Noticing that she had felt nauseous twice in a short time, Yanshu sensed something was amiss.

Apart from a slight allergy to peach blossoms, she considered herself quite healthy. Why was she feeling this way tonight?

Could it be...

That she ate something she shouldn't have at Changchun Garden earlier?

Startled, she immediately asked the system, [What's going on? Is someone trying to harm me???]

Tsk, this system had been so lackadaisical lately. How could it not warn her about such a serious matter!

The system was quite exasperated and could only tell her, [I suggest you see a doctor. While checking your nausea, you might want to get your head examined too, to see if there's a short circuit somewhere.]

Yanshu: [???]

Why would it say such a thing to her?

Well, it seemed no one was trying to harm her after all.

But why did it say she had a short circuit...

Just then, she heard Yuwen Lan ask, "Are you feeling unwell? Should I summon the imperial physician?"

Yanshu quickly nodded, "Yes, please help your subject summon Imperial Physician Jiang."

Yuwen Lan agreed and hurriedly put on his robe to call for someone outside.

Before long, Imperial Physician Jiang arrived with his medicine box.

During this time, Yanshu had felt nauseous two more times, making Yuwen Lan very anxious. As soon as he saw the physician arrive, he immediately ordered, "Quickly examine Consort Yi. She's not feeling well and has been nauseous all night."

Imperial Physician Jiang complied and hurriedly began to check Yanshu's pulse.

Yanshu felt nervous and closely watched the physician's expression. She saw him first maintain a neutral face, then suddenly furrow his brow.

Yanshu was startled, but then heard him ask, "When was Your Highness's last menstrual period?"

Before Yanshu could speak, the equally nervous Rendong quickly said, "Her Highness's last period was ten days ago."

Yanshu nodded hurriedly. Because she was squeamish about blood, Rendong always helped her during her periods, so Rendong knew clearly.

Then the physician asked again, "Then, was there any change in this period? Was it lighter and shorter than usual?"

Rendong quickly replied, "That's right. Usually, Her Highness's period lasts five or six days, but this time it only lasted two or three days, and the bleeding was much less."

As she finished speaking, they saw Imperial Physician Jiang nod slightly and say calmly, "That's it then. Your Highness is with child."

"What?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of surprised exclamations filled the hall.

Yuwen Lan's eyes widened as he looked at Yanshu, then back at the imperial physician. For the first time in his life, he began to stammer, "What, what did you say? What's happened to Consort Yi?"

Imperial Physician Jiang had to clear his throat and repeat to him, "Your Majesty, Consort Yi is carrying the imperial heir. It seems to be about a month along."

"!!!"

As the words sank in, Yuwen Lan paused, and an incredible feeling surged through him.

He was going to have a child! Yanshu was carrying his child!!!

Along with his wild joy, he even felt his nose start to tingle with emotion—

He was finally going to have a child!

After enduring over three years of dark days, heaven knows how momentous this news was for him!!!

The emperor was immersed in his joy, for the first time in his life not hiding his inner feelings, grinning from ear to ear with happiness.

The palace servants in the hall also broke into smiles, kneeling down to offer congratulations, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Fu Hai, who was leading them, had even begun to tear up.

Oh, His Majesty finally has an heir, it's so moving!!!

However, only Yanshu remained in a daze.

What? She was pregnant???

How could it be so sudden???

She, she, she had a little one in her belly?

She was going to be a mother???...

After being stunned for a while, she quickly asked the physician, "But what about the period I had a few days ago? Isn't it true that you don't have periods when you're pregnant?"

The physician replied, "This isn't absolute. In fact, many women like yourself still have a small amount of bleeding in the first month, but it's not a true period, which is why the bleeding is lighter and shorter. You are indeed with child. The nausea you felt earlier is just an early pregnancy symptom."

Yanshu: "..."

Well, no wonder the system told her to get her head checked...

So it was pregnancy symptoms...

