Chapter 52 (No further information)

"Were you frightened?" Emperor Yuanming looked suspicious, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Is Consort Duan alright?"

Huang Liang said, "The imperial physician told Consort Duan to rest well, but she dared not go inside, saying she was afraid, and is sitting in the courtyard outside."

Ultimately, having an heir was of utmost importance, so Emperor Yuanming turned and headed towards Cuiwei Pavilion. Upon entering, a palace maid helped the pale-faced Consort Duan forward to pay her respects, but he quickly reached out to support her, saying, "Please get up quickly, your health is important. Go inside; it's chilly outside."

Consort Duan twisted her handkerchief, bit her red lips, and said timidly, "Only with His Majesty present do I dare to enter."

Emperor Yuanming frowned and entered the side room. Consort Duan looked around before carefully sitting down on the couch.

"What exactly happened?" Emperor Yuanming asked.

Duan Cairen held her hands up in front of her, seemingly very scared, and her whole body trembled.

“Your Majesty, I shouldn’t have said this. In the past, I would have let it go. But now I am not alone. Your Majesty’s child has been added to my body.”

Consort Duan lowered her eyes, gently stroking her belly, her face full of affection. She raised her eyes, which were already brimming with tears: "I have only been in the palace for a short time, and I am young and inexperienced. I did offend people without even realizing it."

Emperor Yuanming asked with displeasure, "Could it be that someone has become so audacious as to bully you and cut back on your food, clothing, and other necessities?"

Consort Duan looked hesitant, as if she had something difficult to say. After a moment, she neither confirmed nor denied it, saying, "I'm still confused about the rules of the harem, the rules regarding food, clothing, and daily necessities, how many candles and lamps I should receive in Cuiwei Pavilion, and how many pots of flowers I should get. I dare not presume to know. Previously, I offended Sister Jiang severely because of the orchid incident, I..."

She choked up, tears streaming down her face, and cried, “I went to pay my respects to Consort Li, and I met Sister Jiang in the alley. Sister Jiang said that Consort Li used to be a Jieyu, living in Cuiwei Pavilion. After being demoted by the Emperor, she was never reconciled and would return to Cuiwei Pavilion when she was on her way back, and her spirit has lingered ever since. I was terrified. No matter how cold the wind was outside, I dared not go inside. Only with the Emperor’s true dragon aura protecting me did I dare to come in and rest for a while.”

She actually went to pay respects to Consort Li?

Emperor Yuanming subconsciously thought of this question, and his heart couldn't help but feel a warmth.

She ultimately lived up to his favor. When Consort Li falsely accused her in the Wende Hall, she generously forgave him and went to see him off.

If she really did threaten Duan Cairen, there must have been a reason and it would be understandable.

Prior to this, she was unaware that Consort Xia was pregnant. In reality, it was just a casual remark, a quarrel between women, but Consort Duan took it seriously.

Duan Cairen was young and timid, and her limited knowledge led her to believe the absurd claim that there were ghosts in the harem.

"Nonsense!" Emperor Yuanming's face darkened slightly. "What kind of place is the Imperial City? Where do you get such talk of ghosts and demons? Don't believe such nonsense!"

"Your Majesty," Consort Duan cried out mournfully, sobbing, "I don't want to believe these things either. I was resting in my room earlier, but as soon as I closed my eyes, I kept thinking about what Sister Jiang said, and I couldn't fall asleep no matter what. The imperial physician said that my pregnancy is still in its early stages and I must be extra careful. If I can't eat or sleep well, how can I take good care of the child in my womb?"

Emperor Yuanming coughed and comforted Consort Duan, saying, "Don't overthink things. Just focus on taking good care of your pregnancy. If you're really scared, well... Xiefang Pavilion is still empty. You can move there."

Consort Duan was shocked, her eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at Emperor Yuanming. "Your Majesty, if I am guilty, please forgive me for the sake of my unborn child. A funeral is being held at Xiefang Pavilion, and I've moved in... I..."

She couldn't continue, so she covered her face with a handkerchief and cried heartbrokenly.

Consort Li has not yet been buried, and Consort Duan is pregnant; it would indeed be inappropriate to move her in. Emperor Yuanming thought it over and said, "Cuiwei Pavilion is more spacious. You are heavy, and it would be inconvenient to move you. Just stay here peacefully."

Consort Duan barely managed to stop crying, and sobbed, "Your Majesty, I have a request, please grant it."

"Oh, what is it? Tell me," said Emperor Yuanming.

