Feng Yu Jiu Tian - Volume 16 - Chapter 7.1

Tong Kingdom.

In the Tong An Courtyard of Eldest Prince Qing Li.

“Ugh…” A disgusting sour taste rose in Zhang Liu’s chest. She couldn’t help bending over once again and vomiting violently.

The maidservants hurried forward with their bronze basins to contain the bile. Shi Min anxiously patted the princess’s back while asking toward the people outside, “Is the imperial physician here yet?”

“Don’t worry, I must have simply eaten something bad.” After vomiting everything in her stomach, Zhang Liu weakly raised her pale face.

“Princess, you can’t be careless. It doesn’t look like you’ve eaten something bad.” Shi Min shook her head in displeasure. As she picked up an embroidered kerchief to carefully wipe her sweat, she nagged at her, “This servant doesn’t mean to speak badly of the Princess, but Your Highness, you treat yourself so carelessly. You had no appetite a few days ago, we should have gone to the imperial physician right then, but you insisted that it was only because you’d drank cold water at night, it’s too troublesome so we mustn’t make a scene. You also vomited yesterday, but kept insisting that you had only eaten something bad. Look now, you’ve vomited until you turned so pale…”

“Enough,” Zhang Liu smiled bitterly, “How long are you going to keep talking? I’m already in this state, but you’re still lecturing me.” Her face suddenly went tense.

Shi Min knew this was a bad sign and hurriedly turned to exclaim, “Get the bronze basin here, and some clean cloth…” Before she could finish her words, Zhang Liu had doubled over again with a hand pressed onto her chest, regurgitating everything that she had eaten that afternoon.

The sour scent of bile spread across the room.

As she kept watching, Shi Min began having suspicions. After the maidservants had cleaned things up, she ordered them out and brought a cup of warm water to serve Zhang Liu herself. In a low voice, she whispered, “Princess…”

“Nn?”

“This servant has been watching the Princess vomit so much, could it be…” Shi Min hesitated.

“Could it be what?”

“Could it be… you’re pregnant?”

Zhang Liu paused and looked at Shi Min in surprise. After a while, a look of loneliness entered her eyes as she smiled bitterly, “How could it be? Ever since that vixen entered the residence, Qing Li had clung to her every day for three months. This… Is it something I can accomplish by myself…”

Shi Min thought this was reasonable and sighed, but she suddenly recalled one thing.

“That might not be the case.” She raised her face and spoke with a tense look, “Has Your Highness forgotten about that incident last month? Prince Qing Li had been drinking that day and came in the middle of the night, so intoxicated that he couldn’t even recognize anyone. Your Highness, you had already gone to sleep that night, and was startled by His Highness too. That night, didn’t you…”

Zhang Liu looked uncertain, but there was a light flush on her cheeks. She spoke softly, “How could it be? When we first married, there had been a time when we often stayed together. At the time, the king had been anxious to have a grandchild and Qing Li had given me such tenderness every night, but we never had any good news. This time, it’s just a coincidence, it’s…” Her face turned gloomy, “Right now, he only has that Shang Yi in his heart. Even if he were to become the king in the future, I’m afraid the first thing he would do is to get rid of me, his wife. This situation is completely different from the past. Even if I gave birth to a child for him, I’m afraid that this child would only have a difficult life ahead.”

When she recalled her difficult situation, she couldn’t stop the flow of her tears.

Shi Min knew that her words were true, that such an occurrence was much too uncommon. Moreover, that vixen Shang Yi had enchanted Qing Li until he lost his reason, what difference would a pregnancy make? She wiped her own tears along with Zhang Liu.

After crying silently for a while, Zhang Liu forced out a smile, “Don’t cry. There’s no salvation for this problem, crying for him is a waste of tears. But the banquet last night has shown me Duke Ming’s integrity and competence. He truly is an outstanding person. Even his bearing and experience are beyond comparison with other influential officials. The most comforting thing for me right now is the fact that I’ve formed an alliance with him. That’s right, has he sent anyone to contact us?”