Oh my, she was actually... just like that, going to be a mom?

Although she had dragged the emperor to see a doctor last time, when the day actually arrived, it still felt somewhat unbelievable.

Looking around, apart from the experienced and calm Imperial Physician Jiang, everyone else was in a state of wild joy. Rendong was already wiping away tears, and even Fu Hai's eyes were red-rimmed.

Yanshu: "..."

Why were they even more excited than her?

Looking at the emperor again, he was grinning like the village idiot. Seeing everyone kneeling to offer congratulations, he waved his hand generously and said, "Rise. The servants of Ganlu Palace have done well in serving Consort Yi. Rewards for all!"

As his words fell, everyone kowtowed again in thanks, the sound echoing to the ceiling.

Yuwen Lan then looked at Imperial Physician Jiang and nodded, "Imperial Physician Jiang's medical skills are superb. Reward him with a hundred taels of silver!"

He hadn't given any consultation fee before, but this time he gave it all at once.

Naturally, Imperial Physician Jiang couldn't refuse. He quickly knelt to express his gratitude, "This subject thanks Your Majesty for the great kindness."

Then they heard the emperor instruct, "This is Consort Yi's first pregnancy. You must take extra care in looking after her to ensure the safety of both mother and child."

Imperial Physician Jiang quickly agreed, "This subject will do his utmost and spare no effort."

Yanshu thought to herself, it was rare to see the emperor so generous. It was clear he was very happy.

But then again, for a man who had been unable to father children for three years, finally having a child was the most face-saving thing that could happen.

Thinking of it this way, she actually felt a bit moved too!

But come to think of it, he had rewarded everyone else, hadn't he thought about rewarding her? At least give her a few hundred taels of silver or something...

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Even when about to become a mother, she was still so money-minded?

But then again, how could a few hundred taels of silver be enough?

This was his imperial heir!

This was his first child!

So he looked at her again and said with a smile, "Consort Yi is carrying the imperial heir, a great merit. I hereby promote her to the rank of Imperial Consort."

As his words fell, he saw the young woman before him freeze in shock.

What... promoted to Imperial Consort?

Before Yanshu could react, everyone had already congratulated her again, "Congratulations, Imperial Consort Yi!"

Yanshu: "?!!!"

She, she, she had become an Imperial Consort just like that?

Let's see, how much higher was an Imperial Consort's monthly allowance compared to a Consort's?

It seemed to be a hundred taels of silver more per month!!!

Tsk tsk tsk, that would be one thousand two hundred taels more in a year!!!

What a profit!!! This was absolutely worth it!!! Even if she had to vomit every day, it would be worth it!!!

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Why was she so different from others?

That night, Ganlu Palace was filled with joyous surprise.

Early the next morning, the Empress Dowager in the Palace of Benevolent Peace also received the news.

She immediately exclaimed in surprise, "What? Consort Yi is with child?"

Fu Hai nodded with a smile, "Yes, Empress Dowager. Imperial Physician Jiang diagnosed that Imperial Consort Yi is already over a month pregnant. Last night, His Majesty was overjoyed and immediately promoted her rank."

The Empress Dowager was naturally delighted as well, and couldn't help but smile, "This is indeed good news."

The promotion was fine. That girl was indeed quite good, and moreover, there wasn't a single Imperial Consort in the palace, which wasn't proper.

This was like a weight off her shoulders. She had been worried that the emperor might not have fully recovered, but who would have thought an imperial heir would come along directly.

It seemed that young Imperial Physician Jiang did indeed have some skill.

With this, she could set aside her greatest worry.

The Empress Dowager nodded and said, "I should also bestow some rewards on Imperial Consort Yi."

She then instructed Zhu Shu, "Take two top-grade Changbai Mountain ginseng, two boxes of Liaodong sea cucumber, a pair of Tianshan jade ruyi scepters, and two bolts of Jinling brocade from the storehouse, and send them to Ganlu Palace."

