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Zhang Qing moved a stool over, and Imperial Doctor Wang wiped his sweat, placed the medicine box aside, and sat on the stool to begin taking the pulse.

After a while, his expression became one of surprise and uncertainty, and after another moment, he was overjoyed and turned to congratulate His Majesty that Beauty Lian was pregnant.

Zhang Qing hurriedly stopped him and gestured towards the outside, signaling him to discuss it outside.

He stopped speaking before the words left his mouth and stole a glance, observing His Majesty’s expression, which seemed to already be aware of this matter.

He thought it was no wonder His Majesty favored Beauty Lian so greatly, promoting her three levels.

It turned out it was because she was with child.

After yesterday, when Huang Zude returned, he did not breathe a word about such a significant matter—it was too disrespectful to their seniors.

He would need to set things straight when he returned.

The Emperor looked displeasedly at this Imperial Physician; this man gave him an extremely poor impression, lacking the stability expected of an Imperial Physician entirely.

He had originally wanted to call for Huang Zude, the young physician from yesterday who seemed more reliable and had taken the pulse twice already.

He was probably more familiar with the situation.

Little Concubine had already taken two days of fetus-preserving medicine, and he wanted to ask him if it would be problematic if she stopped taking it, but unexpectedly, they had called someone else.

He had no choice but to let Imperial Doctor Wang check again, but he never expected this man to lack all tact. Didn’t he see that his person was still sleeping? To diagnose a pregnancy and then make a big fuss about it, it greatly displeased him.

The Emperor signaled for people to exit the inner chamber, and he repositioned Little Concubine’s hand back under the covers, and drew the curtains closed.

He walked outside, stood with his hands behind his back, and waited for someone to report back to him.

Imperial Doctor Wang secretly swallowed his saliva and put on a smile, bending over as he said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations on the joyous news, Beauty Lian is with child."

The Emperor was somewhat impatient and opened his mouth to speak, "Go on."

"Ah?" What to say next? Imperial Doctor Wang was a bit confused.

Zhang Qing deeply regretted not having instructed them to call for Doctor Huang instead. This Imperial Doctor Wang was a fool, and he had no choice but to speak up, "Imperial Doctor Wang, how is Beauty Lian’s health? Is she well?"

Upon hearing Steward Zhang’s words, Imperial Doctor Wang suddenly realized and replied, "Beauty Lian’s health is not a major concern, but the fetus is still in the early months.

Allow me to write a prescription, and after taking fetus-preserving medicine for three months, all should be well.

" This was commonly how the relatives of nobles were treated.

The Emperor turned to him and asked, "Why so long?"

Imperial Doctor Wang didn’t expect His Majesty to question him on this, he hesitated for a moment, then quickly responded, "For women during pregnancy, the fetus is often unstable in the first few months. Following common practice, it’s best to continue the medicine for several months.

" This was how it usually was with the families of high officials.

The Emperor was completely out of patience now; he wanted to know if his Little Concubine also needed to take it for so long. If Imperial Doctor Wang was only going to give him a standard protocol, what was the use of having him examine her?

"You may leave." The Emperor turned and walked back to the Side Hall without another look.

Imperial Doctor Wang stood in place, completely stunned; His Majesty said so little, he hadn’t even understood what was meant before he was dismissed...

Zhang Qing said to him with a forced smile, "Imperial Doctor Wang, please." After speaking, he found a Young Eunuch to see the doctor out, then instructed his subordinates to never call for this man again.

The Emperor returned to the inner chamber and watched over Lian Hua for a while. The recent commotion hadn’t disturbed her; she was still sleeping soundly.

He set his mind at ease, hurried back to Star Palace; he still hadn’t reviewed the memorials submitted today and needed to deal with them quickly so he could return earlier in the evening.

Lian Hua woke up feeling refreshed and at ease. She had expected His Majesty might not be by her side.

Drifting in and out of sleep, she could feel His Majesty’s presence the whole time until she fell deeply asleep, and only then did he leave.

She couldn’t help but hug her pillow and roll around on the bed. She really liked His Majesty, what should she do? Thinking of him made her heart sweet as though she had drunk honey.

Although she was shy, she liked it when His Majesty kissed her, held her hand, tousled her hair, touched her face, pinched her cheeks, and she liked all of His Majesty’s intimate gestures. Sometimes, when His Majesty kissed her, her heart would inevitably beat faster.

She couldn’t help but think that this must be what liking someone feels like.

After spending a while in a sweet daze on the bed, she felt a little thirsty, so she got up to pour a drink. After drinking, she sat down at the desk, resting her chin in her hands as she continued to daydream.

Life was truly good now. She and His Majesty now understood each other’s feelings, each confirming their own hearts. She felt very secure, no longer like before when her heart would hang in suspense, nor did she feel that His Majesty was far away.

He was clearly very close now. She could reach him with an outstretched hand. No, she didn’t even need to reach out—His Majesty would take the initiative to hold her.

His Majesty was so handsome, and he treated her so well. Now, she supposed he belonged to her, teeheehee, it felt like she had struck a bargain, as happy as if she had found silver.

At this thought, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud alone in the room.

Xiao Jizi was outside teaching Xiao Linzi what tasks needed to be done in Canglan Court, with Xiao Qing observing at the side, occasionally interjecting.

Hearing laughter from their master’s room, the three of them stopped and listened quietly, indeed, it was their master laughing.

With His Majesty not being there, they had no idea why their master was laughing alone in there, so joyfully.

Xiao Qing walked to the door and gently knocked, asking, "Master, are you awake?"

Hearing the call, Lian Hua came to her senses and replied, "Mm, I’m awake."

Saying this, she got up, walked to the door, and opened it. "Oh? What are you all doing?" The three of them stood neatly outside, all looking at her.

Xiao Jizi came over, smiling and said, "Master, I was teaching Xiao Linzi how to work. What were you laughing about just now? Share it with us so we can have a laugh, too."

Lian Hua glanced at him and said with animated expressions, "I can’t tell you that." It was something between her and His Majesty, and she didn’t want to say.

Xiao Jizi thought to himself, oh my, the master and His Majesty have opened up to each other, and now she even has her own secrets, couldn’t help but tease her a bit, "Master couldn’t have been laughing thinking about His Majesty, could she?" Then he started laughing.

"..." Lian Hua was speechless; he had guessed exactly right. Was Xiao Jizi the worm in her stomach?

Hmph, if he’s a worm, he needed medicine. She furrowed her brows and said fiercely, "Xiao Qing, what other tasks are there today? Give them all to Xiao Jizi since he’s so idle and talks so much."

"Oh no, please, master, I know my mistake..." Xiao Jizi couldn’t help begging for mercy.

The group burst into laughter.

Xiao Linzi stood to one side, a bit envious that Brother Ji could chat and joke so naturally with Master Lian. He couldn’t. When he saw Master Lian, he would remember the times she hit people...

But if Master Lian didn’t hit people on normal days, she was quite adorable, just like now.

Once they had laughed enough, Lian Hua began to feel a bit bored and, tilting her head, asked Xiao Jizi and the others, "What should we do now?"

"Why don’t we have some snacks?" Xiao Qing suggested. Just yesterday, His Majesty had ordered that snacks be kept ready, so that the master could have them whenever she wanted.