The next day, Xia Ruqing slept until the sun was high in the sky before waking.
There was already no one by her side.
She slowly sat up, looked around, and then rubbed her eyes.
This is Zhaochen Palace, no doubt! If it weren’t, I would really think last night was all a dream.
She had been too excited last night; only now did she fully realize that everything was real.
So, it turns out, everything was real!
For some reason, Xia Ruqing suddenly felt like crying—the kind of emotional tears shed after long-suffered bitterness finally gives way to sweetness.
Just then, the sound of footsteps came from outside.
Xia Ruqing hurriedly jumped out of bed, ran to the window, and opened it.
Zhao Junyao entered from outside. Seeing her standing there, he frowned.
"Aren’t you afraid of the cold?"
Xia Ruqing haphazardly wiped her face, then turned around, her eyes still red.
"I’m not afraid!" she said stubbornly.
Zhao Junyao chuckled lightly. "Your nose is all red from the cold, and you still say you’re not afraid?"
He had already reached her side as he spoke.
"Why are you crying for no good reason?" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝙣𝙚𝙩
Xia Ruqing looked down, fresh tears falling as she sniffed desperately.
"I... I’m just so happy!"
Zhao Junyao was relieved. "Happy?"
Xia Ruqing nodded earnestly.
Zhao Junyao said nothing more. An unfamiliar tenderness stirred in his usually stoic heart.
Palace maids entered in an orderly file, preparing everything for her to wash and change.
Xia Ruqing accompanied the Emperor for the meal.
The food was much as usual—simple and light.
Xia Ruqing was extremely hungry and, grasping a small spoon, intended to start with some porridge.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. Within moments, the pain spread, engulfing her entire body.
Her complexion gradually changed from flushed to a deathly pale. Despite it being the dead of winter, a fine sheen of sweat had already broken out on her forehead.
Before she could finish, Zhao Junyao had already sensed something was wrong.
"Qingqing... what’s wrong?"
He was terribly startled, dropped his bowl and chopsticks, and swept her into his arms, carrying her towards the bedchamber while shouting, "Someone, summon the Imperial Physician!"
Xia Ruqing opened her mouth, wanting to say it wasn’t necessary. But the pain was so intense she couldn’t force out a single word.
Zhao Junyao placed her on the Dragon Bed, incessantly comforting her.
"Don’t be afraid, Qingqing, the Imperial Physician will arrive soon!"
Xia Ruqing’s face was ashen. "No... don’t!"
I’m all too familiar with this pain—it’s definitely my Period. The ancients were superstitious, believing a woman’s Period brought ill fortune to men. If I stain his bed, I’ll be punished, won’t I?!
Xia Ruqing kept writhing, trying to get up.
Zhao Junyao, oblivious to her reasons, held her down firmly.
"Don’t move, Qingqing!"
No sooner had he spoken, the Imperial Physician arrived. It was no exaggeration; a summons for an Imperial Physician from Zhaochen Palace meant they would arrive with incredible speed.
"Zhang Baiji, quickly!" Zhao Junyao’s brows were furrowed.
Xia Ruqing dared not move any longer and closed her eyes, resigning herself to fate.
Isn’t it normal for a woman to feel pain during her Period? I’d read online in modern times that some people even compared it to having an excavator digging in one’s stomach during menstruation. See? Everyone experiences pain, so it’s not just me. No wonder they say being a woman isn’t easy.
Xia Ruqing was lost in her thoughts and didn’t notice Imperial Doctor Zhang’s expression growing increasingly grave.
Zhao Junyao did. His eyes grew colder by the second.
Could it be that someone in the Harem has plotted against Qingqing? If there really is someone...
Zhao Junyao’s eyes narrowed.
It seems the lesson given to the Noble Consort last time wasn’t enough!
Zhao Junyao reflexively blamed the Empress.
She’s the Empress, after all! If any sordid affairs occur in the palace, it’s her fault!
After a good while, Imperial Doctor Zhang finally finished taking her pulse.
"What’s wrong with Lady Xia?"
The Emperor and the physician spoke almost simultaneously.
Imperial Doctor Zhang paused, then continued, "Your Majesty, Xia Jieyu... has started her Period."
Zhao Junyao was stunned for a moment, then... his expression became indescribably awkward.
Xia Ruqing’s face, however, instantly flushed scarlet. She unconsciously buried her face in the quilt.
Imperial Doctor Zhang put the small pulse pillow back into his medical kit.
Xia Ruqing thought he was about to leave. To her surprise, he then took out a set of silver needles. Each needle, over an inch long, glinted with a cold, silvery light.
"Ah? Imperial Doctor Zhang, what are you going to do?" Xia Ruqing asked, alarmed.
Zhao Junyao was also puzzled.
"Xia Jieyu, do you always experience such severe pain every time you get your Period?" Imperial Doctor Zhang asked.
Xia Ruqing was a bit embarrassed but nodded frankly. "Yes!"
Imperial Doctor Zhang nodded. "That explains it. As the saying goes, ’Flow ensures no pain; pain indicates blockage.’ You have a ’cold uterus’ constitution. It’s not usually easy to detect, but the signs are most obvious during your Period."
Xia Ruqing was taken aback. "A ’cold uterus’? Is that an illness? Can it be cured? Do other women also experience this much pain?"
Imperial Doctor Zhang smiled faintly. "Rest assured, it can be cured. A healthy woman does not experience such pain during her Period. Allow this humble servant to first perform acupuncture to clear your blocked meridians. The pain will lessen shortly."
Xia Ruqing sighed inwardly. No wonder.
She asked again, "Is this the reason I haven’t had children for so long?"
Imperial Doctor Zhang thought for a moment, then nodded. "It is difficult for women with a ’cold uterus’ constitution to conceive. However, rest assured, Xia Jieyu, your body is still quite healthy. A period of conditioning should set things right."
Xia Ruqing was somewhat stunned; it felt somewhat surreal.
So this was the reason I haven’t had children all this time. Is Heaven looking out for me? I didn’t want children before, and indeed, I didn’t have any. Now that I do, Heaven has given me this chance to restore my health. Is this... truly... a coincidence?
Watching Imperial Doctor Zhang skillfully take out the silver needles and sterilize them over a candle flame, Xia Ruqing closed her eyes in fear.
Before a needle could touch her, a large, warm hand enveloped her small one.
"Don’t be afraid!" Zhao Junyao’s voice was gentle, laced with a trace of excitement.
Once she’s cured, then perhaps... Qingqing and I can have a child?
Imperial Doctor Zhang truly lived up to his reputation as the Head of the Imperial Medical Bureau. The acupuncture had only just begun, yet Xia Ruqing already felt the pain subsiding.
She lay there, feeling the chill in her lower abdomen gradually give way to warmth, as if every tiny blood vessel had relaxed and opened. A sensation of complete, unimpeded flow spread through her entire body.
Eventually, she even fell asleep.
Zhao Junyao couldn’t bear to wake her.
Imperial Doctor Zhang had written the prescription and was about to explain its use when Zhao Junyao commanded, "From now on, you will be responsible for Xia Jieyu’s medical care!"
The implication was clear: Imperial Doctor Zhang himself was to oversee her treatment.
Imperial Doctor Zhang hurriedly agreed.
Refuse? How could I dare? By now, everyone in the Harem knew that Xia Jieyu was the Emperor’s cherished favorite.
Zhao Junyao nodded in satisfaction. "Give the prescription to Li Shengan. You may leave."
Leaving Zhaochen Palace, Imperial Doctor Zhang glanced back.
This is the first time I’ve been summoned to Zhaochen Palace to treat a woman! Xia Jieyu is truly... blessed!