Princess Yan is pregnant!
Everyone in the Imperial Study was digesting this news.
Emperor Jingming cleaned his ears and asked the Imperial Physician again: “Princess Yan is with child?”
Pan Hai silently rubbed his nose.
His Majesty had made the Imperial Physician repeat it twice, likely fearing these censors hadn’t heard clearly.
The Imperial Physician complied enthusiastically, saying loudly: “Yes, Princess Yan has been pregnant for over a month…”
The Imperial Physician’s resonant voice echoed in the Imperial Study, reverberating in everyone’s ears.
The faces of the censors gradually turned the color of a pig’s liver.
Although censors had the right to present memorials based on hearsay, it was one thing to impeach high-ranking officials, but to impeach a woman, only to find out she was pregnant… was too embarrassing.
If their mothers or wives found out when they got home, they would likely be scolded.
Seeing the dumbfounded censors, Emperor Jingming suddenly felt refreshed.
Hah, it was finally these old fellows’ turn to be embarrassed. They were so eager to criticize others, and now they’ve gotten what they deserved.
It seemed that the jade ruyi scepter he had bestowed on Seventh Son’s wife had brought her good fortune.
Emperor Jingming felt increasingly pleased. He glanced at Yujin, feigning displeasure: “Seventh Son, your wife’s pregnancy is wonderful news. Why didn’t you inform the palace? If you had said something, how could these beloved officials have misunderstood?”
The censors felt as if they had been slapped several times, their faces stinging.
Yujin’s refined eyes revealed some hesitation: “Father Emperor, I’ve heard that in the capital, a woman’s pregnancy shouldn’t be mentioned before three months have passed…”
Emperor Jingming’s expression changed slightly.
He knew of this saying too, supposedly revealing it too early could lead to miscarriage!
Emperor Jingming’s gaze slowly swept over the faces of the censors. Beyond their flushed faces, the censors suddenly felt immense pressure.
What did His Majesty mean by this? If something were to happen to Princess Yan, would they be held responsible for the child?
This was a dragon’s descendant… Thinking of this, the censors suddenly felt uneasy.
The censor who had been the most vehement inwardly cursed the Crown Prince’s advisors half to death.
Censors weren’t supposed to take sides, but people always had their inclinations, and he was considered supportive of the Crown Prince’s faction.
It couldn’t be put that way. His Majesty had always been very protective of the Crown Prince’s position, and as a subject, supporting the heir apparent was normal. But the Crown Prince was truly too reckless, hinting at impeaching Prince Yan without clarifying the situation, resulting in this embarrassment…
Thinking this, the censor knelt with a swollen face to beg forgiveness.
Emperor Jingming sighed, saying magnanimously: “I know you beloved officials were all trying to uphold our Great Zhou’s etiquette and rules. Although there’s been a misunderstanding, I won’t blame you.”
“We have sinned—” the censors said weakly.
His Majesty was going too far, still kicking them while they were down!
Emperor Jingming smiled at the kneeling censors, his tone affectionate: “You need not beg my forgiveness, just learn from this in the future.”
Let’s see if you dare to fixate on the royal family’s private affairs again. Even when he wanted to leave the palace, he was besieged. You’ve all become too presumptuous.
Emperor Jingming then looked at Yujin: “Prince Yan, these officials didn’t intentionally target you. They were upholding the royal family’s dignity, without any personal motives. You mustn’t harbor resentment.”
“Son understands,” Yujin replied calmly, lowering his gaze and remaining silent.
Emperor Jingming saw that he was feeling wronged.
Indeed, who wouldn’t feel wronged after being unjustly attacked by several censors? Moreover, revealing a wife’s pregnancy too early was considered unlucky…
It seemed he should give Seventh Son some compensation.
It was impossible not to have any resentment towards the censors. Emperor Jingming, wanting to exact a small revenge, bestowed a heap of gifts on Princess Yan in front of the censors to calm her nerves.
Yujin calmly expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for Father Emperor’s generous gifts.”
Emperor Jingming nodded inwardly.
Not showing excessive joy over some rewards, Seventh Son was indeed quite steady, at least he wasn’t shallow.
“You may all withdraw.”
“We take our leave.” The censors fled in embarrassment.
The Imperial Study emptied in an instant.
Emperor Jingming looked at Yujin, fondling a white jade paperweight.
“When did you receive this good news?”
Yujin said: “She felt unwell after visiting the Old Madam of the Yining Marquis. I was worried and had the family physician check her pulse. We didn’t expect she was pregnant, which is why she couldn’t go pay respects…”
Emperor Jingming nodded slightly.
Pregnancy had many taboos, one of which was not participating in celebratory or mourning events.
“You should have informed the palace.”
“Son was afraid it might be bad for the child—”
Emperor Jingming’s expression turned serious: “What’s there to worry about? You’re not ordinary people. Your wife is carrying a dragon’s descendant; the fetal deity will only protect it!”