After listening to Consort Yu's words, Consort Ning's worries gradually dissipated. She looked at Consort Yu gratefully and whispered, "I am truly grateful to Consort Yu for coming all this way today."

Consort Yu sighed and continued in a low voice, "When I was pregnant with the Fifth Princess, I was very grateful to Consort Ning for often coming to comfort me. I know that it is easy to overthink when you are pregnant."

"Sister Ningpin, think about the life we've lived these past ten years. Now, whether it's a prince or a princess, it's all thanks to our prayers to Heaven."

Consort Ning nodded, first sighing as well, then her eyes filled with mist, and she whispered, "Sister Yu, I was just speaking recklessly. You are right, how easy is it to conceive another prince?"

We've been in the palace for over ten years now, and we've always worried that the emperor would get tired of us as we get older and lose our beauty.

Fortunately, the Emperor cherishes old friendships; the newly appointed ladies-in-waiting in the harem are all of relatively low rank, while we concubines will always have a few opportunities to serve him in bed.

Consort Ning gently stroked her slightly protruding belly, a faint smile on her face, her eyes filled with maternal love, and said softly, "Consort Yu, don't worry, I will cherish this blessing. Now, just give birth to this child in peace."

Upon hearing this, Consort Yu gently patted Consort Ning's hand and sighed, "Since you think this way, I am relieved."

The wind is gentle and the moon is bright.

At this moment, Xiao Li hurriedly ran in from outside, came to Eunuch Fu's side, bent down and said something. Finally, Eunuch Fu nodded, indicating that Xiao Li should step back first.

After Xiao Li Zi withdrew, Eunuch Fu hurriedly entered the main hall, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, news has just arrived from the court that the Emperor has bestowed marriages upon Consort Shu Shu's two younger brothers."

The Empress raised her delicate eyebrows, exuding an aura of wisdom, and said gently, "Hmm, I understand. Eunuch Fu, you may leave now."

"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress," Eunuch Fu replied, bowing.

After Eunuch Fu withdrew, Granny Chun, who was waiting to the side, couldn't help but whisper, "Your Majesty, we really didn't expect the Emperor to bestow such a great favor upon Consort Shu!"

When His Majesty ascended the throne, all the princes were already married. If I remember correctly, this was the first time His Majesty had issued an imperial decree to bestow marriages since his ascension.

The Empress's brow twitched, and she brought up another matter, saying in a deep voice, "Granny Chun, if I remember correctly, since Consort Shu was promoted to Imperial Concubine Shu, His Majesty has not bestowed any favors upon Consort Shu's family."

Granny Chun was somewhat taken aback. After thinking for a moment, she replied, "This servant has just been thinking, and His Majesty has indeed not yet shown favor to Consort Shu's family. What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

The Empress nodded, raising an eyebrow, and said, "Based on my understanding of the Emperor, after bestowing marriages upon Consort Shu's two younger brothers, he will no longer show favor to Consort Shu's family."

The Empress paused for a moment, then raised her eyebrows and said, "The Emperor's decision to bestow marriages upon Consort Shu's two younger brothers this time is probably also out of consideration for the Eighth Prince and the Ninth Prince."

"Granny Chun, don't forget that Consort Shu's two younger brothers are twins."

"I see. This servant has indeed forgotten that Consort Shu's two younger brothers, like the Eighth Prince and the Ninth Prince, are all twin brothers." Granny Chun said with a look of sudden realization.

Then, Granny Chun looked puzzled and quickly asked, "Your Majesty, the Emperor only bestowed marriages upon Consort Shu's two younger brothers, but did not extend any favors to Consort Shu's family. Isn't that too disrespectful to Consort Shu and the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Princes?"

"Didn't Consort Shu send word last time that her mother and sister-in-law should come to the palace?"

The Empress took a sip of tea and continued, "I remember the news that came from outside the palace that Consort Shu had given birth to three princes in a row."

Many prominent families in the capital are considering marriage alliances with Consort Shu's two younger brothers. Even my own family has sent word to inquire about this matter.

Granny Chun suddenly realized and replied, "This servant remembers. At that time, Her Majesty also sent a message telling them not to do anything unnecessary that might offend the Emperor. After all, the Emperor is very protective of his three young princes."

The Empress took another sip of tea and continued, "I suppose Consort Shu's family couldn't refuse so many prominent families, so they came to the palace to ask Consort Shu for a decision. Given Consort Shu's personality, she will probably just ask the Emperor directly."

The Empress put down her teacup, raised an eyebrow, and said, "His Majesty gave Consort Shu a choice between marrying her two younger brothers or granting her favor to her own family. Given Consort Shu's personality, she would definitely choose to resolve the immediate problem, so she chose to marry her two younger brothers."

Granny Chun hurriedly stepped forward to pour the Empress a cup of tea, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is truly wise."

The Empress raised an eyebrow slightly, her voice nonchalant, "Chun Mama, stop flattering me. Everyone in the harem knows Consort Shu's temperament."

Not only can I guess this matter with a high degree of accuracy, but Consort Qi, Consort Xi, and Consort Yu can also guess it with a high degree of accuracy.

To put it another way, anyone with even a modicum of insider information could guess it pretty accurately.

At this moment, Eunuch Fu, who had been waiting outside, quickly entered the main hall and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Physician Sun, who will take your pulse today, has arrived outside."

The Empress waved her hand and quickly instructed in a gentle voice, "Eunuch Fu, please invite Physician Sun in."

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Eunuch Fu immediately bowed and replied.

Not long after, Eunuch Fu brought in Physician Sun, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy.

The Imperial Physician Sun, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, hurriedly kowtowed to the Empress and said, "Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress."

The Empress waved her hand and said, "No need for formalities, Physician Sun, please rise."

Inside the spacious and brightly lit hall, Imperial Physician Sun, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, held a pulse pillow and bowed before the Empress's bedside, carefully taking her pulse.

For some reason, the Imperial Physician Sun, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, was more meticulous in examining the Empress's pulse than ever before. He not only focused on the strength and speed of the Empress's pulse, but also asked her many questions very carefully.

During the pulse diagnosis, the expression of Sun Taiyi, the head physician of the Imperial Medical Academy, was very solemn. He nodded at times and frowned at others, as if he was thinking about something.

Granny Chun and Eunuch Fu held their breath, afraid of disturbing the diagnosis and treatment by Physician Sun, the head of the hospital.

Finally, Imperial Physician Sun, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, slowly raised his head. He turned around and respectfully said to the Empress in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, do not worry. Although your pulse is still a little weak, your health has improved significantly. From now on, Your Majesty only needs to rest more."

The Empress was overjoyed and said, "Doctor Sun, do you mean that my health is much better than before?"

Imperial Physician Sun, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, quickly bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, congratulations! You have fully recovered."