Chapter 80: True or False

Chapter 80: True or False

"With child?" Jiang Hui slightly startled, whispered, "It shouldn't be. Your Majesty, remember? Physician Liu said it would be difficult for me to conceive in these few years."

Her health had been frail since giving birth to the crown prince, and the physician had diagnosed that it would be difficult for her to conceive within three years. Although her condition improved after taking Snow Essence Si Ni Replenishing Soup, it was still too soon to be pregnant.

Hongying discreetly removed the longan honey soup and replaced it with plain warm water for Jiang Hui to drink, then stepped back.

Emperor Xiaosheng, however, insisted, "Let the physician check. If it’s not pregnancy, we must ensure it's not some illness."

Since it was the Lantern Festival, neither Physician Liu nor Physician Li was on duty, so Sheng An brought in He Yuanpan.

He Yuanpan, a thin, small old man with a goat beard, now placed three fingers on Jiang Hui's pulse, hesitating with a doubtful expression.

A hint of perplexity appeared on Jiang Hui's face, as the Emperor asked, "He Yuanpan, what seems to be the issue with the consort?"

He Yuanpan replied, "Your Majesty, please allow me to ask Empress Dowager Zhao a few questions."

He then turned to Jiang Hui, "Madam, have you recently been feeling sleepy or craving sour foods?"

Jiang Hui nodded slightly, "Indeed, somewhat."

He Yuanpan continued, "Has Your Highness recently experienced frequent vomiting?"

Jiang Hui shook her head, "No, today was the first time."

He Yuanpan nodded, asked a few more questions about fatigue and appetite, then reported to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager Zhao's symptoms are indeed consistent with early pregnancy. However, the pulse is not clear, indicating a very early stage. It will take some time before the slippery pulse becomes evident."

The Emperor was overjoyed, exclaiming, "Good!"

Then, seeing Jiang Hui's slender figure wrapped in thick clothes, he voiced his concern, "The consort is frail. Will the pregnancy be detrimental to her health?"

He Yuanpan concealed a flicker of doubt in his eyes, bowed respectfully, and replied, "Empress Dowager Zhao's health has been improving. I will prescribe some tonics to strengthen her. Once the slippery pulse is confirmed, I'll switch to pregnancy-sustaining prescriptions."

Relieved, the Emperor sent He Yuanpan to write the prescription and fetch the medicine, staying himself to accompany Jiang Hui and the crown prince.

After dinner, when the Emperor prepared to leave for Fengyi Palace, Jiang Hui attempted to see him off but was stopped by him.

"It's cold outside, Hui'er should stay indoors."

In the courtyard, seeing the grand Ao Mountain lantern specially made for the Lantern Festival, the Emperor was again delighted and cheerfully told Sheng An, "Today is doubly joyful. Double the rewards for Yaohua Palace!"

Ge Mammy led the palace maids in loudly thanking the Emperor, respectfully watching as he left Yaohua Palace.

Back in the inner chamber, Jiang Hui reclined on the couch again. Hongying approached quietly, "Mistress, I've taken care of the longan honey soup."

"Mm," Jiang Hui nodded slightly, instructing, "Everything should continue as normal."

Wansong then said, "Mistress, you should let Hongying check your pulse again. It's not good for you to have drunk that, being pregnant."

Jiang Hui extended her hand, smiling, "Alright."

Hongying lightly touched her pulse, and after a moment, withdrew her hand, saying solemnly, "Mistress, I only added a small amount to the soup, just enough to slightly disturb your pulse so He Yuanpan couldn't detect the slippery pulse. As long as you don't drink it again, there's no harm."

Jiang Hui nodded slightly, then lay back down, letting Wansong massage her temples as she closed her eyes, saying nonchalantly, "If she won't make a move, I'll have to force her hand."

The next morning, as light snow began to fall again, Jiang Hui wrapped herself in a thick cloak, donned sheepskin boots, and carried a hand warmer as she rode a shoulder carriage to Fengyi Palace to pay respects.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, the Emperor had stayed at Fengyi Palace as usual, so the Empress emerged a bit later the next day. By the time she took her seat, Jiang Hui had already drunk half a cup of tea.

