Upon hearing the news that Emperor Zhaokang vomited blood, Tao Ti's heart skipped a beat.

Mrs. Lu also felt that the situation was not good. Zhang went to Xingqing Palace right after, and the emperor vomited blood right after. Could it be that she made the emperor so angry that he vomited blood?

Lu Shisi had no doubt about Zhang's ability to talk big.

"Arti, I'll go with you to take a look."

"Okay." Tao Ti responded. With an elder by her side, she felt a little more at ease.

Then she looked at the eunuch who had brought the news and asked, "Has anyone gone to inform His Majesty?"

The young eunuch replied, "His Majesty has heard the news and has gone to Xingqing Palace."

Tao Ti nodded, tidied herself up a little, put on a sky-blue cloak embroidered with magnolia flowers, and went out with Lu.

Zhang was standing outside and wandering when she suddenly heard a message saying "Your Majesty has arrived." She stopped, straightened her clothes, and walked forward to greet him somewhat awkwardly.

Pei Yan wore a dark black robe with dark gold cloud patterns. It was well-tailored, making him look taller and more imposing. He took off his black cloak and said to Zhang in a gentle voice, "Mother-in-law, there is no need to be polite."

Zhang stood up slowly and said dryly, "The emperor is lying in there, and Doctor Yu is already treating him."

Li Gui heard the noise and also lifted the curtain to welcome her out.

Pei Yan didn't say much to Zhang, but went into the house to see Emperor Zhaokang first.

On the bed, Emperor Zhaokang was lying quietly with his eyes closed, his straight brows slightly wrinkled, his face pale with a hint of gray.

He had already changed into clean clothes, and the bloodstained robe and handkerchief were placed on a black wooden tray on the side. Judging from the area of ​​blood, it was obvious that he had vomited a lot of blood.

Doctor Yu had already examined Emperor Zhaokang. When he saw Pei Yan coming, he lowered his eyes and asked Pei Yan to talk outside.

Pei Yan glanced at the haggard Emperor Zhaokang lying on the couch, and ordered Li Gui in a deep voice, "Take good care of the emperor."

He followed Doctor Yu to the outside, and Doctor Yu said, "Your Majesty, the emperor is suffering from liver qi stagnation and anger attacking the heart."

Zhang heard this from the side, touched her nose, and asked with some guilt, "Is there anything serious?"

Doctor Yu said, "There is no serious problem at present. Liver qi stagnation is caused by worries. If the worries are difficult to resolve, it will be detrimental to the body's recovery... So we still have to find the cause of the emperor's troubles so that we can treat it fundamentally."

Pei Yan seemed to be thinking about something. After a moment's silence, he said to Doctor Yu calmly, "Go get some herbs for the disease and treat the emperor first."

Doctor Yu responded and hurried down to write a prescription and get the medicine.

Pei Yanqing's face was calm from beginning to end. He looked at Zhang and said in a voice as cold as gold and jade, "I wonder if my mother-in-law knows why my father is so angry?"

His attitude was polite and there was nothing wrong with it, but the cold and chilling aura he exuded was even more so than that of Emperor Zhaokang.

Zhang thought to herself that she had never noticed Pei Yan had such an imposing aura before. It turned out that he became different after becoming emperor.

She said a little uncomfortably, "I, I talked to the emperor about some past events."

Pei Yan raised his eyebrows, "I wonder what it is?"

Before Zhang could answer, Tao Ti and Lu appeared in the courtyard and hurried over.

As soon as he saw Tao Ti, Pei Yan's eyes softened a lot, like a hedgehog retracting all its thorns and only showing its soft side to her.

"Your Majesty, how is the emperor? Why is he vomiting blood for no reason? Is he in serious condition?" Tao Ti asked.

"It's not a big deal." Pei Yan naturally held her hand and lowered his voice a little, "As for the reason, I am asking my mother-in-law."

For a moment, Pei Yan, Tao Ti and Lu all focused their attention on Zhang.

Zhang, "..."

She pursed her lips and explained, "I told the Emperor about the eldest prince's life story, and then I left... He couldn't accept the truth, so he was so angry that he vomited blood."

