Chapter 55 Wu Zetian is Pregnant
Good news came from the Eastern Palace—Consort Wu is pregnant.
When the news spread, reactions varied. Empress Zhangsun was naturally delighted and personally visited the Eastern Palace to see him, bestowing upon him many tonics and even specially transferring the best physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau to oversee the pregnancy.
Li Chengqian was overjoyed. This was his first child, a child of extraordinary significance. He ordered everyone in the Eastern Palace to take meticulous care of the child and personally went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to his ancestors.
Only Wu Zetian herself, after the initial joy, fell into a complex mix of emotions.
Pregnancy meant that for at least six months, she could not assist the Crown Prince in handling state affairs as before, could not participate in the daily management of the Eastern Palace, and could not even overexert herself. This was undoubtedly a challenge for her, who had just gained a foothold in the government.
What worried her even more was that the imperial physician diagnosed that the pregnancy was unstable and she needed to rest. This meant that she had to put aside all her affairs and focus on nurturing the fetus.
"Your Highness, now that I'm pregnant, who will organize the documents in the Eastern Palace? Who will check the accounts?" Wu Meiniang leaned against the couch, her voice filled with anxiety.
Li Chengqian held her hand and said gently, "You don't need to worry about these things. I will arrange for someone else to take care of them. Your most important task now is to get well and give me a healthy child."
That being said, Wu Zetian knew that power was like flowing water; once relinquished, it was difficult to regain. Those officials and female officials in the Eastern Palace, as well as Consorts Zheng, Lu, and Xiao—weren't they all waiting for their chance?
She has to find a way to maintain her influence while she is pregnant.
Wu Zetian thought of Wang Yi.
The immortal had just finished his "seclusion" and returned to Qixia Garden. More importantly, Wang Yi's body had been damaged by taking abortifacients in her early years, making it impossible for her to conceive in this lifetime. This meant she would not have her own children, posing the least threat to Wu Zetian.
Moreover, Wang Yi holds a superior position in the palace, is extremely knowledgeable, and is respected by the Crown Prince. If she could frequently visit Qixia Garden, she could not only rest peacefully during her pregnancy, but also learn from Wang Yi, and use Wang Yi's influence to ensure that the Crown Prince would not forget her.
A triple win.
Wu Meiniang proposed this idea to Li Chengqian: "Your Highness, I would like to frequently visit Qixia Garden to consult with the Immortal. The Immortal is knowledgeable and understands health preservation. With her guidance, it will be beneficial for a safe pregnancy. Moreover, the Immortal's place is quiet and suitable for nurturing the fetus."
Li Chengqian thought about it and agreed: "Alright, I'll accompany you to talk to the real person."
When the two arrived at Qixia Garden, Wang Yi was pruning a peony in the courtyard. Upon hearing that Wu Meiniang was pregnant, she put down the pruning shears and smiled, saying, "Congratulations, Consort Wu, and congratulations, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Master," Wu Meiniang bowed respectfully, "I am pregnant, and the imperial physician says I need to rest quietly. I thought that your place is peaceful and you are very learned, so I would like to trouble you for a while to ask you about the way of health preservation. Is that alright?"
Wang Yi looked at her swollen belly (though it wasn't obvious yet), a complex expression flashing in her eyes. She knew Wu Meiniang's thoughts and understood the calculations behind this request.
But she also knew that this was a reasonable request. It's perfectly understandable for a pregnant woman to want to rest in a quiet and comfortable environment and to seek advice from knowledgeable elders.
"You're too kind, Consort Wu." Wang Yi nodded. "Qixia Garden is indeed quiet. You're welcome to come anytime if you wish. However, my place is simple, and I'm afraid it might be inconvenient for you."
"You flatter me, Master. It is my honor to be able to learn from you," Wu Meiniang said sincerely.
Li Chengqian also spoke up: "Then I'll trouble you to take good care of Meiniang. She's young, this is her first pregnancy, and she doesn't know many things."
"Your Highness, rest assured," Wang Yi replied.
From that day on, Wu Zetian would spend half a day at Qixia Garden almost every day. Sometimes it was in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon, accompanied by palace maids and physicians, in Wang Yi's study or courtyard, where she would read, talk, or simply sit quietly.
Wang Yi took good care of her, preparing a soft couch and cushions, arranging light meals, and even personally preparing tea to help with pregnancy.
But Wu Zetian's purpose was not limited to this. She came to Qixia Garden to observe and learn from Wang Yi more deeply.
She noticed that although Wang Yi was gentle, he always maintained a sense of distance. That distance was not indifference, but a clear boundary—I know who you are, you know who I am, and maintaining this distance is good for both of us.
