Chapter 121

"I understand. You may leave now."

After saying this, Song Xuan waved his hand and ordered someone to invite the divine physician out of the study. The divine physician, who was kneeling on the ground, breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly followed the palace servants away.

After the person left, Song Xuan sat down at the table, his dark eyes darting around, seemingly lost in thought.

Xia Zi cautiously stepped forward. He had heard what the divine physician had said. He said carefully, "Your Highness, this servant thinks that those two herbs might have other uses in other prescriptions."

The Crown Princess must be used for something else. Besides, she showed signs of premature labor a few days ago, so why would she be induced?

Song Xuan raised his hand to rub his temples, then looked at the screen depicting a peaceful and tranquil scene. He said calmly, "She is my Crown Princess, and I trust her."

Although Qing Nian was still angry, he was confident that the other party would not do anything despicable...

After all, from getting to know each other to falling in love and then getting married, everything between them was pure and sincere, and there was nothing else mixed in.

Xiazi nodded and smiled in agreement: "Your Highness is absolutely right."

At this moment, a young eunuch entered from outside the study. He kowtowed and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you to the Imperial Study to discuss your ascension to the throne."

With only twenty days left until his ascension to the throne, Song Xuan was already busy arranging the process. The new emperor's ascension was extremely busy, and it was already quite remarkable that Song Xuan could find time to care for Shen Qingnian.

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For the next seven or eight days, Song Xuan was busy handling government affairs and preparing for his enthronement ceremony. He was busy until late at night every day, but he would still instruct the palace servants to send some novel things to Shen Qingnian. He would also take the time to write some letters and send them over.

However, the letters sent to Shen Qingnian every day were like stones sinking into the sea, and there was never a response.

Song Xuan was anxious, but he was too busy with other matters, and Shen Qingnian was nearing her due date, so he couldn't disturb her at night...

The two remained locked in this stalemate until that night, when Song Xuan, somewhat weary, returned to the East Palace amidst the wind and snow.

A crescent moon hung high in the sky, and the faint fragrance of red plum blossoms in the courtyard wafted into his nostrils, making him stop and watch.

A batch of the red plum trees transplanted in winter had already died; this was the second batch to be transplanted. He recalled how Qingnian had smiled sweetly at him when the red plum trees were first transplanted...

In the stillness of the night, the longing buried deep in my heart can no longer be contained.

Song Xuan's gaze shifted from the red plum blossoms to the vermilion door of the sleeping quarters, his heart churning with heavy longing.

Seeing Song Xuan staring intently at the palace gate, Xia Zi cautiously spoke up: "Your Highness, Zhu Lan came to report during the day that the Crown Princess slept almost all day again and didn't seem to be in good spirits."

These words were meant to comfort Song Xuan indirectly. It wasn't that Shen Qingnian didn't want to talk to him, but rather that she was simply not feeling well.

Song Xuan asked, "Is her foot any better?"

Recently, Zhu Lan came to report that she often mentioned that Qing Nian's legs and feet were somewhat swollen, and massage could only provide slight relief.

Xia Zi looked distressed for her mistress, and her tone was also somewhat sorrowful: "This servant heard from Zhu Lan that the Crown Princess's feet have been swollen for several days. The Crown Princess is truly suffering for the sake of the child in her womb."

Only by making the Crown Princess's situation seem difficult will His Highness the Crown Prince feel sorry for her and not hold a grudge against her.

For the past ten days, not only His Highness the Crown Prince, but even he himself has become somewhat displeased with the fact that he has been sending elaborate gifts to the Crown Princess every day, yet she has not shown the slightest reaction.

Fortunately, the Emperor and Empress were unaware of the situation at the time. He, as a servant, only hoped that after the Crown Princess gave birth, he could reconcile with the Crown Prince...

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan's dark eyes darkened. The next moment, he strode towards the bedchamber, and then his voice drifted in the cold wind: "You may leave. You do not need to follow me."

Xiazi had no choice but to stand still.