jdhmnovel Chapter 196 The First Signs of Pregnancy: Ripples of Surprise in the Palace
Chapter 196 The First Signs of Pregnancy: Ripples of Surprise in the Palace
At dawn, the first rays of sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices of the Nanzhao Kingdom's palace, casting a soft golden glow upon Gu Liuli's bedchamber. Gu Liuli slowly awoke, feeling a drowsy headache, as if shrouded in a mist, her eyelids unusually heavy. She rubbed her temples, trying to dispel the nagging weariness, but found herself even more languid and weak than usual.
"Someone come here," she called softly, her voice hoarse from the early morning.
Upon hearing the sound, the palace maid Xiao Tao tiptoed into the bedchamber and curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty, you're awake."
"Hmm, help me with my makeup." Gu Liuli slowly stood up, but the moment she sat up, a strong feeling of nausea surged over her like a tidal wave. She hurriedly covered her mouth, her face turning deathly pale.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Tao was shocked and hurriedly stepped forward to support Gu Liuli: "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Fortunately, the nausea came and went quickly. Gu Liuli calmed herself down and waved her hand weakly, "It's nothing, I probably just didn't sleep well last night." But a sense of unease crept into her heart. This inexplicable discomfort was not the first time it had occurred.
After washing up, Gu Liuli sat in front of the bronze mirror, and Xiao Tao began to comb her hair. Looking at her slightly haggard face in the mirror, Gu Liuli couldn't help but frown slightly. At this moment, Jia Xiaoyan arrived with Jiang Youan to visit.
"Liuli, what's wrong with you today?" Jia Xiaoyan noticed Gu Liuli's unusual behavior as soon as she entered the room and asked with concern.
Gu Liuli forced a smile: "I don't know either. I've been feeling sleepy and nauseous these past few days."
Jia Xiaoyan's heart skipped a beat. She subconsciously looked at Gu Liuli's stomach, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "Liuli, you wouldn't be... pregnant, would you?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Liuli was startled, and a blush immediately appeared on her face: "Don't talk nonsense, there's no such coincidence." Despite her words, a sense of anticipation welled up in her heart.
Jiang Youan blinked his big eyes and asked curiously, "Aunt Jia, what does it mean to be pregnant?"
Jia Xiaoyan smiled and patted his head: "If you're pregnant, it means you might have a little brother or sister."
Jiang Youan's eyes lit up: "Really? That's great! If Aunt Gu also has a little brother or sister, we'll have another playmate to play with!"
As they were talking, Xiao Jingchuan finished his morning court duties and entered the palace. Seeing that Gu Liuli looked unwell, he quickly went to her side: "Liuli, are you feeling unwell?"
Gu Liuli shook her head, then nodded, her eyes full of confusion: "Your Majesty, I... I don't know what happened either."
Jia Xiaoyan said from the side, "Your Majesty, I think Liuli's symptoms suggest she may be pregnant. Should we summon an imperial physician to take a look?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Jingchuan's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "Alright, summon the imperial physician immediately."
A moment later, the imperial physician rushed over. He respectfully took Gu Liuli's pulse, his fingers gently resting on her wrist, his expression focused. The atmosphere in the room instantly became tense; everyone held their breath, awaiting the physician's diagnosis.
After a moment, the imperial physician withdrew his hand, a slight smile on his face, and bowed, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty. Your Majesty's pulse does indeed indicate pregnancy. However, it is still early, and we need to observe for a few more days before we can be certain."
Xiao Jingchuan's face lit up with barely suppressed joy as he gripped Gu Liuli's hand tightly: "Liuli, we're going to have a baby!"
Tears welled up in Gu Liuli's eyes, a mixture of surprise and worry: "Your Majesty, is it true? I... I can hardly believe it."
Jiang Youan jumped up excitedly: "Great! Aunt Gu has a little brother or sister! I'm going to have a new friend!"
Jia Xiaoyan also said with a smile, "Liuli, this is a wonderful thing. It seems that our child will have another companion in the future."
