Receiving your rain and dew, nourishing silently.

Chen Yuwei took the initiative to start the concubines vying for the emperor's favor mode in the palace intrigue drama.

Her arrival successfully showed many concubines in the harem the true definition and absolute value of being a favored concubine.

Moreover, Hongli's own behavior was also surprising. He acted as if someone was chasing him, and he did not linger outside for even a moment.

Aside from attending court and handling palace affairs in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he would spend his days rushing to the Yikun Palace, staying overnight every night to be intimate with Chen Yuwei and enjoying the pleasures of life.

The children outside the palace: ...

Consort He Zhuo, who entered the palace intending to curry favor with the Emperor and secure benefits for the Hui people: ...

The others, watching He Zhuoshi vie for favor but forced by reality to remain mere bystanders: ...

"Is the Imperial Noble Consort planning to stage a 'pearl in the mouth' scenario, so that His Majesty may have another son?"

Since she was pregnant, she liked to imagine all the women who served her in bed as Consort Ling, who was about to become pregnant and give birth. At this moment, she was sitting in the main hall of Yongshou Palace with her maid Ping'er, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Blinded by the benefits of this pregnancy, even before her belly became noticeably larger, Consort Ling began behaving extremely abnormally. She even showed an unprecedented decrease in the attention she received from her three children, whom she had raised since childhood.

Who told her that this pregnancy was given so much hope by others?

Ping'er explained dryly, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort is already quite old, so she should not be able to."

She's already over forty and a grandmother; how could she possibly have any more children?

Although Ping'er didn't know much about the inside story, she was still aware of some basic facts.

For concubines in the imperial harem, even serving the emperor was difficult after the age of thirty, let alone getting pregnant, which was extremely difficult.

If the master hadn't possessed a fertility formula and relied on external aids, how could his children have been born one after another?

Besides, although the mistress is currently pregnant and giving birth frequently, making her seem like a favored concubine, her status is questionable.

In reality, whenever the Emperor came to Yongshou Palace, he would spend most of his time summoning the young and tender concubines who lived in the side halls and rooms.

However, these people are of low rank and have questionable backgrounds. They rely on their master for their livelihood and are not allowed to come and cause trouble for their master. This is how the master has managed to maintain some dignity in his position as the head of the palace.

Otherwise, the master would have to admit that he was old and faded, no longer favored, and that his presence in the emperor's eyes was negligible.

Consort Ling was unaware of what Ping'er was thinking. She lowered her head, still pondering Chen Yuwei's sudden rise to favor.

It can't be said that Chen Yuwei suddenly gained favor; it's just that they had always regarded Chen Yuwei as a background figure in the harem who didn't compete for anything. Unexpectedly, she turned around and made a brilliant comeback, disrupting the palace's order.

"The Imperial Noble Consort is indeed quite old, but that doesn't mean she can't get pregnant."

The Emperor is in the prime of his life and in good health; it would be easy for him to have a woman conceive.

"Ping'er, no matter what, we should always prepare in advance so we're prepared for anything."

Consort Ling gently clenched her fingers, still believing that the Imperial Noble Consort posed too great a threat to them and that they could not afford to be careless.

Ping'er: ...

Why did their master assume that the Imperial Noble Consort was pregnant and would bring trouble to their Yongshou Palace?

Besides, the Imperial Noble Consort was not pregnant for the first time. The eldest prince she gave birth to already held the title of Prince, which was no better than a little baby who knew nothing.

Looking at her master with a strange expression, Ping'er finally moved the corners of her mouth and could only nod in agreement.

Consort Ling waved her hand, supporting her already protruding belly, and asked Ping'er to keep an eye on the small kitchen.

"Whether it's the Imperial Astronomical Bureau's prediction or the imperial physicians' pulse diagnosis, everyone says this pregnancy is auspicious."

Although I have Yonglu, it's not entirely secure. Only if I could have a few more sons could Yongshou Palace's position be truly secure.

Thinking of the Wei family, who had been exiled by imperial decree earlier, Consort Ling felt that after years of enduring humiliation, she finally had a chance to bring them back.

Heaven knows how she got through these past few years. Not only was she extremely cautious, but she also had to smile and smooth things over everywhere. Even some of the lowly servants in the Imperial Household Department dared to take advantage of her.

If she hadn't believed in her ability to make a comeback and hadn't constantly encouraged herself, Consort Ling would probably have been disgusted to death by this differential treatment.

How many of the concubines in the imperial harem truly couldn't survive after falling out of favor? Most were overwhelmed by the cold treatment and the pain of having nowhere to turn for help after losing favor.

After all, a person still needs to live, and cannot live without the daily necessities of firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.

Without the emperor's favor, the money in his hands was only going in and not going out.

One year, two years, three years, four years—money is inanimate and will eventually run out. How many years can they hold on?

Consort Ling was only glad that she had worked hard enough back then. No matter what dangers she faced, she persevered and gritted her teeth to finish what she believed was right.

At least with four imperial heirs around him now (including the one in his womb), he can live quite well just by having children.

But that wasn't enough; Consort Ling wanted more, she wanted to climb even higher.

...

"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince have arrived."

He was already married with children, and his title had changed from Beile to Junwang.

When Xia He reports to her master, she subconsciously treats them like children.

However, this only applies to the daily interactions between Xia He and Chen Yuwei, the mistress and servant.

In other public places or crowded areas, Xia He would also address him as Prince.

"Let them in. Count the days, the Emperor's rewards have been distributed, they should be going to the palace to express their gratitude."

Setting down her half-finished teacup, Chen Yuwei sat on the tatami mat, her expression slightly languid as she raised her eyelids.

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