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Translator's note: Finally there is advance chapters availaible on Kofi
Chapter 64
Inside Taihe Hall, singing and dancing filled the air with celebration. Rong Bǎolín's body was stiff, she didn't dare turn back to look at Sister Gu. Song Bǎolín still sat at the same table with her, smiling with raised brows:
"Some people have hearts higher than the heavens. They speak of sisterly devotion more sweetly than anyone, yet what they say and what they do are completely different. Now that they've been exposed before the very person involved, it's truly laughable."
Rong Bǎolín could hear the mockery in Song Bǎolín's words, but she had no mind to pay Song any attention. Her heart was filled only with panic, Sister Gu knew now. What would Sister think of her?
Rong Bǎolín's lips had turned somewhat pale. Palace servants brought up the food. Song Bǎolín ate cheerfully, her every movement stimulating Rong Bǎolín. Rong Bǎolín closed her eyes in irritation, not even glancing at the food.
Unlike the gloom at this table, not far away, Zhou Měirén furrowed her brow and looked at the person beside her:
"What's wrong with you?"
Gu Han held a handkerchief to her lips with one hand, her delicate brows lightly furrowed as she shook her head:
"It's nothing. I just felt uncomfortable a moment ago."
Gu Han didn't know what was wrong. Just now she had felt her stomach churning, wanting to retch. When Zhou Měirén asked her, that sensation had passed, but her cheeks were somewhat pale, making her words unconvincing.
She glanced at the sweet and sour fish that had just been served, pressing her lips together slightly, feeling somewhat suspicious. A few days ago, when His Majesty had dined in her palace, she gad felt off. Now it was happening again.
When had she developed such a strong reaction to fish?
A hazy thought surfaced in her mind. Gu Han's heart skipped a beat, making the emotions in her eyes change several times. She involuntarily gripped her handkerchief tightly. It couldn't be, could it?
Zhou Měirén also sensed something odd. She glanced around and lowered her voice:
"You're not..."
Zhou Měirén only got halfway through before stopping. She had seen her mother pregnant and knew some of the reactions women had during pregnancy. She suspected Gu Han might be with child, but women in the harem liked to hide early pregnancies, fearing someone might harm them.
For a moment, Zhou Měirén didn't dare speak plainly, afraid of ruining things for Gu Han.
Who knew that Gu Han would only smile bitterly and shake her head, also speaking quietly:
"I don't know either. The physician hasn't said anything."
Her candor showed she was opening her heart. Zhou Měirén's feelings grew somewhat complicated. She didn't dare say more, worried walls had ears. She only said:
"After you return to your palace, have the physician examine you carefully."
Gu Han also understood the gravity of the situation. She nodded almost imperceptibly, gripping the handkerchief in her sleeve tightly, lowering her eyelids slightly as emotions churned in her heart.
They wanted to wait prudently until returning to the palace to have a physician examine her first, but unfortunately bodily reactions weren't under her control. The sweet and sour fish at the neighboring table was broken open, the fish scent wafting over. Though the fish was covered in sweet and sour sauce, she could still smell that faint fishy odor.
Gu Han's face suddenly went white. She raised her hand to cover her mouth. Caught off guard, she only had time to turn around, barely concealing her reaction as retching sounds came forth. She bent over halfway as alarmed cries rang out around her, immediately drawing attention from the high platform.
Lu Yu looked up to see commotion where the woman sat and immediately frowned:
"What's happening?"
Liu An's expression was odd. Before he could answer, the commotion below gave Lu Yu his answer. He heard some sounds. The crowd parted, Concubine Zhao leaned in Jiu Nian's embrace, all color drained from her cheeks. One hand covered her chest as if still suppressing her discomfort.
Lu Yu froze. Liu An finally reported the situation:
"It's Concubine Zhao. She was stimulated by the fishy smell and had a reaction."
As soon as these words fell, the Empress's expression changed for a moment, but no one noticed. Even Lu Yu had all his attention focused on Gu Han at this moment. Realizing something, his breathing grew heavier. He ordered in a deep voice:
"Help Concubine Zhao to a side hall. Summon the imperial physician immediately!"
After speaking, he rose directly from his seat and in a few quick strides soon reached Gu Han's side. Upon seeing him, Gu Han felt somewhat reassured. The gazes that had been falling on her abdomen from all around also vanished completely.
Perhaps due to her emotional state, Gu Han felt somewhat uneasy at this moment. She gripped Lu Yu's sleeve tightly, speaking quietly with great uncertainty:
"Your Majesty, this concubine..."
Her voice caught in her throat. For a long while she didn't know what to say. In the end, she only said nervously: "...This concubine didn't mean to cause a disturbance."
The commotion here had drawn the attention of everyone in the hall, all gazes turning their way. Gu Han's body trembled slightly as she leaned in Lu Yu's embrace. Lu Yu felt a momentary discomfort in his heart.
Lu Yu said in a heavy voice: "You're unwell, yet you're thinking about such irrelevant things."
It was just a banquet, was it more important than her health?
