The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 343 - Concern for His Offspring

Zhongcui Palace.

When Pei Yao arrived, the imperial physician had just finished checking the pulse of the Third Prince.

Yang Fei, who was sitting by the bedside, quickly rose and curtsied upon seeing him.

"Your Majesty."

"Rise," Pei Yao gestured dismissively and walked directly to the bed. He sat down and glanced at the child. "How is An'er?"

Yang Fei, supported by Siqi, stood up with a worried expression on her face.

"The imperial physician said it's a stomach imbalance, and prescribed medicine should resolve it," she replied.

"Out of the blue? He didn't eat anything wrong. How could his stomach become imbalanced?" Pei Yao frowned. "What were the attendants doing? You were by his side, yet you didn't notice?"

Earlier, after hearing some heartfelt remarks from Fang Yun at Yuzhang Palace, Pei Yao carried a certain bias and dissatisfaction toward Yang Fei. His tone was tinged with criticism.

The wet nurse standing nearby quickly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, it's a misunderstanding. This morning, the Third Prince was playing energetically in the courtyard and broke into a sweat. When he came inside to rest, he saw some cooled tea on the table and drank half a cup before we could stop him. We didn't think it would matter much... At that time, Her Highness was in the kitchen personally preparing snacks for the prince and wasn't in the palace."

After the wet nurse finished explaining, Yang Fei also curtsied and said, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. It was my negligence. An'er has always been weak and should indeed be cared for more cautiously."

Pei Yao glanced at her, his gaze critical, before his voice softened slightly.

"It's the servants' oversight, not entirely your fault. All the attendants who were with the Third Prince this morning shall be punished with twenty strokes on the palm."

The punishment was fair and not overly severe.

At that moment, the Third Prince, lying on the bed, called out softly, "Father."

"Hmm?" Pei Yao turned his head, and his expression grew gentler as he looked at his son. "What is it, An'er?"

The Third Prince looked timidly at him and then at Yang Fei, murmuring, "Don't leave, Father."

Hearing this from his two-and-a-half-year-old son surprised Pei Yao.

His heart stirred, and after a moment, he reached out to gently pat the boy's head. He asked softly, "Why does An'er say that?"

"When Father leaves, Mother cries. I don't want Mother to cry," the Third Prince said quietly, his eyes starting to glisten with tears.

Hearing this, Yang Fei seemed visibly moved, blinking rapidly and taking a deep breath before turning her face away.

After regaining her composure, she turned back to Pei Yao and said, "Your Majesty, please don't listen to the child's ramblings. I only sent for you because An'er vomited, and I was worried. Surely, Your Majesty was having lunch with Zhao Fei earlier? I must have delayed your meal."

Pei Yao frowned slightly and adjusted his posture. Just as he was about to speak, the little hand of the Third Prince tugged at the corner of his robe.

"Father..."

The Third Prince called again, pitifully.

Looking at his son, Pei Yao hesitated for a moment. Ultimately, he couldn't harden his heart.