The palace maids almost couldn't help but laugh.

Wuya Changzai must be furious, right? The palace maid Zhihe curtsied and said, "This servant will go and do it right away."

However, before she could leave, she was stopped by Granny Zhao. Consort Tong, filled with curiosity, looked up at Granny Zhao and asked, "Granny, is there anything else?"

Granny Zhao coughed softly.

She said sternly, "This servant deserves to die. I did something behind my master's back."

Consort Tong was stunned.

The next second, looking at the completely unrepentant Granny Zhao, she couldn't hide her curiosity: "Granny Zhao, tell me, what did you do?"

Granny Zhao gave her a wink.

A palace maid stepped forward and presented the tray she was carrying.

The things on top!

This truly opened the eyes of Consort Tong. She laughed so hard that she slumped back in her chair, clutching her stomach and groaning in pain: "You all are so wicked!"

Granny Zhao chuckled: "What do you think, Master?"

Consort Tong wiped her eyes, unable to hide her schadenfreude: "Since everything is prepared, then let's get on with it!"

---

Tip of the tree.

Wuya changed into a crescent-white palace dress embroidered with pink peaches, and carefully applied a delicate and gentle makeup to herself.

Once everything was ready, she took a mirror and admired her reflection: the girl in the mirror had skin as white as snow and jade, eyebrows as delicate as if they had been sculpted, and eyes as clear as water, like a peach blossom in spring that was about to bloom, elegant yet bright...

All of the above are descriptions from the novel.

Consort Wuya, her hair disheveled, gazed at her beautiful reflection in the mirror, a fleeting look of determination flashing in her eyes. She had had enough of the cramped Yonghe Palace, enough of the aloof Consort Tong, enough of the smug and scheming Consort Miao, and enough of these sarcastic and unpleasant palace servants.

Wait a little longer... wait a little longer...

The woman's face in the mirror contorted suddenly, then returned to calm. Wuya casually placed the mirror on the table and walked gracefully to the window. She opened the window, took a deep breath of fresh air, and took in the full view of the spring scenery in the garden.

Wuya was in a wonderful mood.

Just then, cheers came from not far away.

Miao Changzai was overjoyed.

She never expected that such a joyous occasion would fall into her lap!

With a face full of flattery and obsequiousness, Miao Changzai sighed with tears in her eyes, "I will never forget your kindness, my lord! I will go and kowtow to you to express my gratitude."

Bah! Servile and obsequious!

What a disgrace! Wuya Changzai had always looked down on people like this. She glanced at Miao Changzai with disdain and prepared to close the window.

Miao Changzai also noticed the movement at the end of the path.

She keenly sensed the maid's signal and her eyes lit up. Miao Changzai raised her voice slightly, "I never expected to be able to attend the Emperor's birthday banquet! What a wonderful surprise! It's just a pity I wasn't prepared; I'm afraid I'll embarrass Your Highness..."

The palace maid Zhihe was very satisfied with Consort Miao's understanding and tact.

She replied with a smile, "Miss Miao, there's no need to worry. Your master has already made preparations."

Zhihe waved her hand behind her.

Two young palace maids carrying trays stepped forward. On the trays was a set of moon-white palace dress with pink flowers, and on the other side was a complete set of jewelry.

This was something Miao Changzai hadn't expected.

Her small mouth opened slightly, stunned for a moment. Then, Miao Ying wiped away her tears, choking back sobs, and said, "This humble servant thanks Your Highness for your kindness."

Wuya Changzai's expression changed.

The clothes she wore were made of cloud brocade, a tribute from the Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau. They had a light sheen and a beautiful color, and were collected by Wuya when she was a noble lady.

But... Wuya's heart trembled slightly.

From afar, the luster that flashed briefly in the sunlight... was clearly something that Consort Tong had bestowed upon Consort Miao!

Wuya's pretty face twisted instantly.

The next second, as Miaochang unfolded the garment and praised it, her expression completely betrayed her. The faint pink peach blossoms on the brocade... were clearly identical to those on her own garment!

You, Consort Tong!

Wuya was unaware of her surroundings. Consort Tong already knew that she had sent someone to the Imperial Household Department to have clothes made, and the other party had used this opportunity to trick her.

All my hard work is now ruined!

If she and Consort Miao wore identical palace attire to the banquet, wouldn't they become mere background figures, like palace maids, no matter where they sat? Perhaps this would indeed attract the Emperor's attention, but would they still leave behind an image of a charming and beautiful woman? They'd probably have to make the Emperor laugh first.

Uya was so angry she nearly fell backward.

