are you looking at me? Didn’t you hear Father Emperor say we should disperse?”
After speaking, he left with his hands behind his back. Once he was alone, he revealed a delighted smile.
Today’s drama was truly spectacular. He could hardly wait to see Seventh Brother in trouble, though it was a pity he couldn’t observe the proceedings in the Imperial Study.
The other princes, sharing similar thoughts, successively left the palace, but none felt inclined to return to their residences.
“Why don’t my brothers come to my place for a short while?” Prince Qi suggested.
Among all the brothers, Prince Qi had never had a falling out with anyone. At this moment, when everyone’s gossiping hearts were boiling, no one objected to this proposal.
The group of princes headed grandly towards Prince Qi’s residence.
Upon learning of the princes’ arrival, Prince Qi’s wife hurriedly instructed the maids to serve tea and refreshments but didn’t prepare any wine or dishes.
Prince Lu, being unrefined, drank the tea without giving it much thought.
Prince Shu, however, silently praised Prince Qi’s wife.
Although they had gathered to watch the drama unfold around Seventh Brother, having some tea was fine, but if they were to drink and feast, should news of it reach Father Emperor’s ears, they would certainly be scolded.
Father Emperor would think: Your brother is in trouble, and you’re drinking and making merry? Where’s your brotherly affection?
Fourth Sister-in-law’s arrangements were just right. Fourth Brother was indeed fortunate to have such a thoughtful wife to assist him.
Prince Qi, long accustomed to his wife’s considerate gestures, smiled and thanked her for her efforts.
Satisfied with this acknowledgment, Prince Qi’s wife contentedly took her leave.
Jiang Si was feeling lazy all over, lounging on a couch and flipping through a book when Nanny Ji hurriedly entered.
“Princess Consort, the Imperial Physician has arrived!”
Jiang Si casually put down the book and said nonchalantly, “Then please show him in.”
“Princess Consort, you—” Nanny Ji hesitated, her expression rather grim.
She naturally knew about the Princess Consort feigning illness to avoid paying respects at the Yining Marquis’s residence. She had secretly sighed countless times, but she never expected the situation to be worse than she thought, with the palace sending an Imperial Physician.
Was the Princess Consort not afraid of the consequences?
Jiang Si closed her eyes, no longer paying attention to Nanny Ji.
It seemed that when her reaction became intense, she felt like vomiting after saying just a few words.
Soon, the Imperial Physician entered, greeted Jiang Si, and explained his purpose.
Jiang Si opened her eyes, her expression languid: “Then I trouble the Imperial Physician.”
She hadn’t expected the palace to be so insistent about her not paying respects at the Yining Marquis’s residence, even sending an Imperial Physician.
Judging by this, the child in her womb must certainly be a dear little treasure, arriving at just the right time.
Even without being pregnant, Jiang Si wasn’t afraid. Since she had used poor health as an excuse to avoid paying respects, if someone came to investigate, she could naturally fabricate other symptoms.
With the parasites in her body, altering her pulse to feign illness was simplicity itself for her.
The Imperial Physician placed his hand on Jiang Si’s wrist, carefully taking her pulse.
After a while, he switched to the other hand.
Beside them, Nanny Ji’s expression was anxious as she pondered how much silver would be appropriate to give the Imperial Physician.
It was impossible to have the Imperial Physician fabricate a serious illness, as that would be deceiving the emperor, a capital offense. But in the absence of any real illness, changing the wording a bit would be good; Imperial Physicians were most adept at smoothing things over.
The Imperial Physician finally released her hand.
Nanny Ji hurriedly passed over a heavy money pouch: “Imperial Physician, what do you think—”
The Imperial Physician smiled as he accepted the pouch, his entire demeanor relaxed: “Nanny, you’re too kind.”
The Imperial Physician’s ease made Nanny Ji pause.
Accepting money so readily seemed a bit odd.
“Imperial Physician, our Princess Consort—”
The Imperial Physician’s face was full of smiles: “The Princess Consort’s fetal pulse is stable. Congratulations to the Princess Consort.”
Nanny Ji’s mouth fell open as she looked blankly at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si wore a faint smile and nodded slightly to the Imperial Physician: “Thank you for your trouble.”
The Imperial Physician bowed in farewell: “Princess Consort, please take good care. This humble servant will return to report.”
“Aqiao, see the Imperial Physician out.”
Nanny Ji watched the Imperial Physician leave with Aqiao as if waking from a dream: “Princess Consort, you, you’re with child?”
Jiang Si nodded.
“No wonder, no wonder…” Nanny Ji stumbled over her words, her expression constantly changing.
In the end, her gaze fell on Jiang Si’s lower abdomen, left with only one thought: To have news of pregnancy just months after marriage, this was too quick!
Could it be… because of demanding intimacy five times in one night?
Nanny Ji’s long-held firm beliefs began to waver slightly.
In the Imperial Study, the atmosphere was rather tense.
Emperor Jingming looked at his defiant son, then at the confrontational censors, suppressing a bellyful of anger, finally waiting for the Imperial Physician’s return.
The Imperial Physician entered with his head lowered, paying respects to Emperor Jingming.
Emperor Jingming glanced at the censors, hesitated, then asked the Imperial Physician: “How is Prince Yan’s wife?”
He had deliberately sent a mature and steady Imperial Physician. If there was anything amiss with Prince Yan’s wife, he would naturally know what should and shouldn’t be said.
The Imperial Physician hesitated for a moment.
By custom, a woman’s pregnancy shouldn’t be mentioned to outsiders before three months have passed.
For physicians, this was because a woman’s pregnancy was unstable in the first hundred days and prone to miscarriage. According to folk belief, revealing a pregnancy too early would offend the fetal deity and be unfavorable for the child.
“Why does the Imperial Physician remain silent? What is the reason?” asked the censor with the most vehement words.
“Imperial Physician?” Emperor Jingming frowned slightly.
Could it be that Seventh Son’s wife had some hidden ailment?
Although Seventh Son’s wife was chosen by Seventh Son himself, it was ultimately he who had approved it, disregarding Worthy Consort’s dissatisfaction. He had even bestowed a jade ruyi scepter on Seventh Son’s wife before.
If there was something wrong with Seventh Son’s wife, it would be a bit embarrassing.
Emperor Jingming pondered worriedly.
With Emperor Jingming’s urging, the Imperial Physician dared not hesitate any longer and quickly said, “In response to Your Majesty, Princess Yan is not ill.”
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingming’s expression froze, and he began making eye signals at the Imperial Physician.
Wasn’t the Imperial Physician usually quite adept at telling white lies? What was wrong with him today?
Of course, Seventh Son’s wife should be punished for feigning illness, but this was a private family matter. To have several censors seize the opportunity to berate his son and daughter-in-law was ultimately a loss of face.
When the censors heard this, their emotions became agitated: “Your Majesty, Princess Yan is well, yet she claimed illness to avoid paying respects to her aunt. Such behavior is simply too—”
“Princess Yan is with child,” the Imperial Physician interrupted the censor’s impassioned speech at the right moment.
The Imperial Study suddenly fell silent.
Emperor Jingming felt he hadn’t heard clearly and asked again: “What did the Imperial Physician say about Princess Yan?”
The Imperial Physician said loudly: “Princess Yan is with child!”
Pan Hai, standing nearby, helpfully explained: “Princess Yan is pregnant.”