As she spoke, she vividly recounted the opening dialogue and scene.

Tao Ti clearly felt that Pei Yan was exerting force on the hand that was holding her. Her eyebrows twitched slightly and she looked up at the person beside her.

All I could see was his clear jawline and deep black eyes like a pool of water under his long, thick eyelashes, which concealed all his emotions completely.

Tao Ti thought that when he first heard the truth, he must have felt very complicated.

She took a step closer to him and called softly, "Your Majesty."

Pei Yan came back to his senses and looked down at her, "Hmm?"

Tao Ti smiled and said softly, "Shall we go in and see the emperor?"

As she spoke, she looked at Zhang and Lu, who were a little uneasy, and said gently, "Mother, Aunt Lu, it's getting late now, you should leave the palace first."

Upon hearing this, Zhang and Lu felt relieved and agreed immediately.

Pei Yan didn't say much and just asked Fu Xirui to see them out.

As soon as Zhang and Lu left, Tao Ti stopped pretending to be calm and dignified. Her face suddenly fell and she looked at Pei Yan aggrievedly, "You pinched me and hurt me."

As he spoke, he raised his right hand in front of him.

Pei Yan lowered his eyes and saw that there was indeed a red mark on the white and tender little hand. A trace of self-blame flashed across his eyes and he whispered, "Blame me."

Tao Ti winked at him, and like a little troublemaker, she said coquettishly, "Kiss me and it won't hurt."

If women who act coquettishly have the best life, then the coquettishness of your beloved can be simply alluring and deadly.

Pei Yan stared into her watery eyes, his Adam's apple rolling up and down. After a moment, he held her hand devoutly and solemnly and kissed it gently.

The kiss was light, his lips were soft and slightly cool.

But the moment he raised his eyes, Tao Ti's cheeks suddenly became hot.

Oops, I tried to tease someone but ended up getting teased instead.

No matter how many tricks she had in love, they were no match for Pei Yan's "killingly beautiful" eyes.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked seriously.

"No, it doesn't hurt anymore."

She pulled her hand back like a lost warrior, and tugged at his sleeve, "Let's go, let's go see the emperor."

As soon as he entered the inner hall, Emperor Zhaokang had already woken up and was being served water by Li Gui.

Seeing his son and daughter-in-law, he said calmly, "I am fine, you don't have to worry."

Tao Ti said a few caring words, then sat next to Pei Yan and acted as a good advisor.

There wasn't much conversation between the father and son, just a few dry words.

Soon, Emperor Zhaokang said, "The day after tomorrow will be the ceremony to crown the queen. You should have many things to do, so go and do them first. I am fine here, and don't let anyone know about the vomiting of blood, lest Yu Shitai gets full and comes to find fault with you two. Humph, those guys are the most annoying."

Pei Yan responded respectfully, then tactfully took Tao Ti and left first.

As for the matter of the eldest prince, everyone tacitly agreed not to mention it.

What's the point of mentioning it? Except to make Emperor Zhaokang spit more blood.

Coming out of Xingqing Palace, the sky was slightly dim. The chilly wind was blowing on the bare branches, and the remaining snow was falling from the branches.

Pei Yan accompanied Tao Ti directly back to Weiyang Palace. Dinner was prepared by the kitchen. Tao Ti's small kitchen only made a dish of mutton stuffed pancakes, which was some of the meat left over from the mutton hotpot at noon. It was just the right amount to make a plate of stuffed pancakes.

The method of making stuffing is very simple. Chop mutton, green onions, onions, carrots, mushrooms, etc. into stuffing, season appropriately, roll with bread, press into palm-sized round cakes of appropriate thickness, and then put them in a frying pan. The white lard melts in the hot pan and comes into contact with the soft dough. After a while, the white and soft dough is fried into a beautiful and attractive brown color.

Alternate between frying the two sides, and sprinkle a layer of white sesame seeds on them before removing from the pan to enhance the fragrance and appearance.

