Chapter 91 – Pregnant
Ye Zhen Zhen and Ji Wu Jiu stayed on the top of the mountain for a while.
Back to the imperial palace, Su Yue and the others felt as if it was a lifetime ago seeing Ye Zhen Zhen. The emperor came back alone before. The empress was not seen. They knew it was not good but no one dare to ask although they felt anxious. Today, finally Empress Niang Niang returned. Everybody cried in excitement. Afraid to cry loudly, they just bowed head to shed tears. Wang You Cai wept until his shoulders shaking. Ye Zhen Zhen asked him to raise his head. Seeing his tears and mucus flowed profusely, nostril emitted bubbles, she hurriedly let him lowered his head again.
Ye Zhen Zhen changed clothes and sat down together with everyone from Kun Ning Palace to talk about former times. Ji Wu Jiu went to Yang Xin Hall where Fang Xiu Qing was waiting for him.
What kind of scheme Fang Xiu Qing made, Ji Wu Jiu knew very well. Saying that Fang Xiu Qing did not care for the safety of the emperor, maybe not, but saying so entirely, definitely not. This old fellow could exactly find that place, proving he had peeked out the content of secret letter beforehand. He clearly knew the empress’s life would not be guaranteed if he led the troops to go, but he still mobilized the army which means that he did not care about Empress’s life or death or simply wanted to set her to death. Could do both protecting His Majesty (1) while eliminating the Empress. This was a good plan killing two birds with one stone.
Ji Wu Jiu thought. His eyes sank. When someone had everything went as he wished, he would inevitably think that he was clever. Fang Xiu Qing’s idea was indeed getting bigger. Wenchen (2) can command the army at will. Originally it was taboo. This old fellow surely was clever and quick-witted when fought Ye Xiu Ming before, even dared to preserve this kind of evidence!
Inside Yan Xing Hall, Fang Xiu Qing was anxiously kneeling. The emperor had not arrived yet, so he was not really required to do that. However he knew he stood on a major event this time. Mobilizing the army to protect the emperor was originally a dangerous maneuver, but he did not regret it. Even if the empress did not exist, he would still like to protect the emperor because the emperor’s safety was related to the common people in the country. Of course, would be better had the empress died. But he found a mistake: the emperor’s feelings to the empress surpassed his imagination. As a result, even though for him the empress’s death was killing two birds with an arrow, but for the emperor, his, Fang Xiu Qing, way was great mistake should not be forgiven!
The emperor was a cool-headed and self-restraint person. The more emotional this kind of person, the more frightening he was. For a man, if a thing is related to the life and death of his woman, a matter became big or small depends on the weight of this woman in his heart.
This matter now was big, very big.
Fang Xiu Qing did not dare to neglect, soon went to kneel at Yang Xin Hall, waiting for the emperor to come and denounce his crime. He had to proactively admit his mistake, surely not defend himself even half a sentence and certainly had to emphasize the point that he neglected Empress Niang Niang’s safety because his mind was concerned with shengshang (3) dragon’s body (4). He could not let the emperor believe that he deliberately injured Empress Niang Niang.
It had to be said that Fang Xiu Qing was still quite able to figure out the emperor’s intention up to some extent.
Ji Wu Jiu came to Yang Xin Hall. After listening to Fang Xiu Qing’s plea, he only coldly said, “It is said that ‘daughter resembles father’. Why today Fang Aiqing (5) thoug
ht himself smart instead of learning to raise his precious daughter?”
The amount of information in this speech was very great. Fang Xiu Qing need a moment to understand the emperor’s meaning: Do not think Zhen don’t know what idea you have. Do you think your daughter would have chance if Empress died? To let you know, the door is not exist! Because Zhen loathe her smartness. If you also think yourself smart just like your daughter, Zhen will also loathe you.
Fang Xiu Qing knelt on the ground pleading for forgiveness over and over again.
Ji Wu Jiu said again, “Fortunately, the Empress is fine this time. Fang Aiqing is the pillar of the country. Zhen also cannot bear to criticize harshly, so just punish with confinement at cabinet and reflect on your mistake for a month.”
Well, although this punishment was regarded as light, but it was not too heavy compare to Emperor’s anger. However others were confined at home, why must he confined at cabinet?
Because he had to work ah……
The cabinet in the Forbidden City was not far from the emperor’s Yang Xin Hall. Of course, the livelihood condition of that place and Yang Xin Hall were not much different. The so-called confinement for a month was locking the door to work for a month and not allowed to go anywhere.
Fang Xiu Qing wiped the sweat. This way was already considered as the emperor became lenient and gave him face.
At this moment, Ji Wu Jiu suddenly asked, “Gong Bu (6) shangshu (7) is very old and has written petition begging for skeletal remains. This matter Zhen has agreed. Fang Aiqingthinks who should be the candidate of the new Gong Bu shangshu?”
This matter Fang Xiu Qing knew. He already had three candidates, which two candidates among them had good relation with him. Another one’s conduct was arrogant and not suitable to work on team. Fang Xiu Qing was afraid the emperor would scold him for conspiracy, so he added this person. Actually whoever the emperor chose had little to do with him because originally Gongbu was a department which existence was not high.
