The Job Of An Imperial Concubine

52

TJOAIC 52 – MISCARRIAGE (流产)

In the wake of Yunxi’s cry of alarm, the people next to Chongyi Zhao all whipped their heads in said imperial concubine’s direction. One glance, and it scared those people so much, their complexions changed. This blood all over her… Did Chongyi Zhao miscarry?　　

The moment Feng Jin had heard that shout, he found it anything but reassuring. As he turned to look at Zhuang Laoyan, the other party had already paled, but endured the pain without a sound. His legs trembled. He shifted his gaze to the imperial clan members and high-ranking officials around. In the end, he did not stand.　　

“Yunxi, don’t make a fuss. We’re at the state banquet.” Zhuang Laoyan raised her head, gathered the fox cloak tighter around her. “Reporting to Your Majesty, this concubine does not feel well. May Your Majesty allow this concubine to return first.” 　　

Feng Jin clutched his wine cup. Gritting his teeth, he said with a pause between each word, “Permission granted.” Then he turned to Gao Dezhong who was by his side. “It’s snowing heavily and the road is slippery. Send Chongyi Zhao back to her palace for Us.”

“This slave will comply.” Gao Dezhong did not dare to be tardy, and rushed to retreat. None of the court officials and noble wives knew what had happened. They only saw that the emperor’s most useful eunuch went to send Chongyi Zhao back to her residence. And they all thought Chongyi Zhao was indeed favored.　　

But the noble wives that had sat closer to Chongyi Zhao were fearful to the extreme. Fortunately, Chongyi Zhao knew not to make a racket in this situation. Otherwise, the imperial clan members would lose reputation. If it came out in public that a struggle in the harem caused the emperor’s child to be miscarried, such would make for an unsightly and shameful occasion.　　

Once they stepped foot outside Taihe Hall, Gao Dezhong immediately had strong eunuchs bring over her sedan. In a low voice, he said to Yunxi, “Have you summoned an imperial physician yet?”　　　　

“Reporting to General Manager Gao, this slave has already had Fu Bao contact an imperial physician.” With red eyes, Yunxi supported Zhuang Laoyan onto the sedan. Holding her hand, she said consolingly, “Master, we’ll arrive at the palace very soon. It will be alright.”　　

“Yunxi, can my child be saved?” Zhuang Laoyan’s face was pale, voice near whisper and trembling. But everyone around could hear it clearly.　　

Gao Dezhong looked at the sorrowful Chongyi Zhao. Felt that her face was even whiter than the fox cloak she had on. He sighed in his heart. In the end, she didn’t have the kind of fate to have a child.　　

After Zhuang Laoyan had left, the other imperial concubines did not feel any more relaxed. On the contrary, they were apprehensive. For Chongyi Zhao to miscarry out of the blue inevitably inspired others’ suspicion. The few of them had been present at the same place. If the emperor took out his anger on them or suspected them… 　　　　

“Your Majesty, look at this…”　　　　

The empress noticed that although the emperor’s expression seemed as usual, his gaze carried a suppressed anger. And she knew that he had been looking forward to the child in Chongyi Zhao. She could not help but start to rejoice in her heart. Fortunately, this child could not be born. “Should this concubine take a look?” 　　　　

“No need. You are the empress of a nation. How could you leave during a state banquet?” Feng Jin set down the wine cup that he had held for a long time. He prompted the eunuch next to him to pour some wine. As the eunuch poured the wine, he felt that this eunuch wasn’t as satisfactory in his actions as Gai Dezhong. Perhaps Gao Dezhong was better at waiting upon Feng Jin. Then he dismissed the eunuch.