==Chapter 143==

That being said, how can things be so simple.

Jiuniang's pregnancy must be concealed first, and how long can it be hidden. As for Emperor Chengyuan's side, it must be difficult to deal with, but the boat will naturally go straight to the bridge, and the king of Chu will say that he has a way and must have his own opinions.

Pregnant for the first time in two lives, Jiuniang was very happy and nervous, and asked Taiyi Liu a lot of things about pregnancy, Taiyi Liu's medical skills are not bad, but he is not a woman, except for some taboos about eating and living, he doesn't understand anything else. Fortunately, Mama Yu is still there, but it has solved a big problem for Jiuniang in this regard.

As for Jiu Niang's pregnancy, except for a few personal maids of Lianzhi, as well as the king of Chu, Changshun Liu, and the imperial physician Yu Mama, no one else knows. Although the main courtyard is well guarded here, it is difficult to ensure that there is no omission, and it is better to be cautious at this time than at that time.

Now that the weather is hot, coupled with the bitter summer of Jiuniang, it is also understandable that he rarely goes out on weekdays and returns the housekeeping to Sun Yi and others. will be ready, and Jiuniang will be safe and secure in the house to raise the baby.

Jiu Niang's pregnancy is not good, the reaction is very great, in addition to the loss of appetite, some food can not be touched, but Jiu Niang is completely disregarded, as long as Yu Mama and Mrs. Liu say that eating is good for the body, she pinched her nose and swallowed it, it doesn't matter if she vomits, just eat it again.

The king of Chu originally thought that when a woman gave birth to a child, it would be good if she was pregnant for a month, but she didn't know that there would be such an experience, looking at Jiu Niang's restless sleep and food being tossed every day, his face became more and more ugly day by day.

On this day, before she got up early in the morning, Jiu Niang leaned on the couch and threw up her spittle. Seeing this, King Chu couldn't help frowning and said, "He tosses you like this, don't do it." ”

Jiuniang almost didn't throw away the saliva in her hand, she reluctantly stuffed the saliva into Lianfang's hand, took the handkerchief from Lianzhi's hand and wiped the corners of her mouth, forcibly endured the sour taste in her mouth, covered her stomach, glared at the King of Chu, and said fiercely: "You say it again?" ”

King Chu looked at Jiu Niang, after all, he was defeated by the tears that were rolling in her eyes, and he looked away, and after a long time, Fang said: "You have lost a lot of weight recently." ”

Thin?

Does he feel sorry for her? But I can't say such a thing when I feel distressed.

Jiuniang is completely painful and happy for a while, in fact, happiness has to account for the majority, every time she looks at her flat lower abdomen, thinking that there is a little life in it, it may look like her, or it may look like him, her heart will be so soft that she can't speak.

Mama Yu said that it was still early, and when she was four or five months old, she could feel the movement of the child in her belly. He (she) will kick her inside, dance in it, grow up in it day by day, until the melon is ripe and becomes a little baby, and when she grows up to about a year old, he will call her A-Niang softly......

Every time Jiuniang thinks of this qiē, she has a feeling of tears in her eyes.

She also knew that King Chu was feeling sorry for her, watching her toss over and over again, although he didn't say it, he had lost his temper many times recently for no reason, and even Chang Shun had been beaten several times, she understood. But she couldn't accept that he had such thoughts......

As I said earlier, Jiu Niang has always been a person who judges the situation, and she is very good at figuring out people's hearts. So she didn't vent her dissatisfaction, but went to King Chu's side, pulled his sleeve carelessly, lowered her head and said: "Husband, you want to give you a child like your husband, who is also so handsome and so smart." ”

Her voice was very small, and the Lianzhi people retreated outside the curtain when they saw that the situation was not good, and there were only husband and wife left between the square inches of this bed.

The king of Chu saw that her face hung timidly, her chin was pitifully thin, her long eyelashes trembled, and her cheeks were shyly powdered, and his heart suddenly became soft, and he couldn't help but stretch out his hand and smooth the long hair that she had draped over her shoulders.

It's a husband again, and it's a concubine, this is the treatment that the king of Chu can't ask for on weekdays, only every time she is tossed by herself, she will call herself so delicate and soft.

King Chu smiled bitterly, knowing that she did it on purpose, but he always couldn't help but want to cling to her.

That's it, he was angry for a while, knowing how rare she was, how could he force her not to want this child.

"If you keep losing weight......

