CHAPTER 661: CHAPTER 641: RECUPERATION

The Empress does not need to observe the tradition of returning to her parental home after three days, but Fengyu holds significant authority. If she wishes to visit her family, there would naturally be no obstacle. However, stepping out of the palace as Empress involves a multitude of rituals and formalities, and Fengyu does not want to overly burden herself. Moreover, Xie Xun is exceptionally clinging. With snow falling in recent days and the weather being bitterly cold, the newlywed couple has been nestling themselves in the inner chambers, barely stepping outside.

This has quite exhausted Fengyu, so once the marriage ceremonies were over and Xie Xun headed to court, Fengyu was almost tempted to cheerfully wave him off. She finally managed to get some proper sleep. During morning court, Xie Xun announced his intention to participate in a martial competition with Dugu Jing, causing an uproar. Civil and military officials nearly unanimously opposed it, with Lin Helin and other cabinet members being the most outspoken. The new dynasty was flourishing, and the reforms were progressing smoothly. Xie Xun was diligent, intelligent, capable of both leading wars and handling political affairs, truly a ruler blessed by fate. Traumatized by the incompetence of previous emperors in the Yuwen Dynasty, a group of officials even knelt in unison, begging the emperor to reconsider such a matter for Beining’s sake. Some were so flustered that, despite lacking any martial ability, they volunteered to enter the arena themselves.

With such unrest, Xie Xun naturally could not return to the inner hall to dine with Fengyu. After rising, Fengyu sent messengers to the Feng Family, inviting her grandmother and mother to the palace for a conversation. After her midday meal, the elderly matron and Su Yuejiao arrived. Though she could not visit home, she could still welcome her family to the palace. In the blustering snowy weather, Fengyu did not wish to trouble her grandmother, but knowing that her grandmother worried for her, not seeing her would surely leave her uneasy.

Fengyu had become the rightful Empress. She specifically sent Chunlu and Zhang Da to escort the elderly matron, so her grandmother did not wear her heavy court attire. Her outfit was modest, resembling that for an ordinary family visit. The matron and Su Yuejiao also brought Ruyi along.

In the three days since Xie Xun’s grand wedding, Xie Jue had been busy as well. Hence, Ruyi had been placed under Su Yuejiao’s care. Ruyi was accustomed to alternating between staying at the Prince Manor and the Feng Family.

Qiuxiang took Ruyi to play in the West Hall, allowing Su Yuejiao, the elderly matron, and Fengyu to converse peacefully. No other attendants were present in the inner chambers. Seeing Fengyu’s radiant appearance set the matron and Su Yuejiao at ease. They knew Xie Xun treated Fengyu with utmost adoration, much like they did, doting on her as though she were the center of their universe. However, given that theirs was not a regular family, but that of an emperor and empress, their concern was inevitable.

The matron remarked, "Now newlywed, the sweetness between you is expected. Ayu, forgive your grandmother’s bluntness, but life in the Heavenly Family is not like ordinary households. During this period, you must heed Doctor Zhou’s advice on nurturing your health, draw closer to the Emperor, and endeavor to conceive a child soon."

Doctor Zhou had previously mentioned that Fengyu might have difficulty conceiving, though it was not an impossibility. From the time the new dynasty stabilized, Fengyu had been diligently nursing her health, drinking medicinal brews daily. Doctor Zhou, a celebrated expert in gynecology, had successfully treated many women with infertility issues. His reputation in the capital was unmatched, and Fengyu was no exception.

Though she often claimed she did not stress over the matter of having children, deep inside, she longed to raise a family with Xie Xun.

"Grandmother, rest assured. I have been drinking the prescribed medicine every day. Ultimately, this is a matter of fate," Fengyu replied gracefully to her grandmother and mother when discussing the prospect of childbearing. "This matter remains close to my heart."

The matron and Su Yuejiao felt relieved. Although they pitied Fengyu for having to endure the bitterness of her daily medicinal brews, there was no alternative. After all, she had married the Emperor.

Without offspring, her position as Empress would become unstable. While Xie Xun might fiercely protect her for the first five or ten years of his reign, over time, an emperor with no heirs grows vulnerable to loneliness, with potential changes in disposition inevitable. Court politics could shift swiftly and mercilessly.

