"Your Majesty, it is Consort Yin and Consort Qin, who have just entered the palace. They have been summoned by the Emperor several times recently."

"Those two lowly maids, who are barely worthy of mention, dare to be arrogant with me. Issue my order to arrest them and give each of them fifty lashes."

"Your Majesty, don't be impulsive. This is a critical moment. Everyone is waiting for you to make a mistake. If you displease the Emperor, it will be a loss. You must remain calm."

Rong Ting advised.

Empress Ru paused to think it over, and realized that now was indeed not the time to cause trouble.

"Fine, spare their worthless lives for now."

"I have only temporarily lost power, yet they dare to mock me like this."

Empress Ru gripped the armrest tightly, secretly stroking her belly, "Doesn't I want a child? If only Heaven would grant me a chance..."

"Your Majesty, won't the Emperor come to see you tonight? You've been taking the prescription given by Consort Mi Hui lately, and your health has improved a lot. Perhaps this is your chance."

Upon hearing this...

Empress Ru's eyes lit up.

"As the saying goes, after the worst comes the best... Go and invite Consort Mi Hui to my palace now!"

"I must ensure that everything is foolproof!"

-

Upon receiving the news, Mi Shan went to Chengqian Palace.

Upon entering the palace, one should first pay respects.

But then she saw that the Empress was engrossed in reading a book, and didn't even notice her arrival.

"The Imperial Noble Consort?"

Mi Shan approached and called out again.

Empress Ru suddenly came to her senses, looked up, and smiled: "Consort Mi Hui has arrived. Quickly, sit down. I summoned you here because His Majesty is coming to my palace today."

"As you know, I've always wanted a child."

"Look at the picture book and learn the poses of the characters in it."

"Huh?"

Mi Shan was startled. Could this be something she could hear?

"Don't be shy. Help me see which one is more likely to have a child?"

"I don't understand this; I only know about pharmacology. As for matters between men and women, Your Highness should leave it for His Majesty to discuss with him when he arrives."

Mi Shan's cheeks suddenly flushed red, and she waved her hands repeatedly in refusal.

"Look at you, why are you blushing? You've served the emperor several times already. Don't you understand?"

Empress Ru rolled her eyes at her, "Don't try to play the innocent rabbit with me."

"I can tell at a glance that if you didn't have some ability, would the Emperor have repeatedly summoned you to his bedchamber?"

"I... well, the Emperor doesn't call me that much anymore," Mi Shan said, embarrassed.

"It's all that wretched girl Murong Wan's fault. But it's alright, tonight, the Emperor belongs to me. If you don't want to watch with me, then so be it."

Empress Ru did not insist, but stretched out her hand, revealing a section of her fair wrist.

"Why don't you take my pulse and see if I can conceive a child tonight?"

Her eyes held hope.

Mi Shan lowered her eyes and placed her hand on it, carefully feeling its texture.

"Your Majesty's health has improved considerably, and the chances are very good. To ensure everything goes smoothly, I'll prescribe another medicine for you. Go and get it, and take it tonight."

"Very well, with your words I am relieved. I hope that, as you have said, I can conceive a royal heir."

With a hopeful look in her eyes and a smile on her lips, the Empress picked up a stack of sketchbooks from the table and placed them in her hands.

"Take these. These are limited edition picture books that I personally collected from outside."

"Even with money, you might not be able to buy this. Once you learn these skills, the Emperor will surely be captivated by you."

"For so many years, I've relied on it to maintain my favor, but unfortunately, I don't need it much anymore..."

“I don’t give it to just anyone. In the entire harem, only Chong’er and you each have one.”

Empress Ru said with great enthusiasm.

"This..." Mi Shan wanted to refuse, but it was clear that the Imperial Noble Consort meant well, so she nodded, thanked her, and accepted it.

When leaving.

Mi Shan met with Consort Feng, who had come to see Consort Ru.

Feng Qianzhong immediately curtsied.

Seeing that Mi Shan was in Consort Ru's palace and had taken these picture books out with her, a look of surprise immediately appeared on her face.

After she left, a hint of jealousy flashed in his eyes.

"Sister, when did you and Mi Shan become so close?"

"Chong'er, you've arrived. Is it so strange that I've made friends with the concubines? If you want to live in the palace for a long time, you'll have to learn to get along well with everyone."

This doesn't sound like something the arrogant and disdainful Empress Ru would say.

Feng Qianzhong knew perfectly well that Mi Shan and his sworn sister must have made some unspeakable deal.

He didn't say anything on the surface, but a feeling of jealousy welled up inside him.

“Mi Shan…you have already stolen the Crown Prince’s attention from me.”

"Now you're even going after my sworn sister?"

Feng Qianzhong narrowed his eyes and silently thought to himself.

"Chong'er, have you come to see me for something?"

"I haven't seen my sister for a long time and I miss her. In addition, the emperor hasn't summoned me lately, so I feel depressed and want to talk to my sister about it."

She finished speaking.

Empress Ru frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing through her mind.

They've come to request her.

Yes, her sworn sister is incompetent and cannot bring her along to enjoy the emperor's favor.

"You're feeling down, but who isn't? Are you the only one?"

“Sister, I don’t mean to complain, but when I entered the palace, you said you would find a way to help me win the emperor’s favor…”

"If you always rely on others, how can that last? Haven't I helped you before? Can I help you once and then help you for a lifetime? Are you implying that I'm incompetent? If so, why are you coming to me? Rong Ting, see the guest out."