“Not yet so far.” Shi Min wasn’t an inexperienced girl, so when she saw that the princess was no longer wallowing in her pain, she also put away her sadness. Her expression turned cautious as she looked out the window to make sure nobody was eavesdropping, and replied, “This servant has stationed someone trustworthy at the small entrance to the courtyard, waiting for Duke Ming’s people.”

“Nobody will find out, right?”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. The Xiao family steward in charge of this issue is an extremely careful person. We’ve already discussed beforehand, if Duke Ming sent his people here, they will report that my cousin Shi Yue has come to ask for me. When I receive the news, I will go to wait at the Fu He Gate. My cousin Shi Yue is a counsellor at Yong Yin, he has also come here in the past. If we use his name, nobody will be suspicious.”

Zhang Liu’s worries were eased by those words. She slowly raised her face and sighed, “I hope Duke Ming contacts us soon, so I can properly report the things with Qing Li recently. Heavens, please bless Duke Ming so he can leave Tong Kingdom safely, please don’t let him meet any misfortune in Tong Kingdom. Otherwise, not only would the imperial kinsmen of Tong Kingdom be met with trouble, even Rong Tian and the Xiao family, and even Zhao Bei might not be let off.” She clasped her hands together and gracefully turned her face upward, closing her eyes in silent prayer toward the heavens. Out of everyone, Shi Min understood Zhang Liu’s difficult situation best. As the Princess of Zhao Bei and Qing Li’s unloved wife, the imperial kinsmen of both Tong Kingdom and Zhao Bei were related closely to her. If Qing Li had committed any fault, she would definitely be affected too.

But now she was secretly forming an alliance with Qing Li’s enemy, Duke Ming. If Qing Li were to find out, this would most definitely be an unforgivable betrayal.

She was in such a precarious position. Her only hope was successfully forming an alliance with Feng Ming to foil Qing Li’s assassination plans, while also making sure Qing Li didn’t know that his own wife had exchanged information with his enemy.

Such a flawless end result could only happen with the heavens’ blessings.

Shi Min assured her, “Don’t worry, Your Highness, we’ve tried our best to protect Duke Ming. Besides, Prince He Di is currently living in Tong An Courtyard. He is Duke Ming’s ally too, he will definitely help him. In any case, Prince Qing Li is only charmed by that vixen temporarily. After Duke Ming has safely left, we’ll deal with that vixen. In the future, Prince Qing Li will understand Your Highness’s efforts, and will be grateful that you’ve stopped him from committing such a grave mistake.”

Zhang Liu said softly, “If only that were the case.”

The sound of movement came from outside. A maidservant’s voice was heard, “Your Highness [1], the imperial physician is here.”

Shi Min was a maidservant that Zhang Liu had brought from Zhao Bei, so she was used to addressing her as ‘Princess’. But in Tong Kingdom, her most important status was Qing Li’s princess consort.

“Come in.” After Zhang Liu finished her prayers, she lowered the hands clasped in front of her chest. Before the imperial physician entered and carefully paid his obeisance to her, Zhang Liu had removed all traces of worry from her face and gracefully nodded at him, telling him to forego the courtesy. “I feel no great discomfort, I simply can’t stomach my food too well, the maidservants are worrying for nothing. Please give me a quick examination, so they will stop nagging at me.”

The imperial physician nodded. “Yes, please allow me to check the Princess Consort’s pulse.”

The maidservants brought a small pillow for her to rest her wrist. The imperial physician came forward and carefully felt her pulse. Everyone else was fine, but Zhang Liu and Shi Min, because they had mentioned the possibility of pregnancy earlier, were quite concerned.

Seeing the furrow in between the imperial physician’s brows, as if he had encountered a great problem, even those who weren’t concerned became anxious.

After holding herself back for a while, Shi Min asked in a soft voice, “Imperial Physician, what is the problem with our princess?”

The imperial physician remained silent, his face fully focused. He tilted his head and continued feeling the pulse for a moment. Then he finally raised his face, as if he had confirmed something, and met Zhang Liu and Shi Min’s questioning eyes.

“What is it?” Even Zhang Liu couldn’t help speaking up.

“Congratulations to the Princess Consort, you have been blessed with a pregnancy.” The imperial physician exhaled, an emotional smile spreading on his serious face, “Joyous news for Prince Qing Li! Joyous news for the Princess Consort! Joyous news for Tong Kingdom!”

