Seeing the heartache in her sister's eyes, Fu Qianyin slowly leaned on her sister's shoulder and smiled gently: "Sister, am I stupid?"

"But as soon as I saw him in the Imperial Garden, I knew there was no turning back. This man has been deeply engraved in my soul and will never be erased."

Fu Qianyu hugged her sister without saying a word, but her mind was already full of thoughts.

In the past, her sister was a concubine, and she was powerless to fight for her sister. But now everything has changed, and she is no longer the Fu Qianyu of the past.

She has a son and is the future mother of the country. Even if it means offending the empress dowager, she will fight for a bright future for her sister.

Although it was the emperor's order, Fu Qianyin did not stay long. After having lunch with her sister, she left the imperial city with her son.

Just as my sister said.

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the day Zhao Yuancheng was sealed, news came from Prince Gong's mansion that Princess Gong had passed away.

The New Year is approaching.

The death of Princess Gong did not cause a big uproar in the palace. Zhao Yuancheng finally gave face to the Duke's Mansion and ordered the Palace Bureau to properly handle the funeral of Princess Gong.

Such peaceful days continued until the Lantern Festival.

After the Lantern Festival, Zhao Yuancheng took up his official duties, and everything in the court and harem went on as planned. However, after the court session, the Duke's wife handed a sign to the palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

Others would not find this action strange, but Fu Qianyu roughly guessed the real purpose of the Duke's wife's visit to the palace.

Sure enough, three days later, Zhao Yuancheng came to Huayang Palace for lunch and inadvertently mentioned the real purpose of the Duke's wife's visit to the Queen Mother a few days ago.

"The Duke's wife said that the palace couldn't be without a mistress for a single day. Princess Gong was close friends with his third sister, so she wanted her third granddaughter to marry into the palace as a successor, to continue the lineage for her eleventh brother."

Fu Qianyu listened quietly and asked casually, "Empress Dowager, do you agree?"

Zhao Yuancheng ate his meal slowly. "Shang Yinglan is different from her sister in that she is a legitimate child. The Queen Mother hasn't agreed to this yet."

Hearing this, Fu Qianyu put down her chopsticks and looked at Zhao Yuancheng seriously. "Your Majesty, you are well aware of Prince Gong's intentions. How did Princess Gong become his wife, and why did she die now? You and I both know it very well. Your Majesty, I have never asked you for anything, but in this matter, I beg you not to agree. If for no other reason, then to help these two lovers be together."

Zhao Yuancheng also put down his chopsticks, his face solemn, and said, "I understand what you mean. In fact, the day after Princess Gong passed away, my eleventh brother came to the palace to explain to me that even if I couldn't make your sister my principal wife, I wouldn't remarry. My eleventh brother is my right-hand man and my most loyal person. I also know what the Queen Mother is thinking. I have my own opinion on this matter, so you can rest assured."

With the emperor's words, Fu Qianyu breathed a sigh of relief and picked up her chopsticks. But then she saw Zhu Yu come in and bowed to report, "Your Majesty, Lu Zhu, who is with Concubine Rou, is here. She said Concubine Rou is not feeling well and she would like you to go and see her."

Hearing that Concubine Rou was unwell, Zhao Yuancheng frowned and asked if the imperial physician had been summoned. However, Fu Qianyu said, "Your Majesty, no matter how Concubine Rou is, you should go and see her first. After all, she is pregnant."

Zhao Yuancheng looked apologetic, held Fu Qianyu's hand and said, "Then I'll go take a look first, and I'll come to see you later."

"good."

Fu Qianyu nodded in agreement, stood up and helped Zhao Yuancheng dress, and then gently instructed Zhu Yu to serve him well.

After escorting the emperor out of Huayang Palace and then turning back, Fu Qianyu no longer had the heart to eat. "Please clear everything out. I'm tired and need to rest for a while."

Lingyun has been with Fu Qianyu for so many years, how could she not know what her master is worried about? She raised her eyebrows and signaled Baozhan to remove all the food from the table.

Then he turned around, poured a cup of hot tea, walked to his master, and advised: "Your Majesty, since the emperor said that he would make things clear for you and the queen mother, you should stop worrying and take care of yourself."

Fu Qianyu took the teacup and smiled leisurely: "I thought you would advise me not to mind the emperor going to Roupin's place."

Lingyun also laughed: "I have been by your side for so many years, how could I not know what you are thinking?"

But after thinking about it, Lingyun's face became serious again: "But since you already know the identity of Roupin, why do you still keep her? People like her are ultimately a disaster."

Fu Qianyu pursed her lips. "I know she's a disaster, but she's pregnant now, and the Emperor is so devoted to her. If we act rashly, it would only end up hurting more than it gains. I've always thought that since Concubine Rou entered the palace for her sister, she naturally sees the Emperor and me as mortal enemies, so how could she willingly bear a child for the Emperor? There was such a commotion in Yanxue Palace some time ago, but after the imperial decree to appoint the Empress, she calmed down. Don't you find it strange?"

Lingyun gasped: "If that's what you said, she's not trying to use the baby in her belly to frame you, is she?"

"If that's the case, it's consistent with her personality."

"So you exempted yourself from paying respects to the other palaces, also to avoid Concubine Rou?"

Fu Qianyu stroked her belly and said, "In another six months, I will give birth. No matter what, I have to wait until the baby is born."

Then, Fu Qianyu asked Lingyun, "By the way, is there any news from Concubine Shu?"

Ling Yun laughed: "After all, she is a young lady from an aristocratic family who was brought up in pampered families. She also relies on being the emperor's cousin. Her temperament is even more arrogant than the former Anshun Imperial Noble Consort."

As the master and servant were talking, Haining came in through the curtain and said sternly, "Your Majesty, Concubine Qian has had a miscarriage."

Both of them were stunned. Fu Xiyu couldn't quite remember who this Concubine Qian was, and Lingyun reminded her in a low voice that she was Jin Yunxin, the daughter of the Minister of Rites, who had entered the palace with Concubine Shu years ago.

"Miscarriage?" Fu Qianyu frowned and asked, "Why would she have a miscarriage out of the blue?"

Hai Ning bowed and said, "The night the Emperor was crowned, he went to Concubine Qian's place. Concubine Shu was a little unhappy and tried to ask the Emperor to leave, claiming she was unwell. But Concubine Qian was no pushover. Not only did she keep the Emperor, she also publicly ridiculed the maids around Concubine Shu. Concubine Shu didn't say anything at the time, but yesterday, the two of them ran into each other again in the Imperial Garden. Concubine Shu actually made Concubine Qian take off her shoes and socks and stand on the ground for two hours."

Lingyun sighed, "It's a cold time of year. Who can stand standing barefoot like this? Concubine Shu is too cruel."

"That's what they said." Haining sighed. "Concubine Qian fainted after standing for less than half an hour. The imperial physician came to see her and said she was pregnant, but a cold had invaded her system and that she could only be saved with medicine. But the imperial hospital used all the best medicines, but still couldn't save Concubine Qian's baby."

"Does the Emperor know?"

"He probably knew, but because Concubine Rou was not feeling well, the Emperor did not go to the Bixiao Palace to visit Concubine Qian."

Fu Qianyu thought for a moment and told Lingyun, "Send the sedan chair to Bixiao Palace."