She noticed Wang Yi's efficiency and organization in handling affairs. Although Qixia Garden was quiet, palace servants delivered various documents every day—the progress of the compilation of medical classics by the Imperial Medical Bureau, the reports on new technology trials by the Imperial Workshop, the promotion of agricultural improvement by the Agricultural Improvement Department, etc. Wang Yi could always quickly browse through them, make clear comments, and then have them returned.
She observed the way Wang Yi interacted with Li Shimin. The emperor would occasionally visit Qixia Garden, sometimes for lunch, sometimes in the evening. When they were together, Wang Yi neither became overly intimate nor deliberately distant, maintaining a perfect balance. She would inquire about the emperor's health and discuss state affairs, but she never overstepped her bounds to interfere in politics.
Wu Meiniang silently kept all of this in her heart.
"Master," Wu Zetian asked casually one afternoon while sipping her prenatal tea, "how do you think a woman should maintain a peaceful state of mind during pregnancy?"
Wang Yi was reviewing a report on cement road maintenance when she looked up at the question: "Why do you ask that?"
"I've heard that a pregnant woman's anxiety can affect the fetus," Wu Meiniang said, gently stroking her belly. "But living in the palace, it's inevitable to overthink things, worrying about this and that..."
This was both the truth and a test. Wu Zetian wanted to know how Wang Yi would cope with the anxieties of pregnancy and the temporary loss of power.
Wang Yi put down his pen and looked at her earnestly: "Consort Wu, you are pregnant. The most important thing now is to focus on your pregnancy. As for other matters..."
She paused, then continued, "What's meant to be yours will eventually be yours. What's not meant to be yours, you can't force it. What you need to do now is take good care of yourself and your child. Once your child is born safely and grows up healthy, you'll naturally have the time and energy to do what you want to do."
These words were very practical and insightful. Wu Meiniang understood their deeper meaning—Wang Yi was telling her not to rush things, but to take a long-term view.
"What you say is true," Wu Meiniang nodded, "but sometimes I still can't help but worry..."
“It’s normal to be worried,” Wang Yi smiled. “But you must trust His Highness the Crown Prince, trust Her Majesty the Empress, and trust… your own abilities. You are a woman of intelligence, and you will not lose your rightful place just because of a few months of recuperation.”
These words gave Wu Zetian immense comfort. She was indeed worried that Li Chengqian would turn to others while she was pregnant. She worried that the affairs of the Eastern Palace would be taken over by Consort Zheng and Consort Lu. She worried that the influence she had painstakingly built would gradually dissipate.
But Wang Yi's words reminded her—her intelligence was her asset, and it wouldn't disappear just because she was pregnant. As long as she could give birth safely and recover her health, she could take everything back.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master," Wu Meiniang said sincerely.
From then on, Wu Zetian felt more relaxed in Qixia Garden. She no longer merely observed and imitated, but truly began to learn from Wang Yi.
She asked Wang Yi how to handle complex interpersonal relationships, how to balance the interests of all parties, and how to exert influence without arousing suspicion.
Wang Yi's answers were always pragmatic and insightful: "In this palace, the most solid foundation is not power, but trust. Gaining His Majesty's trust, the Crown Prince's trust, and the Empress's trust is more important than anything else."
"To gain trust, one must first be trustworthy. One must keep one's word, act with moderation, be neither greedy nor envious, and never overstep boundaries or transgress rules."
"Secondly, you must have real skills and knowledge. Only when you can solve problems and provide value will others need you and respect you."
Finally, you must learn to make choices. Know what to fight for and what to yield. Sometimes, taking a step back is to take two steps forward.
Wu Zetian kept these words in mind. She began to reflect on her previous actions—had she been too hasty? Had she been too assertive? Had she forgotten to give while striving for what she wanted?
She began to adjust. She became more humble in front of the officials of the Eastern Palace; more friendly in front of the other concubines; and more considerate in front of Li Chengqian.
She also indirectly participated in some affairs through Wang Yi. For example, when Wang Yi reviewed reports on agricultural improvement, he would ask for her opinion; when reviewing chapters of medical texts, he would ask her to help proofread; and even when discussing maritime trade plans, he would solicit her opinion.
Although she only participated indirectly, it was enough for Wu Zetian to stay informed about the political situation and for Li Chengqian to know that even while she was pregnant, she still cared about national affairs.
More importantly, Wu Meiniang discovered that she felt a strange sense of security when she was with Wang Yi. It was like a drifting ship finding a harbor, where she could temporarily let down her guard and schemes and simply exist quietly.
Once, she fell asleep on the soft couch. When she woke up, she found herself covered with a thin blanket, and Wang Yi was sitting not far away reading a book. The afternoon sun shone through the window and fell on her, quiet and warm.
At that moment, Wu Meiniang suddenly felt a lump in her throat. She thought of her mother, her father who had died young, and the days when she had to be careful and cautious at every step.
With Wang Yi, she could briefly return to being an ordinary pregnant woman being cared for.
