Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 878 - 854: Great Joy

Zhang Lingzheng was somewhat surprised to find the pulse indicating a pregnancy. Fengyu’s body was indeed very difficult to conceive, though she had been secretly nurturing herself, the results were minimal. Given her frail health since childhood, her body could hardly withstand the pains of pregnancy. Even if she was pregnant, it might not be sustained. Xie Xun was obviously very happy, while the Imperial Physicians of the Imperial Hospital exchanged worried glances, none daring to dampen Xie Xun’s joy, after all, it was the child the Empress and Emperor had longed for. If they couldn’t preserve this pregnancy, it would be hard to ensure another opportunity.

Doctor Liu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered to himself, "I knew I hadn’t misdiagnosed you; indeed, the Empress is blessed."

Zhang Lingzheng thought to himself, what does this have to do with being blessed?

After settling Fengyu, Xie Xun came out. The physicians dared not leave, aware that Xie Xun also understood Fengyu’s condition and hadn’t held much hope initially. Although he was excited now, he was also worried.

He led the physicians to a side hall, specifically instructing Eunuch Liu to dismiss the palace maids so that Qiuxiang, Chunlu, and others wouldn’t overhear their conversation.

After Xie Xun sat down, he ordered tea to be served, indicating a lengthy questioning session.

"Is this pregnancy dangerous for Fengyu?" Xie Xun asked.

Zhang Lingzheng clearly understood Xie Xun’s thoughts; no matter what, Fengyu was of utmost importance in his heart, the child came second. However, the Imperial Hospital prioritized offspring.

The Imperial Physicians were carefully selected to join the palace, rarities like Doctor Liu, who were so devoted to medicine, were uncommon. Most were shrewd and no one wanted to offend the emperor at this time nor dared to claim that Fengyu wasn’t well.

Zhang Lingzheng weighed his words carefully, "The Empress’s pregnancy is still in its early days, and it’s too soon to see any signs. The first three months of a woman’s pregnancy are particularly crucial. We must wait until the pregnancy is stable before making any judgments."

"So, you’re saying that if she stabilizes in these first three months, the pregnancy will be safe?" Xie Xun only chose to hear what he wanted.

Zhang Lingzheng dared not make such assertions; if mishaps occurred, Xie Xun might take actions against the Imperial Hospital. Zhang Lingzheng said, "Your Majesty, the Empress is blessed and will be under heaven’s protection. We at the Imperial Hospital will certainly do our utmost to protect the Empress and the imperial heir. But if you wish for a guarantee that the Empress will successfully give birth, we are reluctant to promise that now. Pregnancy is ten long months, and no one can predict what upheavals might occur. We can only do our utmost..."

"Zhang Lingzheng, stop dithering with useless words. You know what I’m asking — how high is the risk for this pregnancy?" Xie Xun’s expression darkened, his imperial wrath silencing the room. Doctor Liu and the others, knowing their low status, remained silent.

Zhang Lingzheng sighed, "Yes, the Empress naturally finds it difficult to conceive, and her constitution is cold and frail. Even if she is with child, it is hard to maintain. We can only try to preserve it."

Even maintaining it for the full term posed a challenge. For Fengyu, childbirth presented a significant hurdle; many healthy and robust women hadn’t survived childbirth’s Ghost Gate.

Xie Xun felt a weight in his heart, an inexplicable suffocating discomfort. He recalled how terrified and helpless Fengyu was when witnessing a woman’s childbirth amidst a snow disaster years ago. Fengyu had been extremely frightened then; she was inherently afraid of childbirth. Just observing others giving birth made her so fearful she vomited continuously. How could she not be afraid when it was her turn?

After his initial joy, Xie Xun reflected on Fengyu’s frail constitution, feeling distressed and heartbroken.

