Chun Tao was also happy in her heart that Bai Jintong had returned.
Bai Qingyan stood for a moment in the corridor of the side hall, then called out to Wei Zhong.
Wei Zhong quickly stepped forward: “Miss…”
“Send someone to rush to Han City to investigate what elephants – these animals – fear.” Bai Qingyan thought for a moment and added, “It would be best if they could bring back a few elephants.”
Even though elephants were massive and seemed fearless, they were still animals after all. If they were animals, they had weaknesses and things they feared. Being prepared was never wrong – it was better to understand more about them.
Just as Bai Qingyan was about to return to the hall, she saw Imperial Physician Hong and Yinshuang standing nearby, waiting for her. Seeing her turn around, they stepped forward and bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Miss!”
Yinshuang, whose face still had pastry crumbs on it, also mimicked a proper bow to Bai Qingyan, obediently calling out: “Miss!”
“Imperial Physician Hong…” Bai Qingyan looked at Yinshuang with laughter in her eyes, handed Yinshuang a handkerchief to Yinshuang, and pointed to the corner of Yinshuang’s mouth.
Seeing Imperial Physician Hong turn to look at her, Yinshuang quickly used the handkerchief to pat the pastry crumbs from the corner of her mouth: “I didn’t steal any food!”
Imperial Physician Hong sighed and turned back, saying to Yinshuang, “Go eat! Go eat!”
Hearing this, Yinshuang’s eyes lit up. She responded cheerfully and ran off, as if afraid the delicious pastries would disappear.
“Miss…” Imperial Physician Hong said to Bai Qingyan, “Miss, it’s been a month since your marriage. You should start showing some signs of pregnancy to publicly announce the pregnancy. It would be most appropriate to do this when Grand Commandant Lu and the others are present.”
Imperial Physician Hong’s meaning was that now was the most suitable time to announce Bai Qingyan’s pregnancy, asking Bai Qingyan to put on an act… at least show signs of being pregnant.
Perhaps since becoming pregnant, Bai Qingyan’s body hadn’t shown any special reactions – she had none of the typical pregnancy symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or drowsiness. She also hadn’t had the opportunity to summon Imperial Physician Hong in front of the court ministers.
“Good… I understand, Imperial Physician Hong, you can rest assured.” Bai Qingyan said.
Returning to the hall, Grand Commandant Lu and the others were already discussing memorials and state affairs. Seeing Bai Qingyan enter, they quickly stood and bowed.
“Gentlemen, please sit…” Bai Qingyan waved her hand.
Now Great Zhou was already preparing for the future battle with Xi Liang. Originally, Grand Commandant Lu, Minister of Works Shen, Minister of Education Dong, and the six ministry ministers had opposed going to war with Xi Liang at this time, but after Bai Qingyan analyzed the current situation of the realm with them, they also understood that for future unification, Xi Liang had to be taken.
After all, Xi Liang people had always been the type to submit when beaten into fear, but they always forgot their pain once healed, being bloodthirsty and warlike… causing the border people of Great Zhou to be irreconcilably opposed to the Xi Liang people.
The people of the former Great Wei, Jin Kingdom, and Great Yan – which nation’s people hadn’t suffered Xi Liang’s slaughter? They killed people and massacred cities, their crimes… beyond description.
Even though there was still much time before Bai Qingyan would go to war with Xi Liang, the ministers had already begun preparations.
Grain supplies, troop deployments, and defenses against the Yan Kingdom all needed detailed planning.
Bai Qingyan also told the ministers about Xi Liang’s plan to ally with Tianfeng Kingdom – Great Zhou needed to prepare early.
While discussing state affairs with the ministers, Bai Qingyan forgot Imperial Physician Hong’s words again. Imperial Physician Hong, who thought he had coordinated with Bai Qingyan and was waiting outside fully prepared, waited from dawn until dusk… but never saw Wei Zhong send someone to summon him into the hall to take Bai Qingyan’s pulse. Even Yinshuang had fallen asleep lying on the table.
