Chapter 28

The rain drizzled down like a thin veil, shrouding the world in mist. An Liangdi knelt stiffly before the Crown Prince, her hair slightly damp from the rain. Strands of wet hair clung to her pale cheeks, making her look even more delicate and pitiful.

An Shun held an umbrella for the Crown Prince. He had considered giving An Liangdi one as well, but it was clear that she was staging a well-planned act of suffering. So, he remained silent and did nothing. Tears filled An Jingyan’s eyes, rolling down like broken pearls, merging with the rain.

Her voice was full of sorrow, trembling as she cried, “Your Highness, I know I was wrong to disrespect the Crown Princess… I truly regret it…” Her voice was weak and full of remorse.

“But… I only love Your Highness. When I first entered the Eastern Palace and saw the Crown Princess monopolizing Your Highness’s affection, I felt so heartbroken…”

“I never meant to show off in front of the Crown Princess… I didn’t realize how deep your love for her was…”

When Jun Zechen heard the words deep love, his expression flickered. His dark eyes were unreadable.

“I thought the Crown Princess was generous and wouldn’t mind Your Highness favoring newcomers…”

An Jingyan continued crying, reaching out as if to grab the Crown Prince’s robe. Her teary eyes were truly pitiful. Jun Zechen looked down at her. He wasn’t particularly fond of any of the new concubines.

He especially disliked An Jingyan because of the bad impression she had left before. However, seeing her like this now reminded him of how lost and helpless a certain someone had been when she first entered the Eastern Palace.

“Stand up,” Jun Zechen finally said, his voice emotionless.

An Jingyan’s face lit up with joy.

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Then, she hesitated before carefully asking,

“The rain is heavy today… Would Your Highness like to warm up with a cup of tea at Xiyan Hall?”

Jun Zechen remained expressionless. Originally, he had planned to visit Tang Fengyi. She was quiet, didn’t talk much, and looked pleasant. By now, he understood women well.

They bore him heirs, and he gave them status and power. He had no need for emotional attachment. After a brief pause, he gave a small nod.

An Jingyan smiled brightly, her expression full of pride and satisfaction. She followed Jun Zechen back to Xiyan Hall.

“Master, ever since you advised An Liangdi, she has become much more gentle.”

“That day in the rain, she deliberately blocked the Crown Prince’s path to Tang Fengyi’s Shuyu Pavilion.”

“And she succeeded—His Highness went to her hall instead.”

“Now, An Liangdi and Tang Fengyi are completely at odds with each other.”

Miaoyun stood nearby, fanning Su Jingyao leisurely. Beside her, an ice basin released a cooling breeze into the air. Su Jingyao was now four months pregnant. It was August, and the heat was unbearable. She needed ice basins in her room every day to stay cool.

Listening to Miaoyun gossiping, Su Jingyao smiled slightly. It made her days less boring. Prince Jun Zechen did not visit the consorts too often, only about five or six times a month. Recently, he spent more time with An Liangdi and Bai Fengyi. The most visited places were Qiluan Hall and her own Xiyan Hall.

Because she was pregnant, Jun Zechen came to see her almost every day. That evening, after finishing his work, Jun Zechen walked into Xiyan Hall as the sun was setting. Su Jingyao was lying lazily on a beauty couch, wearing a loose, flowing dress. If not for her slightly rounded belly, she still looked as slim and elegant as before.

Lately, the baby in her belly had been restless, making her feel sick often. She couldn’t eat well and felt uncomfortable. Jun Zechen approached quietly and sat beside her. Feeling his presence, Su Jingyao slowly opened her eyes. Seeing him, she suddenly felt emotional and hugged him tightly.

“Your Highness,” she said softly, her voice filled with affection and reliance.

Jun Zechen gently held her and asked, “Is the baby bothering you again?”

“Yes, he keeps moving around. I can’t eat anything.”

“What did the food doctor say?”

“The doctor made special meals for me, but they feel too greasy. I feel sick after eating them.”

Jun Zechen thought for a moment. “I will call Doctor Li to check the food for you. If you can eat something, that will be good.”

Su Jingyao nodded.

