CHAPTER 662: CHAPTER 642: PREGNANCY MATTERS

Xie Xun furrowed his brows as he looked at her, half-believing and half-doubting. Fengyu chuckled lightly and said, "I tend to feel cold during autumn and winter, so I often drink some medicine to nourish my body and strengthen it. It’s nothing serious."

Xie Xun was not someone easily deceived. Having spent years rolling around in the military camp, he understood a thing or two about pharmacology. Medicine for strengthening the body wasn’t unfamiliar to him, but the smell of this one wasn’t right. However, the Imperial Physician had checked Fengyu’s pulse and confirmed her health. She didn’t want to say more, so Xie Xun didn’t continue to press her.

"Eunuch Chen said you’d return after dinner. Was today particularly busy?"

"Busy!" Xie Xun softened his tone, embracing Fengyu and whining, "They all disagreed with my plan to duel Dugu Jing. It’s giving me a headache, one after another. Do they all think I’m going to lose?"

Fengyu couldn’t help but laugh. His competitive spirit remained the same; he couldn’t bear being underestimated, especially when compared to Dugu Jing. It made him even more determined to win.

"The court officials are worried you might encounter a mishap. As someone of noble status, avoiding unnecessary risks is natural. Don’t be angry," Fengyu said gently, albeit with a touch of helplessness. This was a situation that couldn’t be easily resolved; everyone had their own reasoning. If not for the curse she bore, Xie Xun wouldn’t have taken such risks. Could she persuade Dugu Jing to relinquish the duel?

It wasn’t likely that Dugu Jing would agree. He and Xie Xun were both soaring hawks of the battlefield, each at the peak of their prowess. The regret was that they’d never had a true showdown. Since the Beiman King’s death, Beiman’s morale had greatly diminished. Dugu Jing lacked the fortune of the previous Wolf King and hadn’t inherited the Beiman Army at its zenith. He’d always wanted to determine victory and defeat with Xie Xun.

From Dugu Jing’s perspective, he was once the pride of Beiman, the person most likely to lead his people past the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to Beining. Xie Xun had started on equal footing but later fell into the abyss, nearly exterminated by the Yuwen Dynasty. Yet Xie Xun turned the tables, led the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to defy fate, and now ascended to the throne.

Dugu Jing must be unwilling to accept this and desired to compete with Xie Xun in the arena. It was as if defeating Xie Xun meant Beiman triumphing over Beining—a battle of honor.

Xie Xun was right; no honey trap would work.

"Do you think I’ll win?"

"Absolutely!" Fengyu answered firmly. "You’re bound to win, so stop being angry now."

Xie Xun lingered in the inner chambers to share intimacy with Fengyu for a while. As dusk fell, Fengyu ordered the evening meal to be set early. After finishing a bowl of lamb noodles, Xie Xun headed to the front hall. Fengyu’s bowl of medicine had turned cold, so Qiuxiang reheated it before Fengyu drank it. Fengyu said, "Qiuxiang, be more observant next time. If Zhixu returns, report to me promptly."

Qiuxiang, realizing her oversight, felt deeply guilty. "Your Majesty, I understand. Next time, I will not leave without notice."

"It’s fine; I’m not blaming you," Fengyu said. She was more lenient with Qiuxiang and Chunlu. "The weather’s cold now. Go to the storeroom and gather some thick fabrics to make warmer winter clothes for the palace attendants. With the year-end approaching, distribute the stipends early. Double the amount for Zhang Da and the others so they can enjoy a good New Year."

"Understood!" Zhang Da and his men had diligently guarded her during this period. Given their efforts, it was inconvenient for Zhang Da to serve in the rear chambers now that they were in the palace; Fengyu planned to find them new employment after the year.

As Xie Xun left the chamber, he summoned his personal guard. "The Empress has been taking medicine lately. Is her health okay?"

"There doesn’t appear to be anything amiss. The Imperial Hospital hasn’t prescribed any medication." The guard was bewildered. If the Imperial Hospital had issued medicine, it would be documented. If there was no record, then the medicine must be sourced from outside the palace.

