Chapter 73: In this harem, one who shares her blood…

**Chapter 73: In this harem, someone who shares her bloodline…**

Since the cavalry’s formation was put on the agenda, the imperial court had been in constant turmoil.

Huo Ling couldn’t act openly but mulled it over in private repeatedly.

The prolonged mental strain, combined with the bitter winter, made her drowsy after spending too long indoors where braziers blazed to keep the palace warm.

Therefore, during this period, Huo Ling started waking up half an hour later each day.

Her appetite grew as well.

But she had always eaten heartily, so the recent increase was chalked up to the colder weather or the new imperial chef’s more pleasing dishes.

Because of that, Huo Ling even showered the new imperial chef with silver rewards.

Then one morning, Imperial Physician Hu arrived with Doctor Chen to take Huo Ling’s pulse.

After Huo Ling secured Doctor Chen’s position in the Imperial Hospital, she hadn’t paid much attention to his affairs.

However, those in the know were aware that Doctor Chen hailed from Yanxi and had been personally sent to the Imperial Hospital by Cui Hongyi, so no one dared cross him.

Doctor Chen himself wasn’t arrogant or domineering. He kept a low profile and devoted himself to improving his medical skills.

Over time, he caught Imperial Physician Hu’s attention—the head of the Imperial Hospital—and was taken under his wing as a disciple.

Of course, calling him “Doctor Chen” was no longer appropriate.

Now, he should be addressed as “Imperial Physician Chen.”

Huo Ling was pleased to see a familiar face: “Imperial Physician Hu has taken my pulse many times. How about letting Imperial Physician Chen try this time?”

Not every imperial physician had the privilege to approach the Empress and check her pulse.

Huo Ling didn’t need to go out of her way to favor Imperial Physician Chen; just showing a bit of warmth would make his life in the Imperial Hospital much smoother.

As soon as Imperial Physician Chen placed his fingers on Huo Ling’s pulse, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

“Your Majesty’s pulse is excellent.”

“I’ll defer to Imperial Physician Hu before sharing the diagnosis.”

Imperial Physician Hu was at first confused, but the moment his fingers touched Huo Ling’s pulse, he understood.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

For a moment, Huo Ling truly didn’t grasp what they meant.

Nanny Zuo, being older and more experienced, picked up on the hint right away and exclaimed joyfully, “Imperial Physician Hu, is Her Majesty…?”

Imperial Physician Hu stroked his beard and smiled. “Your Majesty, this is a pregnancy pulse. By the pulse, it’s been over a month.”

Huo Ling stood stunned, and without thinking, she copied Imperial Physician Hu’s motion, placing two fingers on her left wrist.

Feeling the steady pulse beneath her fingertips, she was still in a daze.

She was actually pregnant…

After the initial shock, the attendants around her burst into celebration.

Nanny Zuo pulled Wu Mo aside and asked in a low voice, "Has Her Majesty's period been delayed this month?"

Wu Mo replied, "Yes, it has."

Nanny Zuo sighed helplessly, "Why didn’t you say anything?"

Wu Mo slapped her forehead with her palm, her face full of regret. "After I mentioned it to Her Majesty, she said it might be from getting chilled, so I... I brushed it off..."

Nanny Zuo, too alarmed to reprimand Wu Mo, exclaimed, "Her Majesty got chilled?"

Wu Mo immediately grew anxious as well. "A few days ago, the red plum blossoms in Lianmei Pavilion bloomed, and Her Majesty went to see them. She stayed outside for quite a while."

Nanny Zuo hurried off to fetch Imperial Physician Hu, while Wu Mo returned to Huo Ling’s side. "Your Majesty, how are you feeling now?"

Huo Ling snapped back to attention and answered truthfully, "It feels strange... and unexpected."

She had never imagined she would have a child.

From the moment she decided to enter the palace, every step of her planning had been based on the resources she already possessed.

She would never stake her hopes and future on the uncertainty of a child.

Many had privately offered her secret tonics for fertility in an attempt to curry favor, but after she made examples of them, such attempts ceased.

Yet this didn’t mean she hadn’t hoped for the arrival of this child—

—a child in this imperial harem, who shares her blood.

"Where is His Majesty?"

Huo Ling stood up. "I must go tell him the good news."

In the past, whenever Huo Ling needed to speak with Emperor Jingyuan, she would simply go to him directly. But now that she was pregnant and the blizzard outside was raging, Nanny Zuo wouldn’t dream of letting her go out.

