Chapter 53: Hostage of Qianlin
Chu Yi looked at Sheng Qianheng’s furrowed brow and worried expression, feeling puzzled. He raised a hand to rub the frown lines between his brows and asked softly, “What’s wrong? What happened?”
Sheng Qianheng carefully examined Chu Yi’s complexion and only spoke after confirming that he was not uncomfortable. “Do you have abdominal pain?”
Chu Yi shook his head.
He looked at the teapot on the table, brought it to his nose, and sniffed. It was still the tea fragrance he liked, nothing special.
The moment Sheng Qianheng entered the room, he had noticed a scent that was not Chu Yi’s xìnxiāng. Although they were both medicinal scents, they were slightly different. He was certain that there was something wrong with this pot of tea.
When Imperial Physician Wang entered Jingyang Palace, he saw Sheng Qianheng’s dark face and secretly asked, “Your Majesty, shall I take Her Ladyship’s pulse?”
Sheng Qianheng held Chu Yi’s wrist, acting as a cushion for the physician’s pulse-taking.
Imperial Physician Wang took Chu Yi’s pulse, carefully feeling it, and then said, “Her Ladyship’s pulse is strong, and her qi and blood are sufficient.”
Sheng Qianheng squinted slightly and asked doubtfully, “No signs of miscarriage?”
Hearing the word “miscarriage,” Chu Yi unconsciously covered his lower abdomen with his hand. He leaned against Sheng Qianheng’s embrace and listened carefully to Imperial Physician Wang’s instructions.
Imperial Physician Wang shook his head. “Her Ladyship’s body is strong, and the imperial heir is healthy and fine.”
Sheng Qianheng was still not at ease. He pushed the teapot in front of Imperial Physician Wang and said, “Take a look. Is there anything strange about this pot of tea?”
Imperial Physician Wang poured a cup of tea, carefully sniffed the fragrance, and then took a few sips to distinguish it. Only after confirming the ingredients did he speak, “To answer Your Majesty, this tea contains saffron.”
Chu Yi was puzzled. He had always been drinking Longjing. How could there be saffron?
He asked softly, “What is the effect of saffron?”
Imperial Physician Wang slowly explained, “Saffron is a rare medicinal herb. It is warm in nature and sweet in taste, with many effects. If brewed with boiling water before sleep, it can calm the nerves and help one sleep. When one is bloated, a cup of it can also promote the spleen and stomach’s digestion and relieve bloating. Most importantly, this substance has the miraculous effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, allowing the blood vessels to flow smoothly. However, although this medicine is good, pregnant women must not use it. If the dosage is slightly careless, it may lead to the disaster of a miscarriage…”
Chu Yi felt a wave of fear. He had been so careful, yet someone was still plotting against him. He covered his lower abdomen and asked, “Then am I really not affected?”
Imperial Physician Wang: “Her Ladyship’s body is in good condition. Perhaps because you haven’t drunk much, you shouldn’t be affected for now. In the next few days, this subject will come to take Her Ladyship’s routine pulse every day to ensure there are no problems.”
Sheng Qianheng wrapped his arms around Chu Yi’s waist and said in a low voice, “I’ll have to trouble Imperial Physician Wang for these few months.”
Imperial Physician Wang stood up and bowed. “It is this subject’s duty.”
After Imperial Physician Wang had withdrawn from the hall, Chu Yi finally stood up and straddled Sheng Qianheng. He held him tightly by the waist and abdomen. When he closed his eyes, a scene of blood and himself lying in a pool of blood unconsciously appeared before him. He trembled slightly…
Sheng Qianheng knew that he was a little frightened. He raised a hand to pat his back and asked softly, “Are you scared?”
Chu Yi hummed in agreement.
“Alright, it’s a good thing I found out in time. Don’t worry. Our child is still fine in your belly.” Sheng Qianheng slowly released his xìnxiāng. Seeing Chu Yi’s breathing gradually steady, he continued, “A-Yi, are you listening?”
Chu Yi slowly looked up. Sheng Qianheng’s profile gradually became clear, and he regained some of his reason. He carefully thought that the only one who could know he was pregnant was that Princess Zhaoning. She must have noticed it when she held his wrist that day.
But Ruotao and Princess Zhaoning were living together in Zhongcui Palace. It was also impossible to know if the two of them had formed an alliance.
It wasn’t until Sheng Qianheng pinched his earlobe that Chu Yi replied, “A-Heng, who on earth wants to harm our child?”
Sheng Qianheng held Chu Yi in his embrace, their sleeves touching, their breaths filled with each other’s scent.
The person he held in the palm of his hand had almost been harmed just a few days after moving back to Jingyang Palace. It seemed he had to get rid of those two consorts in the harem as soon as possible!
“A-Yi, I know you’ve been wronged. Why don’t you move back to Qianqing Hall? Okay?”
