The imperial physician still did not speak.

He dared not!

If this were an ordinary woman, he would dare declare her pregnancy after just one pulse reading. But this was Noble Consort Xiao.

The Emperor had only one princess. If he made a mistake, not only would his own life be forfeit, but his entire family’s lives would not be enough to compensate.

“Imperial Physician—” Noble Consort Xiao’s expression darkened slightly.

The imperial physician released her wrist, beads of sweat forming ever more densely on his forehead.

“Why does the imperial physician not speak? Could it be that this palace has contracted some grave illness?” Noble Consort Xiao’s tone carried anger.

The imperial physician shuddered.

If he frightened Noble Consort into some mishap, he would likewise be unable to escape responsibility.

After a moment’s hesitation, the imperial physician said, “Your Ladyship’s condition—this humble physician does not dare draw a conclusion immediately. Perhaps it would be better to summon another imperial physician for consultation.”

Noble Consort Xiao’s heart rose and fell uncertainly as she exchanged a glance with Taohong, her trusted palace maid.

Taohong quietly slipped out.

Before long, another imperial physician surnamed Zhang hurried over.

After Imperial Physician Zhang paid his respects, Noble Consort Xiao extended her hand.

Imperial Physician Zhang instinctively glanced at Imperial Physician Yang.

Imperial Physician Yang returned a complex look.

Imperial Physician Zhang paused.

He could not immediately decipher Imperial Physician Yang’s expression.

Could it be that Noble Consort had contracted some grave illness that Imperial Physician Yang had diagnosed but dared not speak of?

If so, Imperial Physician Yang was essentially setting a trap!

Everyone knew of the Emperor’s deep favor toward Noble Consort. Should Noble Consort’s diagnosis prove unfavorable, could the imperial physician who delivered such news possibly fare well?

Apprehensive and resentful, yet not daring to show it, Imperial Physician Zhang placed his fingertips on Noble Consort Xiao’s wrist.

With this touch, Imperial Physician Zhang’s heart nearly leaped from his chest.

Noble Consort Xiao had been watching Imperial Physician Zhang closely. Seeing his expression suddenly change, she knew that Imperial Physician Yang’s earlier abnormal behavior had not been coincidental.

After waiting patiently for a moment without hearing Imperial Physician Zhang speak, Noble Consort Xiao asked coldly, “What exactly is wrong with this palace?”

Imperial Physician Zhang raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat beading at his temples, saying respectfully, “This humble physician must consult with Imperial Physician Yang.”

Noble Consort Xiao raised her chin slightly in agreement.

The two imperial physicians went outside. They looked at each other, back and forth, neither wanting to speak first.

Finally, the later-arriving Imperial Physician Zhang spoke up: “Lord Yang, Noble Consort, she… is she…?”

Imperial Physician Yang said in a low voice, “Nine times out of ten, it is a joyful pulse. What does Imperial Physician Zhang think?”

No matter how reluctant they were to draw conclusions, they still needed to produce a result.

Upon hearing Imperial Physician Yang’s conclusion, Imperial Physician Zhang quietly breathed a sigh of relief, lowering his voice even further: “I think so as well.”

The two exchanged glances and walked back in together.

Noble Consort Xiao looked expressionlessly at the two imperial physicians, though inwardly she was extremely nervous.

No matter how much one dared not entertain such thoughts, who could help harboring a thread of hope in their heart?

“Speak. What exactly is this palace’s condition?”

After a moment of silence, Imperial Physician Yang cupped his hands: “In response to Your Ladyship, judging from the pulse… it should be a joyful pulse.”

A joyful pulse?

These two words struck Noble Consort Xiao senseless, leaving her unable to make a sound. She could only turn her eyes with difficulty to look at the other imperial physician.

Imperial Physician Zhang cupped his hands, effectively confirming Imperial Physician Yang’s words.

Noble Consort Xiao blinked, and tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes.

“Congratulations, Your Ladyship! Felicitations, Your Ladyship!”

Palace servants knelt throughout the room, loudly offering congratulations.

Noble Consort Xiao looked down at the people kneeling in rows before her, as joy slowly blossomed in her heart.

This joy was not the carpe diem pleasure of the past, but rather like a seed falling on solid ground, breaking through the soil with hope.

Her tears flowed more fiercely.