When Doctor Li arrived, he saw Su Jingyao leaning against the prince’s chest. The couple looked so beautiful together that he was momentarily stunned. Then, he quickly lowered his head and greeted them respectfully. Jun Zechen asked him to examine the meals prepared for Su Jingyao.

Soon, the servants brought in trays of food—thirty dishes that Su Jingyao used to eat and fifty special dishes for pregnant women. Doctor Li carefully examined them, smelling and checking each one.

After a while, he selected fifteen dishes and suggested,

“Su Side Consort, please try these.”

Su Jingyao took a bite of a medicinal soup but frowned and struggled to swallow it. Soon, she felt sick and covered her mouth.

“Take it away! I don’t want it!”

Jun Zechen immediately ordered the servants to remove the dish. She tried a few more dishes, but they all made her feel worse.

“Your Highness, I don’t want to try anymore,” she said, feeling wronged.

Jun Zechen felt sorry for her. She needed to eat, but nothing seemed to work. He turned to Doctor Li. “Is there any solution?”

Doctor Li hesitated. He knew that pregnancy sickness was common, and most women just endured it. But seeing how much the prince cared for Su Jingyao, he couldn’t say that.

Then he remembered something—a young doctor at the royal hospital had introduced a special fruit called Hongqi Fruit, which was good for nausea. Mixed with honey and lemon, it made a refreshing juice that could help pregnant women.

Doctor Li hesitated but then suggested, “Your Highness, there is a remedy from a young doctor’s hometown. I have checked it, and it should be safe. Would you like to try it?”

Jun Zechen nodded. “Prepare it.”

Doctor Li quickly rushed back to the hospital. Seeing him in a hurry, the young doctor helped him make the juice. Fortunately, the preparation was simple, and soon, they finished. Doctor Li hurried back to the Eastern Palace.

When he arrived, Su Jingyao looked weak and exhausted, leaning against Jun Zechen with no energy. Miaoyun carefully brought the juice to her. Su Jingyao first sniffed the juice gently, her eyes showing a hint of surprise. However, her expression remained calm and unchanged.

Then, she took a small sip of the juice and picked up a flower cake to eat. A look of joy flashed in her eyes.

“Your Highness, this juice really works! I ate the flower cake, and I don’t feel like throwing up.”

Prince Jun Zechen immediately looked happy.

“Good, good, good! Reward Li Imperial Doctor!”

Li Imperial Doctor was pleased but did not take full credit. He quickly explained, “Your Highness, this juice contains the Hongqi fruit, which was recommended by a new doctor, Doctor Jin. He is very skilled in treating women’s health.”

Su Jingyao smiled and looked at Jun Zechen with anticipation. “Your Highness, I really like this juice. Can Doctor Jin also help take care of me along with Li Imperial Doctor?”

“Li Imperial Doctor is very busy with many responsibilities. A new doctor has more time and can watch over me closely. This way, I won’t have to bother Li Imperial Doctor for small matters.”

Jun Zechen thought for a moment and nodded.

“Yes, Yaoyao makes sense.”

He then turned to Li Imperial Doctor and said, “From now on, you and Doctor Jin will take care of Side Consort Su together.”

“Yes, Your Highness. However, Hongqi fruit is not available in the capital. It only grows in Guangling City, where Doctor Jin is from. Right now, it is harvest season. Would Your Highness like to send people to bring some back?”

“Yes, arrange for it. You and Doctor Jin estimate how much is needed.”

“I will have the fruit stored in the ice cellar. It belongs to Side Consort Su alone. No one else is allowed to touch it without my permission,” Jun Zechen said seriously.

“Understood, Your Highness.”

After Li Imperial Doctor left, Su Jingyao felt a little hungry because of the juice. Jun Zechen stayed to have dinner with her and then accompanied her for a walk in the garden. Because of her pregnancy, her steps were heavy, but Jun Zechen stayed by her side, gently comforting her.

After he left, Su Jingyao returned to her palace and began trimming the roses sent by the Imperial Household Department.

But her mind was not on the flowers. Her eyes darkened, like a storm brewing.

“Who let him into the palace?”

Her voice was cold, making the air around her feel frozen. She accidentally cut off an entire rose with her scissors. The delicate petals fell to the ground. Miaoyun, her maid, stood nearby, confused and nervous.

“Who is Mistress talking about?”