Chapter 90. Pregnancy.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness!" The imperial physician, after taking the pulse, rose with a broad smile and bowed. "Your Highness is pregnant!"

"Good!" Even though he was mentally prepared, Chu Heng was still overjoyed when he heard the imperial physician's confirmation. He just held Daiyu's hand and grinned foolishly.

Daiyu was overjoyed. She carefully touched her belly with her hand—her and Chuheng's child.

Seeing that the prince and princess were only focused on their joy, Zhao Qing handed the imperial physician a bulging purse that he had prepared in advance: "This is a gift from the prince and princess to you. In the future, we will need to ask the imperial physician to take care of the princess's pregnancy."

The imperial physician bowed and smiled, "Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness! It is all my duty. Your Highness is in good health, and this pregnancy will surely be smooth sailing."

Chu Heng composed himself and asked, "Is there anything the Princess Consort needs to pay attention to during her pregnancy? Please tell me about her daily routine and diet. Also, does the Princess Consort need to take any medicine to prevent miscarriage?"

Recalling his time living in the palace, when he often heard pregnant empresses taking medicine to prevent miscarriage, Chu Heng quickly added the last sentence.

The imperial physician said, "Please rest assured, Your Highness, the princess's pregnancy is going very smoothly and she does not need any medicine."

"That's good." Chu Heng breathed a sigh of relief.

The imperial physician added, "Pregnant women should not take medicine casually, and their diet should be carefully considered. There are also some objects and plants that they should not come into contact with in their daily lives. I will write them down for Your Highness and Your Highness."

Chu Heng quickly replied, "Thank you for your trouble."

Daiyu nodded and said, "Thank you, Imperial Physician."

He ordered someone to bring pen and ink, and the imperial physician wrote down the instructions one by one. After handing the pen to Chu Heng, Chu Heng then lowered his head and listened to the instructions.

"Does Your Highness have any other instructions?"

Chu Heng smiled and said, "From now on, you must come every day to examine the Princess's pulse. Once the Princess gives birth safely, I will certainly reward you handsomely."

The imperial physician bowed and said, "Your subject obeys."

Chu Heng added, "The Empress Dowager in the palace needs to rest and recuperate; there's no need to disturb her."

"Yes," the imperial physician replied.

"It's nothing, Father-in-law. Send the imperial physician to me." Chu Heng turned to look at Zhao Qing.

After they left, Chu Heng carefully looked at Daiyu: "Are you tired? Go lie down on the bed for a while?"

Daiyu smiled and said, "I'm not tired, but I'm hungry."

Upon hearing this, Chu Heng hurriedly ordered someone to serve the meal, and then took the list written by the imperial physician earlier to examine it closely: "I haven't had time to give instructions today. I'll take a look at the dishes on the table later and make sure everyone in the family knows these taboos."

Daiyu smiled and nodded: "Of course you should pay attention to what you should pay attention to, but you're being too cautious by calling the imperial physician to check your pulse every day."

Just now, in front of the imperial physician, Daiyu couldn't refute Chu Heng, but now that there were no outsiders, she naturally said whatever she wanted to say.

"Not at all. You can't be too careful at a time like this." Hearing her say that, Chu Heng added with concern, "If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, you absolutely mustn't hide it or pretend otherwise, understand?"

Daiyu took his hand and patted it gently a few times: "You're too nervous. I'm fine, there's nothing that makes me uncomfortable."

Daiyu was initially very nervous about her first pregnancy, but seeing Chu Heng's paranoid expression, she calmed down.

"That's good." Chu Heng gently stroked Daiyu's cheek. "You and the baby will definitely be fine. Don't worry, I will arrange everything."

When Daiyu heard him mention children, her heart softened immensely: "We have children."

"Yes," Chu Heng said emotionally, "We have a child."

Zijuan and the others placed various dishes on the table one by one. Chu Heng was afraid that Daiyu would go hungry, so he quickly and carefully checked each dish. After finding nothing that would get in the way, he picked up his chopsticks and served Daiyu the food.

After a moment of silence, the meal was finished. Chu Heng helped Daiyu to sit on the daybed, placed a soft pillow behind her, and poured a cup of warm water for her, leaving Daiyu staring in a daze.

“You…” Daiyu was once again made nervous by him, and she almost didn’t know what to do with her hands and feet. “Don’t do this, it’s scary.”

Chu Heng hurriedly asked, "Where is it scary? How is it scary? Tell me, and I'll change it right away!"

Not only was he paranoid, but he was also seeing ghosts everywhere. Daiyu's tension slowly subsided, and she couldn't help but laugh: "I mean you... don't be so cautious, I don't know what to do."

"Oh." Chu Heng breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "Did I make you nervous? Okay, I... I'll calm down. Don't be afraid, it's okay."

Daiyu reached out her hand, and Chu Heng carefully and gently took it in his hand: "What's wrong?"

Daiyu smiled softly and said, "I'm fine, I'm alright, don't be afraid."

“I’m not scared,” Chu Heng said immediately. “I… I’m just worried about not being able to take good care of you.”

Daiyu smiled and said, "It's not just the two of us in our family. The nannies are all old and experienced women, and there's also the imperial physician. I'll definitely be fine."

Daiyu's dowry maids were all women who had given birth, and the two maids bestowed by the Empress Dowager had taken care of pregnant and childbirth women, making them much more experienced than Chu Heng and Daiyu, who were not yet ready for marriage.

Looking into Daiyu's eyes, Chu Heng slowly calmed down. He squeezed Daiyu's hand and said, "I'm sorry for making you worry about me first."

Daiyu blinked and smiled, "Just don't make me worry anymore in the future."

