The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Extra 1 Pregnancy
The “Yueling Qiushi Zhou Ji” states: “In the middle of the ninth lunar month, the air becomes clear and condensed, and the dew turns into frost.”
In late autumn, when the first cold frost falls, the trees are swept into a golden hue, which is called “Frost’s Descent.”
According to the protocol, after the emperor ascended the throne, he should have moved into the Qianqing Palace, and the empress should have resided in the Kunning Palace.
However, when Feng Zhan planned to have the Qianqing Palace and the Kunning Palace modified according to his and Qin Yan’s respective preferences and habits, the Empress Dowager immediately opposed the idea.
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed to learn that Qin Yan was pregnant, and had her people go around collecting various folk methods for preserving and protecting the fetus, showing even more concern than when she herself was pregnant.
As for why Empress Dowager opposed Feng Zhan’s plan to alter the Qianqing Palace and Kunning Palace, she gently advised him, “According to popular belief, Qin Yan is currently pregnant, and this is a critical time. Not a single item in her palace should be moved, otherwise, it will harm the fetus and greatly disadvantage the dragon heir growing in her womb.”
“Your Majesty, it is better to believe in it than to doubt it.”
If it had been before, Feng Zhan would have thought this was just a superstitious and nonsensical folk custom, completely groundless.
But now, Feng Zhan was deeply concerned about Qin Yan’s safety during her pregnancy, and thus he could not take any risks.
As a result, Feng Zhan abandoned the idea of altering the Qianqing Palace and Kunning Palace at this time and decided to make changes only after Qin Yan safely gave birth.
The next day, the emperor issued an edict, “Before the empress gives birth to the imperial heir, no construction or renovation shall take place within the imperial city or the palace grounds. Those who violate this order will be dealt with according to palace rules.”
When Qin Yan found out, she was somewhat amused and helpless, teasing Feng Zhan, “Really? You believe in this?”
Feng Zhan furrowed his brows, his expression quite serious, “I didn’t believe in gods or spirits before, but if it can ensure your safety, what’s the harm in believing this once?”
“I have committed too many sins,” he continued with a solemn tone, “and from today, I will fast and pray, asking for blessings for you and the child in your womb.”
Qin Yan couldn’t help but laugh at Feng Zhan’s earnest words, “Sins? Fasting and praying?”
“Feng Zhan, with the countless souls we’ve sent to the afterlife, I doubt a lifetime of prayers would be enough.”
Feng Zhan carefully extended his arm and gently pulled Qin Yan into his embrace. His clean, defined jaw brushed lightly against the top of her head, and he spoke softly, “Yan Yan, you must be safe.”
Feng Zhan could hardly imagine what he would do if something happened to Qin Yan…
———–
On the 16th of the ninth lunar month, after the auspicious date was selected by the Imperial Observatory Bureau, the emperor, and the empress moved out of the Taizi Mansion in the Xishan and into the Ningshou Palace, located to the northeast of the imperial city.
The Ningshou Palace was a large complex originally constructed by Emperor Hui for his retirement, but during his lifetime, he always resided in the Qianqing Palace and only made use of the imperial study located in the Ningshou Palace’s garden.
Ningshou Palace resembled a smaller version of the imperial city, with the layout of an inner and outer court, and was equipped with various halls and pavilions. The environment was tranquil, and both Qin Yan and Feng Zhan were quite pleased with it.
According to custom, since Qin Yan was pregnant, she should have been residing separately from Feng Zhan, but instead, Feng Zhan had only arranged one bedchamber for both of them in Ningshou Palace.
The Empress Dowager and Ji Nanfeng, the chief physician from the Imperial Medical Department, strongly opposed this decision.
Although the emperor was known for his decisiveness and no-nonsense approach, this matter concerned the safety of the empress and the heir to the throne. Therefore, even though they risked angering the emperor, they insisted on advising him.
Feng Zhan’s face was cold, and his eyes were frosty.
He had always been displeased with others interfering in his private matters with Qin Yan, especially under the excuse that “the affairs of the emperor and empress are also of state concern.”
However, Song Zhi understood why the emperor had made such an arrangement.
The emperor and the empress had been separated for a long time since their marriage, and now that they could finally spend every night together, could the emperor be happy with these people prying into his private life?
