Yongshou Palace Main Hall

"I knew this person would be a menace in the palace; we shouldn't have held back."

Consort Shu, with her pregnant belly, paced back and forth around the main hall of her palace.

Beside her was Cuizhi, whose eyes were filled with worry. Seeing her mistress so agitated, she didn't know what to say for a moment.

Sigh, our master is still too sensitive. Besides, they did try to take action back then, but they failed to deal with this Xitala Consort several times.

Cuizhi couldn't help but mutter to herself, but she didn't show it on her face, because she knew that if she spoke, she would only be asking for a scolding, given her master's current mood.

Sure enough, after being a background figure for a while, Consort Shu finally finished saying what she wanted to say. Cuizhi stepped forward and helped Consort Shu sit down, and also brought her her daily dose of medicine to prevent miscarriage.

"Hmm, it's a bit bitter. Bring me some candied fruit."

Consort Shu frowned and pushed the half-finished medicine for preventing miscarriage to Cuizhi.

“Your Majesty, candied fruit is sweet and will counteract the effects of the medicine,” Cuizhi said hesitantly, holding the tray.

"What's there to be afraid of? My health isn't as bad as the rumors say," Consort Shu waved her hand, and finally took a bite of candied fruit to relieve the bitterness in her mouth. "Take the rest of the pregnancy-preserving medicine away and throw it away."

"With her taking pregnancy-preserving medicine every day, I'm starting to believe what the imperial physician says is true."

Muttering something under her breath, Consort Shu leaned back, taking the opportunity to relieve her sore waist and neck.

As the pregnancy progressed, some health problems inevitably arose. Even with servants surrounding her, Consort Shu could not alleviate these physical symptoms.

Silently grumbling about the hardships of childbirth, Consort Shu felt irritated once again.

As long as she can keep this pregnancy and give birth to the little prince, she will never get pregnant again.

The decay and numbness of ancient times had not destroyed Consort Shu's modern personality. Therefore, at times, Consort Shu's inner thoughts still leaned more towards her modern self, which is why Cuizhi sometimes didn't understand (after all, the thought processes of native ancient people and modern people are different).

Cuizhi, who listened to the whole thing: ...

Although the imperial physician's words contained some exaggeration, he truly did not deceive his master.

With a sigh of exhaustion, Cuizhi picked up the soup bowl and left the main hall.

As soon as she stepped out the door, Cuizhi bumped into a palace maid running from the courtyard.

"Why are you so unsteady and flustered?"

Cuizhi quickly called for a halt, and fearing that the master inside the hall might hear the commotion, she pulled the little palace maid aside.

The young palace maid shrank back after Cuizhi spoke to her. "Sister Cuizhi, I... I have news to tell the master."

News? "What news?"

Cuizhi turned her head and glanced behind her. "My mistress just drank the medicine to prevent miscarriage and is about to rest. Tell me the news, and I will pass it on to her later."

The young palace maid was somewhat hesitant upon hearing this, but she knew Cuizhi's status in Yongshou Palace, so she eventually told her the news.

"Is the Borjigit concubine of Yonghe Palace pregnant?"

Unexpectedly, the news was so explosive that Cui Zhi couldn't hold back her excitement, and her eyes widened in shock.

The young palace maid nodded, feeling regretful that the reward she was supposed to receive had slipped away. "It was Imperial Physician Lu who brought the news. Today, the concubine Borjigit of Yonghe Palace accidentally injured her body."

Physician Lu was in charge of the examinations and could vaguely detect some signs of pregnancy.

Physician Lu was Niohuru's connection in the Imperial Hospital and also her most deeply hidden spy. This was because he was on good terms with the Mongol faction, which was the main reason why Consort Shu always knew more about the movements of the Mongol concubines than others. Everything was traceable.

Cuizhi gasped, "Only Physician Lu knew about this?"

The palace maid nodded. "It was just that the eunuch next to Physician Lu mentioned it when he came to deliver the medicine to prevent miscarriage."

With Consort Shu residing in Yongshou Palace, it was a major consumer of pregnancy-stabilizing medicines.

The medicine prescribed by the Imperial Hospital to prevent miscarriage was delivered almost every two days.

At this point, many people will be paying attention, so it's difficult to do anything shady. And naturally, not many people will specifically remember the person who delivers the pregnancy-stabilizing medication.

As a result, the connection between Yongshou Palace and the Imperial Medical Academy has continued.

"I understand, you can go now," Cuizhi waved her hand, then called to the little palace maid, "Don't forget to go to Granny Zhao's to collect your reward."

The young palace maid's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Sister Cuizhi."

Watching the young palace maid leave happily, Cuizhi thought for a moment, then decided to first pour out the medicine in her hand before entering the main hall to inform her master of the news.

Consort Shu was naturally surprised that Borjigit was pregnant. She was a Mongolian concubine, and if she gave birth to a prince, the Empress Dowager would definitely support her to ascend to the throne.

"It would be best to dispose of it when no one knows," Consort Shu's eyes darted around, suddenly realizing this was an opportunity. Only Physician Lu knew, so she could do as she pleased.

"Your Majesty, isn't this too risky?" After all, if they find out, they will definitely be targeted by the Empress Dowager.

"If we don't take action, what will happen when he competes with my son for that position in the future?"

Consort Shu was thinking too much; she had practically planned out the future.

Seeing that she couldn't persuade her otherwise, Cuizhi could only nod in agreement.

...

The commotion at Yongshou Palace could be kept secret from most of the harem, but it could not be kept from the Empress, who had always kept her eyes on Consort Shu.

In Hesheli Fangyi's heart, Consort Shu had always been her biggest worry.

So after hearing Tan Yun say that there was movement in Yongshou Palace, she kept a close eye on it. However, without knowing that there was a pregnancy in Yonghe Palace, she couldn't figure out what Yongshou Palace was planning.

"Hmph, putting on airs!"

Hesheli Fangyi thought that Consort Shu was just so-so, "maybe she's plotting against someone again."

Pay close attention to Qixiang Palace. Since returning to the palace, the Emperor has summoned Lady Hitara twice more.

This month, Lady Hitara has served the emperor quite a few times. If Consort Shu is interested, we should help her out.”

Hesheli Fangyi would not let go of the opportunity to reap the benefits.

Tan Yun nodded, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant understands."

Meanwhile, the concubine Borjigit, who was being plotted against by Consort Shu, was completely unaware of the impending danger.

Ever since she accidentally fell while paying her respects, Consort Borjigit has been staying obediently outside the Yonghe Palace, never venturing out.

The maidservants who served her were also helpless. They tried every day to cheer up their mistress, but unfortunately, she was in low spirits and they couldn't cheer her up at all.

"My lady, you should try to think more positively. There's still a long time ahead. You can't just keep living like this." She was too dejected and depressed.

The maid spoke in unfamiliar Mandarin, stammering as she tried to persuade the other person.

“I miss home, I miss the grasslands of Horqin, I miss Abu and the others.”

Borjigit rubbed her cheek. She didn't want to, but life in the palace was too oppressive. She had lived there for almost ten years and had gained nothing. She could only live a lonely life in the huge palace.