The Empress first inquired about Consort Xu's health, "It's cold these days. How is Consort Xu feeling recently?"

Since becoming pregnant, Consort Xu had been glowing with health. Today, too, her face was brimming with joy as she touched her belly and replied, "The prince and I are both doing well."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with her, the Empress turned to Jiang Hui with a colder expression and said, "I heard from His Majesty yesterday that Empress Dowager Zhao might also be expecting?"

At these words, the smile on Consort Xu's face vanished. She looked towards Jiang Hui at the head of the room and saw Jiang Hui's ethereal beauty revealed in a faint smile as she softly said, "It's uncertain. He Yuanpan has yet to detect the slippery pulse. It might just be a temporary loss of appetite."

The Empress chuckled, "It's almost certain. He Yuanpan is a skilled physician; how could he be wrong? Besides, in a few more days, it will become clearer."

Jiang Hui nodded slightly, remaining silent.

The Empress continued, "Though it’s spring, there’s still occasional light snow, and the paths are slippery. In my view, the well-being of the imperial heirs takes precedence. Empress Dowager Zhao and Consort Xu should be excused from paying respects for now. Wait until you safely deliver the princes before coming to Fengyi Palace."

Consort Xu looked at Jiang Hui, who tactfully said, "I am not yet certain about my condition. I have no difficulties walking about. It would be better for Consort Xu to rest."

Although Consort Xu agreed with the Empress in her heart, she felt compelled to flatter, "It's my blessing to pay respects at Fengyi Palace. The Empress needn’t worry about me."

The Empress shook her head firmly, stating, "As the one managing the harem for His Majesty, I must take care of all the sisters and the imperial heirs. Empress Dowager Zhao and Consort Xu should rest in Yaohua Palace and Guangyang Palace and need not come to Fengyi Palace."

She was cautious not to risk any mishaps on the way for those carrying precious burdens in their wombs.

With the Empress’s insistence, Jiang Hui complied, "In that case, I thank the Empress for her consideration."

After the formalities, the Empress moved to the warmer inner chamber and called for Chunyan, inquiring, "Is Physician Qiu on duty today?"

Chunyan promptly replied, "Mistress, Physician Qiu is on duty today and won’t be off for another ten days. Should I summon him now?"

"No need," the Empress stopped Chunyan unexpectedly, "Wait until Physician Qiu is off duty to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau. Say that I've caught a cold. Remember, make sure to summon He Yuanpan."

"Yes," Chunyan replied, pausing to ask softly, "Do you suspect something amiss with Empress Dowager Zhao's pregnancy?"

The Empress nodded slightly, saying slowly, "When she gave birth to the crown prince, both Physician Liu and Imperial Physician Li said it would be difficult for her to conceive within three years. Although she took the century-old Tianshan snow lotus, it has only been a year..."

Deep down, he still refused to believe that the Noble Consort was pregnant again.

"Are you suggesting that the Noble Consort…" Spring Swallow lowered her voice even more, "…is faking her pregnancy? But how could that be? He Yuanpan is a skilled physician, and there are so many imperial doctors in the palace. When it's time for her to show, if she isn’t, wouldn’t it be immediately obvious?"

The Empress idly played with the jade bracelet on her wrist and calmly said, "If she is indeed faking it, she will naturally 'miscarry' when the time comes."

Spring Swallow gasped softly, whispering, "Why would the Noble Consort do this? She already has the eldest imperial son, and her favor is unparalleled. Being caught faking a pregnancy is a crime of deceiving the emperor!"

Realizing what she said, Spring Swallow looked at her mistress's stern face and solemnly added, "Is she trying to use a 'miscarriage' against you?!"

"That's why I excused myself from her and Consort Xu's greetings today," the Empress nodded slightly, still pondering Jiang Hui's earlier actions, "If she were truly pregnant, why would she insist on visiting, showing no regard for her well-being? She doesn’t respect me that much!"

Pausing, the Empress added, "Moreover, who knows if the Noble Consort deliberately chose yesterday to reveal her pregnancy? Yesterday, He Yuanpan was the attending physician, and it's likely that neither Liu Taiyi nor Li Yuyi were on duty. At first, a subtle pulse might be explainable, but later, Liu Taiyi could cover for her."