In the end, after Empress Dowager’s repeated insistence, Feng Zhan reluctantly agreed to have a small bed placed beside the dragon bed in the chamber and informed Empress Dowager that he would not disturb Qin Yan’s rest.
Is the emperor sleeping beside the dragon bed on a small bed?
This compromise, though not entirely in line with the rules, was the emperor’s reluctant concession, and the Empress Dowager could only accept it.
However, only Qin Yan knew that the small bed prepared for Feng Zhan was ultimately just a decorative piece.
———–
After Qin Yan moved into Ningshou Palace, Feng Zhan had Song Zhi arrange a palace entry pass for Qin Yan to handle daily affairs.
Additionally, Shen Ying, Ji Nanfeng, and some of Qin Yan’s secret guards were granted permission to remain in the palace.
As for Ji Nanfeng’s presence, the Empress Dowager had privately raised objections to Feng Zhan.
The Empress Dowager believed that Ji Nanfeng, being an outsider, often coming and going from the empress’s bedroom, might not be improper in itself, but public opinion could be dangerous.
Feng Zhan dismissed the Empress Dowager’s concerns.
He had long noticed Ji Nanfeng’s feelings toward the empress and had even warned Ji Nanfeng, making it clear how displeased he was with Ji Nanfeng often lingering around Qin Yan.
However, Ji Nanfeng was, after all, one of Qin Yan’s most trusted and capable subordinates. Now that Qin Yan was pregnant, in such a sensitive period, and given Ji Nanfeng’s exceptional medical skills, his presence was more beneficial than harmful to her. There was nothing more important than ensuring Qin Yan’s safety during childbirth.
Therefore, Ji Nanfeng could not be moved at this time, and the matter could only be postponed for further discussion.
————
Ji Nanfeng was once the steward in Qin Yan’s mansion, overseeing all the affairs of Qin Yan. After entering the palace, Qin Yan still had Ji Nanfeng manage her meals and collaborate with the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital to discuss the prescriptions for the empress’s pregnancy.
After becoming pregnant, Qin Yan developed a tendency for laziness and excessive sleep.
Thus, when Feng Zhan was not attending court or dealing with state affairs, he would unwaveringly accompany Qin Yan for walks in the garden every day.
Of course, Qin Yan was now the precious gem of the entire imperial family. Whenever Feng Zhan went to the court, the Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager De, the imperial mother of Princess Jingyi, Princess Feng Yuyao, along with the two elder princesses, would also accompany Qin Yan to the Ningshou Palace Garden or the Imperial Garden for walks, ensuring that Qin Yan would have a smoother childbirth.
On this particular day, Qin Yan was strolling through the Imperial Garden with the Empress Dowager and Princess Changle while admiring the chrysanthemums.
As they walked slowly, Qin Yan keenly noticed the Empress Dowager’s gaze frequently shifting toward her abdomen. It seemed the Empress Dowager wanted to say something, but hesitated as if she was concerned about something, unsure whether to speak.
Qin Yan had a favorable impression of the Empress Dowager, who was Feng Zhan’s biological mother. However, Qin Yan, being of a rather indifferent nature, had not interacted much with the Empress Dowager on a daily basis.
When they reached a pavilion, Qin Yan signaled for everyone to step inside and sit down.
The palace attendants set up the tea set and brewed tea. Naturally, the tea Qin Yan drank was the one specially prepared by Mr. Ji and the imperial physicians to ensure the safety of her pregnancy.
After resting for a while, the Empress Dowager still did not speak, though there was still some unease in her brows. Qin Yan understood that the Empress Dowager likely had something she wanted to say, but was concerned. If not about her, then about Feng Zhan.
Qin Yan set down her tea cup and looked up at the Empress Dowager, saying, “If the Empress Dowager has something to say, please speak freely.”
The Empress Dowager knew that Qin Yan was perceptive, but she hesitated—was what she wanted to say appropriate?
The Empress Dowager wavered for a moment, then dismissed the palace attendants. Only the Empress Dowager, Princess Feng Yunchao, Qin Yan, and Shen Ying remained in the pavilion.
