Chapter 110 Concubine Yun is pregnant
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan, far from flinching, became even more furious, as if genuinely speaking up for the Yun family. "Your Majesty! Even if we ignore Duke Yun's merits and demerits, what about Yun Zhao? She's been diligently working in the palace for the past six months, commanding six bureaus. Even if she hasn't contributed much, she's certainly worked hard, right? Why are you expelling her from the capital as well? Isn't this a chilling move?"
Xiao Jin leaned against the dragon throne, his expression indifferent, as if discussing a trivial matter. His tone even carried a hint of deliberate indifference. "She wants to leave, so I will grant her her wish and give her freedom. Isn't this what she has always wanted? Why, Fifth Brother, do you have a problem with this?"
His tone suddenly changed, becoming sharp and full of temptation. His seemingly lifeless eyes "looked" at Xiao Yan: "What's more, the 200,000 troops in the northern border are still in Yunfeng's hands. I haven't figured out how to safely recover them... Fifth brother, you are always resourceful. Do you have any good plans?"
Xiao Yan's heart trembled, and he asked cautiously, "Brother Emperor... have you found someone to replace you in guarding the border?"
Xiao Jin's fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrest as he offered two options, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what to eat for lunch: "Ah Heng goes? Or... you go? Or, does Fifth Brother have someone more suitable in mind?"
Xiao Yan immediately rejected these two proposals in his mind.
Jin Wang Xiao Heng, known for his free-spirited nature, was definitely not the right person for the job. Furthermore, there was no way he could leave the capital, the seat of power, for the bitter cold of the frontier at this moment. A look of embarrassment crossed his face. "Your Majesty, I'm afraid neither I nor Ah Heng could handle this important task. Ah Heng is unruly and dislikes restraint. Meanwhile, I'm still in the capital, commanding the Imperial Envoy and protecting the capital's borders, and I'm not able to split my time between them..."
"If that's the case, then let's leave it at that for now." Xiao Jin seemed to have exhausted all his patience. He waved his hand wearily, his voice thick with weariness. "You can leave now. I'm tired and need to rest."
At this moment, Zhang Fuan hurried in with a panicked look on his face, his voice filled with deliberate anxiety: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Concubine Yun suddenly vomited uncontrollably, it seems to be an emergency! I have hurriedly summoned the imperial physician to treat her, please..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jin suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, his face instantly filled with worry and nervousness. He said hurriedly, "How could this be?! Hurry up and get ready! I want to go right away!"
He stretched out his hand and groped to grab Zhang Fuan's arm. His steps even seemed a little unsteady and he relied entirely on Zhang Fuan's support as he hurried out.
Xiao Yan watched this scene coldly, taking in Xiao Jin's seemingly genuine anxiety, his "favor" for Concubine Yun, and his unconcealable "sickly" body. The doubts in his heart seemed to dissipate a little - these reactions did not seem fake.
…
After leaving Yanying Palace, Xiao Yan did not return home, but went straight to Ci'an Palace.
Empress Dowager Zhou had already dismissed her attendants, leaving only mother and son in the palace. Upon seeing her son, her face was filled with unconcealed excitement and anticipation: "Yan'er, the time has come! I had no choice but to push him onto the throne to protect you. Now, it's time to take back what originally belonged to you!"
Xiao Yan's eyes were no longer concealed, burning with naked ambition and desire. He lowered his voice and said firmly, "Don't worry, mother. Everything is under control. It will be within a few days! As long as the rumors outside the palace get louder, it will be time for us to take action. You only need to wait patiently in Ci'an Palace for good news."
"I understand!" A fierce and resolute light flashed in Empress Dowager Zhou's eyes, and her voice was like a poisoned ice blade. "If he is sensible and willing to write a letter of abdication, we will leave his body intact. If he refuses... then don't blame us for being ruthless and sending him to his death!"
Xiao Yan grumbled, a determined sneer on his face. "Don't worry, mother. I've been planning for years, and everything is foolproof! This day... I've waited so long! Back then, I thought the emperor would favor me, but I never imagined... that loser would get the upper hand!"