Imperial Physician Hong sighed and had no choice but to carry his medicine box himself, walk to the front of the great hall, and say to Wei Zhong: “Eunuch Wei, please trouble yourself to inform Miss that this old man, following Madam’s orders to care for Miss’s health, should have taken her pulse after the noon meal but has delayed until now – it really cannot be delayed any longer.”
Wei Zhong looked back at the brightly lit great hall, where the ministers seemed to be having disagreements about something, their voices raised in heated discussion: “Imperial Physician Hong, please wait a moment. This old servant will go in and report to His Majesty.”
Wei Zhong stepped into the great hall, walking quickly along the back of the sandalwood lacquered pillars, tiptoeing to Bai Qingyan’s side and saying: “Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Hong, following the Empress Dowager’s orders to monitor Your Majesty’s health, has long passed the time for taking your pulse. Your Majesty has been busy all along, and Imperial Physician Hong is still waiting outside the hall.”
Only then did Bai Qingyan react – she had forgotten about the pulse-taking to announce the pregnancy. She cleared her throat uncomfortably, pretending to be composed as her gaze swept over Liu Rushi and Shen Tianzhi, who were still arguing, and said: “Please ask Imperial Physician Hong to come in…”
Soon, Imperial Physician Hong entered with Wei Zhong, carrying his medicine box. He nimbly placed the medicine box aside, sat on the soft cushion that a young eunuch had laid beside Bai Qingyan, took out a pulse pillow, and began taking Bai Qingyan’s pulse.
Seeing this, Liu Rushi lowered his voice in his argument with Shen Tianzhi.
After Imperial Physician Hong had been feeling the pulse for a long time, he suddenly straightened his back, bowed to Bai Qingyan, and announced loudly: “Congratulations, Your Majesty! Your Majesty has a joyful pulse!”
Hearing this, Grand Commandant Lu was overjoyed and quickly bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Congratulations, Your Majesty!”
Dong Qingping was beside himself with joy, couldn’t help but laugh aloud, and also bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Congratulations, Your Majesty! If this is the case… we shouldn’t be making such a commotion here with Your Majesty. Let Your Majesty rest well. We’ll discuss the remaining matters and present our proposals to Your Majesty for Your Majesty’s decision.”
This way, they could give Bai Qingyan more time to rest.
Liu Rushi’s palms tightened, his heart rising with worry about Bai Qingyan’s health, but he didn’t notice anything unusual about Bai Qingyan. He remembered that pregnant women… seemed to experience nausea and vomiting.
Bai Qingyan nodded: “Only the matter of preparing military provisions still needs to be urgent. Now that Xi Liang is seeking aid from Tianfeng Kingdom, we must treat this matter cautiously!”
“Your Majesty, rest assured!” Grand Commandant Lu bowed deeply, signaling Shen Jingzhong and the others to pack up and leave first.
Soon, news of the Great Zhou Female Emperor’s pregnancy spread throughout Great Zhou. Officials and commoners who had previously worried about the Female Emperor following the news of the Imperial Husband’s death were all jubilant upon hearing this news, thinking that even if the Great Zhou Female Emperor was heartbroken over the Imperial Husband’s departure, she would surely pull herself together for the sake of the child.
Bai Jintong slept for a day and a night. When she woke up, the entire palace was full of news about the Female Emperor’s pregnancy. She thought she hadn’t woken up properly – yesterday, when she returned and went to see her elder sister, she hadn’t noticed any signs of pregnancy at all.
For a moment, Bai Jintong didn’t know whether to be happy or worried.
After paying respects to Dong Shi and her mother Li Shi, Bai Jintong hurried to the main hall to request an audience.
Bai Qingyan had already given instructions that when Bai Jintong woke up, if she came over, there was no need to announce her – she should be let in directly. So as soon as Bai Jintong entered, she saw her elder sister sitting among piles of memorials, with Chun Tao and Chun Zhi kneeling on either side of Bai Qingyan – one fanning her and the other grinding ink.
“Third Miss!” Chun Tao quickly bowed to Bai Jintong.
Chun Zhi also hurriedly put down the fan in her hand and bowed properly: “Third Miss.”