Chapter 8: The breaking silence
"Your Majesty, Consort Han is here to see you," the palace eunuch announced, his voice echoing through the grand hall.
"Let her in," the emperor ordered, his tone commanding yet calm.
As Consort Han entered, she gracefully bowed before the emperor, in a gesture of utmost respect. "Your Majesty," she greeted, her voice soft yet filled with authority.
"Princess Hua," Consort Han continued, her tiny voice barely above a whisper. "The rumor has spread like wildfire that you are pregnant. I think it would be prudent to invite the imperial physician to ascertain the health of your baby."
At her words, Princess Hua and Wang Wei's hearts skipped a beat.
"Consort Han," Princess Hua replied, bowing deeply, her hands clasped in front of her. The bow was a traditional gesture, her upper body bending at the waist while her head remained lowered, a sign of respect. "Thank you for your concern for my well-being, but my baby is mine, not Princess Li's." She smiled sweetly at Consort Han, masking the tension in her voice.
"Your Majesty, I never knew Princess Hua would react this way. All I did was care for her safety," Consort Han said, her tone dripping with feigned innocence.
"Consort Han, if I have sounded rude, I apologize," Princess Hua replied, her voice steady despite the rising tension.
"Hua!" The emperor's voice boomed, startling everyone in the room. He struck his chest in frustration. "Someone, summon the imperial physician to check on Princess Hua's baby!"
Princess Hua and Wang Wei exchanged glances, his eyes filled with disappointment as he nodded his head in resignation.
"Your Highness," a voice called out, belonging to Ning, Consort Ai trusted maid, Consort Ai, who was visibly unsettled due to her unseen daughter. "Consort Ai," her maid, Ning, called again. "They have found the princess. The were rumors saying Princess Hua is pregnant, and Consort Han has advised the emperor to summon the imperial physician."
Consort Ai's heart raced, and she sank into her chair in the imperial garden. "Go, give this to the imperial physician who will check on Princess Hua," she instructed, handing her maid a gold hairpin worth thousands of tales. Consort Ai was the wealthiest among the consorts, yet her heart was heavy as the maid hurried away. "Take me to see Princess Hua," she commanded one of her own maids.
"The imperial physician is here," the palace eunuch announced once more.
The imperial physician knelt before the emperor, his forehead touching the floor. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
"Quickly check on Princess Hua to see if she is pregnant," the emperor ordered, his impatience palpable.
The physician moved closer to Princess Hua, whose heart raced as she exchanged anxious glances with Wang Wei and Xui. "Your Majesty," the imperial physician bowed again, his voice faltering. "Princess Hua, she... is..." He stammered, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. "She is pregnant," he finally declared.
A wave of relief washed over Princess Hua, while Wei and Bao exchanged glances, and Consort Han's expression darkened with disappointment.
"Young master, you aren't responsible for Princess Hua's baby, and she wants to force it on you," Bao whispered to Wang Wei.
"Congratulations, Princess Hua," Consort Han said, her tone laced with sarcasm.
General Wang's was disappointed, he had never wanted to be entangled with the emperor. "Since Princess Hua is pregnant, their wedding tomorrow is still valid," the emperor announced, rising from his throne.
"Long live Your Majesty!" everyone chorused in unison.
As they exited, ministers and palace guards congratulated General Wang. "Congratulations, General Wang, on your grandchild!" they called out. "Who knew your son could produce?" some jested playfully.
"Hua!" Li Chen called, grasping her hand. "Hua, are you really pregnant? Will you marry General Wang's son?"
Princess Hua yanked her hand away. "Li Chen, you are crossing your boundaries. I am engaged, and you are married to my sister. I wish you both well," she replied firmly.
"Hua, what about us?" Li Chen pressed.
"There is no 'us,' Commander Li Chen," she retorted.
"Hua!" a voice called again; it was Princess Li, the sixth princess. "Hua, are you trying to flirt with my husband after becoming pregnant out of wedlock?" she accused, pulling Li Chen closer to her side. "Li Chen, why are you with her?"
"Princess Hua tried to flirt with me. She lied, saying she wanted to see me; she wants to break our marriage," Li Chen said, looking at his wife with a mix of confusion and frustration.
"Hua, you want to snatch my husband because you are pregnant with a cripple's child?" Princess Li spat, her voice dripping with disdain.
Princess Hua stepped closer, her patience wearing thin, and slapped Princess Li across the face. "Try to have some respect for your elders, you spoiled brat," she retorted, her voice fierce.
"Young master is becoming more interesting," Bao remarked to Wei, who watched the unfolding drama from a distance.
Li Chen raised his hand, ready to retaliate against Princess Hua, but Consort Ai intervened, stepping between them. "How dare you raise your hand to hit a princess?" she demanded, her voice sharp and authoritative.
"Your Highness!" Li Chen protested, his face a mixture of anger and disbelief.
"Your Highness," Princess Li echoed, bowing slightly, though her eyes were filled with fury.
"Consort Ai, aren't you getting out of hand?" Consort Han interjected, her tone condescending.
"Getting out of hand? A palace guard raising his hand to strike a princess is what I call out of hand!" Consort Ai shot back, her indignation rising.
"If you think this is getting out of hand, let's take this to the Empress," Consort Ai suggested, her voice dripping with sarcasm. The Empress was known for her fairness, but also for her unwavering judgment.
"No need for that," Consort Han said, pulling her daughter away from the scene.
"Mother, I'm sorry," Princess Hua murmured, but instead of comfort, Consort Ai slapped her across the face.
"Your Highness," Wang Wei wheeled his chair closer, concern etched on his face.
"Are you General Wang's son?" Consort Ai asked, her tone softening slightly.
Wang Wei nodded, his expression serious. "Thank you for saving Hua," Consort Ai said, her gratitude evident.
"I heard your mother is a cousin to the Empress?" Consort Ai inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes," Wang Wei finally spoke, a hint of pity in his voice. "Nice to meet you, Your Highness." He gestured for Bao to wheel him away, with Mei walking beside him.
"Xui, take her highness to prepare for her wedding; she needs to rest early," Consort Ai instructed, watching them leave with a mixture of concern and hope.
"Princess, how did you become pregnant?" Chen Xui asked, breaking the silence that followed.