Yonghe Palace, inner hall.

Ning Wanyin lay on the couch, biting the cork. Lian Rui stood by her side, anxiously holding the ginseng slices.

The two midwives were both arranged by Ning Wanyin when she selected the palace servants last time.

Four people holding the piano helped.

Judge Zhao knelt outside, separated by a screen and a curtain.

Everyone in the house is trustworthy and all the equipment has been checked.

Ning Wanyin was fully prepared, but when the birth really started, she almost fainted from the pain.

…

Outer hall.

Helian Qi sat in the main seat with an expressionless face.

His eyes fell towards the inner hall. He could only hear the midwife's voice but not her screams, but his heart was inexplicably tense.

Tang Miaoling clasped her hands together and silently prayed to all the gods and Buddhas. Wei Yingya, who was sitting next to her, was also worried...

In the backward delivery conditions of ancient times, there was no pain relief and everything had to be endured. We can only pray that everything goes smoothly for Concubine Ning!

The other concubines had different expressions, and it was unknown what they were thinking in their hearts.

This was not the first time Helian Qi waited outside the palace.

But it was the first time he realized that time passed very slowly...

I don’t know how much time passed.

Suddenly, a baby crying sound was heard from the inner hall.

Then Lian Rui screamed in panic, "The master is unconscious!"

Helian Qi stood up from his chair in a flash.

All the concubines stood up at the same time.

Wang Degui was so frightened that his face turned pale and he looked at the emperor in panic.

But after Helian Qi stood up, he regained his composure and stared intently at the inner hall.

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long...

The nanny came out holding a baby in her arms and congratulated:

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Concubine Ning has given birth to a prince!"

Helian Qi asked, "How is Concubine Ning?"

"The queen lost too much blood and fainted. But Judge Zhao has already taken her pulse and she just needs careful nursing," the nanny replied.

Helian Qi let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief, his expression relaxed a lot, and his gaze fell on the baby in the cradle.

Upon hearing this, all the concubines congratulated him.

"Congratulations to your majesty on the birth of the fourth prince!" Concubine Kang congratulated.

Concubine Jing gave birth to the third prince two months ago.

After the confinement period, the emperor sent someone to bring the mother and child back to the palace.

At this time, Jingpin was also standing on one side. A trace of disappointment flashed through her heart, but she smiled faintly and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, and Congratulations to Ningpin!"

When she gave birth, the emperor sent Wang Degui and Zhao Yuanpan instead of going there himself.

The emperor was not as anxious and worried about her as he was today in Yonghe Palace.

She doesn't care about these.

She had no intention of competing for the emperor's favor.

But……

The status of the son of a favorite concubine and the son of an ordinary concubine must be different in the emperor's heart.

She was afraid that the emperor would favor her son just as he favored her.

How can the other princes win?

Concubine Jing hoped that Ning Wanyin could give birth to a princess.

pity……

Failed to achieve the goal.

This fourth prince will become the biggest obstacle for her son to ascend to the throne.

After congratulating the emperor, all the concubines returned to the palace.

Helian Qi stayed, sat in front of the bed, and looked at Ning Wanyin who was sleeping.

Her face was pale, without a trace of blood, her hair was messy, and she looked exhausted. The room had been cleaned, but the smell of blood still lingered.

Helian Qi didn't know why he felt so upset. He was always very happy every time he saw the birth of a royal heir.

He reached out and gently stroked Ning Wanyin's cheek. For some reason, he had a thought that he hoped she would never give birth again.

…

On the first day of May in the sixth year of Yanchang, the fourth prince held his full-month ceremony.

The emperor named him Xi.

On May 19th, the ceremony of enthroning the concubine was held.

The concubines arrived at Tinglan Palace early in the morning to watch the ceremony.

After a complicated ceremony.

The ceremonial officer read out the imperial edict:

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: Concubine Ning is virtuous and prudent, assists in the internal affairs, is highly praised by the imperial court, and is virtuous and glorious. I now appoint you as my consort. I grant you the title, Your Majesty."

Ning Wanyin knelt in the front row, slightly stunned, and bowed to receive the order, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

All the concubines were stunned.

They had known for a long time that Ning Wanyin would be promoted to the position of concubine, but they did not expect that the emperor would give her the title of Chen.

The word "Chen" has noble meaning and good connotation, so there is no need to explain more.

In the previous dynasty, Chen Fei was second only to the Empress and was the most honorable title.

Later, when Dayan was established, all systems were changed, and the Imperial Noble Consort and Four Concubines were established.

Emperors of all dynasties would never use the word "Chen" when appointing a second-rank concubine, because for historical reasons, this word is extremely valuable.

But now the emperor has given this title to Ning Wanyin.

This is enough to show that Ning Wanyin holds an extraordinary importance in the emperor's heart.

All the concubines saluted and congratulated Ning Wanyin, "Concubines pay their respects to Her Majesty the Concubine Chen, and congratulate Her Majesty on the new year."

Helian Qi looked at Ning Wanyin and saw that her eyebrows were slightly curved and she was in a good mood.

The Ministry of Rites had already drafted some titles and presented them to him for his review.

She was the most beautiful among all the beauties, and was the most beautiful woman in the six palaces.

Suitable. Suitable for his family, docile and suitable, she is indeed the most suitable for him.

Respectful, cautious, dignified, modest and frugal, it suits her.

end……

These titles naturally had no bad connotations, but Helian Qi was not very satisfied. She was not only beautiful, not only suitable, but also cautious...

Helian Qi wanted to give her a particularly precious title to show his appreciation for her.

…

Dayan holds a draft every three years.

The talent shows in various places began to be prepared in the second half of the sixth year of Yanchang. A preliminary selection was made based on standards such as appearance, voice, height, and demeanor, and the names and portraits were submitted to the capital.

The preliminary list will be announced before October so that ladies who have long journeys can set out early.

The re-election will be held on the first day of February of the following year.

Ning Wanyin holds the power of the six palaces and is responsible for this year's talent show.

Early in the morning, Ning Wanyin had breakfast and took a luxurious jade brocade sedan chair to Chuxiusi.

The re-selection will be conducted by the head nanny of the Chuxiusi, who will review the appearance, voice, demeanor and other standards to ensure that the beauties are consistent with their portraits to prevent impersonation and mistakes in the initial selection. It is basically a formality.

This should have been the calmest one...

"Master, something happened!" Pengqi came over quickly to report, "A concubine fell into the water! Fortunately, you sent more people to patrol the Chuxiu Division a few days ago, and she was rescued immediately. She is not in serious condition now."

Ning Wanyin frowned slightly, "Please ask the granddaughter doctor to come over and take a look."

"yes."

Ning Wanyin was already halfway there and would arrive in just a moment.

Xiao Guizi straightened her chest and sang: "The Queen Consort is here!"

At one point he wanted to change his job, but before he found his next job, his master had already become the first person in the harem. Now he has risen with the tide, and he is so powerful that everyone calls him Eunuch Gui wherever he goes.

All the ladies in front of the Chuxiusi bowed and saluted: "Your servants pay their respects to Her Majesty the Concubine!"

Ning Wanyin's eyes fell on a beautiful girl who was soaking wet.

Her cheeks were stained with makeup from crying, but it was obvious that she was an extremely beautiful woman. Among all the beauties, she was one of the most beautiful.