According to Yu Jingchen's original plan, Nan Zhiyun should never have been able to conceive his child in this lifetime. Anyone else could have, but not Nan Zhiyun... her child was the deepest knot in Yu Jingchen's heart.
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician just came to ask how to prescribe the medicine..." Xing Lai's words interrupted Yu Jingchen's thoughts.
Yu Jingchen did not give an answer immediately, and Xing Lai also felt a bead of sweat on his brow. If His Majesty had made up his mind, then... Consort Shu's child would absolutely not be saved.
"Let her recuperate for now," Yu Jingchen gave no definite answer.
"Yes..." Does this mean there is still a chance? Xing Lai pondered secretly.
"Has the incident at the pavilion today been investigated?" Yu Jingchen asked. This incident naturally referred to Nan Zhiyun falling into the water.
"It was the palace maid by Noble Consort Min's side who did it." Xing Lai had already sent people to investigate.
"Noble Consort Min instigated a palace maid to harm a consort, so she is to be granted white silk. The palace maid is to be beaten to death, and all other palace servants attending her are to be sent to the Ward of Laundry. Those who spoke out today, fifty slaps to the mouth, and a hundred copies of palace rules to be transcribed within three days. The other consorts present are to kneel for three hours." Yu Jingchen dealt with a large number of people in one go. Xing Lai secretly marveled beside him; it seemed His Majesty was truly furious this time.
Or perhaps... Consort Shu's position in His Majesty's heart had risen, and it was likely to be truly different from now on. He only hoped His Majesty could discover this anomaly himself soon, confront his own feelings sooner, and mend what had already been done wrong.
News of Consort Shu's pregnancy quickly spread throughout the harem, causing shock, resentment, and jealousy. The Empress Dowager also rushed to Heyan Hall upon hearing the news.
Nan Zhiyun fell into the water today, and it was a blessing that the child could still be kept. When the Empress Dowager arrived, Nan Zhiyun was sitting on the bed, her hand on her belly, lost in thought.
"Yun'er," the Empress Dowager sat down beside her.
When Nan Zhiyun looked at the Empress Dowager, tears immediately fell. She hadn't cried even in such a dangerous situation today, but now she really wanted to cry.
"It's alright, I'm here. Yun'er has been wronged," the Empress Dowager quickly pulled her into her embrace. Perhaps only in front of the Empress Dowager could Nan Zhiyun show her true self, shedding all her defenses and fears.
The Empress Dowager stayed with Nan Zhiyun. After Nan Zhiyun had cried enough, she looked at her and said, "Yun'er is pregnant now and cannot cry too much. If you are unhappy or wronged, tell me, alright?"
Nan Zhiyun forced herself to stop crying, "The child... I don't want it, I don't want it." Nan Zhiyun shook her head at the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager clearly showed a hint of surprise: she didn't want the child?
"Why? Yun'er, why do you have such thoughts?" the Empress Dowager gently patted Nan Zhiyun's back.
"I don't want it... I don't want to stay in the imperial palace, I don't want this child. It shouldn't have appeared. Empress Dowager, I don't want the child..." Nan Zhiyun pleaded.
"But it's already here, can you bear to part with it?" the Empress Dowager asked, looking intently at Nan Zhiyun, trying to see if there was any reluctance in her eyes.
"But this is unfair, and His Majesty won't want it. It's not an anticipated child. I don't want him to become a child hated by his own father. Even if I keep him, this child might only suffer more in the future, and the imperial physician said it would be difficult to keep him, so..." Nan Zhiyun naturally felt reluctance, but she had no choice.
"His Majesty saved you today, didn't he? Yun'er, if His Majesty is willing to keep this child, will you abort it?" the Empress Dowager changed her question.
Nan Zhiyun looked somewhat bewildered by the question. Would His Majesty be willing? In her understanding, Yu Jingchen would absolutely not allow her to give birth to his child.
"No... I won't keep it," Nan Zhiyun replied.
The Empress Dowager said nothing, just waited for Nan Zhiyun to continue speaking. She then heard her say, "I don't want to keep it anymore. I will leave. The child... I won't keep it." She wanted to leave, she didn't want to stay in the imperial palace. The existence of the child would only become a burden to her.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said nothing, making Nan Zhiyun fearful. "Empress Dowager... can I not have him?" she asked.
"Yun'er, you said yourself, your wishes are more important than anything else. However... let's wait a bit longer. It's not time yet, alright?" the Empress Dowager told Nan Zhiyun.
Wait? Nan Zhiyun didn't understand the meaning behind the Empress Dowager's words.
"Yun'er, promise me, don't do anything rash. I will help you, alright?" the Empress Dowager cautioned again, worried. Although Nan Zhiyun didn't want the child, she was willing to listen to what the Empress Dowager said.
"Okay..." Nan Zhiyun agreed to the Empress Dowager's words, and the Empress Dowager affectionately stroked her head.
Everything the Empress Dowager and Nan Zhiyun said in Heyan Hall was relayed by the secret guards to Yu Jingchen. Yu Jingchen was in Zichen Palace, reviewing memorials. Because of today's events, he had stationed secret guards at Heyan Hall, but he never expected to hear that Nan Zhiyun actually did not want the child.
Xing Lai, listening beside him, felt ashamed. How could Consort Shu say such things? Wouldn't that clearly anger His Majesty? His Majesty was already in a fit of rage; they mustn't do anything irreversible...
"Doesn't want the child? Hmph." Yu Jingchen exerted force on his hand, and the brush immediately shattered into two pieces. Xing Lai's head lowered further. He dared not provoke him now.
"If she doesn't want it, then let her have her wish. Tell the imperial physician to change the medicine. Not just this time, but in the future as well, let's resolve it all at once. Use a stronger dose, to avoid future trouble." Yu Jingchen's face was grim. Xing Lai's heart tightened upon hearing this.
His Majesty's intention now was not only to induce an abortion, but perhaps also to force-feed Consort Shu with a sterility medicine? If the dosage was too high, Consort Shu might never be able to conceive again, and in severe cases, it might even be life-threatening.
Seeing Xing Lai's inaction, Yu Jingchen was displeased. "Aren't you going to make arrangements?"
"Your Majesty... Consort Shu might just be confused for a moment. If you truly do this..." Xing Lai still tried to change Yu Jingchen's mind.
"Are you questioning my words?" Yu Jingchen was immediately dissatisfied. Xing Lai dared not continue. No one could change what His Majesty had decided.
"Yes," Xing Lai could only compromise and go to give the order. The imperial physicians had already prepared medicine to preserve the pregnancy, and now they were suddenly told to change it... He was just an imperial physician, naturally without any authority.