Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 363

Chapter 363: Pregnancy

“The Grand Princess is willing to take me with her, so I should thank her,” An Zhi said with a smile. Seeing that Xu Wenjuan looked chubbier than the last time they met, she smiled, “Is He Xun treating you well?”

Xu Wenjuan propped up her head and blushed in a rare moment. “He’s just like that. There’s nothing good or bad about him.”

Seeing Xu Wenjuan’s sweet smile, An Zhi knew the couple were doing well. “It’s rare that you’re shy.”

Xu Wenjuan glanced at An Zhi. “Why wouldn’t I be shy? He’s either good or bad. If he dares to go out and look for women, I’ll cripple his third leg!”

Xu Wenjuan wasn’t just talking. If He Xun really went out looking for women, she would really do such a thing.

An Zhi smiled and chatted with Xu Wenjuan for a while. When they mentioned the Empress’ departure to guard the mausoleum, Xu Wenjuan brought up Noble Consort Xue.

“When the Empress leaves, Noble Consort Xue will be the highest-ranking official in the palace. It’s hard to say what will happen to her.” Xu Wenjuan, now with nothing else to do, offered her analysis on Noble Consort Xue’s behalf. “Without the Empress, she can reign supreme in the palace, and the power over the six harems will surely fall to her.”

“Such power is better left unclaimed,” An Zhi said, disapprovingly. “She’s so young, locked up in the deep palace, with the sky above her head. Even if she has the best food and clothing, she’s under scrutiny. How can she be free? Besides, the Xue family holds only a mediocre official position and can’t support her. And with her limited experience in the harem, who would obey her?”

“That’s true,” Xu Wenjuan nodded.

“But she’s so young, yet she’s already become a noble consort. I guess she’s quite capable.” An Zhi wasn’t that curious. Noble Consort Xue and she had no connection, so whether she was good or bad was none of her business. “Let’s not dwell on her. We’ll have a hard time in the next few days.”

An Zhi was right. On the first day, she had the strength to kneel and bow, but starting on the fourth, her knees began to ache. For the next three days, she needed support every time she knelt and stood up.

After enduring the late Emperor’s seventh day of mourning, An Zhi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

On the day of the late Emperor’s burial, An Zhi escorted him to the city gate, while Pei Que, as a Deputy Minister, escorted him all the way to Xiling.

On the way back from the city gate, An Zhi’s knees ached badly. When they passed the infirmary, she asked Fusheng to get some medicine while she and Binglu waited in the carriage.

Binglu lifted the carriage curtain, hoping to see if there were any peddlers so she could buy some embroidery needles. Unexpectedly, she saw a familiar face and quickly turned, saying, “Madam, I think I saw Shi Ju beside County Princess Mu!”

If it were a normal encounter, Binglu wouldn’t have expressed surprise, so An Zhi leaned over to see.

When An Zhi looked out the window, she could only see Shi Ju’s back, still wearing a cloak and a gauze hat, walking hurriedly.

Binglu was curious. “She’s acting mysterious, like she’s done something shameful.”

An Zhi thought so too. Just as Fusheng had returned from buying some ointment, An Zhi asked him to go and take a look.

Fusheng returned quickly, saying that Shi Ju had entered a secluded alley, boarded the carriage, and left without seeing anyone else. However, Shi Ju had dropped something in her haste, and Fusheng showed it to his young madam.

An Zhi didn’t recognize the herbs in her hand, so she told Fusheng to go back home first. Once there, she called in Nanny Wang, who was knowledgeable about pharmacology.

“This is a pregnancy-enhancing medicine.” Nanny Wang confirmed it repeatedly, frowning. “Strange! Isn’t County Princess Mu already pregnant? Why is she taking this medicine?”