Lin Chenghe was speechless. "Fu Erkang, are you even human?! Ziwei is such a good girl! And you're so fickle, you've fallen for someone else." He had met Ziwei before, and when he thought of those clear eyes, a hint of malice flashed through Lin Chenghe's mind towards the woman who had hooked up with Fu Erkang.

"My feelings for Ziwei were just like those of a younger sister, not like those of a romantic lover."

Seeing the dejected Fu Erkang, Lin Chenghe couldn't bring himself to scold his friend anymore, so he simply threw the medicine to Fu Erkang.

“Let’s go, Fu Erkang. Don’t make me think you’re a despicable person.”

After taking the medicine, Fu Erkang quietly said "thank you" and left.

After taking the medicine and swallowing it, Fu Erkang, looking sickly, asked Emperor Qianlong for leave. Qianlong, seeing Fu Erkang so weak he looked like he was about to collapse, frowned. His minister's illness was truly too coincidental; although he did appear very ill, it was only after being bestowed the title of Imperial Concubine that he fell ill. It was truly…

"Since Erkang is so ill, just send someone. There's no need for you to come in person. Go back and rest well. Come back when you're better."

Having successfully heard the Emperor's words, Fu Erkang, who had been feeling somewhat nervous under the Emperor's gaze, relaxed. Unfortunately, he didn't see the look in the Emperor's eyes as he looked at his back.

Back at the manor, Fu Erkang locked himself in his room and began drinking heavily, especially after the news of Qingyin's pregnancy. His drinking intensified, and Fu Ertai was also forced by his parents to come back and see his elder brother. He had seen Consort Yu at the banquet, so he knew the reason. His brother was truly willful! He even refused the important position the old man was promoting! Urged to return home, Fu Ertai asked for leave from the Fifth Prince Yongqi before finally opening Fu Erkang's door. The overwhelming smell of alcohol made Fu Ertai frown.

Looking at the drunken Fu Erkang, he casually kicked his limp body and asked, "Hey, are you dead yet?"

Seeing that Fu Erkang had regained consciousness and ignored him, he squatted down and whispered in his ear, "Fu Erkang, brother, if you like Consort Yu, don't be so obvious and drag everyone in the mansion to their deaths with you."

Fu Erkang, having his secret discovered, glared fiercely at Fu Ertai as if he were facing an enemy, not his own brother.

Voltaire knew he had taken it to heart, and walked away under his sharp gaze.

The next day, Fu Erkang tidied himself up, and a few days later he was reinstated to his original position. Madam Liu (Fu Erkang's mother) thought that her youngest son's words had worked, and she was relieved.

Three months later, Qingyin's belly showed slight signs of pregnancy, and the imperial physician diagnosed her with multiple pregnancies, although the exact number was still unknown due to the early stage of pregnancy. Emperor Qianlong was overjoyed and bestowed upon her many gold and silver ornaments and treasures.

Qingyin loved to eat fruit, so Emperor Qianlong specially sent all the green grapes that were presented as tribute to Chunhe Palace.

As the weather turned cooler, Qingyin lay lazily on the armchair, casually enjoying the fresh and juicy green grapes fed to her by her maid, while flipping through miscellaneous books. These days, she was prone to drowsiness, and with the encouragement of Granny Liu and others, she went out less often.

After flipping through the pages for a while, Qingyin felt her hands getting a little sore. "Bichun, read this 'Record of the Green Lion Pool' to me."

Bichun was a senior palace maid who was promoted after her. She had a round face and could only be described as cute. She was very calm and composed, just like Alisa, who was quiet and lively. What was most remarkable was that she came from a branch of the Dong E clan and was loved by her family. She had studied and could read.

Bichun: "Yes, Your Majesty."

When Emperor Qianlong arrived, he happened to see Qingyin lying lazily. He didn't think she was spoiled; in fact, he found her adorable no matter how he looked at her.

"Li'er, why didn't you go to the Empress's place today?"

Qingyin looked at the old man who was clearly jealous and found it a little funny. She pretended to be surprised and asked, "Why did Your Majesty come so early today?"

Qianlong took the opportunity to replace Alisa in his position and sat down next to Qingyin. Alisa, who had been squeezed out, dared not speak out in anger and retreated behind him.

...

Emperor Qianlong: "There are few affairs in court today, and I would like to spend more time with Li'er and our children."

Qingyin, her face stung by the older man's sweet words, patted his broad chest shyly.

The older man's words had become greasy after a while, so Qingyin naturally changed the subject: "Her Majesty the Empress is busy with the affairs of the inner palace, how could I disturb her so often?" This was her response to the jealous remark he had just made.

Thinking of the Empress, who had diligently performed her duties for so many years without making a single mistake, Qianlong's expression turned serious. The Empress was indeed responsible; even if she hadn't achieved great things over the years, she had certainly worked hard. Although he and she didn't have any romantic feelings for each other, he had seen her performance. Xiao Yanzi had indeed been very disrespectful to her earlier.

Qingyin noticed his thoughtful expression and felt relaxed. It seemed that the Emperor also had feelings for the Empress. If Xiaoyanzi and the others went too far, they would probably suffer sooner or later.

Emperor Qianlong also noticed a familiar lily-shaped purse hanging on Qingyin's body. Recalling Granny Liu's report, he secretly made eye contact with Granny Liu. Granny Liu nodded almost imperceptibly, and he was relieved.

Qingyin pretended not to notice the flowing spring inside. When Liu Mama handed her the purse, she realized it wasn't the original one. Although the outer weaving had tried its best to imitate Ziwei's weaving method, Qingyin had a cheating tool and discovered it immediately. However, Liu Mama was the Emperor's person, and the purse being switched was also the Emperor's intention. It was hard for the Emperor to be so thoughtful.

Looking at the table full of green grapes and melons, Emperor Qianlong frowned slightly. He knew that many of his concubines were pregnant and that they should not eat too much fruit.

Qingyin noticed his expression and understood his thoughts. She blinked and said, "Your Majesty, this fruit is delicious, but unfortunately the imperial physician said that I can't eat too much of it. I have to limit the amount I eat each day. I'm really craving it."

Emperor Qianlong found Qingyin's greedy yet restrained appearance both adorable and pitiful, and comforted her, "After the baby is born, Li'er can eat as much as she wants."

Looking at the Emperor's serious expression, Qingyin chuckled, "Your Majesty is just like my brother. He always goes along with whatever I want to do."

Emperor Qianlong smiled, recalling the burly Prince Baili Khoja, "A younger sister like Li'er would be favored by anyone."

That night, as usual, Emperor Qianlong rested in the Qingyin Palace. Although he could not attend to the emperor in bed, he was quite content simply sleeping under the covers.

No one dared to contradict the whims of the powerful, middle-aged emperor, especially since even the Empress, the head of the harem, hadn't said anything. Why would they do such thankless tasks?

Only Consort Ling of Yanxi Palace and Xiao Yanzi, who had just been released from confinement, cared about this matter. Ever since Ziwei visited Consort Yu, Consort Ling had clearly felt that Ziwei was distancing herself from her. However, there were still people who could influence her. Consort Ling looked at Xiao Yanzi, whose eyes were full of jealousy and hatred, and smiled.