Su Yushan felt it was inappropriate, "Hey—it's only been two months, let's not talk about it yet!"

Patting her hand, Hongli explained, "Don't announce it to the public yet, but we must let the Empress Dowager know as soon as possible. She wants a grandson, doesn't she? And since you're pregnant, she won't have anything to say."

Su Yushan thought to herself: What the Empress Dowager wants is a grandson, not her own child. Even if I told her, she wouldn't be very happy.

But since he wants to say it, let him be!

Just as Su Yushan had predicted, the Empress Dowager showed no joy upon hearing the news. What she was thinking about was not being able to hold a grandson, but rather that this child was born out of wedlock!

Without a legitimate son, how will the throne be inherited in the future? If it were a son born to a Manchu concubine, she could barely accept it. But Su was a Han woman, and the Empress Dowager could not accept a son born to a Han woman inheriting the country. However, Hongli had always refused to favor other concubines. If this continued, wouldn't the position of crown prince be left vacant?

The Empress Dowager became more and more distressed, thinking to herself, why is her son so troublesome?

The Empress Dowager remained silent for a long time, lost in her distress. Granny Mei reminded her, "Your Majesty, Consort Chun is pregnant. Logically, you should give her some rewards."

The reward should indeed be given, and even if the Empress Dowager was unhappy, she could not be impolite. However, she had no interest in choosing, so she waved her hand and told Granny Mei to go to the storeroom and select six congratulatory gifts.

After Granny Mei made her selections, she presented the list to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager glanced at it casually and nodded.

"That's fine!"

With the Empress Dowager's permission, Granny Mei personally led the congratulatory gifts to Huanbi Island.

Although the matter was not made public, once the Empress Dowager sent the gift, everyone guessed the general idea.

Gao Xiuwen sighed inwardly at Su Yushan's good fortune, as she was pregnant again.

Cui Ning asked her mistress if she should send a gift to Consort Chun. Gao Xiuwen pondered for a moment, then shook her head.

"Since Consort Chun's identity hasn't been made public yet, let's not get involved. It's best to keep it to ourselves and not spread it around."

Cui Ning nodded and replied, "This servant understands."

Originally, Yu Ying didn't care about Su Yushan's favor with the emperor, but when she heard that Su Yushan was pregnant again, and thought of her own children who died young, Yu Ying became more and more unwilling!

She didn't crave affection, she just wanted a child, but God was cruel and refused to give her anything, while Su Yushan had both imperial favor and so many children. This was unfair!

So what exactly is the meaning of her existence as empress? Is it just to witness the deep love between the two of them?

Yu Ying grew increasingly grief-stricken as she thought about it, and her eyes reddened as she softly sobbed.

Seeing her mistress overcome with grief, Dongling felt heartbroken and kindly advised, "Your Majesty, do not worry. Even if Consort Chun has many more children, her son will never become the Crown Prince."

Everyone understands this principle, but Hongli is the only one who doesn't. Yuying gave a self-deprecating smile.

"It's as if I can give birth to a legitimate son. The Emperor has always refused to stay here, and the Empress Dowager often nags me about it. I'm living a very stifling life."

"Isn't Consort Chun pregnant? She won't be able to serve the Emperor for at least half a year, so doesn't that give you an opportunity, Your Highness?"

In the past, Yu Ying had thought the same thing. Every time Su Yu Shan was pregnant, she would have high hopes, but each time she would be disappointed. Therefore, Dong Ling's words could not offer her any comfort.

"In previous years, Lady Su gave birth to three children. Did you see the Emperor go to another courtyard during her pregnancy?"

"That was in the Prince's residence, where no one was in charge. Now that the Empress Dowager is here, she certainly won't let the Emperor endure this for more than half a year."

Yu Ying curled her lips into a cold smile, "Do you think the Empress Dowager can control the Emperor? In the Emperor's eyes, Su Shi is the most important person, and even the Empress Dowager has to step aside. If he is slightly displeased, he dares to drive away the Empress Dowager. He is fearless."

With a slight shift in her gaze, Dong Ling pondered, "What if Consort Chun is no longer here?"

Sensing the hidden meaning in her words, Yu Ying stared intently at her and asked seriously, "What do you mean by that? What are you trying to do?"

After a brief pause, Dong Ling lowered her voice and said, "This servant was thinking that if Consort Chun were to pass away, the Emperor might be sad at first, but as time goes on, he would get used to it and probably be willing to have children with other concubines."

It makes sense, but it's unlikely to happen. "How could she just disappear like that?"

"Giving birth is like a life-or-death ordeal for every woman; if something goes wrong, that's normal..."

Dong Ling's words were quite suggestive, and Yu Ying frowned upon hearing them. "You mean... to do something underhanded?"

The thought of that scenario made Yu Ying's heart pound wildly, and she immediately objected, "I am the Empress, how can I treat human life so lightly? I warn you, you must not act recklessly, and do not forget what happened to Granny Cui!"

The Empress was very opposed to this, so Dongling stopped talking immediately.

"Yes, this servant will remember your teachings, Master."

She had never thought about it before, but after Dong Ling's words, Yu Ying couldn't help but wonder how Hongli would react if Su Yushan really died...

Everyone was worried about Su Yushan's pregnancy, but Yushan herself didn't take it seriously, remaining calm and acting as usual.

According to custom, after receiving the Empress Dowager's congratulatory gift, one must go to express gratitude. The next morning, Su Yushan got up, dressed, and went to Songhezhai to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager and express her gratitude.

When the Empress Dowager saw her, her expression was indifferent, without a trace of the joy that a mother-in-law should have.

Gao Xiuwen was also there. Noticing the somewhat awkward atmosphere, she casually said something to Su Yushan.

“Yesterday, Yongcheng and Yongzhang went to Huanbi Island. When they came back, he told me that the tiger-skin chicken feet you made were delicious!”

Su Yushan smiled and replied, "I'm glad the Fourth Prince likes it. Let him come over to play when he has time, and I'll make some more for him."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's expression darkened, and she solemnly reminded her:

"How can pregnant women eat chicken feet? Be careful, the baby may be born with deformities in its hands and feet."

Su Yushan explained with a gentle smile, "These are just things people say casually, and there is no basis for them."

“If there is such a saying, then there must be some truth to it. It’s better to believe it than not. From now on, you need to pay extra attention to your child’s diet and always think about the child’s needs. You can’t just think about yourself and do whatever you want.”

The Empress Dowager gave her repeated instructions, and Su Yushan, not wanting to have a conflict with her, could only nod in agreement, appearing very compliant.

In reality, she didn't take it to heart at all, and after returning home, she continued as before, not paying much attention to her diet.

Unexpectedly, two days later, the Empress Dowager sent a cook and a nanny over, saying that from now on, these two would be in charge of her meals.