The Fourth Prince had been on edge in the palace for half a month, but now that he had returned to the East Courtyard, he seemed to have relaxed. It was only when the imperial physician came to check Li Chenjiao's pulse near dusk that he noticed something was wrong.
Recently, His Majesty has been unable to leave his side, and Consort Hui and Consort Yi in the harem are also not feeling well. Prince Zhi's residence is also inseparable from the imperial physician. In short, Prince Zhi suddenly fell ill and could not get out of bed, and his secondary wife, Lady Zhang Jia, also fell ill.
Once the New Year holidays are over, no one in the Imperial Hospital has a moment of peace.
Physician Xu was delayed until now to go to the Fourth Prince's residence to check on Consort Li's health.
Fourth Master watched from the side; the two children were tired from playing at noon and were still sleeping peacefully.
"Why does your belly look bigger this time than when you were pregnant with Aman and Wanwan..." The doubt on Fourth Master's face was so obvious that Li Chenjiao couldn't help but laugh.
Just as the imperial physician finished taking her pulse, Li Chenjiao withdrew her hand and smiled at the Fourth Prince: "Why did it take you so long to notice, Your Highness?"
Fourth Master hadn't thought of the twins yet, and his expression turned somewhat serious: "But is it because they've been taking supplements? Will that affect the delivery...?"
Seeing this, Physician Xu remained calm. Since Consort Li's pregnancy was advanced, he could naturally determine that it was twins based on his medical skills.
He straightened up and cupped his hands in greeting: "In reply to Fourth Prince, it's not because of excessive tonics, but because the concubine is carrying twins this time. Congratulations, Fourth Prince, and congratulations, Concubine."
Li Chenjiao couldn't help but burst into laughter at the Fourth Master's bewildered expression. She laughed so hard she leaned back. Qiu Hu and the others had placed many cushions on the soft couch, making it feel soft and comfortable to lean against.
It took the Fourth Prince a while to come to his senses. He seemed to be still a little dizzy from the imperial physician's words, and he didn't know where to put his hands.
"Alright, rewards, everyone will be rewarded..."
Li Chenjiao laughed freely, watching the Fourth Master's undisguised joy on his face.
The maids had already knelt down to express their gratitude, and each of them was beaming with joy. During the New Year, Li Chenjiao had already rewarded everyone in the courtyard, and now they had received a reward from the Fourth Master. Who wouldn't be happy?
After his initial joy subsided, the Fourth Prince's thoughts drifted elsewhere: "Wouldn't twin births be even more difficult? How is the concubine's health now?"
Physician Xu replied, "Your Highness, rest assured. The concubine has been in good health these past two years, and the baby's position has been carefully monitored. The delivery may be a little difficult, but there will be no major problems."
The Fourth Prince was still somewhat incredulous. He waved his hand and said, "I'll leave everything to the Imperial Physician. Inform me immediately if anything seems amiss. Su Peisheng, escort Imperial Physician Xu."
Physician Xu bowed again. Su Peisheng had already entered by then, and he smiled as he saw Physician Xu out.
The maids inside also discreetly withdrew.
Fourth Master then paced back and forth in the room, looking more like a clueless fool: "You knew all along? Why didn't you tell me?"
The tone of Fourth Master's words was unclear, and it was impossible to tell whether he was complaining about Li Chenjiao's concealment.
Li Chenjiao was looking at the Fourth Prince. She wasn't afraid and leaned against the large pillow, speaking casually: "I'm telling you, you'll have to worry again. There are so many things to do during the New Year. Later, I learned that you were injured. I wanted to send someone to inform the Fourth Prince so that he would be happy, but I didn't expect the palace gates to be so heavily guarded, so I couldn't... It wasn't that I deliberately kept it from the Fourth Prince."
Li Chenjiao's face was full of aggrieved expression.
The Fourth Master was pacing back and forth in front of her, which was giving her a headache. Li Chenjiao exclaimed, "Master, please sit down. You'll tire yourself out."
The Fourth Prince, seeing through the situation but saying nothing, sat down on the other soft couch: "I had originally planned to have your mother come to the manor to stay with you for a few days, but I'll have Su Peisheng go later. It's not easy for you to be carrying twins, so I think it's best to keep it a secret for now... I'll have the midwife come in and give you an update later..."
Fourth Master suddenly thought of many things.
It's hard to guarantee that no villains in the household might have bad intentions. In any case, Li Chenjiao is now quite far along in her pregnancy and there's no need for her to pay her respects. There's nothing much going on in February, so no one will know how Li Chenjiao's pregnancy will turn out.
Li Chenjiao could only hear the opening line: "Master..."
She blinked, instantly realizing that this was something Fourth Master had planned all along. This pregnancy had always made her unable to stop crying, and now, for no apparent reason, tears streamed down her face: "...It didn't have to be so soon..."
She thought about it as she cried.
Li Chenjiao is still more than a month away from giving birth. If her mother comes to stay at the mansion for more than a month, her father will probably be alone in his room. At that time, it will probably be inconvenient for the Fourth Prince.
Fourth Master belatedly realized that since he was currently recuperating from his injuries, if he didn't come to the East Courtyard, he would have to stay in the Front Courtyard...
The Fourth Master pondered for a moment, then said, "Then let's wait another half a month..."
Li Chenjiao shed a few tears, but stopped immediately: "It's already very good. I haven't thanked you yet, Master."
She wanted to bow, but then looked longingly at the Fourth Master.
Fourth Master dared not let her bow at this moment; even a slight bow from Li Chenjiao would make his heart tremble.
He couldn't care less about his own shoulder injury, and waved his hand, saying, "You've worked hard, don't move."
Upon learning that Li Chenjiao was pregnant with twins, the Fourth Prince could hardly see either child anymore. He couldn't stand it if Li Chenjiao disappeared from his sight. Even a cough from Li Chenjiao during dinner would draw his gaze.
At night, it goes without saying that Fourth Master slept on the outside, and he had to turn his head to look at Li Chenjiao whenever she made any noise.
...
In the main courtyard, the Fujin (principal wife) knew that the Fourth Prince had gone to the East Courtyard but didn't say anything: "When he was pregnant with the Second Princess and the Fourth Prince, the Fourth Prince also liked to go to Li's place. I wonder who served Li..."
However, Madam Li had largely kept her subordinates in check; over the years, none of the maids in her courtyard had ever suggested raising their status...
Su Peisheng came during the day to deliver a message, saying that the Fujin's family should come and keep her company. At this moment, the Fujin was in a fairly good mood: "With the Fourth Prince's word, it's naturally better for Mother to come than for Xianxin to keep me company. Has the filling of this calming pillow been changed? It doesn't smell very fragrant?"
The princess consort had already removed her hairpins and jewelry in preparation for her arrival.
Yu Ru shook her head: "Perhaps the flavor has faded a bit from prolonged use. If you, Madam, find the flavor unpleasant, please have Wang Jinzhong change it. You haven't been sleeping well lately... but after taking the medicine prescribed by Physician Xia, I think your spirits have returned to normal."
The princess touched her face: "I am old and my beauty has faded... Now that the eldest princess is getting older, when Mother comes, we can discuss the eldest princess's marriage with Mother."
She no longer cared about spirit; she herself didn't feel any difference.
The Fujin is the primary Fujin of the household. She may not be able to make decisions about the princes' marriages, but she can still make decisions about the marriages of the two princesses.
Yu Ru thought so too, and nodded in agreement.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
