Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 660: The Secret Chamber of the Imperial Study (3)
"Hey, old chap, what the heck does this thing say?"
"Hehe, it recognizes me, but I don’t recognize it."
"Just say you can’t read." Rolled eyes.
"I can’t read, but Scholar Li can, right?" Glanced over at the man in dark cyan clothing beside him.
Scholar Li gave a bashful smile, "Yes... yes."
"Then hurry up and read it, what does the notice say?"
"Yeah, give us a read."
Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Scholar Li’s face showed a hint of smugness and he pretended to be profound, "Even if I read it out, you lot probably wouldn’t understand. How about this instead, I’ll give you a simple explanation."
"Oh come on, don’t keep us in suspense, we’re waiting to go home for dinner."
"Quick, quick, hurry up and read it."
Scholar Li saw they really were illiterate, so he dropped the act of being erudite and spoke in their language, "The notice says that the Empress is pregnant, and the Emperor is very happy. To celebrate this good day, he wants to share it with everyone. The people will have their taxes reduced for three years, officials will receive an extra three months’ pay, and death-row inmates will have their sentences commuted to exile in Lingnan, with a return after fifteen years served, provided they’re not guilty of major evil deeds; they are to be released on the spot."
Upon hearing about the three-year tax relief, the people cheered and spread the word. In an instant, only Scholar Li was left in front of the notice, looking around before he shook his head and strutted off, muttering to himself, "Ah, being uneducated... it’s terrifying." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Like a wind that scattered seeds, within a few days, the news permeated throughout Capital City and then Xueyan Country, from one to ten, a hundred. Over the next month, everyone in Xueyan Country knew, and the peasants especially prayed in temples for the Empress to safely give birth to princes and princesses. Some people even laughed and cried in their wishes, hoping the Empress would get pregnant every three years.
The sun shone brightly, spring was warm, and flowers bloomed. In the Imperial Garden, the light yellow blossoms of the winter jasmine emerged, most branches now covered with sprouts, and even the big trees competed to push out new shoots, not wanting to be left out. Because it was February when the New Year was celebrated, and with the Start of Spring falling on the fifth of February, which was also the fifth day of the first lunar month, the winter didn’t feel too cold, and now it was already the middle of March.
Ever since Dugu Chen found out his wife was pregnant, he had been even more cautious than her, reducing his time spent attending court, and almost constantly followed her everywhere, much to Feng Xuxu’s bemusement. Thankfully, the first three months would be over tomorrow, and he wouldn’t have an excuse to follow her around anymore. She looked down at her body, which had put on weight, and let out a long sigh. In just over a month, her figure had drastically changed. If she continued like this, she wouldn’t be far off from, you know, what. No, absolutely not. Starting today, she resolved to exercise more every day, which would not only help with childbirth but also help shake off the extra flab.
"My lady, why didn’t you call me when you came out?"
Feng Xuxu had just walked into the Imperial Garden and was still steadying herself when the person behind her swiftly caught up. She turned around and glared at him, "I didn’t call you, but here you are anyway."
"Hehe, yes, yes, I came on my own." He laughed foolishly for a bit and wrapped his arms around her. They say a woman’s emotions fluctuate greatly during pregnancy, but aside from being a bit fiercer, his lady hadn’t really changed that much in temper. It seemed that wasn’t always the case, as the two of them leisurely strolled through the Imperial Garden.
Feng Xuxu rolled her eyes; it was always the same. The same questions, the same answers, not a single word out of place, like a parrot repeating the same dialogue over and over every day.
