Chapter 258: The Sky Is Falling
Mei Wanying was pregnant, but she was unwilling to move into the palace to be cared for during her pregnancy.
For her and the children’s safety, Pei Yan mobilized his trusted aides to guard the Mei Mansion.
Secrets always get out. Rather than trying to hide Mei Wanying’s pregnancy, it was better to establish a strong defense and prevent any dangerous people or situations from getting near her.
Mei Wanying accepted all of Pei Yan’s arrangements.
Being abducted by enemies in her past life had left a shadow on her heart.
As a result, whenever she went out, she not only took guards but also secretly paid close attention to her surroundings.
’When it comes to my own safety and the safety of my children, I absolutely cannot let my guard down!’
Such measures could not be hidden from others. With a little investigation, everyone learned of Mei Wanying’s pregnancy.
When the news reached the palace, Empress Dowager Gu was ecstatic. "I never expected Mei Wanying to be so capable! Rewards! Grant her generous rewards!"
Previously, she had been reluctant for Mei Wanying to have Ah Yan’s child, fearing the child would inherit Mei Wanying’s poor eyesight.
But Ling was very healthy.
Whether day or night, there was nothing wrong with her eyes at all.
Not only that, but she also had a strong constitution.
Even though she was born prematurely and had survived a life-threatening illness, she had still grown up perfectly well.
This was proof enough that Mei Wanying was capable of bearing healthy heirs.
Ah Yan had no siblings, and Mei Wanying was also an only daughter. The two of them should have more children.
’Together, they will join hands to protect the empire Ah Yan has built!’
If the family line wasn’t flourishing, then at the slightest sign of trouble, someone would once again start scheming for the throne.
At that point, the court would be in turmoil, and Ah Yan himself would be in danger.
’Two children aren’t enough. After this baby is born safely and Mei Wanying has recovered, she should keep having more.’
More children meant more blessings, and it wasn’t as if they couldn’t afford to raise them.
The most important thing was that no matter how they fought amongst themselves, they absolutely could not let the Imperial Power fall into the hands of outsiders!
The more Empress Dowager Gu thought about it, the more excited she became. She ordered people to send medicinal herbs to ensure a safe pregnancy, the finest tonics, and other fine goods that had been sent as tribute from all over the land.
She even included the Guanyin Bodhisattva statue her own mother had procured for her the year she entered the Eastern Palace, bestowing it all upon Mei Wanying.
Empress Dowager Gu clasped her hands together and prayed to the heavens, "I hope this pregnancy will also be a safe one."
Mrs. Feng said fawningly, "The Emperor is deeply blessed. This time, it will surely be a little prince."
It would have been better if Mrs. Feng hadn’t said anything. The moment she did, Empress Dowager Gu’s heart clenched.
Her expression grew grave.
The late Emperor had three thousand beauties in his Harem, but in the end, he only had one son: Ah Yan.
At the time, she felt it was karmic retribution for the heartless man, and she had been secretly pleased.
But now, Empress Dowager Gu was terrified. ’What if Ah Yan takes after him and can only have daughters? What are we to do?’
Mrs. Feng bit her tongue, silently cursing herself for touching on a sore subject.
Her lips moved, but she didn’t know how to respond.
’The higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment.’
’If Mei Wanying doesn’t give birth to a son, the Empress Dowager will surely be heartbroken.’
She could only say, "The Emperor is not an incapable man. He will certainly find a way to solve this problem."
Empress Dowager Gu knew her son’s temperament. He would never be willing to adopt an Imperial Prince from the Imperial Family, raise another’s child, and then hand everything over.
If Mei Wanying could give birth to a son, then without a doubt, the next Crown Prince would be her son.
But what if she couldn’t?
’We can’t possibly make Ling the heir.’
Then she thought of how Mrs. Mei had struggled with childbearing in her youth, having only a single daughter, Mei Wanying.
It was already fortunate enough that Mei Wanying was able to conceive a second child.
’If she takes after her own mother’s condition, then it’s over. Forget having a son, she might not even be able to have a few more daughters.’
