Chương 757: The Crown Princess is Pregnant

Liu Chen reacted the fastest, leaping up from his chair in a flash. He didn't even bother to pick up the chopsticks that clattered onto the table, and took half a step to the Crown Princess's side.

He gently supported her back with one hand, while frantically reaching for the warm water on the table with the other. His hands trembled, spilling half a cup of water, and his voice quivered.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Was the food too oily? Or did you catch a cold from being in the wind?"

Do you want to lean on me and rest for a while? Should I call a doctor? Now?

He rattled off a string of questions like a machine gun, sounding more flustered than if he were going into battle himself.

Xu Jingxian covered her mouth and steadied herself for a long time before shaking her head. She took the water, sipped a small amount, and her face was still pale, yet she still comforted him:

"It's nothing... I just suddenly feel a little nauseous, probably because I ate too quickly. I'll be fine after a rest, don't make a fuss about it."

"How can that be!" Liu Chen shook his head vigorously.

"Is something like this such a fuss about health? We must have the imperial physician examine him. If he's alright, we can rest assured."

Cai Yan also put down her chopsticks, leaned forward, and looked at him with concern:

"Are you alright? It was chilly the other night, so I told you to wear an extra layer of clothing. Did you catch a chill and hurt your stomach?"

"Rest in your chair for a bit, don't push yourself." As she spoke, she subconsciously looked up and met Liu Ce's gaze.

The two stared at each other for a second.

In a split second, the same thought flashed through the minds of the two experienced individuals.

Liu Ce slammed the half-eaten pork knuckle back onto the plate, his eyes lighting up slightly, a barely concealed smile playing on his lips, like a child who had just stolen a piece of candy.

Cai Yan was also stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up with surprise, and she clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly.

Neither of them spoke, but when their eyes met, it was as if they had exchanged a secret signal...

These symptoms are clearly not from catching a cold; they are a sign of pregnancy!

Goodness, we're eating this meal and now we're about to have a grandson?

Liu Ce cleared his throat, suppressing the laughter in his voice, and called out towards the outside of the hall, speaking much faster than usual:

"Someone come here!"

The eunuch on duty outside immediately trotted in, bowing as he listened to instructions.

"Go and summon Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing, immediately!" Liu Ce waved his hand.

"Tell them there's urgent business at Ganlu Palace, and have them bring their medicine kits as quickly as possible. Don't delay! Hurry up!"

"Yes!" the eunuch replied, then turned and ran off in a flash. He was faster than when he usually sent an urgent message over 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers), and his shoes were practically smoking.

Liu Chen was still pacing nervously, patting the Crown Princess's back, handing her water, and muttering to himself incessantly:

"It's all my fault. I insisted you eat the braised pork knuckle earlier. It was so greasy, you must have felt nauseous. I should have just given you some vegetables."

"We won't eat such oily food anymore, okay? I'll do whatever you say. Lean against me and rest for a bit; the imperial physician will be here soon."

Xu Jingxian was both amused and exasperated by him. She tugged at his sleeve and said helplessly:

"My lord, I'm really fine. I just felt nauseous for a moment, but I'm much better now. Why bother the two imperial physicians, Mr. Hua and Mr. Zhang? It's making a mountain out of a molehill."

"That won't do!" Liu Chen said firmly.

"Your health is precious right now, and we can't afford to be careless in the slightest. Let the imperial physician take a look; we'll be at ease if he's alright."

Cai Yan smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Chen'er is right, it's best to check carefully. It's also a good opportunity to take his pulse and get some treatment."

Liu Ce leaned back in his chair, slowly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and secretly rejoiced.

This kid is so nervous now; who knows how crazy he'll go when he finds out the truth.

Compared to his father back then, he's still a bit too green.

At this moment, in the Royal Hospital, Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing were arguing heatedly over a prescription.

"I think we need to add three qian (approximately 15 grams) to this medicine to make it effective in preventing miscarriage!" Hua Tuo stroked his beard, his face full of insistence.

"No, three qian is too strong. Pregnant women are weak and need to proceed gradually. Two qian is enough," Zhang Zhongjing retorted slowly and deliberately.

