The Emperor Has An Illness

The next day before dawn, Fu Sheng’s voice sounded. Emperor Jing Li opened his eyes and saw Liao Qing Qing sleeping beside him. He extended his hand to touch Liao Qing Qing’s face. With a faint smile, he quietly sat upright.

He said to Fu Sheng, who was outside the door, “Come in.”

He Xiang and Fu Sheng entered together.

Emperor Jing Li said, “Keep your voice down.”

He Xiang and Fu Sheng knew that the Emperor was looking at Lady Liao of Bright Countenance.

The two did not dare to let out a breath and dressed Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li turned his head to He Xiang and said, “There is no need to ask your mistress to go to Linhua Palace to pay her respects today.”

“Yes.”

Emperor Jing Li left Lisheng Pavilion and went directly to the imperial court. One and a half shichen (three hours) later, just after he returned to Zhengqian Palace, he sent someone to summon Imperial Physician Fan.

This time, he asked directly, “When exactly can I copulate?”

Imperial Physician Fan was taken aback.

“I am asking you!” Emperor Jing Li said unhappily.

“This… This… This subject will first read your pulse.”

“Hurry up,” Emperor Jing Li said with a frown.

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“Yes.”

Imperial Physician Fan read Emperor Jing Li’s pulse with trepidation. He asked about related matters and carefully said as he looked at Emperor Jing Li’s impatient gaze, “To be on the safe side, Your Majesty needs to wait for another month.”

“A month?”

“Yes.”

“Is it counting by a month of twenty-eight days? A month of twenty-nine days? A month of thirty days? Or by a thirty-one day month?”

“… It’s according… according to the thirty-one days.”

“From today onwards?”

“From tomorrow.”

“After thirty-one days, I will not harm Lady Xi of Bright Countenance’s body?”

“….” So His Majesty is in such a hurry to copulate with Lady Xi of Bright Countenance? This… This… Imperial Physician Fan secretly wiped his sweat and answered, “Replying to Your Majesty, Your Majesty’s body has healed so far. For the sake of Your Majesty and Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, this subject only deliberately postponed a month. Your Majesty should be gentler so that it will not hurt Lady Xi of Bright Countenance’s body.”

“Mm.” Emperor Jing Li nodded happily, “Oh, right.”

“Your Majesty, please speak.” Imperial Physician Fan bowed and said.

“What about giving birth to a child? Can I have a baby?”

“??? Your Majesty cannot have a baby.”[1]

Emperor Jing Li’s face turned dark. “Why?”

Imperial Physician Fan answered truthfully, “Your Majesty, bearing children is a matter for Lady Xi of Bright Countenance.”

“….” Emperor Jing Li said through gritted teeth, “If I hadn’t seen that you, Imperial Physician Fan, has saved my life, Iwould have dragged you out and given you a beating.”

“Your Majesty, spare my life.” Imperial Physician Fan knelt down.

“Alright. Get up. You can leave.”

“Yes.”

Imperial Physician Fan wiped his sweat on his forehead and left.

Emperor Jing Li got up with a refreshed expression. He walked to the table, picked up a brush, and solemnly wrote the words “thirty-one days” on the Xuan paper.[2]

Then, he laughed out loud after staring at it for a long time.

Fu Sheng beside him was startled and did not dare to make a sound.

After a long time, Emperor Jing Li sat down and began to review the memorials. He researched various issues mentioned by the imperial subjects. At noon, he naturally went to Lisheng Pavilion.

When he arrived at the door of Lisheng Pavilion, he stopped at his feet.

Fu Sheng, who was following quickly behind him, almost bumped into Emperor Jing Li. He frighteningly patted his chest and secretly lifted his eyes to look at Emperor Jing Li. At this moment, Emperor Jing Li recalled the moment when he and Liao Qing Qing kissed. He had been through many experiences, but expressing love with endearment is foreign to him.

His heart tingled, and he felt a little bashful.

He took a deep breath and stepped into Lisheng Pavilion.

Liao Qing Qing was plucking flowers in Lisheng Pavilion. When she turned her head, she saw Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li touched his nose and turned his face to the side.

Liao Qing Qing did not understand what was going on. Instantly, she recalled the two of them in bed last night having a passionate kiss. It was clear that she had watched movies and television series and read web novels on a larger scale, but her face heated up.

It was hotter than when the kiss ended last night.

But she still had to pay her respects to Emperor Jing Li. “This imperial concubine greets Your Majesty.”

“You may rise.” Emperor Jing Li walked up somewhat awkwardly and held Liao Qing Qing’s hand.

“Yes.”

“Is the meal served?”

“Not yet.”

“Serve the meal then.”

“Mm.”

“What are the dishes for lunch?”

“Braised duck and tofu with green onions.”

“Is there lamb?”

“Yes.”

Both of them chatted casually to ease the shyness between them. Once they arrived at the dining table, they ate their lunch in silence. Not long after the meal, they took an afternoon nap together. Emperor Jing Li hugged and kissed Liao Qing Qing again as soon as they lay down.

Liao Qing Qing, “???” Is he addicted?

“Qing Qing.” Emperor Jing Li let go of Liao Qing Qing. He placed his forehead against Liao Qing Qing’s forehead and said, “Imperial Physician Fan said after thirty-one days, my body is recovered.”