Shi Min and Zhang Liu couldn’t help looking at each other.

They had somehow guessed right.

During this time of cold neglect, she had borne the child of Tong Kingdom’s crown prince.

They didn’t even know whether to be shocked or happy…

The maidservants around them immediately erupted with joy.

“The Princess Consort is pregnant!”

“Congratulations, Your Highness! Such joy for Her Highness!”

“Hurry, hurry! Send someone to tell Prince Qing Li this great news…”

“Right, right! This servant will go right away.”

A few maidservants took the order and immediately ran out in a swirl of skirts.

But Qing Li wasn’t in his own chambers.

After eating his lunch, he seemed a bit anxious, and went to visit the guest currently living in his residence. He never would have expected to be stopped by He Di’s underlings in his own home.

“Sorry, Prince Qing Li, our prince is currently unable to meet guests.”

“Unable to meet guests?” Qing Li looked surprised. “Could it be… Prince He Di has fallen ill?” Despite his hatred for Feng Ming, he actually cared about his ally He Di and couldn’t help showing some worry on his face.

Since this morning, his head had been hurting. While frowning in pain, Qing Li asked, “Was he worn out by the banquet last night? I heard that Prince He Di works extremely hard with his official businesses and had also met with Feng Ming’s… whatever special envoy late last night. He can’t… that… fall ill.” He was only speaking a few sentences, but he somehow spoke them so inarticulately.

Looking at that complexion and expression, the one who was feeling unwell should be Qing Li.

Kong Liu, who was standing in front of him, looked at him in astonishment, but he immediately regained his unruffled look, “Prince Qing Li, rest assured, our prince is very healthy. But the prince is currently in a period of praying to the Sea God, so he must rest quietly to recuperate.”

Qing Li only made a soft ‘oh’ in response after a long time. He seemed really out of it, asking sluggishly, “Praying to the sea god?”

“This is a ritual among us pir… oh, our Dan Lin people. It’s very sacred and effective.”

“Prince He Di is…”

“There is an important business for which the prince needs the Sea God’s blessing. At the moment, he truly can’t sit down to chat with Prince Qing Li. Please accept our apologies. Also,” Kong Liu spoke straightforwardly, “Our Kingdom has a tradition. In order to express their sincerity to the gods, the people in prayer must not indulge in sexual intercourse or consume liquor and meat. All these,” he pointed at the large jars of fine liquor and the newly-picked young girls of Tong Kingdom, and smiled, “I’d have to ask Your Highness to take them back.”

“Oh…” With the two to three attendants standing around him, Qing Li stood in front of the steps and looked inside in a daze. His head hurt so much, as if it was about to burst. It felt like if he were to think about anything, his head would throb until his ears were ringing.

Qing Li raised his face to look at the sun. The blinding light made his sight turn white. Today, everything seemed to be going against his wishes. He frowned. Shang Yi had a weak physique, after attending last night’s banquet, she had fallen ill immediately upon returning. He had gotten used to taking Shang Yi’s sedative drug daily. Now, he had only missed it for one day, but his head hurt so much.

He originally intended to finish the negotiations with He Di earlier so he could obtain those weapons, but…

“His Highness is here!”

“Found him.”

At some point, the ringing in his ears was joined by some women’s sickening exclamations.

“What’s the ruckus?” With a vicious glare, Qing Li turned around and howled.

The maidservants, who were hurrying to spread the good news, had finally found him after much effort, and were startled. Their smiling faces turned pale. All of them recoiled slightly, “Your Highness, please don’t be angry. These servants are…”

“Are what?” When he recognized the maidservants’ faces, Qing Li became even more upset, “Aren’t you Zhang Liu’s maidservants? Why would you come here for no reason? I feel irritated just from looking at you all, what has Zhang Liu done now? I knew it, she won’t be happy if she doesn’t cause me trouble for a day, hmph.”

The joyous excitement was immediately ruined by his resentful and irritated words.

The maidservants said timidly, “Reporting to Your Highness, the princess consort is pregnant.”

In that instance, the courtyard fell into silence.

