Chapter 5 The Fake Pregnancy Scheme

"Fourth Prince..."

After listening to Cui Jinxi explain the backgrounds of the two princes, Shen Meizhuang felt, for some reason, that the figure in the back should be the Fourth Prince.

That figure was like a resilient and upright figure in adversity, like a green bamboo sprouting from the soil, with a delicate and handsome appearance that also carried a touch of heartbreaking fragility, much like the Fourth Prince Hongli who had no one to rely on.

The Fifth Prince at least had his biological mother by his side, but the Fourth Prince had nothing.

Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache, and a hint of sorrow crept into her eyes. Seeing this, Zhen Huan, unaware of the situation, took her hand and softly asked, "Sister Mei, what's wrong?"

Shen Meizhuang shook her head slightly, looking rather dejected. "After hearing about the Fourth Prince's experiences, I just feel..."

She reached out and touched her belly. "Perhaps Huan'er is right. I shouldn't have been in such a hurry to have a child. If... if I were to die, how pitiful my child would be..."

"Sister Mei!" Zhen Huan interrupted her disapprovingly, "You mustn't talk nonsense."

Shen Meizhuang then realized her mistake and smiled helplessly, "I misunderstood and made Huan'er worry."

Holding Zhen Huan's hand in return, Shen Meizhuang looked at her apologetically. The two skipped over the topic and chatted about other things. However, Shen Meizhuang's eagerness to have a child had indeed faded. Therefore, she no longer drank the "fertility-enhancing medicine" she had obtained from Jiang Cheng.

When the news spread to Xian Yue Pavilion, Cao Qinmo, who had set up the "fake pregnancy scheme," couldn't help but feel a little surprised and worried that Shen Meizhuang might have noticed something. But after observing her carefully for a few days, she found that Shen Meizhuang was drinking Fuling's "sour plum soup" as usual.

Only then did she feel relieved, and under Consort Hua's impatient urging, she continued to advance her scheme.

...

"Oh, my two younger sisters are here too. The weather is nice today, it's good to come out for a walk."

On this day, Cao Qinmo and Consort Xin were traveling with Consort Qi when they happened to meet Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang.

"Greetings to Consort Qi, Noble Lady Cao, and Consort Xin."

It wasn't a formal occasion, so the five of them exchanged polite greetings. Consort Qi then called out, "Rise! I haven't seen you all these past few days. What have you been up to?"

Zhen Huan smiled and replied, "Your Highness Consort Qi, recently my sister Mei and I have been doing some needlework and reading some books in the palace to pass the time."

“Consort Wan and Consort Shen have such refined tastes. Life in the palace is rather boring, so reading and doing needlework is a good way to pass the time.” Cao Qinmo smiled and spoke up, her attitude extremely gentle. As if on a whim, she suddenly suggested, “It just so happens that Consort Qi is hosting a banquet. Why don’t you two sisters come along? We sisters can enjoy ourselves together and not waste the beautiful scenery of this garden.”

Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang exchanged a glance and nodded with smiles.

So the group arrived at the pre-arranged banquet, chatting and laughing, enjoying themselves immensely. During the meal, Shen Meizhuang suddenly smelled an unpleasant odor and couldn't help but cover her mouth and gag, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Zhen Huan looked worried. Before she could speak, Consort Xin asked in surprise, "Oh dear, what's wrong with Consort Shen? Why is she suddenly vomiting? Could it be... that she's pregnant?"

Shen Meizhuang was a little taken aback, but Cao Qinmo, who was standing next to her, quickly followed up with a sly glint in her eyes and chimed in, "Judging from these symptoms, it really does seem like she's pregnant."

Consort Qi, not understanding the situation, followed the crowd and said, "Judging from this reaction, she's almost certainly pregnant."

So, encouraged by the three, Shen Meizhuang unconsciously began to believe it to some extent, and looked at Zhen Huan with some surprise as she touched her belly. Zhen Huan was also happy for her, but became even more cautious, "Why don't we ask the imperial physician to take a look at Sister Mei?"

"Yes, yes, it is indeed the right time to call the imperial physician to take a look."

Xin Changzai nodded. Cao Qinmo saw that Shen Meizhuang only agreed without speaking, and a shadow flashed in her eyes. Wasn't it said that Liu Ben had already gained Shen Meizhuang's trust? Why didn't she mention it?

