Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 16.2

Chapter 16.2

Shen Qushenge’s face dropped instantly upon hearing his son’s words.

He knew his daughter disliked Mrs. Song since she was a child. Therefore, when she chose Mrs. Song’s direct granddaughter as the crown prince’s concubine, it would not be because the Queen loved Shen Qingqing but because the Queen wanted to take revenge. Moreover, Shen Qushenge knew about his grandson, the crown prince’s romantic nature.

‘But if we don’t choose the prince, we have to choose Li Zhi now.’ Shen Qushenge was in a dilemma.

He still hadn’t figured out Li Zhi. Li Zhi had a reputation for being hypocritical, but who could be so? It was impossible to say that Li Zhi was a truly virtuous minister since he was a businessman.

“Father, why don’t you go and persuade the Queen?” Shen Tingwen recommended. ‘If the Queen can change her mind, my daughter will not need to marry anyone.’

“Tingwen, if she was truly afraid of me, she wouldn’t have done this.” Shen Qushenge sneered. “Furthermore, it is likely that she greeted the Emperor before selecting Qingqing. She wouldn’t dare break her pledge in front of the emperor, no matter how hard I tried to convince her.”

Shen Tingwen was really anxious. “What therefore ought to we do? We’re short on time, so we can’t ask Qingqing’s opinion.”

“Parents decide the children’s marriage. What to ask from her?” Shen Qushenge said angrily. ‘This son truly pampers his daughter too much. No wonder my granddaughter dared to contradict me.’

Shen Tingwen, having just received an abrupt reprimand, pursed his lips and turned to face the ground with resentment. Since he and his daughter get along well, it seemed reasonable that her preferences on marriage should be honoured. ‘Being a strict father doesn’t work, but the old man is accustomed to it. The old man’s attitude towards this may not be enough.’

“Just consider Ping Xihou.” Shen Qushenge spoke solemnly.

‘A daughter would meet her demise in this world if she marries the prince and becomes his concubine. It won’t be simple. There is a chance that she will have a happy marriage if she marries Li Zhi, who has saved her life.’ Shen Tingwen, too, preferred Li Zhi over the other one.

***

Noble Concubine Chun was lying on the bed in the middle palace’s back hall. Her eyes were closed and her brows slightly wrinkled.

Emperor Qingde sat on the edge of the bed, looking impatiently as the imperial physician took the pulse of his beloved woman with an aching heart.

Queen Shen stood behind Emperor Qingde with a concerned look on her face.

The imperial physician gently placed Noble Concubine Chun’s hand on the bed after listening for a pulse for two-quarters of an hour.

Reaching down, he addressed Emperor Qingde, saying, “Back to the Emperor, I have something to ask the maids beside you.”

Emperor Qingde glanced over right away.

With nervousness, Bai Lu murmured, “My lord, just ask. I will definitely tell you everything.”

“May I ask if your Majesty is having her menstrual period?” the imperial doctor asked.

Bai Lu gave a thoughtless shake of her head.

Enquiring further, the imperial doctor asked, “When was your Majesty’s last menstrual period?”

Bai Lu quickly informed the date after pondering for a while.

With a smile, the imperial physician turned to face Emperor Qingde and said, “Looking back at the empress, based on her pulse state right now, it seems like Noble Concubine has a happy pulse. But in my opinion, the day is still early, and the pulse condition is not really noticeable. So, Your Majesty, confirmation will take some time.”

[TL: “happy pulse” indicates that the person is pregnant.]

Emperor Qingde held Noble Concubine Chun’s hand with excitement. “Is this true?”

“If the emperor doesn’t believe it, please invite some more imperial doctors to take a look,” the imperial doctor replied with a smile.

Emperor Qingde believed it; of course he had to believe it. He had been hoping that Noble Concubine Chun would give him a son, and now he finally got it!

Queen Shen’s heart turned sour and astringent at the sight of Emperor Qingde’s beaming face. “Then why is the imperial concubine in a coma?” Queen Shen enquired of the imperial doctor after emotions subsided.

“The imperial concubine’s energy might have been lost in her first pregnancy,” the imperial physician remarked. “It’s not serious. It would be okay after taking good care of the imperial concubine.”

With a sigh of relief, Emperor Qingde was about to enquire of the imperial doctor as to when the imperial concubine would awaken when he felt a small hand move.

Quickly Emperor Qingde bowed his head.

When Noble Concubine Chun slowly awoke, she asked him, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong with me?”

With joy, Emperor Qingde remarked, “You just passed out. The imperial physician felt your pulse and declared it to be a happy pulse.”

Noble Chun Concubine was taken aback by the emperor’s words. She stared at Emperor Qingde for a time before slowly placing her palm on her lower abdomen in astonishment. She was forced to pretend to be faint so that her brother might be married to the girl he liked. She unexpectedly fainted and got surprised.

“Congratulations to my sister. Next, you have to take good care of the baby and don’t worry about it anymore.” Queen Shen congratulated her from the side.

Noble Concubine Chun nodded and said softly, “Thank you for your concern, sister.”

Noble Concubine Chun received numerous instructions from Emperor Qingde.

Queen Shen observed softly from a distance. After thinking for a while, the queen asked, “Your Majesty, the show girls are still waiting outside. How about we invite my sister to take a nap here while we carry on?”

The draft was a significant event that shouldn’t be postponed. Emperor Qingde nodded, hearing the queen’s question.

The Noble Concubine Chun was still holding the emperor’s hand. And with a smile on her lips, she secretly hooked Emperor Qingde’s big hand with her little finger.

This little act of coquettishness certainly aroused Emperor Qingde. He looked at Noble Concubine Chun and said with a little cough, “I’m a little tired. Let’s choose tomorrow.”

After saying that, Emperor Qingde ordered someone to prepare a soft sedan to accompany Noble Concubine Chun back to Yichun Palace.

Queen Shen secretly clenched her hands.

Queen Shen was enraged and worried as she watched the Emperor and the concubine depart with such tenderness.

‘ Concubine Chun will not faint sooner or later, but she will faint after the choice of the Crown Princess. Could it be that Concubine Chun does not want the prince to marry the daughter of the Protector of the Country and is preparing to blow the wind in the emperor’s ear?’

In addition to that, Queen Shen was even more worried about Concubine Chun’s belly.

‘ If Concubine Chun’s baby is a son, then the status of the prince… This damn fox!’

End of chapter 16

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