Chapter 193: A Situation Both Laughable and Tragic

Chapter 193: A Situation Both Laughable and Tragic

Yun JiYu couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Truly, it was hilarious.

He TianJin had set up such a big target, and what happened? The person he intended to protect is now in trouble.

Absolutely ridiculous.

In Cui Wei Palace, Jing JiYu had just finished her confinement. She still seemed a bit weak.

Now, the whole Cui Wei Palace was bustling because Jiang BaoLin was indeed pregnant.

There was also some concern she might have affected her pregnancy.

He BaoLin was kneeling in the courtyard, close by, so the Empress also came over.

Since the Empress arrived, other members of the harem followed.

Given there was drama to witness, Yun JiYu, touching her stomach, felt she had walked quite a bit today but still could afford to see more. Thus, she got up and headed towards Cui Wei Palace.

By the way,

Because the twins born to Jing JiYu were so atypical, the Emperor didn't even mention them at their full-month celebration.

It just quietly passed.

On the day of the full month, the Emperor came over for a meal and then left.

Ten days later, Jing JiYu's encounters with the Emperor were somewhat awkward.

When Yun JiYu arrived, the Emperor was already there. But before she entered, she saw a woman kneeling in the corridor wearing a pink gauze dress, who was He BaoLin.

Her complexion was poor, her hands tightly wringing together, kneeling there with her head down, her expression indiscernible.

Yun JiYu just glanced at her and passed by into the room.

During the greeting, He TianJin raised his hand: "No need for formalities now, come sit. You don't need to greet me formally before giving birth."

Bowing requires using the waist and abdomen.

Yun JiYu thanked the Emperor and sat in her designated spot.

"JiYu, if you're tired, you don't have to come. It's not mandatory," Lan Fei said with a smile.

"Since the Empress is here, it's only right for me to attend," Yun JiYu replied calmly.

He TianJin chuckled.

He thought to himself how others were saying they had come to check in because something had happened, to show care for their sisters and such.

But this woman was straightforward.

With a smile, he said: "Yun'er, you've worked hard. I'll accompany you back later."

Yun JiYu nodded with a smile: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Empress glanced at Yun JiYu, her current concern being the one kneeling in the corridor.

"Your Majesty, although Jiang BaoLin was startled, fortunately, she did not miscarry. I've inquired, and both were minor, merely over some idle gossip about family backgrounds. It was nothing serious, yet hands were raised. While it indeed violates palace rules, they are still young. I think it best to just punish them according to the palace rules and have He BaoLin apologize to Jiang BaoLin?"

Is she suggesting letting it off lightly?

Yun JiYu glanced at the Empress, thinking now the Empress truly is benevolent. Indeed, aggressive measures won't work on her anymore.

If one cannot produce a healthy legitimate son, then compensation must be sought elsewhere.

"If we let this go, won't it lead to chaos in the future? Hurting a royal heir should not be lightly overlooked." Jin DeFei's voice was soft, yet carried weight.

Coming from her, this statement was most appropriate. After all, she lost her own son.

But nobody believed she was just standing up for justice.

He TianJin glanced at everyone and said: "Since He Shi has erred, we cannot condone it. Confine her for a month, punish her by copying the palace regulations a hundred times, and then have her apologize to Jiang Shi. Jiang BaoLin was wronged; take good care of her pregnancy. I will have someone reward her accordingly."

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise," said the Empress.

He BaoLin sighed in relief and thanked the emperor from outside.

He TianJin stood up: "It's almost time for dinner, I will go to Yu Qu Palace. Empress, you should also return. The rest of you may leave."

Everyone respectfully saw He TianJin off, who indeed left with Yun JiYu.

Upon exiting, He TianJin didn't glance at the person kneeling in the corridor.

He felt guilty towards Empress Dowager He, not He BaoLin.

Yun JiYu thought, such a hindering little cousin must be irritating the emperor.

Back at Yu Qu Palace, He TianJin inquired: "Tired, aren't you? I heard you went to the garden today? Missing out on a bit of excitement shouldn't be too tiring."

"If I had missed a bit, how could I have enticed Your Majesty to come?" Yun JiYu joked.

"Don't be too proud, I was planning to come tonight anyway," He TianJin said as he pinched her face.

Yun JiYu...

"Then, I really shouldn't have gone, should I?"

He TianJin chuckled: "Come here, let me check your belly."

He then pulled her to sit in his embrace, back against him, and gently felt her belly.

Now, the bump was palpable, which was truly amazing.

He had, of course, never felt another woman's belly.

Especially from the time it was still flat, all the way until he could clearly feel it rise.

This experience was incredibly astonishing for him.

Although it's common knowledge that women bear children, the realization that a child grows in such a manner was a new revelation for He TianJin.

To grow from something so small, be born, and then grow bigger.

After feeling her belly for a while, He TianJin asked, "Is there anything uncomfortable with your body?"

"Tired. Sleepy. Cravings. Bad temper," Yun JiYu was candid.

He TianJin was momentarily stunned.

"Does Your Majesty ask only to remain silent afterward? I thought you were just being polite, and I took it seriously?" Yun JiYu huffed.

He TianJin embraced her: "I was just thinking, aren't you always like this?"

Yun JiYu...

Seems like it's actually true?

"Your Majesty just doesn't care about me." Anyway, when it's time to act spoiled, one shouldn't be polite.

"I do care. If you're tired, rest more. If you don't feel like attending morning greetings, wait until after you've given birth. If sleepy, then sleep more. For cravings... I'll have a small kitchen set up here for you. As for the bad temper, try to hold it in. Getting angry is no good," He TianJin was indeed patient.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but can I really have a small kitchen now?" Yun JiYu blinked.

"Don't you want it?" He TianJin raised an eyebrow.

"Your Majesty's word is golden, what's given cannot be taken back," Yun Li hastily said.

He Jinli pinched her cheek, not arguing further.

Of course not.

A consort does not have the privilege.

But those above the rank of ninth consort do.

However, not everyone has it. It's just a matter of eligibility, but having a private kitchen means extra expenses.

After all, it still requires the Emperor's approval.

Otherwise, who would arrange it for you?

This was almost an implicit promise that Yun Li would be promoted after giving birth.

Yun Li couldn't be bothered to discuss this with him, it could wait.

But of course, a private kitchen would be nice.

Not only is it safer to eat, but it's also much more convenient.

Sometimes, when craving a late-night snack, there's no need to request it from the main kitchen anymore.

Of course, she currently has everything she wants, but it's still not as quick as having it made in her own palace.

Having a private kitchen doesn't mean she'll stop eating meals from the imperial kitchen.

A private kitchen can't prepare too complicated dishes. It doesn't make elaborate meals.

It's just more convenient for simmering or enjoying some finer foods.

He Jinli instructed Meng Chang to inform the Empress, then directly ordered the Internal Affairs Department to take care of it.

In the Internal Affairs Department, the steward's apprentice Wu Dayou laughed: "Look at this, what's the use of hopping around like Zhu Xiaoyi and Yu Xiaoyi? This one, pregnant and still seeing the Emperor frequently, today, while others are laying low, managed to get a private kitchen."

[I don't feel sorry for Yun Li at all. For those who give bad reviews because her promotion is slow due to her being a time-traveler and not skyrocketing to the top, why don't you go read 'The Tyrant Emperor Falls In Love With Me'? Please, spare me.]