With a dark expression, she wanted to push open the door and go out to find out what was going on, but she was just a lowly concubine. If she went to reason with the Imperial Concubine, she would probably be confined to her courtyard and wouldn't even be able to attend the Emperor's birthday banquet.

Uya suddenly realized something, something she had overlooked, something that was crucial despite being ignored.

That is: as a regular servant, I don't even have the right to go to the Emperor's Birthday Festival!

Wuya Changzai was truly panicked.

If she couldn't reveal the good news of her pregnancy on the Emperor's birthday, and if she couldn't stand out when the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager suggested that many concubines prepare for pregnancy, how could she possibly catch the Emperor's eye? Consort Wuya felt cold all over, as if her heart was being tightly gripped by a large hand, making even breathing extremely difficult.

Her vision blurred in waves, and her mind buzzed. Just then, a sharp pain made Wuya Changzai clutch her stomach, her lips turning deathly pale. Wuya Changzai could even feel a slight dampness under her underwear, and an ominous thought slowly surfaced in her mind.

Wuya Changzai's expression changed drastically.

She cried out urgently, "Quick, quick, quick! Quickly summon the imperial physician!"

The noise from the sidewalks drew everyone's attention.

The sight of the palace maid running out in a panic made Zhihe frown slightly. She gave a signal, and two eunuchs immediately stepped forward to stop the maid, shouting sternly, "What are you doing making such a racket?!"

The palace maid's face turned pale.

Turning around to look at Consort Wuya, who was wailing in pain, she dared not hide it any longer and raised her voice, "My mistress...my mistress has miscarried!"

Zhihe's heart seemed to slow down a beat.

Miao Chang's previously smiling face suddenly contorted in shock as she screamed, "How could Wu Ya be pregnant? That's impossible!"

The palace maid knelt down on the ground.

She kowtowed forcefully, her pitiful voice echoing throughout Chengqian Palace: "Your Highness is truly pregnant! I beg you, Miss Zhihe, have mercy! I beg you, Imperial Concubine, have mercy! Please allow Your Highness to summon an imperial physician!"

Zhihe felt a chill run through her body.

What would happen if word got out? She slapped the palace maid hard across the face and snapped, "Shut up! When did your mistress forbid you from summoning the imperial physician?"

Zhihe ordered the young palace maid to be tied up, and then had someone watch over Consort Wuya. She turned and hurried towards the front hall.

The palace maid's screams were extremely shrill.

Before Zhihe could reply, the news had already reached Consort Tong's ears. If Consort Tong had been watching the play with great interest just moments before, now she was completely dumbfounded.

The emperor has few children.

There were only four princes, and only two princesses: the eldest princess whom the prince had raised, and the third princess born to Consort Rong. Regardless of gender, anyone who conceived was extremely precious, especially since Consort Tong's search for someone to secure her favor was precisely because she wanted to adopt one. She was stunned for a moment, but anger surged forward even faster than joy.

Consort Tong's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

So, Consort Wuya's mysterious act meant she was pregnant? She wasn't happy at all; instead, she slammed her hand on the table in anger: "Consort Wuya, what's the meaning of your secrecy? Hmm? Are you planning to embarrass me on the Emperor's birthday?"

Consort Tong could tell what Consort Wuya was thinking even with her eyes closed. It was fortunate that Consort Wuya had already been demoted to the rank of Consort; if she were still a Noble Lady, wouldn't she have revealed her pregnancy at the Emperor's birthday banquet, attracting the attention of the Emperor and the two Empress Dowagers, while Consort Tong, who was unaware of the pregnancy among the other concubines, would have become the laughingstock of all the other concubines.

Consort Tong's chest heaved violently.

If it weren't for the possibility that Consort Wuya might be carrying the imperial heir, she would have already... A cold glint flashed in Consort Tong's eyes. She raised her voice and ordered that Consort Wuya's maid be immediately sent to the Department of Punishments for treatment. Then she ordered the palace servants to fetch the imperial physician.

Of course, he also gave a few instructions.

Finally, Consort Tong instructed Granny Zhao: "Granny, go to the Qianqing Palace and tell the Emperor about this 'good thing'."

Granny Zhao agreed.

Having heard no good news for a year, the news was accompanied by the possibility of a miscarriage? This enraged the Empress Dowager, who immediately went to Chengqian Palace with the Emperor and Empress.

Uya was in excruciating pain.

Seeing the apricot-yellow figure filled me with excitement—as expected! As the female protagonist, I would gain the Emperor's favor no matter what, thanks to my child.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she raised her chin at a forty-five-degree angle to look at Kangxi. Uya Changzai cried out, tears streaming down her face, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty...my child...my child...please save the child!"

Kangxi remained silent for a moment.