What the matron found solace in was Fengyu’s apparent resolve. Though she spoke of leaving the matter to fate, she had truly been exerting herself to nurture her health, meticulously following Doctor Zhou’s instructions regarding diet and medicine.

Fate in childbearing depended upon divine intervention as well as human effort. Knowing her own physical frailties, Fengyu was earnestly persevering, hopeful her diligence would bring reward.

If the Empress remains unpregnant for a year, the ministers of the court would certainly press the Emperor to expand his harem. While Xie Xun might withstand the pressure, Fengyu would bear the brunt of criticism. Though the matron disliked broaching such ominous topics just days into her granddaughter’s marriage, her anxieties proved impossible to suppress.

Recognizing her grandmother’s maternal love and concern, Fengyu gently held her hand and reassured her, "Grandmother, there is no need for worry. Keep up your health, and wait for me to bring you good news. I will do my best to ensure Ruyi has siblings to accompany him."

"That’s good to hear, that’s good to hear!"

Su Yuejiao, meanwhile, felt deeply pained by the sight of Fengyu consuming bitter medicine each day. Regardless, there was Ruyi, and Xie Jue would also eventually marry and have children, widening the family lineage. Each time Fengyu drank her brew with tears filling her eyes, Su Yuejiao felt her heart ache; yet she could only hope Heavenly Heaven would favor Fengyu’s dedication.

If the Emperor truly opens his harem, they wouldn’t be able to stop him. However, knowing her daughter’s temperament, Su Yuejiao feared Fengyu would suffer greatly.

"Let us not stress over matters that have yet to occur. We’ll handle things one step at a time. Grandmother, Mother, I will strive to live well and happily," Fengyu said in an attempt to reassure them. "By the way, has Ruyi been behaving well at home?"

"Ruyi has been exceptionally well-behaved, merely pestering his father occasionally. Speaking of which, when will Prince Yan wed? Does he have anyone in mind? Ruyi frequently visiting the Feng Family isn’t ideal. While neither your grandmother nor I mind him staying over anytime, we do worry about idle gossip hurting Ruyi’s reputation."

If anyone were to uncover the truth behind Ruyi’s heritage—that he was the son of Feng Shu and Yuwen Jing, who was Chen Fei of the Yuwen Court—it would undoubtedly stir gossip. Even though Xie Xun had arranged for Feng Shu’s ancestral tablet to be relocated to the Xie Family shrine, people would still speculate. They would rather completely sever any ties between Ruyi and Yuwen Jing.

"Not only for Ruyi’s sake, but the Prince Manor requires a mistress to oversee its affairs."

"Second Brother will manage his manor himself. He likely dislikes outsiders interfering," Fengyu responded.

The matron and Su Yuejiao refrained from saying too much, merely raising a few concerns about Ruyi. Fengyu, having insight into the situation, held her tongue on delicate matters. Before long, Ruyi returned from playing in the West Hall to find Fengyu and the others.

With Ruyi’s presence, their conversation naturally shifted to children. Fengyu suddenly realized that, now that she and Xie Xun were married, and Xie Jue busy with court duties, Ruyi could stay in the palace with them. She and Xie Xun could oversee his upbringing.

If Ruyi spends more time in the palace, Second Brother might be encouraged to visit the palace more frequently. Xie Xun enjoyed having the family together.

After the matron and Su Yuejiao left with Ruyi, Fengyu’s medicinal brew had been prepared. Initially prescribed thrice daily, the formula had since been adjusted to just once per day. Fengyu preferred drinking it before dinner.

She had been quietly taking the medicine over recent days, keeping it from Xie Xun’s notice. However, when Eunuch Chen originally delivered the message that Xie Xun might not make it back in time to dine with her, Fengyu let her guard down. Unexpectedly, Xie Xun returned mid-way and saw the bowl of medicine on the table.

Xie Xun’s acute instincts instantly picked up on the anomaly. "Why are you taking medicine? Are you feeling unwell?"

He picked up the bowl and sniffed its contents. The sharp smell was overwhelming, and it was apparent that the brew was unpleasant to drink. Fengyu frowned, glancing at Qiuxiang and the palace maids standing outside the hall, all with nervous expressions. Xie Xun had not allowed them to enter to report, catching Fengyu unprepared.

"There’s nothing wrong with me. This is merely a tonic for nurturing the body," Fengyu explained.