Having just dealt with a major threat, Wuyou is preparing to implement sweeping reforms in the court. She possesses the memories of Helan Wuyou, advanced concepts of modern society, and the essence of reforms from various dynasties throughout history. For the past three or four years, she has also been dedicated to understanding the current state of this dynasty.
This combination, it is believed, will surely create a powerful chemical reaction, leading the Great Zhou Dynasty to new heights. Unfortunately, before Wuyou could take action, news came from the inner palace.
"You mean, Consort Shun is pregnant?" Wuyou raised one eyebrow, looking at the maid below with an inscrutable expression. Her tone was unfathomable, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Yes, Your Majesty, Her Highness vomited repeatedly during her breakfast today. The imperial physician said she is more than two months pregnant." The palace maid's face showed undisguised joy. With their mistress having a prince, they, as servants, were also being elevated in rank.
For the next three or four years, the harem remained peaceful and uneventful. The Empress managed the six palaces and raised the little princess, while Consort Shun, Chu Baiwei, enjoyed the highest favor in the harem, creating a situation of rivalry. The only regrettable thing was that no new babies were heard in the harem during those three or four years; there were only a few princes and princesses, which inevitably caused some disappointment.
For three or four years, no new concubines had entered the harem. The emperor canceled the selection of concubines on the grounds that he was busy with state affairs, which made people envious and amazed by Chu Baiwei's exclusive favor. Even he himself was proud of it.
Chu Baiwei had only one daughter, who was given away by the Emperor to the Empress, her name changed, and she was no longer her own daughter. Without a son, how would she establish herself in the harem? How could she possibly ascend to the position of Empress or even Empress Dowager?
For the past few years, she had been taking fertility-enhancing drugs every day, but to no avail. Wuyou even thought he had given up, but unexpectedly, this woman caused trouble again.
Wuyou opened his folding fan to cover the smile on his lips, revealing only a pair of bright, peach-blossom eyes. He had grown a beard, and his features had become more handsome and mature with the passage of time. He exuded an indescribable spirit, and his dragon aura grew stronger with time.
"Since that's the case, then I'll go see him!" Wuyou sneered inwardly. This Consort Shun really was ruthless in achieving her goals.
In her past life, she had given birth to many children, but in this life, unable to conceive, she sought to have another man's child. It didn't matter whose child it was, as long as it was a prince. To manage to evade the spies in the strictly regulated and secluded palace was quite remarkable.
Fortunately, his bodyguards weren't blind; they already knew the woman was pregnant, and now it was time to deal with her.
He was originally very busy and didn't have time to deal with this woman. But since she came to him of her own accord, he wasn't going to be ruthless.
Chengqian Palace remains a magnificent sight, symbolizing the noble status and glory of its master, with every corner displaying the imperial family's prestige and favor.
A woman dressed in a pale yellow palace gown, with a blue robe draped over her arm, sat on a soft couch with delicate features. Her right hand rested lightly on the table. A royal physician knelt before her, reaching out to treat her. Their skin was separated by a thin handkerchief, and an intoxicating fragrance filled the palace, carrying an air of inexplicable ambiguity.
“Your Majesty’s pregnancy is very stable, and there is nothing wrong with your health. It will definitely be a healthy little prince.” Lu Liang withdrew his hand, placed his hands on the ground, and knelt down respectfully.
Reaching out her left hand and gently placing it on her flat stomach, Chu Baiwei's face revealed undisguised joy. After several years, she was finally pregnant again. The child would surely be a healthy prince, inheriting the throne.
"Thank you, Imperial Physician Lu. This pregnancy has been difficult for me, and I am more than two months pregnant. Please take good care of me." Chu Baiwei emphasized the words "more than two months pregnant" to remind Lu Liang.
"Your Majesty, I will certainly protect the imperial heir in your womb." Lu Liang lowered his body slightly, his voice deep and muffled. There was no way around it; he was already on Consort Shun's side. He had thought that since they were childhood sweethearts, they might have developed feelings for each other, but he never expected that this woman would use his feelings to lure him onto this treacherous ship as well.
Recalling what happened that night, sweat quickly beaded on Lu Liang's forehead and dripped onto the ground, his body trembling slightly.
He loved Chu Baiwei, but he loved the innocent and naive Chu Baiwei before she entered the palace, not the ruthless and cunning Consort Shun who had long resided deep within the palace. No amount of affection could outweigh the scheming that burdened him with his life and fortune. He had hoped that as a royal physician, he could offer her assistance in the inner palace, protecting her from being harmed by others, but he never expected that she would use him to conceive a child.
Mixing up royal bloodlines is a capital offense, which would not only bring suffering to oneself but also implicate one's entire family. But now, he has no other choice but to help Chu Baiwei conceal the truth about this pregnancy.
Lu Liang closed his eyes, a single, murky tear rolled down his cheek and disappeared without a trace, filled with deep regret.
A sudden chill ran down Lu Liang's back, his body stiffened, and he quickly fell to the ground, scrambling and rolling half a meter away. He looked at Chu Baiwei in a panic, as if she were a monstrous beast.
"Brother Lu, why are you looking at me like that?" A hint of barely perceptible anger flashed in Chu Baiwei's eyes as she smiled at him while curling her fingers.
That damned Lu Liang! She'd never shown him any kindness, and he treated her like this? He's ungrateful! Once she gives birth to the prince, she'll make him pay. After all, the most discreet person in the world is the dead.
"This is unreasonable, Your Majesty. Please have some self-respect." Lu Liang quickly knelt down, avoiding looking at the beautiful woman's fair face, as it only reminded him of evil spirits.
Judging from his appearance, it was as if he had built a thick wall around himself, not allowing anyone to approach his private territory.
"You..." Chu Baiwei opened her mouth as if to say something, but a sound came from outside the door.
"His Majesty has arrived—" Accompanied by a slightly shrill voice, a figure in bright yellow walked gracefully towards him, coming against the light, which gave him a sacred glow. With his hands behind his back, he exuded endless majesty as he walked.
"Greetings, Your Majesty..." A group of people hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects. Lu Liang dared not raise his head, fearing that the emperor would capture the panic in his eyes and implicate his entire clan.
"My beloved consort, please rise. I was overjoyed to hear that you are pregnant. This is my first son in recent years. You have worked so hard, my beloved consort." Wuyou gently helped Chu Baiwei up, his handsome face making one's heart flutter with envy.
"It is no hardship for me to bear Your Majesty an heir. It is my honor." Chu Baiwei blushed and reached out to grab Wuyou's arm, trying to pull him into the palace.
"This must be Physician Lu, who is treating my beloved concubine! This pregnancy is very important for my beloved concubine, and I have some questions for Physician Lu." Wuyou glanced at Lu Liang, stroking the jade prayer beads on her wrist, and spoke slowly.
"Your subject obeys the decree." Lu Liang felt Wuyou's gaze sweep over him, and cold sweat soaked his entire body, drenching his official robes. He forced himself to speak.
Chu Baiwei also felt a little strange, but considering what Wuyou had said earlier about valuing his pregnancy, his suspicions lessened considerably. He was confident that he had kept things discreet and that no one would know.
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