"Your Majesty, I long to be closer to you. With you by my side, I have nothing to fear."

Consort Duan bit her lip, her eyes filled with tenderness as she gazed at Emperor Yuanming. "Your Majesty, I wish to switch places with Sister Jiang so that I can rest and recuperate peacefully. Your Majesty, I dare not take Sister Jiang's place. After I give birth, I will switch back with Sister Jiang."

Emperor Yuanming's eyes twitched suddenly, as if he could hear Jiang Ling's roar and curses. He had previously promised that once he bestowed Fanying Pavilion upon her, he would not make her give it up.

At this moment, Emperor Yuanming remembered that she was still in Qionghua Pavilion, waiting for him to go to the Imperial Garden together. He coughed lightly and comforted Consort Duan, saying, "It's not appropriate to move around so much. It's better for you to stay in Cuiwei Pavilion. I will arrange for an old nanny who has served you during childbirth to come to Cuiwei Pavilion to take care of you during your pregnancy. You can rest assured."

As they were talking, Emperor Yuanming stood up, his face slightly darkening, and said, "It's cold outside. You stay inside and don't go out again."

Seeing this, Consort Duan, though unwilling, could only rise to see him off. Emperor Yuanming waved his hand at her, "No need for formalities, rest."

After leaving Cuiwei Pavilion, Emperor Yuanming went to Chuigong Hall to handle state affairs and then hurriedly returned to Qionghua Pavilion.

The room was silent. Emperor Yuanming asked, "Where are they?"

The palace maid hurriedly said, "Consort Jiang is still asleep. This servant will go and wake her up."

"Still sleeping?" Emperor Yuanming was astonished. He dismissed the palace maids and strode into the bedroom.

Jiang Ling was fast asleep when suddenly the blankets were pulled back. She opened her eyes in a daze, staring at the face moving in front of her, unable to react for a moment.

"Where are your rules? Where are the rules you always talk about?" Emperor Yuanming said angrily, hands on his hips, "You've been sleeping until dark, and you still haven't gotten up, making me wait for you!"

Jiang Ling turned to look outside. It was already bright outside. She yawned, propped herself up to sit up, and said, "It's still light outside. What brings Your Majesty to me?"

"What is it?!" Emperor Yuanming, thinking of Jiang Ling's hasty return, almost laughed out of anger, and exclaimed, "You don't even care about my decree? You've really got some nerve!"

Amidst Emperor Yuanming's anger, Jiang Ling gradually awoke from her grogginess upon waking. She suddenly realized and said, "Your Majesty, I was not fully awake earlier and my mind was muddled. Please forgive me. I will go and get ready right away. Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will be quick."

Emperor Yuanming snorted, glared at her, and said, "You should go quickly. I don't have that much patience. If you dawdle and delay, I won't wait for you."

Jiang Ling was indifferent to going to the Imperial Garden; she would rather lie on the couch and waste her time doing nothing. Upon hearing this, she paused slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not delay Your Majesty's enjoyment. Please do not worry about me and go ahead."

"There is no one in the whole world as lazy as you. I refuse to believe that I cannot deal with you!"

Emperor Yuanming chuckled coldly and shouted, "Hurry up and clean it up!"

Jiang Ling reluctantly agreed, then dressed and groomed himself before following Emperor Yuanming's imperial carriage to the imperial garden.

The wheels rolled on, accompanied by the clatter of horses' hooves. Jiang Ling couldn't resist his curiosity and secretly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to peek outside.

Outside the carriage, guards on horseback completely blocked the view.

"How boring," Jiang Ling muttered, lowering the carriage curtain and leaning back against the carriage to rest with her eyes closed.

Wenjuan smiled and whispered, "My beauty, I've heard that the imperial garden is full of rare and exotic plants and home to rare birds. It's as beautiful as a fairyland. If I could go with you, A'ruo would be jealous of me again."

Jiang Ling smiled but remained silent.

Wenjuan didn't understand. While beautiful scenery is important when traveling, it's only unpleasant if the people who come with you spoil the experience.

The imperial garden was nearby; the carriage arrived in about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Wen Juan alighted first and stood by the door to help Jiang Ling get off. She held onto the door, then gracefully leaped down and landed steadily.

The eunuch who was about to step forward with the stool stopped uneasily upon seeing this. Emperor Yuanming stood in front of her with his hands behind his back, looked at Jiang Ling speechlessly for a long time, and then beckoned to her, "Come here quickly."