However, Gu Liuli still had a lingering doubt: "Imperial Physician, are you sure? There can't be a mistake, can there?"
The imperial physician quickly said, "Your Majesty, the pulse does indeed indicate pregnancy, but since it is still early, further observation is needed to confirm. Your Majesty only needs to rest and recuperate, and keep a cheerful mood."
The group then asked the imperial physician some questions about precautions during pregnancy, and the physician patiently answered them one by one before leaving.
After the imperial physician left, Xiao Jingchuan showed great concern for Gu Liuli: "Liuli, from today onwards, you can focus on your pregnancy and don't worry about anything. I will have the imperial kitchen prepare all kinds of nourishing meals. Just tell me what you want to eat."
Gu Liuli nodded gently, a happy smile on her face: "With Your Majesty here, I feel at ease."
Jia Xiaoyan also said, "Liuli, when I was pregnant, I collected a lot of tips for pregnancy care. I'll tell you about them later."
Jiang Youan ran to Gu Liuli's side and carefully looked at her belly: "Aunt Gu, when will the little brother or sister come out? I really want to play with him/her soon."
Gu Liuli smiled and patted his head: "It's still early, You'an, you have to wait patiently."
The news quickly spread throughout the palace, and Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao rushed over upon hearing it.
"Mother, is it true? Are you really going to have a little brother or sister?" Xiao Nanyi asked excitedly.
Little Nanyao held Gu Liuli's hand and said happily, "Mommy, that's great! I can teach little brothers and sisters to sing and dance from now on!"
Looking at the children's innocent smiles, Gu Liuli felt a surge of warmth in her heart: "Yes, you now have another younger brother or sister. Please take good care of him/her."
Little Nan Yi patted his chest and said, "Mommy, don't worry, I will definitely protect my little brother or sister!"
In the days that followed, the entire palace was bustling with activity because of the potential arrival of a new life. The imperial kitchen prepared a variety of nutritious meals for Gu Liuli every day, and fresh fruits and nourishing soups were continuously delivered to her palace.
Whenever he had free time, Xiao Jingchuan would stay by Gu Liuli's side, taking her for walks in the garden, telling her interesting stories from the court, and making her happy.
"Liuli, today in court, the ministers all offered their blessings upon hearing that you might be pregnant," Xiao Jingchuan said to Gu Liuli with a smile.
Gu Liuli nodded slightly, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty and all the ministers."
Jia Xiaoyan also often came to keep Gu Liuli company and shared her pregnancy experience with her: "Liuli, you must keep a happy mood during pregnancy, it's good for the baby. When I was pregnant, Liushen often told me jokes and made me laugh out loud."
Gu Liuli nodded with a smile: "I understand. With you and Xiaoyan here, I feel much more at ease."
As the days went by, Gu Liuli's physical reactions became increasingly apparent. Her appetite became inconsistent, sometimes good and sometimes bad, and she would gag at the slightest smell of cooking oil. But her face always radiated a happy smile, because she knew that she was nurturing a new life, a little life full of hope.
Finally, after a second examination by the imperial physician, it was confirmed that Gu Liuli was indeed pregnant. This news, like the warm spring sun, warmed the entire palace, and everyone offered their sincerest blessings. A joyful atmosphere permeated the palace, as if everyone was anticipating the arrival of this new life.
After confirming her pregnancy, Gu Liuli became the focus of attention throughout the palace. Xiao Jingchuan stayed by her side every moment after court, accompanying her for walks in the Imperial Garden. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating dappled patterns on them. Gu Liuli gently stroked her slightly protruding belly, a happy smile on her face, while Xiao Jingchuan watched her belly with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, as if he could see the little life inside through her skin.
"Your Majesty, do you think this child will be a boy or a girl?" Gu Liuli asked softly, her eyes full of tenderness.
Xiao Jingchuan smiled and held her hand: "Boy or girl, it's all good. As long as you and the baby are safe and healthy, that's my greatest wish."
