"Sister Duanpin, do you think Her Majesty the Empress is dissatisfied with Consort Miao and Consort Yu's pregnancies, which is why she is feeling unwell?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Duan, née Dong, turned pale.

Consort Duan glanced timidly at Xu Lejin, then chose to remain silent.

Consort Rong, feeling awkward, shut her mouth, lowered her eyes, and looked at him with a knowing look in them.

After leaving Kunning Palace, Xu Lejin walked along the long street.

Behind her came Consort Rong, who deliberately raised her voice, her sharp voice saying, "So what if you're blessed with good fortune and pregnant? The Empress is already feeling unwell right after the pregnancy, which shows that this dragon child in her womb is incompatible with the Empress."

"The Empress is the head of the inner palace, of noble status, and the legal mother of all the princes and princesses. If the imperial fetus clashes with the Empress, it would be considered an incompatibility between the mother and the legal mother."

Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin's expression darkened.

Immediately following behind came Consort Duan's trembling voice, "Sister Consort Rong, please keep your voice down. You can't say these things. The Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager value the imperial heir..."

Consort Duan's timid face clearly showed her anxiety.

Consort Rong glared at Consort Duan, flicked her handkerchief, swayed her hips, and turned to leave with her maids, leaving Consort Duan standing there dumbfounded, unsure whether to go forward or retreat.

Consort Hui chuckled lightly, her face full of sarcasm, and said, "Sister Consort Duan, you were so enthusiastic and kind-hearted in thinking of Sister Consort Rong, but in the end you were met with a cold shoulder."

"Although you used to live together in Zhongcui Palace and had a deep sisterly bond, things are different now. Consort Rong has both a son and a daughter and five imperial heirs, so she naturally has the right to be proud."

After speaking, Consort Hui left with Noble Lady Zhi, Noble Lady Lan, and Consort Shou from Yanxi Palace.

Consort Duan's face turned from white to pale, her eyes were red, and she was trying hard to hold back her tears.

The quiet and timid Consort Jing sighed softly and comforted her gently, "Consort Duan, Consort Rong, and Consort Hui don't appreciate kindness. You don't need to stoop to their level."

"Um."

Consort Duan responded and lowered her head to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.