Chapter 198: The Nameless and Unrecognized Illegitimate Child

Shen Ruolan took a deep breath outside the hall, stepped forward, and gently knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Hearing the Empress's gentle voice, Shen Ruolan felt as if she had suddenly taken a reassuring pill, and her wildly beating heart calmed down considerably.

That's right, she will eventually become the empress, and she can't let this little thing throw her off balance.

"She's here, Huixin. Offer the concubine a seat."

"Thank you, Mother." Shen Ruolan bowed gracefully, displaying an air of refinement and propriety.

Huixin brought over an embroidered stool with tassels hanging from the four corners. Shen Ruolan nodded and sat down calmly. Just as she was about to speak, she heard the Empress's red lips part slightly: "Tomorrow, the Empress Dowager will be holding a spring banquet. I have been feeling a bit weak lately, so I will not be going."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ruolan was overjoyed and quickly put aside the matter of almond milk cake: "Mother, rest assured, Ruolan will definitely..."

"I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on Yuan Chao for me. Although your elder sister is also going, you came first, so you probably know Chao better. Don't let him do anything reckless in a moment of passion."

The empress reached out her hand, her slender golden fingers fiddling with the porcelain cup in front of her, producing a somewhat sharp and piercing sound.

Shen Ruolan's expression stiffened: "What does Mother mean by this?"

"It's nothing, it's just that Chao'er has had one accident after another, and I'm worried about her."

As she spoke, she took a sip of tea, then frowned slightly and looked at Huixin: "What kind of tea is this?"

Huixin quickly lowered her head and replied, "Your Majesty, this is tribute tea that His Majesty just sent. Your Majesty is used to drinking Dragon and Phoenix Tea and probably can't change your taste in a short time. Would you like me to brew some fresh tea and send it over?"

"Let's do as you say."

The Empress set down her porcelain cup and casually leaned back on the cushion: "Once a person gets old, they stop seeking novelty in their tea. They just keep drinking the same few kinds over and over again. Am I right?"

"……yes."

"Alright, why is your hair all wet? Did you just take a shower?"

"Yes, Huixin said that Mother Consort was looking for me. I came before I even had time to dry myself off. I hope Mother Consort will not blame Ruolan for her rudeness." Shen Ruolan smiled.

"Alright, you can go now. I should rest too."

The Empress breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed her temples, feeling a slight headache.

As soon as Shen Ruolan came out of the inner hall, her face immediately turned gloomy, as if she had become a different person.

The eldest sister was born to the stepmother, and it was fine that everyone in the family doted on her, but the mother, the concubine, also favored the eldest sister.

Why……

As Shen Ruolan was lost in thought, a pair of large hands suddenly touched the back of her hand: "What's wrong?"

She was startled and subconsciously looked up, "Brother Yuanchao?"

Yu Yuanchao took her slightly cold, soft hand into his palm: "What's wrong? Why are you spacing out here?"

"It's nothing, just a slight chill."

"That's good."

"Brother Yuanchao has also come to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager?"

Yu Yuanchao's face lit up with joy, and he nodded, saying, "I had almost forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it. Ruomei just had her pulse checked, and the imperial physician said she's pregnant!"

Shen Ruolan opened her mouth, but felt as if a fishbone was stuck in her throat.

"Got it?"

"I will go in now and tell Mother Consort the news. You may go back first."

After speaking, Yu Yuanchao withdrew his hand without the slightest hint of lingering and entered the inner hall without looking back.

Shen Ruolan stared blankly at her hands, as if the warmth of Yu Yuanchao still lingered in her palms.

The eldest son, the legitimate son, followed by the nameless and unrecognized illegitimate son.

That's an absolute joke.

Not only is no one helping her, but now even God seems to be working against her.

Shen Ruolan felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.