Concubine Jia was flattered to the point of forgetting herself. She said with a proud smile, "Don't worry, I will definitely make my aunt proud and make the emperor fall in love with me."

"It will definitely work, come on, sister."

Concubine Liang got on her staff and left. As she walked away, she wiped her tears and sneered, "This idiot is really a big help."

She knew very well that Concubine Shu wanted the prince in Shen Wanrong's belly, and she used the favor of her miscarriage to persuade Emperor Xuanwu to let her raise the prince.

And she could only ask the Empress Dowager to come forward. Of course, the Empress Dowager would favor Concubine Jia, but Concubine Jia looked down on her, so the Empress Dowager would give it to her. After all, good things should be kept in the fields, and their forces would always support each other.

In Jingren Palace, Empress Duan was drinking a nourishing soup. She felt a little sick of it and waved her hand, saying, "This smell makes me sick. Take it away."

Qing Dai said, "Your Majesty, if you don't want to drink the Imperial Physician's prescription, would you like to try the twenty-four-day postpartum recovery meal that Young Lady Sheng sent?"

"Take it to the imperial physician first. If it's ok, cook it for me to try. By the way, has Sheng Xiuyuan been summoned by the emperor often recently?"

Qing Dai shook her head and said, "Last night the Emperor went to Guanju Palace, but he stayed in a side hall. This morning he even promoted Dun Shuyuan to a higher position."

Empress Duan nodded and said, "General Dun is a very popular military talent. If the Emperor relies on him, he will naturally favor his daughter."

"Is there any unusual movement at Shen Wanrong's place?"

“Shufei and Liangfei have been sending nourishing supplements to Shen Wanrong non-stop. Her belly has grown so big that even this servant is scared just looking at it.”

"She had never given birth before, and she thought that eating more nutritious food would help the prince grow well. Little did she know that it would actually kill him."

Qing Dai said, "Your Majesty, how do you plan to ask the Emperor to take care of the prince in Shen Wanrong's belly? I am afraid that since you just gave birth to a little princess, the Emperor will refuse on the grounds that Your Majesty does not have the spare time to take care of it."

Empress Duan nodded and said, "I am also worried about this matter."

The sound of the little princess crying loudly came from the side hall. Queen Duan said anxiously: "Why is she so fond of crying? It's so annoying. Don't let her cry!"

Qing Dai hurriedly coaxed, "Don't worry, Madam. I'll go and take a look."

Queen Duan was trembling all over, and became irritable and restless when she heard Le Yun's cry. She couldn't get rid of the anger and resentment that she gave birth to a princess instead of a prince. She even hated Le Yun and had never held her since she was born.

In the side hall, the wet nurse was holding Princess Le Yun and was sweating profusely.

"Aunt Qingdai, the little princess seems to have a fever. Please tell the queen to ask the imperial physician to come and see her."

Qingdai hurried back to the main hall. Empress Duan had just laid down when she heard this and roared in agitation:

"This evildoer has come to collect his debt. Go call Judge Wu over and let him take a look."

"Yes, my lady."

After an incense stick of time, Wu Yuanpan carefully examined Le Yun. Qingdai hurriedly asked, "Why does the little princess have a low-grade fever? Is she okay?"

"The little princess was born prematurely and is already weak. Close all the doors and windows quickly. Only open them for ventilation for a short while when the sun is shining. Make sure she is not exposed to the wind. I have prescribed a fever-reducing medicine. Feed the princess some after she finishes her milk and see how she does."

Qingdai returned to the main hall. Before she could even start reporting, Empress Duan said coldly, "Don't tell me. I don't want to know."

The news soon spread throughout Zhongcui Palace, and Concubine Shu excitedly said, "Please help me dress up. I'm going to the Yangxin Palace to pay my respects to the Emperor."

At noon, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Xuan Ling was enjoying tea after listening to the report from the emperor.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

Concubine Shu came closer, wearing a pink peony brocade dress, and walked beside the Luohan couch, respectfully serving tea.

"I really feel sorry for the Queen. I heard today that the little princess has a low-grade fever. The Queen has to take care of Le Wen and the little one at the same time. It's really hard."

Xuan Ling took a sip of cold tangerine peel Pu'er tea, "Le Yun was born prematurely, so it's understandable that she's weak."

Concubine Shu said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will go to Jingren Palace to help take care of the little princess so that the Empress can rest more and take good care of herself after the baby is born."

Xuan Ling knew very well that after Queen Duan gave birth to a princess, the hopes of the Duan Taiwei clan would be dashed, and they would inevitably start to protect themselves and compete with the Queen Mother for interests.

He doesn't want to see either side win, so he needs a disruptive force to serve him.

Half a year ago, he had thought about training Sheng Xiyan to balance these two forces, but now he didn't want to push her to the front out of selfish reluctance.

As an elder in the palace, Concubine Shu is extremely suitable for this role.

"Shufei, your greatest strength is your discerning eye. I am very satisfied with your achievements in assisting the six palaces during this period. Keep up the good work."

Concubine Shu pinched Emperor Xuanwu's shoulders from behind and said softly, "Your Majesty, I will work hard to relieve your worries. I am not afraid of hardship or fatigue."

Xuan Ling patted her hand and said, "The Queen is still recovering. You should take care of the affairs of the harem. I trust you."

Concubine Shu was extremely happy, as if she had regained the feeling of being valued by the emperor in previous years.

Just as he was about to hug Xuan Ling's neck, he stood up and got off the couch, "Shu Fei, go see the Queen and the little princess. I still have some memorials to read."

Concubine Shu was filled with emptiness, but she quickly put away her embarrassment and said, "I'll take my leave and go to Jingren Palace now."

As she walked out of the Yangxin Palace, Hongxiu said, "Your Majesty, it seems you were absolutely right to come and tell the Emperor today that the Empress was neglecting the little princess."

Concubine Shu smiled and said, "This has stopped the Queen from wanting to snatch the prince away. As for Concubine Liang, don't worry, the Emperor won't give the prince to her to raise."

During the years she served Emperor Xuanwu, she also developed some political acumen by observing his words and expressions.

Emperor Xuanwu was afraid of the Empress Dowager's family, so he would never give the prince to Concubine Liang and Concubine Jia to raise. As long as he defeated the Queen, she would raise the prince.

Xuan Ling stood at the door of the Yangxin Palace. A summer breeze blew by, and the fragrance of tuberose came to him.

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