Chapter 107: Heaven’s Gift

Chu Jinyao had been standing since early morning without having eaten or even taken a sip of water. After returning to the Empress’s palace, she was exposed to the wind and rain, and then splashed with ice. Her body could not endure it, and she fainted.

 

Chu Jinyao’s collapse shocked everyone in the Eastern Palace. Both inside and outside, there was instant chaos. The commotion grew so loud that it drowned out even the sounds of the rain and thunder. Lanyu had initially doubted that Chu Jinyao had truly fainted, but seeing the situation spiral out of control, she began to feel anxious herself.

 

It was true that women feared the cold, but standing in the wind for just a short while shouldn’t have caused such a drastic reaction, right? Even the ice that had splashed her didn’t cover her completely.

 

Lanyu returned to the hall and bowed to Empress Xiao Qi:  “Your Majesty.”

 

“She’s gone?”

 

“Yes. The Eastern Palace sent a sedan chair, and she has now returned.”

 

Empress Xiao Qi snorted indifferently, “Such a delicate one. After standing outside for just a short while, she actually fainted. I wonder who she’s putting on this act for.”

 

She clearly didn’t take the matter seriously. Chu Jinyao had already left, and Empress Xiao Qi regretted not being able to continue watching the drama unfold, so she lazily stood up. Lanyu quickly stepped forward to support her hand as Empress Xiao Qi walked toward the inner chamber.

 

“She’s gone, which is good. I won’t have to see her anymore. Today, Princess Rong’an came to discuss Yan’er’s situation with me. Qin Shu has already married, and next will be Yan’er. It’s time to consider finding her a suitable match.”

 

“Second Princess is of noble birth, graceful and beautiful. I wonder which young man will be fortunate enough to win her favor?”

 

Empress Xiao Qi smiled at the compliment, “Yan’er is a girl, she won’t have any trouble with marriage. What concerns me is Prince Lu’s marriage. I must choose a good wife for him. Once the rain stops, have Prince Lu come to see me. I need to discuss Yan’er’s marriage and find the most advantageous match.”

 

Lanyu acknowledged the order, then quickly stepped outside to instruct a eunuch to deliver the message. The little eunuch hurried off with an umbrella, rushing through the rain as the misty downpour blurred the palace buildings, connecting the sky and the earth in a seamless sheet of gray.

 

In the Eastern Palace’s Qide Hall, Qin Yi hurried in from outside. Xiao Linzi quickly held an umbrella over him, but Qin Yi waved him away in irritation, striding inside. The palace servants and eunuchs lining the corridor knelt down as he passed, but he didn’t stop, walking swiftly through the group without pause. Hearing movement, Jiegeng came out and, seeing the prince, immediately stepped forward to greet him.

 

“Where is the Crown Princess?”

 

“Inside, resting.”

 

Qin Yi entered the chamber, rounding the screen, and sure enough, there was Chu Jinyao lying on the bed, sipping hot ginger soup. When she saw him, she immediately tried to sit up.  “Your Highness, why have you returned?”

 

Qin Yi reached her first, gently pressing her back down.  “You should stay in bed.”

 

He took her hand, and his brow furrowed immediately. Chu Jinyao had always been sensitive to the cold, and even though it was August, her hands were still icy.

 

Seeing the faint anger in his expression, Chu Jinyao quickly explained, “Did you come back because you heard I fainted? Actually, I wasn’t really unconscious; I was just pretending to deceive the Empress.”

 

Chu Jinyao had indeed felt chilled all over and her abdomen was unusually painful, so she had faked fainting to quickly return to Qide Hall. Otherwise, she didn’t know how much longer Empress Xiao Qi would continue to torment her.

 

Qin Yi’s expression didn’t soften. He coldly asked the attendants behind him, “Where’s the doctor?”

 

Xiao Linzi and the others immediately knelt down, trembling as they answered, “Your Highness, we sent someone to fetch him earlier. He should be on his way.”

 

As the saying goes, speak of the devil. Imperial Physician Gao hurriedly arrived, not even caring about the rain. Carrying his medical kit, he rushed into the room and, seeing that Eunuch Lin was kneeling on the floor, knew something was wrong. He immediately knelt down to offer a grand salute.

 

“Enough. Get up and examine the Crown Princess.” Qin Yi impatiently barked, stepping aside to give Imperial Physician Gao access to Chu Jinyao.

 

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Imperial Physician Gao carefully approached to feel Chu Jinyao’s pulse. He checked for a while, then cautiously glanced at Qin Yi’s face. Qin Yi instantly noticed and, narrowing his eyes, growled, “I told you to check her pulse, not to look at me.”

 

The clear danger and displeasure in Qin Yi’s tone made Imperial Physician Gao tremble. He quickly asked, “Your Highness, could the Crown Princess offer me her other hand?”

 

Of course, Chu Jinyao complied, switching hands while watching the doctor closely. His behavior was suspicious, making her wonder if something was wrong.

