Chapter 74 Pregnancy Exposed
The lights come on, and the scene is full of brilliance.
The hall is magnificent, with towering coiled dragon pillars and wisps of sweet fragrance rising from incense burners.
The retired emperor was dressed in bright yellow formal attire and was supported by Emperor Showa to sit on the Nine Dragon Throne.
Although his hair and beard are all white, he is in good spirits, and his gentle eyes reveal the wisdom of having seen a lot.
The emperor, wearing a dark robe with twelve emblems, sat upright, his demeanor dignified, slightly lower than the throne.
The court music flows slowly.
The first-rank lady in the lead bowed first, and the ladies behind her knelt and bowed their heads in unison, like a sea of flowers blown by the wind.
"I wish His Majesty the Emperor a long and blessed life, everlasting blessings, and a life of eternal youth and glory!"
A kind smile spread across the face of the retired emperor. He nodded slightly and raised his hand to support him. "All the nobles and their families, please stand up. Today is a family dinner, so there is no need to be too formal. Please take a seat."
"Thank you, His Majesty!" The ladies thanked him again in unison, and then, at the signal of the female official, sat down gracefully on the brocade cushions behind their respective seats, their movements light and graceful, without a single thread of their skirts out of place.
The atmosphere in the hall was slightly relaxed, but still maintained the solemnity expected of a royal family.
The sounds of stringed instruments and wind instruments gradually rise, melodious and pleasant.
The palace maids in colorful clothes moved around the table like butterflies, holding golden plates and jade cups, adding wine and serving dishes.
As the glasses clinked, low laughter and the soft sound of vessels colliding were intertwined.
Su Yuheng lightly held up the wine glass and found Huo Xingzhi sitting in the men's seat.
When she lowered her eyes, she caught a glimpse of the King of Qi looking at her.
The corners of King Qi's mouth curled up in a strange arc, and his eyes were full of calculation.
Su Yuheng lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on Zhang Nanyi, the daughter of the Minister of Works in front of him.
Zhang Nanyi was wearing a gorgeous dress, with beads of sweat on her forehead. She covered her abdomen with her hands, her expression painful, and she gritted her teeth.
The Shangshu's wife gently supported her and asked in a low voice: "Nanyi, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"
Zhang Nanyi shook her head, biting her pale lips, and trembling with pain, she said, "Mother, I'm fine."
"I just hope this palace banquet will end soon. I'm afraid my daughter can't hold on any longer."
Seeing her pale face, the Shangshu's wife whispered, "How about your mother help you to rest? There are imperial doctors in the palace who can definitely see what's wrong."
"We can't call the imperial physician." Zhang Nanyi said anxiously.
She is pregnant even though she is not married yet.
If there was any noise at the banquet, it would attract the attention of the Empress and Emperor Showa who were in high positions.
If the imperial physician came to take her pulse and found out that she was pregnant, she would be doomed.
Su Yuheng sat in his seat, looking at Zhang Nanyi in front of him, with a cold arc at the corner of his lips.
It can be seen that Zhang Nanyi is really about to collapse.
After three rounds of wine, the sound of music gradually faded.
Su Yuheng was holding a glass of wine and tasting it when he saw the King of Qi standing up from his chair opposite him.
Although the King of Qi was injured on the pleasure boat, he had almost recovered after a month of treatment by the imperial physician.
Su Yuheng couldn't help but sigh that the King of Qi really had the appearance of an emperor.
The Prince of Qi lifted his robe and walked to the center of the hall, bowing to the emperor who was sitting on the high throne.
"Your grandson wishes you a happy birthday. May your grandfather be as vast as the East Sea and as long-lived as the Southern Mountains."
The retired emperor put down his wine glass and looked at the King of Qi with a smile on his face.
"Jing Che is thoughtful. How is his injury now?"
King Qi said: "My grandson's injuries have healed. I'm sorry to trouble you, Grandfather."
"Today is my royal grandfather's birthday, and I, your grandson, have come to ask for good luck and a decree from him."
The retired emperor narrowed his eyes and looked at him meaningfully.
"What order does Jing Che want me to issue?"
