Chapter 92 Daily Life.
In the sweltering heat of June, Daiyu, already suffering from poor appetite due to the heat, experienced frequent vomiting due to her pregnancy. She became even more picky about food, sometimes able to eat meat and fish, and other times unable to tolerate the smell. Sometimes she preferred bland food, sometimes sour, sweet, or spicy, and sometimes she had no appetite at all and didn't want to eat anything.
Being picky is not a problem; he can just order the kitchen to make whatever he wants to eat. However, Chu Heng is extremely anxious because he can't eat. Even the imperial physician couldn't find a good solution. The nannies in the house also said that this is a necessary process for pregnant women, and that things will get better after these days.
"What are you cooking for?" Chu Heng got anxious as soon as he heard this. Seeing that they were all at a loss, he ordered Zhao Qing to go outside and find cooks.
The kitchen prepared different dishes, soups, and snacks every day, but Daiyu's appetite never recovered, and Chuheng was so anxious that he developed blisters all over his mouth.
That day, the imperial physician came to take Daiyu's pulse as usual. Before even entering the main courtyard of Prince Duan's mansion, he was already praying to Buddha and the gods in his heart, hoping that the princess would get better soon, otherwise he really couldn't stand the murderous look in the prince's eyes!
After entering the room and paying his respects, the imperial physician, without daring to raise his head, took Daiyu's pulse. Fortunately, both the princess and the child in her womb were healthy. He wiped the sweat from his brow and told her the truth.
Chu Heng said with a stern face, "The princess vomited again this morning, and only drank a bowl of porridge for breakfast."
Before the imperial physician could speak, Daiyu said, "I never have a good appetite in the morning, but I can eat more at lunch."
The imperial physician was sweating profusely again, but this time he didn't even dare to wipe it away. He only whispered, "Your Highness, if you have an appetite, please eat as much as you like..."
Chu Heng rubbed his temples: "The family has never stopped providing various kinds of food, but it's not a good idea for the princess to keep vomiting like this. Imperial physicians, you've studied medical books and treated illnesses for so many years, don't you have a way to cure her?"
The imperial physician bowed his head and said, "I am ashamed."
Chu Heng grew angrier the more he looked at him, but he couldn't lose his temper in front of Daiyu, so he simply waved his hand and said, "Get out of here."
"Wait a minute," Daiyu said. "Imperial Physician, I have something else to ask you to prescribe some medicine to reduce internal heat."
The imperial physician hurriedly said, "Your Highness is suffering from internal heat? I didn't see any symptoms when I took your pulse just now. You are currently pregnant, so you can't use medicine to clear heat indiscriminately. Please allow me to take your pulse again."
This time it was Chu Heng who spoke, his voice softening: "The Princess Consort is asking you to prescribe medicine for me."
"Oh, oh, oh." The imperial physician wiped the sweat from his brow. "Please extend your hand, Your Highness."
"No need..." Chu Heng was about to refuse when Daiyu tugged at his sleeve, "Mm."
The imperial physician placed his fingers on the object, and after a moment, his feelings were quite complicated. Prince Duan was clearly anxious and agitated.
Why the rush? Because the princess was experiencing discomfort during her pregnancy, a fact the imperial physicians could guess without even asking.
The imperial physician had been examining Princess Duan's pulse every day and knew that the couple had been very loving for many years, but he was still deeply shocked by the extent of their affection.
Everyone says the imperial family is heartless, but Prince Duan is truly an exception.
The imperial physician prescribed a remedy to reduce internal heat and instructed Chu Heng to remain calm, otherwise the medicine would only provide temporary relief.
Daiyu ordered someone to send the imperial physician and gave him a generous allowance for his travel expenses.
After everyone left, Chu Heng said, "Giving him money is of no use at all."
Daiyu laughed and said, "It's not just him saying that. The whole Imperial Hospital is saying the same thing. The nannies also say that it's a common occurrence and that it will get better after a while. Everyone is like this, and I will be no exception. So please stop scaring him."
“I’m not trying to scare him… Never mind, I’ll speak properly tomorrow.” Chu Heng held Daiyu’s hand and said slowly, “Don’t worry, it’s only natural for me to be anxious when I see you not eating.”
"Don't rush after you've taken your medicine. I'll be fine soon." Daiyu was still worried. "I can still eat, but you have these blisters in your mouth, and it hurts to eat anything. You're in worse shape than me."
Chu Heng quickly laughed and said, "No way! I can eat, but I can't eat anything too strong-flavored."
Daiyu leaned against the pillow, pointing her finger at the back of his hand: "I don't believe you. Take your medicine properly and don't be in such a hurry. I've already told you, are you listening?"
Chu Heng quickly replied, "Yes! I will definitely listen to you. I will take the medicine as soon as they prepare it."
Daiyu smiled and said, "Tell them to make something light for lunch. The estate sent some dried wild vegetables in the spring, but we haven't eaten them much. Let's make some today."
Chu Heng had no complaints about the food, only saying, "If you can eat it, then let them make it. I can eat anything."
“Okay.” Daiyu smiled and instructed Zijuan, then got up to walk around, “It’s too hot now, let’s go outside when it’s cooler at night.”
Daiyu is not yet showing any signs of pregnancy, so her burden is lighter, but Chu Heng is still worried and stays by her side, carefully supporting her.
Because Daiyu was feeling unwell, Chuheng wished he could stay by her side every day, putting aside all his duties and official business, but Daiyu disagreed.
