Extra 3
Summer had already arrived. The sun outside was intense, and Gu Zhen had walked all the way under its glare.
Beneath the shimmering morning light, he lowered his eyelashes and suddenly let out a soft chuckle. “He’d better be obedient. If he keeps tossing about like this, I will have to think about how to deal with him later.”
The handsome and stern man stood amidst the warm light, his gold-woven robes scattering rays of brilliance. Half of his face was hidden in shadow, so when Zhao Yiyi looked up, she only caught the slight hook of his lips.
“The child hasn’t even come out yet, and you’re already thinking of such bad things. What kind of father are you?” She pursed her lips and cast him a sideways glance, her expression rather displeased.
Gu Zhen simply laughed off her quiet complaint. He then softened his voice and asked, “Why are you up so early today? Have you had breakfast?”
It was easy to feel lethargic in the summer days. In the past, she would force herself out of bed to handle palace affairs, but now that she was pregnant, it was becoming increasingly difficult to get up. Since the pregnancy began, it was usually Gu Zhen who would coax her out of bed after returning from the early morning court session.
Today was a rare exception.
However, more than her rising early, Gu Zhen was concerned about her eating. Due to morning sickness, her appetite had been poor. If no one was there to watch her, she would hastily eat a bite or two before furrowing her brows and refusing to eat another morsel.
If this continued, how could her body withstand it?
Zhao Yiyi shook her head and whispered, “It wasn’t that early, I just got up. Duanduan said she wanted to eat, but the kitchens haven’t brought it up yet.”
Gu Zhen responded with a nod and turned to the side study to handle government affairs. Hearing the news of the Empress’s pregnancy today, the officials knew he was in a good mood. Consequently, political matters they usually didn’t dare discuss were all reported in a single rush today. Though tricky, he had to deal with them one by one.
The study in Jiao Fang Palace was divided into several rooms, each separated by screens. Although the two of them were usually in the study together, they effectively did their own work and rarely interfered with one another.
As the pale golden morning light spilled down, Gu Zhen’s gaze paused slightly on the pile of unfinished palace affairs on the desk. He recalled the Imperial Physician’s instructions that Yiyi should not overwork herself.
She had a stubborn temperament. Even though she was pregnant, she refused to slack off in the slightest. But this pregnancy… was not very stable, and she could not withstand the strain.
“There are some dried fruits today. Since you can’t eat much else, at least have two pieces to stimulate your appetite.” During the meal, Gu Zhen ordered someone to move the plate of assorted dried fruits closer and said gently, “Didn’t you say yesterday you wanted to eat honey-preserved olives? Try just one?”
Zhao Yiyi spared him a glance, scooped a spoonful of jade-green rice porridge into her mouth, and then whispered, “You wouldn’t let me have them yesterday.”
She looked down at the table, her eyelids half-lowered. Her profile was flawless, her skin so fine it seemed to glow.
Gu Zhen stared at that profile and said helplessly, “There weren’t any yesterday. I had to urgently order the palace servants to make them, but they couldn’t be made that quickly. Where was I supposed to conjure them from?”
Seeing her sullen expression with pursed lips, he softened his voice further. “I just tasted one. The balance of sour and sweet is just right.”
Zhao Yiyi knew he was right. She had only contradicted him because she had been annoyed that she couldn’t have them when she wanted them yesterday.
Once that moment passed, and after being coaxed by him for a few sentences, she didn’t dwell on it. In between spoonfuls of porridge, she slowly picked out two honey-preserved olives and put them in her mouth.
Just as Gu Zhen had said, the sweet and sour balance was perfect. It wasn’t too sweet, but the natural astringency of the olives had been cleaned away.
“How is it?”
She replied, “It’s quite good.”
Feeling much better physically today, and having eaten two preserved fruits, Zhao Yiyi managed to eat half a bowl more porridge than she had in recent days.
Gu Zhen couldn’t help but smile. “Finally willing to eat something today.”
Zhao Duanduan sat to the side, witnessing the entire process. This was the first time she realized the Emperor could be so gentle—not just gentle, but occasionally even humble.
She sat there completely stunned, tightly clutching her chopsticks, staring stiffly at the two of them, unable to recover her senses for a long time.
