Chapter 957: Reactions

After feeling the pulse, the Old Imperial Doctor stroked his beard and frowned, remaining silent for a long time.

"What’s the matter?"

Xia Ruqing’s heart skipped a beat.

Zhao Junyao’s face gradually turned grim.

"Is the Noble Consort unwell?"

The Imperial Physician nodded thoughtfully before responding.

"Reporting to the Emperor, Noble Consort!"

"Based on the symptoms observed, it seems the Noble Consort is pregnant!"

"However, the pulse doesn’t show it yet. Might I dare to ask, Your Grace’s monthlies...?"

Xia Ruqing was suddenly embarrassed by the question.

But she still replied honestly.

"This month’s hasn’t come yet; it’s two or three days later than last month!"

The Imperial Physician nodded.

"That explains it!"

"Your Grace is likely pregnant, but it’s early, and can’t be confirmed yet!"

"We’ll need to wait a while longer to be certain!"

"What?!"

Xia Ruqing was somewhat surprised.

Yet Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but feel delighted.

A daughter! Is the daughter he anticipates finally coming?

"As long as there’s no ailment!"

Xia Ruqing said, still bewildered.

"So this means my morning sickness has started?"

The Imperial Physician replied.

"If Your Grace is pregnant, it’s normal to have this reaction."

"Based on Your Grace’s pulse, it’s stable and strong. As long as it doesn’t severely affect eating, there’s no need for medicine!"

"Observe for a few days, then confirm once the pulse is obvious!"

"During these days, please be exceedingly cautious! Avoid raw, cold, and spicy foods; keep warm and avoid catching a chill..."

The Old Imperial Doctor chattered on, offering countless cautions.

Xia Ruqing quickly nodded.

"Alright, I understand!"

Zhao Junyao also felt relieved and asked a few more questions, before instructing the servants to escort the Old Imperial Doctor away properly.

Watching the Old Imperial Doctor’s increasingly shaky silhouette in the candlelight’s shadow.

Xia Ruqing’s mind filled with a big question mark.

"Emperor, he’s... at such an old age, can he be accurate?"

After all, the previous Imperial Physician had just felt her Peaceful Pulse several days ago, revealing nothing.

Moreover, Imperial Doctor Zhang initially said.

That her previous pregnancies had weakened her body, making future pregnancies difficult.

Not to mention, she merely felt uncomfortable in her stomach and vomited once.

And right now, the pulse shows nothing!

Therefore, she’s quite skeptical about this result.

Zhao Junyao, however, was brimming with confidence.

"The Imperial Medical Bureau has many Imperial Physicians; none, young or old, are just freeloaders!"

In other words.

No one gets into the Imperial Medical Bureau without real expertise!

Mistakes in diagnosis? Not saying they’re impossible.

But the probability can essentially be ignored.

An error by court officials might get them demoted or dismissed.

But an erroneous diagnosis from an Imperial Physician could cost a head!

Moreover.

Zhao Junyao suddenly whispered in her ear.

"I have worked so hard; if she doesn’t come, where is divine justice?!"

Xia Ruqing’s face instantly turned red.

"Emperor, you are really..." not serious at all.

"Even if there’s pregnancy, how can you be so sure it’s a Princess? What if it’s just another brat?"

She had only just raised those two Little Buns and managed to breathe a bit.

Now pregnant again; if it’s another brat, she really... might collapse!

She also wants a little cotton-padded jacket.

Zhao Junyao laughed heartily.

"I believe it is!"

"If it’s not, that’s fine too. I can continue trying!"

"What?"

Xia Ruqing was at a loss for words.

"Another child!"

If pregnant for real, this would be her fourth child.

In modern days, she’d be having twice as many as planned.

As if she were some multiple births mammal.

Just about to protest.

Zhao Junyao patted her back.

"Sleep early, you need to eat and sleep well now!"

"In a few days, let the Imperial Physician come again!"

Xia Ruqing pursed her lips.

"Alright!"

After washing, they extinguished the lights and lay on the bed.

Zhao Junyao instinctively embraced her.

She closed her eyes obediently.

But couldn’t fall asleep, her mind filled with melancholy.

’Daughter, you’re coming at a bad time!’

’You spoiled your mother’s long-awaited trip to Jiangnan!’

’If you are indeed a little girl, you must be a mischievous one!’

Initially resentful.

But without realizing, the corners of her mouth curled into a soft smile unnoticed even by herself.

Little cotton-padded jacket.

How could she be willing to blame her!

A sweet dream through the night.

The next day.

When Xia Ruqing woke up, it was already late morning, and Zhao Junyao was still absent.

The room was very quiet, even the whole palace seemed silent.

She was puzzled and murmured.

"Strange, at this time, Henger and Yeye would usually be here; why is there no one today?!"

As she spoke, she got dressed and got out of bed.

Outside, Zi Yue and Zi Su heard the commotion and hurried in.

One rushed to fetch water; the other hastened to assist her.

Xia Ruqing was a bit surprised.

"Why are you...?"

Seeing her drowsy expression, Zi Yue guessed she hadn’t reacted yet, and laughed.

"Your Grace, the Imperial Physician said you’re pregnant yesterday! Please take good care!"

"No, it was only said it’s possible!"

She couldn’t help but chuckle.

Although she liked the idea of a little cotton-padded jacket, it was still uncertain.

She truly didn’t want to end up disappointed.

Imperial Doctor Zhang’s previous diagnosis suggests difficulty in conception, it’s indeed truthful, how could it happen so easily?

But Zi Su was not satisfied.

"I feel the Old Imperial Doctor made sense!"

"Think carefully, have your moods been unstable lately? Feeling drowsy easily? Easily fatigued?!"

This barrage of questions left Xia Ruqing caught off guard.

Upon careful reflection, it was indeed so.

However... such things alone can’t prove pregnancy.

"Maybe it’s because of Xia Ruyi and her brother, too bothersome!"

"Maybe it’s because I am about to have my monthlies again!"

"Otherwise, maybe it’s due to hormonal imbalance! All possible!"

Anyhow, she felt this wasn’t pregnancy.

Why so certain.

Simply because it felt entirely different compared to the previous two times.

Never did she start vomiting in less than a month during pregnancy!

Beside her, Zi Yue brought water in, laughing.

"Alright!"

"Your Grace, better follow the Imperial Physician’s advice!"

"Rest first, and wait half a month to see!" In half a month, things should be clear.

"Indeed!" Xia Ruqing nodded slightly.

After speaking, she washed her face and sat at the vanity.

Just as usual, she opened the rouge and powder boxes preparing to apply makeup.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she opened the rouge box.

The feeling of nausea roiled in her belly.

"Ugh..."

She dropped the blush box, starting to vomit.

Without warning, but vomited profusely.

After vomiting, her face turned pale.

"Your Grace!"

"Your Grace, what happened?!"

Two Palace Maids were frantic, cleaning hastily.

Xia Ruqing weakly shook her head.

"I don’t know either!"

Afterwards, newly risen, she was again helped back to bed.

This time, she couldn’t help but re-examine her earlier words.

"Could it be that I really am pregnant?"

This reaction is too intense!