Chapter 43 - Emperor Is Bewitched

The news of the empress's pregnancy was kept between close and trusted attendants only. The more people know, the more dangerous it will be for his empress. Wu Zhang Wei decided to tell the whole nation only when the pregnancy reached the fifth month because at that time the bump cannot be hidden anymore.

Li Shizen, Madam Feng, Empress Dowager and The Princess are all excited and happy with the incoming prince or princess. Even though Empress Dowager wished the child will be the crown prince, but if it turns out a princess, she still gonna dote on her first grandchild.

Xiu Ying's morning sickness is getting worse day by day. He could barely eat anything. His breakfast, lunch and dinner will be either plain congee, steamed bun, or plain soup. If he is hungry, he just eats the fruits as snacks.

With his wife's condition, Zhang Wei can't concentrate on the nation's matter. He keeps running between the study room or main hall and the imperial bedchamber.

There were a few times when he was in the middle of a meeting, then a eunuch came reported the empress thrown up again, he immediately adjourned the meeting and ran to see his wife.

Huang Fei Hong and Prime Minister Li just shake their heads and smile faintly looking at the receding figure of the father-to-be. Some other ministers look at the emperor's back with a frown.

Lately, they feel like the emperor being too occupied with his empress and neglected the nation's problem. They showed some dissatisfied expressions and murmured about how irresponsible the emperor has become since Xiu Ying became the empress, thus causing many issues unsettled.

Those ministers keep saying that the previous rumor saying the empress was a great physician is a lie as he can't cure himself.

Prime Ministers Li and Huang Fei Hong ignore their baseless slander. They can only say Zhang Wei is worrying about his 'sick wife' and not 'pregnant wife'. If those people know that the empress is pregnant, it will endanger the empress' life more.

To fill the spot and responsibilities that Wu Zhang Wei forgot these few days, Huang Fei Hong and Prime Minister Li help him to handle minor issues. As for bigger issues, they'll consult with Zhang Wei first before taking any action.

Huang Fei Hong and Prime Minister Li left the main hall. Other ministers immediately start their gossip.

"My Excellencies, don't you think that Her Majesty is just faking his sickness? I thought he was a great physician that can cure something an imperial physician can't do. Then, why would he still sick till these days?" said Minister of Small Treasurer.

"True. It can't be Her Majesty just want His Majesty to pay attention to him all the time while our nation is facing more and more problems," Minister of Coachman continues.

Minister of Revenue, Lord Yu Chenyi keeps his mouth shut and observes their conversation from side. He inwardly smiles.

"Lord Yu, what do you think about this matter? Shouldn't we talk about this with His Majesty? I'm afraid His Majesty will be swayed and blindly followed everything Her Majesty said," Minister of Rites, Lord Wen turns to Yu Chenyi who didn't say anything from the start.

Yu Chenyi smiles, "Well, we can't really do anything. We're a mere subject of the nation. We didn't have any right to interfere with the inner chamber's matter. As long as it didn't affect the country, we don't have any rights to say anything."

Minister of Coachman suddenly rises from his seat, "But His Majesty has forgotten his priority! He should prioritize the problems that are happening right now than solely focusing on his sick empress! Even nowadays, everything that came out of his mouth is 'My Empress this, My Empress that, this idea is from My Empress, My Empress said...' There is not a day His Majesty didn't mention about Her Majesty. It feels like he was bewitched!" He slightly slams the table.

All of them fell speechless. Slandering an empress bewitching is a little bit too much and if someone heard it, the Minister of Coachman could be punished severely.

Minister of Small Treasure fakes a cough to ease the tension then continues, "Whatever it is, we should not drag this problem anymore. The longer His Majesty acts like this, the worse it will be."

Yu Chenyi sighs. "Let's just wait for another week or two. If His Majesty still acts like this, we should openly talk to His Majesty in this meeting."

Yu Chenyi might have a lower rank than Prime Minister Li and General Huang Fei Hong but compare to other ministers, he holds his position longer and better than them, thus made him some kind of a leader or someone they can consult.

Meanwhile, in the imperial bedchamber, Wu Zhang Wei lying on the bed with Xiu Ying in his arms.

"Baobei, next time don't do like this. I'm so worried when I heard the eunuch said you started throwing up again," Zhang Wei said while stroking Xiu Ying's long hair.

"Sorry. It's been awhile since I feel nauseous. I thought I've passed that phase. Just now, I suddenly craving braised beef so I asked Jing Yi for it. But when the smell it, the nauseousness came back," Xiu Ying said dejectedly. He really craves some meat but when the meat is in front of him, he can't even taste it.

Zhang Wei planted a kiss on top of Xiu Ying's head. He feels pity towards his wife. Xiu Ying keeps having soup, congee and fruits these days. He must be sick of those plain food.

"Be patient, okay? I'm sure it won't be long. Soon, you can eat anything you want. For now, just eat the simple one and remember to drink your herbal tea and tonic. The faster you get better, the faster you can eat meat," Zhang Wei coaxing his big baby.

Xiu Ying just hums and snuggles closer to his husband. One of the reasons why Zhang Wei always runs back when Xiu Ying throws up is because somehow his scent can help to calm Xiu Ying. The Physician Chief said it is normal for pregnant ger to act like that. A pregnant ger will feel safe and protected when his husband is around and it also calming them with his husband's scent.

Zhang Wei always loves when Xiu Ying snuggles against him. He puts one arm under Xiu Ying, pulling him closer and another arm caressing the tiny bump that already started to show up.