It wasn’t until a good while later that Zhao Duanduan slowly let out a breath. Her grip on the chopsticks loosened, and she buried her head to eat her breakfast.
After breakfast, Zhao Yiyi was coaxed by Gu Zhen until she unknowingly ate quite a bit more. In truth, it was still less than her usual amount, but having had no appetite for the past month, her stomach had shrunk.
Although she only ate that little bit, she felt uncomfortable.
“No more, I can’t eat this much.” Zhao Yiyi moved her bowl away just in time to avoid a piece of Guanghan Cake that Gu Zhen was trying to place in it. She frowned, “Eat it yourself, don’t give it to me anymore.” As she spoke, a wave of nausea rose, and her brows knitted tighter.
Gu Zhen was rather reluctant, but he withdrew his hand and placed the Guanghan Cake into his own bowl.
He had thought her appetite was good today and that she could eat a few more bites, but unexpectedly, she still only managed this small amount.
Still, it was a few bites more than before. He suppressed the words in his stomach and, as usual, took Zhao Yiyi by the hand for a walk in the courtyard.
The pear blossoms in the backyard had long since fallen. Since they had been transplanted only a year ago, only a few sparse fruits hung from the branches. Even when they grew larger in a few months, they would likely be sour and hard to eat.
Walking through the grove, the dense foliage blocked out most of the scorching sun, so it wasn’t too hot. Gu Zhen walked on the side facing the sun, his fingers tightly interlaced with her slender, jade-like ones. He looked down at her. “You always eat so little. Never mind the child, how can your own body withstand it?”
His sudden seriousness and slightly stern tone made Zhao Yiyi subconsciously curl her fingertips, wanting to pull her hand back.
Sensing this, Gu Zhen tightened his grip, refusing to let go even a little. He added, “I am not blaming you. I just want you to take better care of yourself.”
Zhao Yiyi bit her lip, a little unhappy. “But I just can’t eat it.”
It had been like this for a while now; she easily felt unwell, and the smell of many foods seemed overpowering. Sometimes, forcing herself to eat a few extra bites only had the opposite effect.
Thinking of this, Gu Zhen could only sigh and whisper, “I’ll ask them to bring some fruits later. Will you eat a couple?”
After the initial joy, he realized that having a child was such a headache-inducing matter. Sometimes after a meal, seeing her so uncomfortable, looking at him with teary eyes, he couldn’t help but feel a lot of annoyance [at the situation].
Turning his head to look at him, she crashed right into his smiling eyes, which seemed to sparkle with light, causing her heart to skip a beat. After a moment of hesitation, Zhao Yiyi nodded in agreement.
Only then did Gu Zhen reveal a smile, bending his finger to graze her cheek. “Finally being a bit obedient today.”
The sun grew brighter. In the study, the two of them went about their business as usual. However, Gu Zhen had no mind for reviewing memorials today. Instead, he walked behind Zhao Yiyi and watched her handle the pile of palace affairs.
Her energy had been drained by the child, and she had little strength, appearing somewhat unable to do as much as she wished. Her speed was much slower than before. Gu Zhen’s gaze swept over the backlog of palace affairs to the side; he feared she would be working until nightfall at this rate.
“Are you tired?” Gu Zhen asked her softly.
Zhao Yiyi’s expression froze slightly, then she nodded. “A little.”
Gu Zhen placed one hand on her thin shoulder and pointed at the document in her hand with the other, whispering about a specific point before saying gently, “Let me handle it.” Fearing she might overthink it, he slowed his voice to explain, “I’ll take care of it for a while. We can talk about it again when you feel better, hmm?”
Zhao Yiyi looked at him blankly. Through her thin gauze shirt, his fingertips felt scalding on her shoulder. Her heart trembled, but as their eyes met, she shook her head to refuse. “You have so many political affairs every day, you haven’t even finished your own memorials. Where would you find the time to do this?”
Gu Zhen merely smiled and rubbed her soft hair. “It’s just some trivial matters. I can handle it.”
He didn’t really trust anyone else with this, and he was worried that the newly replaced palace officials might harbor other intentions.
The two talked for a long time and finally decided that each would manage half.
