Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 73

The Empress? Pregnant?

Yun Shang was so taken aback that she was at a loss for a while. Then she heard the courtiers congratulating His Majesty in chorus, "Congratulations to Your Majesty. Congratulations!" Yun Shang was still pondering over the news she had just heard. What? The Empress is pregnant? Yun Shang turned around to look at Emperor Ning, who also looked astonished. Yun Shang stared at Emperor Ning for a long time before speaking, "Your... Your Majesty..."

Emperor Ning turned to Yun Shang with a perplexed stare. Yun Shang felt her hands trembling in her sleeves. She bit her lip to steady herself, "Congratulations to Your Majesty. Soon I will have one more younger brother or sister."

It seemed Emperor Ning was still flabbergasted. He breathed out an "oh" after a long while before sinking into another trance.

The Imperial Physician kneeling on the ground waited patiently for a response from the Emperor, who, however, stayed silent. So the Imperial Physician spoke, "Your Majesty, the Empress has been pregnant for about a month. Her Majesty is very well. But Her Majesty got quite excited just now and that is not good for the baby. However, please don't worry, Your Majesty. Her Majesty will be fine after resting."

Emperor Ning nodded speechlessly. After a moment, he turned and rushed out of the Hall. Lord Zheng hastily followed the Emperor. Watching the Emperor's fading figure, Yun Shang felt at a loss for what to do. She frowned, but after noticing that everyone was staring at her, she realized that she was the only composed master in the Hall. So she waved and said, "This is a great and happy event. Rise to your feet. There will be awards from His Majesty."

Everyone stood up at Yun Shang's words. The Princess turned to look at the Imperial Physician, and smiled, "Though the Empress is physically well, Her Majesty still needs particular attention for her pregnancy. When you return to the Imperial Hospital, please prepare some medicines conducive to Her Majesty's pregnancy and send them to Qiwu Palace."

The Imperial Physician nodded and withdrew. Then Yun Shang had time to think this over. What happened? How could the Empress be pregnant at this moment? In her previous life, Hua Jing was the Empress's only child. She hadn't given birth to another one. Why? And pregnant at this moment...

Yun Shang thought about the differences in events from her previous life and her present life. Lady Jin had spent her days at the Cold Palace and had been trapped there until the end of her life. However, in this life, her mother had not only been released from the Cold Palace, but she was pregnant as well. Was it possible that everything would change in this life?

In her contemplation, Yun Shang heard a groan. She turned and caught a glimpse of the Empress who had awoken from her faint. She ran to the Empress and inquired eagerly, "Your Majesty..."

The Empress winced and raised one of her hands to prop up her forehead. It seemed that she was experiencing some discomfort. Yun Shang stepped nearer, "Your Majesty, are you feeling well?"

The Empress lifted her eyes to glance at Yun Shang. Then she said weakly, "Why am I here? I remembered I was in Qinzheng Hall. I remember..." Yun Shang said hastily "You passed out in Qinzheng Hall a little while ago. When the Imperial Physician checked you, he said that you are pregnant. Your Majesty, congratulations to you."

"Pregnant?" The Empress looked confused. It took a moment for Yun Shang's words to register. "Pregnant? You mean I am pregnant?"

Yun Shang nodded as she tried to squeeze out a smile. "Yes. You are pregnant, Your Majesty."

The Empress flashed a brilliant smile at Yun Shang's words. "That is really wonderful. In recent years, no one in the imperial household has been lucky enough to bear your father a child. I was quite worried about the decline of your father's bloodline. I was even considering selecting some fair ladies to marry your father and bear him more children. It was completely unexpected that Lady Jin would get pregnant. And now, so am I."

Yun Shang grinned, "His Majesty is blessed by Buddha."

The Empress seemed ecstatic, "Reward. Everyone will get a reward." Then she summoned Xiu Xin. "I'm uncomfortable here. I'm afraid I might hurt the baby. Escort me back to Qiwu Palace."

Xiu Xin nodded before helping the Empress to stand. Then the maid assisted the Empress leave the Hall.

A bitter smile emerged on Yun Shang's lips as she stood in the Hall and watched them leave. Was it true that the Heavenly God reserves shocking surprises for unsuspecting believers? The Empress. How could it be possible that she is pregnant at this critical moment?

"Your Imperial Highness..." Yun Shang had been lost in her thoughts till she heard Qian Yin call to her. She nodded at Qian Yin, "Let's go back to Qingxin Palace." Yun Shang sank into serious consideration while lying on her bed in Qingxin Palace. What a coincidence that all these events happened at the same time! Somehow, she had a feeling that something wrong. But as to what had gone wrong, she could not tell.

"Your Imperial Highness, how could it be possible for the Empress to be pregnant?" Qian Yin murmured, "Your Imperial Highness, did you expect such a predicament? The disastrous banquet and our plans to exaggerate the effect would effectively spread rumors about Princess Hua Jing's doomed destiny to bring death to her husband. Just in a couple of days, everyone in the Imperial City will know these rumors. I have even devised a ballad for children to sing and spread. However, the Empress is pregnant! That would be the most fervent topic of conversation in the country. After all, she is the First Lady of the country. Her pregnancy will be the biggest event under heaven. And people would, of course, pay less attention to the affairs of Princess Hua Jlng..."

Yun Shang nodded and sighed, "Of course. How could she be pregnant at this moment? The Empress's pregnancy is the perfect aberration to our plans. But it all happened in an instant. How could it be possible for her to arrange a pregnancy? So, was it indeed a coincidence?"

Yun Shang spent the rest of the afternoon lounging on a couch in the courtyard, trying to figure out why she felt so puzzled.

When it was getting dark, a knock sounded on the gate of Qingxin Palace. Yun Shang was drowsy. She heard a maid announcing, "Your Imperial Highness, Lady Meng is requesting a visit."

Yun Shang opened her eyes, "Lady Meng?"

She had barely finished her words when she caught a glimpse of a woman in green. Yun Shang suddenly realized who she was, "Aha, it's you, Qin Meng. Oh, no, no, no. I should call you Lady Meng, now."

Yun Shang straightened up. As a quick reflex, Qin Meng stepped forward to pick up the silk quilt that had fallen on the ground and put it back on the couch.

Yun Shang smiled, "How can I bother Lady Meng with such a chore for me? I should do it myself."

Qin Meng retrieved her hands at Yun Shang's words. She stood there in embarrassment and peeped at Yun Shang from time to time.

After putting the silk quilt in place, Yun Shang said, "I wonder why Lady Meng comes to Qingxin Palace. I thought that all ladies in the imperial household would go to Qiwu Palace and pay the Empress a visit to congratulate her, wouldn't they?"

Qin Meng kept her head low while rubbing her hands together. She was silent for a little while before uttering gently, "The Empress doesn't like me. If I went there, I'm afraid that I would probably upset Her Majesty. So I'd rather not go there."

"You are one of the noble members of the imperial household. How could you still be so humble?" Instead of responding to Qin Meng's predicament, Yun Shang diverted the topic by asking a question.

Qin Meng squeezed out an embarrassed smile, "I have been in service for so long that I cannot shake these reflexes."