Chapter 329: Who is this guarding against?

"You don’t believe me? Go in and ask!"

Little Zhuzi felt a chill run down his spine and bolted!

Li Shengan watched his retreating figure and cursed, "That little rascal! So he’s not stupid after all!"

After calming down, Zhao Junyao ultimately couldn’t bring himself to give her a bowl of abortifacient soup.

As for Lady Shih’s situation, he decided to just let it be.

No rewards, no stated position, no involvement!

If Noble Concubine Shih wished to raise the child, then let her.

It’s just a child, after all, and my own flesh and blood. I can’t truly be heartless enough to have it killed. Since the Empress Dowager pleaded so earnestly, consider her wish fulfilled. In the future, let the Empress Dowager devoutly worship Buddha and cultivate her character, just as she herself said!

Having come to terms with it, he let the matter rest.

The Martial Examination was the day after tomorrow, and Zhao Junyao was in a foul mood.

That night, under the cover of darkness, he took Xia Ruqing to the travel palace, partly to check on how the preparations for the event were progressing.

「As for the Harem」

The Emperor’s attitude was so clear; who couldn’t discern it?

The unease in the Empress’s heart gradually dissipated.

As the saying goes, a melon forcibly twisted from the vine isn’t sweet! We don’t even know if it’s a boy or a girl yet. Moreover, the Emperor doesn’t like the idea, so it’s difficult for me to bear as well! With the Empress Dowager protecting the child, I definitely won’t be able to interfere. It seems the birth is inevitable. Fortunately, the Emperor isn’t pleased about it!

Sister Ji also advised, "Indeed. Even if it’s a Prince, if the Emperor doesn’t like him, he still won’t like him!"

The Empress then grew worried. "But... even if unfavored, a Prince is still a Prince!"

Sister Ji added, "It might not even be a Prince! Besides, Your Majesty, you might have one of your own! There are so many Honored Ladies; if any one of them gives birth, you can simply take the child to raise. By then, yours would be the primary son!"

The Empress rubbed her belly in distress.

Alas, when will I ever have a child of my own! The Emperor is willing to visit, so why won’t he touch me? I must find a way to bear a child myself! A child from another’s womb is never truly one’s own!

That night, the Empress also heard that the Emperor had left the palace, taking Xia Jieyu with him. She tossed and turned, finding it even harder to sleep.

That child in the other woman’s womb—the Emperor is extremely fond of it! No matter how I think about it, I feel caught in a pincer attack, assailed from both front and rear! Why is it so difficult for me to have a child!

The Empress was terribly distressed by this.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager and Noble Concubine Shih were so overjoyed they practically wanted to beat gongs and drums in celebration.

The Empress Dowager knelt before the Buddha, tears streaming down her face.

Thank you, Buddha, for your blessing! From now on, my Shih Family will also have Royal Family blood! Securing wealth and status will no longer be a concern. My life’s wish is now fulfilled. From this day forward, I am willing to observe a vegetarian diet, chant Buddha’s name, and make offerings to you!

After speaking, she kowtowed reverently several times.

The stone that had weighed on her heart for many years finally lifted.

The Empress Dowager thought,

Boy or girl, I have fulfilled my duty to the Shih Family. Even if I were to die now, I would have no regrets.

「At Noble Concubine Shih’s residence」

That very day, she hurriedly had Lady Shih moved to her quarters. From then on, Noble Concubine Shih took charge of Lady Shih’s daily life, from her meals and accommodation to her clothing and other expenses. As for Palace Attendants, she immediately assigned four, forming an iron-clad protection around Lady Shih. Noble Concubine Shih was terrified someone would snatch away her chance at this child.

As for whether the Emperor liked this child or not? She couldn’t care less.

I refuse to believe one can truly despise one’s own flesh and blood!

Zhao Junyao’s private sentiment regarding this was that,

Unfortunately, I truly can’t bring myself to like it.

「Once Lady Shih had moved out」

Consort Yun Pin felt quite resentful.

