Chapter 56: Nian Shilan Raising Princess Shuhe
During this period, Nian Shilan often stared at her belly and became absent-minded. Chen Meizhuang noticed the disappointment in her eyes, but if Nian Shilan didn't take the initiative to tell them about some things, they were unwilling to uncover her scars.
"Your Majesty, if you don't mind, this child can be yours in the future. And Huan'er, she will eventually get pregnant. I believe what she wants in her heart must be the same as mine."
Shen Meizhuang couldn't think of any other way to comfort her, and this was the best way she thought.
What's more, this was indeed her true thought. After going through this period of time, Chen Meizhuang knew very well that if Nian Shilan had not secretly protected her behind the scenes, who knows what the outcome would have been for the fetus in her belly.
"Okay, that's what you said. From now on, any children you and Miss Wan have will be mine."
Nian Shilan felt warmed by Shen Meizhuang's words, and the room was filled with laughter for a while.
"Time flies so fast. You will give birth in a few days. When you are eight months pregnant, you can have your mother brought to the palace to accompany you. Then you can rest assured."
Nian Shilan knew very well that no matter how close a friend was, they could not compare to the company of family members during childbirth.
"My lady, I'm lucky to have you."
Chen Meizhuang looked at Nian Shilan with moist eyes. She really didn't know how to thank her. She had never thought that one day in the future she would receive such protection from Concubine Hua.
"Hey, don't cry. I heard that mothers can't cry when they are pregnant, otherwise they will give birth to a little crybaby."
Shen Meizhuang was so embarrassed that she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
After chatting with Shen Meizhuang for a while, Nian Shilan went to Shoukang Palace to pay her respects to the empress dowager as usual.
"May the Empress Dowager be blessed with good health."
As soon as Nian Shilan walked into the room, she saw the Queen Mother sitting there fiddling with something. Aunt Zhuxi, who was standing beside her, seemed to be holding a plate with something in it.
"Hey, you're here. Come, come and see what nice things I have prepared for you."
As soon as the Queen Mother saw Nian Shilan, she waved to her happily.
"A few days ago, we sent some jewelry as tribute. They were all made of extremely rare emeralds and jadeite. The Queen kept some of them, and the rest are all here. I didn't give them to anyone else, but left them all for you."
"Thank you, Queen."
Nian Shilan walked forward and looked at the various jewels on the plate. She could tell at a glance how precious they were.
She didn't expect that the empress dowager, who had always been somewhat wary of her, was now thinking about her. Her companionship during these days was not in vain after all.
"I know you must be unhappy lately. There have been constant reports of concubines getting pregnant in the palace, which should be a happy occasion. However, I know very well that you have not been able to conceive for so many years. This is the greatest pain in your heart."
For such a long time, Nian Shilan would come to Shoukang Palace from time to time to accompany the Queen Mother. Although she might have her own purposes, the Queen Mother could still clearly see the true feelings in her eyes.
In fact, the Queen Mother had no aversion to Nian Shilan. It was just because she was a girl from the Nian family and as a member of the royal family, she had to be on guard against her. And because of this, she would never have children in this life, and the Queen Mother felt a little guilty.
"It is I who am not blessed enough to bear His Majesty a heir. It is His Majesty's greatest grace that he does not despise me."
Speaking of this topic, Nian Shilan deliberately showed weakness in front of the Queen Mother.
Just before chatting with Shen Meizhuang, she suddenly thought of a question. She seemed to have missed the "old people" in the palace for a while, and that was Concubine Xin.
It was only because she had always maintained a neutral attitude over the years, and the child she gave birth to was a princess, so she posed no threat to the queen, and she was able to find peace in the palace. However, whether it was her family background or her strategies, she was actually not inferior to anyone else.
"After so many years, I no longer have the extravagant hope of having children. I just want to find a suitable princess to keep by my side, just like Sister Duan, if I have the chance. That way, I'll have someone to rely on in my old age."
The Queen Mother understood Nian Shilan's words deeply. In this palace, even if there was no prince, it would be good to have a princess. It would give her something to look forward to during the long nights to come.
"It's understandable that you think this way. In fact, if you really want to, this matter is not difficult to handle. Shuhe is still young. If you are willing to keep her by your side and raise her, I can speak to the emperor on your behalf."
The Queen Mother thought for a moment and patted Nian Shilan's hand.
Nian Shilan was delighted. The person the Queen Mother mentioned was exactly the one she had planned, Princess Shuhe, the daughter of Concubine Xin.
"But will Xin Changzai agree? After all, this is her own child."
"She is only a concubine, and she is not allowed to raise the child with her. Now she is raising the child in the prince's residence. If you raise him, it will be a great blessing for her. Why would she not want it?"
The Queen Mother did not take Nian Shilan's worries to heart. Shuhe was a princess, and even if she was raised by Nian Shilan, she would not pose any threat to the royal family. There was no need to refuse this favor.
"Really? If so, then I have finally gotten what I wanted. I thank the Queen Mother for her grace."
Nian Shilan's face was filled with excitement. No matter what, as long as Shuhe was really by her side, there would never be a day when Xin Changzai would turn to the Queen.
"Alright, kid, you're so excited over such a small thing. As long as your request isn't excessive, I'll do my best to satisfy you."
The Queen Mother looked at Nian Shilan with a loving face. She had noticed that Nian Shilan had really changed a lot. She no longer had the arrogant temper she used to have. Instead, she was a little more naive and innocent now, which made her want to cherish her a little more.
"I will go to the Emperor in a moment. I'm sure he won't refuse such a thing. When the time comes, I will personally summon Concubine Xin to come over and explain the relationship to her. She is a sensible child and will definitely agree."
"Queen Mother, you really dote on me too much."
Nian Shilan sat beside the Queen Mother, holding her hand coquettishly, her face full of gratitude towards her.
"Then come and talk to me more often in the future. This Shoukang Palace is really too quiet."
Although the Queen often came here in the past, she would always say things that the Queen Mother didn't like, which always made the Queen Mother angry. But when Nian Shilan was here, she could always make the Queen Mother smile. No wonder the Queen Mother now loves Nian Shilan more and more.
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