Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 608: Joyous News (Part 1)

Cui Du has always been completely obedient to Jiang Shaohua, but upon hearing these words, he became anxious: "You’re feeling unwell, you must have the Imperial Physician take a look to see what’s wrong."

Jiang Shaohua grasped Cui Du’s hand, exhaling deeply: "I know my own body best. I’m not ill; I believe I’m expecting."

"Expecting what?" Cui Du reflexively responded, clearly not understanding: "You’re feeling this unwell, how can you call it expecting?"

How foolish.

Jiang Shaohua pressed her lips together and let out a soft laugh.

Cui Du saw the blossoming smile in Jiang Shaohua’s eyes and realized something, his eyes suddenly brightened as he tightly gripped Jiang Shaohua’s hand: "You mean... you are pregnant? We’re going to have a child?"

"Yes, it seems so."

Jiang Shaohua had been pregnant and given birth in her past life, so these symptoms of being with child were naturally familiar to her. If she calculates the days, her last menstrual cycle was a few days before her wedding. After the wedding, she hadn’t had her cycle come. It’s been three months since the wedding; even if her cycle isn’t regular, it hasn’t ever been delayed this long.

The only possibility left is that she is expecting.

Cui Du grinned foolishly with joy. After smiling for a while, he suddenly sighed: "The current situation in the palace makes this child’s timing very unfortunate."

Jiang Shaohua has lofty ambitions; she achieved significant merits in quelling the palace chaos this time, perfectly seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ascend in status legitimately. But at such a crucial moment, she’s become pregnant!

Women are inevitably weaker than usual during pregnancy. Moreover, as the belly gradually swells, walking and handling affairs becomes inconvenient. A prominent belly will also make courtiers more clearly aware of gender distinctions.

All of this is greatly disadvantageous to Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua and Cui Du share a tacit understanding; upon hearing, she instantly knew what Cui Du was worried about. She smiled lightly: "The child’s timing is perfect."

Cui Du was stunned, raising his eyes to look.

Under the candlelight, Jiang Shaohua’s eyes shone: "My cousin ascended the throne three years ago and has been in mourning, unable to marry. Suddenly passing away without any heirs. Deciding who should inherit the throne next becomes a problem. Prince Ping Jiang Hao is the closest by blood, but he is too young, lacking intelligence, and completely unsuitable to bear the responsibilities of the Emperor. It would take at least eight or nine years for him to grow up, marry, and produce healthy heirs."

"Meanwhile, I far surpass Prince Ping in everything. Now that I am expecting, I can give birth in several months. Having heirs makes one truly considered mature in the eyes of the courtiers."

This was Jiang Shaohua’s first genuine revelation of her ambition to vie for the throne.

From the perspective of vying for the throne, having heirs indeed provides a significant advantage.

Upon hearing this, Cui Du breathed a sigh of relief: "So, the child won’t delay your important affairs?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled gently, her face showed an added softness compared to usual: "Of course not, don’t worry about these things, I have everything under control."

She paused, then softly instructed: "My cousin’s mourning period has not passed, this matter should not be spoken of for now. Wait until my cousin is buried and when my figure can no longer be concealed, then let people know."

Cui Du nodded repeatedly in agreement, his gaze couldn’t help but shift to Jiang Shaohua’s flat abdomen. His eyes were eager, as if they could see through her belly.

Following his gaze, Jiang Shaohua looked over as well. Thinking of a young life nurturing within her belly, besides joy, there were also some complex, indescribable emotions.

In her past life, she raised an ungrateful son who broke her heart. Now, she truly doesn’t know if she can be a good mother once again.

Such old stories aren’t suitable to share with the delighted Cui Du. She let her thoughts drift silently, and gradually drifted into deep sleep.

That night, she dreamed again.

Emperor Taihe entered the dream once more. This time, he faced her from a distance of about six feet, his demeanor relaxed as if chatting idly as they used to in the court: "I must thank you for avenging me, cousin."

She spoke softly: "Jiang Yi is dead, but Zheng Chen escaped. Don’t worry, cousin, I will sooner or later catch him and personally slay him."

Jiang Song was silent for a moment before speaking: "You reminded me repeatedly to be wary of those close by. I indeed guarded against Jiang Yi, but didn’t expect Zheng Chen to betray me."

"Among my reading companions, he was the one I trusted most and valued most. I considered sending him to the Six Ministries to gain experience, and when he was honed, he could be indispensable. The Da Liang Chancellor’s position was meant to be his eventually."

"A glorious future lies ahead of him, why did he betray me?"

Jiang Song was full of pain, emotions surging, his face gradually twisting, and suddenly he shouted: "Cousin, why did Zheng Chen betray me?"

She wasn’t frightened into stepping back, she raised her eyes to meet his gaze: "Power bewitches the heart. Zheng Chen was ambitious, impatient to wield power. He couldn’t wait ten or twenty years, he wanted to eliminate you now and support the ignorant Prince Ping to the throne. By then, the Da Liang court would become his domain."

"Had you not rushed to the palace in time, his plan would have succeeded. Fortunately, you arrived promptly, thwarting his plan. His ambitions were laid bare, leaving him no choice but to flee the palace."

Jiang Song’s form faded, his face grew blurry, and his voice seemed to linger beside her: "Cousin, now only you can stabilize the throne, maintain control of the court, and protect the realm. Don’t be soft-hearted, don’t let a single one who should be killed go. Anyone who stands in the way of your ascension, you should slay. When those opponents reach the afterlife, I will deal with them again."

"Cousin, you can certainly do this."

...

"Commandery Princess, Commandery Princess."

The familiar voice softly resonated beside her ear.

Jiang Shaohua opened her eyes to see Cui Du’s familiar face: "What hour is it now?"

Cui Du clearly hadn’t slept well this night, his eyes were slightly red, yet he was exceptionally invigorated: "It’s exactly the Si hour now. The Grand Empress Dowager sent people to urge three times, that’s why I woke you."

Si hour, daylight had fully broken.

Jiang Shaohua had slept for five or six hours that night, regaining much of her strength. After arising, she changed into a clean mourning garment, tidied herself, and ate breakfast.

In the mourning hall, one could only eat steamed buns and drink cold water. In the palace chamber with no one watching, breakfast was a bit more exquisite. Jiang Shaohua’s appetite still wasn’t like her usual; she had two bowls of porridge and three plates of small dishes before laying down her chopsticks.

Cui Du occasionally glanced at Jiang Shaohua’s belly: "You ate less than half of what you usually do, can this really be enough?"

Jiang Shaohua replied: "I can’t eat anymore. Let’s head to the mourning hall, I can eat when I’m hungry later. Also, stop staring at my lower abdomen. Everyone in the palace is astute, they’ll notice something is off."

Cui Du nodded in agreement. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

However, controlling such matters is not easy.

Entering the mourning hall, kneeling close to Jiang Shaohua in the position from the previous day, Cui Du couldn’t manage his gaze, frequently glancing at Jiang Shaohua.

Fortunately, everyone’s attention wasn’t on him, and those who occasionally noticed only thought that Elder Changning and the Nanyang County Princess were deeply affectionate.