Although living with Sheng Qianheng in Qianqing Hall could eliminate almost all risks, he was unwilling to hide under Sheng Qianheng’s protection forever.
He could never be the only one in this harem…
According to the book, Sheng Qianheng would have three thousand beauties in his harem in the future. If, based on the fact that Miss Xu could not escape the fate of giving birth to a bastard no matter what, then the harem would be filled as well.
If he wanted to gain a firm footing in this harem, he had to rely on himself.
He shook his head slightly. “I can’t always rely on you to solve everything. What if more and more women enter the palace in the future? Can I stay in your Qianqing Hall forever?”
Sheng Qianheng looked at Chu Yi’s determined expression and knew that it was impossible to change his mind. He could only agree. “Alright, then let Imperial Physician Wang stay in the rear hall of Jingyang Palace and be on call at all times.”
Chu Yi sighed. “Are you hoping for something bad to happen to me? It’s better if Imperial Physician Wang comes to my palace less often…”
Sheng Qianheng immediately took Chu Yi’s hand, slapped his own lips, and smiled. “If I say something wrong in the future, you can just hit me!”
Chu Yi lifted his head and placed a kiss on his cheek. After a moment, he remembered that Sheng Qianheng seemed to have something to discuss with him when he came to his hall. He asked, “Let’s put aside the matter of the saffron for now. Did you come to find me to say something?”
Only then did Sheng Qianheng remember the proper business. He pinched Chu Yi’s hand and said tentatively, “A report has come from the front line that the Prince of Qianlin has passed away…”
Chu Yi remembered that Moshu had also mentioned the Prince of Qianlin. What was the connection between this Prince of Qianlin and him? Why were both of them testing him?
He looked into Sheng Qianheng’s eyes and asked, “And then?”
Sheng Qianheng was silent. He carefully observed the subtle expressions on Chu Yi’s face but didn’t notice any sadness.
“The young heir of Qianlin has succeeded the throne. Logically, for the marriage alliance that the Prince had arranged, if the new king is willing, I can send that Princess Zhaoning back to Qianlin.”
Chu Yi roughly understood some of the information. He rested his head on Sheng Qianheng’s shoulder, his tone devoid of any emotion. “That’s a good thing. But what if the new king doesn’t agree?”
Sheng Qianheng rarely saw Chu Yi speak without any emotion. He thought it must be because he was sad to hear of the Prince of Qianlin’s death.
He rubbed the back of his neck and continued, “Therefore, I’m preparing to have the border envoy go to Qianlin and invite the new king for a visit to my Da Mo. What do you think?”
What opinion could Chu Yi have? He didn’t understand court affairs and only replied faintly, supporting his forehead with his hand, “That’s good.”
His mind was filled with that short sentence from before, and he didn’t notice that Sheng Qianheng’s state was not right at all.
Sheng Qianheng accompanied Chu Yi for an afternoon. It wasn’t until Liu Deshan came to report that a minister had an urgent matter to discuss that he had to get up and go back to Yangxin Hall.
Chu Yi feigned fatigue, dismissed all the servants, and left only Moshu alone.
He only spoke after ensuring that there was no one at the door. “Moshu, what did you mean by those words at noon? What Your Highness, what young heir?”
Although Moshu was puzzled by Chu Yi’s dazed expression he still explained one by one, “Your Highness, you are the second young master of my Qianlin. Although you have been a hostage in this Da Mo for many years, the young heir has not abandoned you! The young heir’s years of planning have finally waited for the Prince’s death…”
Chu Yi supported his forehead. In an instant, too much information he had never known rushed at him. He needed some time to digest it.
So, the Prince was the emperor of Qianlin, the young heir was the crown prince, and he was a prince of Qianlin? Sent to Da Mo as a hostage to maintain peace between the two countries?
But why did that Prince of Qianlin send a princess for a marriage alliance?
Was it because he was angry that he had been executed for the assassination attempt? So he had sent Princess Zhaoning after failing to start a war a few months ago?
No, so now he was a prince of Qianlin and an Imperial Consort of Da Mo? What was all this?
He asked weakly, “Did the young heir plan for many years to save me and bring me back to Qianlin?”
Moshu nodded. “Yes, Your Highness!”
But Chu Yi had no intention of leaving Sheng Qianheng now, not to mention that the child in his belly also needed him.
“Sheng Qianheng just said he would invite the new king to Da Mo. From what you said, will he come?”
Moshu thought for a moment and replied, “The young heir has loved Your Highness since he was a child. He will naturally come to personally take you back to Qianlin!”
Chu Yi flipped through the contents of this book in his mind. There was no mention of him being a hostage. Could it be a bug? That wasn’t logical. Did Sheng Qianheng know he was from Qianlin? Did he know he was a hostage?
He suddenly had a headache. After taking a deep breath, he continued to ask, “What if I don’t want to go back?”
