Page 333

Shen Chuwei’s hand had just reached into the fruit platter when she heard this remark and glanced at the lychee, hesitant about whether to eat a bite of lychee first or to answer Xiao Jinyu’s question.

A concubine laughs in a whirl of red dust, who could restrain themselves?

So, Shen Chuwei picked up a neatly peeled fruit, the moist flesh slipped into her mouth, fresh and juicy, the taste was excellent.

"Thank you for your concern, Jinyu, I’m fine," she replied.

The Empress took Shen Chuwei’s hand again, looking at her with an expectant face, and in the softest, most tender voice she inquired, "Lady Shen, tell me the truth, are you pregnant?"

The lychee that Shen Chuwei had just popped into her mouth was stuck there, awkwardly uncertain whether to swallow or spit it out, all while gazing at the Empress.

How did the Empress know she was pregnant?

She glanced down at her belly subconsciously, it didn’t seem that noticeable... did it?

Seeing Shen Chuwei’s shocked expression, the Empress felt very guilty, "Look at the fright I’ve given the child, she’s too scared to even speak."

It was true, with all the schemes and struggles for favor in the palace, any means to get ahead were fair game.

She also understood why Shen Chuwei hadn’t mentioned her pregnancy, a wise move indeed.

Another woman would have flaunted her pregnancy everywhere to curry favor.

She whispered softly, "Lady Shen, don’t be afraid."

Shen Chuwei shook her head, she wasn’t afraid, only puzzled. How had it suddenly become known?

She was completely unprepared~

As if reading Shen Chuwei’s thoughts, the Empress explained, "I’ve been through this before, the way you walk resembles someone who is pregnant.

And you, keeping such a significant matter to yourself, how could you not tell me?

Being pregnant is delicate business, the early months are fraught with discomfort, and you’ve been enduring it all alone, it’s much too pitiful. "

Shen Chuwei thought to herself, unspoken, I didn’t tell you, yet you, with your keen eyes, still figured it out!

Xiao Jinyu, upon hearing about the pregnancy, was first taken aback, and then objected, "Mother, could you be mistaken? With the Crown Prince away for so long, how could Lady Shen possibly be pregnant? Such talk may lead to misunderstandings about her."

As expected, Xiao Jinyu received a sharp reprimand from the Empress for his comment, "I told you to read more books and you just fill the numbers without true talent!"

Xiao Jinyu truly felt wronged today. His mother, who is usually reluctant to scold or strike him, had actually lashed out at him twice?

"Mother, where did I go wrong?" Xiao Jinyu protested, believing he wasn’t just filling numbers.

The Empress pointed to Lady Shen’s belly and explained, "Look at Lady Shen’s stomach, how many months along is she?"

She paused for a moment, then turned her head towards Shen Chuwei, her voice immediately softening, "Lady Shen, how many months are you?"

Shen Chuwei could no longer hide the truth and truthfully confessed, "A little over four months."

The Empress then addressed her son, "Did you hear that? Four months. How long has your brother been gone?"

Xiao Jinyu barely thought before replying, "Three months and twenty days."

"Over four months now." The Empress looked again at Shen Chuwei’s belly, her excitement was palpable.

Her smile was so wide that her mouth wouldn’t close.

With a ten-month gestation, it would be just six more months before she could see her grandchild.

Xiao Jinyu was still somewhat incredulous, "Mother, is Lady Shen truly pregnant?"

The Empress lifted her chin, "Of course, this time I am truly going to be a Grand Empress."

She mused, an own grandchild, the feeling is simply different.

Xiao Jinyu, also thrilled beyond measure, exclaimed, "Then I’m going to be an uncle?"

The Empress joyfully said, "Naturally, dear uncle."

Xiao Jinyu eagerly spoke up, "When the baby comes, I’ll take him out to play."

As Shen Chuwei peeled more lychees and stuffed them into her mouth, she watched the Empress and Xiao Jinyu discussing how to play with her son, debating whether to start with a pellet drum or a wooden horse, or perhaps chasing butterflies~

She stealthily rubbed her stomach, my child, you’ll have plenty to play with once you’re out.

Shen Chuwei ate with joy but then heard the Empress and Xiao Jinyu arguing.

The Empress declared, "Once my Imperial Grandson is born, I’ll hold him and walk through the Imperial Garden every day."

Xiao Jinyu countered, "I can also take the baby horseback riding."

The Empress questioned, "The baby is so young, how can he ride a horse?"

Xiao Jinyu firmly insisted, "Why can’t he ride a horse? I will protect the baby."

The Empress responded sternly, "The baby is still too young for horseback riding. If you don’t behave, you won’t be allowed to hold the baby."

Xiao Jinyu reluctantly gave in, "Then I’ll take the baby for a wooden horse ride, is that okay?"

Shen Chuwei bit into a lychee and seeing the scene unfold before her, she secretly touched her belly again, my sons, you’re about to become national treasures!

The Empress looked towards Shen Chuwei again and gently asked, "Lady Shen, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Shen Chuwei shook her head, "I don’t feel unwell anywhere."

The Empress said, "That’s good. I had all sorts of discomfort when I was first joyful with pregnancy; I was worried you might be the same."

With her cheeks puffed, Shen Chuwei replied, "I’m fine, just some drowsiness and vomiting in the early phase, but that’s over now."

The Empress empathized, "It’s just like that at the beginning of a happy pregnancy, the severe cases can’t eat, and there’s constant nausea and vomiting, which is why pregnancy is so hard for women."

Although Xiao Jinyu couldn’t empathize, he could imagine it, a belly that suddenly grew so much, must be uncomfortable~

"It’s a pity that the Crown Prince isn’t here."

At this, the Empress paused, remembering the Crown Prince has been on a campaign for a while now. It’s always better to have a man by her side when a woman is pregnant, as there is a need for extra care.

When she was first pregnant, with all the discomforts and inability to eat, the dog Emperor, despite having so many women in the three palaces and six courtyards, would still always find time to be with her, ordering meals made to her taste.

Thinking back on it, she felt the dog Emperor was somewhat decent~

However, her fleeting fond memories receded as soon as she recalled the Emperor’s recent incessant complaints.

The dog Emperor, really an unbearable man!

"I’ve heard from the Emperor about triumphs on the frontlines, he should return soon."

Shen Chuwei nodded, Xiao Jinyan had also mentioned in his letters that he should be back this month if all went well.

"I must go tell the Emperor, let him know you are pregnant, so he can release you," said the Empress before she stood up and walked out decisively.

Shen Chuwei hardly had time to react before watching the Empress hurry off. Really, she’s telling the Emperor just like that?

Xiao Jinyu tried to comfort her, "Sister-in-law, don’t worry, my Father the Emperor will definitely release you once he learns of your pregnancy."

When alone, Xiao Jinyu would address Shen Chuwei as sister-in-law.

Shen Chuwei signaled she didn’t wish to go, as she found her current accommodations quite comfortable, especially cool in the summer~

It wasn’t long before the Empress returned.

Xiao Jinyu asked in confusion, "Mother, why have you come back?"

The Empress sat beside Shen Chuwei again, after a moment of contemplation she said, "I’ve thought it over, and telling the Emperor now doesn’t seem right.

After all, it was he who wanted to keep you confined here, though mistaken in thinking you seldom become pregnant, but he is so obstinate in his views. "