Chapter 754 Xie Yang's Suspicion
Physician Wang could only come up with this excuse. He said, "Everyone's constitution is different. Having a child in the womb adds an extra burden to the body. Fortunately, she only fainted and is not in any danger to her life."
The Empress Dowager said, "Her constitution is really strange. Even if she is pregnant, she shouldn't be unconscious. I have lived for decades and this is the first time I have heard of such a strange thing."
Gao Qingtong said, "I once read a book that described a woman who became pregnant and then fell into a deep sleep. Many doctors tried to cure her, but none could. She seemed to be asleep. Ten months later, her child was born, and only then did she wake up. Just because the Empress Dowager hasn't heard of this doesn't mean that such strange things don't happen in the world. The world is vast and full of wonders. I think Consort Shu's condition does indeed seem somewhat similar to that of the woman in the book!"
Jiang Fenghua stepped forward and slapped Shu Yan's cheeks twice. "The Empress Dowager's words may be because she suspects that Shu Ronghua deliberately fainted to attract the Emperor's attention. This kind of act is often used by women to win over their husbands. The Empress Dowager saw it just now. She wasn't faking it at all. You can't wake her up even if you hit her."
Jiang Fenghua placed her finger near Shu Yan's nostrils again. "She's still breathing. She's really asleep." The medicine Ao Xue gave her was really effective; no matter what she did, Shu Yan wouldn't wake up.
"If the Empress Dowager still doesn't believe it, you can try to wake her up yourself." She took the Empress Dowager's hand and led her to Shu Yan, then slapped Shu Yan hard across the face.
The slap landed, but Shu Yan didn't budge an inch. Everyone around was stunned, their mouths agape in shock. The air seemed to freeze, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It felt as if countless crows were flying overhead. Was it really right for Her Majesty to do this? Shu Ronghua's face was red from the slap; it looked really painful!
Besides, Vice Minister Shu was present; how could she bully someone else's daughter like that?
Consort Chang's heart tightened, and she unconsciously wanted to step forward to protect Shu Yan. Her fingernails dug into her flesh as she stared at Shu Yan's face.
Jiang Fenghua noticed all of Consort Chang's subtle expressions, and at that moment, she seemed to have discovered another secret of Consort Chang.
No wonder she moved into the West Palace at such a young age. It turns out that her heart was never with the late emperor. If Shu Yan is indeed the biological daughter of Consort Chang, then based on Shu Yan's age, it is exactly the time when Consort Chang had an affair and gave birth to Shu Yan while she was in the West Palace.
Then someone will take Shu Yan out of the palace. With Shu Shilang's authority, he should be able to handle this small matter.
Jiang Fenghua stared intently at Shu Yan's face, and upon closer inspection, she noticed that her features did resemble those of Consort Chang.
At first, she only suspected that Consort Chang had taught Shu Yan how to make pastries, and that Shu Yan might also be passing messages to Consort Chang. Unexpectedly, Consort Chang herself openly admitted it. She probably knew that Shu Yan's trip to the West Palace couldn't be kept secret, so she just happened to say it to dispel her doubts. Unexpectedly, Shu Yan fell into a coma, and Consort Chang showed an anxious expression.
Jiang Fenghua looked in the direction of the Fourth Prince, wanting to know if he was the late Emperor's child or the adulterer of Consort Chang. At that moment, she met the Fourth Prince's gaze.
The Fourth Prince seemed very unhappy; she just needed to add fuel to the fire.
Jiang Fenghua then said to Minister Shu, "Minister Shu, please send someone to bring Madam Shu into the palace. Her daughter is pregnant, and Madam Shu will be very happy. Shu Ronghua is in poor health, so it would be good to invite Madam Shu into the palace to take care of her for a while."
Shu Lang said, "My wife is not in good health and it is probably inconvenient for her to come to the palace." She definitely won't come.
"I feel that a daughter can only be happy when she has her mother's company. I felt the same way when I was pregnant. I always wanted my mother's meticulous love. Without maternal love, I always felt that something was missing." Jiang Fenghua then asked Gao Qingtong, "Does Consort Gao feel the same way?"
Gao Qingtong said, "I do feel that way. Because of our different statuses, my mother didn't enter the palace. I always felt a little regretful at the time!"
Jiang Fenghua was very considerate: "Shu Ronghua is unconscious. I will send someone out of the palace to fetch Madam Shu and bring her back to the palace! There will be a carriage for her to come and go, so Madam Shu won't feel tired. Shu Ronghua is carrying the imperial heir, and I will definitely take good care of her."
Before Minister Shu could agree, Jiang Fenghua had already sent Aoxue to personally fetch Madam Shu.
A hint of worry flashed across Shu Lang's brows. Given the current situation, she had no choice but to go to the palace. Shu Lang said urgently, "I will go to fetch you myself. There is no need to trouble Your Majesty the Empress."
"No trouble at all, these are things I, as the Empress, should do." Jiang Fenghua said to Xie Shang, "Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"
Xie Shang gave a forced smile, "Your Majesty has worked hard."
Jiang Fenghua smiled calmly and said, "Everyone, please disperse. Now that Shu Ronghua is pregnant, she is the most important person in the harem. No matter when she wakes up, Imperial Physician Wang must find a way to ensure her safe delivery and that she will give birth to the imperial heir safely in ten months."
Imperial Physician Wang respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to help Consort Ronghua recover her health."
So she then beckoned everyone to leave the side hall, saying, "The imperial physician has said that Consort Shu is fine. You can all return to your seats. Consort Gao and Consort Song, please help to attend to her."
Empress Dowager Cheng waited silently to the side. She had never seen Jiang Fenghua so enthusiastic before. In the past, she would have the servants handle these matters. Jiang Fenghua had become more and more unconcerned with formalities.
Gao Qingtong and Song Jing then led several princesses and concubines back to their seats.
The Empress Dowager had just witnessed Jiang Fenghua slap Shu Yan hard across the face, and she was only now coming to her senses. The slap was loud and hard.
She knew that Jiang Fenghua was using her as a pretext to take revenge, probably because the concubine was pregnant with the emperor's child!
The Empress Dowager found it meaningless and left.
Jiang Fenghua pretended to talk to everyone, chatting about the special dishes prepared for the banquet.
Xie Shang had no intention of staying. He said to Grand Tutor Pan and Grand Tutor Jiang, "Grand Tutors, please take your seats."
He glanced at Shu Lang and said, "Minister Shu, come along! There's nothing you can do here. Madam Shu will be going to the palace soon, and she will take care of Ronghua."
"Yes." Shu Lang followed Xie Shang away, his eyes filled with reluctance.
After everyone left, Consort Chang showed no intention of leaving. The maids who served Shu Yan were busy running around but did not stay by the bedside to take care of her. Shu Yan lay quietly on the bed, her cheeks red and swollen. She unconsciously took a few steps forward.
Just as Consort Chang was about to touch Shu Yan's cheek, Xie Yang suddenly called out to her, "Mother."
Consort Chang was startled. She quickly withdrew her hand, tears welling up in her eyes. She concealed her emotions, wiped away the tears, and said somewhat awkwardly, "Yang'er."
Xie Yang's eyes were full of confusion. "What was Mother doing just now?" He had seen everything.
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