Chapter 165 Giving birth to twins means certain death!
In the Imperial Medical Academy's duty room, candles often burned all night long.
Pei Jichuan was surrounded by all sorts of ancient medical books, from classic prescriptions to many obscure folk remedies and anecdotes. He read through almost all of them, and he visibly lost a lot of weight and looked much more haggard.
However, there is not a single clear record in ancient books regarding Shui Xian's unusually good fertility, especially the possibility that she may have taken some kind of secret medicine to induce pregnancy in her early years.
It was as if this constitution and its potential consequences had been deliberately erased by an invisible force.
Pei Jichuan could only rely on his profound medical skills and the experience he had accumulated after entering the Imperial Medical Academy to deduce that this kind of constitution must have greatly depleted the mother's vital energy and blood.
All he could do was try his best, using the gentlest and most sustainable methods, to strengthen the foundation and replenish the blood and energy of the narcissus, hoping to offset some of the enormous energy expenditure caused by the pregnancy of twins.
With Pei Jichuan's diligent care and Shui Xian's full cooperation, another half month passed.
Worryingly, despite Pei Jichuan's meticulously prepared tonics being administered daily, her cheeks did not become more plump due to pregnancy; instead, they appeared slightly thinner, and her pointed chin became more prominent.
Fortunately, her spirits and complexion were still good, her eyes were still bright, and she was clear-headed when handling palace affairs. Apart from being more prone to fatigue than ordinary people, she did not show any signs of being seriously ill or listless.
This barely put the anxious crowd around him at ease.
As night deepened, the Qianqing Palace was brightly lit.
The eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department bowed their heads, holding a tray with green plaques aloft in both hands, and knelt respectfully before the imperial desk.
After Emperor Zhaoheng finished reviewing the last memorial, he pressed the bridge of his nose and his gaze swept over the row of plaques on the tray bearing the names of the imperial concubines.
His gaze swept back and forth, then he suddenly asked in a deep voice, "Where is Consort Jin's nameplate?"
Feng Shunxiang, who was standing to the side, quickly stepped forward, bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Pei reported a month ago that the Consort is now almost full term and the imperial fetus is of utmost importance. She needs to rest and recuperate, and there must be no further mishaps."
"Therefore, the Imperial Household Department had already removed Consort Jin's green plaque as usual, and was waiting for her to recover after childbirth before presenting it again. It has been a few days since it was removed."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoheng showed no expression. He picked up the vermilion brush that was beside him again and said, "Then so be it. Take it away."
These days, he doesn't go to the inner palace often, and usually spends the night in the Qianqing Palace.
Upon learning tonight that the green plaque for Narcissus had been removed, Emperor Zhaoheng lost interest and planned to spend the entire night reviewing memorials.
Upon seeing this, Feng Shunxiang felt a sense of unease.
He steeled himself, and instead of backing down, he lowered his voice even further to persuade her:
"Your Majesty...you haven't visited any other concubines for over a month, which is not good for your health!"
"Furthermore, censors from the previous dynasty had already heard rumors and subtly suggested that the Emperor's offspring were insufficient and that... that he should expand the number of heirs..."
Emperor Zhaoheng's cold gaze suddenly swept over Feng Shunxiang, startling Feng Shunxiang into silence, a chill running down his spine.
"Offer advice?"
Emperor Zhaoheng pursed his thin lips, feeling that it was just another set of clichés.
The ministers, instead of caring about the people's livelihood, are always plotting against him!
"Xian'er is risking her life to bear twin imperial heirs for me, and she is suffering terribly! If I don't go there to watch over them, am I supposed to go elsewhere to do something useless and cause her unnecessary worry?"
It's not like he hasn't tried before; he tried countless times, even before the daffodils appeared.
Although no imperial physician dares to diagnose him now, Emperor Zhaoheng probably thinks he is destined to be childless. If it weren't for Shuixian's fertility, he wouldn't be able to have children with anyone!
Those people are so easy to talk when they're not in the situation; they completely disregard reality and keep trying to persuade him to enter the harem and favor other women!
He snorted coldly, "If anyone from the previous dynasty dares to speak ill of my harem again, let him come directly to the Qianqing Palace and speak to me! I want to see who is so carefree!"
Feng Shunxiang repeatedly said, "This servant deserves to die," and had the little eunuch carry the plate of untouched green plaques out quickly.
——
A few days later, Emperor Zhaoheng, as usual, visited Lihe Palace and dined with Shuixian.
While Emperor Zhaoheng was leaving Lihe Palace, Feng Shunxiang stayed behind and subtly mentioned it to Shuixian.
"Your Highness, you...you should try to persuade the Emperor when you have time...He hasn't stayed overnight in the inner palace for almost half a month."
Unable to persuade Emperor Zhaoheng, Feng Shunxiang had to send Shui Xian to do so.
Now, Emperor Zhaoheng listens to Consort Jin the most.
Narcissus was taken aback upon hearing this, only then realizing what was happening.
Upon closer examination, although the Emperor frequently visited Lihe Palace, the two had not actually consummated their marriage for a long time due to her late pregnancy and the resulting discomfort.