Unexpectedly, Ji Wu Jiu rejected all of the three candidates.
Fang Xiu Qing knew the emperor probably had a plan in mind, so he asked, “It seems that Your Majesty already has suitable candidate. May I ask who this person is?”
“Ye Mu Fang.”
Fang Xiu Qing startled. He just realized that the so-called confinement was actually small-scale and this was the emperor real punishment to him. Who was Ye Mu Fang? He was Ye Xiu Ming’s grandson. Ye Family was his old rival. Just from one Ye Xiu Ming, he did not live several comfortable days, and now another Ye Mu Fang came. Although Gong Buwas not significant, but according to the convention, all shangshu from six departments had to join the cabinet. Worked as Gong Bu shangshu, Ye Mu Fang could enter the cabinet (politics) right away. When the moment came, there would be more variables.
“Your Majesty is brilliant. Ye Mu Fang is indeed very capable, but this person is only 28 years old this year. It seems he still needs to have more experience.” Fang Xiu Qing tried to refute.
“Aiqing thinks too much. [Hanshu] (8) said: xiao cai sui lei ri, bu li yu xiao guan; xian cai sui wei jiu, bu hai wei fuzuo. Some people have become government officials for a lifetime, but merely a mediocre. Some people even though still young, but their morality and conduct are carrying great ability. Naturally deserve to be placed in an important position. This matter is decided this way.”
(TN: Literally meaning ‘Although a capable young individual works hard for days, not part from being petty official; Although a capable young (9) individual doesn’t have long time, not do harm to assist (usually a ruler))
Fang Xiu Qing had no choice but to agree, but he secretly grumbled in his heart. Indeed accompanying a sovereign can be like accompanying a tiger. He took one wrong way and unexpectedly made a mistake, resulted in such outcome.
***
After dealing with Fang Xiu Qing, Ji Wu Jiu went to Kunning Palace to have dinner with Ye Zhen Zhen. Eating various kinds of food that she liked, Ye Zhen Zhen suddenly regained appetite, greatly enjoyed the food on the dining table. Ji Wu Jiu beside her also enjoyed greatly.
After dinner, after pulling Ye Zhen Zhen to walk outside, strolling to digest the food then returning and taking a bath, Ji Wu Jiu was a little itching to get on it. He carried Ye Zhen Zhen to bed in his arms and undressed her in one turn.
But suddenly Ye Zhen Zhen kicked his stomach. Phoenix-like eye slightly raised, her gaze wandered, fascinatingly was unable to say.
Her soft feet stuck on his fiery chest. Her toes restlessly scratched, practically a deadly provocation. Ji Wu Jiu had been burned in fire from head to foot for a long time. Now he was asked to stop by her, for him, it was like telling him to tease even more.
Ji Wu Jiu knelt before Ye Zhen Zhen, did not know what she wanted. He wanted to lean forward, but was blocked by her. He simply laughed, “Zhen Zhen, if there is something, we should talk…… en, we discuss after finish the thing, okay?” He told her to slide her foot downward and stop to deal with the swollen hard thing between his hips. By her one refined touch, he couldn’t help but lightly groan.
Ye Zhen Zhen regained her foot and got up, “I heard about this high and mighty De Guifei inside hougong (10) when I was not present. Your Majesty, you were not lonely at all ah.”
Ji Wu Jiu promptly said, “No, I conferred her as guifei merely as a matter of exchange. Zhen Zhen you know.”
“I naturally know. What I don’t know is whether in the end you have something with her or not …”
“No! Absolutely not!” Ji Wu Jiu raised three fingers altogether, “I swear if I and she have head and tail, then heaven……”
Ye Zhen Zhen covered his mouth, angrily said, “What oath do you swear? You do not believe in supernatural things, your oath can’t be trusted. Can you control to hold with that many beautiful woman seducing you again and again?”
Ji Wu Jiu hesitated to tell her about the pills, but he always felt shameful to say so he just hold her hand and laughed, “Anyway all people in imperial palace know I can’t do, no one came to seduce me.” Seems like he still felt shameful after saying that……
So he added, “As long as you know that I am capable, that’s good.” Once again, he restlessly hold her hand and placed it to rouse between his legs.
Ye Zhen Zhen gently pinched him.
Ji Wu Jiu took her action as a permission, thus once again he pounced on her on the bed. He kissed all from top to bottom, left his lasting marks on every part of her skin.
The so-called ‘short partings make the reunion even sweeter than honeymoon’ (11), both of them regarded this separation almost like life and death separation.
When he was teasing Ye Zhen Zhen to spring tide, when finally he wanted to carry the gun to go into battle, suddenly Ye Zhen Zhen pushed him and quickly turned herself out of the bed, ran to spittoon and threw up violently in front of it.
