The imperial physician who was pulled aside said, “Reporting to Lord Yin, Her Majesty the Empress is unwell. His Majesty has summoned several of us to Changle Palace.”

“I’ll go with you.”

After Ji Rong finished speaking, he too headed toward Changle Palace. Wan Xiao followed behind.

The group quickly arrived at the Empress’s bedchamber. Song Wan was sitting on the phoenix couch and didn’t appear to have any discomfort. It was Shen Qianyu whose complexion wasn’t good—his brow and eyes cold and condensed, looking extremely serious.

“Your Majesty…”

Just as several people were about to kowtow, Shen Qianyu waved his large hand, having someone step forward to examine Song Wan’s pulse.

“It’s fine. No need to worry.”

Song Wan extended her wrist to let the imperial physician take her pulse.

After a moment, the imperial physician said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty. Her Majesty the Empress’s pulse is revolving and strong, round and smooth as a pearl. This is the pulse of pregnancy.”

“Tru… truly?”

Shen Qianyu’s face showed wild joy. He turned to look at Song Wan, but saw that the joy in her brow and eyes was quite faint, as if carrying a hint of melancholy.

“Wan’er, are you unwell?”

“Just somewhat surprised, that’s all.”

Song Wan raised her head to look at Shen Qianyu, revealing a gentle, shallow smile.

“Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress need not worry. Her Majesty’s body is healthy, and this pregnancy is extremely stable.”

“Then I can be at ease.”

Song Wan nodded, her heart finally settling somewhat.

Shen Qianyu’s heart was joyful, yet filled with worry.

He had grown up in the Nanqing palace since childhood and had seen many pregnant women in the harem, but very few could safely deliver children. Now that Song Wan was pregnant, after his wild joy passed, only a heart full of worry remained.

After dismissing everyone, Shen Qianyu half-knelt before Song Wan, carefully and cautiously extending his hand before her abdomen.

“Wan’er, may I touch?”

“Naturally.”

Song Wan raised her hand to touch Shen Qianyu’s cheek, then held his hand and gently pressed it against her own abdomen.

“The little one is still small now. Husband won’t be able to feel anything.”

“I can.”

Song Wan lowered her eyes, seeing the man with a completely serious expression, a pair of handsome brows raised high, concentrating fully on sensing the feeling beneath his palm. Watching him, Song Wan found it amusing and smiled faintly.

“Wan’er, do you have any discomfort?”

“The months are still few now. It’s no different from usual days.”

“Is that so?”

Shen Qianyu frowned. “If Wan’er has any discomfort, you must tell me.”

“Mm.”

Song Wan smiled and nodded, standing up and pulling Shen Qianyu up as well. “Don’t worry. Your appearance is making me nervous too.”

“Not worried—how could I be worried?”

Shen Qianyu grinned. “The imperial physician said this pregnancy is stable, so it must be stable. Moreover, this little one carries the emperor’s bloodline with profound blessings extending far. They will certainly be born healthy.”

“My child—no need to worry.”

His appearance, alternating between joy and worry, made Song Wan laugh.

“Wan’er, go rest. I have some matters to attend to.”

Carefully supporting Song Wan as they walked deep into the bedchamber, half-pushing and half-coaxing her to sleep, only then did Shen Qianyu hurriedly leave Changle Palace.

As soon as he left, Song Wan smiled and sat up.

“How can I sleep in broad daylight like this? There will be plenty of trouble ahead.”

Seeing Shen Qianyu leave, Heng Wu stepped forward with a smile. “Though Your Majesty says this, who knows how delighted you are in your heart? Look, look at Your Majesty—your brow and eyes are smiling. This doesn’t look like someone troubled.”

“Go on—you’re actually teasing Her Majesty now.”

Pushing Heng Wu aside, Heng Zhi said, “Miss, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? If your body has any discomfort, you must tell this servant.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.”

Song Wan smiled warmly. “How is it that you two, one after another, have learned His Majesty’s manner?”

