There could be no greater news under heaven.
The imperial physician took Wan Zhen’er’s pulse and then told her, definitively, that she was pregnant.”
Wan Zhen’er was stunned for a moment, then immediately broke into a radiant smile, so happy that her teeth showed but her eyes disappeared. She was excited like a child, almost jumping a foot high, and was fortunate to maintain her composure despite her excitement.
Wan Zhen’er said: “Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations. Your Majesty is going to be a father.”
The Emperor also broke into a bright smile, even more excited than Wan Zhen’er: “We also congratulate our beloved concubine. Our beloved concubine is going to be a mother.”
Empress Dowager Zhou’s gaze softened, and she asked, “It must have been hard?”
Wan Zhen’er nodded and answered honestly, “A bit, after all, I am getting older.”
Empress Dowager Zhou spoke from her experienced perspective, “Being a woman is always like this, enduring the hardships of childbirth.”
Wan Zhen’er smiled, “This concubine is not afraid.”
What was this hardship?
When Wan Zhen’er first became pregnant, it was truly difficult, being of advanced maternal age.
She vomited terribly, throwing up everything she ate, even bile, and her entire body became so thin that she was no longer the charming Wan Zhen’er, but a typical haggard wife.
The Emperor was heartbroken. He did not despise her for becoming unattractive but instead constantly hovered around her. The Emperor cared more about Wan Zhen’er than himself, wishing he could share her pain.
He even lowered his status, playing the comedian. He told jokes, made funny faces, performed skits, and was just short of braying like a donkey.
At this moment, the Emperor did not seem like an Emperor. Instead, Wan Zhen’er was more “Emperor-like”.
“Emperor, bring me water!”
“Emperor, massage me!”
“Emperor, I’m tired. Help me to bed to rest.”
The Emperor was not unhappy but eagerly listened to her commands. Later, as Wan Zhen’er stopped vomiting, she began craving sour things, especially cherries, grapes, and bayberries. The Emperor eagerly had people find and buy as many as possible.
An experienced old palace maid confidently said that craving sour foods definitely meant a son.