Qing Li was speechless for a moment and asked, as if in disbelief, “Who did you say is pregnant?”

“The princess consort…”

Qing Li was stunned. His gaze was beginning to show some changes. If this had happened in the past, he would have taken Shang Yi’s drug the moment he woke up, so he might not react too much. But the heavens were merciful. Shang Yi happened to have fallen ill last night and only fell asleep at dawn. She had always kept her drugs in a secret place, not even Qing Li knew where she kept them. Even though he had gotten used to taking the drug every day, he couldn’t bring himself to disturb his beloved beauty in her sleep.

At the moment, despite the pain in his head, his mind was much clearer than it ever was.

“Zhang Liu… is pregnant?” His voice was soft, uncertain, eyes wandering, gazing beyond the gate of the courtyard.

The maidservants believed that no matter how much he spoiled the new beauty, he must still be happy that his wife was pregnant, because it was his own blood and flesh, after all. Seeing his current state, the maidservants looked at each other and replied carefully in a low voice, “That’s right, Your Highness. The princess consort has been feeling unwell recently and often felt nauseous. The imperial physician has checked on her, she really is pregnant, it has been confirmed. Congratulations, Your Highness.”

Pregnant?

Congratulations!

Qing Li’s mind was in a daze, as if there was a gigantic shadow covering up everything. He struggled to form his thoughts, but his head was suddenly engulfed in a searing pain.

“Ugh…” Qing Li cradled his own head.

“Your Highness! Your Highness!” The attendants were startled and hurried to support Qing Li.

After a while of gasping for breath, Qing Li opened his eyes with a frown. His face was filled with surprise and bewilderment, “My head hurts so much…” he murmured, “A simpleton will marvel at the most common things. I’m going to see Shang Yi.”

The people at his side had changed quite a bit after Shang Yi’s arrival, but there were still a few attendants who had stayed with him for a long time. Seeing his confusion, which was unlike the cruel conceited look that had always been on his face recently, they became hopeful and couldn’t help urging him, “Your Highness, the princess consort is pregnant, it’s a joyous occasion, shouldn’t you… pay a visit to the princess consort?”

“Pay a visit to the princess consort?” As if he had been hypnotized, Qing Li repeated those words in a murmur.

“Your Highness, please pay a visit to the princess consort. You’re going to have a child.”

“Have a child…”

“That’s right, Your Highness, the princess consort is waiting for you. You’re going to be a father.” They were still frowning, but Zhang Liu’s maidservants could see that this was a great opportunity for their lady to regain the prince’s favor. Taking advantage of Qing Li’s unprotesting state, they urged him toward Princess Zhang Liu’s courtyard.

Have a son?

He’s going to be a father?

Qing Li slowly moved his gaze to his feet. It felt as if there were dozens of sharp rocks in his head, pricking him and causing so much pain. Where was Shang Yi? He jolted violently. The path toward Zhang Liu’s courtyard in front of him felt so foreign that it was frightening. He turned to search for another way.

As he hesitated, the charming and gentle voices next to him entered his ears.

“Your Highness, please move, the princess consort is waiting.”

“Oh…” His head, hurt so much.

The Tong Kingdom.

Inside Tong An Courtyard of Qing Li the crown prince of the Tong Kingdom.

“Vomit…” a burst of bad sour acid poured out of the pit of her stomach, Chang Liu can’t help but bend over again, threw up hard.

The maids quickly hold the bronze basin to catch the acid thing, Shi Min anxiously caressed the princess’ back again and again, and asks out, “is the imperial doctor here?”

“Do not worry, maybe i just eat the wrong thing.” Chang Liu spits out the contents of her stomach cleanly and raises her pale face weakly.

“Princess must not careless, this servant think it’s about eating the wrong things.” Shi Min shakes her head with dissatisfaction, while wiping the towel to wipe her sweat carefully, she’s nagging, “it’s not that this servant dare to say that Princess is wrong, but Princess doesn’t care too much of her own, when Princess was lazy to eat things a few days ago, I should’ve gone to an imperial doctor at that time, but the princess said she drank cold water at night, she thought it was troublesome and kept quiet, then vomited once yesterday, she said her stomach was bad but it’s good now and all of a sudden she vomited that her face turned pale… ”

“All right,” Chang Liu smiles bitterly and says, “how long are you going to complain? I have already like this, you still have to teach me.” Her face suddenly froze.