"No, it won't." Jiu Niang hurriedly interrupted: "I have a good meal every day. ”

King Chu glanced at her, his heart was slightly sour, but when he thought that she wanted to give birth to a child like herself, and she was as handsome and smart as him, she couldn't help but feel a little happy in her heart.

Is she boasting that she is handsome?

King Chu has always known that his skin is not bad, but since he grew up, no one dared to say this to his face, especially when she said it, although he was self-controlled on the surface, in fact, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but hook up.

After breakfast, the king of Chu went to the front yard.

Chang Shun pushed him cautiously, peeked at his expression, and estimated that His Highness was probably in a good mood today.

Now the main courtyard is the barometer of His Royal Highness, as long as the toss is ruthless, His Royal Highness will be yin and yang all day long, and even the people below will be wronged to eat a lot of rows.

When they arrived at the outer study, it didn't take long for several staff members of the Chu Palace's palace and the prince's subordinate officials to arrive.

Many years ago, the king of Chu received a governor of Chuzhou, and in recent years, Emperor Chengyuan has repeatedly lowered his rewards, and so far the king of Chu has been the only prince among the princes to receive the title of governor of the capital.

The governor, inheriting the old Tang system, is the highest executor of the military and political affairs of the current states of Daqi. Less than ten states are the governors, and those who manage more than ten states are the governors, generally led by the prince, and the subordinate officials of the royal palace perform their duties on their behalf. Now there are dozens of state capitals under the leadership of the king of Chu, so the official affairs of the king of Chu are also extremely busy.

Lost mulberry elm, harvested east. Since Emperor Chengyuan wanted to prepare a knife for the prince's lineage, a knife that was enough to compete with King Zhao and King Cheng and others to form a three-legged stand, it was impossible to treat King Chu lightly. So now the king of Chu is also full-fledged, with the power in his hands now, it is difficult to clean up King Zhao and become kings together, but it is no problem to make more plans and clean up one.

The king of Chu will naturally not deal with King Zhao and King Cheng at this time, and the three-legged situation is the most in line with the current situation. Especially Jiuniang's sudden pregnancy, the deployment of the King of Chu himself was disrupted again, and he had more important things to do at this time, that is, to stir the pool water more muddy, so that everyone's attention could be diverted, especially Emperor Chengyuan's.

The king of Chu recruited his staff and subordinate officials today to discuss this matter, and it is too quiet in the court for a while, so it is better to add a fire to make it lively.

The weather is slowly getting cooler, but Daqi has entered an eventful autumn.

Either there is a trouble in this state and county, or there is a corruption case in that prefecture and city, and even the Turkic side of Anfen, which has been very peaceful in recent years, is also ready to move, and it seems that there is an intention to invade the border pass. Although the matter was over in the end, it was all over, but this time in the court, it was really lively because of these trivial things.

At this time, Jiu Niang's pregnancy period has officially entered four months, which really relieved Mrs. Liu and others.

Of course, this is just the beginning, and there are still more than five months to go.

On this day, after sending the King of Chu away, Jiu Niang began to command Lianzhi and others to change their clothes.

It's the day to go to the palace every month to ask for peace, and every day on this day, Jiuniang is extra cautious. Fortunately, the ladies of Daqi now have different forms of clothing, and a high-waisted skirt is enough to solve the problem that Jiu Niang wants to cover her waist and abdomen.

Jiu Niang looked at herself in front of the mirror, she was wearing a high-waisted skirt embroidered with peach gold thread and tilian pattern, a goose yellow beaded silk silk tied under her chest, and a colorful silver clay shawl on her shoulders. The bright colors collide with each other, and they are not messy when worn on Jiu Niang's body, but they are a little more bright, lining Jiu Niang's ruddy complexion, which is even more beautiful.

Compared with the summer and summer, Jiuniang has gained a lot of weight now, and has temporarily recovered to the same state as before. After the first three months, Jiu Niang's morning sickness disappeared, and naturally day by day, the person slowly became mellow. In addition, Mama Yu helped her recuperate properly, and her complexion was even better, with fair skin like mutton fat and white jade, pink and greasy, delicate red lips like flower petals, lined with black hair, not at all like a pregnant person.

entered the palace, and when I arrived in front of the Heluan Palace, I happened to meet Meng Changxi, the concubine of Zhao Wangfu, who also came to invite An.