At the mention of the past, Empress Dowager Zhou's face instantly twisted, filled with years of resentment and jealousy. She gritted her teeth and said, "What else could it be? It's that vixen of his! Besides flirting and seducing the emperor, what else can she do?! He raised such a good-for-nothing, and the late emperor treated her like a treasure! If that bitch hadn't died early, how could we, mother and son, be the ones lording it over this harem now?!"
Xiao Yan stepped forward and gently grasped Empress Dowager Zhou's slightly trembling hand. He spoke soothingly, his words filled with promises for the future: "Mother, there's no need to dwell on the past. Soon, the most honorable position of Empress Dowager will be yours! Only you are worthy of sitting at the pinnacle of this harem!"
"My son is so considerate! That useless wolf that can't be tamed should have died early!"
…
Inside the Zhaixing Tower, the warm fragrance was rich, but it could not conceal the subtle tension in the atmosphere.
Concubine Yun lay weakly on the brocade couch, her face as pale as paper, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she was suffering from great discomfort.
The imperial physician held his breath and concentrated, pressing his fingertips lightly on her wrist pulse, examining it carefully.
Xiao Jin sat upright on a chair not far away, his face calm and expressionless, only his knuckles resting on the armrest, exerting a little force, revealed a subtle hint of concern.
After a long moment, the imperial physician finally withdrew, rose, and knelt respectfully on the ground, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Concubine Yun is pregnant! Although it's still young, less than a month, the pulse is as smooth as a pearl, indicating a dragon baby without a doubt! However, your pregnancy is still young, and the fetus is not stable yet. You need to rest and recuperate, and avoid any overexertion or disturbance."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jin's face lit up with an almost exaggerated, sudden ecstasy. He abruptly stood up. "Good! Good! Good!" He said "good" three times in a row, his voice resonant and full of pride. "Zhang Fuan! Draft an edict immediately and announce it to the world! I—have an heir!"
He seemed overjoyed. He paced back and forth in the hall for a few steps and quickly issued a series of orders: "Come here! Quickly spread this great news to the six palaces! Inform everyone that Concubine Yun is pregnant with a dragon offspring, which is a blessing for the country. Everyone in the palace must serve her attentively. If you are negligent in the slightest, I will not forgive you!"
He seemed to suddenly remember something and emphasized his tone, "Oh, right! You must go to the Cining Palace in person and report this matter in detail to the Empress Dowager! Let her also share in this joyous celebration!"
After saying this, he strode to the side of the couch, leaning over to look at Concubine Yun, whose eyes were wide with surprise. His tone was unprecedentedly gentle and praiseful: "My beloved concubine is indeed a very blessed person! You have made great contributions to me and to the country of Daye! I have been on the throne for nearly four years, and have always been criticized by the court and the public for having no children. Today, I am finally free from this! Good! It is really good!"
He became happier and happier as he spoke, and shouted, "Look at the rewards! Huge rewards! Everyone serving in Zhaixing Tower today will receive a reward!"
His excitement was palpable. He rubbed his hands together, and as if remembering something extremely important, he spoke in a firm tone, "Draft an imperial decree! Concubine Yun is gentle and virtuous, and today she is pregnant and has done a great service. This is deeply comforting to me, so I will promote her to the rank of Concubine Yun! When she safely gives birth to an imperial heir, whether it's a prince or a princess, I will immediately promote her to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort!"
Ah Yun was so overwhelmed by the endless stream of favors that came her way that she felt dizzy. A blush crept onto her pale face. She struggled to stand up and express her gratitude, her voice soft and feeble: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I, your concubine, thank you for your grace..."
Xiao Jin quickly reached out and pressed lightly, saying in a doting tone, "My beloved, please don't move! Lie down and rest peacefully. This is your top priority!"
His face was filled with a satisfied smile. "I will dine here with you tonight. Now that the King of Qin is governing the country for me, I have a lot of free time, so I can spend more time with you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
