Jia Yue smiled gently: "Thanks to the Empress Dowager's kindness, she sent Chen Mama. With Chen Mama helping to take care of me, I feel very lucky!"

Consort Yu: "You are blessed to be favored by the Empress Dowager."

"The Empress Dowager loves her children and grandchildren. My sister is only fortunate to have the help of Granny Chen to take care of her because of Hongzhao. My sister is very grateful for the Empress Dowager's kindness."

The two exchanged words back and forth, and everyone joined in, starting a conversation. Of course, things were outwardly harmonious, with only occasional witty remarks revealing the unusual nature of their interaction.

Aside from her initial conversation with Consort Yu, Jia Yue rarely spoke to anyone. She would only say a few words when Consort Yu was mentioned, and even then, they were always lukewarm and indifferent.

Her way of handling things is basically just like her title—quiet and composed.

Not long after, the Empress came out.

This was Jia Yue's first time paying respects to the Empress, not counting the original owner's previous greetings. The Empress was dressed very elegantly and was also very dignified. As soon as she came out, she had a smile on her face that made it easy for people to lower their guard, like a gentle woman.

Everyone rose and bowed: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

After the Empress sat down, she said, "My dear sisters, please rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."

After everyone was seated, the Empress looked at Jia Yue and said, "Today is Consort Jing's first time paying her respects after her confinement period. I see that your complexion is rosy, so it seems that you have taken good care of yourself during your confinement. I am relieved."

Jia Yue smiled and said, "With Your Majesty's care, I am naturally all well."

The Empress's smile remained unchanged, and she nodded slightly before saying, "His Majesty has few children, with only four princes at the moment. All of you sisters should follow Consort Jing's example and hurry up and produce offspring for the royal family."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Jia Yue with a hint of hostility.

Jia Yue entered the palace late and gave birth to the first son after Yinzhen ascended the throne. She had several miscarriages in between, but she still gave birth to a healthy son.

It can be said that she was extremely lucky; such luck, if it fell into the harem, would be enough to make people envious and jealous.

Jia Yue paused, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you flatter me. I am only fortunate to have the Emperor and Your Majesty's blessing, especially Your Majesty. If it weren't for Your Majesty's proper arrangements, how could I have been able to focus on my pregnancy and childbirth!"

The Empress's smile widened: "Consort Jing knows how to speak. Taking care of the concubines during childbirth is simply my duty. Consort Jing is doing this during her pregnancy, and so are all of you sisters. I'm eagerly awaiting your good news!"

...