The Empress Dowager furrowed her brows slightly and glanced again at Qin Yan’s abdomen, which had not yet shown much of a bump, before speaking, “Has the Empress’s appetite been good recently?”
Qin Yan replied softly, “It’s alright.”
The Empress Dowager asked again, “Empress… recently, has your food preference leaned more towards sour or spicy?”
As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she immediately became somewhat nervous.
Her question was rather direct, and Qin Yan would likely understand her intent right away.
But the news in Ningshou Palace was tightly guarded, if she didn’t ask this way, how could she know…
Not only Qin Yan, but everyone in the pavilion now understood what the Empress Dowager was really trying to inquire about.
According to popular folklore, there is a saying that a woman’s cravings during pregnancy can predict the gender of the baby, “Sour means a boy, spicy means a girl.”
Thus, the Empress Dowager’s question was likely intended to find out whether the child in Qin Yan’s womb would be a prince or a princess.
Both Shen Ying and Princess Feng Yunchao’s expressions changed. Given the Empress’s nature, she probably wouldn’t be pleased with such a direct question from the Empress Dowager.
Qin Yan’s gaze also turned slightly cold, and she did not respond to the Empress Dowager’s words.
When Qin Yan first discovered she was pregnant in Yizhou, her appetite had not been good. Perhaps it was due to pregnancy, or perhaps it was simply because she had not yet adapted to and accepted her new identity and the responsibilities that came with it, the responsibilities of a mother.
However, after her time in Meishan and upon returning to the capital, Qin Yan’s appetite had been very good, and she had never experienced the morning sickness that her aunt Fang Su had been concerned about.
As for whether she craved sour or spicy foods…
Qin Yan usually ate light meals, but during her pregnancy, she occasionally craved something different. She’d try a bit of both sour and spicy foods, and neither seemed to make much of a difference to her.
Qin Yan was somewhat familiar with some of the folk customs, and it was only now that she understood why the Empress Dowager had been observing her abdomen earlier, it must have been related to these popular beliefs.
It was said that the shape of a pregnant woman’s belly could predict the baby’s gender. If the belly was sharp and pointed, it was thought to indicate a boy, while a rounder belly suggested a girl.
Qin Yan understood that everyone in the imperial family hoped she would give birth to a prince, but despite this, she still felt somewhat displeased by the Empress Dowager’s question.
The Empress Dowager noticed Qin Yan’s displeasure and began to explain, “I must admit, in my heart, I do hope that the Empress’s first child will be a prince.”
Qin Yan looked at the Empress Dowager, raising an eyebrow slightly.
The Empress Dowager was rather open about it, and this Qin Yan could somewhat appreciate it.
The Empress Dowager continued, “Empress, when His Majesty spoke to me in the past, he said that in this life, you are the only one. Yunchao can also testify to this.”
Princess Feng Yun Chao nodded heavily from the side, affirming that the Empress Dowager’s words were true.
The Empress Dowager spoke again, “His Majesty values you so highly, and it is very likely that he will not take any more concubines in this life.”
“If the Empress cannot give birth to a son at once, petitions urging His Majesty to expand the harem will fill the imperial desk. If His Majesty does not approve, those who object will turn their criticism toward you, and both His Majesty and the Empress will face immense pressure from the court.”
“The Empress Dowager has heard of many methods in the folk customs that are said to turn a girl into a boy, such as the ‘Yinnan Grass’. Perhaps the Empress could…”
Before she could finish, a voice from outside the pavilion interrupted her.
The palace attendants outside were announcing the Emperor’s arrival.
Feng Yunchao stood up and bowed to the Emperor, who was walking toward them with a serious expression.
“Your Majesty.”
Feng Zhan walked directly to Qin Yan’s side, then coldly looked at the Empress Dowager and said, “If the Empress Dowager feels too idle in the palace, then she should go to Dajue Temple to meditate.”
Both the Empress Dowager and Princess Feng Yunchao felt a jolt in their hearts.
Had His Majesty heard that?
They were right—Feng Zhan’s hearing was excellent, and since the Imperial Garden wasn’t too noisy at the moment, he had overheard the Empress Dowager’s unpleasant remarks from a distance.
Feng Zhan’s words left the Empress Dowager speechless.