"Awake?" Wang Yi noticed the movement and looked up. "Did you sleep well?"
"Very good." Wu Meiniang sat up. "Has the real person always been here?"
"I've been reading for a while." Wang Yi closed the book. "The physician just came by and said your pregnancy is stabilizing, which is a good thing."
Wu Meiniang gently stroked her belly, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her. This child was both her guarantee in the Eastern Palace and her Achilles' heel. She both anticipated the child's birth and worried about the risks during childbirth, and even more so about how she would balance her roles as a mother and a concubine after the child's arrival.
“Real person,” she suddenly asked, “how do you think a woman can maintain her individuality after having a child?”
This was a very personal question, but Wang Yi did not shy away from it. She paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Having a child will give you another identity—a mother. But this identity should not completely replace your original one. You are still you, Wu Meiniang, the Crown Prince's consort, and a woman of talent and wisdom."
"You need to learn to allocate your time and energy. Your child needs you, but you also need your own space and your own pursuits. Only a happy and fulfilled mother can raise a healthy and happy child."
“Most importantly,” Wang Yi looked at her, “don’t give up your own growth just because you have a child. Mothers and children should grow together and help each other succeed.”
These words struck a chord with Wu Zetian. She was indeed worried that having a child would confine her to the inner quarters, depriving her of the opportunity to participate in politics and the platform to showcase her talents.
But Wang Yi's words gave her confidence—she could do both. She could be a good mother, and she could be a capable concubine.
"I understand," Wu Meiniang said solemnly. "Thank you for your guidance, Master."
As time passed, Wu Meiniang's belly gradually grew larger. She spent more and more time in Qixia Garden, and her relationship with Wang Yi became increasingly intimate.
Sometimes they would stroll together in the courtyard, discussing poetry and literature; sometimes they would read together in the study, exchanging views on historical events; sometimes they would simply do their own things quietly, yet there was a tacit understanding in their companionship.
Li Chengqian would occasionally visit Wu Meiniang at Qixia Garden. Seeing that she looked healthy and happy with Wang Yi, he felt much more at ease.
"The real person takes very good care of Meiniang," Li Chengqian once said to Wang Yi.
“It’s because Wu Liangyuan knows how to take care of herself,” Wang Yi smiled. “She’s a smart woman; she knows what’s good for herself and the children.”
"That's a fair point," Li Chengqian nodded. He looked at Wu Meiniang, who was pruning flowers not far away, and suddenly said, "She sometimes reminds me of when you were young... Of course, you're not old now."
Wang Yi's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm: "Your Highness is joking. Consort Wu is young and energetic, I can't compare to her."
Li Chengqian seemed to realize he had misspoke and changed the subject. But Wu Meiniang, who was pruning flowers in the distance, paused slightly.
She heard it.
She already knew that secret, that unspoken thought that even Li Chengqian himself might not fully understand. And now, Li Chengqian had inadvertently revealed it.
Wu Zetian continued pruning the flower branches, her movements steady, but her heart was filled with turmoil.
She knew she could never completely replace Wang Yi in Li Chengqian's heart. But so what? She didn't need to replace her; she only needed to become indispensable.
Wang Yi is the white moonlight, the bright moon hanging high in the sky. But what Wu Meiniang wants to do is to provide tangible warmth by Li Chengqian's side.
Cutting off a peony in full bloom, Wu Meiniang turned to Li Chengqian and Wang Yi with a bright smile on her face: "Your Highness, Your Excellency, this peony is blooming so beautifully."
Li Chengqian accepted the flowers, his eyes full of tenderness: "They are indeed beautiful. Meiniang, you must be tired, sit down and rest."
Wu Meiniang sat down as instructed, and Wang Yi handed her a cup of warm tea. The three of them sat around the stone table in the courtyard, where a spring breeze carried the fragrance of flowers.
At this moment, everything seemed harmonious and beautiful. But only the three of them knew the turmoil in their hearts.
Wu Zetian gently stroked her belly, feeling the baby's movements, and silently said to her unborn child: "My child, may you be born safely. Your mother will create a bright future for you and for herself."
In that future, there is Li Chengqian's empire, her place, and... role models and guides like Wang Yi.
As the sun set, Wu Meiniang took her leave and returned to the Eastern Palace. Wang Yi saw her to the door, watching her retreating figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
This young woman is intelligent, ambitious, and adept at learning and concealing her true nature. What will her future hold? What will become of the child in her womb? All of this will influence the future of the Tang Dynasty.
And what role should Wang Yi play in this game?
She didn't know. All she knew was that she was already too deeply involved to extricate herself. She could only continue on, with no turning back once she made her move.
As night fell, the lights in Qixia Garden came on. Wang Yi returned to her study and continued her work.
The game of chess continued, and she added another piece to her hand—the unborn child.
Yes, she is pregnant again.
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