r18novel Chapter 38 Disgust for Stupidity
Chapter 38 Disgust for Stupidity
Li Yuanke was still hungry and very impatient. "If you're pregnant, then take good care of yourself. If you're not feeling well, go see the imperial physician. Do you think I'll take care of the pregnancy?"
Shen Shixi buried her head in her food, too lazy to even listen.
Li Yuanke glanced impatiently at Li Degui, who quickly said, "Miss Qianyun, please go back first. His Majesty has been busy all afternoon and hasn't even had a sip of water before sitting down to eat. Please let the young lady wait a bit!"
After the person left, the two finished their meal and sat down to drink tea.
Shen Shixi remained silent, so Li Yuanke asked, "What are you thinking about, Shixi?"
Her mind had been blank just now; she hadn't been thinking about anything.
[Song Jieyu is quite a character! She kept quiet for three months while pregnant, and remained silent even when the Empress Dowager scolded her. Why did she suddenly bring it up now, hoping to get a promotion? By the way, who is the captain of Li Yuanke's abortion squad in the harem?]
[After all these years, that bastard only has three children. Is there something wrong with him, or with his harem?]
Li Yuanke's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He pinched Shen Shixi's cheek and said, "I'll come back in a bit."
Shen Shixi slapped his hand away. "Don't come any closer. I want to sleep alone tonight!"
Li Yuanke was furious. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a good squeeze, saying, "You got a good meal with me, and now you're turning your back on me?"
"Aren't you annoying? I'll give it back to you!" Shen Shixi rolled her eyes. "Bai Ping, prepare the water, I want to take a bath. I want to go to bed early tonight!"
Li Yuanke kissed her on the cheek. "Keep messing around with me. Sooner or later, you'll annoy me so much that I won't come to see you anymore!"
"Come if you want, don't come if you don't! I knew you weren't a good person, capable of any outrageous thing! From the moment you entered the palace, I never expected you to be good to me for long. Sooner or later, who cares?"
Shen Shixi turned and entered the inner hall.
Li Fude thought to himself, "This is a ruthless person who is not afraid of death!"
Li Yuanke stood there and laughed for a while, then left after she closed the door.
As he passed through the peach grove, he instructed, "Send more skilled eunuchs over to patrol several times a day. Have the people in the flower room pay attention; this peach grove is prone to insects, and the surrounding area must be thoroughly cleaned up so as not to disturb her."
All expenses for her small kitchen were covered by the accounts from Qingyan Palace.
Li Fude was startled, but said aloud, "Yes, I've noted it all down. I'll give the order immediately."
Inside the hall, the emperor's orders were relayed.
Bai Ping, while helping Shen Shixi bathe, whispered, "His Majesty has always kept his master in mind. It was really wrong of you to be angry with His Majesty today. How could you possibly drive him away?"
Shen Shixi said, "You don't understand! He wants concubines, but there are so many women in the world, why does he insist on sending me to the palace?"
"This servant does not understand. But this servant only knows that the Emperor is the Emperor, and serving the Emperor is like serving a tiger. How can a master be so unwilling to yield even in front of the Emperor?"
Shen Shixi said, "He is of royal blood from two dynasties, and was born more noble than others. Back when the Crown Prince was not deposed, he was not as favored by the emperor as he was. He was pampered from childhood and could not bear any disrespect, hardship, or the slightest grievance."
He was used to being aloof and looked down on everyone who looked up to him.
"The more you explain, the less I understand. However, when it comes to understanding the Emperor, you are no less knowledgeable than anyone else."
Shen Shixi said, "A person like him, when he becomes emperor, is less likely to be suspicious of his subordinates. However, no matter how magnanimous he is, after what happened back then, he would never allow me to marry anyone else."
Back then, when he was vying for the throne, she brought her grandfather into his camp, and later participated in the entire process, providing him with strong support.
Having long anticipated this outcome, she has never set her sights on any other man over the years.
Yixiang Pavilion was much smaller, and Consort Song was not used to it after moving in. She kept asking if the Emperor had arrived yet.
"His Majesty is having his meal. He said he would come after he finished eating. Consort, please wait a moment. His Majesty will be here soon," Qianyun replied.
The imperial physician hadn't left yet, so there were some things she dared not say.
After a long while, the emperor finally arrived. Consort Song was overjoyed and went to greet him, saying, "This concubine greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
Li Yuanke strode in, and as he passed by, he offered a helping hand, saying, "No need for formalities. You are pregnant, so there's no need for such formalities."
He sat down with an air of authority and asked the imperial physician, "How is Consort Song's health?"
The imperial physician replied, "Your Majesty, Consort Song is in good health, the pregnancy is stable, and the imperial heir is safe and healthy."
"That's good! I'm entrusting this pregnancy to you, Consort Song!" the Emperor said to Song. "Then take good care of yourself during this time!"
Seeing that the emperor was about to leave, Consort Song said, "Your Majesty, I made lily bulb and lotus seed soup today. It's perfect to drink now. Would Your Majesty like some?"
"I have just finished eating, I will not drink."
Before they could leave, the Empress and the other concubines arrived.
The Empress led the concubines in bowing, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
The concubines congratulated in unison, "Your Majesty, we congratulate you! Your Majesty, we congratulate you!"
When any woman in the palace becomes pregnant, it is always the child of the emperor and empress.
The emperor said calmly, "You may rise, all of you."
The Empress said, "Consort Song is pregnant with the Emperor's child. This is truly wonderful news. Just a few days ago, I was saying that you have served the Emperor for many years without having any children. Who would have thought that you would be three months along already? It's really true that you didn't tell me on such a joyous occasion to make me happy."
Can I say that now?
If we were to say that, wouldn't it be an even bigger embarrassment to the Empress Dowager?
Consort Song said, "Your Majesty is right. It's all my fault. At that time, I didn't know I was pregnant with the Emperor's child. If I had known, I would have told you long ago."
As she spoke, she glanced at the emperor, who sat there, leaning to the side with his elbows on his knees, his gaze indifferent and detached.
Consort Qing smiled and said, "There has been no news of an heir in the palace for a long time, so it's good that Consort Song is being cautious."
The Empress said, "Consort Qing's words make sense. Consort Song, you are now pregnant with the Emperor's child. Fortunately, you have safely passed the first three months. There are still many days ahead, so be careful in your daily life and strive to give birth to a prince for the Emperor smoothly."
"Yes, thank you for your instructions, Your Majesty."
"You don't need to go to pay your respects anymore. Just stay in Yixiang Pavilion and take good care of yourself during your pregnancy. It's a shame you're going to have to go through all that trouble." The Empress's words were full of virtue and magnanimity.
Consort De was truly uncomfortable. She looked at the Emperor with a sorrowful expression, hesitant to speak.
Once they left the palace, the emperor followed Consort De. Watching the emperor's retreating figure, the others gritted their teeth and stamped their feet, but when it came to snatching someone away, Consort De was still more cunning.
Inside the Huayin Palace, after bathing, the emperor did not immediately go to bed. Instead, he asked, "Have you found out where the Duchess of Xinguo obtained that stone?"
Consort De's eyes welled up with tears. "Mother was obtained from a wandering monk at Zunshan Temple. It's been over a year. Father is now trying to find out where that monk is, but he might not be able to."
"How could your mother have thought of buying a stone from a monk?"
Consort De's eyes widened. "I didn't ask. I'll have my mother come over tomorrow and get all the answers."
Li Yuanke raised an eyebrow at her, a hint of displeasure in his eyes. "Settle in."