Ji Wu Jiu: “……”
It was like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky. Ji Wu Jiu rushed to get out of bed, eagerly explained while patting her back, “Zhen Zhen, I really did not touch Bai Xiang Ru …… I didn’t touch anyone!”
Ye Zhen Zhen ignored him and continued to vomit.
“Zhen Zhen, you trust me……”
Still throwing up.
Ji Wu Jiu somewhat dejected, eventually thoroughly resolved, “Actually I always took pills!”
Still throwing up.
Soon afterwards, Ji Wu Jiu felt something was wrong, “Zhen Zhen, did you perhaps eat something bad?”
Ye Zhen Zhen shook her head and threw up violently once more. She could no longer vomit, only retching while covering her stomach with hand.
Ji Wu Jiu helped her put on the outer garment, supported her with one hand and turned his head to the outside shouting, “Feng You De, summon the taiyi!”
Ye Zhen Zhen finally got better. Ji Wu Jiu poured some tea for her to rinse her mouth and helped her to sit back on the bed. Ye Zhen Zhen, afraid he misunderstood her heart, so she explained, “It’s nothing. This is the aftermath of seasickness.”
Ji Wu Jiu did not quite believe it, “What kind of ship can make someone dizzy like this? When did you get off the boat?”
“The day before yesterday.”
“Even if seasickness, it should be got over long ago.” Ji Wu Jiu said, suddenly widened his eyes, as if thinking of something.
“What’s up?” Ye Zhen Zhen asked.
Ji Wu Jiu grabbed her hand, looked excited, “Zhen Zhen, your …… monthly period, how long did not come?”
“I don’t know……”
“You think about it.” Ji Wu Jiu felt a bit helpless. When this woman was clever, she could make someone’s tooth itching in hate, but when she was silly also could make someone’s tooth itching in annoyance.
Seeing Ye Zhen Zhen contemplate in silence, Ji Wu Jiu had to ask, “Has not it been since last time I…… was rejected by you, it has not come?” With this calculation, approximately already three months.
Ye Zhen Zhen suddenly looked up at him. “I am not pregnant, right?”
Ji Wu Jiu smiled and touched her forehead briefly, “Fool. What do you think?”
Both of them were a bit nervous, after all they had once experienced the farce of fake pregnancy before. Waiting until the taiyi finally arrived, Ji Wu Jiu looked at the man who just came with dark face, “Why are you?”
Sun Taiyi shoved a small box of pills to Ji Wu Jiu and Ye Zhen Zhen, and saluted, “This humble servant pay respect to Your Majesty and Empress Niang Niang.”
This Sun Taiyi was Tie Taiyi‘s apprentice, the one who examined Ji Wu Jiu and diagnosed the pregnancy pulse. Originally, he had irritated the Dragon’s Face (12) so much that he should be driven out of taiyi courtyard. However, Ji Wu Jiu thought that he was honest in character and was able to speak the truth. So he disregarded his displeasure and granted permission for him to continue to stay.
By chance, Sun Taiyi was in the night shift today. Hearing the summon from Kunning Palace, he came.
In order to improve the accuracy, Ji Wu Jiu did not let Sun Taiyi slightly vague. Sun Taiyichecked Ye Zhen Zhen’s pulse once more and responded, “Congratulations Your Majesty, Niang Niang. Niang Niang has been pregnant for two months.”
For a short while, this sentence was like making the moonlight shine brightly inside the room. Everyone’s face was carrying smile. Ji Wu Jiu’s smile was slightly aloof. Recalling the farce last time, he immediately extended his wrist, “You also check Zhen’s pulse.”
Sun Taiyi knew his apprehensions. He carefully checked his pulse. In the end with serious face he stated, “Your Majesty, please rest assured. You are not pregnant.”
“……” Still such straightforwardness.
~ Translated by: San Guniang ~
Glossary:
The referral term used here is “sheng jia”( 聖駕), literally means “holy procession”. Used when referring to the emperor in the third person, especially when the emperor was on the move. Wenchen = civilian court official (in former times) Shengshang (聖上) = means “You, the Holy and Exalted One”, used when addressing the emperor directly or when referring to the emperor in the third person. The term used here is “Long Ti” (龍體), meaning His Majesty’s health. Literally means dragon’s body. Referring to the emperor’s body or his health. Aiqing = Literally means “dear-official” or “dear-subject”. Used by the emperor and members of the imperial family when they address officials. Gong Bu = Ministry of Works in imperial China Shangshu = high official / government minister Hanshu = The Book of Han or History of the Former Han is a history of China finished in 111, covering the Western, or Former Han dynasty from the first emperor in 206 BCE to the fall of Wang Mang in 23 CE. It is also called the Book of Former Han. The work was composed by Ban Gu, a court official, with the help of his sister Ban Zhao, continuing the work of their father, Ban Biao. This part is using xian (賢), honorific used for a person of the same or a younger generation Hougong = imperial harem This term is like the English phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder” The term used here is “Long Yan” (龍顏), meaning His Majesty’s feelings. Literally means “dragon’s face”. Referring to the emperor’s mood, emotions, or facial expressions.