Cui Hongyi, always sharp, volunteered eagerly, "Your Majesty, please grant this humble servant the favor of going in your stead. Allow me the chance to earn His Majesty’s favor."

Huo Ling couldn’t help but laugh. "Wouldn’t that make me the bad guy if I stopped you?"

She sat back down and waved her hand. "Fine, go quickly."

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Emperor Jingyuan was reviewing the memorials submitted to the capital by Li Huai, An Hongyu, and Huo Shiming.

Upon learning that the court intended to establish a cavalry, the three had each submitted memorials laying out their ideas.

All three were well-versed in military strategy and had led troops for years. Based solely on the content of their memorials, it was hard to pick a clear frontrunner.

Truth be told, if the decision were purely based on seniority and capability, the most suitable candidate would be An Hongyu.

But the fact that Emperor Jingyuan had not yet made his choice indicated that he was considering more than just seniority and ability—other factors were influencing his decision.

Emperor Jingyuan put down the memorial and walked to the window, clasping his hands behind his back as he gazed at the endless snow outside.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and he asked Li Man behind him, "Isn’t that Cui Hongyi?"

A figure was trudging through the snow toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Li Man squinted for a closer look and confirmed, "It is Cui Hongyi."

Cui Hongyi arrived swiftly, reaching the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in just a few moments.

Emperor Jingyuan was already waiting for him in the hall. Before he could even speak, Cui Hongyi exclaimed joyfully: "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Hu just came to check the Empress’s pulse—she’s pregnant."

Emperor Jingyuan stood stunned.

It wasn’t until Li Man’s delighted congratulations reached his ears that the emperor sprang to his feet.

"Ready the imperial carriage for Fengyi Palace! Now!"

This was a child he had waited for so long—so long that he had nearly stopped hoping.

When he stepped down from the carriage and stood before the palace gates, a wave of hesitation struck him.

This unexpected timidity held him frozen for a long moment.

Then, the tightly shut doors were suddenly opened from within.

The brazier’s warmth met the icy winter air, and in the mingling of heat and cold, Emperor Jingyuan lifted his gaze to see Huo Ling standing inside. Her cheeks were rosy, her expression serene, and a soft smile touched her lips.

"Why is Your Majesty still standing outside?"

His anxious heart calmed at once.

He crossed the threshold, ready to draw her close—but as his fingers brushed against her sleeve, warmed by the fire, he remembered the chill clinging to his own body and paused.

"Why did you come out so lightly dressed? Be careful not to catch cold."

After Emperor Jingyuan entered, the half-open doors were swiftly closed, ensuring no draft reached Huo Ling.

"I wanted to tell Your Majesty this good news myself, but they all stopped me."

The emperor removed his outer cloak before taking her hand. "They were right to do so. You must be careful with such heavy snowfall outside."

Once seated, Emperor Jingyuan asked, "What did the imperial physicians say?"

Huo Ling replied, "Knowing Your Majesty would wish to hear directly, Imperial Physician Hu and Imperial Physician Chen are still waiting in the side hall."

Without needing further prompting, the two physicians detailed Huo Ling’s condition.

A skilled archer and rider, she had never neglected her training even after entering the palace. Her health had always been strong—she barely even fell ill throughout the year.

Her pregnancy had also been easy thus far. Over the past month, she had eaten and slept well, suffering little discomfort.

Emperor Jingyuan let out a relieved breath.

Yet, as the initial wave of pure joy faded, a storm of emotions surged within him. While overjoyed at the child’s arrival, the ghosts of past losses left him with an indescribable, gnawing dread.

"Has the pregnancy tonic been prepared?"

"From today onward, the Empress must be examined every five—no, every three days. Watch over her closely; she must not suffer the slightest mishap."

After instructing Imperial Physician Hu, the emperor turned to Nanny Zuo. "The Empress is still in her first trimester. Keep a close watch over everything in the palace. For now, word of her pregnancy must not spread."

"All servants in Fengyi Palace shall receive triple their monthly wages this month. Serve the Empress well, and when she safely delivers the child, I will grant generous rewards."

Once these arrangements were made, Emperor Jingyuan dismissed everyone in the hall, at last leaving him alone with Huo Ling. "Are you tired? Shall I accompany you to rest?"

"I just woke up, and I'm not tired at all."

