Hong'an Xiangzhuang - 19

Hong'an Xiangzhuang - 19

The fish was smooth and tender, and there was nothing unusual at first. After Yun Yixia chewed it a couple of times, the aroma of the sauce carried a hint of fishy smell that couldn't be ignored, which, combined with the greasiness, went straight to her throat.

Yun Yixia frowned slightly, forcing herself to swallow, but the churning in her throat intensified. She hurriedly put down her chopsticks, covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and rushed out.

Bai Wei went to get the spittoon, followed closely by Mu Jin and Shao Yao. Zhao Yunkang rushed out even faster to support Yun Yixia.

"Ugh~"

Yun Yixia leaned against a pillar, unable to vomit anything, but the nausea lingered, causing her eyes to redden.

"It's nothing!" She shook her head, pressing her chest. "Maybe I just don't have a good appetite today..."

A cold wind blew into the main room, and no one remembered to close the door.

Feng Cha stood in front of Zhao Yuankai, tilting his head to stare at Yun Yixia, who was surrounded by admirers outside, his gaze gloomy and terrifying.

"Why hasn't the imperial physician arrived yet?"

Zhao Yunkang roared angrily, and Luo Yu immediately went to urge him on, just in time to bump into the family physician, who pulled him towards the main hall.

The group returned to the warm main room. Yun Yixia listlessly spat out her refreshing tea and placed her wrist on the pulse pillow for the physician to take her pulse.

The royal physician placed three fingers on the princess's wrist, closed his eyes and concentrated, his brows sometimes furrowing, sometimes relaxing, sometimes looking at her with confusion. He opened his mouth and then used the other hand to take her pulse.

The hall was eerily quiet, with only the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire making everyone slow their breathing.

"General, may I speak to you in private?"

"No need to borrow!" Yun Yixia said. "Please just say it here!"

She doesn't like the feeling of being out of control!

Even if she were to contract an incurable disease, she would make arrangements for her affairs before she died.

The physician, Hua Baihu, was trembling with anger, looking at her with an expression that said, "You're so insensible!"

"The princess is in good health, but... she is pregnant!"

"What?"

"What?"

Zhao Yuankai jumped off the chair. After her initial surprise, Yun Yixia turned around sharply to look at Zhao Yunkang.

"Your Highness Kang, what's going on?"

Yun Yixia's gaze was sharp, containing hidden anger. She had only slept with this one man, so the child must be his.

If it weren't for the rumors that he had no heirs, why would they not take any precautions when spending the night together?

When the royal physician saw that the princess was more agitated and angry than the general, he immediately realized that the rumors outside were false and that his general had not told the princess about it.

Oh my god!

Please don't argue during the Chinese New Year!

"Don't be angry! Don't be angry!"

Zhao Yunkang's face showed the joy of becoming a father, but also a guilty conscience towards Xia.

He really didn't mean it!

"Your Highness, weren't you... childless?"

Mu Jin was the first to lose her composure. Thinking that her wife was not even twenty years old, she looked at Zhao Yun Kang with murderous intent.

She wanted her wife to sleep with Zhao Yunkang, but she didn't expect her wife to get pregnant and give birth at such a young age.

"That was a rumor I spread before I came back because I didn't want to be forced into marriage by my mother."

Zhao Yunkang tugged at Yun Yixia's sleeve, but after being shaken off, he grabbed her again and wouldn't let go.

His shamelessness is unmatched.

"Doctor...how long has it been?"

Yun Yixia took a deep breath, placed her palm on her lower abdomen, and a strange feeling rushed straight to her heart.

She could almost sense a small life growing there.

"The pulse is currently weak. It will be about a month before the pulse becomes more stable and the diagnosis becomes more accurate."

The physician's conservative explanation gave Yun Yixia hope, and her almond-shaped eyes lit up instantly.

Is it possible that it was a misdiagnosis?

"Absolutely impossible!"

Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes instantly lost their luster, and the atmosphere became eerie and stiff.

"Xia, are you unwilling to bear my children?"

Zhao Yunkang's voice trembled slightly as he thought about her persistent desire to leave the royal family, which made him feel even more insecure.

My palm traced down her sleeve and touched her cold little hand. I held it tightly and wouldn't let go.

"I originally planned to have children after I turned twenty..."

Yun Yixia looked up at Zhao Yunkang, her almond-shaped eyes filled with tears and her eyes slightly red, silently saying, "I'm scared!"

"My fault! My fault!"

Zhao Yunkang sat down next to Yun Yixia and hugged her tightly in his arms. Thinking of her mother, he instantly understood why she was afraid.

It's hard for anyone to accept that their own mother went insane after giving birth.

"It's all your fault!"

Yun Yixia grabbed Zhao Yunkang's hand and bit it hard, completely forgetting that there were many other people in the room.

