Physician Zhao's heart was in his throat, and he dared not look up at the two people at the head of the table. It wasn't that he was incompetent, but rather that this empress was simply too lucky; her pregnancy had happened far too quickly.
Harigana touched her belly in disbelief. How many times had Kangxi and Kangxi had been intimate? And she was already pregnant?
"Are all the people in the Imperial Hospital incompetent? You've checked the Imperial Concubine's pulse countless times during this period, haven't you noticed anything unusual at all?"
Kangxi was furious. Although he was happy that Harigana had their child, he was terrified when he thought about what had happened recently. First, he was poisoned, then he jumped off the carriage, and now the bear scratch on his back had not fully healed.
If something unexpected were to happen during this time, he could hardly imagine whether Harigana would collapse, or whether he could accept that his child would be gone before he was even born.
"Your Majesty, Her Majesty's pulse was completely normal before. It was my ignorance and lack of knowledge that led me to this, please forgive me."
Physician Zhao knelt on the ground, utterly dejected. Fortunately, the prince was not seriously injured, and the problem was discovered in time; otherwise, Zhao's head would have been in serious danger!
Harigana reached out and tugged at Kangxi's sleeve, stopping him from losing his temper. Actually, this matter couldn't really be blamed on the imperial physician; even if she conceived during their first sexual encounter, the baby in her belly was only a little over twenty days old.
In later generations, blood tests and examinations were needed for a diagnosis, yet the imperial physicians were asked to diagnose it by taking a pulse in just over ten days. It was truly asking too much of them! Even if traditional Chinese medicine is miraculous, it doesn't produce immediate results!
"Doctor Zhao, I've taken so much medicine during this time, will there be any problems with the baby?"
Harigana's concerns differed from Kangxi's. Dwelling on past events was pointless; their concern should have been whether the child would be harmed. Ancient technology was limited, and it would be utterly unfair if medication negatively impacted fetal development!
Kangxi's heart also tightened. He had been so angry that he hadn't thought of this matter. Now, hearing Harigana ask the imperial physician, he anxiously awaited the physician's reply.
"Your Highness, the medicine you took before was made from top-quality herbs, and most of it was mildly nourishing, so it will not have any effect. Please rest assured, Your Highness!"
Physician Zhao is now feeling fortunate. If he hadn't racked his brains and tried various methods to prepare medicinal meals for Harigana recently, the imperial heir would probably be gone long ago. It seems he still needs to serve this Imperial Concubine well; she's truly blessed!
Harigana was relieved, as long as the child was alright.
"Zhao Rongxi, I order you to take good care of Consort Chen's pregnancy. If anything goes wrong, I will take your life!"
Kangxi had already processed the news of Harigana's pregnancy, and now he was back to his usual shrewd and calculating self.
Physician Zhao quickly replied, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty and Your Majesty, this servant will do everything in his power to ensure the safety of Your Majesty and the imperial heir!"
Emperor Kangxi raised his hand to interrupt Physician Zhao, who was about to continue speaking. He had no time to listen to such words of loyalty. It was not advisable for outsiders to know that Harigana was pregnant. They were not in the palace now, and there were too many uncertainties. He could not let Harigana take any risks.
"Zhao Rongxi, the fact that the Imperial Concubine is pregnant must not be known to anyone else. During this period, I order you to take the Imperial Concubine's pulse every day, and do not leave any information on the pulse record for the time being. If anyone asks you, say that I am not feeling well. You must not reveal the truth, do you understand!"
Physician Zhao knelt on the ground, trembling with fear. He could conceal the fact that Harigana was pregnant, but to lie and say that the Emperor was ill—would he be beheaded later? Moreover, this concubine was even more favored than he had imagined. To protect her, the Emperor had actually cursed his own body—it was truly shocking!
Harigana hadn't expected Kangxi to say that, and felt a little touched, but that was all. After all, he didn't lack sons now. According to historical progression, Yinzhi should have already given birth, but it was uncertain whether the famous struggle for the throne among the nine princes would still be complete.
After all, if she were carrying a boy, then the Ninth Prince wouldn't be Consort Yi's little Ninth Prince, Yin Tang, but her son!
Harigana's mood soured when she thought about how Emperor Kangxi now had eight sons and two daughters!
She turned her head and glared fiercely at Kangxi, immediately letting go of his sleeve. She wanted to move her buttocks away from him, but remembering that Physician Zhao was still there, she didn't move.
Emperor Kangxi thought that Harigana was angry because she had concealed her pregnancy, but he still carefully instructed Imperial Physician Zhao: "The Consort Chen just felt nauseous and wanted to vomit. Should she drink some herbal soup to regulate her body?"
Harigana also looked at Physician Zhao. She had been feeling quite unwell before Physician Zhao took her pulse, but all the nausea and dizziness disappeared after Physician Zhao told her that she was pregnant!
She couldn't be better now, and she even feels a little hungry!
"Your Majesty, the Empress's symptoms are those of morning sickness. The pregnancy is healthy. Unless absolutely necessary, this servant still believes it's best not to take any medicine!"
In the past, Doctor Zhao would have definitely prescribed some medicine for Harigana, even if he was sure there wouldn't be any problems, just to be on the safe side.
But now he dares not give Harigana any more medicine. This guy's health is really exceptionally good. Except for fainting after being stimulated, he really doesn't need any other supplements.
"Alright, when will the Imperial Concubine's morning sickness get better, and is there any way to alleviate it?"
When Kangxi heard that he didn't need to take medicine, he frowned slightly. However, all medicine has some side effects, so it's best not to take it. He suggested that Zhao Rongxi prepare some medicinal meals during this time to help him regulate his body through diet.
"Your Majesty, when the Empress experiences morning sickness, the only thing we can do is try to alleviate it by giving her some of the foods she wants to eat. There's nothing else we can do. After all, morning sickness isn't an illness, and medicine is useless in that case!"
Harigana looked at Kangxi with some doubt. He had so many children, how could he not know this basic common sense? Wasn't it said that Crown Prince Yinreng was raised by him personally? Surely he knew this!
Perhaps it was because Harigana's gaze was too direct, but Kangxi immediately understood her meaning. After quickly giving a few instructions to Physician Zhao, he dismissed him.
"Jiaojiao! Are you still feeling unwell? Do you want to lie down for a while longer?"
Emperor Kangxi was very attentive, only concerned with Harigana, and dared not ask any unnecessary questions, which made Harigana unable to make a fuss even if he wanted to.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