Xie Xun pondered, feeling uneasy. "Find the medicine remnants and summon Zhang Lingzheng. I need to know what kind of medicine the Empress is taking."

"Understood!"

Xie Xun’s controlling nature had always been intense—especially after his family’s tragic downfall three years ago. His desire to have firm control over his loved ones had reached its peak. Xie Jue shared a similar disposition, so he could understand Xie Xun. Fengyu had at one point found Xie Xun’s behavior rather tiresome, and Xie Xun was aware of this. Thus, he had been meticulously concealing and restraining himself, merely having his guards monitor Fengyu’s situation.

As for Fengyu’s daily routines, Xie Xun wished he could oversee them personally—whether she ate one bowl of rice or two bowls; he wanted to know. Drinking medicine, however, was far more significant.

In the Imperial Palace, there was hardly any secrecy from Xie Xun. The medication remnants hadn’t yet been disposed of. After examining them, Zhang Lingzheng understood.

The medicine was intended to strengthen her body and promote pregnancy—almost like a fertility tonic, but combined with other ingredients to nourish her blood and energy.

Xie Xun felt a pang in his heart; he now understood why Fengyu had kept this hidden from him.

How long had she been drinking this?

"Does this medicine harm the body?" Xie Xun asked.

Zhang Lingzheng replied, "It’s a restorative tonic. However... the Empress’s constitution is too weak to tolerate prolonged use."

"Understood!" Xie Xun had grasped the situation. Once Zhang Lingzheng departed, Xie Xun ordered his guards to discreetly observe the small kitchen and monitor how frequently Fengyu drank the medicine.

Although Ayu spoke of leaving it to fate, she concealed the fact that she was enduring the bitterness of the medicine. Xie Xun felt anguish. To claim he didn’t desire his own child would be a lie.

Ruyi was so adorable, with her fair and clever little face. Just looking at her made him yearn for a child of his own. However, if the cost was Fengyu harming her health, he’d rather do without. Striking a balance was his priority; he refused to let Fengyu jeopardize herself.

That night, Xie Xun embraced Fengyu, holding her properly with only gentle caresses on her back, devoid of any lustful intention. Fengyu found it strange. Why was he behaving so unusually tonight? Given his usual wolf-like demeanor, such restraint was a surprise. Had his conscience suddenly awakened?

"What’s wrong? Something on your mind?" Fengyu noticed something off and asked nervously.

"Just a bit tired," Xie Xun kissed her cheek and buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply. He loved her scent, which captivated him in its subtlety.

Fengyu figured he must be exhausted from a day of managing state affairs. She patted his hand soothingly. "Then rest well."

Xie Xun hesitated to speak. He knew she had misunderstood. He wanted to discuss the medication with Fengyu but didn’t know where to begin. Clearly, Ayu didn’t want him to know. She must have a plan in mind as she privately nourished her body. Earlier today, Xie Xun even asked Zhang Lingzheng if there was a medicinal soup men could drink to facilitate women’s pregnancy. The look Zhang Lingzheng gave him—utterly perplexed—remained vivid in his memory.

Xie Xun couldn’t help but wonder. If women could take medicine to enhance pregnancy chances, why couldn’t men?

Pregnancy was a matter for both individuals, wasn’t it?

Ayu was adjusting her health in private; he could do so too!

Fortunately, Zhang Lingzheng remembered that Xie Xun was now the Emperor and refrained from being overly impertinent. He merely advised Xie Xun to maintain physical and mental well-being. Everything else should happen naturally. Zhang Lingzheng conducted a periodic peace pulse check every three days. If Fengyu experienced any discomfort, not even with tenfold courage could Zhang Lingzheng conceal it from Xie Xun—he would undoubtedly inform him.

With Zhang Lingzheng’s guarantee, Xie Xun finally felt at ease. He vowed to try harder and, if there was no progress by the New Year, he would command a change to Ayu’s medication. He couldn’t allow her to keep drinking something that might harm her health.