Shi Min knew it was bad, she quickly turns around and shouts, “bring me the bronze basin and clean soft towels…” before she has finished, Chang Liu suddenly bowed down, the slender palm pressed against her chest and painfully vomits all the food she had eaten at noon.

The room smell of sour vomit.

The more Shi Min looks the more it lessen, she secretly suspect, waiting for the maids to clean up and then she orders them all to retreat, she personally holds a cup of warm water to serve Chang Liu mouthwash, quietly lowered her voice, “Princess…”

“Uh?”

“This servant looked at the princess vomiting like this, isn’t this…” Shi Min stops talking.

“Isn’t this what?”

“Isn’t this… pregnant?”

Chang Liu herself also a levy, she glance at Shi Min in surprise, after a long time, with a loneliness in her eyes she smiles bitterly, “how is this possible? Since the fox entered the house, for these three months Qing Li has been with the fox every day. This thing… can i do it alone?” Shi Min thought about it too, she sighs and suddenly there’s sudden surprise in her mind.

“Not necessarily.” She suddenly looks up and looks nervous. “The princess forgot about the last month? After drinking wine, His Highness Qing Li came over in the middle of the night and was so drunk that he could not recognize people. The princess had fallen asleep that night and was taken aback by His Royal Highness Qing Li, that night, didn’t he…”

Chang Liu shows an expression of surprise and uncertainty, but her cheeks flushed slightly, she says with a voice as soft as mosquito, “how could that be? When we were newly married, we spent time a lot of time together, at that time the great king eagerly hoping to have a grandson, Qing Li was warm every night, i was happy for nothing. This time it was just an overnight accident, just… ” her look goes dark, “he only has that Shang Yi in his mind, even if he can take the throne in the future, probably the first thing he did was to abandon this imperial consort. This has become completely different from what it used to be, even if I gave birth to a child for him, I’m afraid this child will suffer in the future”.

Thinking about sad thing, she can’t help but wipe away her tears.

Shi Min knows what she said was also true, such coincidences were too few, not to mention that fox Shang Yi fascinated Qing Li until he lost his mind, what if she’s pregnant?

Shi Min accompanies Chang Liu silently wiping her tears.

Silently weeps for a while, Chang Liu forces a smile, “Don’t cry, it’s hopeless, crying for him is a waste of tears. But the banquet at the palace last night showed me the elegant demeanor and talent of Duke Ming. Sure enough, he is an outstanding figure, and that magnificent insight is not comparable to ordinary officials. The most reassuring thing for me now is that I have formed an alliance with him. That’s right, did he sent someone to contact us?”.

“Not yet.” After all, Shi Min is not an ignorant woman, seeing that the princess is no longer sad, she also reins in her grief, her expression becomes cautious and meticulous, she looks out of the window, when no one was eavesdropping, she replies, “this servant has arranged trusted men at the small gate of the courtyard to wait for Duke Ming’s people at any time”.

“It won’t be found out, right?”

“The princess can rest assured, the Xiao family’s chief in charge of this matter is a very careful person, we have agreed if Duke Ming sent people to send letter, it was only at the small door and my cousin Shi Yue will send it to me. I got the news, i’ll go to Fu He Men, my cousin Shi Yue worked as a counselor at Yong Yin and also visited Tong Ze last year, no one would be suspect him if we reported his name.”

Chang Liu relieves, she nods slowly and sighs, “I hope Duke Ming will contact us soon so that I can report well what matters had happen to Qing Li recently. Oh God, please bless Duke Ming to leave the Tong Kingdom safely and never have an accidents in the Tong Kingdom. Otherwise, not only will it be difficult for the Tong Kingdom royal family, but Rong Tian and Xiao family may not even let go of the innocent Zhao Bei.” With both palms folded, her graceful neck is lifted upwards and her eyes closed, silently begging to heaven. Of all the people, Shi Min knows the hard situation of Chang Liu the best. As the princess of Zhao Bei and Qing Li’s out-of-favor wife, the interests of the Tong Kingdom royal family and the Zhao Bei royal family are deeply linked to her, Once Qing Li does something wrong, she’s bound to be implicated.

