Chapter 466: Chapter 462: See You Later_1
Wei Zhan hurriedly sent his wife back to her room and immediately dispatched someone to bring the house doctor over.
Originating from the Imperial Medical Bureau, the house doctor was one of the benefits the Emperor had granted to the Commandery Princess.
He was about fifty years old and had never risen to the level of Imperial Physician, only earning the title of doctor.
Even so, his medical skills were far beyond those of most doctors in the county.
As Yingbao extended her hand for Doctor Sun to take her pulse, she was reminded of Doctor Li from her hometown.
Doctor Li and his grandson had been captured by the Jin Ren several years ago, and she didn’t know their current fate.
When they were taken, he had just been appointed Imperial Physician. Barely having settled into the position, a calamity struck. He, along with the craftsmen, treasures, and beauties were all taken by the Jin Ren as spoils, with no word of them since.
Fortunately, his eldest grandson had managed to keep their medical practice going.
Lost in thought, she heard Doctor Sun say, “Congratulations, Commandery Princess, you are pregnant.”
Wei Zhan, standing beside them, was overfilled with joy and hurriedly asked, “How many months along is she?”
Doctor Sun stroked his beard, “Based on Princess’s pulse, it has been probably more than two months.”
Upon hearing this, Wei Zhan felt both guilty and remorseful.
Their intimate relations had been continuous and he ought to have known if she was pregnant in order to avoid careless mistakes.
Doctor Sun glanced at him, saying, “The Commandery Princess’s condition is stable, but she needs to rest and not overexert herself.”
Wei Zhan kept nodding, escorting Doctor Sun out of the inner chamber and asking about the precautions in detail.
After dismissing Doctor Sun, Wei Zhan was rubbing his hands in elation. He instructed the maids to look after his wife well, then hurried to his mother’s place to announce the good news to Lady Wang.
Lady Wang was instantly overjoyed and clasped her hands together in prayer, “May Buddha bless us, I’m finally going to have a grandchild.”
She had been anxiously waiting for three years, and now Yingbao was finally pregnant.
“Qilang, how is Yingbao doing? Does she have any morning sickness?” Lady Wang quickly inquired.
Wei Zhan shook his head, “She says she feels completely normal, just that she’s been feeling tired lately.”
“In that case, accompany her more during the day and let her rest earlier at night. Lack of sleep can also make her feel tired.” Lady Wang gave her son a measuring look, and said in a low voice, “For the next few months, you must avoid intimate relations with Yingbao. Do you understand?”
Wei Zhan’s face turned the color of a purple liver and, squeaking out an agreement, he quickly slipped out of the room and returned to his own courtyard.
In the blink of an eye, three months passed and the height of summer was upon them in June.
Wumei had fully recovered by now.
That day, the eldest son of the Lu family came to bid Yingbao farewell, “Commandery Princess, we will be leaving the day after tomorrow and I came to say goodbye.”
Yingbao: “Are you planning on taking Wuyang back to the palace?”
“Yes! The Emperor has had the harem thoroughly investigated and such incidents will no longer occur,” replied the eldest son of the Lu family, “Rest assured, Commandery Princess, Wuyang will be safe.”
With previous concerns about various issues, the Emperor had now executed all those who had to be dealt with. The palace had almost entirely been “refreshed” with many of the Palace Attendants and eunuchs being removed. Now was the time for the Crown Prince’s return to Beijing.
“And what about Wumei? Do you plan to take him back too?” Yingbao asked, glancing at the boy in the courtyard playing with a toy dove carriage.
The eldest son from the Lu family saluted, “For now, Wumei will stay here. When the time comes, I will have his biological parents come for him.”
Yingbao nodded, “That’s fine then, but please give me advance notice when they will be coming.”
“Of course.”
In the evening, Wuyang returned from his teacher’s house with Jiang Bao and Wei Fanzhi, showing Yingbao the calligraphy he had done, “Miss, look at my writing. Even the teacher praised it.”
Yingbao took a look at the handwriting practice and nodded, “You did a good job. Your writing has almost caught up with your two older brothers.”
