Xie Anfeng then gave her Xie family's secret agents, gave her the Black-Clad Guards, and bribed Imperial Physician Wen.

She soon became pregnant and had her first child.

When Emperor Hui learned that she was pregnant, he showered her with gifts, giving her the best things even if he didn't use them himself.

Consort Xi felt it was too ostentatious and repeatedly told Emperor Hui, "It's not yet three months, and the pregnancy is not stable. Your Majesty should not make a fuss about it yet."

Emperor Hui, however, said excitedly, "With so many imperial physicians, what is there to fear? Besides, my beloved concubine is in good health, so why worry? I am overjoyed, so let me be happy this once!"

"Your Majesty, I was extremely grateful at the time, because Your Majesty valued this child so much and hoped to give birth to a son for Your Majesty, so that Your Majesty would have more confidence!" Empress Xie smiled sarcastically. "Your Majesty, I was devoted to you, but you were devoted to scheming against me. In the dead of night, did you feel ashamed and unable to sleep?"

Emperor Hui, his face dark, told her to continue.

His Majesty's high-profile bestowal of such a gift caused great excitement both inside and outside the court. It gave the impression that as long as Consort Xi gave birth to a son, he would depose Zhou Jingrui as Crown Prince and install Consort Xi's son as Crown Prince instead.

Not only did the court officials think this way, and Wei Yingzi thought this way, but even Consort Xi herself was almost convinced.

How could such a high-profile display not arouse the vigilance and jealousy of the concubines?

Sure enough, her joy lasted less than three months before trouble struck.

At that time, Xu Zhiyan (Xie Zhaozhao's mother) and Madam Xie, upon hearing that Consort Xi was pregnant, went to the palace to visit her. Two days later, Consort Xi began to experience severe abdominal pain, and despite the best efforts of the imperial physicians, she could not save the child.

The first child was miscarried for no apparent reason.

She sought out Lan Lin, who discovered musk in her bird's nest porridge.