Blood-Sucking Empress Ch. 90

Chapter 90: Kinship

Situ Hongyu was forced to sit down. He knew that he was inconvenienced and did not insist on giving his greetings. However, the attendant was already kneeling on the ground, trembling with fright. Anhui stood to the side, silently bowing his head, appearing like a subservient attendant. Liyou randomly found a place to sit down.

“The Imperial Physician said that you are due to give birth in a few days.” Looking at Situ Hongyu’s clumsy demeanor, an amused look appeared in Liyou’s eyes. This was the first time she saw a man pregnant and it seemed to be very similar to women back in her world. But, if this was the case, then the pains of pregnancy must be uncomfortable. This man must be having a hard time these days. When she saw this man for the first time, this man had been dressed in delicately exquisite garments, which could be regarded as peerless. But now, he was dressed in plain clothing. Not only was he bloated, his face was also a little haggard. However, apart from being a little at a loss because of her sudden appearance, his expression seemed to be very peaceful.

“Yes.” Speaking of his child, Situ Hongyu’s expression softened and he revealed a loving look on his face. He unconsciously stroked his stomach with his hand, thinking about what his child might look like. Although he had been tortured by this unborn little thing, his love for the child was unquestionable and he even felt that he could give everything up for this child.

“Do you have any plans?” Liyou observed the change in Situ Hongyu’s expression and concluded that the man must have thought about this issue at some point.

Situ Hongyu’s face darkened and he raised his eyes to observe Liyou. Of course, he had planned for his own child, but so what if he did? In this Cold Palace, his future was already doomed, and he pitied his child….

“Your Majesty, it is useless for this consort to have plans of his own. It depends on what Your Majesty desires. Since Your Majesty is here, you may just directly say them.” As soon as he gritted his teeth, his personality was illuminated for a moment. He already had an impatient temperament and although his sharp corners had been smoothed after his experiences, it was still difficult to hide his willfulness.

“Give birth to the child and let me raise the child. Life in the Cold Palace is not suitable for children.” Now that the other party had expressed his attitude, Liyou did not intend to make any further detours.

Situ Hongyu paled. No father was willing to be separated from his children, but in this harem, not to mention the Cold Palace, it was impossible for a consort to live with her own children after the child grew to a certain age.  What’s more, in this Cold Palace, perhaps it would be better if the child was taken away.

“Thisi consort thanks the Empress!” Having pondered it, Situ Hongyu immediately gave his thanks. He was not a hesitant person. Since there was a road that would be best for the child, he would not choose to reject it. He believed that the Empress would not treat her own child badly.

Liyou was surprised by Situ Hongyu’s straightforwardness, but after thinking about it carefully, she understood the key point.

“Situ Hongyu, do you hate Zhen?” Her appearance had caused this handsome man to lose everything. 

If this man knew the reason, he would definitely hate her. Although she did not care about this man’s feelings for her and seeing how much he loved his child, she could not help but ask.

Situ Hongyu was obviously taken aback by the question. Hate? How could he not hate? However, such feelings had dissipated by a lot over time and he no longer had the strength to feel hate. Instead, he felt that there was nothing wrong with such an ordinary life. At least, there was no need to worry about someone’s schemes before falling asleep every night, no need to be jealous or think about how to compete for favor. One could sleep soundly at night. Perhaps this had been a blessing in disguise. He did not believe in karma before, but it seemed he believed it a bit more now. If you are willing to give up certain things, you can also gain a lot. He had learned to open up his worldview.

“This guilty consort dares not. This guilty consort bears no resentment in his heart and merely hopes that the Empress can treat this child kindly. What has happened in the past should be left in the past.”

Situ Hongyu’s words changed Liyou’s opinion of him and now it seems that this person was not so annoying.

“Let us hope it is so.” Liyou rose from her seat. The purpose of her visit had been achieved and she did not need to stay here any longer.

When Situ Hongyu saw the Empress leaving, he quickly got up and sent the other off. Looking at Liyou’s leaving figure, there was a trace of loneliness in his eyes, but it was fleeting. Soon after, it was replaced by a very determined look. There was no hatred in his heart, but there was pain, loneliness and sadness. But, these were not important. The most important thing was now the child in his belly and it would soon be born in a few days. He was looking forward to the birth of the child and at the same time, he hoped that this child could have a bright future….

“Outside the palace, Fengying was waiting for the Empress and went up to greet the Empress when she came out.

“Your Majesty, what orders do you have for this attendant? Naturally, Fengying inquired about matters related to Enchanting guifei. After all, it was very dangerous to have a child here and this was also the Empress firstborn child. Even by being born in the Cold Palace, it was enough to attract everyone’s attention.

“Is the Enchanting guifei’s original quarters still unoccupied?”

“Yes!” Hearing the Empress’ question, Feng Ying immediately replied, realizing something in her heart.

