Chapter 123 Thoughtful Consideration (A Show of Care from My Uncle)
After a long pause, the court judge finally confirmed the diagnosis, abruptly withdrew his hand, and then knelt down, repeatedly kowtowing to Chu Huaiyu, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Her Majesty the Empress is indeed pregnant, and it has been more than a month!"
“It’s been over a month…” Chu Huaiyu murmured, repeating the words over and over, as if he couldn’t believe his ears.
He stood there stunned for a good while before he suddenly came to his senses. The corners of his mouth turned up involuntarily, and his eyes were filled with an undisguised burning light.
Chu Huaiyu pulled Lu Zhaoxue into his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder, his voice choked with emotion: "Zhaoxue! We're going to have a child! We're finally having a child again!"
He then excitedly kissed Lu Zhaoxue's forehead, eyebrows, and eyes repeatedly.
Lu Zhaoxue struggled to push Chu Huaiyu away, but Chu Huaiyu seemed to realize something and quickly and carefully let go of her.
With a guilty look on her face, she said, "I'm sorry, Zhaoxue, I got too excited. Did I hurt you?"
Lu Zhaoxue gently shook her head, a faint smile appearing on her face. The arrival of this child was something she had expected.
Chu Huaiyu glanced at Lu Zhaoxue, then quickly put her back on the bed, tucked her in, and after doing so, he turned to the head physician and instructed him:
"Quickly! Go and get the medicine to prevent miscarriage, and use the best herbs! Also, from now on, the Imperial Hospital must personally oversee the Empress's diet and daily life, and you cannot be careless in the slightest!"
Anyone who dares to make the slightest mistake will have their entire family executed!
"Your Majesty, we obey!" the imperial physicians hurriedly replied, though their hearts were already filled with turmoil.
It seems the Empress is pregnant, which is truly a joyous occasion. His Majesty values Lady Lu far more than he did the deposed Empress Du Xianyue in the past!
It seems that Chengqian Palace will get whatever it wants from now on.
Chu Huaiyu gently stroked Lu Zhaoxue's lower abdomen with his large hand, his movements tender and his eyes full of affection.
The mere thought of Lu Zhaoxue carrying his child filled Chu Huaiyu with uncontrollable excitement.
"Zhaoxue, you've really gone through a lot. From now on, you don't need to worry about anything. Just focus on taking care of your pregnancy. I will protect you and our child."
Chu Huaiyu was still immersed in the joy of discovering the pregnancy, his large hand tightly covering Lu Zhaoxue's lower abdomen, his eyes filled with an irrepressible smile.
His voice trembled with a hint of excitement: "Zhaoxue, I have decided to immediately issue an edict granting a general amnesty!"
Chu Huaiyu suddenly stood up, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "I want the whole world to know that I am going to have an heir! I want to announce to the four seas that taxes will be reduced, so that all people can celebrate with me, and let everyone know how much I cherish you and our child!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoxue slowly shook her head and gently pressed down on Chu Huaiyu's arm, which was trembling slightly due to excessive excitement.
Her hand landed on the back of Chu Huaiyu's hand, like a clear spring extinguishing some of his heat.
"His Majesty."
"I am only a little over a month pregnant, and the pregnancy is not yet stable. If we announce it now, it will inevitably attract attention." Her voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable firmness.
Lu Zhaoxue lowered her eyes to look at her lower abdomen, a hint of caution flashing in her eyes.
"The people in the deep palace are unpredictable, and there are also undercurrents in the court. If we announce the good news to the public now, it is hard to guarantee that no one will harbor evil intentions and secretly harm us."
"I do not seek momentary glory, but only the safety of the child in my womb. Once the pregnancy is three months along and stable, we can then announce it to the world."
Chu Huaiyu's smile froze instantly. He stared at Lu Zhaoxue, and only when he saw the worry in her eyes did he suddenly come back to his senses.
Yes, he was so focused on expressing his joy that he forgot the dangers within the palace and those who had criticized her.
He forgot all about the forces that coveted the empress's position and the crown prince's position. If, due to his momentary negligence, Zhaoxue and the child were put in danger, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
"It was my oversight!" Chu Huaiyu quickly bent down and grasped Lu Zhaoxue's hand, his tone full of guilt.
"It's all my fault for being too hasty. I only thought about sharing this joy with everyone, but I forgot to consider your and the child's safety. Zhaoxue, you are much more thoughtful and have a long-term vision."
He gently patted Lu Zhaoxue's hand, his initial elation gradually turning into deep respect.
"I will listen to you and keep this a secret for now. When the child is three months old, I will announce it to the world in a grand manner and let everyone celebrate for you and the child."
Even so, a hint of regret flashed across Chu Huaiyu's face, and his tone carried a touch of remorse:
"It's such a joyous occasion, but it's a real pity that I can't immediately share this celebration with all the people, and that everyone can know that I'm going to be a father..."
Seeing his expression, Lu Zhaoxue couldn't help but chuckle.
She replied softly, “Your Majesty, please do not be hasty. Once the child is three months old and the pregnancy is stable, we can then host a banquet for our ministers.”
"Once the child is safely born, His Majesty can grant a general amnesty, and the whole country can celebrate. Wouldn't that be more perfect? Why rush things now?"
Looking at her radiant smile, Chu Huaiyu's regret vanished instantly.
He reached out and gently stroked Lu Zhaoxue's nose with his finger, the gesture intimate and doting, his tone full of joy: "Alright, I'll listen to you! Whatever my Empress says is right!"
Chu Huaiyu leaned down slightly and placed a gentle kiss on Lu Zhaoxue's forehead.
"From now on, you can rest assured and focus on your pregnancy. I will send the most capable imperial guards and secret guards to guard Chengqian Palace, and have the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital take turns on duty day and night to ensure the safety of you and your child."
Lu Zhaoxue nodded slightly, a gentle smile on her face. She slowly raised her hand and gently touched her lower abdomen.
She knew that the arrival of this child would not only solidify her position as empress, but also give her more support and confidence in the deep palace.
Moreover, this child is also the continuation of her and Siheng's relationship.
Chu Huaiyu sat on the edge of the couch, holding her other hand tightly. His gaze was tenderly fixed on her lower abdomen, and a satisfied smile always played on his lips. His heart and eyes were full of anticipation and cherishment for this child.
As if remembering something, Chu Huaiyu immediately ordered Eunuch Wei to keep the news of the Empress's pregnancy a secret. All the imperial physicians, palace maids, and eunuchs on duty today were to keep quiet.
"If even the slightest word gets out..." Chu Huaiyu's eyes darkened.
“Then this servant will immediately bring his head to you!” Eunuch Wei replied tactfully.
Although Chu Huaiyu agreed not to publicize it for the time being, he already regarded the safety of Lu Zhaoxue and her son as the most important thing in his heart.
As Lu Zhaoxue grew sleepy and drifted off to sleep, Chu Huaiyu carefully tucked her in with the brocade quilt, his movements gentle, and then quietly got up and left Chengqian Palace.
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