The Emperor Has An Illness

Names mentioned in this chapter (which can also be found in the glossary):

-廖青青(Liào qīngqīng)- Liao Qing Qing, the female lead. 

-景礼帝(jǐng lǐ ​​dì)- Emperor Jing Li, the male lead.

-荷香(Hé ​​xiāng)- He Xiang, the female lead’s maidservant

Current Ranking: Empress Dowager → Empress → Worthy Consort + Virtuous Consort →  Lady Li of Graceful Ceremony → Ye Liangyi + Wu Liangyi → Noble Lady Liao + Noble Lady Jiang + Noble Lady Liang

As the due date approached, Liao Qing Qing became anxious and even had dreams at night of giving birth to an egg that came out. Before long, the egg hatched, and an unbelievably ugly dinosaur came out, scaring her and making her scream.

She was increasingly anxious as this was the first time she was going to give birth to a child.

Emperor Jing Li also noticed her abnormalities. He hugged her and asked, “Qing Qing, what’s wrong? You look so troubled.”

Liao Qing Qing held Emperor Jing Li’s hand and said meekly, “Your Majesty, this concubine is scared.”

Liao Qing Qing was always happy-go-lucky and beaming. Even when she faced Noble Lady Liang and the others, she was always calm. When has she ever been so troubled? Emperor Jing Li’s heart ached for her. He placed one arm around Liao Qing Qing’s shoulder and protected her belly with the other, as if he was holding some big precious treasure. He asked, “Tell me, what are you afraid of?”

Liao Qing Qing said aggrievedly, “I am afraid that the baby I give birth to won’t be adorable.”

“Impossible. The babies Qing Qing gives birth to will all be cute.”

“What if I gave birth to a monster?”

“I like whatever Qing Qing gives birth to.”

“Really?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

“Really.”

“Then if this concubine dies after giving birth to this concubine’s baby, will Your Majesty also love this concubine’s baby?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

Emperor Jing Li’s face turned sullen and rebuked, “What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!”

Liao Qing Qing’s hormone-influenced mind collapsed, and her eyes instantly flushed as she said, “Your Majesty, you are being mean to this concubine. You are being mean to me.”

I want to cry.

I really want to cry.

I really, really want to cry.

Emperor Jing Li immediately gave in and gently patted Liao Qing Qing’s shoulder. He said, “I’m not being mean to you. I don’t intend to be mean to you at all.”

Liao Qing Qing didn’t know what was wrong with her.

She just… just suddenly couldn’t stand it.

She was so sad that she burst into tears.

Emperor Jing Li felt so distressed and wiped Liao Qing Qing’s tears. While kissing Liao Qing Qing’s cheeks, he said, “Don’t cry. Don’t cry. I am wrong. I am wrong. What I mean is that with me, everything will be fine with the child, and even more so with you. I am the Son of Heaven. I will ask Heaven for Qing Qing, and Heaven will definitely agree.”

Liao Qing Qing asked, “Really?”

Emperor Jing Li nodded. “Really.”

Liao Qing Qing suddenly felt vulnerable. After some reassurance from Emperor Jing Li, her emotions soon stabilised, and she could eat, drink, sleep and take a stroll.

Her days went on very comfortably.

But not for Emperor Jing Li. Initially, he would be fine whenever he was a little moody when Liao Qing Qing talked to him, acted coquettishly, and coaxed him.

However, he could not tell Liao Qing Qing about the danger of giving birth to a child. If he did, Liao Qing Qing would be so anxious and scared that she would not eat or sleep well, causing him to be so distressed.

Hence, he felt worried and scared alone.

He deliberately summoned Imperial Physicians and midwives and questioned the dangers of giving birth to a child. He was unaware when he did not ask. Once he asked, he was taken aback. What miscarriage, loss of blood, etc. The more he listened, the more scared he was, the more he imagined Liao Qing Qing to be in that state and the more uncomfortable he felt.

In the end, he did not eat well during the day and did not sleep well at night. He lost a lot of weight. The senior imperial officials all thought that Emperor Jing Li was concerned about the people of the land under Heaven and they all felt gratified, and advised him to take care of his health.

Emperor Jing Li nodded and left the imperial court to deliberate alone with the Minister of War and Minister of Revenue in the imperial study. At this time, Fu Sheng appeared at the door with an anxious expression.

Emperor Jing Li was particularly distraught today. When he saw Fu Sheng in this state, he immediately questioned, “Fu Sheng, what’s the matter?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, Her Highness, the Empress, is going to give birth.”

“What?” Emperor Jing Li got up abruptly and took a big step before he could stand. He almost fell down, but fortunately, he was supported by a junior eunuch. He didn’t care about anything else. Just when he stood upright, he immediately headed out of the palace.

It was the first time the imperial subjects had ever seen Emperor Jing Li panicking like that. They looked at one another and suddenly thought that the Empress was about to give birth and immediately understood.

Emperor Jing Li walked as quickly as he could without using an imperial carriage.

Fu Sheng and the others hastily ran after him.

Emperor Jing Li’s face was tense as he asked, “Has the Empress given birth yet?”

Fu Sheng responded, “Not yet.”

“When will it be born?”

“This servant doesn’t know.” Fu Sheng answered cautiously.

Emperor Jing Li didn’t know either. He had heard that some babies were born for a day and a night and the thought of “a day and a night” made Emperor Jing Li light-headed.

He walked even faster.

Luckily, Zhengqian Palace was close by.

When he was about to reach Zhengqian Palace, Empress Dowager appeared with the support of Chang Momo, who also had an anxious expression.

“This son greets Queen Mother,” Emperor Jing Li said.

“Don’t bow now.” Empress Dowager spoke so quickly for the first time, “I heard that the Empress’s stomach was hurting half a shichen (an hour) ago. She has not given birth yet.”

Half a shichen (an hour) ago?

Emperor Jing Li felt faint again.

The Empress Dowager urged, “Quickly go and have a look.”

Emperor Jing Li immediately followed Empress Dowager into one of the courtyards of Zhengqian Palace. They both saw the palace maids moving about, and their faces were filled with anxiousness.

Especially Emperor Jing Li. His face was slightly pale. He had never been so worried and scared. It was as if his heart was about to jump out of his throat. When he saw a palace maid carrying a basin of blood, his body staggered.

Fu Sheng hastily supported him. “Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jing Li waved his hand.

Fu Sheng backed away.

Emperor Jing Li and the Empress Dowager walked towards the front, and the two were about to ask about the situation when a child’s clear, powerful cry suddenly sounded from inside the room, “Waah—”

The author has something to say: ——

Emperor Jing Li: The baby is born?

Empress Dowager: The baby is born so quickly.

Child: I, mwaisef (myself), want to come out quickly, so I won’t torment Queen Mother!

Emperor Jing Li: Who are you?

Child: Imperial Father, I am your baby (precious)![1]

Emperor Jing Li: Nonsense! My precious is Qing Qing!

Child: =口=！

[1] 宝宝(bǎobǎo)- This means “baby” or “darling.”