When Yongzheng returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the flickering candlelight made his brows appear even more somber.
He waved his hand to dismiss all the palace servants, leaving only Su Peisheng waiting outside the hall.
"Twins..." he murmured softly, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the dragon table.
This should have been a joyous occasion, but now it felt like a fire, burning him so badly that he couldn't find peace in his internal organs.
Yun'er was carrying his two children, which should have made him ecstatic, but what followed was the torment of not being able to be close to her for months.
"Su Peisheng!" he suddenly called out.
Su Peisheng pushed open the door and entered: "This servant is here."
"Summon Physician Liu, who just examined Consort Shu's pulse," Yongzheng's voice was low and suppressed.
Su Peisheng was taken aback, glanced up at his master's expression, then quickly lowered his head again: "This servant will go right away."
After Su Peisheng withdrew, Yongzheng got up and walked to the window. The night was deep, and he recalled Consort Lin's clumsy seduction earlier. The skin that was faintly visible under her gauze dress not only failed to arouse his interest, but also made him more irritable.
The perfume was too strong, completely different from the faint fragrance on Yun'er's body.
"Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Liu has arrived." Su Peisheng's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Physician Liu knelt tremblingly in the hall, his forehead almost touching the ground. He had just returned to the Imperial Hospital to rest when he was urgently summoned back, and he was filled with anxiety.
Emperor Yongzheng turned around, his gaze piercing: "Imperial Physician Liu, I ask you, Consort Shu is now five months pregnant with twins, is she still able to..." He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, "...is she still able to serve me in bed?"
Physician Liu looked up abruptly, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes, before quickly looking down again. His throat tightened, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
The Emperor's favoritism towards Consort Shu is so extreme! Even when she was pregnant with twins, he still...
"Your Majesty," his voice trembled, "Consort Shu's pregnancy is stable. If she... if she acts carefully, there should be no major problems. However..."
He swallowed hard. "Avoid strenuous activity, and don't do it for too long. It's best...it's best to lie on your side to reduce abdominal pressure..."
Yongzheng narrowed his eyes: "Is there any risk?"
"If we proceed with caution, the risk is not great. But to be absolutely sure, I suggest... I suggest Your Majesty endure for a few more months..." Doctor Liu's forehead was covered in cold sweat, fearing that his words would anger the emperor.
The hall fell silent for a moment, and Physician Liu could almost hear his own heart pounding.
"I understand. You may leave." Yongzheng finally spoke, his voice eerily calm.
Physician Liu felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and after repeatedly kowtowing, he withdrew from the main hall.
"Su Peisheng, prepare water, I wish to take a bath." Yongzheng's voice came from inside the palace.
"Yes, sir."
Steam rose from the bath, and Yongzheng leaned against the edge with his eyes closed, the warm water washing over his taut muscles. But Lin Yun's image kept flashing through his mind—her innocent and lively spirit in Shangyang County when they first met, her shy smile when she was bestowed the title of Consort Shu, and today, leaning against the soft couch, her belly noticeably protruding.
"Yun'er..." he called softly, his fingers unconsciously tracing the surface of the water.
He remembered the first time he had the pleasure of sleeping with her. She had just entered the palace, trembling like a frightened fawn. The moment he touched her skin, he felt an unprecedented flutter in his heart. Her awkwardness and innocence were completely different from the deliberate flattery of the other concubines.
The water grew cold, yet Yongzheng remained lost in his memories. When did he begin to look forward to every meeting with her? When did the other women in the harem become so uninteresting?
He even began to tire of the deliberate seduction and scheming, only craving the pure tenderness in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, the water is cold. Would you like some hot water?" Su Peisheng's cautious voice came from behind the screen.
Yongzheng then came to his senses: "No need, let's change."
Wearing his nightgown, Yongzheng found himself wide awake. He walked to his desk, opened a memorial to the throne, but couldn't concentrate on a single word. The ink blurred before his eyes, transforming into Lin Yun's smiling features.
With a snap, he closed the memorial, stood up, and said, "Prepare the carriage for Yanxi Palace."
Su Peisheng exclaimed in alarm, "Your Majesty, it's already past midnight..."
"I say, prepare to proceed to Yanxi Palace." Yongzheng's voice brooked no argument.
The night was as dark as ink, and the imperial carriage moved silently along the palace road. The eunuchs guarding Yanxi Palace were so frightened by the sudden arrival of the emperor that they knelt down and refused to rise.
"Has Consort Shu gone to sleep?" Yongzheng asked in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, the Empress's lamp was still on just now; she's probably only just retired for the night..."
Yongzheng waved for everyone to leave and walked alone into the inner hall. Only a small palace lantern was lit inside, casting a dim yellow light. Lin Yun lay on her side on the bed, her belly showing a noticeable curve. Hearing the noise, she suddenly opened her eyes, and seeing it was Yongzheng, she sat up in surprise.
"Your Majesty? What's wrong...?"
"Don't move." Yongzheng strode forward and pressed down on her shoulders. "Just lie down."
Lin Yun obediently lay back down, but couldn't help asking, "It's so late, has something happened?"
Emperor Yongzheng sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze falling on her swollen belly: "I...can't sleep, so I wanted to come and see you and the child."
A knowing glint flashed in Lin Yun's eyes, and the corners of her lips turned up slightly: "Is Your Majesty worried about me and the babies? The imperial physician said that although twins are more difficult, I am in good health and will be fine."
Yongzheng gently stroked her abdomen, feeling a slight movement beneath his palm. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "They moved?"
"Hmm, the movements have been getting more and more noticeable lately." Lin Yun smiled, taking his hand and pressing it against the other side of his abdomen. "Here, it just kicked a little."
The two remained silent for a moment, sharing this wondrous moment. Suddenly, Yongzheng's hand tightened slightly, his voice hoarse: "Yun'er, I..."
Lin Yun looked up at him. In the candlelight, the emperor's usually cold and stern features now revealed a hint of vulnerability. She suddenly understood something, her cheeks flushing slightly: "Your Majesty... the imperial physician said... if we're careful... it's possible..."
Yongzheng looked up abruptly, a flame igniting in his eyes, only to be quickly extinguished. He took a deep breath and gently withdrew his hand: "No, I cannot take the risk." He leaned down and placed a light kiss on her forehead. "Your safety and the child's are more important."
Lin Yun's eyes welled up with tears, and she reached out to stroke his cheek: "Your Majesty..."
Yongzheng sighed, lay down beside her fully clothed, and gently pulled her into his arms: "Sleep now, I'll stay here with you."
Lin Yun leaned against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, and gradually closed her eyes in peace.
Yongzheng was unable to fall asleep for a long time. The even breathing and faint fragrance of the person in his arms were both a comfort and a torment to him.
He decided to become self-sufficient, so he took Yun'er's hand...
Soon after, a satisfied sigh came from inside the tent, but once was not enough.
Outside the window, a bright moon quietly climbed to the treetops, casting its cool light.
As Yongzheng gazed at the moonlight, he suddenly understood his own feelings. His affection for Lin Yun had long surpassed that of an emperor; it had become a man's purest longing and cherishment for a woman.
"Yun'er," he called softly, knowing she was already asleep, "I'm waiting for you."
Under the moonlight, the emperor, holding the pregnant woman tightly in his arms, drifted off to sleep, torn between desire and responsibility.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