She didn't forget to add, "Tell Imperial Consort Yi not to rush to come and thank me. She's newly pregnant and must be feeling unwell. She should rest well."

Zhu Shu complied and left to deliver the gifts.

Fu Hai, having reported the good news, also took his leave happily.

The hall became quiet for a moment, and the Empress Dowager smiled as she went to light some incense at the shrine.

When she returned from offering incense, she saw Nanny Zhuang come forward to report, "I heard that this morning, His Majesty issued an edict not only promoting Imperial Consort Yi's rank but also elevating the Marquis of Loyal Righteousness to a higher nobility rank and granting his wife a third-rank title."

The Empress Dowager responded without much reaction, "Since she's already been promoted to Imperial Consort, what's wrong with her family being promoted along with her?"

Nanny Zhuang hesitated, then could only say with a smile, "How dare this servant question His Majesty's edict? It's just that I'm a bit concerned. After all, Imperial Consort Yi has just conceived the imperial heir. Such extensive promotions, I wonder if it might not be... good for the imperial heir."

"Silence!"

Before she could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager coldly interrupted, "If these words were to spread, you'd be charged with cursing the imperial heir, and that would be more than enough!"

Nanny Zhuang was startled and quickly knelt down, saying, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. This servant has erred."

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes briefly and sighed, "Go kneel in the Buddhist hall for three days and pray for the imperial heir's blessing."

Nanny Zhuang had no choice but to comply, leaving the hall with her head down, slinking off to the Buddhist hall.

Meanwhile, in Ganlu Palace, Yanshu was writing at her desk.

Apart from feeling a bit nauseous last night, she had been in good spirits lately.

Moreover, the Emperor had suddenly elevated her rank last night, and now the Ministry of Rites was preparing for her investiture ceremony. She expected that people from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau, the Office of Imperial Treasures, and other such places would soon arrive to take her measurements for clothing and deliver jewelry.

She anticipated becoming quite busy.

She hadn't forgotten her promise to the Empress Dowager to write a sweet story, so she was taking advantage of this free time to quickly draft one.

After all, even though she had been promoted to consort, she was still the beloved author Xiao Yao to her readers, and she couldn't let them down.

As she was writing, she heard someone outside say, "Is Consort Yi present?"

She recognized Zhu Shu's voice immediately and guessed that the Empress Dowager was looking for her.

She responded, "I'm here, come in."

As she spoke, she rose from her desk.

Due to the little one in her belly, she was following the doctor's orders and moving carefully, not daring to be too quick.

As a result, when Zhu Shu entered the hall, she saw Yanshu just standing up and putting down her pen.

Zhu Shu noticed this but said nothing, only smiling as she said, "Congratulations on carrying the imperial heir, Your Highness. The Empress Dowager has sent ginseng, a jade ruyi scepter, and cloud brocade ginseng, hoping you will take good care of yourself."

As she spoke, she instructed the others to present the gifts one by one.

Yanshu quickly smiled and said, "Thank the Empress Dowager for her gifts. I will go to the Palace of Benevolent Peace later to express my gratitude."

Zhu Shu added, "The Empress Dowager says there's no need for Your Highness to rush. Taking care of your health comes first."

Yanshu responded with another "yes" and then called Rendong to receive the gifts, not forgetting to reward Zhu Shu and the others with some silver.

Zhu Shu accepted, thanked her with a smile, and then took her leave.

Yanshu instructed Rendong to put away the gifts and returned to her desk to continue writing.

"Aww, my top fan is so caring..." she thought. She could only repay such kindness by updating her story quickly.

However, not long after, just as she was getting into the flow of writing, she heard a "ding" from the system, [Watch out, Zhu Shu is planning to report you to the Empress Dowager.]

Yanshu: [??? Why is she reporting me?]

System: [Because she saw you writing with a pen earlier and thinks you've kept the lake pen the Empress Dowager gave to Xiao Yao for yourself.]

Yanshu: [???]