For Zhao Yiyi, this indeed lightened her burden significantly. Thinking that with Gu Zhen’s ability, there shouldn’t be any problem, she agreed to the arrangement.
Although Gu Zhen took over half of the palace affairs, he didn’t announce it. He even deliberately imitated Zhao Yiyi’s handwriting a little.
Since both of them were in the study, many of the responses were mixed together, and all instructions were issued from Jiao Fang Palace. From beginning to end, no one discovered any clues.
Several months passed like this until the Winter Solstice, when the child finally showed signs of coming out.
The Winter Solstice should have been celebrated with a grand banquet for the officials. However, because the due date was approaching and labor could start at any moment, Gu Zhen had canceled the banquet early on, only bestowing the customary gifts of silk.
Since the banquets in the front court were paused, Zhao Yiyi naturally followed suit and stopped the audiences for the titled ladies in the central palace.
Those entering the palace today were only some royal relatives. It was considered a family feast, and to accommodate the Empress, it was held in the Zhuyue Hall, right next to Jiao Fang Palace.
During lunch, Zhao Yiyi felt some discomfort and went to the rear hall to rest early. However, after lying down for a while, she still felt unwell. Gu Zhen couldn’t stand seeing it and coaxed, “Let’s not stay here. Shall we go back? Are your legs hurting again? Shall I massage them for you later?”
Zhao Yiyi tugged at his sleeve, frowning. “I can’t walk very well.”
Gu Zhen had no choice but to order the palanquin. Then, half-supporting and half-embracing her, he helped her up from the couch. Depending on each other, they walked out of the hall.
Fortunately, the two halls were extremely close. In just a moment, the palanquin stopped outside Suzhang Gate.
Gu Zhen stepped out of the carriage first. But before he could help Zhao Yiyi down, he turned around to see her expression suddenly change. Clutching her skirt tightly with both hands, she called out to him in panic, “Your Majesty…”
In that instant, Gu Zhen’s heart nearly shattered.
The delivery room in Jiao Fang Palace had been set up two months ago. The Imperial Physicians, female doctors, and midwives had all been arranged long in advance. They had rehearsed countless times to ensure nothing would go wrong.
Yet, when the moment actually arrived, Gu Zhen still panicked.
Especially standing outside, hearing her whimpering like a small animal from the side hall, mixed with chaotic noises… A sense of powerlessness surged in his heart. There was a buzzing in his ears, freezing his body in place as if all his blood had stopped flowing.
He could only listen to her sorrowful cries, unable to do anything.
He thought his powerlessness was because he was outside. But when he burst into the side hall and held her hand, he realized he still couldn’t do anything.
People always told him that he possessed the world, that he could have whatever he wanted and do whatever he pleased.
But he wanted Yiyi not to be in pain. He wanted to suffer in her place. Yet he couldn’t.
For the first time, Gu Zhen clearly realized that even owning the world, there were things he could not do. Things he couldn’t do no matter how hard he tried.
“It hurts so much.” Zhao Yiyi gasped for air, sobbing in between breaths, speaking as if out of spite, “I don’t want to give birth anymore.”
“I am here, don’t be afraid.” Gu Zhen gripped her hand tightly, only to discover with despair that this seemed to be the only thing he could do. His heart was indescribably sour. Bending down, his voice trembled uncontrollably. “Don’t be afraid, I am here. Did you hear? The midwife said it’s almost over… almost over. Yiyi, give birth to him first, and we will never suffer this pain again…”
From the moment the Emperor entered the side hall, the serving staff inside were startled. Although this wasn’t unheard of, they managed to keep their composure. But hearing him say such words, they couldn’t help but be stunned.
Zhao Yiyi didn’t hear clearly what he said. Even when she spoke herself, it was just incoherent rambling.
The hand held by Gu Zhen gradually tightened, leaving several bloody marks on the back of his hand. Gu Zhen had no time to care about that; he simply brushed aside her wet hair, constantly comforting her with soft words.
Time passed, unknown to them all; the people present didn’t even have time to check the hour. It wasn’t until the cry of an infant was heard that the taut tension could finally relax, replaced by joy.
The attendants were about to present the child to the Emperor, but he merely glanced at it hurriedly before ordering everyone to withdraw, continuing to incessantly coax the quietly sobbing Empress.
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