A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 433: Chapter 433: Boy or Girl?

”Imperial Physician, I started by walking around in my room! But later, my belly became too heavy, my hands and feet were all swollen, and I really couldn’t walk...”

The Imperial Physician sighed. ”You’re about to give birth now; it’s truly difficult to ensure the child’s safety if the child is born now! It’s better to focus on protecting the pregnancy!”

With that, he prepared to write a prescription.

At that moment, Noble Concubine Shih came bustling over with her attendants. Upon seeing the Imperial Physician, she asked urgently, ”What happened? How exactly did she start bleeding?”

The Imperial Physician promptly rose respectfully. ”Greetings, Noble Consort!”

Noble Concubine Shih was very impatient. ”I’m asking you a question!”

The Imperial Physician paused awkwardly for a moment before explaining everything in detail. ”Too much nourishment and too little movement have caused Honored Lady Shih’s body to swell. If this continues, it will be detrimental to both mother and child!”

Noble Concubine Shih staggered back. She only heard ’the child will not be well!’ and didn’t listen to the rest.

The mother? Whether she’s well or not is none of my concern!

Noble Concubine Shih panicked. ”How... how can the child not be well? I’ve been providing her with nourishing foods daily, so how can the child be unwell!”

I was clearly trying to harm the mother!

The Imperial Physician shook his head. ”As the saying goes, ’too much is as bad as too little.’ Eating rich food doesn’t always equate to nourishment! The diet must be appropriate and balanced!”

That one statement hit the nail on the head!

Honored Lady Shih lay on the bed, feeling somewhat desperate. She, too, had a faint feeling that eating this way wasn’t right, but Noble Concubine Shih still forced her. Are both she and her child in danger now?

The Imperial Physician, seeing that both noble ladies were frightened, quickly said, ”The situation is still manageable for now, and we can still protect the pregnancy, but... you cannot continue like this!”

These words seemed to be directed at Honored Lady Shih, but in reality...

Noble Concubine Shih composed her expression, looking down, her eyes filled with a complex gaze.

The Imperial Physician said no more, wrote a prescription, and handed it to a Palace Attendant to fill and decoct.

Noble Concubine Shih glanced at Honored Lady Shih, then pulled the Imperial Physician aside into an anteroom. She didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly, ”She has been pregnant for eight months now. Imperial Physician, can you tell if it’s a boy or a girl?”

The Imperial Physician’s expression changed, and he hurriedly bowed deeply. ”Noble Consort, there is no discernible difference in the pulse for male and female fetuses. This humble servant dares not make a definitive judgment!”

Noble Concubine Shih was somewhat annoyed. ”You are an Imperial Physician. Do you genuinely not know, or are you merely too scared to say?”

The Imperial Physician bowed his head even lower in trepidation. ”This humble servant is incompetent. Through the abdomen, it is truly impossible for me to determine the child’s gender!”

Such matters are for those superstitious practitioners. Imperial Physicians are for treating illnesses!

Noble Concubine Shih was somewhat angry, but ultimately, she didn’t dare to do anything drastic. She said indignantly, ”This child must be protected. I’ll be relying on you, Imperial Physician!”

The Imperial Physician quickly bowed his head. ”Naturally, Noble Consort. Please rest assured!”

Noble Concubine Shih glared at him, then left in a huff.

After thoroughly comforting Honored Lady Shih in the inner chamber, Noble Concubine Shih departed.

The Imperial Physician stayed behind, personally watching Honored Lady Shih take her medicine.

Two hours later, after taking the medicine, Honored Lady Shih’s bleeding stopped.

The Imperial Physician said respectfully, ”Henceforth, you must take this medicine three times a day. Honored Lady, you must drink it on time! As for other matters, this humble servant will inform you in due course. Honored Lady, please be sure to cooperate!”

Tears brimmed in Honored Lady Shih’s eyes. ”Yes! I will definitely listen to the Imperial Physician this time!”

The Imperial Physician said nothing, bowed, and withdrew.

Over the next few days, the Imperial Physician came daily to check her pulse and inquire about her condition. Honored Lady Shih’s bleeding stopped completely the next day.

After a few more days of recuperation, seeing that Honored Lady Shih’s complexion had improved and the bleeding had stopped, the Imperial Physician suggested she try to get out of bed.