 

Her heart raced as Imperial Physician Gao checked her pulse for a long time, finally standing up and bowing to both Chu Jinyao and Qin Yi.  “Congratulations, Your Highness. Congratulations to the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess’s pulse is steady and flowing, like pearls rolling on a jade plate. This is a slippery pulse.”

 

Chu Jinyao was stunned. A slippery pulse…didn’t that mean… She immediately turned to look at Qin Yi. Growing up in the palace, Qin Yi naturally understood what a slippery pulse indicated. Though usually composed, he clearly paused for a moment.  “What did you say?”

 

Imperial Physician Gao, assuming they were both young and unfamiliar with the meaning of a slippery pulse, explained further.  “At this early stage, I can’t say for certain, but based on my forty years of experience, this pulse suggests the Crown Princess is likely pregnant. After three months, we can confirm for sure.”

 

Pregnant—Chu Jinyao was carrying their child.

 

Qin Yi was hit by a wave of shock and joy, but as those emotions settled, an intense sense of fear and worry took over. Today, Chu Jinyao had been tormented by Empress Xiao Qi, standing in the rain for so long.

 

The maids Linglong and Dingxiang couldn’t hide their joy, but they remained composed in Qin Yi’s presence. He calmed himself, moving past Imperial Physician Gao to sit beside Chu Jinyao, holding her hand tightly, unable to speak.

 

Chu Jinyao, still processing her own astonishment, slowly began to feel the joy rise within her. The news had come so suddenly that it felt unreal, as if she were dreaming.

 

Her hand instinctively moved to her flat abdomen. Could there really be a child growing inside her? A child she had longed for… Now that it had finally arrived, Chu Jinyao found it hard to believe.

 

“Your Highness…” she murmured, gazing at Qin Yi as tears welled in her eyes. Qin Yi gripped her hand tightly, wanting to embrace her but hesitating halfway.

 

At that moment, he was too scared to even touch her.

 

Seeing him so flustered actually calmed Chu Jinyao. She laughed softly, feeling reassured by his reaction. When she first heard the diagnosis, her immediate instinct was to look at Qin Yi, and now, seeing him just as overjoyed and anxious, her heart settled.

 

As Qin Yi hesitated, Chu Jinyao grasped his hand, her tears falling. With a soft sigh, he gently wiped them away.

“Why are you crying? This is a joyous occasion—our first child.”

 

Imperial Physician Gao, feeling increasingly out of place, wondered if he should excuse himself. Xiao Linzi, ever perceptive, took the opportunity to speak. “Imperial Physician Gao, thank you for your service. Please come with me.”

 

Imperial Physician Gao blinked in surprise. Xiao Linzi had risen without orders—how daring. But Xiao Linzi was experienced. He knew that with the Crown Princess pregnant, the prince would be too elated to care about such trivialities. With that, Xiao Linzi efficiently cleared the room, leading Imperial Physician Gao to the side chamber for further instructions on the pregnancy.

 

Meanwhile, Qin Yi gently touched Chu Jinyao’s forehead, guiding her to lie down. “You should rest. I’ll speak to the doctor about the necessary precautions and have them prepare some nourishing medicine.”

 

As Qin Yi made to leave, Chu Jinyao instinctively grabbed his sleeve. “Your Highness…”

 

“I’ll only be gone for a moment. I’ll return soon.”

 

Realizing how clingy she’d become, Chu Jinyao reluctantly released him. “Alright. But come back quickly!”

 

“I will.”

 

Once Qin Yi had left, the maids gathered around Chu Jinyao, beaming as they bowed. “Congratulations, Your Highness!”

 

Chu Jinyao laughed. “You’re quick to offer flattery. Spread the joy—every servant in Qide Hall will receive three months’ wages as a reward.”

 

Her generosity brought even more joy to the maids, who immediately began chatting excitedly.

 

“We’re so lucky that you had the sense to feign fainting earlier. Otherwise, standing in the rain could have been far worse. Thank goodness you and the little one are safe.”

 

Yes, Chu Jinyao thought. She was grateful that the child was unharmed. Had something happened, she wouldn’t know how to live with herself.

 

Back outside, Qin Yi had dismissed imperial physician Gao and was now focused on Empress Xiao Qi’s actions. When he learned that she had ordered cold soup and ice to be thrown on Chu Jinyao, his expression turned deadly, his anger palpable.

 

Xiao Linzi kept his head down, too afraid to speak. Qin Yi stared into the rain for a long moment, his gaze growing unnervingly calm—the kind of calm that signals a storm is brewing.

 

“What is the Crown Princess doing?” he asked. “She’s inside, with the momo, discussing precautions for the pregnancy.”

 

“Good.” Qin Yi nodded slightly. “Prepare my rain gear. And don’t tell the Crown Princess.”

 

Xiao Linzi was taken aback. “Your Highness, are you going out?”

 

Without answering, Qin Yi stepped out into the pouring rain.