After much painful reflection, Wan Anran rearranged her schedule. She focused on both her son's studies and her work and leisure, striving to become a spinning top, never stopping from morning till night.

Suddenly I feel so busy!

Her lament was met with a sarcastic remark from Emperor Kangxi: "If yours counts as busy, what about mine?"

Wan Anran: "How could I possibly compare to Your Majesty?"

She answered incredibly quickly. After all, the emperor was capable of handling court affairs, was proficient in all the arts (music, chess, calligraphy, and painting), and could also comfort the concubines and educate their sons.

Hmm... If I were to continue like this, I would probably die within six months.

Thinking back to the past, I also longed to be close to beautiful women, only regretting that I wasn't born as Emperor Kangxi. But now...

Wan Anran clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling, and sighed, "It's so good to be like this now."

Kangxi: ...?

Although he didn't know what Qi Fei was moved by, he figured she was describing her good fortune. He smiled slightly, put his arm around Qi Fei's shoulder, and kissed her ear: "I also feel very lucky to have met you."

Wan Anran: …………?

What kind of drama is the emperor adding to his own life again? Wan Anran was already used to Kangxi's occasional strange behavior; usually, a blush and a shy smile were enough.

The plan is in place.

While Wan Anran was busy, autumn arrived quickly.

In Chengqian Palace, Consort Tong is pregnant.

The news quickly reached Wan Anran's ears, and she calmly let out a sigh.

As they became more familiar with each other, Consort Xuan, who was becoming increasingly talkative and gossipy, became quite enthusiastic: "Many people in the palace are saying that Consort Tong got lucky and struck it lucky."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Back when we were all engrossed in mahjong, His Majesty visited Chengqian Palace several times—" Consort Xuan said with a smile.

Wan Anran knew this.

Consort Tong always claimed to be ill and did not leave Chengqian Palace. Even the Seventh Prince rarely left the palace, and would only be seen from afar during necessary events such as the New Year. His presence was surprisingly low.

The master of Chengqian Palace never goes out.

Consort Zhangjia and Consort Tongjia were basically invisible. While Consort Tongjia would at least try to say a few words during the morning and evening greetings, Consort Zhangjia was taciturn and almost invisible.

Consort Xuan continued, "I heard that Consort Zhangjia happened to be menstruating during those days, and Consort Tong was also feeling unwell, so His Majesty took the opportunity to stay overnight at Consort Tong's place. Isn't that just good luck?"

Wan Anran thought for a moment and nodded.

This was definitely a stroke of luck.

Consort Xuan: "As for luck, well, there will be a selection of candidates next year, so it's really a good thing that Consort Tong got pregnant before the selection."

Talent shows...

Wan Anran was somewhat dazed.

Time really flies.

The last draft was held in the year of the earthquake, and the tragic scenes were still fresh in his mind. Wan Anran pushed those ominous thoughts out of his mind and simply patted his chest, saying, "I just hope this draft will go smoothly."

Consort Xuan nodded: "Yes, as long as everything goes smoothly and peacefully."

Consort Tong was only mentioned lightly by the two men, and the matter was like a drop of water falling into a vast ocean, having no impact whatsoever on Wan Anran and the others.

But it was different in Consort Tong's eyes.

Just as Consort Xuan had said, Consort Tong felt that she was quite lucky. Especially compared to Consort Ping, who was nominally the head of the palace but actually received almost no favor and was even coldly ignored by Crown Prince Yinreng, she felt even luckier.

Most importantly—

The Emperor originally came to find his sister, but they ended up arguing over the Seventh Prince, and in a fit of anger, he came to the inner courtyard. Coincidentally, Consort Zhangjia was menstruating at that moment, so she used her internal energy.

Then she got pregnant again because of it.

Consort Tong stroked her belly, feeling that this child was a gift from heaven. Leaning against the windowsill, gazing absently at the clear blue sky, she smiled, a rare moment of good spirits, and said, "Shall we sit in the courtyard for a while?"

The palace maids smiled and agreed.

Consort Tong sat under a tree, leisurely enjoying the breeze and the warm sunlight. The chirping of birds filled the air, and she felt a little drowsy.

Until a tiny figure appeared.

The Seventh Prince, Yin You, beamed with joy as he excitedly ran towards Consort Tong: "Aunt! Aunt! I heard you're pregnant with a younger brother or sister, is that true?"

Yinyou was not allowed to leave the house.

Aside from exchanging a few words with his brothers and sisters during the New Year—mostly greetings—he mostly played in the Chengqian Palace.