Empress Dowager Gu was sick with worry, and most of her earlier joy had vanished.
She prayed to the heavens again, "This time, please let Mei Wanying give birth to a son!"
’As long as Mei Wanying gives birth to a son, I will take the lead and petition the Emperor to name her son the Crown Prince.’
Whether she could elevate her status through her son all depended on whether her womb would live up to expectations!
Fearing that Mei Wanying, now pregnant, might neglect Ling, Empress Dowager Gu sent Mrs. Feng out of the palace.
"Go bring Ling to the palace to be raised by my side. That way, Mei Wanying can also focus on her pregnancy in peace."
’A child’s heart is sensitive. Her parents used to dote on her, and with a younger sibling on the way, Ling might feel neglected.’
Bringing her into the palace to be raised by the Empress Dowager, with occasional visits back to Mei Wanying for a few days, seemed like the best solution.
’This would be good for everyone.’
Mrs. Feng left the palace on her orders, but she did not bring Ling back with her.
"The Emperor said that the Little Prince’s studies must not be delayed. If you miss the Little Prince, the Emperor will bring the Little Prince to the palace to see you when the Little Prince has a break from lessons."
Empress Dowager Gu froze, her expression turning strange. "He hired a tutor for Ling?"
"Yes. The one from the Xi Family who divorced her husband."
The younger generation didn’t know about that old affair, but the older generation knew a bit more.
Empress Dowager Gu breathed a sigh of relief again. So he had hired a female tutor.
’I really thought Ah Yan was going to hire a great Confucian scholar for Ling... to... to groom Ling to be the heir!’
Ling was her own granddaughter, her own flesh and blood. Empress Dowager Gu wasn’t actually that opposed to her being the heir.
She had raised other people’s children before; they were never as dear to her as her own.
She was never willing to give her whole heart, always feeling a barrier between them.
She had lived for decades in a state of mutual suspicion and scheming, and she was truly tired of it.
She didn’t want her son to walk the same path she had.
’If Ah Yan and Mei Wanying truly cannot produce a son, then grooming their daughter to inherit the throne... it seems... not entirely impossible.’
But that was far too unorthodox. The court officials would definitely object.
And that would lead to another bloodbath.
Empress Dowager Gu’s breathing grew heavy. She pressed a hand to her chest. "It’s still best to have a son!"
That way, there wouldn’t be so much turmoil!
...
「General Mansion」
Empress Dowager Gu’s people delivered the rewards, but after dropping the things off, they were promptly sent away by Pei Yan.
The gifts were piled in the courtyard, not yet moved to the storehouse.
Ling held Mei Wanying’s hand, looking through the boxes one by one.
When she saw the medicinal herbs, she pinched her little nose with a disgusted look on her face. "Why didn’t Grandmother send Mother tasty things? This is bitter, it’s not good..."
She even had Mei Wanying pinch her nose. "It smells so bad. Don’t let it stink up Mother."
Mei Wanying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "These are all good things. You’ll understand when you’re a little older."
Ling knew that medicine could cure illnesses. Her grandmother back in their hometown had to drink medicine every day.
"But Mother isn’t sick..."
The little one looked puzzled. Why send medicine to someone who wasn’t sick?
Mei Wanying explained, "These are tonics to strengthen the body, but you can’t just take them. You have to listen to the doctor."
Ling nodded her little head. "I know..."
’If you take medicine without care, it can kill you!’
Seeing the little one holding her nose so tightly she could barely breathe, Mei Wanying quickly ordered people to move the medicinal herbs to the storehouse.
After looking through everything, she kept the ready-to-eat candied fruits and put away the bird’s nest and other such items.
Ling was over two years old, but she still needed Mei Wanying to coax her to sleep at night.
When Pei Yan stayed the night, he would wait until the child was asleep, then move Ling to another room.
After they were finished, he would carry Ling back.
Because of this, Ling always thought she slept in the same room as her mother.
When she heard from her father that she would have to sleep by herself from now on, Ling’s world came crashing down.
Her sobs were earth-shattering. "Father, you’re so old, and you still need Mother to sleep with you! I’m just a child, why can’t I?!"