The physician touched his nose and turned around. The others saw that the prince had been bitten and frowned but had not pushed away or scolded the princess. They knew that the "extinction of the lineage" was probably a lie and that the princess had not been told.

By the time Yun Yixia calmed down, Zhao Yunkang's wrist had already been bitten until it bled.

"Doctor, what's wrong with the princess?"

Zhao Yunkang, despite being bitten, still had a smile on his face as he moved his wrist around. Luo Yu immediately offered him a blood-activating and stasis-removing ointment.

"The princess is in excellent health!" The royal physician lowered his eyes and straightened his posture. "The first three months of pregnancy are the most critical. She needs to rest and recuperate, and avoid falling."

"Okay!" Zhao Yunkang nodded. "You may all leave."

Most of the people inside rushed out, excited to share the gossip with their companions upon hearing such joyous news during the New Year.

"Congratulations, Father and Queen!"

Zhao Yuankai stepped forward to offer his congratulations, and then made an excuse to leave.

Too young to fully conceal his emotions, he left the main hall with a gloomy face and pouting lips, his steps heavy.

Feng Cha followed behind the prince, wanting to offer a few words of advice, but remembering that the prince had readily agreed to his resignation, she kept quiet.

It's best for servants to do more work and talk less.

"See what you can eat?" Zhao Yunkang pulled Yun Yixia to sit at the table. "I'll have them make it again!"

"Bai Wei, could you get me a hot pot?"

Yun Yixia turned away from Zhao Yunkang in a childish manner, staring longingly at Bai Wei, looking as if to say, "If you dare not give it to me, I'll cry."

She's pregnant now; pregnant women are the most important!

"Wife, you can't eat spicy hot pot right now. I'll make you a broth base with a mild dipping sauce, okay?"

Bai Wei coaxed him softly, while Shaoyao and Mujin chimed in from the side.

"Fine, I'll let you off the hook since you're all good-looking!"

Yun Yixia placed her palm on her lower abdomen, silently lamenting how much she had "lost" from having this child, and vowing to be more considerate and filial in the future to repay her kindness.

A baby smaller than a soybean in my belly: I'm not taking the blame for this!

Bai Wei and the others went out, leaving only the couple in the hall.

"Madam, please forgive me."

Zhao Yunkang himself didn't take the "extinction of his lineage" seriously, unaware that Yun Yixia was afraid of childbirth, and thus, by a twist of fate, they had a child.

He was actually quite happy, but he didn't dare show it.

"Your Highness, I'm scared!"

Yun Yixia said softly, but her head nestled close to Zhao Yunkang's chest. Her wholehearted dependence on him completely dispelled any hidden dissatisfaction he might have felt.

"Should I bring more doctors and female physicians to the manor tomorrow?"

Zhao Yunkang began to consider which famous doctors were available.

"Baiyao should spread the word now that a female physician will enter the Prince's residence after the New Year."

Yun Yixia tugged at her sleeve, looked up and asked, "Is it okay?"

"sure!"

Zhao Yunkang lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his large hand covering her small hand, a satisfied smile on his face.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Xi'an began to awaken at dawn.

The snow on the street was compacted by pedestrians, gleaming with an oily sheen. Strings of red lanterns swayed in the wind under the eaves of the shops on both sides, reflecting the faint morning light and exuding a warm and festive atmosphere.

The aroma of roasted nuts, the sweetness of candied fruit, the savory flavor of braised dishes, and the oily texture of fried cakes blend together to create an irresistible festive atmosphere.

The candied hawthorns are stuck on bundles of straw, their glistening sugar coatings encasing the bright red hawthorns; they look so tempting, you just want to take a bite.

As the sun rose, more and more people filled the streets, firecrackers went off everywhere, and children chased and jumped with boundless energy.

At the end of the long street, a hoarse, violent shout shattered the bustling noise.

"Get out of the way!"

"Northern Frontier Military Report!"

Upon hearing this, someone immediately pulled their companion to the side of the road, and the message spread out one by one, clearing a wide running track.

The black dot in the distance grew closer, and a black horse, puffing out hot air, galloped past.

The courier on horseback crouched low, his helmet askew and armor askew, his face covered in dust and grime. He gripped the reins tightly in his left hand and waved a command flag in his right.

"Get out of the way!"

"Northern Frontier Military Report!"

The horses' hooves pounded on the stone pavement with a thud, and the strong winds whipped up by the horses stung people's faces. The courier dared not stop for a moment and headed straight for the imperial city.

"Your Majesty, military report from the northern frontier: 100,000 Khitan troops are pressing on our border!"

The military report dragged Zhao Yunxian out of bed. His face was gloomy and he summoned Prince Kang and several ministers to the imperial study.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, when they entered the palace to meet the emperor, several senior officials appeared unwell and frequently turned to the side, covering their faces with their sleeves as they yawned.

