Chapter 489 - Pregnant
"Greetings to the Emperor from the King of Lu Province.
From the blessings of the Heavens, Princess Qi Jing is pregnant with her first child," the messenger read out the message.
Han Wenji, Jian Guozhi, and Ying Lili were happy to hear the news. Jian Guozhi stood up from his seat and took out a gold ring and bracelet. "It is such great news. Here," Jian Guozhi delightedly said and handed the bracelet to the messenger while the ring, to the Palace Maid.
They thanked the First Prince for the generous gift. The Emperor also took out two golden rings from his fingers and handed them to Eunuch Jin. "Give these to them. Make arrangements for the stay of the Royal Messenger from Lu Province. I will soon become a grandfather!" The smile on his lips never reduced. "Also, send the precious gifts and jewels to Lu Province. Deliver this news to the entire Empire," Han Wenji ordered Eunuch Jin.
Jian Guozhi came towards the Emperor. "Father, I will become an uncle," Jian Guozhi said happily.
Sheng Li walked out of prison with Wang Hao when a soldier came running towards them. The soldier halted in front of them and lowered his head. "Your Highness, Princess Qi is pregnant with her first child. The message has come from the Lu Province," the soldier informed Sheng Li, who was astonished to hear the good news.
"Sister Qi Jing is pregnant!" Sheng Li hugged Wang Hao tightly. "I will be an uncle soon, Wang Hao." Wang Hao patted the back of Sheng Li, who, after a while, pulled away. He had a golden chain hanging around his neck and handed it to the soldier. "Wang Hao, I am going to meet my father. I will see you in the evening," Sheng Li informed him and left for the Emperor's manor.
As he reached the manor, he found everyone had gathered there. He stood by Ying Lili's side. "Princess Qi Jing did not fail to do her duties. I have prayed to the Lord Buddha for Princess Qi's safety. Your Majesty, I will daily go to the shrine to pray," Consort Ju Fen proclaimed.
"Sister Ju, Sister Jinlong, and I will also join you," the Second Consort stated. Han Wenji permitted them and looked at Deng Hui.
"Since her mother is no more, Empress Hui has to fulfill the duties of an Imperial Mother. I will hand you the work related to sending gifts and jewels to the Lu Province," Han Wenji requested.
Sheng Li skeptically looked at Deng Hui. He had no faith left in him, so he intervened and said, "Father, I will deploy some special soldiers to look into everything. Everything will be done under their eyes. If the Father, permits this, then that will be great."
Everyone agreed with Sheng Li. Han Wenji permitted Sheng Li to keep an eye over that matter. Yongzheng skeptically looked at Sheng Li.
'Why is the Crown Prince acting strangely towards the Empress? He did not even greet her. With the former Empress, he never acted that way. What has happened between these two?' Yongzheng thought.
"Father, I am thinking of sending the Royal Designers to Lu Province. They will sew and design the clothes for the future child of Sister Jing," Jian Guozhi asserted.
Everyone started to laugh. "Prince Jian, there is time for that. We know that as an elder brother you are concerned for your sister, but sending designers at this time will not be appropriate. You shall visit your sister if you want to," Han Wenji permitted Jian Guozhi when Sheng Li also asked for permission.
"You both brothers can go to the Lu Province," Han Wenji told them. Sheng Li was delighted to hear that. After an hour, everyone left the manor of the Emperor except the Empress who had to discuss a few things with the Emperor.
Sheng Li and Ying Lili reached his chamber. Sheng Li tightly hugged Ying Lili. "I am so happy for Sister Jing. Prince Lu Qifeng took great care of my sister. I am so excited to meet my sister, Lili," Sheng Li pulled away and, with glistening eyes, gazed at Ying Lili, who was also happy.
"Yes. Sister Jing will get happy to see you. Will you take me with you? I also want to meet her," Ying Lili expressed her desire.
"Of course. I will take you with me. Without you, it's difficult to go on a journey now," Sheng Li replied and again pulled Ying Lili into a hug.
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Nianzu talked with the Royal Inspector regarding the family that Huo Jin mentioned to him.
"I will look into it," Lian Hong assured Nianzu, who thanked him. Nianzu was ready to leave when Lian Hong stopped him.
"I received the Crown Prince's message in the early morning. His Highness wants you to give the upcoming Civil Services Examination and secure the topmost rank in the exam," Lian Hong informed Nianzu, who was stunned to hear that.
"I cannot give the exam. My identity can be revealed this way. And, also someone might attack us," Nianzu told Lian Hong about his fear.
"If the Crown Prince has sent such a message then there might be a reason behind it. Please take the Civil Services exam. Also, you do not need to fear anymore. I have deployed a few spies around your house. You are completely safe," Lian Hong assured Nianzu, who contemplated for a while.
The Crown Prince might have found ways to eliminate those evil Ministers. Nianzu thought. He had no idea if the Crown Prince found out the true face of the Empress or not. Nianzu told Lian Hong that he would write the exam.
"Did the Crown Prince tell when he will be here?" Nianzu queried.
"There is no news regarding that," Lian Hong humbly replied. Nianzu reminded Lian Hong about that family again before leaving.
On his way home, he found so many young children playing games. Some people were going to the riverside to see the preparation for the evening's match for the dragon boat race. Amidst all this, Nianzu was thinking why the Crown Prince wanted him to give the Civil Services Exam. Was the Crown Prince thinking of bringing him back to Luoyang? But, how? This was the biggest question in front of Nianzu.
Nianzu was confident that he would easily qualify for the exam. But why did the Crown Prince want him to secure the topmost rank? If he got Rank 1, he would definitely come into the eyes of the people. 'If Brother Sheng wants this, then he might have thought something. I will try my best to get the topmost rank,' Nianzu made up his mind.
He hastened his steps towards his home. As he stepped inside the house, he saw Chuntao was weaving bamboo baskets with Huo Jin. She had a beautiful smile on her lips, which brought a smile to Nianzu's lips.
"Nianzu!" Huo Jin called out his name. Chuntao lifted her gaze and looked at him. Huo Jin had by then stood by Nianzu and made him wear the bamboo hat.
"You look like a great martial artist in it.. It suits you," Huo Jin told Nianzu, who thanked him.