Before several people could finish speaking, they saw Shen Qianyu directing people to carry in a huge arhat bed into the Empress’s bedchamber.

“Put it here first. Don’t crowd inside anymore.”

“Your Majesty, what are you doing?”

Watching Shen Qianyu have people place that arhat bed in the room, Song Wan asked helplessly.

“Since you’re pregnant, we two cannot share a bed. But if I go elsewhere, how can I be at ease without seeing you? Until the child in your belly is born, I’ll sleep here.”

“This doesn’t conform to protocol. The censors will submit memorials…”

“They do no proper work all day long, but when it comes to watching over my bedroom affairs, they’re quite capable.”

“You two…”

Shen Qianyu pointed at a young eunuch beside him. “You two spread my words today. Say that I have spoken—let those censors watch their mouths. When the Late Emperor didn’t send troops, they all kept their mouths tightly shut. If now they focus all their attention on my inner palace affairs, I will hold them accountable for playing dead back then.”

Hearing this, Song Wan’s brow furrowed lightly. Seeing this, Shen Qianyu quickly added, “I’m just saying it. How would I do such a muddled thing?”

“I’m very protocol-abiding now. How would I act recklessly?”

The young eunuchs who constantly served by his side all muttered secretly in their hearts—his words were truly not very credible.

Song Wan also knew that Shen Qianyu had a stubborn temperament. If she didn’t mention it, it would be fine, but if she mentioned it again, it would only make him bear grudges against those censors. So she smiled faintly and let him be.

The news of the Empress’s pregnancy was quickly known by Shang Rong and the others. Taking advantage of the daytime when Shen Qianyu was at court, everyone came one by one carrying congratulatory gifts.

Since Emperor Wenhui’s passing and Shen Qianyu’s ascension to the throne, these several people had completely set down their worries.

None of them had much ambition, and they understood Shen Qianyu’s thoughts quite clearly. They all knew that as long as they didn’t harbor improper thoughts, they would live splendidly for life. Thus, everyone became increasingly lazy and leisurely.

Perhaps because there were no worries in the harem, Shang Rong’s health had improved greatly compared to before. Now her complexion looked rosy and appeared much healthier than before entering the palace.

After Wu Xixiang and Lu Youjun left, Zhao Nanzhang moved to Qi Qingling’s bedchamber. The two originally shared similar interests and temperaments, and now were even more like real sisters, going in and out together. Zhang Baozhen had originally been timid in temperament, but after Lu Youjun’s death, she had seen worldly affairs clearly. Now her conduct was much more generous and fearless.

Hearing that Song Wan was pregnant, everyone was extremely happy, especially Shang Rong who most loved lively and adorable children. As soon as she received the news, she brought everyone to see Song Wan.

Several people stayed at Changle Palace for a long time, only reluctantly leaving just before Shen Qianyu finished court.

“Did those several people come to bother you again?”

“What do you mean ‘bother’? I’m just bored in the palace. Without Noble Consort Shang and the others for company, I fear I’d be suffocated to…”

Before Song Wan could finish speaking, Shen Qianyu hurriedly waved his hands. “Wan’er, don’t say such inauspicious things.”

The man frowned tightly, watching her with extreme vigilance, as if should Song Wan speak again, he would step forward to cover her mouth.

Song Wan found his nervous appearance amusing and wanted to laugh, yet still obediently didn’t speak further.

For some reason, since Song Wan learned she was pregnant, she felt extremely fatigued every day. After speaking a few words with Shen Qianyu, her eyelids would involuntarily grow heavy.

“Wan’er, go sleep. I’ll watch over you by your side.”

“Your Majesty, don’t overwork yourself. If you’re tired, return to Yangxin Hall to rest.”

“I understand. Wan’er, don’t worry about me.”

Pushing Song Wan to go rest, Shen Qianyu took up the memorials and slowly reviewed them.

After Song Wan’s pregnancy, her sleep schedule reversed. She often slept during the day and was awake at night. Today she slept until around the third watch before waking again. Looking up, she saw that candles were still lit in the bedchamber.