Meng Changxi glanced at Jiu Niang, her eyes were full of jealousy, but she said with a smile on her face: "A while ago, I also said that Princess Chu is getting thinner and thinner, which makes people feel pitiful, how long has it been, and she has become plump like this." ”

Jiuniang glanced at her, stroked her fair and silky cheeks, and said with a smile: "The reason why I lost weight a while ago was also because of the bitter summer, my Royal Highness was very distressed when he saw me thin like that, and he told the kitchen every day to change the tricks to cook food for the princess, and it was also appropriate to eat fatter, otherwise my Royal Highness should say where the food went." ”

After speaking, he glanced at the other party again, with a look of 'My Royal Highness treats me very well and considerately, and it is useless for you to be jealous'.

"You-"

Jiu Niang glanced at her obliquely: "What?" Concubine Meng, are you jealous? ”

Meng Changxi hurriedly retracted her jealous and hateful look, and said, "I'll be jealous of you?" ”

Jiu Niang smiled, very disdainful: "Also, it is said that His Royal Highness King Zhao treats Concubine Meng very much, and even Princess Zhao has to retreat, you really don't have to be jealous of this princess." But also, how can this concubine be the same as the wife, the concubine has to rely on pampering to eat, but this princess does not have such worries and concerns as you. ”

This was said very slap in the face, so he just pointed at Meng Changxi's nose and said, you and this princess are not all the way, we are not of the same level.

Jiuniang was also annoyed by Meng Changxi, she never seemed to be stingy to come to Jiu Niang's fork, she didn't dare to make a big fuss, but she always used some words to stimulate Jiu Niang.

And now, Jiu Niang won't eat her.

In terms of identity, Jiuniang is the princess of Chu, and Meng Changxi is also a concubine, but she has a side word. Although the side concubine is also a concubine, she is also on the royal jade, but to put it bluntly, she is just a high-level concubine. In terms of status, the Meng family is now in decline, and Emperor Chengyuan seems to be too lazy to take care of the Meng family, and the Meng family is not as good as a year after year. And King Zhao, because of the events on the day of the Shangyuan Festival, has been very low-key for most of the past half a year.

And the Chu Wangfu never intended to be friendly with these two families, so Jiu Niang had no worries at all.

As for arguing with people in front of the Luan Palace, Jiu Niang didn't care, since Emperor Chengyuan 'supported' her, Queen Xiao was very kind to her, not to mention reprimanding, and she wouldn't even say a word about her.

Unless Meng Changxi is blind, she will make a fuss with Jiu Niang in front of the Heluan Palace, so Jiu Niang is very calm.

Meng Changxi's teeth were almost bent, but she had not yet lost her mind.

She can't compare with Xiao Jiuniang, if something happens, Queen Xiao won't do anything to Xiao Jiuniang, but she will definitely take the opportunity to take her handle and make Zhao Wangfu ugly. Zhao Wang's family and Chengwang's family have never been in harmony, and she can't fall into the hands of the other party because of a small loss.

Since Meng Changxi was given marriage to King Zhao, life has fallen into a dire situation. The family was extremely disappointed in her, how could she have been able to get a concubine to be a concubine, but because of Meng Changxi's self-made cleverness, she only got a side concubine. In the end, she can be regarded as a princess, and the Meng family did not embarrass Meng Changxi, but they didn't value her as much as before.

After marrying into King Zhao's mansion, King Zhao has always been fond of her, but in order to prevent the imperial historians from picking on the thorns, she has to respect Liu Wan'er on the surface. That Liu Wan'er was a deferential and virtuous person on the surface, but in fact, she secretly gave her countless hardships, and the two fought in full swing in private, and they had to pretend to be harmonious and friendly on their faces.

And this qiē is all made by the person in front of him!

If it weren't for her sudden appearance, if it weren't for the fact that she didn't fall into the trap according to her plan, it should be her Meng Changxi who became the princess of Chu at this time, not her Xiao Jiuniang!

How could Meng Changxi not hate Xiao Jiuniang?

I can't wait to break her body into thousands of pieces, and there is no place to bury her! She is obviously not an impulsive person, but every time she sees the other party, she feels like she has been pricked by a needle, and she can't help but want to provoke the other party.

Meng Changxi clenched her fist under her sleeve, it doesn't matter if she loses the wind for a while, one day this Xiao Jiuniang will fall into her hands, and when King Zhao wins the world, she will let Xiao Jiuniang know how miserable it is to offend her!

The palace people who went in to report quickly turned around and said that the queen had recruited two people in.

Jiuniang didn't even glance at Meng Changxi, smoothed her sleeves, and then raised her feet and stepped onto the pedestal in front of the hall. Meng Changxi took a deep breath and straightened her face before following her in.