As the two were arguing, the young eunuch on duty rushed in, panting so hard he could barely speak, and leaning against the doorframe, gasping for breath:

"Lord Hua... Lord Zhang! His Majesty has summoned you both urgently! He wants you to go to Ganlu Palace immediately, with your medicine chests, the sooner the better!"

It might be bad if we're too late!

The two exchanged a bewildered glance. His Majesty had summoned them urgently? Could it be that His Majesty was unwell?

That's not right. Just a few days ago, when I checked on him, his pulse was very strong, and he could eat two braised pork knuckles in one sitting.

"Let's go take a look first." Hua Tuo stopped worrying about the prescription, grabbed his medicine box, and headed outside.

Zhang Zhongjing picked up his medicine box and followed closely behind. The two walked quickly, as if they were riding on wheels of fire, and soon they arrived at Ganlu Hall.

Upon entering the hall, Liu Ce first offered his respects, but Liu Ce waved his hand, so hasty that he forgot to say "No need for formalities."

"No need, no need. Come here quickly and let the Crown Princess take a look."

Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing stepped forward and saw the Crown Princess sitting in a chair, her face still a little pale. Crown Prince Liu Chen stood beside her like a door god, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a mosquito, his eyes fixed on their medicine boxes as if they were looking at a lifeline.

"Your Majesty, please don't panic. Let me take your pulse," Hua Tuo said gently, trying to keep his tone mild so as not to frighten the pregnant woman.

Xu Jingxian stretched out her wrist, and Liu Chen quickly grabbed a soft cushion and placed it under her wrist.

Feeling that one layer wasn't thick enough, he added another. He wanted to add more, but Hua Tuo stopped him with a smile.

"Your Highness, that's enough, that's enough. If you padded any more, I won't be able to feel your pulse."

Liu Chen then awkwardly stopped, staring intently at Hua Tuo's fingers, even more nervous than when he was taking a pulse himself.

Hua Tuo placed his fingertips on the pulse, squinted his eyes, and carefully examined it for a while, applying slight pressure with his fingers to feel the pulse's pulsation.

After examining the right hand, he switched to the left, carefully feeling it for a long time. Without saying a word, he stepped aside and gestured "please" to Zhang Zhongjing.

Zhang Zhongjing stepped forward and carefully examined the pulses of both hands, then asked a few questions in a gentle tone:

"Your Majesty, have you been feeling frequently sleepy lately? Do you occasionally feel nauseous upon waking? Has your period been delayed?"

Xu Jingxian blushed slightly and nodded gently:

"Yes... I've been feeling tired these past few days, and I feel sleepy all the time. My period... is indeed a little over two weeks late. I just thought it was because I was tired from managing the affairs of the Crown Prince's Palace recently, and I didn't think much of it."

After listening, Zhang Zhongjing smiled and nodded. He got up and walked to Hua Tuo's side. The two exchanged a few words in hushed tones, both with happy expressions. When they looked at each other, they both understood what was going on.

Immediately, the two turned around and bowed to Liu Ce and Empress Cai Yan, their voices clear and bright, tinged with laughter:

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty the Empress! Congratulations, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Her Majesty the Crown Princess's pulse is smooth and strong, indicating pregnancy! It has been over a month now, the pregnancy is stable, and there are no major problems!"

The moment the words were spoken, the hall fell silent for a full second.

Liu Chen stood frozen in place, his eyes wide open and his mouth agape as if he had been paralyzed by acupuncture.

He pointed to his own nose, his voice cracking:

"What... what did you say? Pregnant? I... I'm going to be a father?"

Hua Tuo smiled and nodded: "Indeed, Your Highness. The Empress's pregnancy is very stable; she only needs to rest and recuperate. During the first three months, she should pay more attention to rest, avoid overexertion, and eat a light diet."

The next second, Liu Chen suddenly turned around, picked Xu Jingxian up in his arms, and spun her around twice.

"I'm going to be a dad! I'm having a baby!"

He had a very loud voice, and his laughter sounded like that of a two-hundred-pound idiot, so loud that the dust on the palace beams almost fell off.