The Prince of Qi bowed and said, "My grandson has long admired a young lady and wishes to bring her into the Prince of Qi's palace as his consort. However, this young lady's marriage is not decided by her parents, but by you, the Emperor's grandfather."
The emperor immediately knew who the King of Qi was asking for help.
He frowned slightly, looked at Huo Xingzhi who was sitting beside him, and then looked at King Qi.
"Who is the girl you are talking about?"
King Qi said: "It's the fourth young lady of the Su family, Su Yuheng."
As soon as the King of Qi finished speaking, a burst of whispers was heard in the hall.
Su Yuheng sat on the chair and clenched his hands slightly.
Then the cold voice of the emperor was heard reaching everyone's eardrums.
"I won't allow it!"
"Grandfather, why?" King Qi asked anxiously.
"Why does the Royal Grandfather repeatedly refuse to grant his grandson his wish?"
The emperor frowned and looked down at Su Yuheng.
"The fourth young lady of the Su family."
Su Yuheng stood up upon hearing the voice, walked to the center of the hall, and knelt down.
"Your Highness, I greet the Emperor."
"I ask you, are you willing to marry the King of Qi?" asked the retired emperor.
"Replying to the Emperor, I have someone I love and do not wish to marry the King of Qi. Please make the decision, Emperor."
The Emperor: "Did you hear that, Jing Che? A forced melon is not sweet."
At the same time, Su Yanqiu, who was sitting in the men's seat, heard Su Yuheng say that he had someone in his heart, and for a moment, the corners of his lips curled up.
Heng'er still has him in her heart.
Su Yuheng loves him so much that she cannot help herself, how could she possibly marry the King of Qi, especially since she doesn't know who the King of Qi is?
Thinking of this, Su Yanqiu's lips curled up in a smug arc.
King Qi stood still and glanced sideways at Su Yuheng.
He looked at the Emperor on the high throne, bowed forward, and said, "Grandfather, there is one more thing I want to tell you. A year ago, Miss Su and I had already..."
"Nan Yi!" A sharp female voice interrupted what the King of Qi was about to say.
When everyone heard the sound and looked, they saw the wife of the Minister of Works sitting at the female seat, supporting a woman.
The woman's face was pale, sweat was dripping from her forehead, and bright red blood was flowing from her nose. She looked very scary.
The Queen was shocked and immediately asked, "What happened? Quick...quickly, call the imperial physician."
"No, aunt." Zhang Nanyi propped herself up and found a handkerchief to cover her nose.
"We can't call the imperial physician!"
"Why not?" asked Emperor Showa.
"You are showing symptoms of poisoning. I don't believe anyone would be so bold as to poison my father's birthday banquet!"
"Someone, go to the Imperial Hospital and call Doctor Feng."
A young eunuch hurried out of the hall and went to the Imperial Hospital.
Zhang Nanyi looked at the young eunuch's back as he left, and his whole body was shaking.
The queen came down from her high seat, walked up to her, and saw that the handkerchief in her hand was soaked with blood.
"Why are you bleeding so much?"
The Queen was somewhat dissatisfied. This was the birthday banquet of the retired Emperor, and bloodshed was considered unlucky.
Not long after, Doctor Feng from the Imperial Hospital hurried over carrying a medicine box.
Seeing Zhang Nanyi's appearance, he immediately felt that something was wrong.
"Could you please let me feel your pulse on your wrist?"
Zhang Nanyi froze in place, her hands tightly grasping the hem of her skirt as she anxiously said, "Doctor Feng, Nanyi is fine."
"Let the imperial physician feel your pulse." The queen said unhappily.
At this time, he was still hesitant.
Zhang Nanyi bit her lip and reluctantly stretched out her wrist.
Doctor Feng then reached out and placed his hand on her wrist, his expression becoming increasingly embarrassed.
"What's the matter?" asked the Queen.
Doctor Feng immediately knelt down and said to the Queen: "Your Majesty, Miss Zhang was not poisoned, but..."
"And what?"
Doctor Feng bowed and said, "Miss Zhang's pulse is like beads rolling on a plate, indicating pregnancy. She should be pregnant for over four months!"
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