Qin Yan had her own fief, as well as Yu Qingfeng, with various complicated affairs to manage. She wasn’t interested in managing the inner palace, so for these days, it had been the Empress Dowager handling the palace’s affairs.
Was the Empress Dowager now being told to leave just because of her words?
The Empress Dowager felt a twinge of bitterness in her heart. She didn’t want to be seen as a wicked mother-in-law, she had merely offered advice to make things easier for the Emperor and the Empress, considering the realities of the situation.
As a mother, all she wanted was for her son and daughter-in-law to live more comfortably.
Feng Zhan seemed to realize that his words had been a bit too harsh. He sighed lightly and then said, “Mother, you need not worry. Please do not bring up those words again.”
After saying that, Feng Zhan took Qin Yan’s hand, and the two of them left the pavilion, heading back to Ningshou Palace.
————
After the Emperor and Empress left, Princess Feng Yunchao, with some disapproval, asked the Empress Dowager, who had a rather grim expression, “Imperial Mother, you know that His Majesty and the Empress wouldn’t be pleased with your words. Why would you still speak in a way that you know is inappropriate?”
The Empress Dowager was silent for a moment, then sighed and slowly spoke, “I am someone who has lived through this. Since marrying into the imperial family, I’ve faced tremendous pressure.”
“When I was pregnant with His Majesty, the prime minister sent someone to deliver a booklet full of methods for ensuring a male child.”
“I remember that one early morning before I was three months pregnant, I followed the instructions in the booklet. I secretly wore the late Emperor’s robes and went alone to the well behind the Kunning Palace’s rear hall, where I circled the well three times. The booklet said that if one followed this method, they would have a male child.”
“And then, I gave birth to His Majesty.”
Princess Feng Yunchao’s heart tightened. One day, she too would marry, and even though she was a beloved princess, it seemed she would not be able to escape this unpleasant societal expectation.
“Actually, I don’t know whether the method in the booklet truly worked,” the Empress Dowager continued. “Yunchao, worrying about bearing sons and daughters, that is a fate no woman can escape.”
On the way back to the palace, Princess Feng Yunchao felt a bit melancholic.
According to common customs, if the legitimate wife failed to bear a son, she would be expected to arrange for her husband to take a concubine until a son was born.
If the legitimate wife didn’t do so, she would be labeled a jealous woman and might even be divorced.
At that moment, even though the prince consort might be afraid of the imperial authority and wouldn’t dare to treat her unfairly…
Princess Feng Yunchao suddenly thought of Marquis Xie!
Marquis Xie had secretly kept a woman outside, which had caused the death of her imperial aunt, Princess Anyang.
Could this really be the fate of women?
———-
Ningshou Palace.
After Qin Yan soaked her feet to relieve her fatigue, Feng Zhan gently lifted her and placed her on the soft couch by the southern window in the sleeping quarters.
Following the acupressure points that Ji Nanfeng had suggested, Feng Zhan concentrated as he carefully massaged Qin Yan’s feet and calves.
If anyone had seen this scene, they would have been greatly shocked.
The Emperor was actually lowering himself to massage the Empress’s feet.
But Qin Yan felt completely at ease, enjoying Feng Zhan’s service, and gradually started to feel sleepy.
With half-closed eyes, Qin Yan didn’t notice that the man in front of her had a darkened gaze, and his breathing was becoming heavier.
Feng Zhan sighed deeply. Even though he was holding a warm, soft body in his arms at this moment, he could only restrain himself, following the imperial physician’s advice to refrain from intimate relations.
Feng Zhan cleared his mind of inappropriate thoughts and continued massaging her delicate calves with both hands.
After a moment, Feng Zhan suddenly stopped his movements. He leaned in and pulled Qin Yan into his arms. The two of them, fully clothed, lay down on the couch and closed their eyes to rest.
————
In a dazed state, Qin Yan suddenly felt the man behind her growing hotter, and it seemed… his body was reacting.
All sleepiness vanished from Qin Yan. She slowly turned to face Feng Zhan, her eyes half-open as she asked, “Your Majesty, do you… want to… hmm…”
Before Qin Yan could finish her sentence, Feng Zhan sealed her words with a kiss.
