Chapter 50: A mother is honored by her son?
The two were just being affectionate when they heard a palace attendant come up and report, "Your Majesty, General Song requests an audience."
"Yes, brother." Zen Zhen pushed him.
It seemed that he left too hastily when he left the court, which made Song Ge guess that something might have happened to Chan Zhen, so he chased after him and asked for a meeting out of concern.
Chen Dingyao patted her shoulder and said, "Have a good rest. I'll go out and see him."
Zen Zhen grabbed his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I'm fine now. Please tell my brother and mother not to worry."
After she joined the sect, her mother often sent people to visit her, or asked her brother to bring her some small items made by hand. She treated her like her own daughter, for which Zenzhen was very grateful.
"Well, I'm relieved." Chen Dingyao comforted her before going out to meet Song Ge.
After becoming a relative of the Imperial Concubine, Song Ge quickly became the most sought-after figure in the imperial city. The Jing'an Marquis's residence, once deserted, was completely deserted, with countless families eager to establish contact with him. Madam Wei's insight was naturally far superior to that of Song Ming, a merchant. Even at the height of her fame, she maintained a disciplined and low-key management of the Jing'an Marquis's residence, never abusing the Imperial Concubine's influence to wield any power or cause any criticism.
"Your Majesty." Seeing His Majesty emerge from the inner hall, Song Ge bowed and then asked anxiously, "How is the Imperial Concubine?"
Chen Dingyao was very satisfied with his move. Although he had some intention of taking advantage of the Jing'an Marquis Mansion, he also sincerely hoped that Chanzhen could have relatives who were devoted to her.
"The Imperial Concubine is in good health." Chen Dingyao gestured for him to sit down with him. "It's just that the Imperial Concubine is pregnant, so she needs to recuperate well from now on."
Song Ge was so shocked that he almost fell asleep. "The Queen is pregnant?"
A smile appeared in Chen Dingyao's eyes, "The imperial concubine is indeed one month pregnant."
Song Ge could naturally sense His Majesty's joy, and after a long while he finally uttered, "Congratulations, Your Majesty."
This news couldn't be better. Knowing that the entire Jing'an Marquisate was now tied to the Imperial Concubine, Song Ge devoted himself to plotting for her. The Imperial Concubine's advantage lay in her youth and beauty, earning her the Emperor's favor. However, her disadvantage was also obvious: entering the palace too late had already lost her advantage in the imperial lineage. If anything happened to the Emperor, this would be a fatal crisis.
Fortunately, the imperial concubine is pregnant now. No matter whether the baby is a boy or a girl in the future, there will be at least one more layer of protection. Of course, it would be best if the imperial concubine could give birth to a boy.
"Hmm." Chen Dingyao narrowed his eyes slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. He looked very relaxed, but then he said something earth-shattering, "I have decided to make the noble concubine my empress."
Although Song Ge had guessed it long ago, he did not expect that His Majesty would immediately finalize it after the imperial concubine became pregnant.
"If the queen gives birth to a prince this time, she will be crowned empress because of her son's status. I don't think there will be much controversy in the court."
"A mother is honored by her son?" Chen Dingyao chuckled. "Song Qing, you still don't understand what I mean. I want to make the Imperial Concubine the Empress before this baby is born. A mother is honored by her son."
Song Ge looked at him in shock. Your Majesty, what do you mean...
He remembered His Majesty's words: "My throne will only be passed on to the prince born to the concubine."
It turned out that it wasn't just empty talk, but a promise made by His Majesty. There was a huge difference between first conferring the title and then having a son, and first having a son and then being conferred the title of empress. This was because the prince born to the empress was the legitimate son and the first heir to the throne.
But whether the baby is a boy or a girl is determined by fate. His Majesty is looking forward to it so much that he is afraid that his joy will be in vain. However, His Majesty is in high spirits and he will not say anything to spoil the mood at this time. He can only pray sincerely that the imperial concubine will give birth to a boy this time.
It just so happened that Ziyun Temple was near the palace, so he should go there and ask for more donations for the imperial concubine.
The news of the imperial concubine's pregnancy spread quickly, and His Majesty did not hide his joy. Except for the morning court, he spent the whole day with the imperial concubine in Minguang Palace, and they were inseparable, making others envious.
Princess Yuzhen had naturally heard of this joyous event. She sighed, having never imagined that her cold and overbearing brother could actually be such a passionate lover. Ever since the Imperial Concubine entered the palace, he had been her exclusive lover night after night, never once looking at anyone else. Now, even though the Imperial Concubine was newly pregnant, and the baby wasn't even known, he cherished her so dearly. People truly were incomparable. No wonder the virtuous Concubine was so jealous that she'd framed him.
"Why haven't you been to the Imperial Concubine these days?"
There was another person who made her worry, her niece who had become a little taciturn since she came back from the palace last time.
"At least you saved the Imperial Concubine once. My brother is not an unreasonable person and will not blame you for the Imperial Concubine's fright." She walked over to Xuan Yang and patted her shoulder. "Listen to what your aunt said. Although I have the title of the eldest princess, I have been a nun for many years and do not have much power. I am afraid I can no longer protect you much. Since you have a life-saving bond with the Imperial Concubine, you should make good use of it. I think the Imperial Concubine is kind and grateful. She will definitely have great fortune in the future. It will be beneficial for you to be on good terms with her."
Xuan Yang has been tormented these past few days by the discovery of the secret feelings of His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin for the Imperial Concubine, unable to sleep or eat. His cheeks have become much thinner and his eyes have lost their former brightness.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin was her crush, and the Imperial Concubine considered her a friend. How could these two be so involved? She was afraid that if she faced the Imperial Concubine again, she would be filled with jealousy and expose the matter. That would ruin more than just one or two people; such a scandal would destabilize the entire court. Therefore, she could only avoid meeting her again.