Helpless, Cao Qinmo could only speak up, winking at the palace maid but not saying it outright: "Yinxiu, see which imperial physician is on duty and quickly go and invite him."

"Thank you for your help, Sister Cao."

Shen Meizhuang stood up to thank her, and Cao Qinmo smiled and shook her head, displaying exceptional magnanimity.

Soon, Liu Ben was brought by Yin Xiu.

"Imperial Physician Liu?" Shen Meizhuang asked in surprise.

Cao Qinmo followed up by asking, "Does Consort Shen know this imperial physician?"

“Yes,” Shen Meizhuang nodded without realizing it, “I am from the same hometown as Physician Liu.”

"I see. Then I'm sure Physician Liu will do his best to examine my sister's pulse."

Upon hearing Cao Qinmo's words, Zhen Huan felt a strange unease. However, she didn't dwell on it and nervously watched Liu Ben take Shen Meizhuang's pulse.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations! Your Highness is pregnant!"

"Really?" Although she had hesitated before, Shen Meizhuang couldn't contain her joy at the news that she was indeed pregnant.

"It is absolutely true, Your Highness is nearly two months pregnant."

Liu Ben answered respectfully, and upon hearing this, the people around her were all very happy for her, offering their congratulations incessantly.

Not long after Shen Meizhuang returned to Xianyue Pavilion surrounded by guests, Emperor Yongzheng and Empress Yixiu, having received the news, arrived.

"That's wonderful, Meizhuang. You must rest assured and take good care of yourself during your pregnancy. I will have people take good care of you." The Empress was exceptionally generous and loving.

Emperor Yongzheng was also very excited, after all, he did not have many children. "I want to promote Meizhuang to the rank of concubine to express my joy."

The Empress froze, but quickly concealed her displeasure and advised, "Your Majesty, why not wait until Meizhuang gives birth safely before promoting her? That way, Meizhuang can focus on her pregnancy."

Feeling that the Empress's words made sense, Yongzheng nodded and changed his mind, saying, "Very well, then I will first bestow upon her the title 'Hui,' making her Consort Hui."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shen Meizhuang bowed with a smile. Although she felt a little regretful, she could accept the Empress's words for the sake of her child. In any case, judging from the Emperor's words, once she gave birth to this child, her position as a concubine would be a sure thing, so she wasn't in a hurry.

...

Shortly after Shen Meizhuang became pregnant, she discussed with Zhen Huan the possibility of bringing An Lingrong to the garden to help fight against Consort Hua. Although Zhen Huan was somewhat reluctant, she nodded in agreement.

Huanbi was furious upon hearing the news and looked down on An Lingrong from the bottom of her heart. But she was unaware of the ambition she harbored deep inside.

Since Zhen Huan indulged her anyway, Huan Bi was unhappy, so she took a break and went to the garden to throw tantrums and vent her frustration. Just as she was about to go back, someone called her back.

"Sister, please wait, you lady in the green dress."

Upon hearing this, Huanbi turned around and saw a pleasing-looking but unfamiliar eunuch walking over. Huanbi was a little puzzled, but she didn't give him a friendly look: "What is it?"

The young eunuch approached, hesitated upon seeing her attire, then bowed respectfully and asked, "This servant, Wang Ren, serves the Fourth Prince. I do not know anyone in the palace. May I ask which mistress you are?"

Hearing his question, Huanbi's eyes lit up with pride, and her attitude softened considerably. She explained, "You've mistaken me for someone else. I am Huanbi, who serves Consort Wan. I am not some mistress."

"Sister Huanbi is so radiant that I've mistaken her for someone else."

Wang Ren apologized respectfully. Hearing his flattery, Huanbi's smile widened, and her attitude softened further. "It's alright, what's the matter?"

"Is this the hairpin my sister dropped?" Wang Ren carefully handed over a jade hairpin.

Huanbi looked at the familiar hairpin and subconsciously touched her hair. It was empty; it had obviously fallen off because of her sudden movement.

"It's mine, thank you,"

"I dare not accept Sister Huanbi's thanks. This hairpin was found by our prince. He only sent me to deliver it to avoid suspicion."

Upon hearing this, Huanbi was taken aback. Following Wang Ren's gaze, she saw a tall, elegant, and gentle young man standing under the paulownia tree.

Meeting those gentle eyes, and seeing his smile, as bright as the clear moonlight, Huanbi was momentarily captivated...