Chu Heng squeezed her hand again: "There will definitely not be a next time."

Then Chu Heng gave instructions on all the taboos written by the imperial physician, especially the food in the kitchen and the flowers and potted plants in the room, which everyone had to remember.

Chu Heng then asked several experienced nannies if there were any taboos to be observed in daily life, so that everyone in the household would be mindful and ensure that Daiyu was completely safe and sound.

The old women offered many advice based on their experience, much of which was simply for good luck, and Chu Heng ordered his men to follow them all. There was only one thing, however, that he felt he couldn't do.

"Why should the princess and I sleep in separate rooms?" Chu Heng asked, dissatisfied.

He naturally knew that one had to be careful during pregnancy, and he was not a lustful person. Of course, he would not ignore Daiyu at this time and put her in danger. He just wanted to stay by Daiyu's side and take care of her.

Daiyu naturally understood what Chu Heng meant, but the implied meaning in the old women's words made her blush. She coughed lightly and tugged at Chu Heng's sleeve.

Chu Heng softened his tone and explained, "I am here to take care of the Princess, and it is not for any other reason."

Although the nannies felt that young couples were bound to be impulsive, they didn't dare to strongly advise against it and could only agree.

Chu Heng then asked, "Is there anything else?"

The old women exchanged glances, and finally Zhao, the old woman, gritted her teeth and stepped forward: "Your Highness, the Princess is pregnant, so you should have another person to serve you."

Chu Heng didn't understand her meaning for a moment: "I don't lack servants, but the princess needs more people around her."

“There’s no need to add anyone, I don’t need anyone…” Daiyu smiled, “Besides, that’s not what Granny Zhao meant.”

Chu Heng was taken aback, then suddenly understood. He said irritably, "I don't need this kind of service either. Don't mention this matter again at home, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Granny Zhao quickly bowed and said, "Yes, I was too talkative."

“However, Granny Zhao, you’ve reminded me.” Chu Heng turned to Daiyu, “Next time we go to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager, I’ll have to accompany you, otherwise…”

If the Empress Dowager were to bestow someone upon her by chance, Daiyu, as her daughter-in-law, would only be able to express her gratitude, unlike Chu Heng who would dare to refuse.

Daiyu smiled, still pursing her lips: "What's wrong? Even if the Empress Dowager really bestows someone upon you, she's just worried that you won't have anyone to serve you."

Chu Heng said plaintively, "Stop teasing me. Aren't you jealous?"

Daiyu asked innocently, "So, I'm supposed to be jealous?"

Chu Heng waved his hand, dismissing all the servants in the room, before sitting down next to Daiyu and acting spoiled: "You know perfectly well that I can't stand anyone else in my heart or eyes."

Daiyu smiled and said, "Isn't it good enough that I believe you?"

Chu Heng thought about it and realized that he was indeed being unreasonable. He held Daiyu's hand and said, "I was wrong. It's good that you're not jealous. You can't be angry right now."

Daiyu leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "Actually... it's not that I'm not jealous."

The thought that the Empress Dowager might take advantage of her status as an elder to bestow something upon her that she could not refuse and that would be an eyesore made Daiyu very unhappy.

Chu Heng looked down at her, his eyes sparkling: "I know you care about me."

Daiyu tapped the back of his hand: "I have seen and remembered everything you have done. I know you, so I believe in you."

"Mmm." Chu Heng's heart was filled with tenderness and emotion. He had many things he wanted to say, but in the end, only one sentence came out: "Thank you."

Daiyu nuzzled against his shoulder, and in the candlelight, their shadows were cast as they nestled together.

...

The next day, Chu Heng and Daiyu went to the palace to pay their respects and told the Empress Dowager the good news that Daiyu was pregnant.

The Empress Dowager stroked the thin blanket on her lap, her smile not very pleasant: "This is a joyous occasion. Shuangyun, bestow my jade ruyi upon Princess Duan."

The Empress Dowager is now extremely conflicted about Chu Heng and Daiyu. On the one hand, she believes that the blessings these two people bring to her health; on the other hand, she thinks of the truth about Chu Heng's poisoning back then and is terrified of retaliation, just as Master Pingyi said.

Torn between love and hate, the Empress Dowager both longed to see them and did not want to see them again.

Chu Heng and Daiyu rose to thank the Empress Dowager, exchanged some casual conversation, and then took their leave.

As they approached the entrance of Renshou Palace, they happened to see Consort Wu leading the Second Prince, and they stopped to pay their respects.

Consort Wu smiled and said, "No need for formalities. I often hear that Yongkang and Fifth Sister-in-law visit each other frequently. I would like to talk to you more, but unfortunately, it has always been the wrong time. I missed the opportunity again today, which is a real pity. I will invite Fifth Sister-in-law to my palace another day."

Chu Heng smiled and said, "The Princess Consort should not refuse the invitation from the Imperial Concubine, but she is currently unwell and needs to rest at home."

Daiyu simply smiled as Chu Heng declined the invitation on her behalf.

"Congratulations." Consort Wu immediately understood what she meant. "This is your first pregnancy, sister-in-law, you certainly need to take good care of yourself."

“In that case, Your Highness, the Princess and I shall take our leave,” Chu Heng said, seizing the opportunity.

Consort Wu had to swallow her next words. She narrowed her eyes and watched the couple's departing figures.

The second prince said, "Mother, I have said before that whether it is me or my eldest brother, Fifth Uncle has never been warm to anyone."

Consort Wu didn't take it seriously: "It's all up to people. Since Prince Duan works for His Majesty and you are favored by His Majesty, we're not afraid that we won him over."