"Your Majesty, this mutton stuffed pie must be eaten while it's hot. It will taste smelly if it gets cold." Tao Ti picked up the hot stuffed pie and put it into her mouth.

Pei Yan nodded, picked up a crispy pancake, and praised, "This pancake is fried so deliciously, the aroma of mutton and flour fills my nose."

Tao Ti took a big bite and said vaguely, "Of course, don't underestimate pancakes, it also requires skills."

Pei Yan liked to see her smug look, so he curled his eyes and said softly, "I dare not underestimate my queen."

Tao Ti was stunned for a moment by his address. When she came to her senses, she shrugged and said, "I'm used to being called Crown Princess. It's a bit strange to suddenly change to being called Empress."

"You'll get used to it if you listen to it more often."

Pei Yan finished speaking and took a bite of the stuffed pancake. The skin of the stuffed pancake was fried until crispy and it made a crackling sound when bitten. The aroma of oil and the soup of the stuffing were fully soaked into the skin, making the taste richer. Then he ate the meat stuffing inside, which was really salty, fragrant, fresh and juicy. The taste of the ingredients of carrots, onions and mushrooms completely removed the mutton smell and instead brewed a light sweetness.

This tastes really good.

After being busy with tedious official duties for an entire afternoon, Pei Yan felt hungry. After eating one, he picked up another one.

Tao Ti, who was eating the cake happily, suddenly stopped chewing and frowned.

Pei Yan noticed her strangeness, frowned, and asked with concern, "Ati, what's wrong?"

Tao Ti pursed her lips, swallowed the biscuit in her mouth, and forced a smile, "It's okay, I probably ate too fast and felt a little nauseous."

"Then don't eat it. The filling is too greasy. Have some tofu and fish ball soup to reduce the taste." He wiped his hands with a handkerchief and scooped soup for Tao Ti himself.

Tao Ti looked at the half-eaten pie in her hand and said, "There's only a little left. Just eat it. It won't be a waste."

Having said that, he put it into his mouth.

But this time, she dared to take a bite of the meat filling, her face changed immediately, she put the cake down, leaned to the side, and said, "Gah——"

She opened her mouth and looked like she wanted to vomit but couldn't.

Pei Yan was also startled, and quickly walked to her side, patting her back with one hand to calm her down, "What's wrong? Do you feel uncomfortable somewhere?"

Tao Ti was full of doubts: How come the nausea feeling suddenly disappeared? It was really strange. I only ate two cakes, so I shouldn't vomit, right? Could it be that I have been in the human body for too long and my appetite has deteriorated?

"Artie?"

"Ah." Tao Ti came back to her senses, met Pei Yan's worried dark eyes, and said softly, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I'm fine. I just felt like vomiting just now, probably because I ate too much."

"Want to throw up?"

Pei Yan's black eyes moved slightly, as if thinking about something, "I will send Doctor Yu to take a look at you."

Tao Ti shook her head. "It's dark and cold outside at this time of night. Don't bother going out. I'm really fine. I'll just eat some hawthorn slices to get rid of the greasiness later."

Pei Yan pursed his lips and said nothing, then poured her a glass of warm water.

Seeing her holding the cup and drinking slowly, he asked, "Besides feeling nauseous, have you been feeling sleepy or weak recently?"

"In the middle of winter, it must be most comfortable to curl up in the quilt."

"So when was the last time you had your period?"

Taoti, "......?"

Pei Yan stared at her with burning eyes, his brows full of concentration and seriousness.

Tao Ti gave an embarrassed dry laugh, and began to count the days in her head, muttering quietly, "It seems to be... the middle of June?"

Linglong on the side couldn't help but remind her, "Your Majesty, it's the thirteenth day of the lunar month."

Tao Ti's eyes rolled around, "Yes, it seems to be this day."

As soon as she finished speaking, Pei Yan's eyes glowed like polished night pearls.

Pei Yan held her hand tightly, his face expressionless, but his tone was somewhat urgent, "Linglong, go to the Imperial Hospital and ask for Doctor Yu."

Linglong's eyes and eyebrows could not hide her joy. She agreed without hesitation and went out excitedly.

