The emperor's face was practically beaming with joy.
His expectations for this child are understandable.
The longer her pregnancy progressed, the more the emperor seemed glued to the Yilan Palace, unwilling to leave.
Several times, even attending court required Gu Jiangli's urging.
When I was eight months pregnant, the sweltering heat of summer gradually arrived.
It's hot and humid, and it hasn't rained for a long time.
One day, after court, the emperor returned to Yilan Palace with a very somber expression.
Gu Jiangli guessed that something must have happened in the imperial court, but because it was something that happened in the imperial court, she could not ask any more questions.
But from that day onward, the emperor seemed to be in a bad mood every single day.
Even in front of her, he still tried his best to smile.
But when he turned his back to her, he would sigh and lament to himself.
After much deliberation, Gu Jiangli realized that his current pregnancy meant that the issue of having offspring was definitely not his concern.
That would be an even more serious matter.
In order to be a sensible concubine, she still intended to help the emperor solve his problems, and asked him:
"Your Majesty, you've looked so worried these past few days. Is something troubling you?"
The emperor forced a smile, "My dear consort, it's nothing, just some matters of the court. You don't need to worry. Just focus on your pregnancy and leave everything else to me."
Gu Jiangli sat down beside him and rested her head on his shoulder. "Your Majesty, I also want to share your worries. If I have to see your sorrowful face every day and can't help you at all, I will feel guilty and sad."
These kind words instantly put the emperor at ease. He gently placed his hand on Gu Jiangli's pregnant belly, stroking it softly, and said:
"My beloved concubine, in truth, with you by my side, all my worries and troubles have vanished."
"However, there are indeed two things that are troubling me right now."
Gu Jiangli listened attentively.
"This year, the weather is strange. Since the Lesser Fullness of Grain, not a single grain of rain has fallen. Farmers are suffering in silence as they watch their rice fields gradually dry up."
"If there is no rain to moisten the fields and the rice paddies continue to dry up, I'm afraid there will be no harvest next year."
Gu Jiangli sighed, realizing it was a natural disaster.
She did feel the weather was unusually hot, but she didn't connect it to the farmers' harvest problem.
As the ruler of a country, the emperor had to consider the survival of all the people in the country, which is why he was so worried.
I thought that was all the emperor's worries, but to my surprise, he hadn't finished speaking.
"If that were all, I wouldn't be so troubled."
"There was no harvest, but the national treasury still had enough grain to sustain the people for a while."
"The civil and military officials asked me to personally go to Xiling Mountain to pray to Heaven for rain, and I did not object. For the sake of the people, going up the mountain to pray for blessings is not a difficult thing at all."
"but......"
At this point, a fierce glint appeared in the emperor's eyes.
"However, I don't know which bastard is spreading rumors outside, saying that the child in your belly is... a harbinger of disaster, that it is because of this child that the Great Xia Dynasty has not had rain for months, and that this child has brought calamity to the Great Xia Dynasty. This is outrageous!"
"If I find out who is spreading this rumor, I will cut out their tongue and feed it to the dogs!"
Gu Jiangli quickly patted his chest to help him breathe, and asked nonchalantly:
Is this what Your Majesty is angry about?
"Shouldn't I be angry? My child hasn't even been born yet, and someone is already badmouthing him behind his back, and even dragging you, my beloved concubine, into it. This person's heart is despicable!"
Gu Jiangli shook her head; she wasn't angry at all.
That's just how people are. When they face difficulties, they don't dare to blame God or themselves, so they can only pin the blame on a complete stranger who is weak and easily bullied.
Throughout history, there have been countless such incidents.
There was another reason why she wasn't angry: she knew that her child wasn't a disaster, but a "lucky star."
Gu Jiangli smiled, her smile full of magnanimous gentleness, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Since the people have misunderstood me, I will naturally not make things difficult for you."
The emperor looked puzzled. "My beloved concubine, what do you mean by this?"
"Your Majesty, didn't the civil and military officials suggest that you go to Xiling Mountain to pray for rain and blessings for the people? Then I will go with Your Majesty."
"Praying for blessings is a good thing for the people. Although I am a woman in the harem, I also have a good heart for the people and the country."
"Now that the people are in dire straits, and my unborn child and I have been unjustly stigmatized, this is a good opportunity to show them my sincerity."
"Although I do not know whether this child will bring me good fortune or misfortune, my intentions are good."
"Perhaps my actions can change the people's prejudiced views against me."
The emperor was deeply moved after hearing this.
This intelligent and kind woman also possessed great love; even while heavily pregnant, she didn't forget to help him solve his problems.
With a daughter like this, what more could a husband ask for?
but......
"No, my beloved consort, you are heavily pregnant now, and the journey to Xiling Mountain is extremely bumpy. How can I bear to let you risk such danger to pray for blessings?"
"Your Majesty, the imperial physicians come to examine me every day, and they all say that I am in good health. Xiling Mountain is not high, and many people climb it year-round, so many of the paths have been worn into wide roads. It won't be very bumpy. Don't worry, I can handle it."
"And my child also said that he wants to go to a high place to see the scenery."
Gu Jiangli concluded playfully.
The emperor had never been able to completely refuse her requests.
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