Chapter 199 Promoting Childbirth
Jiang Huan's scalp tingled.
It's like being bombarded with ear-piercing noise, does it have to be this perfect?
But in front of everyone, we can't refuse them even this much face.
She had no choice but to withdraw her worried gaze from He Ling, and stood up to reply, "Yes."
Huo Lin looked over almost simultaneously, his gaze as precise as if equipped with a positioning system, firmly locked onto Jiang Huan.
He watched her walk gracefully towards the seat at the head of the Empress Dowager's table, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
Why did the Empress Dowager summon her for no reason?
[I need to keep an eye on her, lest the Empress Dowager bully her.]
Jiang Huan walked to the Empress Dowager's side and respectfully curtsied: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager smiled as she scanned the woman with a scrutinizing gaze.
She did not immediately ask Jiang Huan to sit down, but simply spoke.
"Consort Zhuang, come closer."
Jiang Huan stepped forward as instructed and stood with her head bowed.
She could sense that the Empress Dowager's gaze was not friendly.
Can you just say what's on your mind? There's a poor He Ling waiting for rescue over there.
"You have been in the palace for some time now, and the Emperor treats you with great favor, which is unmatched in the harem."
These words sounded like a compliment, but the coldness in the tone was almost palpable.
Jiang Huan gave a dry, forced smile. With just a few words, she could already guess what the Empress Dowager was going to say.
It's nothing but the same old stuff. This Empress Dowager is quite something, always repeating the same things over and over. Doesn't she get tired of it?
Unaware of Jiang Huan's thoughts, the Empress Dowager, with her sharp eyes, continued speaking.
"It is only important to have royal offspring, to have many children and continue the dynasty's life. This is the duty of the concubines. Why is there still no sign of pregnancy in your belly?"
It's here; though the pressure to give birth is late, it's finally here.
Jiang Huan's face was docile, and her voice was calm and even: "This concubine is foolish and has failed to give the royal family a son, thus failing the Empress Dowager's expectations."
Huo Lin was reviewing memorials until midnight every day, so he rarely had any free time.
Besides, is it her decision whether or not to have a child? The Empress Dowager is just making trouble out of nothing.
Huo Lin sat on the dragon throne, seemingly enjoying the song and dance, but in reality, he was listening intently to every word the Empress Dowager said.
When the Empress Dowager said that Jiang Huan's belly was not showing any signs of pregnancy, her face immediately darkened.
[I knew the Empress Dowager wouldn't summon her for no reason; she clearly had ulterior motives!]
What does it matter to the Empress Dowager whether or not I have children? I'm happy to have them.
What do you mean by "no signs of labor"? That sounds jarring!
[She's still young, her health is the most important thing. I'm not even worried, why is she in such a hurry?]
[Furthermore, I can favor whomever I want in my harem, and have children whenever I want!]
A surge of anger rushed to Huo Lin's head, and he almost slammed his fist on the table.
However, given that it was the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet and all the civil and military officials and members of the imperial family were present, he suppressed his surging anger, unwilling to embarrass the Empress Dowager too much.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but his gaze swept towards the Empress Dowager with an icy, knife-like intensity, his eyes filled with warning.
The Empress Dowager would be wise to stop now.
[If you dare say another word, I won't care what day it is today.]
The Empress Dowager seemed not to see the coldness in Huo Lin's eyes, or rather, she simply didn't care.
She continued, seemingly oblivious to her own words, "In my opinion, you are unlucky enough to not be able to bear such overwhelming favor. The Emperor is in his prime and has many beauties in his harem. He cannot afford to waste his time on just you."
These words were quite harsh. The moment the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Huo Lin slammed his wine cup down on the table.
The sound of the impact wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap, instantly silencing the entire hall.
Huo Lin's face was ashen. "Your Majesty, please be careful with your words. Consort Zhuang is gentle and virtuous, and I love her dearly. As for the matter of having children, it is up to Heaven. How can you say that she is unlucky? I will make the decisions about my harem. There is no need for Your Majesty to worry about it."
[Who dares to criticize my people?]
[Those with little fortune? I believe someone else is truly lacking in fortune.]
The Empress Dowager's face turned pale and red, her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word.
She never expected that Huo Lin would so ruthlessly contradict her in front of all the officials and members of the imperial family, all for the sake of Jiang Huan.
The hall was deathly silent; everyone held their breath, afraid to make a sound.
Just then, Huo Cong, the Prince of Nanjun, who was sitting at the lower end of the table, slowly put down his wine cup with a refined and proper smile on his face.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
Huo Cong bowed slightly, his voice gentle, as if trying to smooth things over.
"The Empress Dowager is also confused by her concern. She hopes that the royal family will have many children soon. Her kind heart is evident to heaven and earth."
As he spoke, he changed the subject, a slight smile curving his lips.
"However, what the Empress Dowager said is not without reason. The Emperor is diligent in governing and loves the people, which is a blessing for all. However, the royal bloodline is related to the stability of the country, and indeed... it cannot be neglected."
He deliberately emphasized the word "negligence," and his gaze swept over Jiang Huan meaningfully.
"Speaking of the three thousand beauties in the harem, each one as beautiful as a flower, yet none of them have been able to give the Emperor a son or daughter. Could it be that the Emperor favors one person too much?"
He deliberately emphasized the words "exclusive favor," staring directly at Huo Lin with a provocative glint in his eyes.
"Your Majesty should be so bold as to suggest that Your Majesty should extend your favors to all members of the royal family as soon as possible, so that the Empress Dowager can be at ease and we, your subjects, can have less to worry about."
After saying that, he lowered his head in a show of humility, but the smug smile on his lips was impossible to hide.
These words, seemingly meant to comfort, are actually a barb hidden in their gentle tone.
It both affirmed the Empress Dowager's benevolence and highlighted Jiang Huan's exclusive favor and her childlessness.
Among the ministers and members of the imperial family in the palace today, there are many whose daughters have entered the palace as concubines. Hearing that Huo Lin now favors only one person, who knows what they might think.
Huo Lin's gaze instantly turned icy cold, piercing straight at Huo Cong.
"I have my own arrangements for the matter of offspring, so there is no need for you, Imperial Uncle, to worry about it. If you have any free time, you should take better care of your own fiefdom and avoid causing any more trouble for me."
These words were blunt and carried a strong warning.
Huo Cong's smile froze, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
His hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly as he suppressed his surging anger and offered a distant toast to Huo Lin.
"It was my fault for speaking out of turn. I was just worried and confused. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me. I will punish myself with a cup of wine."
After saying that, he drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.
The Empress Dowager's face was ashen, her lips tightly pressed together. The embarrassment of being publicly refuted by Huo Lin and the disheveled state of Huo Cong had caused her to lose face, but she could not retaliate. She could only suppress her anger and wave her hand to signal Jiang Huan to leave.
Jiang Huan felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. I take my leave."
She turned to return to her seat, but when she looked up, she found that He Ling's seat was empty.
Jiang Huan's heart jumped into her throat. Oh no, He Ling had most likely been taken away.
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