The Villains Must Win-Chapter 26: Han Feng

"This humble concubine brings joyous news. I am with child." She bowed deeply, placing her hands over her abdomen as though cradling the life within. "You are to become a father, Your Majesty. Our firstborn shall be blessed by the gods and our ancestors alike, as the first child of the Han dynasty."

Han Feng’s gaze shifted, his expression still distant. He spoke only one word, his tone devoid of emotion. "Pregnant?"

Concubine Qing Ru’s eyes flickered briefly toward the physician standing nearby. Sensing her silent command, the old man stepped forward hesitantly, his face pale, the lines of age etched deep into his features. Bowing low, he addressed the emperor.

"This humble physician greets Your Majesty," he said, his voice trembling slightly under the weight of imperial authority. "Indeed, Lady Qing is with child. I have examined her pulse, and it bears the unmistakable signs of early pregnancy. The pulse is both slippery and soft, indicative of life within."

Han Feng’s eyes narrowed, though not in suspicion—merely in impatience. He had every reason to doubt the physician’s words, yet he felt no joy at the news. Where once the prospect of an heir might have stirred excitement, now it seemed a trivial matter compared to the thought of returning to Xue Li’s side.

"Is that right? You’re pregnant?" Han Feng said in a bored tone.

Concubine Qing Ru’s heart leapt, believing she had succeeded in securing the emperor’s favor once more. Yet as she lifted her gaze to meet his, she found only indifference in his eyes.

"Your Majesty . . ." she called out softly, but his indifferent gaze didn’t change.

Han Feng’s thoughts were already elsewhere—already with the woman who had, without effort, claimed his heart. What he craved was something no title or bloodline could grant—Xue Li’s love, freely given and untainted by imperial politics.

Sensing the Emperor’s doubt, the Physician bowed deeply to Lady Qing as he spoke in a calm, steady tone. "Lady Qing, if it pleases you, I shall perform the pulse examination."

Lady Qing gave a slight nod, and the physician gestured for her to rest her wrist upon the small silk pillow on the table before her. With delicate precision, he placed his fingertips lightly against her wrist, each finger resting upon a different point. He closed his eyes, focusing entirely on the subtle rhythm beneath her skin.

Time seemed to stretch as he listened—not with his ears, but with his touch. The room was silent save for the soft rustling of the breeze through the silk curtains. After a moment, he opened his eyes, a faint glimmer of understanding flickering within them.

"The pulse . . ." he began, his voice thoughtful, "it is both slippery and soft, as if a fine bead were rolling beneath the skin. Such a pulse is known as the hua mai—the Pulse of Life." He paused, meeting Lady Qing’s gaze and the Emperor. "It is the sign of early pregnancy, my lord and lady."

The faint smile on Concubine Qing’s lips faltered as Han Feng raised a hand, his gesture cold and commanding.

"Bring it in," he said, his voice calm, devoid of any hint of anger.

Concubine Qing blinked, confused by his words until several servants entered, carrying a delicately adorned tray. Upon it was a porcelain bowl of Bird’s Nest and Abalone Soup, the warm aroma filling the room with a sense of unease rather than comfort.

As realization dawned upon her, the color drained from Lady Qing’s face.

Han Feng’s sharp gaze locked onto her. His expression remained indifferent, but there was a glint of steel in his eyes as he spoke, his voice as steady as a winter stream.

"I trust you recognize this. Every concubine in the palace is served this very soup each morning. It contains medicinal herbs designed to prevent conception."

Concubine Qing’s lips trembled. "Y-Your Majesty . . ."

"So," Han Feng continued, his tone cold yet measured, "unless you have somehow avoided drinking this for days—an act that would be difficult given the vigilance of my servants—there is no possible way you could be pregnant. Unless, of course . . ." He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "You are attempting to deceive this emperor."

Deceived?! You’re the one who deceived me! Lady Qing wanted to shout, her rage boiling over. But she quickly swallowed her words, knowing all too well the consequences of speaking out of turn—she did not wish for her head to be parted from her shoulders.

Who could have known that the soup was laced with medicine to ensure the concubines in the palace would not bear children?

The weight of Han Feng’s words pressed down on the room like an iron shackle. Concubine Qing’s composure cracked, her carefully maintained elegance crumbling under the intensity of his gaze. "Y-Your Majesty . . . I-I would never dare . . ." ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Han Feng straightened, his gaze never leaving her. "Seize them," he ordered coldly. Guards moved forward without hesitation, their armor clinking softly as they closed in on Concubine Qing and her servants.

Terror overtook Concubine Qing as she fell to her knees, her voice rising in a desperate plea. "Your Majesty! Please, have mercy! I was only trying to—"

Han Feng cut her off, "For attempting to deceive this emperor, you and your servants shall be punished. Remove their tongues and bind them outside the palace gates, where they may serve as a feast for the beasts. Strip their family of their titles and exile them."

A chorus of desperate cries filled the air as Concubine Qing and her servants prostrated themselves on the cold floor, their pleas echoing through the chamber like the wails of ghosts.

Tears streamed down Concubine Qing’s once-beautiful face, but her sorrow stirred no compassion in the emperor’s heart.

Amid the chaos, the trembling physician fell to his knees, his forehead touching the floor in a frantic bid for mercy. "Your Majesty! Please spare me! I had no choice—Concubine Qing threatened my life. I was forced into this deception. I beg for your clemency!"

Concubine Qing’s tear-streaked face twisted in fury. "You wretched coward! That’s not what you said when you accepted my family’s silver!" she spat, her voice filled with venom. "You willingly aided me, and now you betray me?"

Han Feng paid their quarrel no mind, his expression as cold as frost. He turned to the guards. "As for the physician, deliver him to Gu. I recall he has been seeking live subjects for his experiments in poison. Let him find use in this deceitful wretch."

The physician’s face turned deathly pale, and his body went limp with terror. He made no further attempt to beg as the guards hauled him away like a lifeless rag.