Pregnant Before the

JiangNinglimpedoutofherquartersonedayandenteredtheJiangfamily’ssecondcourtyard,justastheEmperorwasselectingaconcubineforPrinceYu.Nobleladiesfromhigh-rankingfamiliesputintheirbesteffortstoparticipateintheselection,buttheflowerfellonJiangNing,whowasmerelytheretowatchthespectacle.JiangNingwasconfused.ShedarednotletPrinceYubeascapegoat,soshetriedeverypossiblewaytotelleveryoneshewaspregnant.However,noonebelievedher.Whenshevomitedaftereating,theylaughedatherforfeigningillness.Whenshefelttired,theylaughedatherforpretendingtobedelicate.Whenherbellygrewlarger,theylaughedatherforovereating.WhenJiangNingwantedadoctor’sconfirmation,alleighteendoctorssheconsultedhadthesameopinion:“You’rejusteatingtoomuch!”Thefifthprince,PrinceYu,wasadashingandhandsomeyoungman.Heexudedanairofsophisticationandregalbeauty.ThiswashowthecommonpeopleofChang’anCitytypicallydescribedhim.ButtherealPrinceYuwascoldandruthless,usingwomenwithoutanyemotionalattachment.HeknewthatthesecondmadamoftheJiangfamilywastheEmperor’ssecretlove,andhealsoknewthatthedaughterrecentlybroughtbackbytheJiangfamilylookedexactlylikethesecondmadaminheryouth.So,eventhoughthegirlhadalimp,hestilltossedtheembroideredflowerinhishandintoherlap.Aftertheirmarriage,heknewshewasjustapawn.Butforthesakeofthethrone,hehadtopretendtocherishhereventhoughhedetestedher,until…