Before this, Consort Tong was quite happy to please the Seventh Prince, but now that she saw him about to pounce on her, she instinctively pushed him away.

What if the misfortune were to befall her child? A hint of fear and panic flashed across Consort Tong's face. Under the Seventh Prince's questioning gaze, she forced a smile: "Oh dear, I just remembered I have something to do... Seventh Prince, let's talk another day."

She hurriedly stood up and rushed out of the courtyard. Only Yinyou remained standing there, stunned, reaching out his hand: "Aunt...?"

Consort Tong's disdain was too obvious!

The two wet nurses who were following the Seventh Prince were inwardly furious, but their faces were full of smiles as they helped the Seventh Prince back: "Young Master, shall we go back to our palace to rest?"

They then reported the matter to Consort Tong.

Consort Tong scoffed, "My silly little sister, is she worried that I will take action?"

The palace servants remained silent.

Consort Tong placed her teacup on the table and said, "Let her be. I don't want her to have much contact with Yin You anyway."

The palace maids responded in unison.

Consort Tong lowered her eyes and quietly gazed at the letter between her fingers.

This was sent to her by her family.

Consort Tong's eyes were deep and unfathomable, as still and calm as a deep pool, revealing no emotion whatsoever. After a long while, she silently tossed the letter into the incense burner, stood up, and walked out of the main hall.

Consort Tong walked all the way to the outside of Yin You's bedroom.

Yin You was well aware of his abnormality. He rolled up his trouser leg, exposing his right leg, and forcefully pulled the wooden board away, slamming it heavily to the ground. Gritting his teeth, Yin You used the table for support to stand up, letting go of the board and attempting to walk forward.

The palace servants who were attending to them screamed in alarm.

The young eunuch stepped forward and held the Seventh Prince tightly, saying urgently, "No, no! Your Highness, the imperial physicians have repeatedly warned us that if we give up now, all our efforts will be in vain! You've been in pain for so many days... wouldn't it all be for nothing?"

Yinyou sobbed, "If...if my legs weren't like this, would Mother have let me go out? Would Aunt not be afraid of me anymore?"

Consort Tong's hand landed on the door.

She stood outside the door, and every tearful word of her son touched the heart of Consort Tong.

Now that things have come to this...

Consort Tong clenched her fists at her sides and silently returned to the front hall, sitting quietly at the head of the table like a statue.

Until nightfall.

Consort Tong then whispered, "Go to Kunning Palace and tell her that I will pay my respects to the Empress tomorrow."

The palace maid slightly opened her eyes.

She immediately responded with delight, "Yes!"

Consort Tong stepped out of Chengqian Palace again.

Consort Tong and Consort Zhangjia also followed suit in paying their respects morning and evening. Unlike the latter, who was confused about the situation, Consort Tong felt that it must be a letter from her family.

Compared to my sister's disabled brother, the healthy child in my belly is definitely better, isn't it?

Consort Tong's appearance also drew attention to Consort Tong. Unfortunately, her joy was short-lived, as two months later, Consort Yi was also rumored to be pregnant.

The palace was immediately thrown into an uproar.

You know, the imperial physicians had said that Consort Yi probably couldn't get pregnant again, but... this... it's only been four months, and Consort Yi is pregnant? Not to mention the concubines, even the imperial physicians were dumbfounded. They mobilized a whole group of seven or eight imperial physicians to carefully examine Consort Yi's pulse.

Consort Yi's pregnancy is also not very stable.

Her body was weak and she had not fully recovered, so this pregnancy was still fraught with danger.

After the imperial physician left, Consort Ning held her hand with a worried expression: "Is this... really okay?"

Consort Yi's eyes sparkled.

She stroked her belly and smiled slightly: "Don't worry, sister, I have a feeling this time everything will be fine."

It must be the little princess coming to find me again.

Consort Yi clenched her fists, her eyes brimming with determination.

Consort Tong's limelight was immediately overshadowed by Consort Yi, not to mention the news of Consort Ning's pregnancy that followed.

Yikun Palace is almost pierced through by knives.

Consort Ning was very worried, so she specially went to Cining Palace to invite a nanny to help manage all the affairs of Yikun Palace, and she was very careful about food, drink and accommodation.

"Consort Ning and Consort Yi are truly destined to be together."

"Yes, the two sisters have become pregnant one after the other again." The Empress took a sip of her tea and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"The Fifth Prince and the Fourth Princess were also very excited." Wan Anran thought about how dark Yinzhen's face had become when she returned to the palace recently, and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Has Yinzhen suffered?"