Lu Yu instinctively looked toward her lower abdomen. Having that suspicion, even his hand supporting Gu Han was somewhat nervous, afraid of letting her fall. Perhaps because this was precisely when he felt tender toward Gu Han, even the matter of her possible pregnancy seemed more significant to him.
Lu Yu had people escort Gu Han to the side hall. Soon the physician arrived. At this time, nearly everyone's attention in the hall was focused on the side hall.
In the entire side hall were only Gu Han and Zhou Měirén, along with Liu An.
As soon as Imperial Physician Zhuo entered, his heart sank, thinking something had gone wrong at the palace banquet. Only after Liu An spoke did he breathe a sigh of relief:
"Aiyou, Imperial Physician Zhuo, quickly examine Concubine Zhao. Just now when Concubine Zhao smelled fish, she kept vomiting. Please take a look, what's wrong?!"
Just from the description, Imperial Physician Zhuo had an idea. During the pulse examination, he was as careful as could be.
Gu Han bit her lip. She couldn't describe what she was feeling. She only knew she stared intently at Imperial Physician Zhuo, wanting an answer.
In these brief moments, everyone around grew somewhat restless. Zhou Měirén paced back and forth continuously, occasionally glancing at the physician. Seeing Gu Han somewhat distracted, she couldn't help but speak awkwardly to comfort her:
"It's fine. Don't be nervous."
Gu Han's lips curved slightly. She glanced at Zhou Měirén, whose handkerchief was crumpled from gripping it. Speaking of nervousness, Zhou Měirén seemed more nervous than she was.
In a moment, Imperial Physician Zhuo released his hand. He bowed to those around with a smile on his face:
"Congratulations, Concubine Zhao. Your body is perfectly fine. You are with child."
As the words fell, both Gu Han and Zhou Měirén paused. Liu An couldn't care about anything else and cried out in delight: "Today is His Majesty's birthday. Concubine Zhao has truly given His Majesty a magnificent gift!"
Gu Han's lips curved as she managed a smile. She was still somewhat dazed, unable to process it. Her gaze barely fell on her abdomen. Was she truly with child?
Just as Gu Han stood there in a daze, Liu An had already run out to announce the joyous news. Even from the side hall, Gu Han could hear His Majesty's delighted laughter, seeming to say something about "rewards." She didn't hear clearly, still somewhat in a trance.
Zhou had already sat beside her, somewhat at a loss. She said hesitantly:
"You're really pregnant."
She raised her hand, tentatively touching Gu Han's abdomen. Gu Han didn't stop her, so Zhou felt reassured enough to place her hand there. Looking at Gu Han, she muttered quietly:
"It doesn't feel any different."
The abdomen was flat without the slightest curve. Was there truly an imperial heir here?
Gu Han's performance dispelled whatever melancholy emotions she'd had. Feeling both amused and somewhat embarrassed, she shot Zhou Měirén a light glare and said quietly:
"It was only just discovered. What difference could there be?"
Just as the two were speaking, Little Fang Zi suddenly rushed in hurriedly, his face showing great joy:
"My lady! His Majesty has promoted your rank!”
---
Translator's note: guys please i am looking for a volunteer editor, chat me up on dis cord if you are interested. Discord: d_ladypresident
Author's Note:
Kunning Palace: Empress
Yi'an Palace: Consort Shu
Xianleng Palace: Imperial Consort De
Zhaoyang Palace → Main Hall: Xiuyi He
Zhaoyang Palace → Side Hall: Rong Baolin
Yihe Palace → Changchun Pavilion: Female Lead
Rongcui Hall: Beauty Miao
Cuizhu Pavilion: Beauty Lin
Changning Courtyard: Zhou Meiren
Hanleng Palace → (Main Hall transferred to Side Hall): Talented Lady Yuan
Also appearing: Noble Lady Lin, Liu Baolin
Here are the ranks of imperial consorts:
- Empress (皇后 Huánghoù) — Head of the Imperial Harem
- Imperial Noble Consort (皇贵妃 Huáng Guìfēi) — Rank 1
- Noble Consort, Pure Consort, Virtuous Consort, Worthy Consort (贵妃、淑妃、德妃、贤妃 Guìfēi, Shūfēi, Défēi, Xiánfēi)** — Senior Rank 1 (The Four Consorts, with Noble Consort as the highest)
- Consort (妃 Fēi) — Junior Rank 2
- Bright Deportment, Bright Countenance (昭仪、昭容 Zhāoyí, Zhāoróng) — Senior Rank 3
- Cultivated Deportment, Cultivated Countenance (修仪、修容 Xiūyí, Xiūróng) — Junior Rank 3
- Noble Lady (贵嫔 Guìpín) — Senior Rank 4
- Imperial Concubine (嫔 Pín) — Junior Rank 4
- Beauty (美人 Měirén) — Senior Rank 5
- Talented Lady (才人 Cáirén) — Junior Rank 5
- Precious Grove (宝林 Bǎolín) — Senior Rank 6
- Imperial Woman (御女 Yùnǚ) — Junior Rank 6
- Palace Maid (宫女子 Gōngnǚzǐ) — Senior Rank 7
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