Xiu Ying already entered the second trimester and the baby inside him is growing up healthily. When he's going outside, he'll wear thick clothes to hide his bump. Only when he is alone with Zhang Wei, he will wear two layers of robe.

Every three days, Empress Dowager Wu Jiaying and Princess Wu Xiaoqing visit him. Even though the gender is still unknown, Xiu Ying already received so many baby necessities from both of them and also his mother, Madam Feng.

Empress Dowager also brought him various kinds of tonic and herbal tea that can help to nourish his health and his baby. Every time Wu Jiaying came to visit, she'll bring an imperial physician along to check on Xiu Ying and the baby's condition. She doesn't want anything to happen to her first grandchild. Xiu Ying feels touched by her care and concern.

Before this he thought, all Empress Dowager will be arrogant, snobbish and an eternal enemy with an empress. But Wu Jiaying totally pushed aside all those bad images shown by drama TV series. She a total ideal image of a mother-in-law that all daughter or son-in-law wished to have.

While the royal couple cuddling on the bed, another couple also enjoying their sweet time together inside the attendant's bedchamber.

Since Jing Yi became the empress's personal attendant, he has his own room, instead of sharing with others. So, Huang Fei Hong always came to meet him in this room.

Huang Fei Hong makes Jing Yi sits between his legs and he hugs him from behind. Both of them know, if Zhang Wei is around, Jing Yi can have a rest. So, he also takes this chance to be lovey-dovey with Fei Hong.

"Yiyi, are you doing alright these days?" Fei Hong asked.

Jing Yi nods. "Yes, of course. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing. It's just... Her Majesty is always sick so I thought you'd be tired taking care of him. I know it is not easy to take care of a pregnant person." He puts his head on Jing Yi's shoulder.

Jing Yi caressed his head gently. "Don't worry. Her Majesty is not that hard to take care of. He doesn't have many whims and mood swings. Even if he has, it's just when he missed His Majesty. He never gets mad or throwing tantrums. Just a little bit sulky sometimes."

Fei Hong slowly moves his hand to the lower part of Jing Yi's stomach. He strokes on that part as if there is a baby inside it. He clears his throat, "Yiyi, what do you think about...kids? Do you...like them?"

"Yes! I do like them. Kids are so cute and pure. I really like them. Even though some might be a little bit naughty, but that's part of learning and growing up."

Fei Hong swallows his saliva, "Th- Then, what do you think about...ha- having our own kids?"

Jing Yi fell into silence.

He did say he likes kids but to have their own kids, he is not sure whether he is ready or not. Hearing no answer, Fei Hong's turn sullen.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't bring up this topic. I know you said before that you're still not ready but I'm still asking. Sorry for being impatient and rushing you." Fei Hong lowers his head.

Jing Yi half-turned his body, cupping Fei Hong's face. He pecks on Fei Hong's cheek. "It's okay. I'm not mad. Let's just wait for a little longer. Until... Her Majesty gives birth. After that...we... can try to have our own kids. Alright?" Jing Yi said with reddened cheeks and ears.

Fei Hong's eyes immediately brighten and his face gleams. He tightens the embrace. "Thank you, Yiyi! Thank you so much! I love you!"

Jing Yi smiles, "I love you too. Sorry, you have to wait for a while. But it will be harder to take care of Her Majesty if I also with a baby. During this time, Her Majesty needs his husband, family and trusted friends to be by his side. So, I need to be in perfect health so I could cater to his every need. After everything has been settled, let's think about our little family."

"Okay! Then, that's mean I also have time to prepare our wedding," Fei Hong smirks.

They already like a married couple but still they need to hold an official wedding since Huang Fei Hong is an important person in the palace and Fei Hong also wants to tell everyone that he's married and Jing Yi is his one and only wife. Therefore, a wedding is a must.

Jing Yi bit his lower lips. A wedding means two family meetings. But him...no family. He got no one else.

"What's wrong?" Fei Hong tilts his head. "You don't want a wedding?"

Jing Yi smiles and shakes his head. "It's just...your family, are they going to agree with it? I'm a...nobody. A servant. I also have no family. So, your family must be- hmph!"

His words were sealed with another lip on top of his.

"I told you, I don't need their permission to marry you. They're just my aunts and uncles. Not my parents. They can come to our wedding if they want or don't if they don't want to. But if they do, it means they gonna have to accept whoever I chose as my wife. As for your family, Her Majesty already told me, Li Family is your family so during our wedding, I'm going to pay respect and offering tea to Lord Li and Madam Feng. Settle."

Jing Yi blinks his eyes repeatedly and slowly his eyes become watery.

"H- Her Majesty sa- said that?" Fei Hong nods.

Tears rolling down Jing Yi's cheeks. In this lifetime, he can never repay Lord Li, Madam Feng and Li Xiu Ying's kindness. Not only they took him in, but they also treated him like a family, even more than his own real family.

"H- hey...don't cry. Why are you crying?" Fei Hong wipes the tears stain using his thumb and pull Jing Yi onto his chest.

"I'm so happy. I have Li Family, I have you. I feel like I don't deserve to be this happy. If Her Majesty didn't take me in before, right now I might still live in the brothel. And I also won't be able to meet you."

Fei Hong hums. "That's mean, we gotta thank Her Majesty a lot."

Jing Yi nods repeatedly.. Both of them chuckle and continue cuddling on the bed.