The night before the official move to the palace, Liang Cairen was full of thoughts.
"What's wrong? Is the food not to your liking?"
"Minmin, do you think I'm carrying bad luck?" Liang Cairen chewed some meat, her tone gloomy. "Since I entered the palace, the thing I've done most is moving palaces. I'm not pregnant, so why does the Empress want me to move in with her? Although this way I can continue to protect you, but...but I always feel strange."
Wei Shuyi picked up a piece of fish for her with his chopsticks: "What's so strange about that?"
"No merit, no reward! Last time, Rong Zhaoyi asked me to come over, and the result was that I was asked to be a witness. She wanted to steal your child! This time, I can't think of what tricks the Queen is going to play. I am always afraid that she will do something."
Liang Cairen attached great importance to the child in Wei Shuyi's belly. The woman, who had no interest and talent in women's work, often asked Jing'an and others for advice in order to make her future godson wear clothes that fit and are comfortable. She pricked her fingers again and again, but still insisted on trying.
Now, she can already make some simple sachets and handkerchiefs. Liang Cairen is deeply concerned about this child and naturally does not want him to become an object of trade, leaving his biological mother at birth and suffering with his adoptive mother.
Wei Shuyi patted her back soothingly: "Sister, what we have to do is to deal with the enemy with our troops and to block the water with earth. The future is unpredictable, and you can't worry about it. Why don't you eat more tonight so that you will have the strength to move the palace tomorrow."
"Okay!"
The news that Sang Yuxuan's two concubines had moved to a side hall of Fengluan Palace to temporarily reside caused quite a stir during the morning and evening visits the next day.
Rong Zhaoyi had originally been reluctant to speak much in such a meeting, but today she couldn't help herself: "The Empress had always been against Concubine Xi. She was sent to the Eternal Lane to suffer and was nearly burned to death. You could say that the Empress had contributed to this. Now that you've changed your mind and brought a little Concubine Xi here to help with the pregnancy, you wouldn't... want the heir to be left here too, would you?"
"Mother and child are connected by heart. Logically, the heir should be raised by his biological mother. What a pity!" The Queen changed the subject, "Concubine Xi's rank is not high enough to keep the child with her. As for who the child will eventually belong to, it all depends on the Emperor's wishes!"
Rong Zhaoyi scoffed, then stared at the silent Concubine Jin. "Since this is in accordance with the Emperor's wishes, then I understand! Congratulations in advance to the Imperial Concubine on the birth of the Emperor's eldest son!"
In one sentence, he touched the sore spot of both people.
The Empress, childless, naturally wanted to keep him by her side. However, if the Emperor showed partiality and gave the child to a favored Imperial Concubine, she would be helpless.
Concubine Jin had been praying for a child for years without success, and finally had a son, the eldest of the emperor's children, but he wasn't her biological son, which made her feel a bit uncomfortable. Now, in front of all the other concubines, she was slapped in the face by Zhaoyi, who implicitly mocked her unlucky pregnancy. For a moment, she couldn't control her emotions and her face darkened.
But she also had the self-cultivation accumulated over the years: "Fortunately, Xi Changzai didn't come today, otherwise, discussing this matter in front of my biological mother would be too cruel! This matter should be left to the emperor to decide, and we sisters should refrain from making any rash comments."
A rally ended in a quarrel.
The Queen watched them leave, her mood brightening. "Tsk, who could possibly guess what the Emperor is thinking? She speaks as if she has a sure win!"
Jin Han immediately responded, "Yes! Your Majesty has worked hard and made great contributions in taking care of Xi Changzai and ensuring her pregnancy. The Emperor will remember your contributions when the time comes. This eldest prince needs his legitimate mother to raise him!"
Perhaps this auspicious words had an effect, for over the next month, Xie Yanci would come to Fengluan Palace every one or two days to visit. Compared to the previous quietness, the atmosphere had improved significantly.
He was always a person who followed the rules and regulations, so it was impossible for him to bypass the Empress and go directly to the side hall. Therefore, to a certain extent, the relationship between the Emperor and Empress became closer, no longer as tense as before.
"Your Majesty, I see it with my own eyes and am delighted with it!" Jin Han came over happily to serve tea. "Last night, I saw it with my own eyes! The Emperor smiled several times! He's finally not that cold look anymore."
"Hmph... I thought he had some serious illness since childhood and couldn't smile!" The Queen pretended to be calm, but couldn't help but sigh, "He looks much better when he smiles. Why does he always have such a stern face?"
As the master and servant were chatting, they heard a palace maid announce, "Empress, Lord Meng is here!"
"Daddy? Please come in!"
Although Meng Ruhui's temples were gray, he was still full of vigor today. As he strode into Fengluan Palace, his face was filled with an unstoppable smile.
"I heard that the relationship between the Empress and the Emperor has eased?"
"Dad! I thought you had something important to say!" The Queen blushed. "The Emperor just came to visit, not stay the night. You made a special trip, really!"
Meng Ruhui sat on a chair beside her, holding her hand and earnestly admonishing her, "That's not how it works. Husband and wife should see each other often. The more they see each other, the more their feelings will naturally change. By then, are you still afraid that the emperor will just sit for a while and leave?"
"father!"
The queen was not used to discussing matters of the boudoir in front of others. Unable to find any other topic for a moment, she could only sit on the other side angrily, turn around and say no more.
"Alright, alright. I came here today for one more matter."
"What is it?"
"Did you bring that Xi Changzai to live in the palace?"
The Queen nodded: "Yes, what's wrong?"
"That girl is full of tricks! The first time I saw her, I felt uncomfortable all over. She's not a pushover!" Meng Ruhui glanced around cautiously, then stepped forward and whispered in his daughter's ear, "So, on the day of the birth, we have to find a way to get rid of the mother and keep the baby!"
"What?!" The Queen almost stood up from her chair, her face full of confusion. "Father, you may not know, but the Song girl you asked me to befriend is nothing but a worthless person! She tried to murder the heir to the throne, and she wanted to drag my daughter into it! If Concubine Xi hadn't been there to help, I'm afraid the Emperor would have treated my daughter even colder now!"
"What? She gives you a little sweet treat, and you, as the Queen Mother, have to tolerate her, or even support her?!" Meng Ruhui remained silent, emphasizing his thoughts. "That's all I have to say. To protect your position, Your Majesty, a decision must be made! If Your Majesty is kind-hearted and can't bring herself to act, I'm not afraid of shortening my life and will arrange for someone to do it!"
She didn't understand why her father was so agitated by the mention of this person, and she wasn't sure whether he would strike back next.
Meng Ruhui softened his tone, "Your Majesty, you've been straightforward and simple-minded since childhood, easily deceived! I've met Xi Changzai before, and I've seen countless people over the years. How could you not see through her devious nature? She's just trying to curry favor with you and gain your sympathy, but she's actually quite evil!"
"Really? My daughter has wronged her many times before, but she hasn't sought revenge?"
"Alas!" Meng Ruhui sighed, "My patience is limited. At most, I can tolerate her living until the day she gives birth. Do you understand?"
Before the Queen could respond, Jin Han rushed in with a pale face and an unstable breath.
"Your Majesty! That... that talented person..."
"What's wrong? What a fuss!"
"She's pregnant!"
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