“Yes—” Wan Anran chuckled, “But I think he might actually be enjoying it.”

"Is that so?" The Empress put down her teacup and turned her gaze back to the work in front of her. With the New Year approaching, there was more and more work to be done, and everyone in the palace was busy as bees, not to mention the Empress.

Wan Anran secretly sized up the Empress.

She noticed that the Queen looked rather unwell, with dark circles under her eyes, bloodshot eyes, and faint traces of gray hair...

The empress was only twenty-five years old.

She propped her cheek up with her hand, then suddenly swayed. Wan Anran, quick as a flash, steadied the Empress: "Your Majesty? Quick, go fetch the imperial physician!"

"No need..."

"Your Majesty, what are you saying?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

“This servant also agrees with what Consort Qi said,” Granny Zhou stepped forward to persuade her.

"No, no need." The Empress shook her head and squeezed Consort Qi's hand: "Tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year, let's wait a few more days before talking about it."

If word gets out that the Empress is ill, that would be an ominous sign.

The Empress roused herself and continued reviewing the documents on the table. Wan Anran stared at the Empress and sighed repeatedly. Finally, she reached out her slender fingers and gently massaged the Empress's hair.

The empress was startled.

She tried to stop her, but Wan Anran held her down. Wan Anran's eyes were gentle: "I remember giving the Empress a massage back then too."

The empress was taken aback.

Wan Anran held the Empress's head and said, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten what happened when you were sick last time? I... I don't want to see it again."

The worries and fears of that time.

To this day, it still leaves a lot of shadows in Wan Anran's heart.

The Empress grabbed Consort Qi's wrist with her other hand.

She said gently, "Yes, yes, yes. After the New Year's banquet, I will have the imperial physician examine her. Will our Consort Qi be less sad now?"

Wan Anran gave a soft hum.

Even after returning to the palace, she was still preoccupied with the matter, and even the Emperor's appearance did not bring her back to her senses.

Emperor Kangxi had grown somewhat accustomed to Consort Qi's dazed and confused demeanor.

He waved his hand a few times in front of Consort Qi, and after confirming that she was still lost in her own thoughts, Kangxi calmly sat down and picked up a small biscuit, crunching away.

It took Wan Anran a long time to notice Kangxi's arrival.

She was startled: "Your Majesty, why did you suddenly appear without saying a word?"

"I told you, you just didn't see it."

Kangxi remained calm, quickly finishing the biscuits: "What are you thinking about? Why are you so engrossed?"

"Your Majesty, you don't look well."

"Ah... perhaps it's because I was too tired during the New Year." Kangxi thought for a moment and frowned slightly.

"You look terrible..."

Wan Anran whispered, "It's exactly the same as last time."

Kangxi had some doubts, but he quickly came to his senses.

He chuckled and cupped Wan Anran's cheeks, rubbing them gently: "Since you're worried, why don't you use your best method?"

Wan Anran blinked: "Your own method?"

Empress Niohuru stretched and thought about how she would be busy all day starting early tomorrow, so she decided to take a bath and rest early.

"Master, dinner is served..."

"Never mind, I don't have much of an appetite."

“But, Your Majesty…” Before Zhou Mama could finish speaking, an announcement rang out from outside. Immediately afterward, Kangxi strode into Kunning Palace, looked the Empress up and down, and said, “Consort Qi was right. Empress, please sit down and have something to eat.”

The Empress was taken aback.

Then she saw Liang Jiugong place the food box on the round table and take out a bowl of rice porridge from it.

Emperor Kangxi gestured for the Empress to sit down.

He rested his elbow on the table, propped his cheek on his hand, and laughed, "It was specially prepared by Consort Qi. Honestly, she even pushed me here, asking me to urge the Empress to eat."

The Empress burst out laughing.

Seeing that the emperor complained but showed no dissatisfaction on his face, she couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Although she had little appetite, this was a gift from Consort Qi. She scooped up a spoonful of minced meat porridge and slowly put it in her mouth. The rich and fragrant flavor was immediately appealing, but after swallowing, the Empress suddenly covered her mouth: "Ugh..."

"The Empress?"

"Your Majesty?"

"Your Majesty the Empress!"

"Quickly, go and fetch the imperial physician!"

The Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager rushed to Kunning Palace.

As they stepped into the palace gates, they heard the imperial physician's ecstatic shouts: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations! Her Majesty the Empress is pregnant!"