novelhk Chapter 157 Not good
Chapter 157 Not good
Le Xingxi's words struck Zhong Tian like an icicle.
The worry on Zhongtian's face turned pale, and he immediately withdrew his hand as if burned: "Xingxi, I'm sorry, I..."
Le Xingxi straightened his back, as if he wasn't the one who had just been so sad that he was about to die.
He said coldly to Zhong Tian, "Zhong Niangzi, let's not say any more words between us! Mother, let's go back."
"Alright." General Yue glanced at Zhong Tian and left with Yue Xingxi.
Zhongtian stood there in a daze for a while. It was too cold in winter, and she felt cold all over. She couldn't just watch Le Xingxi go back like this.
But Nakata immediately followed, keeping a close but not too close distance!
"Mother, borrow some guards," Yue Xingxi said to General Yue.
General Yue nodded, and five fully armed soldiers with sharp eyes stood in front of Yue Xingxi.
He glanced at Nakata behind him, his eyes filled with extreme sorrow, but his words were merciless: "If Nakata follows again, beat him, beat him hard!"
When Zhongtian saw the five soldiers blocking his way, he realized that Xia Jin'an was serious.
Xia Jin'an sat in the carriage, tears streaming down his face. He leaned on General Yue's lap, just like when he was a child, and asked his mother, "Mother, why did His Majesty go mad today?"
His Majesty is a man who cares about his reputation. What could have triggered his current hysteria?
A dark light flashed in General Yue's eyes as she lovingly patted Yue Xingxi's head: "Something must have happened in the palace!"
What happened in the palace might slowly reach the ears of those who care, but Xia Jin'an, who was at the forefront of the palace storm, knew very well what was going on!
His Majesty is filled with resentment!
Early in the morning, His Majesty received news that the city lord of Daming Prefecture and Wan Jiajia, who were imprisoned, had died. It was said that they committed suicide out of fear of punishment, but the coroner's examination showed that someone had added poison to their food.
Who poisoned them? Nobody knows!
The second thing. Xia Jin'an still feels a chill run down her spine when she thinks about it now!
He entered the palace because he revealed the imperial edict to treat the Empress Dowager. Once inside, he learned that the palace was rife with intrigue and danger.
The imperial physicians in the palace banded together for warmth as they treated the Empress Dowager's illness, and reported to His Majesty that the Empress Dowager had caught a cold due to the winter chill!
However, Her Majesty was not foolish. Although she did not understand medicine, she understood that a person who had caught a cold would not have their face gradually sunken in while their appetite gradually increased.
Therefore, Xia Jin'an's arrival relieved His Majesty's urgent crisis.
Although His Majesty doubted whether someone so beautiful could possess sufficient medical skills, he had no choice but to give it a try and sent Xia Jin'an to the Empress Dowager's palace.
The Empress Dowager resolutely refused.
However, His Majesty said, “Empress Dowager, I am extremely anxious about your poor health and cannot sleep peacefully. This is a doctor I have invited from outside the palace for you. If you do not accept him, and your health deteriorates, wouldn’t I feel guilty and be condemned by the world as disloyal and unfilial?
His Majesty's moral blackmail successfully kept Xia Jin'an in the Empress Dowager's palace.
Xia Jin'an is a clever person. Even though she is ostracized in the Empress Dowager's palace and the Empress Dowager avoids doing anything with Xia Jin'an.
However, Xia Jin'an still noticed a possibility from the Empress Dowager's diet and daily life.
The Empress Dowager may be pregnant!
The thought of this possibility sent chills down Xia Jin'an's spine. Of course, such things couldn't be based on mere speculation; Xia Jin'an was a daring person!
He secretly added a small amount of sleeping pills to the Empress Dowager's tea; the dosage was so low that ordinary people couldn't detect it.
Just as the Empress Dowager was dozing off, Xia Jin'an casually took her pulse while tucking her in. The action was so quick that even the tutor in the Empress Dowager's palace who was watching Xia Jin'an didn't notice.
The charcoal fire in the Empress Dowager's palace was burning hot, but Xia Jin'an's back was still icy cold because, judging from her pulse, the Empress Dowager was indeed pregnant!
The Empress Dowager has been widowed for a long time, and the late Emperor passed away long ago. As a role model for all men, if this matter were to get out, it would bring shame to the royal family and become a laughingstock for the world.
After much deliberation, he finally told His Majesty the news. In the palace, it was most taboo to waver. He had come at the Emperor's summons and boarded His Majesty's ship, so he had to be loyal to His Majesty!
Upon hearing this news, His Majesty did not say anything at the time; he simply calmly dismissed Xia Jin'an.
After Xia Jin'an withdrew, she saw His Majesty hurriedly leaving the palace on the official road. It wasn't until evening that His Majesty returned looking exhausted.
Upon His Majesty's return, he went to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.
After the Empress Dowager fell ill, His Majesty, no matter how busy he was, never missed sending his regards twice a day.
Xia Jin'an stood in a secluded corner, calmly watching. Would the two of them have a fierce conflict?
But everything was calm and peaceful. His Majesty greeted the Empress Dowager respectfully and inquired about her health. He didn't even glance at her belly.
The Empress Dowager gently told His Majesty that her health had improved a lot recently, and advised him not to overwork himself while preoccupied with state affairs.
He also needs to spend more time in the harem favoring the Consort. His Majesty has been on the throne for so long, yet he still has no daughters, which truly worries him. When he meets the late Emperor in the afterlife, he will have no way to explain himself.
This is the most standard dialogue between an emperor and an empress dowager. You can even find many identical dialogues in historical records. They are overly respectful but lack intimacy, making them quite dull.
Xia Jin'an was drowsy from listening. Only at the very end did she hear His Majesty say to the Empress Dowager, "Empress Dowager, the position of Empress has been vacant for a long time. I intend to take General Yue's son, Yue Xingxi, as Empress. I wonder what Your Majesty's thoughts are."
Xia Jin'an finally shook off her sleepiness and listened attentively.
"General Yue has agreed?"
His Majesty nodded: "Agreed!"
The Empress Dowager smiled, seemingly happy for His Majesty: "Xiao'er, you have long admired Xingxi for so long, and you have finally gotten your wish. However, you must not forget your old love after marrying a new one. You must appease Consort Le's emotions."
"I understand."
As Xia Jin'an listened, thinking that His Majesty would tolerate the Empress Dowager's pregnancy, he received a secret message from His Majesty while he was sleeping alone that night.
"Get rid of the child in the Empress Dowager's womb at all costs."
The palace is like a giant funnel; getting information is not as difficult as one might imagine.
Zhongtian received Xia Jin'an's letter, which detailed the news of the Empress Dowager's pregnancy.
The letter that Le Wentao sent home, besides the usual greetings, also informed the Empress Dowager of her pregnancy at the end.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jiang received a personal letter from the Empress Dowager, who joyfully informed him of the good news that he was pregnant!
Everyone reacts differently.