funbook-pk Chapter 579 The Emperor’s Thoughtfulness
Chapter 579 The Emperor’s Thoughtfulness
However, Zhen Huan noticed that the emperor's eyes were on her, and she quickly bowed.
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your grace."
After Zhen Huan stood up, she walked anxiously towards where Shen Meiyu was, but she was secretly thinking about how to politely refuse the imperial physician's upcoming request to take her pulse.
Cui Jinxi was also secretly worried, wondering if the imperial physician invited this time was someone planted by Concubine Shu and her son.
She looked around the hall and found that Prince Guo was not at his seat at the critical moment.
An Lingrong was held tightly in the emperor's broad and warm hand, and followed his steps out of the hall.
The emperor led the person all the way to the main hall of Yongshou Palace before letting go.
An Lingrong gently took off her cloak and handed it to Baoque beside her with both hands. She then took a cup of warm tea and handed it to the emperor.
"Your Majesty has just drunk some wine. Warm yourself up with a cup of tea."
"Rong'er, you..."
The emperor stared at her deeply, stopped what he was about to say, and gave a stern order.
"I have something to say to the Imperial Concubine, you all should leave."
When there were only two people left in the hall, the emperor reached out and gently pulled An Lingrong into his arms, letting her sit on his lap.
"There were many people in the hall just now, please let me take a closer look at your hair."
An Lingrong lowered her head obediently and let the emperor examine her.
Her hair was combed by a skillful palace maid. The emperor looked left and right before he found the severed hair. He gently removed the strands of hair one by one and placed them on a small table beside him.
The emperor patted her shoulder gently and said, "Your hair is black and shiny. You have taken good care of it."
In all his years of life, this was the first woman who risked her life to stand before him.
The emperor had complicated emotions surging in his heart, but he didn't know how to express them, and in the end he could only squeeze out this simple sentence.
An Lingrong didn't notice that the emperor was at a loss for words, and she smiled like a flower.
"Your Majesty, I am grateful to you for this. If Your Majesty had not ordered the election, I would not have had the chance to serve you in the palace. My mother once told me privately that Your Majesty has a concubine by his side. I haven't seen her for a few years. I..."
The emperor listened to An Lingrong's chattering, and not only did he not feel a bit impatient, he felt particularly at ease.
An Lingrong noticed that the emperor's complexion had improved, so she asked in a low voice this time.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Hui was frightened at the banquet. I feel obligated to go to Yonghe Palace to see her."
"Rong'er, this matter has nothing to do with you, it's..."
The emperor squeezed her hand and said, "Never mind. You have been conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consort today, and I have given you the authority to manage the six palaces. It is only right that you go and take a look."
"It's just that your hair is messy, which is unbearable. Go wash it first."
"I thank the emperor for his concern."
She had originally planned to comb her hair again before going to Yonghe Palace. After all, her friendship with Shen Meizhuang was not that close, and she was also involved in the hair cutting incident.
When An Lingrong walked out of the bedroom, the emperor had disappeared.
Bao'e came forward with a tray, smiling, and explained in a gentle voice.
"Master, the Emperor said he has some government affairs to attend to, so he will return to the Yangxin Palace first."
"The Emperor also instructed that the Master did not use much at the banquet, so he asked you to eat this bowl of mutton noodles before visiting Concubine Hui."
"Okay, I understand."
An Lingrong didn't expect the emperor to be so considerate.
Her stomach was empty, so she didn't think too much about it. After eating a bowl of steaming mutton noodles, she immediately felt warm all over.
She accidentally swept the broken hair on the small table and found it was gone. She thought that the servants had swept it away and did not take it seriously.
Before leaving, An Lingrong went to the east side hall and greeted the three children one by one.
"Hongzhan, the East Six Palaces may be uneasy tonight. The Emperor has agreed to let you stay in Yongshou Palace for one night. Mother asks you to help take care of your younger brother and sister."
"If your mother Hua doesn't come back, I'll also take care of Anle's place."
Hongzhan is her first child, the most stable, but also the closest to her.
An Lingrong knew that her action of standing in front of the emperor today had frightened the child.
She held Hongzhan, who was pretending to be strong, in her arms, patted his back gently, and whispered in his ear.
"Don't worry, Mother knows what's going on and won't put herself in danger."
Hongzhan blinked hard before gently putting his arms around her neck.
"Mother, I know you are doing this for my own good. I swear..."
On the way to the East Six Palaces, An Lingrong was still thinking about Hongzhan's words, and couldn't help but wonder in her heart: What did the emperor teach the child in private that made her eldest son become so thoughtful?
Fortunately, Hongzhan was young and revealed his idea to her in advance.
Is this what she can imagine now, the Cining Palace, which even the late Empress Dowager couldn't live in?
The Emperor is alive and well, this isn't...
No!
I must find another opportunity to have a good talk with Hongzhan.
It takes a year to learn to speak, but a lifetime to learn to shut up, especially if you are born in a royal family.
When An Lingrong arrived at Yonghe Palace, Concubine Lan was waiting in the main hall with her men.
She exempted the other party from the courtesy and asked.
"How is Concubine Hui now?"
She looked around but did not see Zhen Huan.
"Reporting to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine, the Imperial Physician stated that Concubine Hui was extremely frightened and is about to give birth. She has been taken to the delivery room, and Concubine Zhen and Madam Shen have gone in to accompany her."
An Lingrong nodded.
"Okay, I understand."
Zhen Huan actually found a way to avoid the imperial physician's pulse diagnosis.
This is Shen Meizhuang's first time giving birth, so the delivery time will inevitably be longer.
The experienced An Lingrong heard Zhen Huan's constant questioning in the delivery room, and asked everyone to continue waiting in the hall.
Not long after, Baoque came hurriedly to report.
"My Lord, the Imperial Physician said Concubine Xi is experiencing cramping pains in her stomach and is very likely about to give birth."
"Send the prepared midwives, wet nurses, and female doctors to the Yanxi Palace as soon as possible, please..."
When An Lingrong was about to ask Concubine Lan to go and help look after the child, she saw Concubine Jing coming in from outside.
She quickly stood up and went to greet him, "You've come just in time. Concubine Xi of the Yanxi Palace might be about to give birth. I'd be bothered to ask you to go over and take care of her."
"Yes, I obey your command."
Concubine Jing agreed readily.
As soon as she stepped into the palace, she heard noise coming from the east side hall, and knew that Concubine Hui might be about to give birth.
Almost all the restless people in the Eastern Six Palaces are in Yonghe Palace, and the Imperial Noble Consort has to be in charge in person.
She thought she could still keep an eye on a little girl.
Concubine Hua, who came in a step behind, saw that Concubine Jing had been assigned a task, and her feet walked in front of An Lingrong uncontrollably.
"Royal Concubine, is there anything I can do?"
"Noble Concubine Hua has arrived just in time. Concubine Hui's condition is critical and she might give birth tonight. I'd like you to stay with me in Yonghe Palace. If anything happens, you can help."
An Lingrong originally wanted her to go back to the West Six Palaces to take care of the children, but she didn't mention it because she was afraid that Concubine Jing might have some ideas.
They waited in the main hall for almost an hour, but there was still no movement in the delivery room.
An Lingrong was anxious, so she sent someone to call Qingju over to ask her.
"How's the delivery room going now? Is Concubine Hui okay?"