After the routine greetings, Queen Xiao didn't leave many people, so she waved everyone back.

got into the carriage out of the palace, Xiaocui helped Jiuniang rub her calves, and stopped talking on her face.

"Why, isn't it surprising that every time I enter the palace, once I encounter something, I will confront the opponent and not fall behind? It stands to reason that we should keep a low profile in our current situation. ”

What Jiuniang said just pointed out Xiao Cui's thoughts, Xiao Cui really thought so, but she didn't dare to question what the princess did.

Jiu Niang nodded: "The more you should be low-key, the more you have to do the opposite." The rumors about me in the palace are not good, so I simply show people a pampered and arrogant person. Ordinary people are cautious when they are pregnant, but they don't write on their faces that I want to be careful and careful. Who would have thought that a pregnant woman would be so careless, and even repeatedly quarrel with others, looking like she is afraid of having less trouble? ”

Xiaocui realized: "The princess is wise." ”

Jiuniang waved her hand, and a wry smile overflowed on her lips: "Okay, what is wise or not, isn't it a last resort." ”

Jiu Niang looked calm and calm on her face, but in fact, only she understood the tension in her heart, but she could only force this qiē, just for the sake of the child in her belly. Although the king of Chu had already told her that she could do whatever she wanted, even if she was known, she didn't have to be afraid, but Jiu Niang still wanted to hide it from one day at a time. It's also that she cares too much, always thinking that the storm can come later.

Xiao Cui looked at the wry smile on Jiu Niang's lips, and thought to herself that it was really difficult for the princess. With such painstaking efforts, which woman has a big belly, she still has to think about these issues.

The people in this royal family seem to be the most noble people in the world, but they also have a lot of helplessness.

*

Time passed day by day, and in a blink of an eye, it was cold again.

In winter, Jiuniang's life is better, the first snow of this year has just arrived, the king of Chu and his wife took advantage of the recuperation of leg disease, and the burden went to Tangquan Zhuangzi outside the city.

spent more than a month of carefree days in Zhuangzi, and at this time Jiu Niang's stomach could not be covered at all.

After more than six months of pregnancy, not only in terms of body shape, but also in walking posture and sitting posture, there is no way to continue to cover up in front of people. Seeing that the day of returning to the Chu Wangfu was getting closer and closer, Jiu Niang and the King of Chu faced a problem, what to do next.

The king of Chu still has the same attitude as before, and when he can't hide it, he doesn't have to hide it.

Jiuniang was still a little hesitant.

After that, under the persuasion of the king of Chu, Jiuniang reluctantly agreed.

Jiuniang is now concerned about chaos, the king of Chu's statement is indeed reasonable, rather than waiting for the matter to be exposed and provoke the anger of Emperor Chengyuan, it is better to take the initiative to be honest and honest, and tell the other party that he has no other intentions. After all, as King Chu said before, this is a child, not the same thing, and it can't be hidden forever.

Of course, there are pros and cons, and the King of Chu is now gambling, betting on Emperor Yuan's thoughts.

*

It's Chinese New Year's Eve again, and a family banquet that represents the meaning of reunion is indispensable.

As soon as Jiu Niangfu appeared in the Lin De Palace, she attracted countless surprises and amazements.

Everyone looked surprised, and Queen Xiao was even so surprised that she couldn't close her mouth for a long time. Of course, this was only for a moment, and soon everyone regained their composure, but their sparkling eyes couldn't help but turn to Jiu Niang's round belly.

Emperor Chengyuan and the crown prince were the last to arrive, and when they saw the strange atmosphere in the hall, they couldn't help but follow the strange eyes of everyone, and their eyes suddenly hit Jiu Niang's tall belly.

The prince was surprised, coughed and regained his composure. Emperor Chengyuan's face was not obvious, but the eyes of the King of Chu and his wife became more and more cold.

Everyone bowed down and shouted a few long live, and after Emperor Chengyuan shouted, he returned to his respective positions.

Empress Xiao glanced at Emperor Chengyuan's face, turned her head and said to Jiu Niang with a smile: "Such a big happy event, Princess Chu didn't report it, how many months has it been?" ”

Jiuniang looked shy, half-drooped her eyes, and replied, "It's been six months." ”

"Princess Chu can really bear it, it's been six months before I let us know."

Meng Changxi was shocked from the beginning, but at this time, she was completely looking at a joke. This pregnancy is a good thing in other people's homes, but it's not a good thing here, I didn't see that Liu Wan'er was still healthy, but after such a while, now she has become a sick child who can't leave her mouth.

