Chapter 115: Joyful News
**Imperial Palace**
Consort Liang and the Second Prince were accompanying the Emperor for dinner.
Consort Liang was dressed in a gorgeous palace attire, adorned with a phoenix tail hairpin. Her beauty was breathtaking, and her entire presence exuded nobility, a true embodiment of grace and splendor!
Though nearing forty, she looked as if she were only in her twenties, yet possessing a charm that surpassed those younger women.
Having managed the imperial harem for many years and being the Emperor’s favorite, her every movement was not only graceful and enchanting but also carried an air of authority!
She picked up a sea cucumber dumpling for the Emperor: “Your Majesty, try this dumpling. I made it myself.”
The Emperor took a bite and smiled: “I love the dumplings my beloved Consort makes! Yu’er, you should try some too.”
Chu Tianyu looked aggrieved: “Father, please spare me! I’m terrified of Mother’s dumplings! She knows you love sea cucumbers, so she puts them in every time. Mother only cares about your taste, not mine.”
Consort Liang glared at him and placed a dumpling in his bowl: “The Imperial Physician said sea cucumbers are nourishing! They prolong life if eaten regularly. Your Majesty works tirelessly for the country, so of course, you should eat more sea cucumbers. You eat too!”
Consort Liang’s beautiful eyes then shifted to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, you should discipline Yu’er. He doesn’t listen to me, his mother. Punish him!”
Her gaze was captivating, even when feigning anger, she was so beautiful!
The Emperor laughed heartily: “Haha… Your mother is right, Yu’er should eat more! Listen to your mother. You are punished to finish all these dumplings.”
“Father…”
As the family of three enjoyed their heartwarming moment, a eunuch serving the Emperor entered: “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has returned to the capital and requests an audience.”
The laughter abruptly ceased!
After a moment, Consort Liang spoke with surprise: “The Crown Prince is back? Your Majesty, it’s been years since the Crown Prince last returned. He’s finally back! Quickly invite him in to dine with us!”
The Second Prince also nodded: “Elder Brother must have rushed to the palace after freshening up. He probably hasn’t eaten at this hour. Father must have missed Elder Brother dearly. He’s finally back! It’s been seven years, hasn’t it?!”
The Emperor’s smile vanished: “Can’t you see I’m having dinner? After years away, he’s forgotten his manners? Make him kneel outside!”
Consort Liang tugged at the Emperor’s hand: “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been away for years. Who knows how much he has suffered? Please let him in. I also want to pay my respects to the Crown Prince.”
“You are my Consort, his elder. Why should you pay respects to him? If anyone should pay respects, it’s him! The unfilial son, seven years without returning, not serving by my side, enjoying himself freely! How could he have suffered? Look, he didn’t even rush to the palace upon his return. It’s been an hour since Yu’er saw him at the city gate! Let him wait outside! We’ll continue our meal.”
“Your Majesty~”
“Father~”
“No more pleading. One more word, and I’ll punish you!”
They both fell silent, not daring to persuade him further.
The eunuch left upon seeing this.
Consort Liang changed the subject: “Your Majesty, regarding the selection of consorts, this is the once-every-five-years grand selection. How many women do you plan to bring into the palace? How many commoner girls from the local selections?”
“Just follow the usual practice. This time, we’ll also choose Principal Consorts for the adult princes, that’s the most important.” The Emperor picked up a piece of fish for Consort Liang: “My beloved Consort loves fish, eat more.”
Consort Liang smiled: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
As Consort Liang was about to put the fish into her mouth, a wave of nausea hit her, and she couldn’t help but retch.
The palace maids reacted quickly and rushed to her side.
The Second Prince’s face changed: “Mother, what’s wrong?”
The Emperor also panicked, jumping away and shouting from a distance: “Summon the Imperial Physician!”
~
Outside, the eunuch relayed the Emperor’s words.
Chu Tiankuo knelt down without any expression, smoothing his robe.
The eunuch glanced at him, hesitant to speak.
At that moment, a commotion came from inside the room, and he rushed back without further ado.
Soon, a palace maid hurried out to summon the Imperial Physician, not even sparing a glance at Chu Tiankuo on the ground.
Before long, an Imperial Physician was dragged over by the palace maid.
✿✿✿
The Imperial Physician saw the Crown Prince kneeling on the ground and was about to pay his respects when the palace maid urged him: “Imperial Physician, my Lady is terribly unwell. We suspect poisoning! Quickly! If anything happens to her, can you bear the responsibility?”
The Imperial Physician was pulled away by her.
More palace maids ran out to summon Imperial Physicians, and soon all the physicians from the Imperial Hospital were called over.
All the Imperial Physicians saw Chu Tiankuo kneeling there. They wanted to pay their respects but were urged inside.
Soon, a loud cheer erupted from inside: “Congratulations, Your Majesty! Consort Liang is with child again!”
Inside, the Emperor was stunned for a moment before exclaiming joyfully: “Haha, reward them! Reward them handsomely!”
A sarcastic smile played on Chu Tiankuo’s lips.
Not long after, the Imperial Physicians and the Second Prince emerged.
The other Imperial Physicians, hesitant to pay their respects to Chu Tiankuo, looked at the Second Prince.
Only the Director of the Imperial Hospital bowed to Chu Tiankuo: “This humble official greets Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
The Second Prince glanced at the Director and smiled: “Why haven’t you all greeted Elder Brother? ”
With that, he bowed: “This younger brother greets Elder Brother. I trust you are well!”
The Imperial Physicians hurriedly bowed to Chu Tiankuo.
The Second Prince walked up to Chu Tiankuo and advised: “Elder Brother, Father is inside with Mother. You should return for now. Father only punished you in a moment of anger. He must be so overjoyed now that he’s forgotten you’re outside. Otherwise, he wouldn’t bear to punish you. You can request an audience again tomorrow.”
Chu Tiankuo ignored him.
The Second Prince shook his head: “Elder Brother is truly filial. Mother will probably be out soon. I need to see the Imperial Physicians off. Excuse me!”
Throughout the night, Consort Liang complained of dizziness and nausea. It wasn’t until late at night that she was escorted out of the Emperor’s bedchamber.
No one except the Empress was allowed to spend the night in the Emperor’s bedchamber.
The Emperor’s eunuch came out and said to Chu Tiankuo: “Your Highness, the Emperor has retired for the night. He asks you to pay your respects tomorrow.”
Chu Tiankuo bowed towards the room and kowtowed: “This son takes his leave!”
After that, Chu Tiankuo stood up. His legs were numb, but he remained composed, straightening his back and leaving with steady, unhurried steps.
The Emperor’s eunuch, after relaying the message, hurried back into the room, glancing back once before disappearing inside.
Inside, the Emperor sat wearily on a chair: “He’s gone?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. His Highness the Crown Prince has left. He knelt for so long, his legs must be numb.”
A sneer appeared on the Emperor’s lips: “Consort Liang’s pregnancy is truly timely! It’s been a while since the palace welcomed a new addition!”
“Indeed, it’s a joyous occasion!” The eunuch lowered his voice: “His Highness the Crown Prince has grown taller, and he looks…”
The Emperor listened for a while before saying: “I’m tired. Help me to bed.”
“Yes.”
However, not long after the Emperor fell asleep, he began to have nightmares again.
Good morning, everyone~
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