The Emperor, it seems, has never set foot in the residences of the other concubines in the harem, and has remained so for nearly a month!
She nodded in agreement, her face remaining calm despite never having dared to ask for exclusive favor.
This demeanor caught Feng Shunxiang's attention, who felt that Consort Jin was truly unfathomable.
She usually seemed to value and cherish the Emperor, but when it came to this, she naturally advised him to go to her other woman's place, without feeling jealous at all.
The following day, Emperor Zhaoheng once again came to Lihe Palace for dinner.
After the emperor and empress finished their dinner, the palace servants cleared away the bowls and plates and served them tea.
Narcissus spoke softly at this moment: "Your Majesty, shouldn't you... perhaps visit the other sisters' palaces sometime these days?"
Now that she is assisting in managing the six palaces, it is only part of her duty to persuade the emperor to bestow his favor equally upon all.
Emperor Zhaoheng looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.
Narcissus lowered her eyelashes and continued to persuade, "There are many sisters in the harem, and they all need the Emperor's comfort."
"Your Majesty always keeps me here. Over time, people will inevitably say that I am arrogant because of your favor, and that I am jealous and intolerant."
Emperor Zhaoheng reached out and pinched her cheek, which had recently become a little thinner but was still smooth, with a half-smile: "Did that old bastard Feng Shunxiang gossip about you?"
Seeing that he had guessed correctly, Narcissus could only nod slightly.
Emperor Zhaoheng chuckled softly, took her hand, and pulled her into his arms, his tone somewhat dismissive.
"I only want to stay by your side and the child; that gives me peace of mind. What others think is none of my concern."
Narcissus knew he was just trying to coax her and had no intention of going anywhere else.
Although she harbored no extravagant hopes, a faint smile couldn't help but appear in her eyes as she leaned gently against his shoulder: "Your Majesty..."
The two looked at each other and smiled, the candlelight in the hall warm and inviting.
Later that night, Emperor Zhaoheng stayed at Lihe Palace again. Although he did not serve the emperor in bed due to Shui Xian's health, the tender moments between the two in bed conveyed a deep affection...
......
In a dilapidated temple that has been abandoned for a long time, a hundred miles away from the capital.
The walls were covered in cobwebs, and a damp, decaying smell permeated the ruins.
Yi Xingyao was dressed in a very ill-fitting coarse cloth outfit, his face covered in dust, and he had long lost the dashing demeanor he once had as a general.
He sat by the campfire with his head down, constantly looking down the mountain.
Yi Xingyao is waiting for someone.
Finally, the faint sound of wheels rolling over weeds came from outside the temple.
A somewhat dilapidated blue-canopied carriage silently stopped in front of the ruined temple.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a woman wearing a black cloak cautiously peeked out and stepped down with the help of the coachman.
Once inside the dilapidated temple, she removed her hood, revealing a face that, though haggard, still showed signs of her former pampered life.
This person was none other than Madam Yi, who should have been enslaved along with the other women of the Yi family!
She somehow managed to escape from that raid on her home!
As soon as Madam Yi saw her son waiting in the temple, tears instantly streamed down her face. She rushed over and tightly grasped Yi Xingyao's arm.
"Xingyao! My son!"
"Your sister... Guichun...she's dead! She was driven to her death by that bitch Shuixian! You must avenge your sister...avenge our entire Yi family!"
When Yi Xingyao heard the news of his sister's death, a trace of pain flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly overwhelmed by an even more turbulent madness.
"Revenge? Of course I will! But even more so, I will storm the palace and tear Emperor Zhaoheng to pieces!"
"She's mine, and she can only be mine!"
Even though Yi Xingyao didn't say who "she" was, no one knows a son better than his mother, and Madam Yi was well aware of his obsession!
Seeing her son's almost obsessive state, Madam Yi couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.
She never imagined that, even after her family was destroyed, her son would still be thinking about that troublemaker!
"You should give up on this idea as soon as possible! Narcissus is the unborn child I prepared for Guichun... She won't live much longer!"
Yi Xingyao froze, seemingly not understanding his mother's meaning: "...What?"
Madam Yi said bitterly, "I have a wet nurse who fled from the southern border. She knows these secret medicines best! When Guichun was a child, she caught a cold and was unable to conceive. So I had the wet nurse secretly use secret medicines to treat Shuixian's body..."
"Her fertility is something I cultivated in her!"
She indirectly harmed her own daughter...
A look of pain flashed across Madam Yi's face, but she knew the secret of the Narcissus constitution.
Now, a hint of pleasure flashed across Madam Yi's face.
"Women with this constitution have never been able to successfully give birth to three children! Getting pregnant doesn't mean you can give birth! And it certainly doesn't mean you'll survive!"
"She already has a son, Yongning, and now she's pregnant with twins! These are her second and third! If she gives birth to these twins, she'll surely die!"
Madam Yi stared intently at her son, and said hatefully:
"A drug-addled person destined to die! What do you still stubbornly want from her?!"
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