Bai Wuyou really understands Bai Yiran too well. She was spoiled and pampered since childhood, which made her appear weak on the outside but domineering on the inside. Although she looks like a gentle and weak girl, her domineering nature is undeniable.

Anything that belonged to Bai Yiran would never be touched by anyone else, even if it meant being thrown away or destroyed. Having finally won the favor of Emperor Liang Yuan and become the rightful empress, how could she allow other women to have a share of her affections?

Even though Emperor Liang Yuan was the ruler of a country and was destined to have other women, Bai Yiran would still do her best to keep them by her side to prevent other women from stealing her favor.

Bai Yiran was not a qualified matriarch; she was completely inept at handling official duties, but she was a master at winning over men, firmly grasping Emperor Liang Yuan's heart and making him unable to tolerate any more of his women. At least, this was the case until Bai Yiran's death.

Any woman pales in comparison to Bai Yiran. At sixteen, she is in the prime of her youth, a budding, radiant beauty. Her skin is so tender it seems you could pinch water from it, and her bright, almond-shaped eyes seem to melt your heart like a pool of spring water.

Such a beauty would be hard for even a woman to resist, let alone the young and impetuous Emperor Liang Yuan.

The harmony between the Emperor and Empress was foreseeable, and even the usually calm and unassuming Consort Duan couldn't help but feel a little jealous. She had been raised by the Empress Dowager since childhood, and the man she had the most contact with was Emperor Liang Yuan. Naturally, her feelings for him were extraordinary, and she devoted herself to him wholeheartedly. However, Emperor Liang Yuan liked her appearance but not her temperament, and gradually lost interest.

Despite this, Consort Duan remained devoted to Emperor Liang Yuan, her feelings never wavering. Even when Bai Wuyou was initially favored upon entering the palace, Consort Duan felt no jealousy whatsoever. Instead, after Bai Yiran appeared, she felt an unprecedented sense of crisis.

As it turned out, both women's intuitions were correct. More than three months after the Emperor and Empress's wedding, Emperor Liang Yuan had not set foot in any palace outside of Fengyi Palace, not even bothering to put on a show. He was completely absorbed in Fengyi Palace with Bai Yiran, almost neglecting his duties.

The couple were newlyweds, their affection growing ever sweeter, practically living in blissful bliss. They often flaunted their love in front of Wuyou and Consort Duan, much to Consort Duan's bitterness, while Wuyou outwardly wept, but inwardly remained unmoved.

Seeing his beloved's affectionate display with another man repeatedly became unbearable for Consort Duan, no matter how composed she was. The daily morning and evening greetings were nothing short of torture for her. Under this mental torment, her body also weakened, so she simply took leave and stopped getting involved.

At that time, Wuyou had just given birth to her eldest son, Liang Qingchen, and Chaoyang Palace finally had a bit more life. Consort Duan would occasionally come to see the child.

For women who remained in the imperial harem their entire lives, their children were undoubtedly the greatest comfort. Even if they were abandoned by the emperor, their children would always be by their side.

Unfortunately, Consort Duan is out of favor and now rarely even sees the Emperor. As for her child, she can only come to Wuyou's place to bask in his joy and find some solace.

Wuyou had just given birth. Changcheng's dark hair was loose, and he wore a white headband. His face still showed signs of postpartum weakness and paleness.

Holding a red swaddle in her arms, the baby's chubby little face was visible. The baby occasionally smacked its lips, like a freshly steamed, warm little bun, which made people smile.

"Sister Xianfei, I truly envy you for having a child. Unlike me, I don't know when I'll have that opportunity." Consort Duan was reserved by nature and rarely spoke so emotionally.

Looking at the child's innocent and pure face, his inner longing reached its peak, but it could only remain a longing. Thinking of this, Consort Duan's face darkened, and her heart ached even more.

“Sister Duanpin is still young, she will have plenty of opportunities in the future. Besides, childbirth is not easy. When I gave birth to Qingchen, I was in pain for a whole day and night before I gave birth to him. He is a very demanding child.”

Wuyou handed the child to Xiaju, asking him to take the child to the wet nurse. She pulled the quilt around herself and spoke softly.

"Speaking of which, I should thank my sister. On the day of the delivery, the Emperor and Empress were on an incognito visit. The Empress Dowager was old and could not withstand the shock. If it weren't for my sister, I and Qingchen would probably have been in grave danger."

Wuyou reached out and patted Consort Duan's hand. She was also a woman with a tragic fate, deeply in love with the Emperor her whole life, yet never receiving a moment of tenderness in return. Emperor Liang Yuan had many women he loved throughout his life, but none of them ever held a place for him.

Later, she was even tricked into losing her fertility and forced to live a life of counting bricks in the deep palace. Even when Consort Duan later sided with the female lead and became Bai Wuyou's enemy, Bai Wuyou never blamed her, after all, he was the one who owed her first.

"How could that be? My sister and the Crown Prince are destined for good fortune; nothing will happen to them." As she said this, Consort Duan also looked frightened, clearly recalling the scene from that day.

"Thank you for your kind words. When you give birth, I will definitely do my best to help you." Wuyou's face was a little sarcastic. In his previous life, Bai Wuyou became the captain of the abortion team, making all the women in the harem unable to have children, and they were all buried with his child.

In this life, he doesn't want the title of captain of the abortion squad. Emperor Liang Yuan has many children, and for Bai Yiran, it's all torture.

"Sister, please don't tease me." Consort Duan smiled shyly, shrugging her shoulders slightly. Then, as if remembering something, her smile faded slightly. "The Empress..."

Without the emperor, how could he have children all by himself?

Wuyou noticed Duanpin's worry and smiled, nodding at Chunju, "Sister, have you forgotten the Empress Dowager?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Duan's eyes lit up. "That's right! There's also the Empress Dowager. Even if the Empress is the Empress Dowager's niece, the Empress Dowager won't sit idly by and let the Empress be the most favored concubine. Favoring only one person is a major taboo for an emperor. Not to mention the many ministers of the previous dynasty."

"I've learned something, little sister." Consort Duan suddenly realized, and the gloom on her face dissipated considerably.

"My sister is so beautiful, she should smile more so that she can win the Emperor's favor. This is a new jade hairpin that I have acquired. I wish you all your dreams come true."

Wuyou took out a jade butterfly hairpin from the tray. The jade was lustrous and translucent, and felt warm to the touch. She gently inserted it into Duanpin's temple, adding a touch of vibrancy to her somewhat plain face.

Consort Duan is beautiful, but her beauty lacks presence and assertiveness; it's like a calm, melancholic lake, completely lacking the immediate wow factor that Bai Yiran possesses. With careful grooming, while she may not match Bai Yiran's breathtaking beauty, she has her own unique charm.

Seeing Consort Duan leave happily, Wuyou finally stopped smiling and leaned back on the mattress to rest.

Now, she's just waiting for the Empress Dowager to make her move; the rivalry between aunt and niece, and mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, will be even more interesting.