82. The Unexpected Arrives

Night fell upon the palace, in the Heart-Cultivating Garden.

While the Hui Escort Agency and Prince Jun’s Manor were anxiously preparing for Hui Qinghui and Si Rou’s wedding, things were no easier for Qiqi within the palace walls. She was constantly on edge, fearing that someone might appear at any moment, and she was to endure ten days in solitude. It was unbearable—no one to speak with, only silence pressing in around her. Fortunately, Imperial Physician Chen and Little Xi would linger for a chat when they brought her meals; otherwise, Qiqi feared she might lose her ability to speak entirely after several more days. She was also grateful that no one else but those two had come—any more visitors, and she would be in real trouble.

This evening, unable to sleep, Qiqi sat in the little garden of the Heart-Cultivating Garden, gazing at the stars. Suddenly, a shrill eunuch’s voice rang out: “His Majesty arrives!” For days now, Xuanyuan Ren’s thoughts had been preoccupied with Hui Yue’er, but both the Empress Dowager and Du Haiju had forbidden him from coming to the Heart-Cultivating Garden. Tonight, unable to resist, he had finally come to see for himself.

Startled by the announcement, Qiqi froze, unsure what to do. Thankfully, the main gate of the Heart-Cultivating Garden was locked from within. Unless Qiqi opened it herself, no one could enter. She forced herself to remain calm—she needed to give Little Xi, who was secretly protecting her, time to seek help. Approaching the door, she spoke softly, “Your Majesty, my lady has taken her medicine and is already asleep. The imperial physician has repeatedly instructed me not to admit anyone. For the sake of your health, please return, Your Majesty!”

There was no way, not even on pain of death, that she would let Xuanyuan Ren enter. Too many lives were at stake, including the two people she cared for most.

Eunuch Rong joined in, trying to dissuade Xuanyuan Ren. “Indeed, Your Majesty, Princess Siyue is afflicted with smallpox, an extremely contagious disease. It is best if Your Majesty does not enter.”

If Xuanyuan Ren were the type to heed Eunuch Rong, he would not be standing there now.

Stubbornly, Xuanyuan Ren replied, “I don’t believe smallpox is quite so contagious! Besides, I am the Son of Heaven—am I to fear a mere smallpox virus? Little girl, open the door and let me see Yue’er, just for a moment!” After all, he had been the one to bring her into the palace. Now that she was ill, would it not be heartless not to check on her? If only Zhao Chengxian had not been out of the capital these past days—he would have liked to talk with him, to ease his own frustration. Some matters could not be shared with one’s wife, and he knew well enough that certain things were better left hidden from Du Haiju. He had decided to let Yue’er leave the palace once she recovered; she needed a husband who could care for her in sickness, not someone who could only watch from afar. If only he had released her sooner. Yet, the joy of an impending happy event had made him forget all about Yue’er.

At that moment, Empress Du Haiju arrived in haste, attended by only her personal maid and dressed in a thin garment. Upon seeing Xuanyuan Ren, she bowed and hurried forward to persuade him. “Your Majesty, you should return. In just a few days, Sister Yue’er will be well again, and you will see her then. If Your Majesty enters and contracts the illness, what would become of me? Please, Your Majesty, go—” Suddenly, she began to retch.

Xuanyuan Ren panicked, quickly removing his cloak to drape it over Du Haiju’s shoulders. If she merely had a cold, she should not be retching—clearly, something else was afoot, something joyous.

Xuanyuan Ren assumed it was just a chill, and, wrapping his arms around her, chided gently, “Look at you, coming out in such flimsy garments. Do you want to catch cold?” He instructed Eunuch Rong, “Summon the imperial physician to Phoenix Residence!” With that, he left with Du Haiju, seemingly forgetting altogether that he had come for Hui Yue’er. Such was an emperor’s affection—intense, but fleeting as a spark.

Qiqi hurriedly called out through the door, “Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty and Your Highness!” She leaned against the door, patting her chest in relief. In her heart, she thought, “Sister Yue, please come back soon. I can’t take this anymore!” Little did she know, the Emperor now had no time for them at all.

Within the palace, in the Phoenix Residence—

Xuanyuan Ren helped Du Haiju to the couch, while she extended her wrist for the imperial physician to take her pulse. Xuanyuan Ren watched the physician’s furrowed brow, his heart rising and falling with every shift in the man’s expression. At last, he could bear it no longer and asked, “Imperial Physician, is the Empress ill or not?” When it came to Du Haiju, Xuanyuan Ren shed all imperial airs, caring for her like any ordinary husband.

The imperial physician, cautious as ever, asked several questions, “Your Highness, have you recently experienced nausea or retching, or unusual fatigue?”

After all, his own neck was on the line. A wrong diagnosis could cost him his head.

Du Haiju thought for a moment and replied, “Yes. Lately, I’ve also craved sour and spicy foods, and can barely eat anything else. I thought my digestion was just off these past few days.” She was familiar with the symptoms of pregnancy, but after so many years without news, she had not considered it possible, attributing her discomfort to a digestive upset.

Xuanyuan Ren, though he had several children, had never heard of pregnancy reactions—the consorts always greeted him at their best, and would eat whatever he liked, so he remained unaware. Seeing the imperial physician’s nervousness, he pressed, “Imperial Physician, surely this is not just indigestion? If she is ill, you must treat her at once!”

At this, Xuanyuan Ren seemed almost endearing, and Du Haiju could not help but smile at him.

The imperial physician knelt and announced in a loud voice, “Congratulations, Your Majesty! Her Highness the Empress is two months with child!” At last, their own child was coming into the world—Du Haiju was stunned, overwhelmed by the joyous surprise.

Xuanyuan Ren, too, was taken aback, his face alight with delight as he asked, “Truly?” Though this was not his first time hearing such news, never before had it filled him with such incredulous joy—for this time, it was his Empress, his wife, who was expecting.

The physician replied earnestly, “Your servant is certain. Her Highness’s pulse is indeed that of joy—she is carrying the imperial heir!” Elation swept through the Phoenix Residence, from the matrons to the palace maids, all rejoicing for their mistress.

After giving his instructions, the physician withdrew. Xuanyuan Ren, thrilled, embraced Du Haiju and whispered with a gentle laugh, “At last, we are to have our own child!” Leaning on Xuanyuan Ren’s shoulder, Du Haiju wept tears of joy. She knew that in the harem, even as Empress, she could not truly walk tall without a child of her own. Xuanyuan Ren understood the pressure she had endured all these years and quietly kept her company. An emperor was not always heartless, but his affection could never belong to one alone.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, and all those in between—bring forth your golden medals, your red envelopes, your gifts, and shower them upon me! Hold nothing back; let the storm rage even fiercer!