Chapter 159 What’s the Intention

**Chapter 159: What Does It Mean?**

**Overjoyed**

At these words, everyone in the Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall—the grand hall—fell silent for a moment, gaping at Su Jiaojiao in disbelief.

The minister who had risen to speak stood frozen, completely dumbfounded, his face burning as if he had been publicly slapped.

Only moments ago, they had accused Consort Zhen of arrogance and hoarding the emperor’s attention. Now it turned out she was pregnant—no wonder she had seemed unwell!

At this point, no matter her faults, they could say nothing more. To criticize her now would mean opposing the imperial heir!

And opposing the imperial heir was no different than opposing the emperor himself.

Such disrespectful words had already escaped their mouths; taking them back now would only shame them further…

Beads of cold sweat rolled down the minister’s brow. He cupped his hands in apology but could only open and close his mouth without speaking.

Finally, his face flushed red with humiliation, he bowed low before the emperor and Consort Zhen and said, “Consort Zhen’s pregnancy is a great joy for the nation! Your servant congratulates Your Majesty!”

Even those below who were discontented knew this was not the time to voice grievances. They swallowed their resentment, quickly changed their expressions, and rose to bow before the emperor, offering their congratulations: “We congratulate Your Majesty!”

In that moment, the ministers’ acclamations seemed to freeze midair as Shen Huai fixed his gaze on Su Jiaojiao, who was walking steadily toward him, as if doubting his ears.

He sat motionless on the dragon throne for a long while before the realization hit him, flooding him with joy beyond measure.

He had never imagined that the child he had long hoped for—one shared with Su Jiaojiao—would arrive so suddenly, like a dream come true.

Gripping the armrests of the throne to restrain himself from rushing down to meet her, his voice trembled slightly as he asked again and again, “Have the imperial physicians confirmed it? There’s no mistake?”

Su Jiaojiao smiled faintly, her usual coolness laced with playful reproach. “Imperial Physician Liu has carefully examined me. If Your Majesty still doubts, other physicians may examine me after the banquet. But given Physician Liu’s skill, I believe there is no error.”

Hearing her confirmation, Shen Huai’s eyes sparkled with joy, barely managing to keep his composure before the court.

He forced calm into his expression and ordered firmly, “Servants! Change Consort Zhen’s dishes to match the Empress’s, and assign another maid to attend her.”

“Yu Ying, help your mistress be seated.”

Yu Ying smiled and curtsied, then escorted Su Jiaojiao to the seat beside the Empress.

This sudden turn of events erased the Empress’s earlier smug satisfaction entirely. Her nails bit into the table unconsciously, her already pale face growing even paler as she struggled to contain her emotions.

How could Su Jiaojiao be pregnant now…?

*Why now?* She’d spurned the emperor’s bed before—she hadn’t conceived in two years!

Why now…?

She had thought saving the emperor and carrying his child would secure her position in the Middle Palace, ensuring her future and paving the way for a legitimate heir.

This should have been her most triumphant time—respected by all the palace, cherished by the emperor. Yet Su Jiaojiao, that wretched woman, had somehow ensnared the emperor once again, perhaps even more deeply than before.

In the past two months alone, the emperor had visited the Phoenix Palace far less often, spending most of his free time at Yaoxian Palace instead.

She had accepted that her condition prevented her from attending him—but now Su Jiaojiao was also with child.

If Su Jiaojiao was already favored, wouldn’t the emperor’s heart now be utterly lost to her?

Even if she bore a legitimate son in the future, the emperor might not cherish him—let alone name him heir.

No matter how hard she tried, why did Su Jiaojiao always manage to weigh so heavily on her mind? She was the rightful Empress, the Emperor’s lawful wife, the mother of the realm. Yet why did Su Jiaojiao always have to interfere with everything she desired?

The more the Empress thought about it, the more resentful and angry she became, completely unaware of what the Emperor beside her had just said.

At that moment, dancers were gracefully performing within the hall to the sounds of court music. The atmosphere inside *Jiuzhou Qingyan* had finally eased into calm after the earlier tension. Some guests engaged in casual conversation, others sipped wine and enjoyed the dishes, while Shen Huai took the opportunity to exchange a few words with the Empress.

Yet when he called her name twice, the Empress remained still, her eyes fixed on the tea in her cup, her face expressionless and her complexion unwell.

She had already been feeling unwell due to her pregnancy, and attending the banquet had been something of an effort.

But judging from her reaction, she seemed displeased upon hearing of Consort Zhen’s pregnancy.

Lately, Shen Huai had heard many rumors about the Empress, which had already stirred his suspicions.

Now, seeing her response to Jiaojiao's pregnancy, his doubts only deepened. He frowned slightly and raised his voice: “Empress.”

Startled from her thoughts, she lifted her gaze to meet the Emperor’s, her expression instantly turning anxious.

“I was momentarily distracted due to discomfort,” she bowed her head and said humbly. “Please forgive Your servant.”

Shen Huai looked at her coolly and asked, “You do look unwell. Is it serious?”

The Empress hesitated briefly before shaking her head weakly. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. I’ve simply been confined to the palace for too long and feel a little unaccustomed.”

“If it’s nothing serious, then rest once you return to *Fengyi Palace*. Have the imperial physician check on you later.”

He tapped the table lightly with his finger and added casually, “Consort Zhen is pregnant. I intend to promote her to Noble Consort. What does my Empress think?”