The news of Nan Zhiyun suddenly fainting quickly reached Yu Jingchen. As soon as he finished his morning court, he heard about Nan Zhiyun's collapse. He was so startled that he rushed directly to Zichen Palace.
When he arrived, Nan Zhiyun was lying on the bed, and the imperial physician was examining her pulse with a solemn expression. Yu Jingchen's heart tightened. On his way over, he had thought Nan Zhiyun fainted due to pregnancy, but seeing the imperial physician's expression now, he felt a vague unease.
Was it some other problem with Nan Zhiyun's body, or was the child having issues? Her health was not good. In her previous lives, Nan Zhiyun had suffered greatly during her pregnancies, and the children had gone through many hardships. Therefore, he was not sure if this child could be born safely.
"Why did Consort Shu suddenly faint?" Yu Jingchen asked Qianxia.
Qianxia immediately knelt down. "Your Majesty, I saw that the weather was good today, and the Consort was always confined indoors. I thought I would let her take a walk, but unexpectedly, the Consort suddenly fainted while strolling in the courtyard today. Please forgive me!" Qianxia recounted the day's events.
Yu Jingchen remained silent. According to his usual behavior, the palace maids serving Nan Zhiyun today, including Qianxia, would certainly be punished. However, he did not do so this time. He knew Nan Zhiyun disliked it, so he couldn't. Moreover, Nan Zhiyun would feel guilty if they were punished, and he did not want her to be upset.
"What is Consort Shu's condition?" Yu Jingchen asked the imperial physician.
The imperial physician released Nan Zhiyun's hand and bowed to Yu Jingchen. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Consort Shu's pulse indicates she might be pregnant. However, she is only about a month along, so the pulse is not very clear. I will examine her again in a few days to confirm the pulse." The imperial physician said, but his brows remained furrowed.
Qianxia was stunned when she heard Nan Zhiyun was pregnant. Pregnant? Consort Shu was pregnant? For a moment, she didn't know whether to be happy for the Consort or not. After all, this child... she was unsure if His Majesty would care.
"Are there any other issues?" The imperial physician knew Nan Zhiyun's pulse was not simple, otherwise, the imperial physician wouldn't be so troubled.
"Your Majesty, the Consort's health has always been weak, and she has suffered great damage in the past two years. Coupled with the recent beating she received, if the Consort is truly pregnant, then this child... it may be difficult to keep." The imperial physician said this while prostrating himself on the ground.
Yu Jingchen had already had this concern, so he was not surprised to hear it now. Furthermore, he himself was the culprit for all of this.
"Do your best. If this child can be saved, then save it. Everything else should prioritize Consort Shu's well-being." Yu Jingchen said. Of course, he hoped to save both, but it was clear there would be great difficulties. Therefore, compared to the child, Yu Jingchen cared more about Nan Zhiyun's safety.
"Yes." The imperial physician also felt immense pressure, but thankfully, His Majesty did not pursue the matter excessively. However... this might lead some people to speculate why Yu Jingchen acted this way – perhaps he didn't care about the child, or perhaps he didn't want the child at all, or even disagreed with Nan Zhiyun being pregnant?
The news of Consort Shu's pregnancy spread through the harem like a gust of wind. The news quickly caused a stir in the harem, shocking many.
When Nan Zhiyun woke up, Yu Jingchen was by her side. He had not left since arriving today, his eyes full of worry, until Nan Zhiyun woke up.
"Awake? Do you feel unwell anywhere?" Yu Jingchen noticed her waking up first and asked proactively.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun's lips trembled.
"Yes, I'm here. It's alright, tell me, where else do you feel uncomfortable?" Yu Jingchen asked her again.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head. She actually wanted to ask what happened, but she was somewhat afraid. Yu Jingchen saw her thoughts and took the initiative to answer for her.
"You might be pregnant, which is why you suddenly fainted today." Yu Jingchen said. Upon hearing these words, Nan Zhiyun felt as if something exploded in her mind.
Pregnant? Pregnant?
"What's wrong? Is it that surprising?" Yu Jingchen found her stunned appearance amusing.
"I..." Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen blankly, completely speechless.
"It's alright, hmm? I'm here." Yu Jingchen reached out and stroked her head.
"Are you hungry? Shall I have someone prepare food for you?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
"Not hungry..." Nan Zhiyun replied. The matter had shocked her too much, and she was still a bit dazed.
"Really not hungry?" Yu Jingchen confirmed.
"I ate today..." Nan Zhiyun replied. She had eaten properly today.
"Then let's not eat. It's fine, we can ask someone to prepare something if you get hungry." Yu Jingchen indulged her in everything.
Nan Zhiyun's current demeanor was clearly somewhat flustered. Her hand slowly moved to her abdomen. Was there a small life there now? Was she going to be a mother? But why did she feel it was so sudden? She hadn't thought about it at all, nor was she prepared.
This feeling was magical. She was now nurturing a small life, her baby, her child. But... was it truly the right time? Was it the right time? Could she keep it? She cautiously looked up at Yu Jingchen and their gazes met. Nan Zhiyun was startled and immediately prepared to look away.
Yu Jingchen saw it clearly. The little girl's fear of him had not diminished much, and neither had her feelings about this child...
"Be good, Yun'er, don't overthink. I am also very happy about this child, okay?" Yu Jingchen was genuinely happy, but he was more scared and worried because he was unsure if this child could be kept. Thus, he did not want to appear too expectant, nor did he want Nan Zhiyun to hold too much hope for this child. If it couldn't be kept later, Nan Zhiyun would be very hurt... Wasn't there a precedent in her past life? (This is from the extra chapter of the female rebirth.)
Therefore, Yu Jingchen dared not imagine what would happen to Nan Zhiyun if she lost this child again later. So, it was better not to have too much expectation from the beginning.
"After some time, when your pulse is clearer, we will have the imperial physician examine you again," Yu Jingchen said. Of course, he hoped there would be a turn for the better.
Nan Zhiyun remained silent. She did not detect any excitement in Yu Jingchen's eyes. That was right. The person in this world who least wanted her to be pregnant was probably Yu Jingchen, and he had always intentionally made her avoid conception, always using those medicines... How could she not know?
Thinking of this, Nan Zhiyun's eyes gradually dimmed. Her hand, placed to the side, tightened. This child... seemed to have arrived at the wrong time, and could not be kept.
Perhaps because she thought of this, Nan Zhiyun's initial excitement and sense of wonder instantly vanished, leaving only sorrow and desolation.
"Your Majesty... I want to be alone for a while..." Nan Zhiyun gathered her courage and said this. Yu Jingchen was slightly stunned by her words.
Seeing Nan Zhiyun like this, how could he possibly let her stay alone here? She would undoubtedly start overthinking.
"You can't stay here alone. You'll start thinking too much again, won't you?" Yu Jingchen spoke to her in a playful tone.
Nan Zhiyun did not respond, and her expression did not change.
"I just told you, I am happy about this child's arrival, so don't overthink it. I don't mean to reject or dislike this child, but compared to this child, I care more about you. You can feel your own body now, so I'm afraid you will be harmed because of this child. Do you understand? This does not mean I hate this child. I promise you, I have never thought of aborting this child. Please believe me, okay?" Yu Jingchen made it very clear. He felt that explaining it openly would avoid many misunderstandings, so he spoke quite directly.
After hearing his words, Nan Zhiyun's expression finally changed. Although she couldn't completely believe him, at least she no longer felt the rejection from before. Because she knew that no matter what, Yu Jingchen wouldn't lie to her like this, nor would he deign to use such tactics.
If he wanted to abort the child, it would be very simple.