When the Empress Dowager of Shoukang Palace heard the good news, she was of course also pleased that the royal family would continue to have descendants.
Aunt Zijin couldn't help but sigh, "Your Majesty, Concubine Jia is very lucky. She has been pregnant several times, and she is in great favor. This is something that not many people can achieve."
The Queen Mother felt the description was quite accurate: "Although this child was born in a poor family, she is blessed with good fortune. What a pity! Everything must decline after reaching its peak! Zhaohua's affairs have not only become a source of inner suffering for her, but also for me. Now, after all the hardships, she has finally achieved a happy outcome."
At this time, Yin Zhu had become the second most important person in Shoukang Palace after Aunt Zijin, and she also had a say in front of the Empress Dowager.
She moved closer to serve: "Also, I heard that Shu Wanyi in the Yanxi Palace became pregnant at almost the same time. It is truly a blessing from heaven!"
When this incident was mentioned, the Empress Dowager praised Wei Shuyi even more: "Jiapin is broad-minded and never cares too much about personal gains and losses. When there are good things, she likes to share with friends. I have also heard that the Emperor summoned Jiapin to his bed many times, but she did not enjoy this alone. Instead, she let Shu Wanyi share a share. This is something that Concubine Jin cannot compare to!"
Aunt Zijin understood that the Queen Mother ultimately distrusted the women of the Qu family. Even if she gave birth to a prince, it would be like a thorn piercing her heart.
Just as she was about to change the subject, she heard Yin Zhu suggest, "This is a rare opportunity. Wouldn't the Empress Dowager want to double her happiness? Let the concubines in the harem be promoted as well. That way, perhaps the ladies will also benefit from this blessing! It will also be much smoother for you to expand the royal family in the future."
The Queen Mother did not reject the proposal, but nodded: "Yes, it has been a while since such a double happiness has happened in this palace! Then let me start it."
As she spoke, she arranged for Aunt Zijin to read out the imperial decree, allowing the two of them to be promoted one level each.
"By the way, Concubine Wen of the Yanxi Palace has returned to the palace. She was instrumental in giving birth to the Emperor's eldest son, but tragically lost him due to a series of circumstances. It happened so suddenly, and Concubine Wen left almost overnight. I appreciate her contribution in giving birth to the Emperor's heir, and I will promote her to a higher rank!"
Aunt Zijin agreed to all of them: "The Empress Dowager is so thoughtful. They will definitely be grateful for your kindness!"
When Yin Zhu was the only one left in the room, the Queen Mother, with a faint smile, deliberately asked the woman beside her, "I understand that the relationship between you two is different from that of others. As early as when Jiapin was still serving me in Shoukang Palace, you were palace maids living in the same room. I understand that you want to pray for her blessing."
Without waiting for Yin Zhu to explain, she continued sighing, "Perhaps I'm overly sensitive, or perhaps I'm too concerned about the Emperor's rule. Concubine Jin gave birth to the Second Prince, which is not good news for me! If it was a little princess, I might have been able to force myself to pamper her. But... I really can't muster the energy to care for someone with the risk of foreign relatives interfering in politics. On the day of the full moon banquet, just go to the storehouse and get a valuable gift to give to him."
"Yes, I understand what the Empress Dowager means." Yin Zhu carefully stepped aside and asked, "When the Empress Dowager felt unhappy in the past, she would chat with Concubine Jia to relieve her frustration. Now, the situation in the harem is unclear. If there is anything that the Empress Dowager is not convenient to do, she can ask Concubine Jia to handle it on her behalf."
"Girl, you're really trying to find a job for her in a roundabout way!"
In the Queen Mother's heart, Wei Shuyi was an intelligent and sensible woman. If she had a noble family background, she would be the best candidate to be the Queen Mother.
After all, it is rare to find a concubine who can take the initiative to let the emperor treat her equally.
"When the imperial edict is read out later, if Concubine Jia is free, please ask her to come visit me!"
So, with Yinzhu's help, Wei Shuyi got a golden opportunity to speak in front of the empress dowager, which was far better than any other concubine.
"You, I have watched you grow up little by little! When you first entered the palace, you were still a lowly concubine. Now, you have become the head of a palace, gradually climbing towards the position of the head of the nine concubines. You have truly made me look at you with new eyes!"
"It's all thanks to the Empress Dowager. They all know that I came from Shoukang Palace, so they don't dare to act rudely towards me."
Wei Shuyi still spoke so pleasantly and modestly.
The Queen Mother nodded in satisfaction and said, "I will take good care of this baby for you no matter what! From now on, you will move to Shoukang Palace and live with me."
"Will this... disturb the Empress Dowager's rest?"
"How could that be? Whenever I think about Zhaohua being poisoned in her mother's womb, I feel an unbearable pain in my heart! I owe that child! If I had been able to keep a close eye on the movements of that group of people, perhaps she would be able to walk and jump now, and even call me "Grandmother!"
Upon hearing this, Wei Shuyi lowered her head sadly and said, "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your consideration. I will never let this happen again."
"Regarding the pregnancy, you will follow my instructions. As for the banquet at Concubine Jin's place, are you planning to go?"
"This is the Second Prince's big day. It is only right and proper for me to be there."
The Queen Mother stared into her eyes, frowning. "However, there are too many suspicious points related to Zhaohua's matter. Although the Emperor chose to let it go, the mystery still remains in my heart. Although the Second Prince is also my grandson, as long as I think of Qu Wenhe's treacherous face... I can't have normal emotions towards him!"
Wei Shuyi gradually understood the Queen Mother's subtext. She raised her head tentatively and asked softly, "If the Queen Mother is worried about this, then I have a plan."
"Tell me about it."
"Although heartbreaking events occurred in Yonghua Palace last year, there was also much good news from the former dynasty. The harem is forbidden from interfering in government affairs... It was only at a banquet, overhearing the idle chatter of a few drunken adults, that I realized how prosperous the Great Zhou Dynasty was under the Emperor's rule. If the Empress Dowager could find an opportunity to announce to the world that the selection will be moved up to this autumn, then the harem will be filled. With three thousand beauties already, is there still any fear that the Second Prince and the Imperial Concubine will monopolize the Emperor?"
The Empress Dowager was clearly considering the matter. "But according to our ancestral rules, the selection is held every three years... I've inexplicably brought it forward, and the Emperor might not be happy about it."
"That being said, the Emperor has been working so hard to govern the country these past few years that he delayed the first selection for six years. So, let's just think of it as making up for the previous one, isn't it?"
"What you said makes sense. I understand what you said."
The two chatted for a while about matters related to pregnancy maintenance, and Wei Shuyi took the opportunity of having dinner to leave first.
In fact, she didn't want to cram too many women into Yonghua Palace to share her favor, but this time, she had already made a plan with Shu Wanyi.
Among this group of beauties, there are also some who are very capable and helpful to them. She absolutely cannot give up such an opportunity easily!
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