Page 344

The Emperor paced back and forth in agitation, it seemed his anger needed to be released. Suddenly, he stopped and strode towards the outside.

Along the way, the Emperor glanced at the sun overhead and the flowers on the ground, all of which displeased him.

Eunuch Li knew the Emperor was unhappy and cautiously tried to console him, "Your Majesty, perhaps the Empress went to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion to chat with Lady Shen out of boredom in Fengyi Palace. Please don’t be angry."

"Chat to relieve boredom?" the Emperor scoffed, "I see it as the Empress deliberately opposing me."

"How could the Empress possibly oppose Your Majesty? The Empress has always been diligent and devoted in serving you, everyone praises her as a virtuous and gentle lady."

The Emperor coldly glanced at Eunuch Li, "Then tell me, why didn’t the Empress bring some refreshments or soup to the Imperial Study Room to see me?"

Eunuch Li wiped the sweat from his forehead, "The Empress understands you have many affairs to manage, she didn’t wish to disturb Your Majesty at your work."

The Emperor snorted.

By now, Shen Chuwei and the Empress had finished their meal and were chatting about everyday matters.

The Empress spoke to Shen Chuwei about her first experience of joy at pregnancy.

"My first time experiencing joy, the dog..."

Shen Chuwei let out a ’huh’—dog what?!

Having become accustomed to cursing the dog Emperor in her heart, the Empress almost blurted it out, but she quickly corrected herself, "The Emperor brought many folk chefs to cook for me, the child’s name was decided even before birth."

The Empress spoke intermittently of matters from those days.

Listening to her, Shen Chuwei realized the Emperor was also quite good to the Empress.

In ancient times, especially for an emperor, it was not easy to do such things.

Qing Ying entered to report, "Your Highness, the Emperor is heading this way towards the Xiaoxiang Pavilion."

The Empress furrowed her brows, "Why has he come here?"

Qing Ying added, "Judging by the Emperor’s expression, he seems to be quite unhappy."

The Empress was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered that the dog Emperor was supposed to have breakfast with her.

"I should return first, the Emperor is probably still fuming."

Shen Chuwei nodded and watched the Empress leave.

After the Empress had left, Shen Chuwei laid on the bed and touched her own stomach, feeling somewhat overstuffed.

The Empress had just walked out of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion when she saw the dog Emperor coming with a grim face, evidently quite irritated.

She approached and bowed, "Your Majesty."

The Emperor saw the Empress had a rosy complexion and a faint smile in her eyes. He was nearly beside himself with anger, and there she was, smiling.

Yet considering she was pregnant, it wouldn’t be good for her to be kneeling, so despite his stern face, he stepped forward to help her up.

His voice was somewhat deep, "Why do you disregard my words?"

The Empress lifted her beautiful eyes to gaze upon the dog Emperor, "This concubine only went to Xiaoxiang to chat with Lady Shen and relieve the boredom. Does Your Majesty even intend to control this?"

The Emperor’s anger was stuck in his chest, stifling him.

"Did you forget what I said before leaving?"

The Empress feigned ignorance, "What did Your Majesty say?"

The Emperor paused for a moment.

The Empress wiped the sweat from her forehead, "Your Majesty, let’s return. It’s hot out here."

Suppressing his anger, the Emperor returned to Fengyi Palace with the Empress, still concerned about her overheating.

*

Shen Chuwei had been craving stir-fried crayfish these past two days, suffering miserably as it seemed they were nowhere to be found in the palace.

She lay on the bed, fixated on the succulents on the windowsill, their red leaves resembling ripe crayfish.

Chun Xi hurried in, "My lady, an Imperial Edict has arrived."

Shen Chuwei’s mind was currently filled with thoughts of crayfish, and at Chun Xi’s sudden announcement, she didn’t quite catch on, "What edict?"

"My Lady, let me help you up," Chun Xi said as she assisted Shen Chuwei to rise and then knelt to receive the Imperial Edict.

The reader of the edict was Eunuch Li.

In a daze, Shen Chuwei listened as Eunuch Li read the edict in his shrill voice.

The gist of it was that she was to continue staying in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, but the restriction was lifted, so she could move around freely now.

After receiving the edict, Shen Chuwei thought that was the end of it.

But then she heard Eunuch Li add, "Lady Shen, from today, you should visit the Fengyi Palace more frequently. The Empress has been feeling unwell."

Shen Chuwei nodded, "I understand. Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Li."

Once Eunuch Li had left, Shen Chuwei looked puzzled, "Why was I suddenly unconfined?"

Chun Xi asked, "Isn’t it good to be free?"

"I don’t go out anyway," Shen Chuwei said, looking down at her stomach. It was easy for pregnancy to be noticed when going out.

Chun Xi also looked at Shen Chuwei’s stomach, agreeing it was not advisable for her to go out. She suggested, "It seems from the edict the Emperor wants you to visit Fengyi Palace often, rather than the Empress making trips to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion."

The Emperor simply couldn’t stand seeing the Empress frequent the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, so he lifted Shen Chuwei’s confinement to allow her to do the traveling instead. It was easier than having the Empress, who was pregnant, exhaust herself with visits.

At this time, the Empress was unaware that the dog Emperor had lifted Shen Chuwei’s confinement and instructed her to visit Fengyi Palace.

She was still thinking about making garments for her two treasured grandsons, having already crafted a few small belly bands, yet feeling it wasn’t enough, she had also made several hats.

She had ordered another life-preserving lock from the Imperial Workshop, one with a dragon and phoenix design.

Shen Chuwei looked down at her own belly, thinking that if she weren’t so thin, it would be hard to conceal her pregnancy with loose clothing.

But an imperial command could not be disregarded; if she didn’t go and the Empress came instead, the Emperor would likely become enraged.

"Get ready, let’s go to the Fengyi Palace."

"My lady, if your belly is noticed, what shall we do?" Chun Xi was worried. Having been in the palace for so long, she knew too well how many concubines had lost their children before birth due to schemes and machinations behind the scenes.

Shen Chuwei shrugged helplessly, "But Eunuch Li relayed the Imperial order. If I don’t follow through, I fear the whole Imperial Palace will soon know."

Chun Xi was infuriated, "Venturing out is too risky. It’s much safer to remain confined in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion without having to leave."