Chapter 359: Chapter 359 Kidnapping for Blackmail (3)
The Imperial Physician saw the emperor enter the side hall, and they all knelt down.
"Rise, Imperial Physician Fang, you have always been the one to check on Concubine Lian’s safety pulse. Tell us, how is Concubine Lian?" Seeing the Imperial Physicians kneel in silence, no one coming forward to speak.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Lian has caught a chill, with cold invading her body—and the child not yet due shows signs of instability!" Imperial Physician Fang stood to the side, bending forward with eyebrows lowered and spoke with utmost care.
The emperor, upon hearing that Concubine Lian was with child, showed a flash of delighted surprise, then anger burst forth, "Imperial Physician Fang, no matter what, you must ensure the safety of the child in Concubine Lian’s womb for us."
"This old servant will do his best."
By the evening, Concubine Lian had finally regained consciousness on her bed. Seeing the familiar bed curtains, a sly smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.
"Your Grace, you nearly scared Xiaoxi to death." Xiaoxi, holding a bowl of medicinal soup, slowly fed the master on the bed.
Concubine Lian moved her stiff body, half-sitting up to take the bowl of medicine from Xiaoxi, "Has the emperor come?"
"Congratulations, Your Grace, such joyful news." Xiaoxi knelt on the ground, smiling foolishly.
After taking the medicine, Concubine Lian frowned in confusion, "Congratulations for what? For not drowning in the lake?"
"Your Grace, you carry the heir of the Dragon Throne."
"What? Really?" She sat up excitedly, hand caressing her belly in disbelief, recalling the afternoon’s events with a shudder of fear—thankfully, the Dragon Throne’s heir was unharmed.
"Your Grace, your pregnancy is still precarious. You must be careful. Imperial Physician Fang said you are quite frail right now and must rest properly before you can walk around." Seeing her mistress sit up abruptly, Xiaoxi, startled, forgot her kneeling position and immediately stood to support her.
Upon hearing that the condition of her child was unstable, Concubine Lian hastily lay back down.
"The emperor arrives." A shrill voice rang from outside the palace, and Concubine Lian, who had just lain down, struggled to sit up but was pressed back by the emperor, who entered the room.
"Stay still, just focus on nurturing the child—these formalities will be all waived from now on." Dugu Han showed a rare genuine smile.
Concubine Lian’s pale face flushed with a touch of rosiness as she spoke weakly, "Thank you for Your Majesty’s compassion."
"Is there anything you fancy eating? I’ll have them prepare it for you." Dugu Han caressed her pale face, a wave of pity rising in his heart.
Concubine Lian tilted her head in thought, then smiled at the emperor, "This consort would like some candied hawthorn."
The emperor paused at her words, then burst into hearty laughter, "Rest assured, my love, I’ll have them prepare it right away."
"Someone, instruct the Imperial Kitchen to quickly bring a few skewers of candied hawthorn."
"Yes." Eunuch Shi glanced at Concubine Lian on the bed and sighed internally, fearing she might indeed rise to the phoenix’s position.
"This consort has a request to seek from the emperor, hoping for your gracious approval." Her tender hand drew back the blanket, preparing to rise.
"Lie back down, it’s granted."
Concubine Lian saw the impatience in the emperor’s face and, fearing another miscarriage after exerting so much effort, obediently lay back down, "I beg the emperor not to blame Sister Concubine Xiang; after all, what she said wasn’t wrong."
The emperor raised an eyebrow, "What did she say?"
"Nothing... really, it’s just that, being of merchant birth, I use some charming tricks, my position is lowly, and the like. Besides that, it wasn’t too bad." She reached up to touch her slightly swollen cheek, her eyes brimming with tears as she silently wiped them away.
The hand resting on her knee slowly clenched. Seeing Concubine Lian’s look was no longer as genuine as when he had first arrived, he snorted in his heart. A few days of sunlight made her blossom and now she’s overstepping—she wanted to increase her rank? Fine, he would grant it. For the sake of his own throne, what did it matter to sacrifice these insignificant things?