But now she has a secret alliance with Qing Li’s enemy Duke Ming, if Qing Li knows, it must also be unforgivable betrayal.

She stands in the most difficult position, the only hope is to successfully alliance with Feng Ming, Foiling Qing Li’s assassination plan, however Qing Li knew that his wife and his enemy had exchanged information.

Such a perfect but flawless ending really needs God’s blessing to appear.

Shi Min comforts her, “Princess rest assured, we have tried our best to save Duke Ming, moreover Prince He Di currently lives in Tong An Courtyard, he’s also an ally of Duke Ming and will definitely help Duke Ming. Besides, His Highness Qing Li is only temporarily confused by that fox, when Duke Ming leaves Tong Ze safely, we will deal with that fox again. In the future, His Highness Qing Li will definitely understand the princess’ painstaking efforts and appreciate the princess for not making a big mistake.”

Chang Liu gently says, “I hope so.”

There’s a noise outside the door. The voice of the maid comes, “Your Highness Imperial Consort, the imperial doctor is here.”

Shi Min is a maid brought by Chang Liu from Zhao Bei, therefore it’s customary to call Chang Liu a princess, but her main identity in the Tong Kingdom is Qing Li’s imperial consort.

“Come in.” When Chang Liu begged to heaven, she put her hands closed on her chest, as the imperial doctor entered the door respectfully and carefully pay respect to her, Chang Liu has covered up the sadness on her face, she elegantly nods and orders him to avoid courtesy, and says, “there’s no big discomfort, just a little lazy to eat, the maids worry about nothing. Just take a look a little to save them from nagging me”.

The imperial doctor nods and answers, “yes, please let me check the imperial consort first.”

The maids take a small pillow for the imperial doctor, they lean together with the imperial doctor to carefully listen to the pulse, the others doesn’t matter, Chang Liu and Shi Min both took this little discomfort seriously because they’ve just mentioned “whether there is pregnancy or not”.

Watching the imperial doctor lock his brow tightly while feeling the pulse, as if he had encountered some big problem, the problem that she didn’t worry about was arose by the way he frowned.

Shi Min holds back for a long time and asks in a low voice. “Imperial doctor, what’s wrong with our princess?”

Imperial doctors doesn’t answer, his expression is concentrated, tilts his head and listens for a while, looking up at Chang Liu and Shi Min who were full of inquiries, he raises his head as if he was certain.

“What is it?”Even Chang Liu can’t help but speak.

“Congratulations to the imperial consort, the imperial consort is pregnant ah.” The imperial doctor exhales, his serious face burst into an excited smile, “Great joy for His Highness Qing Li! Great joy for Imperial Consort! Great joy for the Tong Kingdom!”

Shi Min and Chang Liu can’t help but looking at each other face to face.

Can’t believe they really guessed it.

In such a time of being left out in the cold, she’s unexpectedly pregnant with the Tong Kingdom’s Crown Prince’s flesh and blood.

Don’t know if it’s a surprise or a joy…

The maids around exploded with a burst of surprise and joy.

“The imperial consort is pregnant!”

“Congratulations to the imperial consort! Great joy imperial consort!”

“Hurry up! Send someone to inform His Highness Qing Li about this great news …”

“Yes yes, this servant is on her way!”

Immediately a few maids are assigned and trotting out of the door, dragging their tulle dress.

Qing Li is not in his own room.

After lunch, he seemed a little anxious, so he went to visit the distinguished guests who are currently staying in his house. Unexpectedly, in his own home he was actually blocked by the guards of He Di’s subordinates.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but my prince can’t see a visitor at the moment.”

“Can’t see a visitor?” Qing Li looks surprised, “Did… Is Prince He Di sick?” Although he was full of malicious towards Feng Ming and He Di’s alliance, however there’s a little sincerity and a concern on his face.

