Pregnancy

"Heh, heh heh..." Nanny Yan chuckled awkwardly, "Just let them send them back. This old servant... Her Highness the Imperial Concubine said that this old servant should stay at Prince of Qi's Residence to serve Her Highness the Princess."

As she spoke, she lowered her head, not daring to look at Xiao Lingyan and Zhao Ruxi.

She wouldn't have treated any other princess or concubine this way.

After all, she was Consort Cen's person, bestowed upon her by Consort Noble Consort Cen, which meant she was treated like an elder.

Even Noble Consort Cen lacked confidence in front of Prince of Qi and Consort of the Prince of Qi. Didn't you see how she hesitated all day yesterday, not daring to send over the handkerchief? Let alone a servant like herself.

Prince of Qi and Consort of the Prince of Qi were unwilling to keep her, Noble Consort Cen wouldn't utter a single word. What gave her the audacity to put on airs in front of Prince of Qi and Consort of the Prince of Qi?

Xiao Lingyan out and took Zhao Ruxi's hand in his palm.

He was conveying a message to Zhao Ruxi: Zhao Ruxi can do whatever she wants.

Zhao Ruxi didn't feel offended by Noble Consort Cen and Nanny Yan.

She was well aware of how women in ancient times behaved. Noble Consort Cen's actions weren't specifically targeting her or because she had a grudge against her. Given the current situation, it was normal for Noble Consort Cen to hope that she would get pregnant soon.

She asked Nanny Yan with great interest, "What does Her Majesty want you to do by letting you stay?"

Nanny Yan quickly replied, "This old servant knows how to care for a woman's body. I know what a woman trying to conceive should and shouldn't eat; what she should and shouldn't do. If a woman is pregnant, this old servant can tell at a glance and take precautions to prevent her from being unaware of her pregnancy and thus avoiding danger."

Zhao Ruxi was quite tempted after hearing this.

She stopped Xiao Lingyan from drinking last night because she wasn't planning on using contraception. Both she and Xiao Lingyan are healthy, and she might get pregnant soon.

Having an experienced nanny like Nanny Yan by her side would be a good thing for her.

She turned her head and looked at Xiao Lingyan with a questioning gaze.

She was not politically astute, nor did she know much about the palace or Noble Consort Cen. She would only offer her opinions on certain matters; the final decision rested with Xiao Lingyan.

All she needed to know was that Xiao Lingyan's heart belonged to her, and that everything he did was for her good; that was enough.

Moreover, having Xiao Lingyan act as a shield against Noble Consort Cen is the perfect solution.

Xiao Lingyan squeezed her hand and said to Nanny Yan, "You can stay here if you want. However, I will arrange a courtyard for you. You can live there with your two maids. Come and pay your respects to the Princess every day and then return to your courtyard. If the Princess has any questions for you, just answer them. If you have any good suggestions, you only need to remind the Princess. You cannot interfere with what the Princess does."

He spent most of the money he earned, including the money Zhao Ruxi gave him, on training assassins, laying numerous undercover agents, and gathering intelligence.

With the entire court eagerly anticipating his consummation of the marriage with Zhao Ruxi and hoping that Zhao Ruxi would give birth to a grandson for the emperor soon, he knew that Noble Consort Cen would definitely send Nanny Yanxi to the mansion when they consummated their marriage.

Therefore, he had already thoroughly investigated and uncovered the background and details of Nanny Yan.

Nanny Yan certainly didn't have any shady background, nor was she a spy for any faction. She, along with her senior sister and four apprentices, were all considered skilled professionals in the palace.

When the emperor was choosing his concubines, aristocratic families who valued offspring would secretly send Nanny Yan like Yan Mama to observe the process. Those who desperately wanted children would even have Yan Mama stay in their homes, entrusting her with managing their sons' bedroom affairs so that the new bride could conceive quickly.

If he kept Nanny Yan around, he'd have to get her permission and be subject to her arrangements even for a casual encounter with Zhao Ruxi Nanny Yan. Who could stand that?

Therefore, he had to set rules and draw boundaries for them.

Even Noble Consort Cen couldn't put on airs, so how could Nanny Yan dare to say a single word of "no"? Xiao Lingyan could keep her, at least she could explain to Noble Consort Cen and wouldn't have to return to the palace to be punished, so she immediately agreed.

In the following days, Xiao Lingyan was quite satisfied to see that Nanny Yan was well-behaved, did not interfere in their married life, and did not ask too many questions that were too presumptuous.

Everyone in the palace is shrewd. After some time, Noble Consort Cen summoned Nanny Yan back to the palace to inquire about the situation. Nanny Yan only said, "The couple is loving and healthy. The Princess will definitely conceive soon, Your Highness, so don't worry." She didn't say anything else, and of course, she didn't know either.

As soon as Nanny Yan returned to the palace, Zhao Ruxi instructed the system to keep an eye on her. Hearing this, she was quite satisfied.

Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Lingyan consummated their marriage in June. Two months later, when the rice in the suburbs of the capital turned golden, Zhao Ruxi planned to go to the Ministry of Works to see the new harvester that she had improved and had craftsmen make. However, Nanny Yan stopped her.

"Your Majesty, you'd better have the imperial physician take your pulse."

Zhao Ruxi was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening.

Before she could finish, Lady Luo asked in surprise, "You mean, Your Highness is pregnant?"

Nanny Yan nodded slightly. "It's always better to be careful. Just in case."

Soon, imperial physicians were summoned, and there was more than one.

The two men took turns checking Zhao Ruxi's pulse, exchanged a glance, and then knelt down in unison. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! You are pregnant!"

Even though Zhao Ruxi was mentally prepared, she still found it somewhat unbelievable.

She touched her flat stomach and asked, "How old am I?"

"It hasn't even been a month yet. Your Majesty must take good care of yourself during this time and avoid overexertion," the imperial physician said.

Upon receiving the news, Xiao Lingyan rushed back like the wind and looked at Zhao Ruxi, asking, "Is she really pregnant?"

Zhao Ruxi nodded.

Holding her hand, Xiao Lingyan's expression was quite complicated.

He was naturally Gao Xing that his wife was pregnant. But he had lived two lifetimes to finally become a groom, and after finally enjoying a life of nightly revelry, he was about to be brought back to his former self.

The thought of having to live the life of a monk for a year made him unable to smile.

In addition, worries about childbirth also welled up in his mind, suppressing his longing for new life.

He would not share these concerns with Zhao Ruxi, who was already pregnant, so as not to add to her psychological burden.

When the news reached the palace, Xiao Ge and Noble Consort Cen were overjoyed and immediately bestowed many gifts upon them.

Noble Consort Cen had given birth to two children and knew best the hardships of pregnancy for women.

She specifically sought out Xiao Ge and said, "A woman's mind is most vulnerable when she is pregnant. I cannot leave the palace, and as her mother-in-law, I cannot take care of Zhiwei. Although there are imperial physicians and Nanny Yan, they are ultimately outsiders. Your Majesty, do you think we should transfer the Earl of Suiping back to the capital, so that the Wife of the Earl of Suiping can visit Zhiwei from time to time?"

Zhao Ruxi has become the Consort of the Prince of Qi, and is now pregnant. It is very likely that the child in her belly will be the Crown Prince. The Earl of Suiping's Residence should naturally rise in status, and rewards are inevitable. Xiao Ge naturally has no reason to refuse.

"Alright. I'll Wu Huaisi right away and see if there are any vacancies. I'll pick one for him," Xiao Ge said.