A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 698: Pregnant

Alright, what was there to worry about?

Xia Ruqing had sent several people and only returned after seeing Ni Manxue off to the palace gate.

After being busy for most of the day, she too felt tired. She washed up, changed her clothes, and went to sleep.

「Let’s leave this part aside for now.」

「Outside the palace.」 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Xia Tingfeng was indeed waiting outside with his carriage.

Although he had two days off, he dared not let down his guard. After all, he was responsible for the Emperor’s safety and could not afford the slightest negligence.

His visit to the palace today was firstly to inspect the barracks, and secondly, to escort his wife to the palace.

Seeing her emerge, Xia Tingfeng hurriedly alighted and personally helped her onto the carriage.

The Hou Mansion was not close to the palace, a good half Shi Chen’s ride away.

By the time the carriage returned to the mansion, the sky had already darkened.

Xia Tingfeng saw her to the second gate and then went to his study.

Ni Manxue returned to the main courtyard.

As soon as she stepped down from the carriage, she felt very unwell. A tumultuous nausea churned in her stomach. By now, her complexion was exceptionally pale.

Dong’er noticed something was amiss.

"Madam, what’s wrong with you?"

Ni Manxue shook her head and said, "Perhaps the carriage ride jostled me. I’ll be fine after resting a while!"

Dong’er still felt somewhat worried. "Your face is so pale. You should really see a doctor!"

Ni Manxue frowned and stopped her. "No need for such trouble. I’m visiting my parents’ home tomorrow, so let’s rest early tonight."

Dong’er hesitated. "Then..." she offered, "I’ll go get you a bowl of hot soup!"

Only then did Ni Manxue nod.

After helping her lie down on the bed, Dong’er left the room. Moments later, she returned carrying a food box.

"Madam, please drink some. This fish soup was just made in the kitchen!" As she spoke, she took a bowl and ladled out the fish soup.

Just as she was about to bring the bowl to the bedside, Ni Manxue could no longer hold back. GAG! She vomited.

"Quick, take it away... I can’t stand this smell!"

Dong’er was nearly scared witless. "Madam!"

She scrambled to place the soup on the table and rushed over. "Madam!"

Dong’er patted Ni Manxue’s back, then turned to order the other maids, "Quick, someone! Go report to the Marquis! Quick, fetch the doctor!"

In no time, the relatively small main courtyard was thrown into a flurry.

...

Xia Tingfeng, without even taking the time to change his clothes, rushed over like a gust of wind.

"Manxue!" His voice was urgent, trembling slightly.

Inside the inner chamber, Ni Manxue was no longer vomiting and lay weakly on the bed. The mess had been cleaned up. A faint, unpleasant odor still lingered in the room, but Xia Tingfeng paid it no mind.

He approached her, touched her cold hand, and then turned to ask, "The doctor? Hasn’t he arrived yet?" His voice was low, tinged with anger that sent shivers down one’s spine.

"Reporting to the Marquis, someone was sent to fetch the doctor long ago. He should be on his way now!" Dong’er said cautiously.

Ni Manxue also grasped his hand weakly and said, "My Lord, please don’t worry. I’m alright! It was probably just the jostling from the carriage!"

Xia Tingfeng said nothing, merely holding her hand, completely at a loss.

"The doctor is here!" someone outside called out.

Dong’er hurried out to invite the doctor in. Xia Tingfeng also stepped aside to make room.

The one who arrived was an elderly man in his fifties, with a salt-and-pepper goatee. He wore a padded, indigo-dyed winter coat. Though somewhat thin, he looked quite energized and had a rosy complexion.

Though this doctor wasn’t an Imperial Physician, he was a renowned practitioner in the Capital City. Skilled in medicine and kind-hearted, he was well-liked by the common people. At this hour, he was the only one who could be summoned.

When the elderly doctor arrived, he was about to pay his respects to Xia Tingfeng, but Xia Tingfeng unexpectedly helped him up before he could.

"Doctor, please take a look at my wife right away!"

Seeing Xia Tingfeng’s grim face and anxious expression, the doctor said no more and quickly set down his things. He prepared the medical cushion and silk handkerchief and began to take her pulse.

The bed curtains were lowered, with only a hand stretched out from within. The doctor examined her left wrist, then her right. This required Ni Manxue, who was enduring her discomfort inside the bed curtains, to turn over.

After what felt like a long time, the old doctor finally withdrew his hand.

"Congratulations, Marquis, the Madam is with child!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Tingfeng was stunned. Waves of joy surged through his heart. He felt as if he were floating on air.

"Marquis? Marquis?" Dong’er called out twice before Xia Tingfeng came to his senses.

Overjoyed, he rubbed his hands together, utterly at a loss for what to do. He was about to imitate Jingfeng’s scholarly bow but then remembered he was a Military General. Instead, he straightened up and gave the doctor a fist salute. "Thank you very much!"

The doctor was taken aback. "Marquis, I dare not accept such an honor!"

How could a mere doctor like me receive a salutation from the Marquis!

Xia Tingfeng waved it off. "It’s nothing. Men, reward everyone!"

Dong’er joyfully curtsied and agreed. She first gave the doctor a hefty purse, then gave each of the servant boys in the front courtyard a purse. Others who had helped, or would be helping, also received rewards. Dong’er didn’t miss a single one.

After bustling about for a full ten minutes, she had finally seen everyone off.

The bed curtains were drawn back. Ni Manxue sat up, a look of happiness on her face. Xia Tingfeng quickly took a seat on the edge of the bed.

Dong’er smiled with pursed lips and turned to head to the kitchen.

The Madam hasn’t eaten anything yet. Now that she’s carrying the Little Heir, how can she not eat well!

...

The news of the Madam’s pregnancy spread throughout the Hou Mansion in less than half a Shi Chen.

Since there were no concubines in the mansion, nor even any chambermaids, everyone in the He Residence was elated.

Xia Caiying and Xia Jingfeng, upon hearing the news, were so pleased they wanted to go and see her immediately. However, as it was already very late, they refrained from going.

The rest of the household was also happy. Some were happy because they had received silver, and the Marquis had declared that there would be more rewards for good service in the future. Others, however, harbored different intentions.

Maids like Chun Xing, who were waiting for an opportunity to rise in status, saw their chance. Previously, the Marquis hadn’t required personal attendants because of his strong affection for his wife. But now that his wife was pregnant and unable to attend to him, no matter how deep their affection, surely he would need someone to serve him?

So...

For a time, all the somewhat attractive maids in the mansion began to eagerly dress themselves up. Some even spent silver to find connections and pull strings.

Seeing these maids buzzing around like headless flies, Chun Xing sneered with disdain. "Hmph! A bunch of fools, thinking they can get ahead of me? Not a chance in hell!"

She was inwardly smug. "The pavilion nearest to the water is the first to catch the moonlight." Luckily, I made my preparations early; otherwise, wouldn’t I be just like these fools?!

Mocking others was one thing, but Chun Xing remained vigilant. She began to dress extravagantly and parade herself before the Marquis whenever she entered or left the study each day, attempting to attract his attention and secure her fortune.

Alas, Xia Tingfeng himself was almost totally oblivious to matters of romance. Apart from Manxue, his mind was solely occupied with the Emperor’s safety. After finishing his duties for the day, he would either accompany Manxue in the main courtyard or immerse himself in studying military strategy in his study. He gave no thought to anything else whatsoever.