Huo Ling took Emperor Jingyuan's hand, as if seeing through his calm facade to the unease beneath, and comforted him, "Your Majesty, there's no need to worry. I've always been healthy—hardly ever sick since I was a child."

"With me as their mother, this child will surely be born safe and sound, and grow up safe and carefree."

Emperor Jingyuan closed his eyes briefly, his throat tight.

"You haven't felt the baby yet, have you?" Huo Ling placed his hand on her belly. "Can you feel it?"

Emperor Jingyuan replied, "I can."

Huo Ling teased, "And here I am, the mother, still feeling nothing."

Emperor Jingyuan chuckled, then changed the subject to palace affairs: "I’ll have the Imperial Household Department send over a few more experienced matrons to attend to your daily needs."

"With the year-end banquet approaching, you shouldn’t strain yourself this year. Let Consort De oversee the preparations for you."

"As for other matters..." He hesitated briefly, "Don’t bother with them. Just focus on resting well. We’ll discuss them after the first three months."

Huo Ling’s heart skipped a beat—other matters?

Currently, the biggest topic in both the court and the palace was the selection of the cavalry commander.

Yet, in the end, Huo Ling refrained from asking.

Some things, asking outright would make them seem cheap.

She couldn’t help but think—this child couldn’t have come at a better time.

***

The Ministry of Personnel had submitted the list of candidates before the twelfth lunar month.

Imperial Physician Hu had diagnosed her pregnancy before the twelfth month as well.

Having managed Fengyi Palace for so long, and with Emperor Jingyuan personally suppressing the news, no word of her pregnancy had leaked outside.

The courtiers waited impatiently, but no announcement came regarding the cavalry commander. Eventually, they began submitting memorials recommending Li Huai and An Hongyu.

Emperor Jingyuan left all the petitions unanswered, dragging his feet.

This delay stretched until Huo Ling’s pregnancy was nearly three months along, until the year’s final grand court assembly was about to convene—only then did the Emperor finally release the news.

The palace was in shock.

The court was in shock.

The Duke of Liu, who’d been sure of victory, felt a surge of rage upon hearing the news. The taste of blood rose in his throat, and he turned his head to spit out a mouthful of blood.

"Grandfather!"

His grandson, Liu Cheng, panicked and rushed to steady him.

His second son, Liu Tong, exclaimed anxiously: "Father, I'll call for the imperial physician right away."

The Duke of Liu looked pale, his breath ragged. Yet, upon hearing this, he suddenly gripped Liu Tong’s wrist with all his strength, barely managing to rasp out his next words.

"Bring a physician in quietly—no fuss. The Empress’s pregnancy is a blessing for the Empire. If you request an imperial physician now, won’t it seem..."

The Duke of Liu gave a bitter smile, "...as though our household resents the news of the Empress’s pregnancy?"

Liu Tong's hand was gripped painfully, and he went even paler upon hearing this: "Y...yes, I'll go get a doctor right away."

After Liu Tong left, Liu Cheng helped the Duke of Liu back into his chair and looked at him with concern: "Grandfather, are you okay?"

"Tea."

The Duke closed his eyes, barely able to speak, but at this critical moment, he couldn't afford to collapse.

"No wonder His Majesty held back all the memorials and delayed naming the cavalry commander for so long."

When Liu Cheng brought the tea over, he caught the Duke murmuring these words and finally understood why his grandfather had reacted so strongly.

The palace must have known about the Empress’s pregnancy long ago, but since it hadn’t yet reached three months, they kept it under wraps.

Now, with the time for delay clearly over and the pregnancy secure, they finally let the news out.

And they chose to announce it on the eve of the year’s last court session.

With things having come to this point, who the Emperor truly favored for command of the cavalry was no longer in question.

"We planned for so long, yet man proposes, God disposes."

A bitter twist crossed Liu Cheng’s mouth. "The position is definitely going to Huo Shiming now."

The Duke took a few sips from Liu Cheng’s hand before feeling some strength return. "Who becomes cavalry commander now is irrelevant."

Liu Cheng was stunned.

The Duke sighed. "Think bigger picture—what effect does the Empress’s pregnancy have on us?"

Liu Cheng’s face fell. "Yuanyuan… that child…"

The Duke closed his eyes again. "Don’t stay here watching over me—I’ll be fine. Hurry to Prince Duan’s residence and find the Princess. Console her properly."