The Queen brought the eldest princess back to Fengqi Palace. Jinmei asked curiously, "Your Majesty, you've always disliked the eldest princess for her lowly birth. Why did you take her back now?"

The Queen looked at herself in the mirror and said calmly, "The eldest princess is of humble origin, but she is favored by the Emperor. Only if I raise her will the Emperor come to Fengqi Palace more often. Only then will I have the opportunity to bear another legitimate child and avenge the Emperor's son."

Jin Mei slowly removed the queen's makeup, revealing her pale, bloodless face. "Your Majesty, you were ill a few days ago, and Huayang Palace summoned the imperial physician."

"Oh? What did you find out?"

"I've asked the imperial physicians, and they said Consort Yi just caught a cold and isn't seriously ill. However, I feel something is amiss."

"What do you suspect?"

Jinmei pondered for a moment, "Zhaoyi Yi has always been favored. Could it be because she's pregnant?"

Hearing this, the Queen narrowed her eyes and said, "Go to the Imperial Hospital later and ask around quietly. We don't want to be kept in the dark and unaware of what's going on."

"Yes, I've made note of it."

In the evening, while serving the empress a meal, Jinmei shared the news she had gathered. "Your Majesty, I consulted the imperial physicians, and they only said that Consort Yi had caught a cold. However, I stole some medicine residue while no one was paying attention. De'an went outside the palace to ask a doctor, and they confirmed that it was a pregnancy-maintaining medicine."

The Queen paused while eating and sneered, "Concubine Yi is indeed well-intentioned."

"Your Majesty, Consort Yi is quite favored and is the Empress Dowager's niece. Unlike Consort Liu, who comes from a merchant family and doesn't need to be feared, we must be on guard."

"Liu Zhaoyi entered the palace with the sole intention of reversing the fortunes of the Liu family, but I will not grant her wish. They dared to murder my son Chen'er, and they must pay the price for it!"

The Queen put down her chopsticks, her eyes gleaming fiercely. "You secretly spread the news of Consort Yi's pregnancy through Qiulan Palace, and Consort Liu will take action on my behalf."

Jinmei smiled sinisterly, "Your Majesty has a good plan."

Just as the Queen expected, when Concubine Liu heard that Fu Qianyu was pregnant, she immediately became restless.

"How did you just find out about such important news?"

Yun'er also looked incredulous. "Huayang Palace deliberately concealed this, and I only found out by chance. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"Alright, alright. The most important thing now is not who is responsible, but the baby in Fu Qianyu's belly!"

Liu Zhaoyi was in a panic. She knew very well that if Fu Qianyu gave birth to a boy, her child would never have the possibility of succeeding to the throne.

Yun'er helped Liu Zhaoyi sit down and advised, "Your Majesty, don't worry. She's just pregnant, and it's not certain whether it's a boy or a girl."

"What's not certain?"

Liu Zhaoyi said angrily, "As long as I can get pregnant, there is a 50% chance of giving birth to a prince. I will never take any risks."

"But the Queen's legitimate son has just died, and Huayang Palace is heavily guarded. If we take action now, wouldn't it be too risky?"

Liu Zhaoyi curled her red lips and sneered, "Who said I'm going to do it myself?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me, who in the harem hates Fu the most?"

Yun'er thought for a moment, "Noble Concubine, Concubine Xi?"

"Yes, with them here, I have nothing to fear."

On this day, everyone went to Fengqi Palace to pay their respects to the Queen, but the Queen did not receive the concubines because she was not feeling well.

In early autumn, the cool breeze blows and the chrysanthemums in the imperial garden are in full bloom.

Liu Zhaoyi picked a chrysanthemum and played with it in her hand. Speaking of Fu Qianyu's absence today, she sighed and said, "Speaking of which, Sister Fu has been ill for quite some time now. We should go see her."

Wan Jieyu agreed, "Sister Liu is right. After all, they are sisters, but she is afraid that too many people will cause trouble for Sister Fu."

Concubine Xi flicked her handkerchief and looked at everyone with disdain, "Do you know why you are not favored by the emperor?"

The Yun family won a great victory on the border and made great achievements. During this period, Zhao Yuancheng often went to Zhilin Palace, and Concubine Xi regained her former arrogance.

Hearing this, Liu Zhaoyi showed displeasure, but because of Concubine Xi's favor, she could only hold it in for the time being. "Concubine Xi is the most favored, and I was just thinking of asking for your advice."

Concubine Xi raised her hand to straighten the burnt blue and emerald rose bead pinned on her hairpin, and said with a half-smile, "With your pretentious behavior, not only does it make the emperor sick, but even I feel sick."

Having said this, Concubine Xi turned around and looked at everyone, saying nonchalantly, "You all hate Concubine Yi so much because she's favored. Now that she's sick, I'm afraid you all hope she'll die. Yet you still have to pretend to be a loving sister."

Liu Zhaoyi's face turned pale. "Xipin, even if you are favored, you should be more careful with your words."

"So what if I noticed? So what if I didn't?" Concubine Xi stepped forward and looked at Concubine Liu coldly. "Or are you angry because I hit the nail on the head?"

"How dare you!" Liu Zhaoyi scolded, "I am above you in rank, how dare you offend me?"

"She is just the daughter of a merchant. What does it matter if she holds the position of Zhaoyi?" Concubine Xi believed that her family was of noble character, so how could she take Zhaoyi Liu's warning seriously?

"With your family background, you're not even worthy of carrying my shoes."

These words were extremely harsh. Even though Liu Zhaoyi came from a merchant family, she had served Zhao Yuancheng for many years. Even a powerful concubine like the imperial concubine had never embarrassed her like this in public.

"You!" Liu Zhaoyi stared at Concubine Xi angrily, her bloodshot eyes looking like she wanted to eat someone.

Xibin smiled triumphantly and turned to leave.

The rest of the people just looked at each other when they saw this, not daring to even breathe.

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