Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 97 Seeking a Physician to Take Her Pulse

Lou Suyi, who was with Empress Dowager Chen, pricked up her ears to eavesdrop on the friendly interactions between Murong and his beloved concubines.

She glanced at Empress Dowager Chen and saw that Empress Dowager Chen was also watching the play with great interest, almost as if she was about to put out some melon seeds for them to eat.

Perhaps it was because her and Empress Dowager Chen's gazes were too direct, but the young emperor, surrounded by the concubines of the harem, suddenly looked in their direction.

Lou Suying turned her gaze away warily and said to Empress Dowager Chen, "The chrysanthemums are exceptionally beautiful this year!"

Empress Dowager Chen absentmindedly echoed, "Yes, it's beautiful."

The sight of the emperor surrounded by numerous concubines was even more captivating; she desperately wished her son would come to his senses and bear her several grandsons. Of course, except for that vile woman, Lady Liang!

Murong seemed to only then remember Empress Dowager Chen. He stepped out from among the many beautiful women and walked slowly to Empress Dowager Chen, saying, "Son will accompany Mother for a walk."

Empress Dowager Chen looked at the concubines of the harem, each with their own unique charm, and said, "What's the point of keeping an old woman like me company? You should spend more time with them."

Murong just smiled and stayed by Empress Dowager Chen's side, but between him and Empress Dowager Chen was Lou Suyi.

Lou Suyi didn't know why, but she found herself standing between two important figures, surrounded by admirers, which made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

Liang Wanying disliked the way Consort De had been showing off in front of Murong, and now she disliked Lou Suying even more for being a nun who was competing with the other concubines for men.

She looked at Consort De and sighed softly, "It seems His Majesty doesn't like you that much, little sister. Kong Chen attracts His Majesty's attention more than you do. Little sister, why don't you look closely at how tender His Majesty's gaze is towards Kong Chen?"

Consort De followed Liang Wanying's gaze but didn't see any tenderness in her eyes, since Murong hadn't even looked at Lou Suyi directly.

Although she also felt that Lou Suyi was a menace, Liang Wanying's words were merely meant to incite her jealousy and make her deal with Lou Suyi.

“It’s normal for Your Majesty to find Kongchen gentle, after all, Master Kongchen once saved Your Majesty’s life.” Consort De stared intently at Murong’s figure, her eyes filled with infatuation, acting like a lovesick fool. “Your Majesty is so handsome, I can’t take my eyes off him every time I see him.”

Liang Wanying looked down on Consort De for judging people by their appearance.

What she valued was Murong's power and ability; as for his appearance, it was always her last resort.

"My sister admires Abbess Kongchen the most. She was able to be so close to His Majesty, yet she remained as still as a mountain. Kongchen truly lives up to her reputation as a nun; she could remain so composed when she saw His Majesty's face." At this point, Consort De added with admiration, "Perhaps it's because she sees His Majesty so often that she's become accustomed to it?"

Liang Wanying had a sudden realization that Consort De was right.

Lou Suyi was so at ease because she and Murong met so often.

“However, their spending too much time together can also be a problem. There’s an idiom that goes something like this: ‘familiarity breeds affection.’ Sister, His Majesty and Abbess Kongchen see each other all the time. Could they also develop feelings for each other over time?” Consort De asked again, sounding a bit surprised.

Liang Wanying felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing this; she felt that this possibility was very high.

But is Consort De's statement suspected of being provocative?

At this moment, she had to re-evaluate Consort De; this woman was far more cunning than she had imagined.

Lou Suyi was unaware that Liang Wanying and Consort De were using her to provoke each other. She got tired after walking for a while and wanted to find a place to sit down, but she didn't know how to bring it up with Empress Dowager Chen.

Unexpectedly, Murong suddenly said, "Is Mother tired? Let me accompany you to the pavilion to rest for a while." Empress Dowager Chen wanted to say that she was in good health and did not need to rest, but she did not want to refuse her son's good intentions.

Lou Suying was secretly delighted. As soon as she entered the pavilion, she found a place to sit down.

Because the stone bench was too cold, a palace maid had already placed a blanket on it. She sat down comfortably, but when she looked up, she met Murong's eyes, which seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

She looked completely bewildered, not understanding what Murong was laughing at about her.

When she looked down and saw her slightly protruding belly, she was startled. Could it be that the emperor had realized she wasn't fat, but pregnant?
After all, he was involved and knew that his relationship with her was not innocent.

It's normal that outsiders didn't know they had been having an affair and that she was pregnant.

But Murong, that cunning old fox, is different...

For a moment, she was in a state of confusion and subconsciously looked at Murong again.

Murong then took his seat, but did not look directly at her. Instead, he sat beside Empress Dowager Chen, admiring the various famous chrysanthemum varieties around him in the pavilion, as if that meaningful glance from earlier was just her imagination.

"Suyi, is something on your mind?" Empress Dowager Chen's voice suddenly startled Lou Suyi from her thoughts.

Lou Suyi then wanted to back out, and stammered, "This humble nun is not feeling well. May I return to Xianfu Palace first?"

Empress Dowager Chen subconsciously looked at Murong and saw that Murong was looking at Lou Suyi. She suddenly felt that this was an opportunity to bring Lou Suyi and Murong together.

Today, however, beauties have gathered. Not only have the most prominent concubines from the imperial harem come, but even the most promising young ladies from noble families in the capital who are still unmarried have come.

But these daughters of noble families had all appeared before Murong, yet he never seemed interested in them.

She hesitated for only a moment before making her decision: "You're not feeling well, how can I let you return to Xianfu Palace alone? How about this, let the imperial physician come and examine you..."

Lou Suying jumped up in fright upon hearing this: "No need—"

In an instant, everyone's eyes fell on her, including the female members of the Suning Marquis's household.

Liang Wanying and Consort De also looked at her, not to mention Murong and Empress Dowager Chen.

"You silly child, it's just a pulse check, why are you so frightened?" Empress Dowager Chen chuckled. "It's alright, let the imperial physician check your pulse, and I'll feel at ease."

Lou Suying finally understood what it meant to shoot herself in the foot; she was in a state of utter confusion. Although she knew the truth would eventually come out, she didn't want her pregnancy to be discovered in front of so many people.

Her mind went blank. Empress Dowager Chen was about to call the imperial physician when Murong spoke up: "Mother, there's no need to be surprised. I see that Kongchen has a rosy complexion and is as strong as an ox. Anyone could get sick, but only Abbess Kongchen wouldn't."

Lou Suyi felt for the first time that Murong spoke very well. She nodded vigorously: "That's right! This humble nun is as strong as an ox, how could I be sick? This humble nun is not feeling unwell at all right now, please don't let this humble nun disturb the enjoyment of the flowers for all the distinguished guests."

Empress Dowager Chen chuckled upon hearing this; she was growing increasingly fond of plain clothes, which pleased her greatly.

If the emperor is perceptive enough to appreciate plain clothes, keeping them in the harem could provide her with companionship.

The emperor's words were unpleasant to hear; he actually said in front of everyone that Su Yi was as strong as an ox. Fortunately, Su Yi was easygoing and didn't take his nonsense to heart.