Jiang Ling glanced at the large entourage of guards, maids, and eunuchs accompanying them, and secretly rolled her eyes to the heavens: "Making such a fuss over a bunch of people, even the birds would be scared away!"

Emperor Yuanming thought to himself that she had learned the rules terribly and even dared to complain. He couldn't help but put on a stern face and said, "When you dismount, you need someone to help you and step on the horse stool to get off the carriage. If you jump down recklessly, you will slip and fall to the ground. Be careful not to get injured and lose face."

Jiang Ling simply agreed to everything, but in his heart he thought, "The carriage is only a short distance from the ground. It's not like it's made of tofu. If you can get hurt jumping off, you must be out of your mind. Besides, if you fall down, you can just get up. If you don't want to get up, you can take a nap on the ground. It's so annoying. Even when we're out having fun, it keeps nagging."

For every word he said, she would retort a thousand times behind his back. Emperor Yuanming didn't want to pay her any attention, lest he get angry.

As Wenjuan described, the imperial garden was filled with strange rocks and streams flowing gently beneath arched bridges. It was springtime, and everywhere one looked, flowers were in full bloom. The magnolias had faded, but the plum, apricot, and cherry trees were laden with blossoms, like clouds of brocade.

The Rare Bird Garden is home to peacocks, mynas, and other birds. Following the path to the lakeside, cranes gracefully preen their feathers on the water's surface.

The lake surface shimmered, and a winding bridge connected the pavilion in the center. Emperor Yuanming, tired from walking, said, "Let's go and rest for a while."

Palace maids and eunuchs had already set out tea and snacks in the pavilion, and the two went in to sit down and rest. Jiang Ling looked at the houses that were faintly visible on the opposite shore of the lake and asked, "Your Majesty, what is that over there?"

Following Jiang Ling's pointing, Emperor Yuanming said, "If I were staying at the Imperial Garden, I would rest here. It's just an ordinary courtyard. The weather is fine today, so I brought you to the island in the middle of the lake. This is the best place to enjoy the scenery."

"The imperial garden is just a short distance from the palace, and it's also a place where he stays. I bet he's never stayed here even once. It's such a nice, quiet courtyard, what a waste!"

Jiang Ling muttered to himself, the desire to live here growing wildly in his mind. "Quiet, spacious, with different scenery in each season. There's also an orchard where you can fish and boat, and over there are lotus flowers where you can eat lotus roots and seeds..."

Emperor Yuanming could no longer bear to listen. His heart stirred slightly, and he said slowly, "Did you bully Consort Duan?"

"Your Majesty, I am innocent! Please investigate thoroughly. I have never bullied anyone." Jiang Ling denied it without hesitation.

Emperor Yuanming said, "Consort Duan said that you frightened her and that the vengeful spirit of Lady Li would haunt her. She was so scared that she dared not go into the house. Consort Duan was pregnant at the time, and after being frightened by you, she could not even sleep peacefully."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations on the birth of another son!"

Jiang Ling congratulated Emperor Yuanming with a smile, then berated Consort Duan: "You wretch, you're such a fabricator. I only mentioned collecting footprints, and she immediately exaggerated and complained. Now look what's happened, she's got a gold nugget in her belly, and Niu Fen will definitely stand up for her."

"She really did scare Consort Duan." Emperor Yuanming coughed, clearly annoyed, and said, "Consort Duan is probably staying in Cuiwei Pavilion; it's quiet there, perfect for her to rest and recuperate..."

Seeing that her desired residence was about to be taken away, Jiang Ling panicked and cried out, "Your Majesty, I want to live here!"

Emperor Yuanming glared at her and angrily rebuked her: "What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket! As my concubine, how can you do as you please and try to leave the palace and live in another house?"

Jiang Ling remained silent, head bowed, listening respectfully to the instruction, thinking to himself, "Ha, they're all concubines. If I can't stay here, she can't either."

Emperor Yuanming was speechless. He spoke without thinking, and if he were to suggest that Consort Duan move to the imperial garden, it would be as if she were living in a separate house.

Very well, we'll just find another palace for Consort Duan. How about exchanging Consort Zhao's Xuexiang Pavilion with Consort Duan?

Emperor Yuanming made up his mind, sat for a while, and then returned to the palace.

After seeing Huang Liang off, Consort Zhao's nails almost dug into her flesh, her eyes filled with malice: "I've truly seen something new. Even Consort Lin, after becoming pregnant, quietly focused on nurturing her child. But she's the first person to try and seize my bedchamber like this!"