She glanced at Princess Zhao, who was sitting above her, the pale Princess Zhao's expression was not obvious, but the hand under her sleeve couldn't help but clench.

"It was conceived in the summer, and the concubine had the old problem of bitter summer, and was tossed for a summer, plus the root of the disease in her early years, and the doctor diagnosed that she needed to recuperate for a few years before she could get pregnant, so she didn't notice it. It's been more than three months since I found out, and I thought that I was not in good health, and I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to afford this blessing, so I kept it a secret. No, the imperial doctor said that the fetus was already stable, and the concubine dared to go out. ”

Jiu Niang's words seem to be an answer to Queen Xiao, but in fact it is also an explanation to everyone, as for what others will think if they don't believe each other, it has nothing to do with her.

Now Jiuniang is a mother who is completely immersed in joy, and the joy between her eyebrows and eyes almost blinds everyone's eyes, but she doesn't realize it.

Anyway, Jiuniang has made up her mind to pretend, and yin selfishness is yin selfishness after all, and it is not visible. She is now pregnant with the first grandson or granddaughter of Emperor Chengyuan, who dares to say something bad to her face, since they all like to pretend, she will accompany them to pretend.

Empress Xiao smiled lovingly, peeked at Emperor Chengyuan's expression, and didn't say anything more. Emperor Chengyuan looked silent, seeing this, the prince coughed lightly and said loudly: "Congratulations to the fifth brother." ”

Immediately afterwards, King Zhao, King Cheng, King Qi and others also spoke out, all with smiling faces.

"Old Five, you kid is really a blessing."

"Come, as a brother, I will give you a drink."

For a while, the whole scene suddenly became lively, and Emperor Chengyuan looked at the King of Chu and said, "Old Five, take good care of Princess Chu." ”

The king of Chu bowed and saluted: "The son will definitely live up to his father's expectations." ”

The eyes of the father and son met in the void, and the King of Chu was completely calm, but Emperor Chengyuan was holding the wine cup tightly.

……

The whole family banquet made Jiuniang exhausted, not because she was tired, but because she was tired every time she said it, she had to think about it again.

Sitting in the carriage out of the palace, Jiuniang and King Chu were very silent.

From this moment on, the storm will really come, and every step in the future will hide infinite dangers, and a mistake is likely to bring about a catastrophe.

At this time, it was not anyone else who made the two feel heavy, but Emperor Chengyuan.

This bet is only half the way to win, and if they can't win, what will they do next?

King Chu seemed to see Jiu Niang's hidden worries, and couldn't help but pat her hands: "Don't be afraid ......"

Countless people are destined to be unable to sleep peacefully this night, and no one can predict what the future will be.

*

and Luan Palace

After the family banquet was dispersed, King Cheng's family went back to Heluan Hall with Queen Xiao to celebrate the New Year.

It is said that it is a New Year's holiday, but in fact, there is a festive atmosphere in the hall. Princess Cheng and Concubine Ruan took people to avoid the side hall, leaving only King Cheng's mother and son in the palace.

King Cheng's face was very ugly: "This fifth child is really cunning, silently and even pregnant!" ”

"Why are you so uncontrollable, what if you are pregnant, it is still unknown whether you will be born or not, wasn't the one in Zhao Wangfu also pregnant, and now?"

"......"

King Cheng also understands this truth, but understanding and relief are two different things, he thinks that his ability is not bad, but so far there is no good news from the two concubines on one side of the house.

"Instead of worrying about these, you should worry more about yourself, there is really no good news for those two?" Those two self-identified refer to Princess Cheng and Concubine Ruan.

King Cheng shook his head.

Empress Xiao comforted: "Okay, don't think about it too much, let's just wait and watch the show." ”

……

In the Chunhe Palace, King Zhao and Concubine Liu were also having the same conversation.

"Mother, what do you say the fifth child thinks, he is not afraid of ......"

"The King of Chu has always been deep in his mind, and who knows what he thinks. However, he was smart in vain, but he made a fool in this head, so it is said that Gentle Township is a hero's mound, and the ancients did not deceive me. The king of Chu is asking for his own death, you just wait to see your father and the emperor dislike him. ”

King Cheng quickly came to his senses, "Then should we add a fire to him?" ”

Liu Guifei thought for a while and said, "It's not impossible, if your father and emperor dislike him because of this, it will let us disintegrate a great enemy without blood." At that time, he only needs to deal with King Cheng's side, and he has a few more chances of winning. ”

"Okay, the minister there will just add a fire to him and let him start the fire."

King Cheng finally showed his first sincere smile since tonight.