Chapter 589.1: Childbirth
Childbirth (1)
After Jing Wan had them sent away, she entirely became idle again. Li Hong Yuan had just ascended the throne after all, with many things still needing to handle, so his time with Jing Wan wasn't that much.
However, Jing Wan really didn't need him at her side at all times. Staying in the imperial palace for a lifetime, one certainly will disdain it for being small, but for Jing Wan, the imperial palace right now was still novel enough. There were quite a few places for her to explore. The various palaces, aside from the palace servants in charge of cleaning, for the most part were all empty. Counting her fingers, in the entire palace, there seemingly was just a few masters, can't even finishing using all the fingers on one hand. Suddenly, it felt as if the imperial palace was vast without borders.
That's why, having that many consorts in the inner palace still had a bit of use, like for instance, making the imperial palace appear as if not that empty and spacious.
Even if having a bit of use, Jing Wan still won't let them enter. Even if having all the palaces cut down, still won't let them move in. Alright, this kind of crazy thought, can only just think about, she wouldn't go as far as to actually carry out. However, these empty residences were more likely to rot, so the money spent on maintenance every year probably will increase by tenfold. But, having more people in the palace, the money spent will just be even more. Food, clothing, housing, and transport, these various things added together absolutely was an astronomical amount.
That's why, it was better to leave empty. En, Jing Wan was a good empress wise in the way of housekeeping.
The imperial palace was far bigger than Jin Qinwang Manor. Everywhere else aside, solely just the imperial gardens, it was already enough for Jing Wan to develop for a very long time. However, right now, it wasn't the right time to touch the soil. But, during her occasional strolls, she can have some things noted down. When time comes, she can just slowly remodel.
Because the place was big enough, there were many places for Jing Wan to stroll through. Carefully counting the time, in about a week, the child in her stomach will be at a full eight months. However, according the calculation method from her past life, it should be counted from the last menstrual cycle. That's why, the child was more or less at thirty-four weeks, and the entire pregnancy period was forty weeks plus or minus two. However, normally, after thirty-six weeks, there won't be any problems. Jing Wan calculated her own situation, while also clearly aware of the exact date conception. Perhaps it'll be more than forty weeks, so there was nothing to worry about.
In the imperial harem, there was just her, this one master, and she was also pregnant. The child perhaps will be his Majesty's eldest di son, the future emperor. As such, Jing Wan right now was very esteemed and precious, everyone all revolving around her.
Jing Wan was unlike those previous imperial concubines, who for the most part stayed cooped up in their own little corner when pregnant. She practically went out every day. That's why, every area all got cleaned up neatly. They must ensure that no mishap can appear. Based on how much the emperor treasures the empress, if there really is the slightest mishap, then there will certainly be a bloodbath.
Just like when she'd first gotten pregnant, the people around her were all nervous, yet Jing Wan herself was exceptionally calm.
The days just that idly passed, and just as Li Hong Yuan had hoped, Jing Wan also gained some weight. However, it still wasn't that obvious.
The former Shu Consort Qin, current Consort Dowager Qin, also visited to Kunyi Palace from time to time to check on Jing Wan, and Jing Wan also frequently went to her place for a sit. Consort Dowager Qin was a tranquil and harmonious person. Although they were from two completely different age groups, they still got along very harmoniously.
In reality, it's not that Jing Wan didn't think of letting Consort Dowager leave the palace too. In a certain sense, for her to stay in the palace, it was quite lonely. Moreover, she didn't have a child. If she had a child, then she can just let her child take her in. Le Cheng Emperor's imperial consorts that had a son, for the most part, all did this. Speaking of which, this was probably the best ending for those imperial consorts that didn't become the empress dowager and didn't receive any special honors after the emperor husband died.
Consort Dowager Qin refused. She was already used to living in the palace. Now that there weren't those fights and schemes, she was actually quite carefree. Besides, "There's someone that wants to stay in the palace."
Jing Wan immediately understood. Consort Dowager Qin was referring to the Imperial Noble Consort. Her wanting to stay a bit closer to her son was also understandable.
If she was still alive, then right now, she would be the legitimate empress dowager. Of course, she still got posthumously conferred as the empress dowager. As for why not as empress, this actually was the Imperial Noble Consort's own wish revealed through Consort Dowager Qin. According to the Imperial Noble Consort's meaning, she didn't want this status as empress dowager either. She didn't really want a closer relationship with Le Cheng Emperor. However, the new emperor posthumously conferring a title to the birth mother, this was something that can't be more normal and considered as filial piety. Li Hong Yuan was already extremely unfilial towards his old man, so he ultimately needed to do a bit of something to block the mouths of the people. Li Hong Yuan didn't care, but the Imperial Noble Consort was unable to disregard. However, she also clearly expressed that after Le Cheng Emperor dies, have her remains moved out from the imperial tombs and reburied.