“Really?”

“Really. When the time comes, I will be able to have sexual intercourse.”

“….” Why is the topic suddenly about sexual intercourse?

Emperor Jing Li asked again, “Beloved Concubine, are you happy?”

“???” What kind of comical question is this?

“I am very happy.”

“….”

Emperor Jing Li happily kissed Liao Qing Qing again.

Liao Qing Qing fell into a nap groggily. After waking up, Emperor Jing Li had left, and she looked at the bed curtain on the bed.

Some men had pursued her in her previous life, but she did not like them. Even some boys wanted to hold her hand, and she immediately revolted. However, she actually did not feel repulsed by Emperor Jing Li and even felt a little happy… This is really so embarrassing. She hugged Emperor Jing Li’s pillow and lay on the bed with her feet in mid-air kicking about.

She laughed happily.

She quickly went to her usual state when she heard He Xiang’s footsteps sounding outside the door.

She put on her clothes and proceeded to begin working on potatoes.

In the following days, Emperor Jing Li would kiss her from time to time and kiss her for a long time. He was like a big dog. Her relationship with Emperor Jing Li was, inexplicably, much more intimate.

She was also quite happy and what made her even happier was that she did not have to pay respect to Noble Consort Liang recently. She knew that this matter was related to Second Master Liao, but the rest of the imperial harem wasn’t aware. They all thought that Noble Consort Liang did something wrong.

Neither Noble Consort Liang nor Worthy Consort came out recently.

The imperial harem was much peaceful all of a sudden.

Liao Qing Qing did not know how Noble Consort Liang and the other Liang family members would handle the matter of Second Old Master Liao. In order to avoid suspicion, she also did not write to Liao manor. She believed in Emperor Jing Li and Empress Dowager, so she did her own things and waited silently.

When she noticed that the weather was fine, she thought she had not met the Empress Dowager for the past two days, so she brought some snacks and arrived at Shouxi Palace.

Liao Qing Qing paid her respects, “This imperial concubine greets the Empress Dowager.”

“Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, what brings you here?” The Empress Dowager was as distant and cold as usual.

Liao Qing Qing also showed her usual sincere smile and said, “Empress Dowager, look how nice the weather is today. This imperial concubine came over to accompany you for a walk. To bask in the sun and chat.”

Upon hearing that, Empress Dowager glanced at Chang Momo.

Chang Momo’s eyebrows curved. She thought to herself that Lady Xi of Bright Countenance was so likeable. There were so many imperial concubines in the harem, but none of them was as transparent and sincere as Lady Xi of Bright Countenance. She liked her from the bottom of her heart. She said in agreement, “Yeah. Empress Dowager, the weather is fine presently. Why don’t we go on a stroll?”

Empress Dowager nodded in response.

Then, Liao Qing Qing accompanied the Empress Dowager out of Linhua Palace.

Liao Qing Qing really treated the Empress Dowager as an elder and mother. After knowing that the Empress Dowager liked flowers and plants, she ruthlessly studied some knowledge of flowers and plants, and she knew all the flowers and plants in the places they visited and told the Empress Dowager one by one.

“Empress Dowager, look, what kind of grass is this?” Liao Qing Qing asked, pointing to the small grass on the ground.

The Empress Dowager took a look and said, “Isn’t this just a weed?”

“It’s not wrong to say it’s a weed, but it has a name.”

“What is it called?” Empress Dowager asked curiously.

“Ophiopogon. It is very strong. It loves the shade and humidity. It remains green in all seasons, and it is excellent Chinese medicine.” Liao Qing Qing spoke eloquently.

“It is a good Chinese medicine?” The Empress Dowager began to be interested in it.

“Yeah. It nourishes the stomach and produces body fluid for yin deficiency and straining cough. It also slows down ageing.”

“Is that so?” Empress Dowager surveyed the tender green grass on the ground.

“Mm.”

Liao Qing Qing spoke patiently while the Empress Dowager listened attentively.

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Next to them, Chang Momo was delighted and amazed at how lovely this Lady Xi of Bright Countenance was, and she liked her even more.

They listened so attentively that they didn’t notice Emperor Jing Li approaching them. When Emperor Jing Li saw Liao Qing Qing speaking so well, his eyes were filled with pride. It was until Liao Qing Qing turned her head to look over and shouted in surprise, “Your Majesty?!”

Emperor Jing Li returned to his senses and bowed to the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager asked, “What brings the Emperor here?”

Emperor Jing Li glanced at Liao Qing Qing and then turned back to Empress Dowager and replied with a smile, “I came over to tell both of you some good news.”

“What is the good news?” The Empress Dowager asked.

[1] This sentence has multiple meanings. It can be translated to “Can I bear children?” or “can I give birth to a child”. Emperor Jing Li is asking whether he can father a child. For now, I translated it as “Can I have a baby?” because I think that’s what Emperor Jing Li wanted to express.

[2] 宣纸(xuānzhǐ)- Xuan paper is a kind of paper originating in ancient China used for writing and painting. Xuan paper is renowned for being soft and fine textured, suitable for conveying the artistic expression of both Chinese calligraphy and painting. Credit: Wikipedia