Honestly, by the standards of noble families in the capital, Fengyu was clearly not suitable — frail and sickly, unlikely to bear offspring. Years ago, when Xie Xun wanted to marry Fengyu, the Marchioness had advised him to think carefully — if he married Fengyu, he’d have to be prepared to bear the burden with her, as it was difficult for Fengyu to fulfill the responsibilities of a family matriarch.

Continuing the family lineage is the most important duty of a matriarch!

"The Imperial Hospital must do everything possible to protect the Empress and the child. If anything goes wrong with the Empress, inform me immediately. Remember, the Empress is the priority. If the child threatens her health, it’s okay to forgo it, remember?" Xie Xun said sternly, happy about Fengyu’s pregnancy yet pondering whether she was fit for childbirth and whether she could endure the process.

The physicians bowed their heads without speaking, recognizing this conflicted with Yuwen Dynasty’s traditions. In Yuwen Dynasty, the palace was abundant with women, with offspring being the priority, not the consorts. If forced to choose during childbirth, emperors often opted for the child, not the consort, even if she was the Empress. Consorts were to risk death to ensure descendants.

"Yes!" They responded to the order.

Xie Xun added, "Everyone in the Imperial Hospital must remember this and not tell the Empress; what she says doesn’t matter; she must follow my orders. Every time her pulse is checked, I want a report sent to me."

"Yes!"

Xie Xun had much to instruct them, but words couldn’t fully convey his concerns. "Zhang Lingzheng, focus solely on attending to the Empress’s pregnancy. Leave city affairs to others."

"Yes!"

Despite entrusting Zhang Lingzheng, Xie Xun wasn’t reassured. He sent someone outside the palace to seek Doctor Zhou, a gynecological master who often assisted in childbirth and had been nurturing Fengyu since young, in whom Xie Xun had more trust. He ordered Zhang Boxi to bring Doctor Zhou into the palace, where he would stay during this period to attend to Fengyu.

Xie Xun announced the happy news during the morning court. Though it was premature to declare before three months had stabilized, courtiers incessantly urged Xie Xun to conduct selections, citing Fengyu’s childlessness as an excuse, and Xie Xun was quite weary of it. Though he wielded true power and needn’t heed the censors, their constant clamor still grated on him.

The Empress’s pregnancy was indeed joyous, celebrated throughout the court and nation.

The Feng Family soon received the news. The old lady and Su Yuejiao submitted requests to enter the palace, while Fengyu sent Qiuxiang to receive them at the palace gate. Fengyu, upon waking and learning of her pregnancy, was astonished and delighted, without time to calm herself before learning Xie Xun had announced it in the court.

Changshou Palace was jubilant, with Fengyu generously rewarding the entire palace. All attending palace maids and eunuchs received gifts amidst the festive atmosphere. When the old lady and Su Yuejiao arrived, Fengyu had just taken her prenatal medicine. Doctor Zhou was invited into the palace to assist Zhang Lingzheng in attending to Fengyu. Fengyu felt Xie Xun might be overreacting; her pulse was still weak, with Doctor Zhou stating the pregnancy was not yet a month along and fraught with potential complications. Fengyu’s health required her to remain bedridden, unable to set foot on the ground, confined to rest during these crucial three months.

The old lady spoke with heartfelt concern, "Don’t find it bothersome. Listen to the doctors’ advice; the first three months are crucial. You must avoid any dietary issues, sleep more, eat more. Even if you lack appetite, eat for the child’s sake. If your health is sturdy, the child can be healthy; you mustn’t be careless."

Fengyu held her grandmother’s hand, smiling gently, "Grandmother, I understand. Rest assured, with so many watching over me in the palace, everything will be fine."

Though Su Yuejiao shared the joy, she was more filled with concern. Fengyu wasn’t like Feng Shu, lacking such robust health, and she truly feared Fengyu might not endure childbirth.

She wasn’t happy about Fengyu’s pregnancy. When Doctor Zhou mentioned Fengyu’s difficulty in conceiving, Su Yuejiao was momentarily relieved, worrying Fengyu would be attacked by courtiers for it someday, prioritizing her safety above all.