Wuya often forgot that she had just put on heavy makeup. With cold sweat and a distorted expression, thin black lines ran down her eyebrows and the corners of her eyes. Her whole face looked as ugly as could be.

And yet she thinks she's beautiful.

Emperor Kangxi was in a state of utter confusion, and even wanted to ask his past self.

How did you speak to Wuya Changzai?

He kept a straight face and did not answer Wuya's question, but instead calmly instructed the imperial physician, "Imperial Physician Chen, this matter is entirely yours."

"Your humble servant will do his utmost," Imperial Physician Chen replied respectfully. He then placed a silk scarf on Consort Wuya's wrist and closed his eyes to carefully take her pulse.

As for Emperor Kangxi, Empress Dowager, and Empress, it was a great favor for them to even glance at Consort Wuya. At this moment, they turned back to the front hall to inquire about Consort Tong's affairs.

"The Imperial Concubine was unaware that Consort Wuya was pregnant?" The Empress was the first to ask this question.

"Your Majesty, I truly did not know." Consort Tong twisted her handkerchief, her eyes filled with grievance. "If I had known, why would I have moved her to the side room?"

The Empress Dowager carefully observed her expression.

After confirming that Consort Tong had no guilty conscience, her tone softened considerably: "No wonder the Emperor demoted Consort Wuya; she is indeed a cunning woman."

Emperor Kangxi nodded.

Kangxi's dislike for Consort Wuya grew stronger. First, she showed no respect for the Empress and even tried to use her copied scriptures to appease her. Now, she was hiding her pregnancy and almost miscarried. If it weren't for the fact that there were indeed fewer children in the palace, Kangxi wouldn't have even bothered to look at her.

Imperial Physician Chen quickly returned to the front hall.

He flicked his sleeves and knelt on one knee: "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and Consort Tong."

"Stand up and answer."

The Empress Dowager was still talking about pregnancy yesterday, and now she is showing the utmost eagerness: "Is Consort Wuya pregnant?"

The imperial physician respectfully agreed.

Upon hearing that the pregnancy was indeed true, the Empress Dowager finally smiled. But the next second, she remembered Consort Wuya's suspected miscarriage, and her heart tightened again: "Is the baby alright?"

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, Consort Wuya's unborn child is fine." After giving an affirmative answer, Imperial Physician Chen changed the subject: "However, Consort Wuya is depressed and has excessive liver fire. Her mouth sores and blisters have not healed for a long time. If this continues, it will easily damage her health. She needs to rest and recuperate properly."

Anxiety builds up in the heart, causing liver fire to flare up.

It seems that Consort Wuya has a low status, but quite a temper.

The Empress Dowager's thoughts shifted, and her desire to elevate the child diminished by three or four points. Her expression remained indifferent: "Prescribe more medicine that will not harm the child, and make sure that Wuya Changzai recovers well."

After instructing the imperial physician, the Empress Dowager turned to Consort Tong and said, "Since this is in your palace, I'll leave everything to you. Don't let Consort Wuya cause any trouble and harm my grandson. Consort, don't disappoint me again."

Consort Tong shuddered.

She obediently lowered her head: "Your Majesty, I obey."

After seeing off the Emperor, Empress Dowager and Empress, Consort Tong's tension immediately subsided. She said softly, "Everyone heard the imperial physician's instructions. Keep a close watch on Consort Wuya and do not allow her to leave her quarters without permission."

The news that Consort Wuya was pregnant quickly spread throughout the palace.

The concubines' eyes and brows were filled with a strange light; the good news, after a year, made everyone's hearts clench.

Can Wuya Changzai turn her life around by having children?

Everyone harbored doubts and began to make their own plans. For example, Consort Yi held the letter from home, her brows furrowed tightly.

As for Xianfu Palace.

This was probably the place with the best atmosphere in the harem. After marveling at it for a moment, Wan Anran put the matter out of her mind.

The most important thing right now is the embroidery in front of us!

Wan Anran felt like her eyes were about to turn cross-eyed. Her face scrunched up as she looked at the embroidery in her hands and sighed repeatedly.

The Emperor's birthday is in three days.

Busy copying Buddhist scriptures for the Empress and then celebrating her recovery, Wan Anran had completely forgotten about the birthday gifts for the Empress. If Consort Xuan hadn't sent someone to inquire, she probably wouldn't have remembered it until the very last day.

Wan Anran shed tears.

Feeling sorry for herself, her movements gradually slowed down. Just then, a ruler slapped her hand. Consort Xuan, her face dark with anger, glared at Wan Anran: "Still slacking off? Hurry up and do it!"

Wan Anran, with tears in her eyes, said, "Yes, yes, yes."