The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 106 - All Things Come Together

The entire Lan Yue Pavilion had been sealed off for half a month. Bai Jingxian and her three children had all developed rashes, but they were now in the recovery phase. As long as they didn't touch the affected areas, there would be no scars left on their bodies.

The only downside was that Bai Jingxian was pregnant—two months along. This news shocked the imperial physician. He hadn't detected anything unusual during his earlier examinations. After all the medicine that had been administered, how could this child possibly survive? He hurriedly sent a message outside.

When Zhao Jinrui learned of this, his heart ached even more, and without realizing it, a tear slipped from his eye. "Defu, is this a punishment from the heavens for me?" He had killed so many people last year; could it be that his sins were too heavy? Otherwise, how could smallpox have spread within the palace, especially from his own children?

"Your Majesty," Defu said, feeling just as troubled. He knew better than anyone that for the emperor to have offspring was incredibly difficult. After finally having four princes, three of them were now suffering from smallpox. They had finally seen a glimmer of hope, yet the child in He Fangyi's womb was now lost.

Sighing, Defu said, "Your Highness will still have more sons in the future. It's a blessing that you've managed to survive such a severe illness; you will definitely have more princes and princesses for the emperor." All he could offer were comforting words.

At that moment, Zhao Jinrui was too heartbroken to speak. Bai Jingxian hadn't expected to become pregnant; this child had truly come at an inconvenient time. Compared to Zhao Jinrui's sorrow, Bai Jingxian was more open-minded, rubbing her belly. "Child, just wait a bit longer; your mother will ensure you come safely into this world." After saying this, her tears flowed freely.

Seeing Her Highness in such distress, everyone around her was equally heartbroken. At that moment, Chunfeng entered with the miscarriage medicine prescribed by the physician, her eyes red from crying. None of them had expected such a thing to happen.

Without waiting for them to say anything, Bai Jingxian took the medicine from Chunfeng and drank it down. Then she lay down, not wanting to say a word. Tears streamed down her cheeks, quickly soaking her pillow.

The physician was still in the Lan Yue Pavilion, having called in a female doctor to watch over the sleeping chambers, fearing any unforeseen accidents. Some women experience complications during a miscarriage, and considering the importance of the royal child, even without the emperor's instructions, as a physician, he wouldn't let anything happen to his patient.

The medicine was potent, and within a quarter of an hour, Bai Jingxian began to feel pain. She cried out in agony. The female doctor didn't hesitate; ignoring protocol, she rushed to lift the quilt. Sure enough, He Fangyi had miscarried.

"Help me, Momo," the doctor said, quickly getting to work. Once everything was cleaned up, she looked at the fallen items in surprise.

She didn't dare linger, hurrying out to find the physician. Upon seeing what she had brought, he sighed and slapped his thigh. "Two! Two children!"

At his words, everyone's faces changed. He Fangyi had been pregnant with twins.

Bai Jingxian, hearing the physician's words, couldn't bear it any longer and fainted.

When Zhao Jinrui learned that Bai Jingxian had lost two children, he swayed on his feet. "Why? Why?" he muttered, a tear slipping down his cheek.

Defu's eyes turned red as he silently screamed: Why was Heaven so cruel to their emperor?

This matter couldn't be kept secret for long; soon everyone who needed to know was aware. But another piece of bad news arrived. The Crown Prince had contracted smallpox. Not just him, but the princess had too. The Empress stayed behind to care for the children. No matter how the servants in the palace tried to persuade her, it was useless. 

Upon hearing about the situation in Kun Ning Palace, Zhao Jinrui immediately removed the physician from the Lan Yue Pavilion and sent him to investigate.

Once he confirmed the news, Zhao Jinrui sealed the palace once more. He sat quietly in the Qinzheng Hall, motionless, without eating or drinking for an entire day. Defu was greatly worried. He didn't know how to advise him.

At such a critical moment, matters kept piling up. The people of the imperial city learned that smallpox had appeared in the palace and began to flee the city. But Zhao Jinrui had already ordered the gates of the city closed. Those who couldn't escape cursed the emperor.

Some courtiers who hadn't entered the palace were equally anxious. Thankfully, the imperial guards were still outside, preventing any major disturbances; otherwise, the empire would be in jeopardy.

Zhao Jinrui, a compassionate emperor, after sitting quietly for a day and learning of the situation in the imperial city, immediately issued an edict to the officials outside to take care of the commoners. He had the sick separated from the healthy. Fortunately, the source of the illness was within the palace, and no cases had been found in the city, which eased everyone's worries.

Good news began to emerge from the palace, especially that the three royal princes in Lan Yue Pavilion had successfully survived smallpox, which finally calmed the restless commoners.

As time passed, the palace continued to report good news. When the news of the dragon and phoenix twins being cured spread, the smallpox incident seemed to be under control. The Empress hadn't contracted the illness, which puzzled the physicians; after several examinations, they could only attribute it to her strong constitution, coming from a martial family background, making her less susceptible to infection.

The recovery of the five children in the palace greatly relieved Zhao Jinrui's heart. However, this moment of relief was followed by a massive blow: the emperor himself contracted smallpox.

In an instant, the entire Qinzheng Hall was sealed off. All the physicians rushed to the hall. Bai Jingxian had just finished her recovery period and, upon learning that Zhao Jinrui had contracted smallpox, she immediately took her three children and headed to the Qinzheng Hall.

After leaving the children in the care of Wang Momo and Defu, she pushed through everyone blocking her way and stormed into the hall.

At that moment, Zhao Jinrui was only in the fever stage. He noticed Bai Jingxian's arrival, but he hadn't expected her to be so bold.

"What are you doing here? Get out!" he exclaimed, glancing towards the door, where he saw a woman silhouetted against the light.

"Are you trying to throw your life away?" It was impossible not to feel moved; he had expected the Empress to arrive first, but it was her instead.

Recalling her feelings for him over the years, Zhao Jinrui's eyes grew misty.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. The physician said that once someone has been infected, they won't be infected again. I've fully recovered," she said, closing the door and taking steps toward him, speaking words that Zhao Jinrui found most comforting.

"I've also left the children in the care of Wang Momo and Defu; they're in the side hall of the backyard. Your Majesty, please don't send Jingxian away." As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

As the distance between them closed, Zhao Jinrui gave up resisting, knowing that she had arranged everything, and came in with the determination to die alongside him.

With such deep feelings, how could he let her down?