The October days had already turned quite chilly. The Imperial Physician calculated the due date to be at the end of October, and there were still about ten days left.
Xia Ruqing’s belly swelled like an inflated ball. She couldn’t even bend her waist, and her feet were swollen like giant radishes.
The Imperial Physician advised her to walk more to reduce the swelling in her feet. However, she experienced back pain after walking only a short while, so she could only walk a few steps, rest, then walk a few more before needing another rest.
Seeing her in this state, Zi Yue felt very distressed. "My lady, why don’t we stop walking! The Imperial Physician really... You’re in this condition, and he still asks you to walk! Isn’t that making things difficult for you!"
Xia Ruqing paused, thinking about Imperial Doctor Zhang’s words, then said, "The Imperial Physician is right. If I want to give birth smoothly, I have to walk more!"
If she just ate and slept, then slept and ate all day, eventually, her muscles would become too relaxed. When it was time to give birth, if her body couldn’t keep up and she couldn’t push the baby out, then that would be real suffering. If she encountered a difficult birth, her life might even be at risk.
After all the hard work of carrying a child for ten months, it would be a shame if the child she bore with her life was raised by someone else—calling someone else mother, showing filial piety to someone else, fighting for favor to secure someone else’s position. Thinking about it, that would be a true loss.
Therefore, she absolutely had to heed the Imperial Physician’s advice. Supporting herself on Zi Yue’s hand, Xia Ruqing continued to move forward.
It was cold outside, so they walked in circles inside the house. She didn’t dare to stop for the entire morning.
When it was time for the midday meal, Xiao Xizi brought it back.
Zi Yue carefully arranged the dishes on the table one by one: a plate of sour stir-fried tender lotus root slices, a boiled egg, a bowl of thick chicken soup, a dish of stir-fried cabbage and tofu, and finally, a bowl of rice, steamed to a clear, translucent finish.
All the dishes, even the soup, contained only a minimal amount of salt. With her belly grown so large, she didn’t dare to eat too much, and she especially avoided strongly flavored and oily foods. Too much salt could worsen the swelling, and oily foods could make the baby too large to birth.
Xia Ruqing was practically fighting to take care of herself and her child. Yes, that’s right. She wanted to take good care of her health, to live a long and lasting life. She wanted to give birth to her child properly, to raise him healthy and strong. She wanted to strive for favor, to enjoy life, enjoy being cherished, so her child born into the Royal Family wouldn’t lack a father’s love.
She was indeed precious about her life. Heaven had given her a second chance at it. She would not fail or waste it—not even a day, a minute, or a second. She would cherish every moment. To live as long as possible, to live as well as possible!
Xia Ruqing gently touched her belly, her gaze tender. She remembered a popular saying from the modern era: ’With you, I have found both a weakness and an armor!’
From the initial discomfort of adapting to ancient times to now, with everything she had, Xia Ruqing felt she had tasted all of life’s joys and sorrows.
She thought, having tried so hard to assimilate into this ancient world, had she now fully integrated? From now on, she and this dynasty would be connected by blood. And with that man who loved and cherished her, she also had this child, the fruit of their union.
Love she dared not contemplate. But being pampered by him for a lifetime? That didn’t seem too bad.
Thinking of Zhao Junyao, Xia Ruqing’s face brightened with a smile, her heart feeling sweet as honey.
Yes, this feeling wasn’t bad. Her goal was to keep it going like this indefinitely. Each extra day would be a blessing!
"What are you thinking about, my lady?" Zi Yue teased when she saw her beaming.
Xia Ruqing realized she had been lost in thought and hurriedly picked up her bowl. She scooped a spoonful of chicken soup and sipped it.
"Eh..." Xia Ruqing furrowed her brow. "Unsalted, it really doesn’t taste good..." Even the chicken soup was no exception.
Zi Yue simply laughed. "My lady, please bear with it!"
As she spoke, she brought over a blanket, placed Xia Ruqing’s legs on it, and massaged them earnestly. The Imperial Physician had said this was beneficial for reducing swelling.
Xia Ruqing forced herself to eat the meal. All the food was high in protein and low in fat; nutritious enough even though it was bland!
After finishing the meal, Xia Ruqing stretched her limbs and then went to sleep.
She slept soundly until late afternoon. Zhao Junyao, having finished reviewing documents, then went to Qingya Residence.
Once he entered, he did not come out again until the next day when he attended the court meeting. Afterward, he went back to the Imperial Study Room to review more documents, and in the evening, he returned to Qingya Residence again.
This cycle truly made the entire harem green with envy. The Empress was very displeased, but with Xia Ruqing about to give birth and the Emperor by her side every day, she had no way to intervene.
The Noble Consort was also displeased, but her situation was slightly better than the Empress’s. At least, she had a pregnant woman by her side to attend to, giving her a goal to focus on.
So, when she heard the news, she simply smashed a teacup. She spat out with resentment, "When this Consort has a child, it won’t be too late to deal with her then!"