Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 272

"No."

Zhao Xingjin's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice was hoarse, and his emotions were still somewhat conflicted, but he still tried his best to force a smile.

"This is a joyous occasion, how could I not be happy? Issue my decree: Consort Jin is pregnant, all those who serve her in Jingming Palace shall be rewarded with double their monthly salary!"

Upon hearing this, the palace servants present cheered with joy, thrilled by such a joyous occasion.

Chunrong and Qingfang were genuinely happy for Xie Jiu, their eyes reddening as they almost burst into tears.

But Xie Jiu, though smiling, felt incredibly heavy-hearted.

Because she could tell that the child was too unexpected, catching Zhao Xingjin completely off guard, and even contradicting his original plan, the happiness on Zhao Xingjin's face at this moment was mostly an act.

However, Xie Jiu could also sense that Zhao Xingjin was not entirely without expectations for the child in her womb.

His gaze was clearly burning with desire when it fell on her abdomen.

"Your Majesty, am I dreaming?"

Xie Jiu's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and tears slid down her cheeks.

She stared blankly at Zhao Xingjin, her eyes filled with surprise, disbelief, and fear of her beautiful dream being shattered.

Xie Jiu raised her trembling hand, seemingly wanting to reach out and grab Zhao Xingjin, yet also unsure where to place it, looking somewhat lost.

This fragile, confused, yet hopeful state was truly contradictory, like an invisible hand gripping Zhao Xingjin's heart, making him unable to bear hurting such a woman who had just tasted a fraction of the joy of becoming a mother for the first time.

"Don't be afraid." Zhao Xingjin took a deep breath and finally took Xie Jiu's hand, gently comforting her, "With me here, you and the child will be safe."

The promise was brief, but it was incredibly important to Xie Jiu at that moment.

Unlike the other concubines, the biggest obstacle for her in keeping the child was Zhao Xingjin.

She would feel much more at ease if Zhao Xingjin would allow her to give birth to this child.

So when Xie Jiu felt the warmth from the man's palm, a relieved smile appeared on her face, and she looked happy and joyful.

“We’re pregnant.” Xie Jiu took the initiative, pulling Zhao Xingjin’s hand and placing it on her lower abdomen, her eyes glistening with tears. “I never dared to dream of this day.”

Zhao Xingjin naturally understood what she meant. The caution and heavy pressure in her eyes came from him, and he was the child's father.

What started as an exchange of interests turned out to be a genuine friendship, and even a shared bloodline.

Zhao Xingjin's feelings were very complicated, but gradually, his expectations for this child became clearer and clearer.

With his palm resting on the woman's soft belly, Zhao Xingjin thought about the little life he and Xie Jiu had created there. He found it incredible and novel.

This child, naturally, made him feel different, because the child's mother was different from the other concubines.

Zhao Xingjin pulled Xie Jiu into his arms and gently stroked her back. "Yes, we have a child now. You must take good care of yourself and give birth to him safely. I hope he will be as intelligent and adorable as you."

"Mmm." Xie Jiu responded, leaning on his shoulder, her body incredibly soft, as if maternal tenderness was beginning to change her.

Zhao Xingjin patted her back. "Alright, I still have official business to attend to. You should rest well. I'll have Yang Zhian bring you some tonics later. I'll come see you again when I have time."

He still wanted to go back and process this unexpected event.

Xie Jiu guessed his thoughts, obediently agreed, and saw him off.

Soon, the news of Consort Jin's pregnancy spread throughout the palace, causing quite a stir.

Especially Fukang Palace.

The Empress Dowager immediately ordered someone to invite Zhao Xingjin, but Zhao Xingjin declined temporarily, citing his busy schedule with state affairs. Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager went to Chengming Hall herself. "Emperor, you are foolish! How could you allow Lady Xie to become pregnant? How could someone of her status be worthy of bearing an imperial heir!"

As soon as they entered the hall, the Empress Dowager spoke anxiously.

Zhao Xingjin frowned. "Mother, she has nothing to do with the Wu family's crimes, nor with the Xie family's crimes. She is just a victim."

"I think you've been bewitched by her!" the Empress Dowager said angrily. "I don't care if you keep her by your side to serve you and pamper her. I'll just treat her like a favorite cat or dog. As long as she doesn't cause trouble in the palace, it won't be a problem. But how can she bear imperial offspring!"

At this point, the Empress Dowager's face showed grief.

"Why did that dog emperor put your father under such pressure back then? Wasn't it because of the treacherous minister Xie Mingshen who spoke up for him? Your father was already physically weak, and he exhausted himself trying to protect the Prince's Mansion. If it weren't for that, he could have lived a few more years!"

Although the Empress Dowager minded Xie Jiu's second marriage, deep down she was a woman herself and felt some sympathy for Xie Jiu after she was betrayed by the Wu family. However, the Empress Dowager hated Xie Jiu's maternal family the most.

As the daughter of a treacherous official, the Empress Dowager never believed that Xie Jiu could be a good person.

This cannot be entirely blamed on the Empress Dowager. She had a good relationship with Zhao Xingjin's father, and her husband's death was a lingering pain in her heart.

However, Xie Jiu is also innocent.

"Mother, my child is innocent." How could Zhao Xingjin not be conflicted?

However, during the year or so that he spent with Xie Jiu, his attitude and feelings towards Xie Jiu had gradually changed.

He used to pamper her, but it was all an act. Now, he wasn't even sure if it was still an act.

But no matter what, Zhao Xingjin would not kill his own child, a child who was still unformed, like a blank sheet of paper, his own bloodline.

This statement, "The child is innocent," did awaken some reason in the Empress Dowager's mind.

Clutching the handkerchief tightly in her hand, the Empress Dowager gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with anger, helplessness, and a touch of reluctance.

After a long silence, the Empress Dowager finally gave in.

"Very well, if you trust her so much, I have nothing to say. But I'll make this clear: if she neglects Wenxi after having her own child, or develops any improper thoughts that harm the other imperial heirs, then Your Majesty, even if you don't acknowledge me as your mother, I will personally deal with her!"

"Mother, rest assured, if that day ever comes, your son will not tolerate her either," Zhao Xingjin replied in a deep voice.

Only after receiving these words did the Empress Dowager leave Chengming Hall with a somber expression.

into the night.

Zhao Xingjin didn't go anywhere; he just stayed in his own palace to rest.

At Jingming Palace, Xie Jiu lay down earlier than him.

Knowing that she was pregnant, Chunrong and Qingfang were very nervous and strictly followed the imperial physician's instructions to take care of Xie Jiu's daily life. For example, they had to abide by the rule that she could not stay up late.

However, even though Xie Jiu lay down, he couldn't fall asleep.

His eyes were fixed on the darkness before him, and he felt dazed.

Having lived two lives, this is her first pregnancy.

Excitement, fear, worry, but mostly joy.

There will be one more person in this world who is connected to her by blood.

But what path should we take in the future? I'm at a loss.

I tossed and turned for a long time, unable to fall asleep.

Just as she was sighing that she might not sleep well tonight, she suddenly heard some familiar footsteps outside.