The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 53 - The Empress's Pregnancy

"Your Majesty, the three-month period has arrived. The Emperor asks if you are ready to make the announcement?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress fell silent. If she could, she would have preferred to keep it hidden a little longer.
Noting the Empress's hesitation, De Fei spoke gently, "It is not advisable to keep the Empress's pregnancy a secret. This could lead to misunderstandings in the outside world."
The Empress understood this reasoning well and sighed. "Very well, make the announcement."
Indeed, she was the Empress.
Soon, news spread from Kunning Palace that the Empress was pregnant and had already passed the three-month mark. Upon hearing this, the Emperor was overjoyed and made a public announcement.
After many years without a pregnancy in the Central Palace, this news led the Emperor to grant the people a year's exemption from agricultural taxes to honor the status of the legitimate child.
It was worth noting that when the imperial consort was pregnant before, the Emperor only promoted her to a higher status. Even though it was a dual title, it paled in comparison to the Empress's status.
Such joyous news also earned the Emperor congratulations from the court. However, what he thought privately remained unknown.
The most anxious might have been Prince Duan.
He hadn't had a chance to act when Lan Guifei was pregnant before, and now with the Empress pregnant and the pregnancy stable, he was feeling the pressure. If the legitimate child was born, there would be no place for him.
After all, he couldn't let the Empress's child survive, could it?
So, he had to see his mother.
The Emperor observed the reactions of the courtiers, and though he smiled, his heart was filled with hostility. No matter how they behaved, their ambitions could not be hidden.
He was keen to see who was eyeing his legitimate child this time.
After dismissing the officials, the Emperor went straight to the Empress's quarters.
Upon his arrival, he saw that everyone was crowded around the Empress. "What are you all doing? Don't you know that the Empress needs rest during her pregnancy?" Seeing the commotion, the Emperor's mood was quite displeased.
Hadn't these people learned any manners?
"Pay your respects to His Majesty."
The Emperor didn't call them up but went straight to support the Empress. "Empress, you don't need to bow when you see me during your pregnancy." Holding her hand, he helped her sit down. "Are you still feeling nauseous? What did the Imperial Physician say?"
Seeing the Emperor and Empress harmoniously together, the kneeling concubines felt a pang of jealousy.
The Empress had not intended to manage them. If De Fei were not there, she would have preferred to see the Emperor handle them.
"I am fine. The Imperial Physician said it was normal. I might stop feeling nauseous by tomorrow. Your Majesty, please let the other consorts rise. Both Guifei and De Fei are also pregnant."
The Empress smiled tenderly at the Emperor.
The Emperor turned to look at the kneeling concubines. His previously warm smile faded. "All of you, rise."
Seeing several pregnant consorts among them, the Emperor's expression grew increasingly stern. "Why aren't you resting properly in your own courtyards? Why are you running around? Don't wander about and risk harming my child."
It was rare to have so many pregnant consorts in the harem this year. He certainly did not want a repeat of previous years where every child was lost.
Guifei wanted to speak but swallowed her words upon meeting the Emperor's gaze.
"Yes, we obey Your Majesty's orders."
The Empress was pleased to see Guifei's discomfort and had no intention of speaking further.
Indeed, within just half a month, two more consorts were discovered to be pregnant: Fang Changzai, and the other was Li Changzai
Both of them did not perceive the Emperor's words as reprimands but as signs of his concern for them.
"Alright, all of you may leave. Do not disturb the Empress. She needs peace and quiet." The Emperor urged them to leave. He was genuinely concerned about the Empress's pregnancy.
"Yes," the courtiers did not dare to say more and exited one by one.
Guifei walked out first. As she was about to leave the palace gates, she looked back and saw the Emperor's hand resting lovingly on the Empress's belly, his face full of affection and excitement.
The Empress's pregnancy had just been announced in the third month. Guifei didn't believe that the Empress had not noticed earlier; it must have been intentionally concealed.
It was also her own oversight. If she had been more careful, maybe she could have waited until the pregnancy was more stable before the announcement.
But now it was too late to say anything.
De Fei was right behind her, and seeing her disdainful look, she asked, "Does Guifei have any matters to discuss with the Emperor and the Empress?" Since Guifei did not leave, De Fei was also unwilling to leave first.

Lan Guifei withdrew her gaze and shot De Fei a disdainful look. "Hmph, how long can you gloat?" After saying this, she left with large strides, forgetting that she was also pregnant.
De Fei paid no mind to her words. Whether she was proud or disheartened, it was still better than her own situation.
She knew very well Guifei's situation, and it was truly pitiable and sad.
In Qingzhou Courtyard.
As soon as Prince Duan returned, he went to see his mother. His urgent demeanor startled many servants, who quickly scrambled out of his way.
"Mother, Mother."
Inside the Empress Dowager's inner chamber, after De Zhong had just been intimate with the Empress Dowager, they heard Prince Duan's voice from outside. Both of them stiffened, and De Zhong quickly helped the Empress Dowager adjust her clothing, showing displeasure.
"Alright, Prince Duan must have something urgent to discuss with me. Don't be upset; you can have your way tonight," the Empress Dowager reassured De Zhong, recognizing his displeasure.
"Hmph, this is what you, Xuan'er, said. Don't come crying to me later asking for leniency," De Zhong whispered in her ear.
"Alright, I'll do as you say."
The gatekeepers outside naturally heard Prince Duan's voice. They led two people out of the inner courtyard to the gate.
They encountered Prince Duan rushing towards them. "Please wait, Your Highness. The Empress Dowager is currently dealing with an urgent matter."
They stopped Prince Duan, who was in a flurry and unable to listen to them. "Get out of my way!" He pushed past the gatekeepers.
No matter how hard he tried, he could not move them. "How dare you block my way? Do you not value your lives? Is De Zhong inside? I want to ask him how he manages his subordinates."
The gatekeepers were used to Prince Duan's outbursts. They had blocked him before and knew to wait for him to vent.
Before Prince Duan could yell again, a voice from inside the courtyard called out, "Let Prince Duan in." It was De Zhong's voice.
The three gatekeepers immediately stepped aside.
"Your Highness, please."
"Vile servants, just wait and see how I deal with you later," Prince Duan said angrily. After cursing the gatekeepers, he rushed into the Empress Dowager's courtyard.
Upon seeing De Zhong guarding the door, Prince Duan stopped. "De Zhong, if you have time, you should properly teach your subordinates their manners. How dare they block my way. Do they not value their lives?"
De Zhong smiled at him and nodded. "The subordinates are just following orders. Since you're here, you must have heard about the Empress's pregnancy. Please go inside quickly. The Empress Dowager is waiting for you."
Upon hearing this, Prince Duan's anger subsided immediately. "Come on, you too, go in."
Inside the room, the Empress Dowager and De Zhong listened to their son's frustrated shouts with helpless expressions.
"Don't worry, Prince Duan. This time, the Empress will not give birth. You need not worry about Guifei either. She had been injured previously and has not recovered well, so even if she is pregnant, she won't be able to carry to term."