After the initial busy period passed, regardless whether it was the inner cabinet or the six ministries, all the main vacancies were filled, so Li Hong Yuan's free time also increased. Moreover, because of the big changes to the memorandums, one was able to read through them very quickly. Additionally, Li Hong Yuan wasn't like his old man, needing to grasp everything in hand. He had the great majority of the matters all thrown to the inner cabinet and six ministries to handle, while he just needed to know the overall matters. But, don't assume that in this way, you can just fool him. If truly harboring this kind of thought, then you're not far from removing your head from your shoulders.
TN: All
Ruan Rui Zhong also did exactly what he said he would do, submitting a memorandum asking to retire very soon. However, it got heartlessly rejected by Li Hong Yuan. Li Hong Yuan's temper was displayed there, saying one thing and meaning just that. If he rejects, then that wasn't just pretending to keep you. Unless you have one foot in the coffin, otherwise don't submit the same memorandum up again to go against his decision.
What did Li Hong Yuan say back then? He will have Ruan Rui Zhong kept behind, thoroughly squeezing him dry of his remaining worth, so how could he let the person go at this time. Only when he no longer have use, then can he pack his things and get lost. Those who don't know would just think that Li Hong Yuan was a hard to come by wise ruler in this aspect, but only the person involved knew just miserable it was.
Luo Pei Shan consolingly patted his shoulder. Old buddy, forget it, right now, he's the emperor, the boss. He has the final say in everything, so no matter how capable you are, it's still useless.
Ruan Rui Zhong looked to Luo Pei Shan who was in a very good mood, his complexion darkening. This damn old fox, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. With her Highness the empress present, you can just retire whenever you want. You must be very pleased, aren't you?
Luo Pei Shan right now was indeed very pleased. In the entire capital, regardless whether it was meritorious nobles or the influential families, how many can compare with the Luo family's honor and glory? However, Luo Pei Shan was very perceptive, restricting his family, appearing even more low-key than before. But, when it comes to handling matters, he was increasingly diligent and cautious, not letting others caught anything detrimental against him easily.
Having more free time, Li Hong Yuan's time with Jing Wan naturally just increased. As such, the times Consort Dowager Qin came to look for Jing Wan just decreased.
Jing Wan realized in hindsight that Consort Dowager Qin coming to accompany her from time to time was probably her husband's idea.
When entering the second half of the second lunar month, Li Hong Yuan for the most part just accompanied by her side at all times without leaving an inch. He originally had already set the court assembly to be once every five days, not dividing into big or small sessions either. Aside from that bit of time for morning court, even the memorandums were all brought back to Kunyi Palace.
Towards Jing Wan, Li Hong Yuan was still speechlessly gentle, even a hundred percent indulgent and docile.
He had his own emotions hidden very well, but Jing Wan still inadvertently noticed his anxiety.
All say, pregnant people can very easily develop prenatal anxiety. She didn't have it, but her husband did. However, Jing Wan was completely unable to laugh about it, not even able to tease him.
Because she knew why he was like this.
That's why, what was left was just heartache. However, she did her best to adjust her mood. Her mentality was still good, because she knew that only if she's well can he be well. If she were to get affected by him, then it would instead be bad.
Entering the third lunar month, Gong Jiu directly moved into Kunyi Palace. As for the rules and whatnot, in front of Li Hong Yuan, that was all useless talk.
And Li Hong Yuan extremely awful mood, the officials were able to sense very clearly. As long as there was the slightest thing not handled well, it will just draw out his thundering rage. Even Luo Pei Shan and Ruan Rui Zhong all somewhat trembled as well. However, they more or less knew the reason, because Luo Old Madam, as well as Jing Wan's mother, all go summoned into the palace by Li Hong Yuan.
Women giving birth was something that can't be more normal. Even though it was worrying, to be nervous to this degree like the emperor, it really was very rare.
The emperor had deep feelings towards the empress. Every time people felt that it'd already reached the peak, he was always able to tell you, it actually still wasn't enough. The former Jin Qinwang was a free spirt among the flowers, but the current Yuan Qi Emperor was just a complete love-sick fool. To be able to have him chained up to this degree, the empress was also a capable one.