Taohong hastily urged, “Your Ladyship, you must not cry! You must take care of yourself now.”

Noble Consort Xiao nodded chaotically, having completely lost her usual noble and aloof bearing.

At this moment, Emperor Yong’an was resting with closed eyes in the Hall of Mental Cultivation when Zhou Shan quietly walked in.

Emperor Yong’an slowly opened his eyes.

Having reached his age, he was an extremely light sleeper—the slightest movement was enough to rouse him.

Seeing Zhou Shan’s steps light yet swift, Emperor Yong’an’s gaze grew profound.

Zhou Shan was always composed. Such behavior likely meant something had happened.

“Your Majesty, word has come from Yuhua Palace that Noble Consort has been diagnosed with… a joyful pulse—”

Emperor Yong’an sat up directly, his tone severe: “What did you say?”

Zhou Shan had anticipated the Emperor’s reaction and quietly repeated the news.

Emperor Yong’an sat on the bed platform, not reacting for a long time.

Zhou Shan stood to the side, not daring to disturb him.

Zhou Shan understood all too well what a tremendous impact the news of Noble Consort’s pregnancy would have on the Emperor.

It had been many years since the palace had received such joyful news of a consort with child. Precisely because of this, eight years ago the Emperor had adopted Prince Pingnan’s heir, Wei Qiang, as Crown Prince.

In the end, it was for the stability of the realm—there had been no choice.

Had any consort in the palace shown signs of pregnancy, even if the child had not been born, the current situation would not exist.

People were all the same—who would willingly accept another’s son when they could have their own flesh and blood to continue their lineage?

Zhou Shan kept his head lowered, sighing inwardly.

What lay ahead would likely be turbulent times.

After an unknown length of silence, Emperor Yong’an finally spoke: “Who knows about Noble Consort’s pregnancy?”

Zhou Shan replied, “The two imperial physicians Yang and Zhang, along with some palace servants who attend closely to Her Ladyship.”

“Pass down the word—this must not be spread for now.”

Having given this instruction, Emperor Yong’an rose and walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Outside the hall, brilliant colors bloomed everywhere, the vibrant liveliness rushing forth to greet him.

Emperor Yong’an only felt refreshed and invigorated as he strode quickly toward Yuhua Palace.

In Yuhua Palace, Noble Consort Xiao had dismissed everyone, keeping only palace maid Taohong.

“Taohong, do you think the imperial physicians might have made a mistake?”

After her initial excitement, Noble Consort Xiao was now filled with anxiety.

Joy suffused Taohong’s brows and eyes: “Your Ladyship, please set your mind at ease—they certainly could not be mistaken. If the two imperial physicians were not completely certain, they would not dare speak carelessly.”

Thinking of how cautious Imperial Physicians Yang and Zhang had been when taking her pulse, Noble Consort Xiao’s anxious feelings eased somewhat. Her thoughts immediately turned to that miraculous medicinal dietary prescription.

“Everything concerning the medicinal dietary prescription must absolutely not be revealed to others.”

“Your Ladyship, rest assured—from beginning to end, only this slave has handled it.”

Noble Consort Xiao nodded slightly.

At that moment, a voice called from outside: “His Majesty arrives—”

Before Noble Consort Xiao could go out to greet him, Emperor Yong’an strode swiftly inside.

Noble Consort Xiao bent her knees to curtsy, but Emperor Yong’an pulled her up in one motion: “Beloved consort, no need for such formality.”

Having dismissed the attending palace servants, Emperor Yong’an’s gaze fell upon Noble Consort Xiao’s flat abdomen, saying with infinite emotion, “This truly is hard on beloved consort, allowing me to experience once more the joy of fatherhood.”

Noble Consort Xiao’s eyelids trembled: “We still do not know whether it is a prince or a princess…”

Emperor Yong’an laughed heartily: “Whether prince or princess, both are my treasures.”

If Noble Consort’s child was a son, that would naturally be best. But even if not, it was still cause for celebration.

If Noble Consort could conceive, it meant his vitality remained strong. With so many consorts in the harem, there would be princes and princesses.

When Emperor Yong’an’s joyful mood turned to thoughts of Wei Qiang, it became shrouded in gloom, though his face showed not the slightest trace of this.

Time continued to flow forward. The court officials and nobles noticed something: why had there been no word at all about this year’s autumn hunt? Were they not going?