The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 3)

Chapter 416 - The Child Has Grown Up

As Jing Xian Fei reached the door, she hadn't even had time to pay her respects when she heard a certain remark, causing her smile to freeze abruptly.

Ning Chen, however, didn't even glance her way; he was nervously pressing Kong Qing. "Did the Imperial Physician arrive? What did he say about the situation?"

"When this servant arrived, the Imperial Physician hadn't come yet. Guifei heard that Your Majesty came to Zhongcui Palace, and she didn't ask me to come and invite you. But this servant was afraid that if something were to happen to Her Highness, it would be troublesome, so I took the liberty to come. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Kong Qing adeptly deflected the situation onto himself, ensuring that if anything went wrong, it would be his fault, with Ye Yun having no relation to it.

However, it was clear that Ning Chen's focus was not on this matter; he was solely worried about Ye Yun's postnatal weakness and was extremely anxious.

Thus, before Jing Xian Fei could adjust her mindset and present a gracious and considerate demeanor, Ning Chen sighed deeply.

"Guifei has never been one to feign illness and complain of pain. If she truly is unwell, then I shall not accompany you for dinner today; I need to go check on her."

"Yes, I respectfully send Your Majesty." Jing Xian Fei had yet to think of what to say, and could only utter this dry response.

Before Ning Chen even set foot through the doors of Zhongcui Palace, he turned on his heel and headed straight for Zhaochun Palace.

Meanwhile, Shen Pingzhi had just finished examining Ye Yun.

Facing Ning Chen's inquiry, he maintained a calm demeanor and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Her Highness is not in serious trouble; she is just weak from childbirth and lacking in vital energy and blood, which is causing her dizziness and fatigue."

There's a way to be sick; it must be done with skill. One must not allow Jing Xian Fei to seize the opportunity to usurp power under the guise of illness. Thus, saying that the dizziness is due to insufficient vital energy was the best excuse, merely indicating a need for recuperation. Given that she had just given birth, it was perfectly normal for her to experience such symptoms.

"It's indeed challenging to restore vitality. Does she need any medicine?" Ning Chen furrowed his brow.

"Medicine can be toxic if taken in excess; it's not beneficial for the body. Her Highness just needs to supplement her diet with food, such as red dates, goji berries, donkey-hide gelatin, and bird's nest—she can eat more of those," Shen Pingzhi replied with a bow.

Ning Chen nodded, then turned to Yuan Jiu and instructed, "Pass the word down: for Ming Guifei, a bowl of blood bird's nest must be provided daily, without fail. Ensure all other necessities are prepared as well."

Other things weren't too hard to come by, but the blood bird's nest was the rarest of all. Even though Ye Yun was currently a Guifei, she would only receive a few bowls of it as part of the established protocol. To have it served daily like this required Ning Chen to dip into the private treasury.

At that moment, Nan Zhi emerged from the room. "Your Majesty, Her Highness says she doesn't really want to have dinner; she only set a table for Your Majesty. What does Your Majesty wish to eat for dinner? This servant can inform the kitchen."

"How can we skip dinner? If she doesn't want to eat, have the kitchen make some congee and prepare some light dishes; she must eat something," Ning Chen said, frowning as he walked past Nan Zhi.

Through the gauzy curtain, he could see Ye Yun lying on her side, just peeking out.

"I'm not feeling well; I don't really want to have dinner. It's my servants who are thoughtless for bothering Your Majesty. Why don't you go dine with Jing Xian Fei instead?"