“Have people tidy it up and then allow the Enchanting guifei to return.” Not only was the environment in the Cold Palace bleak, it was also remote. The security was too lax and it was not safe. Now that the Enchanting guifei had reformed, there was no reason for Liyou to make things hard for a man soon to give birth.

“Understood!” Fengying immediately ordered people to clean up the Yaoyu Palace where the Enchanting guifei used to live. She had always felt that there was room for change in regards to this matter and now it seemed that this was truly the case. The Empress finally let the Enchanting guifei out of the Cold Palace. This result did not necessarily surprise her but it was just not certain what would happen next. The current harem was no longer peaceful and the Enchanting guifei was to be released from the Cold Palace again. She only hoped that nothing would happen this time around.

Fengying went to arrange the affairs and Liyou had already left with Anhui. On the walk back, Anhui remained silent, as if thinking about something. Sensing the peculiarity, Liyou asked with concern, “Anhui, what are you thinking about?”

Anhui raised his head and gave Liyou an apprehensive gaze, as if he was hesitant to answer. After all, what he was thinking about was not an easy topic to talk about. But, since the Empress asked, it was impossible for him to hide such things.

“Your Majesty…do you like children? After thinking about it, Anhui asked this in a more tactful way.

Children? Why was Anhui thinking about this? After hearing Anhui’s question, Liyou could not help thinking, “Zhen does not like them.” But since Anhui asked, she answered truthfully, “Although Zhen does not like them, it is not to the point of loathing.”

After all, she did not have any children in her life to make her feel that way.

Anhui’s heart was experiencing ups and downs like that of a rollercoaster by the Empress’ words. At first, she didn’t like it, but now she does not hate them either. He was speechless at the moment. After all, what he wanted was…

“Anhui, did you ask this question because you want to have a child?” Liyou was not stupid. After a little analysis, she guessed what Anhui was thinking.

Recalling what was on his mind, Anhui blushed and nodded in embarrassment. To conceive an heir for the one he loves, this may be a common thought to all men in the world, and he was not exempt from such a desire.

“What can a child bring you? Anhui, it is very hard work to bring a child into this world. You have seen the Enchanting guifei’s appearance, do you not feel relieved?” Liyou was a little puzzled. She knew that Anhui wanted one but she could not fathom as to why he wanted one. She was curious to see what he had to say.

“Of course this consort would not find it hard. This consort believes that this thought does not only belong to me, but to the rest of the consorts in the harem. It is a great honor for a consort to bear an heir for the Empress. How can it be hard work? But, the Empress asked what the child could bring to the consort and this consort believes that the child can bring too much to its mother.”

In fact, Anhui did not like children very much either. He always felt that little children were very fragile and he did even dare to touch them with any force. However, if he could give birth to an heir for the one he loved, just thinking about it made him feel excited. The child would represent the continuation of the lifeblood of him and the Empress. Even if the pregnancy process was a bit difficult, compared with the meaning of having such a child, this bit of hardship was nothing at all.

“Will everyone in the harem also think like this?” Luo Yu had once said that offspring were very important. In addition, the Enchanting guifei had also changed a lot due to his pregnancy and now even Anhui was looking forward to it, not to count the others in the harem. This made Liyou feel suddenly confused. 

“This consort is not sure, after all, the other consorts and concubines have never shared their thoughts with me. But, this consort thinks that all men in this world are similar and they all look forward to giving birth to children for their beloved women, which is a happy occasion. Your Majesty, does this consort have a chance to obtain such happiness?”

If it was possible, he hoped that such a desire was not too extravagant. The Empress had already given him everything he wanted and even more. He originally thought that he understood the meaning of contentment, but people always wanted more. He knew that he was greedy, but he still expected the Empress to satisfy his greed.

“Happiness? You will feel unhappy without children? Anhui, are you unhappy now?” She felt that Anhui had become much more cheerful. Although the other still had a stern face, it was not difficult to find the tenderness in his eyes when looking carefully. Could it be that she was wrong?

“This consort is not unhappy. Empress, this consort is not dissatisfied, the Empress has given such great favor, how can i be unhappy?” Anhui eagerly explained. He did not want the empress to misunderstand his greediness. The Empress had already given him so much, how could he still feel unhappy?

“Do not worry, zhen did not mean to blame you. Get up, do not kneel on the ground.” Apart from it being a responsibility, having a child seemed to be meaningless. But, she did not want to object to letting her men give birth to her child. If this is what they desired and expected, she could fulfill them.

“Anhui, tell Fengying, after I have favored you, no need to take that medicine anymore. Just let things take their natural course.” The reason why the harem had always been childless was because the Imperial family had a rule that all concubines and consorts who were favored by the Empress must drink medicine. Not everyone was allowed to conceive an Imperial princess or prince. The words Liyou were understated, but it could be considered a chance for Anhui, or it could be regarded as supreme honor and favor. The significance of offspring to the men in the harem was much greater than that of an ordinary person.

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TN: New chapter after a long winter break! Stay safe and happy everyone! ❤

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