Who is this... who are they guarding against? Am I truly so fearsome? To scare Noble Concubine Shih so much that she couldn’t wait even a single day to move Lady Shih? Is she afraid I’ll resort to some underhanded tricks?

Consort Yun Pin sneered inwardly.

In truth, I’m not entirely convinced by Noble Concubine Shih’s airs either. It’s just that, due to her status, I dare not offend her!

It was the same with Consort Zheng Pin. Consort Zheng Pin had long felt the same way, but lacking any real power herself, she also dared not cause offense.

「That night」

Xia Ruqing had not been asleep for long when the Emperor sent someone to fetch her, stating that they were to leave the palace and would only return after the Martial Examination was over.

Xia Ruqing was, of course, delighted. She joyfully had her things packed and followed the Emperor out of the palace.

Throughout the journey, Zhao Junyao worried that the carriage might jostle her too much, so he sat inside with her, carefully holding her the entire way.

Xia Ruqing found a comfortable position in his arms and slept soundly, feeling perfectly at ease.

They arrived at the travel palace in the suburbs late in the night. Xia Ruqing was already fast asleep.

Zhao Junyao carried her out of the carriage, and the two of them rested at the travel palace for the night.

「The next day」

When they awoke, Xia Ruqing was refreshed and energetic, while Zhao Junyao had dark circles under his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was unshaven.

"Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Are you tired? Didn’t you rest well?"

Zhao Junyao looked at the woman standing before him, her complexion rosy, her eyes bright, a hint of gentle mischief in her smile. He felt a pang of disappointment.

"It’s nothing!"

"What do you mean, ’it’s nothing’?" Xia Ruqing blinked.

Zhao Junyao gently ruffled her hair and shifted his gaze out the window. "It’s getting late. We should have breakfast!"

With that, he walked outside.

Xia Ruqing turned and caught a glimpse of his rather forlorn back.

Forlorn? Why did that word suddenly pop into my mind?

Confused for a moment and unable to figure it out, she shook her head and dismissed the thought.

Right, eating is what matters!

In truth, Zhao Junyao did feel a touch of melancholy. But he couldn’t understand why.

Could it be because other women are pregnant, and Qingqing shows no signs of jealousy? But she’s not at fault. She’s cheerful and wise, occasionally mischievous and quirky, yet endearingly innocent. She’s truly wonderful—beautiful, adorable, like the most delicate of flowers. It makes me want to cherish her, protect her, and ensure no one can ever bully her. Yet, given her virtuous nature, shouldn’t I be pleased? Why can’t I feel happy?

He pondered this question all night but couldn’t find an answer.

In the end, Zhao Junyao came to a conclusion.

Matters of affection between men and women, just as Etiquette Sister said, can indeed cause one to lose their senses. Etiquette Sister also said that for an emperor, this is a grave taboo, something to be avoided at all costs! So, it’s best not to dwell on it. If I want to be good to her, then I should simply be as good to her as I possibly can!

Zhao Junyao had never liked to waste effort on such tangled, trivial matters. Having reached this understanding, he dismissed the thought.

「And then」

After breakfast, the two of them, in high spirits, went to the martial practice field.

Xia Ruqing wasn’t afraid of walking. Imperial Doctor Zhang had told her that plenty of walking was beneficial for a smooth delivery. In ancient times, there were no caesarean sections; all births were natural. A successful birth meant both mother and child would be safe; failure meant death, often claiming two lives at once.

She cherished her life. Therefore, she diligently walked around every day.

Now, approaching her sixth month, apart from her growing belly, her arms and legs remained slender, and she was in good physical condition!

That day, she insisted on walking for a full kilometer. Zhao Junyao didn’t dare let her walk any further after that. He had her carried in a small sedan chair to the martial practice field.

As soon as Xia Ruqing stepped out of the sedan chair, her field of vision widened instantly. She took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Before her lay the vast martial practice field. In the center of the practice field stood a tall, wooden Martial Stage.