Tang Baozhu really didn't want to see his cringeworthy performance, so she pretended to be sleepy, covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and then gently wiped her eyes.
The quick-witted palace maid beside her, seeing her like this, asked, "Is Your Highness feeling sleepy and wanting to go to bed?"
"Hmm, I didn't usually notice it, but for some reason, I just found out I'm pregnant and I feel really sleepy."
"Your Highness, this is a normal reaction. I'll have someone bring in some water so you can wash up and rest early."
Situ Rui also realized that it was normal for Consort Bao to feel sleepy during her pregnancy. The imperial physician had just mentioned this and also mentioned some taboos for pregnant women, which he had carefully noted down.
"In that case, hurry up and wash up and rest. I still have some official business to attend to. Little Li, bring me my memorials. I will review them here tonight."
Tang Baozhu didn't stand on ceremony with him. She bowed to him and, with the help of a palace maid, went into a small, dark room to wash up. She took a comfortable bath and became so sleepy that she fell asleep almost immediately when she lay down on the bed.
At this moment, Tang Baozhu was probably the only one who could sleep so soundly. For her, if so many life-saving measures couldn't protect this child, then they would be too useless, so she wasn't worried at all.
Besides, the child's father is outside watching over them; he'll protect them from any danger.
Tang Baozhu woke up hungry the next morning, earlier than usual. As soon as she got up, she called the palace maids to fetch breakfast, while the remaining palace maids helped her with washing up.
After washing up, she was sitting on a stool eating her meal when she suddenly remembered the emperor. She glanced at Yu Mei beside her and asked, "What time did His Majesty return last night?"
"Your Majesty, His Majesty did not return last night. He rested in Your Majesty's palace. Perhaps Your Majesty was too tired and did not notice. His Majesty got up very early this morning to attend the morning court session. He specifically instructed that Your Majesty should not be disturbed, so Your Majesty was not woken up."
After all, whichever concubine the emperor slept with, the concubine would also get up in the morning to attend the morning court session and help him with his grooming. Tang Baozhu had special permission from the emperor not to wake him, and since she had slept too soundly last night, she thought the emperor had already left.
Hearing Yu Mei say that, Tang Baozhu was quite happy. At least it made her look good, and it would make her look better if word got out.
While they were eating, the palace maid Yulian came in from outside. "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's gifts have arrived. Would Your Majesty like to accept them now or later?"
Tang Baozhu was displeased by these words. She was just a lowly concubine, yet she dared to leave the Emperor and Empress Dowager's people standing outside. If word got out, she would be accused of being arrogant and domineering. She wondered if Yu Mei was saying this on purpose or if she had some ulterior motive. She decided to leave it at that for now and see how things went later.
"Receive the decree now!"
The imperial edicts were delivered by trusted eunuchs and nannies close to the Emperor and Empress Dowager. The gist of it was that you were pregnant, and these gifts were a reward for you. You were to give birth to the baby well, and even more good things would come. After that, you were to rest well, not run around or jump around, and take good care of your pregnancy.
Of course, the eunuchs and nannies who delivered the imperial decree would speak more politely. The above is Tang Baozhu's own interpretation of what they said, but that's roughly the gist of it.
Tang Baozhu quickly bowed and expressed her gratitude. After seeing the two people off, she hurried back to the living room to eat breakfast, as she was so hungry that she was itching for food.
The table was laden with breakfast, and the poison-repelling bead on her hand hadn't changed color, so it seemed like everything was fine. Since it was fine, she wasn't going to force herself to eat, and she ate as much as she could.
From then on, Tang Baozhu lived a life of being waited on hand and foot. The emperor did not allow her to leave the gates of Changchun Palace, and she could not even stroll in the Imperial Garden, for fear that someone would plot against her. Changchun Palace was now guarded by people three layers deep, and everything that came in was the best, for fear of losing even a little bit, for the sake of the child in her womb.
When the baby in her womb was three months old, Situ Rui officially announced the news.
The loyal ministers in the court were certainly happy, since there was no longer any danger of losing their lineage.
Of course, there were happy people and unhappy people. Situ Rui, sitting high up, could see their expressions clearly and had a pretty good idea of what was going on.
Tang Baozhu has been living a very comfortable life this month. Fortunately, she is not a real teenage girl, otherwise, with her demanding attitude, she would definitely get carried away. Luckily, she still has some self-awareness.
Of course, she wasn't lying. At least the previously empty storeroom was almost full within a month. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor would bestow gifts every few days. The Emperor, in particular, always sent the finest items, far superior to those sent by the other members of the red envelope group.
Tang Baozhu exclaimed that having a child would bring her immense wealth, and she couldn't wait to give birth so she could get pregnant again.
Fortunately, she also knew that only the first child would receive such treatment, and once it was done, it would become worthless. Of course, this worthlessness was compared to the first child; since there were fewer children in the palace, their treatment would certainly not be bad.
Tang Baozhu thought that the Emperor had been eating and living with her all month and had not gone to any other palaces. She was worried that there might be a problem with the baby in her belly. She thought that the Emperor would come directly after court.
It seems she needs to mention to the Emperor that she misses her parents.
Calculating that the Emperor would be arriving soon, Tang Baozhu began her performance.
Sitting in the bedroom, looking out the window, tears slowly streamed down her face.
This is something she's practiced; otherwise, how could she cry so beautifully, and in such a heartbreaking way?
Her tears meant nothing to her, but the palace maids beside her said they were terrified by her crying.
"Is Your Highness feeling unwell? This servant will go and fetch the imperial physician immediately."
Yu Mei was terrified. She was three months pregnant, and if she could just hold on for another seven months, she would have a healthy little prince. She couldn't afford any problems, or the emperor would skin them alive.
Tang Baozhu saw that the people around her looked terrified and knew that she had frightened them, so she quickly called out to them to stop.
"Yu Mei, I'm fine, and the baby in my belly is fine too. I just suddenly missed my parents and couldn't help but shed a few tears. Don't worry, I'll definitely tell you if I feel unwell."
Yu Mei and the other palace maids breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, as long as it wasn't something that made them feel unwell.
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