The imperial physician arrived quickly.

The emperor arrived with the imperial physician, dressed in court robes, clearly having just finished the morning court session and not yet having had time to change. He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that Chen Jin'er was alright and chatting happily with Jiao Jiao.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here? Isn't it time for the morning court session?"

The emperor glared at her, annoyed. "I left court a little early today. I heard you had summoned a physician from your palace as soon as I stepped out of the palace gates. Are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine. I was just having a good time talking to Jiaojiao and my stomach hurts a little from laughing. Granny Jin is too anxious."

Chen Jin'er replied with a smile.

The emperor looked at him with doting eyes, "If you were more obedient, why would the nanny be so worried?"

Having said that, he called to the imperial physician, "Since you're all here, give the Imperial Concubine a proper check-up."

The imperial physician, wiping his sweat, came over to take his pulse.

Chen Jin'er reluctantly extended her hand, and the emperor looked helpless. She was pregnant, yet she was still acting like a child.

However, what he liked most was her childlike nature.

It felt as if he had become much younger, still the same young man he once was, something he couldn't feel from the other concubines.

The imperial physician's fingers trembled.

Cold sweat dripped onto my forehead. This... the pregnancy is stable and there's nothing wrong!

After a long silence, until Jiang Jiaojiao's heart was pounding, the imperial physician finally lowered his hand, wiped his sweat, and carefully reported, "Your Highness, the prince in your womb is fine, but you must still avoid extreme joy or sorrow and should rest well. I will prescribe a few more doses of medicine to stabilize the pregnancy..."

"No, no, no—"

Chen Jin'er quickly refused, "I won't drink those bitter medicines."

"What do you think of this pregnancy-stabilizing pill?"

Chen Jin'er immediately handed over the pregnancy-stabilizing pills that Jiao Jiao had given her. The old doctor took the pills, smelled them, and then crushed a piece to taste them.

She then answered, "This pregnancy-stabilizing pill is excellent; Your Majesty may take it."

"That's natural."

Chen Jin'er pointed to the table full of pills and medicinal herbs and said to the Emperor in a coquettish tone, "Your Majesty, look, Jiao Jiao has brought so many good things. You must help me to reward them properly."

With his beloved concubine in his arms, the emperor looked at Jiang Jiaojiao with increasing satisfaction.

"You are a lucky man. Seventh Brother's health has improved a lot now, and you deserve a lot of credit for that. Is there anything you want?"

Seeing that His Majesty was in a good mood, Jiang Jiaojiao's heart stirred. A sly smile appeared on her face as she cautiously probed, "Your Majesty, is what you said true? Anything is possible?"

"oh?"

These words piqued the emperor's curiosity. "What do you want?"

Jiang Jiaojiao knelt down with a grin.

"This humble woman wishes to request an imperial title for her maternal grandmother..."

These words were spoken.

The emperor was stunned. "Aren't you going to plead for yourself?"

“Jiaojiao…you silly girl, I’m the one who has to beg for my mother’s title.”

Chen Jin'er's eyes reddened.

Jiang Jiaojiao smiled and said, "Your requests are yours, but my requests are out of filial piety."

"Hahaha! Very well! I will grant your wish of filial piety! Madam Jin has done a good job in educating her children and grandchildren, so she shall be granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Jiang Jiaojiao immediately bowed and expressed her gratitude.

She winked at Chen Jin'er, "I have to hurry back and tell my grandmother this good news. You two... can chat slowly."

Having said that, she immediately gave the space to the two who were deeply in love.

The emperor was already used to their banter and didn't feel it was against the rules. On the contrary, he felt relaxed and comfortable. He pointed at Jiang Jiaojiao and laughed a few times before having someone escort her out of the palace.

With red eyes, Chen Jin'er waved to Jiao Jiao, "Slow down, be careful."

Jiaojiao wasn't in a hurry to go back and inform them; she was clearly trying to avoid suspicion. Jiaojiao knew that she was now pregnant and the most favored concubine, with many people watching her, hoping that she would become arrogant and lose the emperor's favor.

I'm afraid that no sooner had she petitioned for her mother to be granted an official title than the censors of the previous dynasty would impeach her, giving the Empress Dowager and the Empress a pretext to punish her.

But now...

Jiaojiao attributed the imperial decree to herself, and relying on the grievances she had suffered with the Seventh Prince not long ago, the censors really didn't dare to impeach her too much.

Even with the Empress Dowager and Empress, it's not advisable to make things too difficult.

Once a mother receives an imperial decree, she can personally deliver a letter to the palace to express her gratitude, and can even openly accompany her in the palace during her pregnancy.

We left Qixiang Palace.

Ah Yuan and Ah Xiang were still sweating profusely. They secretly looked at their young mistress. The young mistress was too bold. She actually dared to openly ask His Majesty for a reward.

And it was such a great reward, like that of a first-rank imperial consort!

According to the rules, the wife and mother of a first-rank official could only be granted the title of first-rank imperial consort when the official had made great contributions.

Although it was His Majesty who asked the question first.

But don't noble ladies from aristocratic families all humbly decline, as a sign of their loyalty?

Jiang Jiaojiao walked contentedly, and as she walked... she found herself unknowingly walking into a garden, where she could hear an arrogant and domineering voice in the distance.

"Useless thing!"

"Beat her to death! Don't stop until I tell you to!"

Then came the loud sound of slaps and the palace maid's pleas for mercy.

Jiang Jiaojiao couldn't help but look at the palace maid who had led the way, her eyes narrowing slightly. This was the same palace maid who had brought her into the palace before.

Jiang Jiaojiao stopped immediately.

But it was too late.

People in the distance spotted them immediately.

"Which palace are you from? Get over here right now!"

A Yuan and A Xiang's faces turned deathly pale instantly.

Before entering the palace, the lady repeatedly instructed them to observe carefully, but they were shocked by the eldest daughter's request for favors and were still in shock.

This is clearly not the way out of the palace.

Those in the distance, seeing that Jiang Jiaojiao and her companions didn't move, became furious. "Hey—this princess is calling you! Which palace are you from? Get over here right now!"

The palace maid leading the way was trembling with fear, her face as pale as paper, her eyes filled with terror and unease, and her body involuntarily shrinking back.

Jiang Jiaojiao slowly walked over, her eyes fixed on the front. As she got closer, she gradually saw the girl in the golden palace dress.

The girl's clothes were made of Shu brocade, embroidered with exquisite phoenix patterns. The gold and silver threads shimmered brightly in the sunlight, making her look exceptionally gorgeous. The pearl headdress she wore was full and large, crystal clear, and emitted a faint luster. She was about twelve or thirteen years old, with a beautiful face. However, her upturned eyebrows ruined the innocent charm on her face, giving her a spoiled and willful feeling.

When she saw Jiang Jiaojiao's pale yellow dress, a feeling of jealousy welled up inside her. The dress was exquisitely tailored and brightly colored, seemingly radiating a soft glow, making Jiang Jiaojiao even more beautiful and charming.

The enormous pearl at her waist was dazzling and impossible to ignore. Her headdress, adorned with jewels and pure gold, was magnificent and noble, perfectly complementing her气质 (qi zhi - inherent quality/temperament).

The girl's face instantly turned ugly. Her eyes widened as she stared intently at Jiang Jiaojiao, her eyes filled with anger and jealousy.

"Who are you! Who gave you permission to wear gold in the palace?"

She asked through gritted teeth, her voice filled with anger.

Then, she suddenly waved her hand, pointed at Jiang Jiaojiao, and ordered, "Strip her of her clothes and headdress for this princess!"