Moshu’s brows furrowed, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Your Highness, could it be that you have really fallen in love with this Da Mo emperor after lurking for so long…”
Chu Yi closed his eyes, unwilling to look at Moshu’s eyes. He raised a hand to cover his lower abdomen and thought to himself, I even have a child. How can I not love him? Although he had been acting in the early stages to survive, everything was serious now.
He said, “I have a bit of a headache. You may withdraw for now…”
Moshu: “Yes, Your Highness.”
Chu Yi really couldn’t figure out the interpersonal relationships in this political intrigue novel. He had originally thought that he was just a cannon fodder Prince Regent and had worked his way up to the position of Imperial Consort step by step in order to survive. But this sudden identity of a Qianlin prince made him feel at a loss.
The matter of the saffron had long been thrown to the back of his mind. He lay on the bed, unable to sort out these chaotic interpersonal relationships. Could it be that he had lost his memory?
Since he couldn’t figure it out, he simply hugged the quilt and caught up on the nap that had been interrupted!
The informant in Jingyang Palace reported to Ruotao that the saffron had been exposed. She immediately sent someone to return the small medicine bottle containing the saffron to Princess Zhaoning’s hall. She then pretended that nothing had happened.
The Department of Punishment tortured the maid who had brewed the tea, and the maid confessed that the saffron had been given to her by Princess Zhaoning. The Department of Punishment compiled the witness and material evidence and submitted it to Yangxin Hall.
After Sheng Qianheng found out, he immediately demoted Princess Zhaoning, stripped her of her title, and demoted her to the rank of Pin.
It wasn’t until Chu Yi heard that Princess Zhaoning was the one who had framed him that he looked down at his already nearly three-month-old belly. He had almost forgotten that he was pregnant.
According to Moshu’s report, the young heir of Qianlin had succeeded the throne and, after receiving the invitation from the Da Mo envoy, had set off for Da Mo after the succession ceremony.
Chu Yi felt his scalp tingle. Logically, the new Prince of Qianlin was his older brother? But he had no memory…
Just as he was at a loss, Miss Xu entered the hall, supported by Lianfang.
Chu Yi immediately offered her a seat and asked, “Are you well?”
Miss Xu caressed her already showing belly and said faintly, “Thanks to Your Ladyship, the Imperial Consort’s care, I am much better. It’s just that this child is very active lately and it’s not very comfortable…”
Chu Yi asked, “Is it fetal movement?”
Miss Xu nodded.
As far as Chu Yi knew, there would usually be slight fetal movement in the third to fourth month of pregnancy. But Miss Xu was about the same month as him. How could this be?
Seeing Chu Yi’s confusion, Miss Xu slowly explained, “Your Ladyship is a man and probably doesn’t know. The fetal movement is later for a first pregnancy. But for someone like me who has been pregnant… several times… the fetal movement is earlier than for a first-time mother.”
Only then did Chu Yi understand.
Miss Xu: “Your Ladyship, I have come this time to request to leave the palace.”
“Why? You can stay in this palace until you give birth and then leave.” Chu Yi handed the poison-tested pastries by his hand to Miss Xu. “The world is a dangerous place. I’m afraid you’ll…”
Miss Xu shook her head. “Your Ladyship, I have no savings. The teahouse was almost renovated before. I have to go out of the palace and open for business as soon as possible, so I can support three children alone…”
Chu Yi tried to speak several times but held back. In the end, he could only wrap some silver for Miss Xu and see her out of the palace.
She only knew that the twins in Miss Xu’s belly would die prematurely at the age of one, but she didn’t know what to do to help her.
The newly succeeded Prince of Qianlin entered the capital half a month later. Chu Yi, who had almost forgotten his identity as a Qianlin prince, was immediately reminded.
He had always wondered if Sheng Qianheng had ever known.
Chu Yi had been pregnant for nearly three months. After Princess Zhaoning was demoted, Ruotao had also been much more well-behaved.
After much hesitation, he still stood up, intending to go to Yangxin Hall to ask Sheng Qianheng.
Supported by Lianfang, Chu Yi strode toward Yangxin Hall.
Unexpectedly, at a blind corner, a little eunuch suddenly rushed out and almost bumped into Chu Yi.
He hurriedly stepped back to avoid him, lost his balance, and was about to fall backward. Lianfang was also at a loss and couldn’t support him in time.
Chu Yi quickly covered his belly, closed his eyes, and was unwilling to face what was about to happen.
He never thought that he would be supported by the lower back. He smelled the scent on the person’s collar and felt a sense of familiarity.
Chu Yi was about to thank him when he looked up and saw Sheng Qianheng’s dark face not far away.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. He seemed to be able to faintly smell the faint sour scent of jealousy on him. Chu Yi could only distance himself from the person supporting him.
Chu Yi was eager to get away, but the person seemed to be deliberately competing with him. He grabbed his wrist, his grip gradually tightening, unwilling to let him go.
He looked up at the person. When their eyes met, it was as if he were looking in a mirror…