Delighted by her words, Wuyang dove into Yingbao’s arms, gently patted her pregnant belly and asked, “When my little sister is born, can I teach her how to read?”
Yingbao chuckled, “How are you so sure it’s a sister?”
Wuyang hummed, “I just know!”
Wumei stood quietly by, watching Wuyang. Seeing him cuddling in Yingbao’s embrace, he couldn’t help but squeeze over and cling to Yingbao’s thigh, resting his face on it.
Yingbao stroked his fluffy head and turned to Wuyang. “Your uncle will take you to Beijing tomorrow. I’ve asked Magnolia to pack all your toys. If there is anything else you want, tell me now and I’ll send someone to buy it.”
Wuyang was stunned. “Who’s my uncle?”
“It’s Mr. Lu who often takes you to practice archery. Have you forgotten?” For the past three months, Mr. Lu had been portraying himself as Wuyang’s uncle, often taking the children to play archery games. Since Wuyang seemed to like him, Yingbao decided to tell him the truth.
Wuyang pouted and looked on the brink of tears, “I don’t want to go with him!”
“Don’t you always want to meet your father? If you go to Beijing with your uncle, you’ll be able to meet your father,” Yingbao gently persuaded him.
Previously, Wuyang had asked her why other children had fathers while he didn’t. He had even secretly called Wei Zhan ‘father’, but Yingbao had stopped him.
“I don’t want a father! Wah wah wah…” Wuyang cried relentlessly, his tears and mucus smeared on Yingbao’s leg. “I don’t want to go with Uncle Lu!”
Yingbao held Wuyang and tried to soothe him. “Your mother and father miss you. They are waiting for you in Beijing,” she comforted him.
“No! No! No!” Wuyang shook his head vehemently, gripping Yingbao’s arm tightly, “I only want to be with you.”
Yingbao felt a pang in her heart, but as the Emperor’s eldest son, she couldn’t keep Wuyang with her. “Be a good boy, Wuyang. I will go to Beijing later and I will visit you then.”
But no matter how she coaxed him, Wuyang continued to cry loudly, prompting tears to well up in Yingbao’s eyes as well.
Seeing this, Anrou and Magnolia rushed over, fearing that Wuyang might squish their mistress’ belly, and immediately picked him up.
Wumei quietly looked at Yingbao and asked, “Auntie, do I not have to go with Uncle?
Wiping her eyes with a handkerchief, Yingbao nodded, “You don’t have to return for now. You can stay here until your parents come to fetch you.”
Wumei curved his lips into a faint smile. He glanced at Wuyang who was still crying, and rested his head on Yingbao’s body.
Not having to go back was good. He wanted to stay with his aunt forever.
That place was too intimidating and scary. There was no good food, and even the water was limited. If he accidentally spilled his water, he would have to endure thirst until the eunuch brought more from outside.
On the third day, Wuyang was lifted on to the carriage by Mr. Lu.
Unlike the first time, Wuyang didn’t wail. He just silently shed tears.
Standing next to the carriage, Yingbao wiped his small face and passed him a bundle, whispering, “This bundle contains thirty bottles of medicine. Keep it with you and don’t give it to anyone else. If your stomach hurts or if you feel uncomfortable anywhere, drink one bottle. Understand?”
Wuyang nodded, and looked at Yingbao, his face displaying utter grievance. “Why do I have to go back? Wumei was the one brought here by Uncle Lu, why doesn’t he have to go back?”
Yingbao: …
She didn’t know how to explain.
Wumei stood beside Yingbao, his fingers gripping a corner of her dress with a faint smile in his eyes.
“We’re setting off now, excuse us!” Mr. Lu raised his fist to Yingbao in salute, “Commandery Princess, we’ll meet again.”
Yingbao returned the gesture, “Mr. Lu, take care on your journey. The weather is hot now, so make sure Wuyang drinks plenty of water to avoid heatstroke.”
“Understood. Please take care too.”
Mr. Lu took a seat next to Wuyang and ordered the coachman to start the journey.