The Empress Dowager couldn't understand it, but that didn't stop her from feeling extremely regretful. If she had known it would turn out this way, she should have given him that red gold "Harmony and Auspiciousness" hairpin!
"The emperor is probably blaming me for this."
Zhu Xi comforted him, "His Majesty is the most filial son, how could he possibly take his anger out on you?"
That's what they said, but Zhu Xi also understood that the Empress Dowager's concerns were not unfounded. That string of thousand-eyed Bodhi beads was a gift from the Empress Dowager to Consort Cheng.
Besides reminding Consort Cheng to behave herself, the intention was also to remind the Emperor to value family ties. It was hoped that the Emperor would have compassion and forgive the Fourteenth Prince.
Who could have imagined that such a thing would happen? Given the Emperor's temperament, he already harbored resentment towards the Empress Dowager, and now this situation is likely to worsen the situation even further.
Although no one dared to openly criticize the Empress Dowager, they still had to find a way to shift the blame and avoid affecting the mother-son relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor...
Zhu Xi said, "Your Majesty, in fact, Consort Cheng's pregnancy was originally unstable, so you don't need to worry too much."
“You’ve forgotten that the Huan Yi Incense burns in Consort Hua’s palace every day. Consort Cheng visited Yikun Palace quite a few times before, so it was highly likely that this pregnancy would not be able to be saved from the beginning.”
The Empress Dowager was incredibly astute. Upon hearing Zhu Xi's words, she suddenly realized and said, "I had forgotten about this matter."
"In that case, this might not be such a bad thing after all."
Zhu Xi said, "Yes, if the fetus is attacked by musk, even if it is born by chance, it will most likely be damaged."
"It's better to have a problem child and bring shame to the royal family than to have one like this now."
"Amitabha"
The Empress Dowager clasped her hands together, her expression utterly compassionate.
"You're right. I just hope the emperor can figure these things out soon."
"I am already old enough to be buried up to my neck. Even if I have selfish desires, all I ask for is for my children to be by my side."
"Why doesn't the emperor understand?"
Zhu Xi said, "His Majesty will understand."
"Forgive my bluntness, but you are the person in the world who deserves the most carefree life. With the Empress in the harem, you don't need to worry about anything, and the Emperor will definitely consider your feelings."
The Empress Dowager sighed deeply, thinking of her youngest son who was imprisoned in the imperial mausoleum, and the Uya and Ulanara clans who had no successors.
She said helplessly, "How can I possibly be at ease!"
*
Sun Miaoqing pretended to lie down for her period; if you're going to fake being sick, you have to act like you're faking it.
Physician Lu had already prepared a prescription for her. After taking it, her pulse would become weak and shallow, her complexion would be pale and bloodless.
Ordinary imperial physicians, judging solely from her pulse, would only conclude that she had lost too much blood and was physically weak; they would not be able to discern anything else unless she said so.
There's only one downside: after taking this medicine, your spleen and stomach will be relatively weak for a period of time, and you can't eat anything oily or greasy, otherwise you'll vomit everything you eat.
Sun Miaoqing felt that her pale complexion was entirely due to hunger!
Sure enough, after only two sips of chicken soup, she couldn't help but vomit again. Sun Miaoqing weakly waved her hand.
"Take it away, take it away."
"This taste is so cloying."
Rose glanced at the almost untouched chicken soup in the bowl, which was now as clear as water. Why couldn't she drink it?
"Your Majesty, please drink a little bit. The oil on the chicken soup has been filtered twice with paper, but you still can't drink it. How can your body take it?"
Sun Miaoqing said, "From now on, we'll send up some congee and tofu, but we'll have to wait a while longer for chicken soup."
Sun Miaoqing turned her head to the side, out of sight, out of mind. Having eaten vegetarian food for the past few days, what difference was there between her and a nun...?
"I have truly suffered greatly this time!"
There was a noise at the door, and Liuli walked in excitedly, her mouth agape.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived! When I came, his carriage was already at the palace gate!"
Sun Miaoqing said indifferently, "So what if they come? What's there to be happy about?"
"Am I supposed to get out of bed, put on makeup, and fawn over him to win his favor?"
"He wasn't there when I wanted to see him, so what's the point of coming here now!"
Liuli's smile turned awkward; she didn't know whether to smile or stop.
Is Your Majesty getting too caught up in the drama? Do you really believe that the Emperor caused you to miscarry...?
Just as Liuli was about to say something, she heard a noise behind her. She turned around and saw the emperor and his entourage behind her. She quickly knelt down to pay her respects.
"This servant greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
"Get up."
Big Fat Orange was carried in; there was no other way, as his leg injury hadn't fully healed, and the imperial physician said he couldn't walk on the ground.
Just a few steps behind Liuli, she overheard Sun Miaoqing's last words.
The chubby orange cat, already feeling guilty, immediately considered turning around and leaving, if Liuli hadn't called it out.
Several eunuchs carried him inside. Without even a glance, Su Peisheng took the servants around him and led them out.
Big Fatty Orange's eyes were filled with guilt and sorrow. It was the first time he had ever seen Sun Miaoqing so silent and heartbroken.
The two sat facing each other in silence for a long time before the chubby orange cat, as if giving in, finally spoke.
"You've lost a lot of weight..."
"The matter of the child... is my fault. Once you have recovered, we can have another child."
Sun Miaoqing looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, and said with a wronged expression,
"It is my lack of good fortune. The imperial physician said that I have damaged my health and will not be able to conceive again for at least three to five years."
[In TV dramas, nine out of ten emperors only say this: Don't you know how old you are? You're almost fifty! Do you think I can have children by the time I'm healthy enough?!]
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