Qing Li, who had a headache started faintly this morning, frowns and asks at the same time. “Was he tired of the court banquet yesterday? I heard that last night Prince He Di was working hard on an official business with that Feng Ming’s… special envoy… Was he… sick… because of that?” Such a few simple words, but he’s strangely speaking intermittently.

Look at the complexion and expression, the person who is unwell should be Qing Li.

Kong Liu who stands in front of him also looked at him in surprise, but soon regained his calm and imprudent face. “Your Highness Qing Li don’t worry, my prince is in good health. It’s just that the prince is currently praying to the God of Sea and needs to rest.”

After a while, it was only then that he said “Oh”, he seemed to be out of state and asks dully “to pray to the God of Sea?”

“This is our sea … oh, The ceremony of praying for God in Dan Lin is very solemn and effective.”

“Prince He Di is…”

“The prince needs to pray for the blessing of the God of Sea for something important, I’m really sorry that he really can’t talk with His Highness Qing Li at the moment. In addition..” Kong Liu says neither humble nor arrogant, “according to the custom of our kingdom, in order to show the sincerity to the gods, during the period of prayer they shouldn’t have sexual intercourse, nor should they eat meat and drink wine. These..” he points to the big wine jar and the newly selected girls of the Tong Kingdom who were dressed up lovely and beautiful, brought by Qing Li, he smiles and says, “I’d better ask Your Highness to take them back first.”

“Oh … …” Qing Li surrounded by three or two attendants, who are standing in the front and look in bewildered. His head terribly aching, like it’s about to crack. It seems that as long as he thinks about something, his ears will be buzzing with pain.

Qing Li looks up at the sun in the sky, the dazzling light makes his eyes burst of chaotic whiteness. Things really didn’t go well today, he frowns bitterly, Shang Yi’s body is fragile, she came back from the banquet and fell ill. He has become accustomed to taking a tranquilizer medicine every day, and now if he does not take it for a day, his head hurts a lot.

He wanted to discuss with He Di earlier to buy the batch of weapons, but the results…

“His Highness is here!”

“We found him.”

The buzzing ear canal mixed with the weary screams of women.

“What’s are you yelling about?” Qing Li stared at the servant’s eyes, turns around and shouts.

Rushing to inform the good news, the maids who were finally found him here suddenly startled, the smiling face turn pale, they flinched for a moment. “His Highness forgive me, the servant is…”

“What is it?” Looking at the face of the maid in front, Qing Li’s face darkened, “Aren’t you Chang Liu’s maids? What are you doing here with nothing to do? It bothers me to see you. What happened to Chang Liu? I knew she wouldn’t be comfortable without giving me any trouble all day, huh.”

The heat up great joy is completely dispelled by a few remarks of the accumulated resentment and impatience.

The maid says timidly, “Your Highness, the imperial consort is pregnant”.

In an instant, there’s a silence in front of the courtyard.

Qing li also spent a moment and ask in disbelief, “Who did you say who is pregnant?”

“The imperial consort…”

Qing Li is stunned, but his eyes change a little. In the past, if he would have taken the pills sent by Shang Yi when he got up early in the morning, he probably wouldn’t have had much reaction. Unfortunately Shang Yi pitifully sick last night and fell asleep just before the morning. Her medicine has always been hidden, even Qing Li didn't know where she put it, although he is used to eating it every day, he doesn’t have the heart to wake his beloved beauty.

At this moment, although he had a headache, he was a little more conscious than before.

“Chang Liu … is pregnant?” He whispers, looking out of the courtyard door with uncertain eyes.

The maids thought that he would dote on the new beauty, but the imperial consort is pregnant, no matter how he should also show some joy, after all it’s his own blood. Now looking at his appearance, the maid is like facing the emptiness, whisper to answer carefully, “Yes, Your Highness, imperial consort is not feeling well recently and often vomits, the imperial doctor has looked over, she’s really pregnant and has been confirmed. Congratulations, Your Highness”.

Pregnant?

[1] ‘Your Highness’ The phrase used in this instance is 「王妃殿下」, which is specifically used for the wife of a prince. In Chinese, the words for ‘princess’ and ‘wife of a prince’ are different, hence the following explanation that Shi Min is used to calling Zhang Liu ‘princess’ while the other servants call her ‘princess consort’.