Chapter 181 The Cannon Fodder Concubine of the Harem - The End

In November, the winter wind is biting and everything is withered, but the plum blossoms in the plum garden are like a bright pearl, blooming brilliantly once again.

The scenery in the plum garden is like a painting, breathtakingly beautiful.

Yaoyao has been in the palace for over a year.

At this time last year, Yaoyao was still worrying about her future and planning how to fight for a better future.

This year, Yaoyao is already nine months pregnant, and she will give birth in one month.

Now, she has taken charge of all affairs in the harem.

Consort Shu was released from confinement on the occasion of the Empress Dowager's birthday in June. Even after being allowed to come and go freely, Consort Shu still stayed in her palace all day and never went out.

In August, Xu Xingzhou finally accepted the fact that Ouyang Yunduo had left him. At the request of Marquis Dingyuan, he became engaged to the legitimate daughter of Marquis Wen'en, a woman of equal social standing.

The two families will hold a ceremony when spring arrives next year.

*

In mid-December, the weather was already very cold, but an atmosphere of joy and tension permeated the palace.

Yaoyao is finally about to give birth. It has been a long time since a newborn was born in the harem, and everyone is on high alert.

Yao Yao was waiting to give birth at Showa Palace, while Emperor Jingping and the Empress Dowager waited anxiously in the outer room.

"Ah..." Yao Yao couldn't help but shout loudly. She was having a very hard time enduring the labor pains before giving birth.

When Emperor Jingping heard Yaoyao's painful cries, he was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. He couldn't sit still and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.

With his brows furrowed and lips pressed tightly together, anyone could see the emperor's nervousness.

The Empress Dowager clasped her hands together, muttering prayers as she prayed for the birth of her grandson.

Finally, after two hours of excruciating pain, Yao Yao successfully gave birth to a baby boy with a clear cry.

The delivery room was filled with a warm and vibrant atmosphere, as if the whole world was cheering for it.

When the midwives saw the baby's gender, each of them beamed with joy, not only because of the upcoming reward, but also because this was the eldest son of the emperor!

They all congratulated Yaoyao: "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness, it's a prince!"

Yao Yao was exhausted, but her beautiful face radiated a happy and content smile. She gently stroked the baby's soft cheek, her eyes filled with maternal love.

Meanwhile, Emperor Jingping and the Empress Dowager outside the delivery room were also very anxious. Emperor Jingping's heart was finally at ease, and the baby was born safely!

Yaoyao is safe now!

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Empress Dowager! Consort Xian has given birth to a prince!"

The midwife carried out the baby prince, who was wrapped up tightly, and Emperor Jingping and the Empress Dowager rushed over excitedly.

Looking at the small face that resembled the emperor, the Empress Dowager felt an overwhelming sense of nostalgia.

"The Virtuous Consort is very good!" The Empress Dowager praised with a smile as she happily played with her grandson in her arms.

Emperor Jingping's eyes were full of love and satisfaction. He proudly replied to his mother, "Your Majesty has a discerning eye. Yaoyao will be very happy to hear Your Majesty's praise."

The Empress Dowager smiled even more happily: "Now that you have an heir, I can finally face my ancestors with peace of mind. I am old and can no longer care about so many things. You can think things through yourself and don't need to worry about me. I only want to spend time with my grandson now."

Emperor Jingping understood the Empress Dowager's implied meaning and said with a smile, "Thank you, Mother."

The Empress Dowager did not speak again, focusing intently on her grandson in her arms, her gaze never leaving him.

The birth of this child was of great significance to the entire royal family, as he was Emperor Jingping's first son, the eldest son of the emperor.

When the ministers learned that Emperor Jingping had an heir, they all offered their congratulations.

After tidying up the delivery room, Emperor Jingping walked briskly into the room.

"Yaoyao, you've worked so hard!" Emperor Jingping looked at Yaoyao, who was still weak on the bed, and said with heartache, his voice trembling slightly.

Yao Yao gave a relieved smile, her voice still a little weak:

"Your Majesty, I am so happy! I finally have a child who is connected to Your Majesty by blood!"

Emperor Jingping looked at Yaoyao's happy face and was deeply moved. He bent down and hugged her tightly, feeling the power of love.

The arrival of this child filled Emperor Jingping with immense happiness, and he was filled with anticipation for his future life with Yaoyao!

With the birth of the prince, a grand celebration was held in the palace. The court band played cheerful music, and the palace maids performed graceful dances, immersing the entire palace in a joyful atmosphere.

On the day the child turned one month old, Emperor Jingping held a grand celebration ceremony, inviting civil and military officials and members of the imperial family to attend.

In front of everyone, he personally took the baby out of the swaddling clothes, showed it to everyone, and announced the baby's name as Jinggan.

Subsequently, Emperor Jingping publicly announced that he would make Yaoyao his empress and bestow upon her the title "Jiade," meaning that she was of noble character, gentle and kind.

This decision surprised everyone. After a few seconds of stunned silence, they immediately reacted and bowed to Emperor Jingping and Consort Yao.

Yao Yao was initially stunned. She hadn't expected Emperor Jingping to directly bestow upon her the title of Empress. She was so moved that her eyes welled up with tears.

Emperor Jingping, using his wide sleeves as cover, held Yaoyao's hand tightly and whispered:

"Yaoyao, do you like this birthday gift?"

In a few days, it will be Yaoyao's birthday. It turns out that Emperor Jingping remembered!

Yao Yao was even more moved. She nodded repeatedly and said, her voice choked with emotion:

"I love it! Your Majesty, thank you!"

At the same time, Emperor Jingping also issued a general amnesty and reduced taxes for the people as a celebration.

The whole country was filled with jubilation, and people were overjoyed and offered their blessings for the birth of the new life and the new empress.

However, not everyone is happy.

When Jinggan was five months pregnant, a red spot appeared on her buttocks. It was not noticeable unless you looked closely, but Hongguo was observant and spotted it immediately.

Upon discovering the red fruit, the imperial physician was immediately summoned for examination.

Upon learning the news, Yao Yao rushed over and watched the imperial physician examine her carefully, worried that someone was trying to harm her son.

Upon inspection, it was found that Jinggan's diapers did indeed have a problem!

The diapers had been soaked in a colorless and odorless poison; long-term use could cause infants to die!

Fortunately, the diaper hadn't been used yet, and the red spot had nothing to do with it; it was just a deep mark.

However, Yaoyao was still very angry. She told Emperor Jingping about it directly. Emperor Jingping was furious and immediately sent people to investigate.

As expected, it was Consort Shu.

Emperor Jingping ignored Consort Shu's explanation and issued an edict in front of her, stripping the Marquis of Dingyuan of his title and exiling the entire family to Lingnan!

"No! Your Majesty! Please, please don't! I will take full responsibility for my actions. Please, spare my family!"

At this moment, Consort Shu finally learned what fear was.

However, Emperor Jingping showed no mercy and ordered Consort Shu to be banished to the Cold Palace. Sometimes, living is more painful than dying.

*

As time went by, Jinggan gradually grew into a clever, lively, and adorable child.

His lively figure could often be seen in the imperial harem.

In this life, the emperor and empress are deeply in love, and Yaoyao is the only one favored by Emperor Jingping. The two eat and live together, and their relationship remains as good as ever.