CH 57.2

After breakfast, Emperor Jing Li went to the study to review the memorials.

Liao Qing Qing took the palace maids to arrange the things that had been moved over to Zhengqian Palace. After they were done, Liao Qing Qing officially resided in Zhengqian Palace.

Originally, the imperial concubine was supposed to pay their respects daily to her, this Empress. But Empress Dowager loved her unborn baby so much that she changed the daily salutation to once every ten days.

In order to give her some time to relax, the Empress Dowager, who had not consulted about the affairs of the harem for a long time, intervened from time to time to ask about various matters in the harem. Even the coronation ceremony on the sixth day of the sixth month was postponed due to her pregnancy.

Anyway, the ceremony was just a formality as Liao Qing Qing was already the Empress.

Therefore, Liao Qing Qing’s life was very leisurely.

It was just that Emperor Jing Li was a bit of a nuisance.

Ever since she used her hands to help Emperor Jing Li solve his physiological problems, it was as if Emperor Jing Li had turned on a free-for-all mode and experimented with all sorts of things. Sometimes, he would cause even her, a person from the 21st century, to blush.

She occasionally thought of a saying that she had heard in her previous life: “Men are most likely to cheat when women are pregnant”. She imagined Emperor Jing Li bestowing favour to another imperial concubine.

Who would it be?

She felt cold inwardly.

It is quite uncomfortable.

In the end, days went by. Emperor Jing Li did not even enter the harem. Those concubines who wanted to take advantage of the Empress’s pregnancy to climb the ladder were somewhat dissatisfied. Some people in the imperial court also proposed the words “to share the rain and dew”.[1] Emperor Jing Li used the method of “The Empress is pregnant with my first child, so I have to be careful” and blocked everyone’s restless thoughts.

That’s right!

This is the Emperor’s first child!

Is it easy for His Majesty to have a child?

It has been ten years!

The Emperor ascended the throne for ten years and finally dispelled the rumours of “having an illness”, “being impotent”, etc. With his first child, of course, he has to be cautious. Of course, he has to put all his attention on the Empress!

The harem was unhappy but could only endure it.

The imperial officials understood what Emperor Jing Li meant.

When Liao Qing Qing heard these words, she was particularly happy. At night, she was very spontaneous with Emperor Jing Li. But Emperor Jing Li didn’t act in an unrestrained manner. He placed an arm around Liao Qing Qing from behind, with his other hand protecting Liao Qing Qing’s already bulging belly. He said, “Sleep properly.”

“Your Majesty?” Liao Qing Qing said in surprise.

“Protect the child,” Emperor Jing Li said.

Liao Qing Qing beamed.

“I will deal with you after you’ve given birth!”

“That’s still four or five months away.”

“What can’t I do?” Emperor Jing Li asked in a domineering manner.

Liao Qing Qing was convinced of this and immediately said with certainty, “Your Majesty can do anything!”

“Mm, sleep.”

For the next few days, Emperor Jing Li did not fool around.

As her belly grew bigger and bigger, Liao Qing Qing noticed that Emperor Jing Li treated her increasingly well. Without her reminding him, he would talk to her belly.

Once the baby kicked him through her belly, he was so excited that he couldn’t speak.

For several days in a row, he felt the wonders of life.

Liao Qing Qing felt the miracle of life when her belly was slightly bulging. As her belly slowly grew larger and as her baby moved for the first time, she slowly felt the wonderful presence of a baby and the beauty of life.

Every day, she had a smile on her face. She would eat, sleep and exercise on time. Her belly grew increasingly bigger, and she actually looked increasingly prettier, where even the Empress Dowager and Chang Momo were in awe.

She could actually look prettier when she was pregnant!

Whenever Emperor Jing Li had time, he would cling to Liao Qing Qing, hold her hands, kiss her face, touch her and place himself on her belly every day.

Liao Qing Qing was already more than seven months pregnant in the blink of an eye.

She had survived the blazing summer, and finally, the cool autumn arrived.

It was time for the once every ten days ceremony to pay respect.

It had been four times since she had attended the ceremony. In total, it had been two months since she had greeted the concubines of the harem.

The first time was because it was raining heavily and Emperor Jing Li had forbidden her from going out, saying that it was slippery and she might fall.

The second time, an imperial concubine had a cough. Although the imperial concubine called in sick, there was no guarantee that other concubines did not get sick, so what if they passed their disease to Liao Qing Qing? What would happen?

The sun was so hot the third time that the cicadas couldn’t withstand it. Liao Qing Qing couldn’t stand it and might get heatstroke, so Emperor Jing Li didn’t allow Liao Qing Qing to attend the salutation ceremony again.