Tao Ti, who was still immersed in the loss of "her appetite having deteriorated to such a level", felt that the sorrow was endless.

It is so embarrassing that a glutton like me could vomit after eating two pancakes!

Pei Yan was not sure whether it was a false alarm or not. Seeing that the little girl beside him was still confused and didn't understand the situation, he didn't explain to her and just asked the palace maid to bring the candied fruit box over.

He picked out some sweet and sour plums and put them to her mouth, "Open your mouth."

Taoti opened her mouth and ate.

The sour and sweet plums immediately suppressed the discomfort she had just felt. After eating one, she ate another, still muttering to herself, "It's not sour enough."

Pei Yan's heart beat faster, he pursed his lips and remained silent.

Soon, Doctor Yu came braving the cold wind.

Bow and greet, then take the pulse with a handkerchief.

Doctor Yu showed a happy expression, and hurriedly brushed his robes, smiling and congratulating the emperor and empress on the warm couch, "Your Majesty, congratulations to the Empress. The Empress is pregnant, and it has been more than a month."

Happy pulse.

In an instant, all the palace people in the room bowed down and shouted congratulations in unison.

Pei Yan's brows slowly relaxed, the smile in his eyes deepened, and the corners of his mouth could not hide his smile.

As he congratulated her, he held Taoti's hand tightly, his eyes were deep and extremely gentle, and his pleasant voice had a subtle tremor, "Ati, we are going to have a baby."

Tao Ti realized it later, "!!!!"

She took a deep breath, widened her eyes, and looked at Pei Yan in shock.

Pei Yan raised his hand and ruffled her hair, then nodded heavily as an affirmative answer.

Pei Yan asked Fu Xirui to give rewards to the entire Weiyang Palace. The doctor who treated the patient received a huge reward and was so happy that his teeth were showing.

For a moment, everyone in Weiyang Palace was filled with joy.

Late at night, Pei Yan came back from bathing and saw Tao Ti still sitting on the bed in a daze, so he walked over slowly.

He bent his slender fingers, tapped her forehead lightly, and smiled, "Haven't you come to your senses yet?"

Tao Ti raised her dark eyes and looked at him, her hand unconsciously touching her flat belly, "Am I really pregnant with a baby?"

Pei Yan nodded, "Yes, you are going to be a mother."

Hearing this, Tao Ti bit her lip, frowned her two thin black eyebrows, and her eyes gradually showed shimmering light.

Pei Yan's smile froze, he was panicked and worried, he hugged her and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Tao Ti didn't say anything, just cried out "wow" and fell into his arms and started crying.

Pei Yan's pupils shrank sharply. The usually calm and steady king became more flustered than ever before. He hugged her and coaxed her gently, "Ati, be good, don't cry. What's wrong? Don't scare me..."

Tao Ti rubbed her face against his chest and howled for a long time. Gradually, she became tired of crying and started to sob.

Looking at the delicate shoulders twitching in his arms, Pei Yan felt his heart twitching along with hers.

He held her little face in his hands. Under the warm yellow candlelight, her fair little face was a little red from crying, her eyes were misty, and her eyelashes were still stained with crystal tears.

Seeing her pitiful look, Pei Yan frowned, wishing he could give her his life as long as she would stop crying.

"What's wrong? Are you wronged or uncomfortable? Tell me and I will help you solve it."

He wiped away her tears gently, "You've cried so hard that your face has become a mess."

After crying for a while, Tao Ti calmed down and wiped her face with a handkerchief.

Pei Yan stared at her, "Ati, aren't you happy about the arrival of this child?"

"I'm happy." After all, this is her and Pei Yan's child.

She had thought about their child before, and believed that he or she would grow up to be a handsome or beautiful man who would conquer the whole country. After all, Pei Yan was so handsome, and although she couldn't compare to him, she was not bad either!

only--

Tao Ti sniffed and looked at him with wet eyes, crying, "Besides being happy, I'm also nervous and scared..."

The unknown is always scary.

When Pei Yan heard her words, he immediately understood, and his joy gradually subsided.