"King Kang, what do you think?"

Zhao Yunxian rubbed his throbbing temples. He had stayed up all night yesterday and had to get up early this morning. What kind of human suffering was this?

He deeply regretted giving the Khitans a way out by agreeing to negotiate peace instead of seeking it.

"Your Majesty, I have already instructed my subordinates that we can depart for the Northern Frontier tomorrow."

Zhao Yunkang looked around and clasped his hands in a salute to the ministers.

"I urge the ministers to take the trouble to deliver the grain and military supplies to the northern frontier as soon as possible."

The Minister of Revenue was about to complain about being poor, but when he met Zhao Yunkang's cold eyes, he immediately swallowed his words.

He dared to complain about being poor and withhold supplies from the emperor behind his back, but he dared not refuse Prince Kang, who held military power, to his face.

The emperor cares about his reputation, but Prince Kang might not.

During the Lunar New Year, he didn't want to get beaten up or become someone else's punching bag.

Everyone was eager to go home, so the discussion process went exceptionally smoothly.

The ministers left the imperial study, eager to go home and catch up on sleep before preparing for war.

"Brother, I'm going to see Mother. I won't be going to the palace tomorrow."

Zhao Yunkang was not opposed to fighting. As a military general, it was his duty to protect his home, defend his country, and guard the border.

What annoyed him was dealing with those old foxes and his unpredictable elder brother, because of the endless wrangling over things like military supplies, provisions, and compensation for dead and wounded soldiers!

Most of the private property of the Prince Kang's mansion was used to subsidize the dead and wounded soldiers, and to take in disabled soldiers to work... His power as an individual was ultimately limited.

If the imperial court had provided the soldiers with the compensation they deserved, Zhao Yunkang would not have treated them so poorly.

Go!

Seeing his younger brother about to leave, Zhao Yunxian wanted to explain, but didn't know where to begin.

He leaned back wearily in his chair. Were the brothers really going to drift further and further apart?

"Zhang Qing, people have misunderstood you... Do you want to explain?"

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Qing bowed and poured tea. "That depends on how important this person is to me."

If Your Majesty has any misunderstandings about me, I would gladly open a hundred mouths to explain.

"You certainly know how to talk!" Zhao Yunxian stood up. "Let's go! I'll go see the Empress Dowager too!"

The two brothers met at Baoci Palace and talked about the food shortages of that year. They each had their own version of events, which both sounded right and wrong.

Shi Anwan tried to interrupt several times, but couldn't find a way to stop.

In an instant, I was transported back to when my two children were little, arguing about their studies. Each of them had their own reasons, and the argument was so intense it drove their mother crazy.

"Zheng An, go and fetch Princess Kang!" Shi Anwan waved her hand impatiently. "Have her take the person back!"

"No!" Zhao Yunkang immediately objected, "She's unwell and can't go out!"

"She's so pampered!"

Shi Anwan's dissatisfaction with Yun Yixia intensified until her youngest son told her that his daughter-in-law was pregnant.

"Yun Yixia, how dare she?!"

"Huh?" Zhao Yunkang chuckled awkwardly, "Mother, the child is mine!"

Everyone present was intelligent; having gone this far, how could they not know that Zhao Yunkang had deceived everyone?

"You're asking for it!"

Shi Anwan patted her youngest son's shoulder twice, and couldn't help but smile as she carefully inquired about Yun Yixia's condition.

"If you're willing to tell the truth, how could she possibly have gotten the position of 'Princess Consort Kang'?"

"Mother, she's doing well!" Zhao Yunkang glanced proudly at his elder brother. "She left so suddenly this time, and she gave me all her dowry."

"Tsk~" Shi Anwan curled her lips in disgust, "Only incompetent men in this world would covet a woman's dowry and private property."

This happened so suddenly. Once the war is over, you'd better make up for the dowry.

"More is acceptable, less is not!"

"promise!"

Zhao Yun Kang bowed respectfully, glanced triumphantly at his elder brother, and strode out of the palace like a victorious rooster.

"Mother!"

Zhao Yunxian was so angry he was panting heavily. This guy was clearly using his mother's words to scold him.

He couldn't reveal Yun Yixia's identity, otherwise it would cause further trouble and add to his worries.

"Alright!" Shi Anwan said speechlessly, "You two are twenty-seven years old this year, not seven. Yuan Kai is more sensible than you two."

Let's go!

Go back to sleep!

Give them the provisions they need to receive as soon as possible, don't let it be like last time.

Brothers having a falling out, others will laugh at them!

"promise!"

Zhao Yunxian made a face at his mother before leaving. His worries had dissipated, and he was so sleepy that he kept yawning. He went back and fell asleep immediately.

This year... everyone except the Khitans had a good year!