After the kiss, Feng Zhan buried his face in Qin Yan’s neck, his breathing still heavy, though it seemed as though he was sulking.
Who could Feng Zhan be angry with? Was he upset with the baby in Qin Yan’s womb, his unborn child?
Qin Yan smiled faintly, reaching out to stroke the back of Feng Zhan’s head, as if to comfort him, but also with a hint of helplessness.
Suddenly, Qin Yan thought of something and whispered, “If I had known that it was you who saved me at Taiyi Pool back then…”
She stopped herself.
What difference would it have made if she had known earlier?
Perhaps she would never have betrothed herself to Xie Changyuan. But if it wasn’t Xie Changyuan, it wouldn’t have been Feng Zhan either, the Taizi Feng Zhan.
Qin Yan spoke again, but this time she raised a question, one that had been lingering in her mind ever since Xie Changyuan first told her the truth about the Taiyi Pool, “Xie Changyuan once said that after you saved me at Taiyi Pool, you went to find someone to summon the imperial physician…”
“As the Taizi, why was there no one by your side, and why did you have to go looking for someone yourself?”
“If it wasn’t for that, how could I have seen Xie Changyuan when I woke up?”
Feng Zhan sensed that there seemed to be a hint of resentment in Qin Yan’s tone. He remained buried in the soft, pale skin of her neck, but his mood became somewhat clouded. Feng Zhan let out a low laugh, then looked up at Qin Yan.
His tone was light, but his words were tinged with a hint of sorrow.
“I have been named Taizi since the day I was born.”
“Most of the palace attendants around me were sent by Empress Dowager Xiao. They were supposedly there to take care of me, but in reality, they were there to supervise me, or rather, to monitor me.”
“Empress Dowager Xiao is a strong-willed person with a great need for control. I am grateful for her strictness, but back then, I was just a child, and I had my share of mischief.”
“That time, I managed to shake off the attendants and went with Xie Changyuan to the Xiyuan to play polo. As we passed by Taiyi Pool, I happened to see you.”
Qin Yan couldn’t help but smile. Sneaking out to play?
This didn’t seem like something the Feng Zhan she knew would do.
Indeed, that was the only time he had ever been so rebellious. After that, once Qin Yan was betrothed to Xie Changyuan, Feng Zhan threw himself into his studies and training, gradually distancing himself from Xie Changyuan, and focused solely on power.
As for Xie Changyuan…
After Feng Zhan ascended the throne, he ordered a reorganization of the Northern and Southern Yamen Armies, sending Xie Changyuan away from the palace.
Feng Zhan would never allow a man who had once been Qin Yan’s betrothed to constantly appear before him and Qin Yan.
Indeed, power and influence were wonderful things…
———-
Qin Yan, leaning against Feng Zhan’s chest, seemed to be getting sleepy again.
However, Feng Zhan was thinking about what the Empress Dowager had said to Qin Yan earlier in the Imperial Garden. Feng Zhan gently pinched Qin Yan’s cheek and softly said, “Yan Yan, we only need this one child, alright?”
Qin Yan shifted in Feng Zhan’s embrace, lazily speaking without opening her eyes, “What if it’s a daughter?”
Feng Zhan paused for a moment, then replied, “Then we will make the princess the crown prince.”
Qin Yan slowly opened her eyes and looked at Feng Zhan, seeming somewhat skeptical of his words, “Oh?”
Qin Yan didn’t want her daughter to have too difficult a life. Having gone through so much herself, she didn’t want her daughter to endure the same.
Qin Yan suddenly thought of some unpleasant things she had heard before, “Does Your Majesty know of a certain unfortunate custom among the common folk?”
“If it’s a poor family, if a son is born, they are congratulated and if a daughter is born, she is killed. I don’t know how many baby girls have tragically died at the hands of their own parents.”
“Fortunately, I was born into a wealthy family. If I hadn’t been…”
Feng Zhan pulled Qin Yan into his embrace, holding her hand tightly, and spoke in a deep voice, “Yan Yan, now that we stand at the pinnacle of power, if there’s something you want to do or a situation you want to change, then go ahead and do it.”
After a moment, Qin Yan gently squeezed Feng Zhan’s hand and slowly closed her eyes.
“Alright.”