But her aunt had no idea that she was being tortured and was extremely worried. She kept urging her to make friends with the imperial concubine. She felt annoyed, but she finally held back because of her aunt's kindness.
"Aunt," she said in a normal tone, suppressing her annoyance, "If I hadn't insisted on taking the Imperial Concubine to appreciate the lotus, the Imperial Concubine wouldn't have suffered this disaster. How could I have the nerve to see her again?"
Princess Yuzhen held her hand and said, "Human affairs are unpredictable. Those who do evil things may not feel remorse. Why do you blame yourself for it?"
Xuan Yang felt her comfort and calmed down a little, "Aunt, was that not an accident?"
"How could there be any accidents in the harem?" Princess Yuzhen smiled. "Luckily, you reacted quickly that day and protected the Imperial Concubine. If anything had happened to the Imperial Concubine's unborn child, I'm afraid even I wouldn't have been able to protect you. You're getting married soon, so you can't be so reckless as before."
When Xuan Yang heard the word "marry", she wanted to escape: "Do I really have to get married?"
Princess Yuzhen frowned and asked worriedly, "Could it be that you still can't let go of Prince Jin?"
Seeing Xuan Yang didn't reply, she sighed, "What a bitter enemy! You've just seen the fighting in the harem, do you still want to go to that place where people are eaten?"
Her own mother had lost her life due to a harem infighting, and although she was fortunate enough to be adopted by the Empress, the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress was not harmonious. If it weren't for her brother's cunning tactics that kept the other princes in check, the Empress wouldn't have been able to keep her position as Empress. She had emerged from that shady place, and how could she bear to see her husband's only niece go back in?
Xuan Yang wanted to remain silent as usual, but when he recalled what the imperial concubine said to him on the boat that day, he suddenly felt more courageous.
"I don't want to get married." She looked at her aunt stubbornly, "I don't like the man my mother is looking for at all. Even if I can't marry His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin, don't I deserve to find someone else I like?"
"How can there be so much love between two people in the world?" Like her and her husband, their feelings for each other gradually developed after marriage.
"But I have one right before my eyes." Xuan Yang's eyes flashed with a strange brilliance. "Isn't it the same with Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine? Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, can still be devoted to one person. If you can't find such a husband, Xuan Yang would rather become a Taoist monk than marry."
Princess Yuzhen looked at her determined niece and finally couldn't bear to force her any further.
"Okay, okay, if you don't like it, just wait a little longer. I'll go and persuade your mother."
Xuan Yang stared at her blankly, feeling like crying.
Was it really that simple? It turned out that what the Imperial Concubine said was true. As long as she spoke out boldly, no one would force her anymore.
"Aunt!" She threw herself into Princess Yuzhen's arms and cried uncontrollably.
She knew that she would never be destined to be with His Royal Highness Prince Jin in this life, but she hoped that His Royal Highness Prince Jin and the Royal Concubine who had helped her would be well. Why did His Royal Highness Prince Jin fall in love with the Royal Concubine?
She was shocked and frightened, and decided to take this secret to the grave and never let anyone know it again.
…
Chanzhen's pregnancy was going well. Apart from an increased appetite and a preference for sour fruits, she had almost no other discomfort. If it weren't for the imperial physician's diagnosis, she would never have realized that there was a fragile life in her belly.
His Majesty and the palace maids were extremely worried. They surrounded her wherever she went, for fear that she would be bumped again.
"Your Majesty, I can do it myself." Chan Zhen helplessly looked at His Majesty who was going to feed her himself. She was going to be a mother, so how could she let His Majesty treat her like a child?
Chen Dingyao couldn't persuade her, so he just frowned and watched her actions worriedly. After she finished drinking the soup, he immediately took the bowl and put it away.
Chanzhen saw that he had a nervous and uneasy expression. It was obviously her who was pregnant, but His Majesty was more anxious than her. He woke up from time to time at night and reached out to touch her abdomen. Now there were some blue and black colors on it, which made her feel distressed.
"Your Majesty." She took his hand and placed it on her abdomen, comforting him, "The imperial physician said that my pregnancy is going well and there is nothing wrong. You don't have to worry anymore."
Chen Dingyao felt the warmth under his hand, and his frown slowly relaxed.
In her previous life, Zen Zhen was in very poor health when she was pregnant. She showed signs of miscarriage several times, but she managed to survive by taking medicine every day. Even so, Yuan Zhao was still born prematurely. He was much weaker than ordinary children at birth. He was almost constantly taking medicine before he was one year old. Zen Zhen was also injured due to the difficult labor.
In the late stages of pregnancy, Chan Zhen looked so thin that she was almost boneless, with only her belly round. If Chan Zhen had not strongly objected, he would have almost refused to have this child.
Nothing is more important than Zen truth.
Chanzhen's condition has improved a lot in this life, but he still wakes up from nightmares from his previous life and is worried that she will feel unwell again this time.
He knew how much Chan Zhen valued this child. In his previous life, after Yuan Zhao left, Chan Zhen was determined to die. It was he who forced the imperial physician to guard her bedside for three full days before he snatched her back from the hands of the King of Hell.
Unfortunately, I couldn't keep her in the end.
"Your Majesty, just let nature take its course." Taoist Xuanwei's words that day are still ringing in his ears.
Just let it go? But Chan Zhen has gradually dreamed of some experiences in her past life. When she recalls everything, will she still be as attached to him as she is now?
Perhaps he could only repeat the methods he used in his previous life and rely on Yuan Zhao to win back her heart.
"Chanzhen," he looked at her deeply, a hint of morbid infatuation in his eyes, "I have already drafted an imperial decree. Once you have stabilized after the first three months, I will hold the ceremony to crown you queen."
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