The Legend of Concubine Su

Chapter 155 Caiyue is pregnant

Within these deep palace walls, Caiyue was but a lowly concubine, a tiny grain of sand in the ocean. Though she had been in the palace for some time, and had been respectful and cautious every day, she had never received much favor or attention from the emperor, like an old object forgotten in a corner, covered in the dust of time.

That morning, sunlight filtered through the thin window paper, dappling the room. Caiyue felt incredibly tired, as if weighed down by a heavy burden. Her stomach churned, and waves of nausea washed over her. She forced herself to summon the imperial physician. After a thorough examination, the physician announced her pregnancy. This sudden news was like a bolt from the blue, leaving Caiyue both delighted and terrified. She was delighted to finally have a child of her own; yet she was terrified that within the harem, favors were fickle and hearts were unpredictable. She knew her position was low, and if she rashly announced her pregnancy, it would be like a stone dropped into a lake, stirring up endless calamity. The favored concubines, each a thorn in their side, would surely plot to kill her, ensuring her child's unbirth.

Caiyue decided to keep this secret hidden for now, guarding it like a precious seed, waiting for the right moment to report it to the emperor. She began to act with increasing caution within the palace, treading carefully with every step, striving to remain inconspicuous. She also avoided any unusual spending, fearing suspicion and bringing disaster upon herself and her child.

Yet, the palace was rife with spies, like an invisible net, enveloping her. News of Caiyue's pregnancy spread like wildfire, like a spring breeze across a lake, sending ripples through the air. The first to receive the news was Concubine Hui. Upon hearing the news, her eyebrows arched, her eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief and anger. "How dare a mere concubine conceive a dragon child?" Concubine Hui grumbled, her tone thick with jealousy and resentment. She saw Caiyue's pregnancy as a threat to her position and a challenge to her power.

Concubine Hui immediately summoned her trusted maids and eunuchs to plot their response to Caiyue. Her face was gloomy, like the sky before a storm. "Keep a close eye on that concubine. Report any signs of trouble to me," Concubine Hui ordered grimly, her eyes gleaming with ruthlessness and determination.

Caiyue's life was getting harder and harder. Some of the maids and eunuchs around her were bribed by Concubine Hui, pretending to obey her but secretly reporting her every move to her; others, fearing Concubine Hui's power, kept their distance from her for fear of being implicated. Even the servants in the Imperial Household Department began to deduct her allowance, and the food they sent to her was often leftovers and hard to swallow. But Caiyue endured all this silently for the sake of the child in her belly. She often sat alone in front of the window in the dead of night, gently stroking her undeveloped belly, with a maternal light in her eyes, and whispered, "My child, for you, your mother can endure any hardship."

One day, Caiyue was strolling through the Imperial Gardens, hoping to catch some fresh air and unwind. Unexpectedly, she ran into Concubine Hui, who glared at her with a mocking gaze, as if she were an ant. "Oh, isn't this Caiyue's promise? Why do you look so haggard? Perhaps you have some incurable disease?" Concubine Hui's words cut like a sharp blade, piercing Caiyue's heart.

Caiyue hurriedly bowed and said with her head down, "Good luck to Her Majesty Huifei. I've just been feeling a little unwell recently." There was a slight tremor in her voice, but she tried her best to remain calm.

Concubine Hui sneered: "Not feeling well? I think you have some thoughts that you shouldn't have!" Her tone was full of threats and provocations.

Caiyue was shocked, as if she was poured with cold water, but she still pretended to be calm and said, "Your Majesty, you are joking. I dare not." She forced a bitter smile on her face, but that smile hid endless bitterness and helplessness.

Concubine Hui glared at her fiercely, as coldly and ruthlessly as if she was looking at a dead person, then she turned away, leaving a gust of cold wind blowing across Caiyue's face.

Caiyue returned to her bedroom with a lingering fear, as if she had just walked through the gates of hell. She knew that Concubine Hui would not let it go, and she had to be more careful to survive in this harem.

As time went by, Caiyue's belly gradually swelled, like a fruit about to ripen, and she could no longer hide it. She was anxious and frantic, like an ant on the hot pot. She knew she couldn't wait any longer and had to see the emperor as soon as possible to tell him about the matter, so that she and her child could have a chance of survival.

On this day, Caiyue finally got her chance. The emperor was in the imperial study, handling government affairs. Recklessly, she rushed in and knelt before him, like a drowning man grasping at a straw. The emperor was startled by her sudden intrusion and was about to explode in anger when he saw Caiyue's tears streaming down her face, like beads from a broken string.

"Your Majesty, I have something important to report." Caiyue burst into tears, her voice filled with endless pleading and expectation.

The emperor frowned and said, "Why are you so flustered?" There was a hint of majesty and confusion in his tone.

Caiyue mustered up the courage to say, "Your Majesty, I am pregnant." Although her voice was small, it exploded in the emperor's ears like thunder.

The emperor was stunned at first, then a look of surprise appeared on his face: "Really?" His eyes flashed with excitement, as if he saw a new hope.

Caiyue nodded repeatedly: "I dare not deceive the emperor." A smile finally appeared on her face, and that smile was full of happiness and satisfaction.

The Emperor immediately ordered the Imperial Physician to examine Caiyue and instructed her to be well taken care of. After the Imperial Physician's examination, he confirmed that Caiyue was indeed pregnant. The Emperor was overjoyed and rewarded Caiyue with many precious items and supplements.

The news spread quickly throughout the harem, like a spring breeze sweeping across the earth. Upon hearing this, Concubine Hui was so enraged that she smashed her teacup to pieces, the shards as shattered as her heart. "That bitch, she actually got away with it!" Concubine Hui gritted her teeth, her tone filled with resentment and anger.

But with the emperor's protection, Caiyue's life finally became somewhat easier. She no longer had to endure the scorn and harassment of the palace maids and eunuchs, nor did she have to worry about the Imperial Household Department withholding her allowance. However, she knew the harem's struggles were far from over. This was just the tip of the iceberg, and a greater storm lay ahead. She must remain vigilant to protect herself and her child, and to establish herself in the harem.

During her pregnancy, Caiyue endured numerous hardships and challenges, but she remained resilient. Like a phoenix, she emerged from the flames, reborn stronger and braver. She believed that as long as she held love and hope in her heart, she would overcome all difficulties and embrace her own bright future.