The fourth time, the wind blew. Emperor Jing Li was afraid a broken tree branch would hit Liao Qing Qing. Then, Empress Dowager personally intervened and hosted the salutation ceremony and other matters by properly arranging various things in the harem.

… This was the fifth time.

It was a beautiful day. There was nothing wrong with it, and Emperor Jing Li gave his approval, so Liao Qing Qing could finally go out.

She was surrounded by a circle of palace maids and senior maids.

The three midwives— who had been out of business in the palace for a long time — followed her around all day and finally caught her as a client. They treated her like a god.

Fortunately, she was not a delicate person, regardless of how favourable the outside world was, but there were too many hard times.

She walked steadily forward.

She walked to the Yujing Garden next to Zhengqian Palace, a scenic residence in the palace where one could enjoy the scenery and have tea and chat. Emperor Jing Li did not like so many people entering Zhengqian Palace, so he arranged for the Empress’s salutation ceremony to be held in the hall of the Yujing Garden.

As soon as Liao Qing Qing entered Yujing Garden, the eunuch shouted, “Her Highness, the Empress, has arrived——”

Liao Qing Qing stepped into the hall after the eunuch had shouted. Once she entered the hall, she saw two rows of concubines standing in the hall, dressed in red and green, looking extremely good.

“Greetings to Your Highness, the Empress. May Your Highness, the Empress, be in good health.”

“You may all rise.” Liao Qing Qing’s gaze naturally fell on Consort Liang.

Consort Liang was dressed in her usual attire today. She was not too striking nor mundane. Her head was slightly lowered, and Liao Qing Qing couldn’t see her expression, so she appeared a little meek.

Meek?

That isn’t like Consort Liang’s personality.

Liao Qing Qing subconsciously considered what “good thing” might happen to her out of precaution. Because, after all, Consort Liang had always wanted to kill her.

She is in the light while Consort Liang is in the dark.

It can’t be Consort Liang is playing some underhanded tricks, right?

Liao Qing Qing’s hand reflexively rested on her stomach. She slowly stopped at her feet and did not move forward but looked straight at Consort Liang. Consort Liang seemed to sense her gaze and raised her eyes to look at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing did not notice any abnormalities.

Like the other concubines, Consort Liang slowly lowered her head and waited for Liao Qing Qing to approach her and take her seat. However, she was different from the other concubines. Her hands clenched in her sleeves, sweating slightly, her heart thumping wildly as if she was about to achieve a sinful victory, making her scared and happy.

Come over.

All Liao Qing Qing has to do is approach her.

But Liao Qing Qing did not move. Her gaze still wandered over Consort Liang’s body. Surprisingly, she realised that Consort Liang’s body was as tense as ever, her neck was stiff, and her arms secretly exerted force.

It was a sign of being nervous as a human.

Without special psychological and behavioural training, even a person with the strongest mentality would accidentally reveal their intentions in their behaviour and demeanour. This was especially so when they were overwhelmed with emotions, and their behaviour was the most obvious.

Something is amiss about Consort Liang!

“Your Highness,” He Xiang called out.

Liao Qing Qing snapped out of it and looked toward He Xiang.

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

“Bengong is a little unwell. Let’s return.” Liao Qing Qing wasn’t sure if her guess was correct. However, she didn’t want to verify it. She had to keep herself and the child safe. That meant staying away from the current Consort Liang. She said, “We’ll return now.”

Upon hearing this, He Xiang hastily asked, “Where is Your Highness not feeling well?”

The imperial concubines did not know what was happening.

Consort Liang suddenly raised her head to look at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing had already turned around and walked towards the outside of the hall.

Consort Liang’s heart fell with a thud. She is unwell again. She hadn’t seen Liao Qing Qing for two months, and if she didn’t make a move now, Liao Qing Qing’s baby would be born. She couldn’t miss this opportunity.

She immediately took a step toward Liao Qing Qing.

Just then, she heard Emperor Jing Li’s voice, “Qing Qing.”

His Majesty has arrived too!

She walked towards Liao Qing Qing with faster steps and was about to reach out to support Liao Qing Qing to show her concern when suddenly two guards blocked her way.

She stopped in her tracks and asked in surprise, “What are you doing?”

Emperor Jing Li said angrily, “Cut the crap! Arrest her!”

[1] 雨露均沾(jūnzhān yǔlù)- To share the rain and dew. “Rain and dew” refers to favour. Thus, it means to share the (Emperor’s) favour.