QT: TPE Chapter 44.2

“How can someone as rude and immoral as you be entrusted with such an important task?” The Emperor’s voice was icy.

“De Fei is your elder. Is this how you show respect to your elders?”

The Emperor’s tone was exceptionally stern. Li Xu immediately knelt to beg for forgiveness, about to begin explaining.

But the Emperor interrupted him directly: “Go back now. I don’t want to hear your explanations or excuses. Go back and reflect on your actions.”

The palace was completely silent.

This night was destined to be a sleepless one.

After the officials returned home, the only thing they discussed was Xu Lingyi’s pregnancy.

“Madam, De Fei is pregnant.”

Some ministers went back and shared the news with their wives, who had not attended the banquet.

“What! You’re not kidding me, are you?”

“Why would I lie to you? I saw it with my own eyes today. De Fei’s belly is already showing. She looks like she’s over five months pregnant, and she should give birth in another four months. If it’s a prince…”

The wife immediately sat up: “If it’s a prince, that would be incredible! The Xu family would truly rise to prominence, and the Xu family would also rise to power. I never expected that His Majesty could still have a child. His Majesty is almost thirty-seven this year, isn’t he?”

The man nodded and continued, “His Majesty reprimanded Prince Li today. It was both a reprimand and a warning. His Majesty must have seen and remembered the commotion in the court these past few days.”

***

The Minister of Rites’ family was also discussing this matter.

“Let’s put Yan’er’s marriage aside for now. If Xu Shi gives birth to a prince, the throne will be out of reach for the Prince. Given His Majesty’s personality, he won’t survive either. If our Yan’er marries into that family, won’t she be implicated?”

The wife of the Minister of Rites nodded: “I never expected that Xu Shi would be so fortunate. If I had known His Majesty could have children, I should have let our Yan’er enter the palace in the first place…”

“I think you’re daydreaming.” Lord Wang rolled his eyes at his wife.

“Just because Xu Shi has good fortune doesn’t mean our Yan’er will be too. Don’t even think about it.”

***

“My beloved consort, I am truly delighted today.”

The Emperor had drunk quite a bit tonight and was already drunk.

Xu Lingyi had stopped experiencing morning sickness, but the strong smell of alcohol made her vomit several more times.

She was pregnant, and her body was already heavy. She vomited and felt dizzy.

However, the Emperor wouldn’t let anyone get close to her, and after a while, he came up and hugged her.

Nanny Zhang and Chief Eunuch Zhang tried to step forward, but were reprimanded by the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, you are drunk.”

The Emperor shook his head: “I am not drunk.”

Xu Lingyi: “…”

She winked at Nanny Zhang, signaling her to fetch some hangover soup, and then told Chief Eunuch Zhang to take the Emperor to wash up.

After nearly half an hour of commotion, Xu Lingyi finally went to bed.

As her pregnancy progressed, her belly grew larger, and she felt increasingly uncomfortable.

The Emperor was perhaps too drunk; even after drinking the hangover soup, it didn’t seem to have much effect.

He held Xu Lingyi tightly from behind. Feeling the strength behind her, Xu Lingyi, who had been feeling sleepy, was startled awake.

She quickly shrank back and whispered in a tearful voice, “Your Majesty… Your Majesty, I am pregnant.”

After becoming pregnant, she felt uncomfortable all over, often lacked energy, and had difficulty moving around. She no longer wanted to serve the Emperor.

Fortunately, the Emperor wasn’t too drunk. He nestled against her fair neck and took a deep breath.

“I know, my beloved consort, be good, I won’t touch you.”

Just as Xu Lingyi breathed a sigh of relief, she heard the Emperor’s drunken ramblings: “After this child is born, my beloved consort must try to continue to give me more children, the more the better. My princes are all relying on your womb. My beloved consort and the children are my treasures.”

Xu Lingyi covered his mouth, her face and ears turning red, a mixture of shyness and anger.

“Your Majesty, you must not speak anymore. Go to sleep now.”

However, he still acted recklessly that night. Xu Lingyi was too weak and sturdy to push the Emperor away. Fortunately, the Emperor did not lose his mind.

When the Emperor woke up the next day, he saw his clothes scattered under the bed and felt regret.

“I’ve lost my mind.”

Xu Shi was pregnant and already going through a difficult time, yet he still did such a thing.

***

When Xu Lingyi woke up the next day, it was almost noon. The Emperor had already returned from the morning court session.

Knowing that Xu Lingyi had woken up, the Emperor sent someone to bring a box.

“My beloved concubine, I have brought you a special gift.”

 

 

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