"If the Noble Consort still has a stable pregnancy when the Emperor leaves, and upon his return, the child is gone, whom would the Emperor suspect?"
The two archenemies of the Harem were both in the palace; if one suffered, the other would naturally be the prime suspect!
"So, before the Emperor departs, we must make him aware that the Noble Consort’s pregnancy isn’t stable!"
"That way, even if the Noble Consort loses the child, without solid evidence, the Emperor won’t hold this palace responsible!"
Yu Lan suddenly saw the light.
"The Empress is truly wise! This servant was mistaken!"
The Empress sneered coldly and said no more.
「Several days later, inside the Zhaochen Palace Imperial Study Room.」
Zhao Junyao had been discussing state affairs with the ministers, and noon was fast approaching.
Li Shengan suddenly entered, his expression grave.
"Your Majesty, someone from the Noble Consort’s quarters has come with news... It seems the Noble Consort has experienced some disturbance with her pregnancy!"
Zhao Junyao was half-closing his eyes, relishing a moment of tranquility. The sudden arrival of such vexing news displeased him greatly.
"If she’s having issues, then call the Imperial Physician. I am not a doctor!"
Ever since her pregnancy began, she must have claimed disturbances with it eighty, if not a hundred, times. When Consort Ning and Consort Hui Pin were with child, they never caused such an unreasonable fuss. Having experienced too many false alarms, Zhao Junyao was practically immune to such excuses. He had absolutely no intention of entertaining the matter.
Li Shengan left, trembling in trepidation. If the Emperor was displeased, how could he be pleased?
Ying Yue from Xifu Palace persistently implored him.
"Eunuch, please report again. Our Noble Concubine is truly experiencing difficulties!"
Li Shengan was also displeased. Was this an admission that all previous occasions were false alarms?
These repeated incidents... Even he, a eunuch, was losing patience, let alone the Emperor. He said, "Miss Ying Yue, it’s not that I won’t go, but the Emperor is busy. State affairs are of utmost importance. I can only advise you that if there’s a real issue, please summon the Imperial Physician. The Emperor will surely visit once he is free!"
He then continued to counsel, "Hurry back! Several ministers will be arriving shortly to discuss state affairs with the Emperor!"
Ying Yue, having no other choice, thanked him and left.
All the while, she couldn’t stop thinking: It was the Noble Concubine’s fault to begin with, always claiming to have disturbances to summon the Emperor. If it hadn’t been for that, she wouldn’t be in this situation, with even Eunuch Li losing patience. Now that there was genuine trouble, the Emperor wouldn’t believe it. He had merely dismissed it with, ’Summon the Imperial Physician!’ What... what was she to do? How could she explain this upon her return?
Ying Yue was filled with worry.
Meanwhile, Noble Concubine Shih was in unbearable pain. Clutching her stomach, she lay on the bed, her face contorted in agony.
"My child is five months along, and the pregnancy has always been stable! How could there suddenly be problems? Someone must be trying to harm me!"
After saying this, she screamed again, "Somebody! Go and investigate! We must get to the bottom of this! Whoever dares to harm me, I’ll ensure she has no place to be buried!"
The Imperial Physician examining her pulse jumped in fright, his hands trembling.
"Your Grace, please don’t get agitated! According to the pulse, it’s not a serious issue!"
Noble Concubine Shih was fuming. She suddenly sat up.
"Not a serious issue? This is my child! How can it not be a major concern?"
Her face was pale, her eyes bloodshot, her hair disheveled. Her fierce gaze made her look like an avenging ghost.
The Imperial Physician shuddered and fell to his knees.
"I misspoke! Please forgive my offense, Noble Consort!"
Noble Concubine Shih was so angry her chest heaved. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. Her expression froze, and she collapsed back onto the bed, sobbing loudly, "My child! My child!"
Hearing the commotion, Ying Yue rushed in.
"My Lady, what’s wrong? What’s happened to you?"
Ying Yue saw the Noble Consort clutching her stomach in pain and hurriedly flung back the covers. It would have been better if she hadn’t looked. Upon seeing it, Ying Yue was stunned.
"Blood... There’s blood..."
Seeing Ying Yue’s reaction, the Noble Consort also reached down. Opening her eyes, she saw a few drops of blood on her fingertips. The physical pain, combined with the mental shock, made her eyes roll back, and she fainted.
"Imperial Physician, Imperial Physician, come quickly!" Ying Yue waved her hands frantically.
The Imperial Physician, also frightened, cast aside concerns of propriety between men and women and lifted the covers to examine her. He then took her pulse.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"The Noble Consort was agitated, which has harmed the fetus. The bleeding is not good, but the situation is not beyond hope. However..."
"However what?" Ying Yue asked urgently.
"If this happens again, even the gods would have difficulty saving the child! I shall go and prepare the medicine now. After the Noble Consort drinks the fetus-preserving medicine, she must rest in bed and avoid getting angry at all costs. Otherwise..."