Meanwhile, Jia Xiaoyan often visited Gu Liuli, and the two shared their experiences during pregnancy and exchanged tips. Jiang Youan came every day; he would lie on Gu Liuli's belly and talk to his unborn brother or sister in his childish voice.
"Little brother and little sister, come out quickly! I have lots of fun toys I want to play with you!" Jiang Youan's voice was clear and cheerful, filling Gu Liuli's heart with warmth.
As Gu Liuli's pregnancy progressed, the palace was busily preparing for the arrival of the new life. Officials from the Imperial Household Department searched far and wide for the finest silks to make swaddling clothes and garments for the baby; the chefs of the Imperial Kitchen meticulously researched various nourishing recipes to ensure that Gu Liuli received sufficient nutrition.
Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao were also busy making gifts for their soon-to-be-born younger brother or sister. Xiao Nanyi carved a small rattle drum out of wood. Although his skills were still a bit immature, every cut was filled with his anticipation for his younger brother or sister. Xiao Nanyao embroidered a lovely sachet with colorful thread, on which she depicted the image of her imagined younger brother or sister.
However, the pregnancy was not without its challenges. One day, Gu Liuli suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, which terrified the palace maids, who rushed to inform Xiao Jingchuan and the imperial physician. Upon hearing the news, Xiao Jingchuan's expression changed drastically, and he ran all the way to the palace.
"Liuli, how are you?" Xiao Jingchuan held Gu Liuli's hand tightly, his eyes filled with worry.
Gu Liuli forced a smile despite the pain: "Your Majesty, I...I'm fine. The child is probably just being naughty."
The imperial physician arrived quickly and, after examining Gu Liuli carefully, breathed a sigh of relief: "Your Majesty, the Empress is just a little tired and is fine. She only needs to rest in bed for a few days to recover."
Xiao Jingchuan was finally relieved. He personally stayed by Gu Liuli's bedside, feeding her medicine, wiping her sweat, and taking meticulous care of her. Under Xiao Jingchuan's attentive care, Gu Liuli's health gradually recovered.
Days passed, and finally, Gu Liuli's due date arrived. The entire palace was shrouded in an atmosphere of tension and anticipation. Xiao Jingchuan paced anxiously outside the delivery room, his forehead beaded with sweat, his hands clenched tightly together, repeatedly murmuring, "Liuli, you must be safe, baby, you must be safe..."
Inside the delivery room, Gu Liuli endured excruciating pain, but gritted her teeth and persevered. Jia Xiaoyan held her hand tightly beside her, encouraging her: "Liuli, you can do it. Just hang in there a little longer, it'll be over soon."
After a long wait, a loud cry broke the silence of the delivery room. Immediately afterward, another cry rang out.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! It's twins!" The midwife came out carrying two swaddled babies, her face beaming with joy.
Xiao Jingchuan's eyes reddened with excitement. He strode into the delivery room, looked at Gu Liuli who was weak but had a happy face, and held her hand tightly: "Liuli, you've worked so hard. We have a son and a daughter!"
Gu Liuli smiled wearily: "Your Majesty, I'm not tired at all. It's all worth it."
The news quickly spread throughout the palace. Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao excitedly ran to their bedroom and looked at the two wrinkled but incredibly cute little lives in their swaddling clothes with curiosity and affection in their eyes.
"Mother, my little brother and sister are so small!" Xiao Nanyao said softly, afraid of waking the sleeping babies.
Xiao Nanyi chimed in, "Yes, from now on I'm the eldest brother, and I'll protect my younger brothers and sisters."
Jiang Youan also ran over, looked at the two babies, and said happily, "I have a younger brother and sister now! We can play lots of fun games together!"
The palace was brightly decorated and filled with festive cheer. Xiao Jingchuan hosted a grand banquet for his officials to celebrate this joyous occasion. The officials presented their gifts and blessings, and the entire palace was immersed in a sea of happiness.