After much discussion, the two finally decided that Chu Heng would get up early every day to attend court, handle some affairs, and then return to accompany Daiyu. He would go back after the imperial physician had examined his pulse and they had lunch.
The emperor turned a blind eye to this, after all, his mindset was very conflicted—in this respect, he and the Empress Dowager truly lived up to their mother-son relationship.
When the emperor needed Chu Heng, Chu Heng didn't perform his duties properly. Chu Heng was thinking of slacking off. Whether he was genuinely or pretending, the emperor was very dissatisfied.
If Chu Heng were to take things too seriously and do them too well, earning widespread praise, the emperor would be even more dissatisfied.
Now, seeing Chu Heng's heart and eyes completely devoted to the princess, looking utterly pathetic, the emperor was actually satisfied.
If one's only concern is with one's children, even if one has some talent, one will ultimately fail to achieve great things.
Chu Heng of Renshou Palace also obtained an imperial decree that Daiyu no longer needed to pay her respects. When the Empress Dowager heard this, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed, finally freeing herself from a dilemma.
The Empress Dowager thought that she should take care of her health on her own.
The days of pregnancy were both quick and slow. In the sweltering heat of July, Daiyu finally felt better. She stopped vomiting, but her appetite had not yet returned, and she still occasionally couldn't eat.
However, Chu Heng felt that at least they saw hope, and Daiyu's appetite would soon return.
At this time, Daiyu's pregnancy began to show. Because the nannies said that walking around would make childbirth less painful, she never stopped this habit. Now that the weather was gradually getting cooler, it was more convenient for her to move around in the courtyard in the morning and evening.
Chu Heng was busy getting up early, but he had to spend the evenings with Daiyu.
"How are the preparations for Yongkang's wedding going?" Daiyu asked slowly as she walked.
Chu Heng looked at the ground and replied with a smile, "It's all done by the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, there won't be anything wrong with it."
Daiyu nodded and smiled, "That's good. I want to attend the ceremony too, and you can't say no."
Chu Heng had no choice but to swallow back what he was about to say, and said helplessly, "There were many people that day, and I was afraid that someone might bump into you."
"It's not that easy to bump into someone, I'm not a porcelain doll." Daiyu patted his arm. "I told you not to be overly cautious."
Chu Heng argued, "I wasn't being overly cautious; I was being reasonably cautious."
Daiyu snorted twice: "No matter what you say, I'm going."
Seeing her insistence, Chu Heng sighed and said, "Alright, I'll go with you then."
Hearing him sigh, Daiyu softened again: "Don't worry, I have so many people with me, how could anyone possibly bump into me?"
"Hmm." Chu Heng stroked Daiyu's palm. "Bring a few more people with you then, and make sure they are all on guard."
Daiyu curled her fingers and laughed, "It's so itchy."
Chu Heng stopped, rubbed her hands again, and then said, "There's still more than a month left, I need to give them some instructions in advance."
Daiyu didn't say it was too early; she just smiled and said, "Okay."
"I'm getting a little hungry again," Daiyu added immediately.
Chu Heng then helped her turn around and asked, "Let's go back. What would you like to eat? Snacks or soup? Meat or vegetables?"
Daiyu hesitated for a moment: "Let's see what's available first."
Chu Heng gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and said with a doting smile, "Alright, the kitchen doesn't need a stove. You can just ask them to make whatever you want to eat."
Although Chu Heng was always overly cautious, Daiyu was quite enjoying her current state. However, there were always some people who couldn't see the reality and insisted on adding some fun to Daiyu's peaceful life.
At the end of July, Daiyu went to the palace again to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. After all, she was pregnant for ten months and could not go a whole year without seeing the Empress Dowager.
It has been more than four months now. Although Daiyu's body has become cumbersome, her appetite has gradually returned. She feels that the situation is not bad. After persuading Chu Heng yesterday, she requested permission to enter the palace today.
The person who bumped into us this time was the Empress. She clearly had the same thoughts as Consort Wu, and she believed that she had a better relationship with Daiyu.
"Sister-in-law, you look quite well. When I was pregnant, I couldn't eat, and my face was frighteningly pale," the Empress said with a smile.
Daiyu lowered her eyes and smiled, "It's all thanks to the imperial physician's skill. A few days ago I was vomiting a lot and couldn't eat. The prince was considerate and the empress dowager was kind to me, so they exempted me from paying my respects. I felt bad about it, but now that I'm better, I rushed over to pay my respects to the empress dowager. Please don't be offended."
The Empress was somewhat embarrassed. Her words seemed to imply that Daiyu was feigning illness to avoid paying her respects to the Empress Dowager, but in all honesty, she truly did not mean that!
The Empress Dowager glanced at the Empress as if it were nothing out of the ordinary, and said with a smile, "Now that you are pregnant, and this is Heng'er's first child, you can't be too careful. Paying respects is just a formality. The fact that you keep me in your heart shows that you are a filial child."
“That’s right, that’s right,” the Empress hurriedly echoed. “Fifth Sister-in-law has always been the most filial to the Empress Dowager.”
Daiyu smiled faintly and said, "It is my duty to be filial to the Empress Dowager."
The Empress glanced at Daiyu, thinking to herself, "Now she won't think I'm trying to frame her, will she?"
If it weren't for the fact that they were in Renshou Palace, Daiyu would have sighed and covered her face in dismay. The mothers of the eldest and second princes were truly evenly matched.
She couldn't sigh, but the Empress Dowager could. How could her eldest son have ended up with such a mother? She was far inferior to her back then. The late emperor's taste in choosing a daughter-in-law was truly terrible.
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