Chapter 17 After the transformation, the emperor took the pregnancy fruit.

While the Imperial Bedchamber was filled with joy, the atmosphere in Changning Palace was exceptionally solemn.

Shen Mingyue lay on the couch with her face bare, a small, bright blue snake with lively eyes coiled around her abdomen.

He was a little scared, but dared not move around recklessly.

After a while, the snake crawled away from his lower abdomen and onto the high priest's outstretched palm.

Soon, the little snake climbed up the high priest's arm to his shoulder and stretched its head toward his ear, as if it were saying something in a language that no one else could hear.

Everyone in the palace held their breath and dared not disturb them.

After a long pause, the high priest shook his head: "The queen is physically weak, and it may be difficult for her to conceive an heir."

Shen Mingyue's face turned pale instantly.

Momo's lips twitched a few times before she finally managed to squeeze out a few words: "Master, how about we don't have the baby...?"

"No!" Shen Mingyue's pale face gradually turned frantic. "It's just dangerous, it's not like I can't give birth!"

He was fed up with his body, which was a burden. He was already incapable of receiving favor, and if he couldn't even have a child with his cousin, what use would he be?!

"No matter how difficult it is, I must have a child for my cousin!"

The old woman couldn't help but cry out, "My poor little boy..."

The other palace maids couldn't help but shed tears as well.

“Very well,” the high priest said, momentarily moved. “The Earth Mother is merciful, and the Queen insists. So then, consume this fertility fruit.”

The pregnancy! The pregnancy he longed for!

Shen Mingyue quickly snatched it away. The Pregnancy Fruit looked like an ordinary green fruit, but it melted in his mouth as soon as he put it in, as if the heat went straight to his lower abdomen.

This clear feeling brought a dreamy smile to Shen Mingyue's face.

“The Pregnancy Fruit will transform your body over three days. This transformation will continue until you give birth to the royal heir and finish breastfeeding. It will be very difficult during this period,” the High Priest paused, then instructed again, “and sexual intercourse should also be postponed for three days.”

Shen Mingyue blushed: "Thank you, High Priest."

The high priest said no more, shook his head and left: "Procreation is a woman's right, but these men always want to have it, and it's impossible without paying a high price."

"Master, what's wrong?!" Momo had just seen the High Priest off when she saw Shen Mingyue nearly collapse to the ground. She rushed over to help her up. "Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

Shen Mingyue was in excruciating abdominal pain, as if a pair of giant hands were crushing and recasting his internal organs.

This was probably what was called "reform." He tried to stop Momo from calling the imperial physician, but he was in so much pain that he lost all strength and couldn't speak at all.

Soon, the imperial physician came running over carrying a box.

"Your Highness is in so much pain that he can't speak. Please take a look at what's wrong." Momo led the imperial physician to the inner palace.

The palace servants had already drawn the curtains, only covering the Empress's wrists with a thin veil and helping her out through the beaded curtain.

The imperial physicians were also women, so naturally they couldn't let the Empress see their faces, nor could they touch them directly when taking their pulse.

The imperial physicians, naturally not daring to be careless in the face of the empress who was as delicate as a glass bottle, examined her carefully again and again, and only when they were 90% certain did they say, "Your Majesty's pulse is a sign of physical transformation. Could it be that you have just taken the Pregnancy Fruit?"

“That’s right, but what’s wrong?” Momo asked hurriedly.

The imperial physician pondered and said, "Whether one is born male or female is predetermined. Even if one becomes pregnant, it is normal to go through a painful process to change one's body. The Empress is just having a more intense reaction."

"Can't we use medicine to relieve the pain?" Seeing her master's pale lips and cold sweat, Momo felt her heart clench.

The imperial physician was so frightened that he shook his head repeatedly: "The modification of the Pregnancy Fruit is related to the birth of the imperial heir. I am not knowledgeable enough to prescribe medicine at this time."

It concerns the birth of an imperial heir!

Shen Mingyue's pupils contracted, and she quickly grabbed Momo's hand and shook her head.

Momo paced anxiously, asking, "Is there any way to alleviate the pain?"

Acupuncture can relieve pain, but after all, women and men are different, and the other party is the most noble man in the world, His Majesty's queen. How could he dare to touch her?

"A gentle massage can be helpful," the imperial physician suggested.

The Grand Chamberlain hurriedly asked, "Does the Imperial Hospital have any male doctors skilled in massage?"

Women and men are different. Even if a doctor who loves his child is willing to teach his son medicine, he can only teach him how to identify and use medicine. How could he teach him something like massage that requires physical contact?

Momo saw through her subtext and stomped her foot, saying, "Just teach this old woman how to press it!"

After another hour or two of work, the Queen's abdominal pain was slightly relieved, but it was only relieved; she still felt a dull ache from time to time, as if a piece of lead was weighing down her abdomen.

"Go, convey my apologies to His Majesty. I will be unable to serve you for the next three days," Shen Mingyue instructed the Grand Chamberlain once she had recovered somewhat.

The Grand Chamberlain bowed and slowly retreated.

...

Zichen Palace

"Has he already taken the pregnancy fruit?" Si Ze asked with a complicated expression.

The Grand Chamberlain maintained her respectful bow: "Your Majesty is determined to bear an heir for His Majesty, and has not hesitated even knowing that it may be painful."

"How is Zitong now?" Although Si Ze was annoyed that he didn't take care of his health, he was still concerned.

"The Empress suffered from severe abdominal pain, which was only slightly relieved after being massaged by Momo."

The Emperor rubbed his temples: "Send the head of the Imperial Medical Academy to Changning Palace to treat the Empress and the Emperor's health. Instruct the Imperial Kitchen to put in even more effort."

The palace servant in the corner received the order.

Si Ze also sent Da Changqiu away, as she didn't want to see her cousin for the time being.

She had suppressed the imperial decree requesting the selection of concubines, precisely to give him time to adapt to the palace. Unexpectedly, he was completely ungrateful and insisted on having a child despite his health.

Would she lack children? If she wanted, she could have countless wealthy and powerful men bear her children.

My cousin ultimately couldn't shake off the primal instinct of a man to continue his bloodline.

A note from the author:

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