Honored Lady Shih frowned but, clenching her teeth, supported her large belly and sat up on the bed. Her belly swayed precariously as she moved.

The Imperial Physician watched, his heart pounding with trepidation. ”Your Ladyship, please be careful!”

Zhaoer and the other attendants carefully supported Honored Lady Shih. First, she lowered her legs and put on her shoes. Then, placing her feet firmly on the ground, she pushed with her legs. Honored Lady Shih finally, slowly, stood up.

The Imperial Physician was stunned, thinking to himself that Honored Lady Shih... must weigh at least one hundred and eighty, if not two hundred, catties now.

”Imperial... Physician...” Honored Lady Shih gave a self-deprecating smile. ”I... I finally managed to stand up.”

The Imperial Physician quickly recovered his composure and stepped forward. ”Honored Lady, please heed my advice. From now on, eat more plain food, drink fewer rich soups, and consume less rich fare. Eat less ginseng, bird’s nest, chicken, duck, and fish. Eat more green vegetables and fruits!”

Honored Lady Shih nodded.

The Imperial Physician stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, then added, ”For today, try walking for the time it takes one incense stick to burn. Walk slowly, take smaller steps...”

Honored Lady Shih nodded, ”Yes!”

As she spoke, she began to walk around the room, supported by Zhaoer’s hand. She was so heavy that her steps were exceedingly slow; it was more like she was inching forward! But she wasn’t in a hurry.

In her heart, there was only one thought: I must protect this child, no matter what!

The time it took for an incense stick to burn passed quickly. Honored Lady Shih was already panting heavily and drenched in sweat, as if she had just bathed.

The Imperial Physician was very satisfied. ”Sweating is good. It helps expel the dampness from your body, so the swelling will reduce!”

Honored Lady Shih, still catching her breath, said, ”Thank you for your guidance, Imperial Physician.”

The Imperial Physician bowed. ”This humble servant... will return tomorrow!”

Honored Lady Shih nodded, not seeing him out.

「...」

That evening, the Imperial Kitchen delivered a variety of nourishing soups. These were all items Honored Lady Shih was accustomed to having. A large table was laden with them. When Noble Concubine Shih saw these, she was reminded of Honored Lady Shih’s alarmingly large belly.

She felt irritable. ”Go, go, take them all away! Tell them not to prepare these anymore! Switch to something normal for her!”

Ying Yue’s expression turned serious. She promptly had the items taken away.

That night, Honored Lady Shih’s dinner was changed to something light and simple. Honored Lady Shih followed the Imperial Physician’s instructions and didn’t dare to overeat, putting down her chopsticks when she was about eighty percent full.

After several days of this regimen, Honored Lady Shih felt significantly lighter and was sleeping better. She no longer woke up frequently in the middle of the night, gasping for breath!

Meanwhile, Noble Concubine Shih was extremely irritated.

With the child in the picture, my schemes can’t unfold. To protect the child, I must first ensure the mother’s well-being. If both are safe, what do I stand to gain? When the child grows up, will it be closer to its birth mother, or to me?

That night, Noble Concubine Shih tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

「...」

「Within Ningshou Palace.」

The Empress Dowager claimed she wouldn’t meddle in Harem affairs, but with Honored Lady Shih so close to giving birth, it was impossible for her not to show any concern. Shih Wanying was someone she had personally brought into the palace. She had also personally arranged for her to conceive, to ensure a bloodline for the Shih Family.

Perhaps, in the future, this might be the only one.

This child was, therefore, extremely precious. Thus, when Xifu Palace summoned the Imperial Physician for several consecutive days, the Empress Dowager grew restless. She had Sister Qing call the Imperial Physician over.

The Empress Dowager was reportedly unwell. How could the Imperial Physician dare to delay? He immediately packed his medical kit and hurried over.

”This humble servant greets Your Majes—”

The Empress Dowager didn’t wait for him to finish, waving her hand dismissively. ”Never mind that! I have summoned you because I wish to inquire about Honored Lady Shih’s pulse.”

Agitated, the Empress Dowager didn’t want to wait a single moment longer.

The Imperial Physician, momentarily startled, carefully chose his words and offered some reassurance.