Chapter 35: Promising the Hope of Promotion
Gan Cao's belly is already quite large, and his legs are swollen, making it difficult for him to do anything.
He was initially worried, but seeing the imperial physician and maidservant sent by the Empress to take care of him, he felt much more at ease.
"Your Highness, you can rest after walking for another half an incense stick's time." Xiao Li followed the imperial physician's instructions and helped Gan Cao exercise in the courtyard of Cuiyuxuan.
Licorice felt heavy and seemed to have lost a lot of energy. In addition, her legs were swollen, and she was sweating after only a few steps.
His aching legs made him not want to move anymore, but the little one inside him gave him a gentle kick. He smiled helplessly and continued to move his feet.
When Si Ze entered, he saw this scene, and his agitated heart gradually calmed down.
In her eyes, the young attendant was always undignified, and every move he made was seductive to the master. She never thought he had this side to him: his handsome face was without makeup, his hair was not tied up, his right hand was protecting his lower abdomen, and his whole person was shrouded in a fatherly glow.
This is the father of her child.
At this moment, Si Ze clearly realized this.
"Your subject, the barbarian, pays his respects to Your Majesty."
The palace servants and imperial physicians all bowed in greeting, and only then did Gan Cao realize with delight that His Majesty had arrived.
The next moment, he wanted to hide: he hadn't taken care of his appearance, his waist had thickened, and his legs were swollen; he shouldn't let His Majesty see him like this.
Countless thoughts raced through his mind, but the deeply ingrained rules still made him bow without hesitation.
“No need for formalities during pregnancy!” Si Ze strode forward and helped him up.
As their skin touched, Gan Cao's heart trembled, and his whole body clamored for closer intimacy: men are naturally promiscuous, and pregnancy had not diminished his desires; on the contrary, he longed for it in his dreams every night.
But how could he dare to reveal these thoughts?
"Thank you, Your Majesty." He covered his face, trying to escape, "but the maid hasn't finished her makeup yet..."
Si Ze was amused by his posture: "Qingqing, you have a unique charm at this moment."
Licorice suddenly felt her throat go dry, and she felt extremely disgusted with herself, but her body was out of control and she almost had a reaction.
He panicked and wanted to retreat, but he couldn't bear to leave behind the warm fragrance of his wife's body; he felt like he was about to break apart.
The king, unaware of his absurd thoughts, personally helped him inside and carefully inquired about his pregnancy symptoms.
The little palace maid was completely captivated by the fragrance, and her replies were incoherent. Fortunately, the imperial physician and Xiao Li were there to supplement her.
Seeing him like this, Si Ze felt that this little grass, who was not very smart to begin with, had become completely stupid after getting pregnant.
"If anything is missing, just tell the Shanggong Bureau directly," she instructed, still somewhat worried.
Gan Cao heard this clearly and shook his head: "The servant has everything he needs."
The king surveyed the small courtyard and its simple furnishings: How could it not lack anything? This little grass is too easily satisfied.
She looked at his lower abdomen: "It's a bit of a disservice to have my imperial heir living in this place."
Gan Cao's mind went blank, and she didn't react for a moment, but the two young palace maids were overjoyed.
"After you give birth safely, you can move to the side hall in front." This was a tacit promise of a higher rank.
The inner palace was clearly hierarchical, with different ranks receiving different treatment. Only those of high rank, such as the Four Ministers and Nine Attendants, could live in the main hall of the six palaces; only those of noble rank, such as Zhaoxun, Guiren, and Cairen, could live in the side halls. Other minor palace servants could only live in the side halls.
His Majesty's words were tantamount to promising him a rank above that of a talented woman.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace." Having finally understood, Gan Cao's eyes reddened.
Consort Wei was promoted two ranks as soon as she became pregnant, but she made a big mistake. His Majesty only punished her lightly because of her pregnancy, but further promotion became a distant dream.
He thought he had no hope in this lifetime, but unexpectedly His Majesty still bestowed his grace.
Si Ze knew that he was probably feeling wronged, but he had no authority, so he gently wiped away his tears and said, "Take good care of yourself and my heir."
The young palace attendant nodded earnestly.
Two more months passed by at a leisurely pace.
The licorice root grew larger and larger.
The imperial physicians were all temporarily staying in an empty hall of Anle Palace to wait for her to give birth, but unexpectedly, Consort Wei, who was still more than a month away from her due date, went into labor first.
Consort Wei's pregnancy was already in bad shape, and she gave birth prematurely, making her situation extremely dangerous. Most of the imperial physicians rushed over to her side.
Unlike Gan Cao, who gained weight during her pregnancy, Wei Cai Ren had become so thin that she was almost skin and bones, making her protruding belly look alarming.
The imperial physicians had anticipated his condition, but seeing it firsthand still made people's hearts sink.
Sure enough, things took the worst turn: Consort Wei suffered a difficult childbirth.
The Queen, who had just arrived, hurriedly went to inform His Majesty.
Si Ze disliked Consort Wei, but since it concerned his offspring, he still rushed over.
"The situation is urgent. Your Majesty, please decide whether to save the mother or the child." The imperial physician dared not look the emperor in the eye.
Si Ze frowned: "If anything happens, save the baby first."
All the servants breathed a sigh of relief.
Although most of them disliked Wei Cai Ren, they felt a certain empathy for her at this moment.
Si Ze didn't care that much about the unborn child; she was still young and could have as much as she wanted in the future.
Although a palace attendant is not as noble as a royal heir, he was still born of his mother after ten months of pregnancy, and his life should not be abandoned.
The imperial physicians, having reached a point of desperation, began to do everything in their power to save him.
Because most women have to give birth, the matter of childbirth has long been thoroughly studied by the elites of various schools of thought, and medical practitioners have long had contingency plans to deal with various situations. It's just that the dangers are different for men and women.
After the imperial physicians did everything in their power, a frail child was pulled out with great difficulty, and the bleeding of Consort Wei, who was suffering from severe hemorrhage, was also stopped.
Although his body was completely broken, he was fortunate enough to survive.
"It's a princess!" The midwife was overjoyed at first upon recognizing the baby's gender, but then he was startled when he saw the child's face. "Quick, come and see the princess!"
The imperial physician quickly took the object and managed to remove it from the princess's mouth and nose, at which point the kitten-like crying began.
"She's given birth? Is it a princess or a prince?"
Before the Empress could speak, still rubbing her handkerchief, Consort Lu asked the question first.
"Reporting to Your Majesties, it is the Imperial Princess. The imperial physician said that the Princess is somewhat congenitally weak and will need careful nurturing in the future," the palace servant quickly reported.
The princess is frail...
Si Ze frowned, said only "reward" and left.
Everyone expressed their gratitude, but none of them dared to show any joy on their faces.
The Empress gave a few instructions about taking good care of him, and then returned to Changning Palace due to exhaustion.
Si Ze didn't care about the child, but after witnessing two difficult births, she couldn't help but feel depressed.
"Gan Xiaoshi is physically strong and will surely be able to give Your Majesty a healthy heir," the chief steward said, sensing the king's thoughts.
Thinking of Gan Xiaocao's figure, her mood finally improved: "Keep an eye on Cuiyuxuan."
The steward lowered his eyes and acknowledged.
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