He realized that he was so selfish, only caring about the happy arrival of the child, but ignoring the hardship and fear she was about to endure.

His eyes were filled with deep regret, and he hugged her and said, "It's all my fault. I made you suffer like this."

After a moment of silence, he said, "Let me tell you, during pregnancy, if the baby makes you uncomfortable, you can pinch me, hit me, and let me feel the pain with you."

Tao Ti was shocked, "Huh?"

Pei Yan was serious and said, "I can't give birth to your child, so I can only think of this method. The child is ours, and you can't suffer all the hardships while I don't have to suffer at all. This is unfair."

Tao Ti was amused by his words, "How can it be settled like this? If I hit you, I will also feel the same pain..."

Pei Yan fell into helpless silence.

Before this, he had never given much thought to the issue of having children, and only thought that having a child was a great joy.

But now that I think about it, I feel that men really have too many advantages when it comes to reproduction.

He felt more and more sorry for his little girl.

With a sigh, Pei Yan held her in his arms, his chin resting on her soft hair, "Ati, you've worked hard this time, but after giving birth to this one, we won't have any more.

Don't be afraid or worried. Although I can't bear the pain for you, I can serve you anything else, such as serving tea and water, massaging your shoulders and back, etc.

After listening to his words, Tao Ti's heart gradually calmed down, and her fear and tension gradually dissipated.

"Your Majesty, I'm not afraid anymore." She raised her head, reached out and touched his tightly knit brows, and said softly, "Don't frown, this is a happy event."

Pei Yan held her hand, put it on his lips and kissed it, and said gently, "It's good that you are not afraid. If you are afraid or feel bad in the future, tell me, don't keep it in your heart, I will be there for you in everything."

Tao Ti nodded and suddenly felt infinite courage.

After getting over that hurdle, she soon became cheerful. She put her hand on her belly and couldn't help guessing the gender of the baby.

Pei Yan saw her smile again, and his tense heart was relieved. He smiled and said, "No matter if it's a boy or a girl, as long as they are my flesh and blood, I will be happy and treat them as treasures."

The two chatted and laughed for a while, then went to bed to rest.

In the darkness, Tao Tiwo was in Pei Yan's warm embrace and called softly, "Your Majesty."

Pei Yan stroked her hair gently, "Hmm?"

"Actually, the Queen Mother loves you." The Queen Mother she was referring to was Empress Gu.

Pei Yan stopped stroking her hair.

"Aunt Lu told me a lot today. She said that when your mother was pregnant with you, she would be cold to your father, but in private, she would often touch her belly and talk to you. She would also make small clothes and hats for you... And, every time you were sick when you were a child, your mother would stay by your side without taking off her clothes and take care of you personally."

"Aunt Lu also said that you are a piece of flesh that fell from my mother's body, and mother and son are connected by heart. My mother is not stupid. She knows who has the culprit and who has the grudge. She would vent it on the emperor, not on an innocent child like you. It's just that my mother couldn't bear it anymore at that time, so she had to leave you with great pain... Oh, by the way, it was because she cared about you that she made an engagement between you and me so early... In a sense, she was entrusting you to my mother, so that she could take care of you a little bit."

Speaking of this, Tao Ti's emotions became complicated.

From this perspective, she seemed to understand why Zhang insisted on this marriage.

The entrustment from his good friend was too heavy for Zhang to give up.

Alas, things in the world appear differently from different angles.

With the experience of Empress Gu and Zhang as examples, Tao Ti thought that she would try her best to be a good mother, just like the warmth and love her father and mother had given her.

After listening to Tao Ti's words, Pei Yan's eyebrows moved slightly, but his eyes remained closed.

"Let's not talk about the past anymore," he said.

After a while, he lay on his side facing Tao Ti, and gently moved his warm palm to her abdomen and covered it. The warmth from his palm was transferred to her skin, which was warm and comfortable.

He smelled the sweet fragrance on her body and said in a low voice, "I promise that our child will grow up in love."

Tao Ti raised the corner of her mouth, hugged his waist, and hummed with a lazy smile.