Huayang Palace is full of love and romance, while Liu Zhaoyi's Qiulan Palace is lifeless.

After returning from Yongfu Palace that day, the harem had been calm. Even the emperor would come to Qiulan Palace from time to time, and he never mentioned the murder of the imperial concubine.

I thought the matter was over, but unexpectedly, the emperor had no intention of letting her go!

Qinfang was her dowry and grew up with her.

Without her, it would undoubtedly be like breaking her arm in this deep palace.

Liu Zhaoyi's hand slowly stroked her lower abdomen, and she swallowed with some fear. If she hadn't been pregnant, she would have been the one to die today.

Yun'er pushed the door open and came in. Seeing Liu Zhaoyi sitting on the couch in a daze, she felt a little worried: "My Lady, it's already past midnight, aren't you going to bed yet?"

Liu Zhaoyi took a deep breath and asked, "How are Qinfang's funeral arrangements going?"

"As you instructed, I have already sent one hundred taels of silver. Qinfang's family is very grateful for your kindness."

Liu Zhaoyi held her forehead with her hand, her brows and eyes full of fatigue. "I understand. Go and fetch some water for me to bathe."

"yes."

Liu Zhaoyi did not sleep very well that night, and when she woke up the next day, there was a dark circle under her eyes.

Yun'er helped her with her dressing and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, you look unwell. Would you like me to ask the imperial physician to come and see you?"

"I'm fine," Liu Zhaoyi said weakly. "After Qinfang left, I'm left without anyone to rely on. From now on, you'll take Qinfang's place."

Yun'er was overjoyed and knelt at Liu Zhaoyi's feet. "Yes, thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

"Get up."

After washing up, Liu Zhaoyi sat down to have breakfast when she heard that Zhu Yu had arrived.

After being stunned for a few seconds, Liu Zhaoyi invited Zhu Yu in.

When Zhu Yu arrived, he was followed by an older palace maid, "Your servant pays respects to the Empress."

"Eunuch Zhu, there's no need to be so polite." Liu Zhaoyi smiled slightly. "Why are you here at this hour? Does the Emperor have any instructions?"

Zhu Yu smiled politely, "In reply to your Majesty, the Emperor knew that your personal maid had passed away yesterday, and out of pity for your pregnancy, he specifically instructed me to select a reliable person to serve you."

As he spoke, Zhu Yu turned sideways and motioned the maid behind him to come forward. "This is Aunt Sun. She used to serve Concubine Duan. She is very considerate. From today on, Aunt Sun will take care of your daily life personally."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhaoyi froze.

What personal servant? This Aunt Sun is clearly the emperor's spy! But she couldn't get angry, and she had to show an appearance of gratitude.

But what Zhu Yu said next was like a basin of ice water that chilled Liu Zhaoyi to the core.

"The Emperor has also instructed that Your Majesty has had a difficult pregnancy. To ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy, the Second Princess will be sent to Ci'an Palace to be raised by the Empress Dowager from today onwards."

Hearing this, Liu Zhaoyi could no longer sit still and looked at Zhu Yu in panic, "Why did the emperor send Tang'er to Ci'an Palace for no reason? I want to see the emperor!"

Zhu Yu smiled, "The Emperor is very busy with state affairs, so I'm afraid he won't have time to see you. But the Emperor said that one reaps what one sows. It's a great blessing for the princess to be raised by the Empress Dowager. Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Liu Zhaoyi's hands began to tremble unconsciously, and cold sweat began to appear on her temples.

"Alright, Madam, please take a good rest. I will take my leave now."

When Zhu Yu came out, he solemnly ordered the eunuchs guarding the gate, "The Emperor has decreed that Concubine Zhaoyi is pregnant and no one is allowed to disturb her. You must keep a tight watch on this Qiulan Palace."

"Yes, I obey your order."

No one in the harem except the imperial concubine was surprised by the news that Concubine Liu was under house arrest.

——

On the eighth day of May, newlyweds entered the palace one after another.

There were a total of 180 candidates in this audition, but only 20 remained in the end.

The one with the highest rank among them was Yun Qing, the daughter of the third-rank general Yun Hui. She was canonized as a sixth-rank concubine and given the title Xi. She lived in Huilanxuan, a side hall of the Linzhi Palace.

The second is the daughter of the cabinet scholar, Ming Wanshuang, who was given the title of beauty and lived in Lanyue Pavilion.

The rest were all talented women, selected as concubines.

Peirong stood aside, slowly recounting the news she had gathered. "Your Majesty, I heard that among this group of selected ladies, Concubine Xi is the only one to receive a title, and the most beautiful one is Lady Ming who lives in Lanyue Pavilion."

Ling Yun was puzzled and asked, "Logically, this Cabinet Scholar is a second-rank official, and Concubine Xi's father is a third-rank official. How come Yun was conferred the title of Concubine, while Ming is only a beauty?"

Fu Qianyu smiled softly while holding her teacup. "When the Emperor first ascended the throne, the Dongling Kingdom was already showing signs of restlessness. Our dynasty values ​​military power over culture, so at this critical juncture, the Yun family is naturally superior."

The two nodded, "I see, Your Majesty is indeed very perceptive."

As the master and his servants were talking, Xiang Yue came in and said, "Your Majesty, there's news from Fengqi Palace that the Empress is in labor and is about to give birth."

Fu Qianyu's expression turned serious. "I understand. Go and prepare the sedan chair."

Lingyun helped Fu Qianyu to her feet and sighed, "The Empress's due date is several days later than the Imperial Hospital estimated. She's finally due."

Peirong said, "The Emperor has been longing for a legitimate son, but I don't know whether the Empress's baby is a boy or a girl."

Today happened to be the day when new brides entered the palace. When Fu Qianyu arrived at Fengqi Palace, a large crowd of people were already standing outside the main hall.

When everyone saw her coming, they bowed their heads and knelt to salute, but Concubine Xi was the only one who looked at her straight with disdain in her eyes.

Fu Qianyu didn't care and walked straight towards the Queen's inner palace. Not long after, the Imperial Concubine and Concubine Xia also arrived.

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