Chapter 269 The Cruelest Truth
The crowd lined up and entered the palace, where they were led to Ninghui Hall by a palace attendant.
Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and all the ladies of noble rank must enter the palace to pay their respects to Empress Xue. With so many people, they can only meet in batches.
When they arrived at Ninghui Palace, Empress Xue was meeting with several princesses, princesses, and county princesses from the imperial clan.
Behind them were the female members of the Duke of Xue's household.
The eunuch said, "Ladies, you may wait in the side hall for a while. When the time comes, I will come and invite you over."
Madam Wang was going to take the Wang Tongyun sisters and the others to Consort Wang's palace first to say goodbye to Song Yi and Li Nanke.
Just as Song Yi was about to lead Li Nanke into the side hall, a palace maid arrived.
"Please wait, Madam Song. I am a maidservant of Consort Shu. Consort Shu requests that Madam Song and Princess Fu'an come over for a talk."
Song Yi had never met Consort Shu before, and subconsciously looked at Li Nanke.
After a moment's thought, Li Nanke agreed.
She didn't want to go into the side hall; there were so many people inside, and she had to be very careful what she said, which would make her mother even more uncomfortable.
Moreover, Empress Xue has not yet met the Xue family; there are still the Duke's Mansion, the Left Prime Minister's Mansion, and the Right Prime Minister's Mansion to come.
It's not their turn to live in the Anping Marquis's mansion for the time being.
Li Nanke and Song Yi went to Consort Shu's Palace together.
Outside it was freezing cold, but inside Consort Shu's palace it was warm and cozy.
Consort Shu lay sprawled on the couch, looking languid.
She was going to attend a palace banquet soon, so she dressed up early. Although she was adorned with jewels and her face was covered with powder, she could not hide the fatigue in her eyes.
Li Nanke noticed that Consort Shu looked even thinner than when he last selected her as a study companion. Her chin was pointed, and only her slightly protruding belly indicated that she was pregnant.
When Consort Shu saw Li Nanke and Song Yi bowing, she lazily raised her hand.
"Get up quickly."
Then he ordered the palace maids to bring over small stools for Song Yi and Li Nanke to sit on.
"Thank you for the seat, Your Majesty."
Li Nanke obediently bowed to Song Yi before sitting down.
Princess Zhaokang sat beside Consort Shu's couch, pursed her lips and smiled gently at Li Nanke, her eyes shining brightly.
Li Nanke returned her a smile.
Consort Shu saw this scene and smiled at Song Yi, saying, "My family is too far from Bianjing. Even during the New Year, I can't see them."
So there aren't many people in my palace, so I thought I'd call you two over to have a chat.
Firstly, Princess Fu'an was Zhao Kang's study companion, and they would study together in the spring. Zhao Kang enjoyed playing with Princess Fu'an.
Secondly...
Consort Shu paused, her gaze falling on Li Nanke.
"His Majesty said that the Princess of Fu'an is a blessed girl. Since I became pregnant, I have been restless and hope to share in the Princess of Fu'an's good fortune today."
Li Nanke quickly replied, "Your Majesty is carrying the Emperor's child; Your Majesty is the one with the greatest fortune."
Consort Shu sighed, her brows furrowed with deep sorrow.
He didn't say anything, but patted Princess Zhaokang's hand.
"Go and play with the Lady of Fu'an County."
A longing glint flashed in Princess Zhaokang's eyes as she glanced longingly at Li Nanke, but still obediently shook her head.
“Mother is not well, so Zhaokang will stay here with her.”
Li Nanke nodded with a smile.
“It’s quite cold outside, let’s stay here and keep the Empress company.”
Princess Zhaokang smiled slightly at Li Nanke, a hint of emotion flashing in her eyes.
"My mother has been feeling very unwell lately, she keeps vomiting whatever she eats, and I... I'm so scared."
Princess Zhaokang's eyes reddened as she whispered to Li Nanke.
Consort Shu gave a wry smile and reached out to rub her head.
"Silly child, this is morning sickness from your mother. It's normal and will get better in a few months."
Princess Zhaokang looked up at Consort Shu, "Really?"
Consort Shu nodded and pointed at Song Yi.
"If you don't believe me, you can ask Lady Song."
Princess Zhaokang looked at Song Yi.
Song Yi nodded and said softly, "Your Majesty is right, Princess. Most women only vomit when they are newly pregnant, and then they stop vomiting."
Princess Zhaokang's tense face visibly relaxed, and she patted her chest with her little hand.
Consort Shu gently stroked her abdomen, then looked at Li Nanke again, a strong hope rising in her eyes.
"Speaking of which, my child was saved thanks to the Lady of Fu'an County. I always felt that this child was destined to be with you. Do you think he will be able to come into this world safely?"
Li Nanke.......
Song Yi's face turned a little pale.
How was Ke'er supposed to respond to that?
The fact that not a single woman in the harem has been able to give birth to a prince safely in the six years since His Majesty ascended the throne is enough to show the treacherous nature of the harem.
If Ke'er says that Consort Shu can give birth safely, what if something goes wrong later?
Song Yi was so anxious that a layer of cold sweat appeared on her forehead, and she managed to force a smile.
"Ke'er is only nine years old. How could she understand the matters of pregnancy and childbirth? Your Majesty, you are a blessed person, and with His Majesty's protection, you will surely be safe and sound."
Consort Shu was stunned for a moment, then gave a bitter smile.
"Lady Song is right. I haven't been able to eat or sleep properly these days, and I was confused for a moment, asking such a child a question."
She sighed, "I'm sure the Crown Prince's wife knows that no child has been born in the harem for many years."
I'm not afraid of being laughed at by the Crown Prince's wife, but ever since I found out I was pregnant, I haven't had a good night's sleep or a good meal.
I'm terrified that one meal I eat, or one night I wake up and find that the baby in my womb is gone, just like the previous two..."
As Shu Fei spoke, her eyes reddened and her voice choked with emotion.
Song Yi, being a woman herself and having also lost two children, could empathize most deeply with Consort Shu's feelings.
The pain of having a child forcibly ripped from her body still cuts her heart to this day.
"To be honest, Your Majesty, I also lost two children after Ke'er, and even now, thinking back on it..."
When Song Yi talked about her personal experience, she mentioned that she was prone to crying easily, and whenever she talked about sad things, tears would fall like pearls from a broken string.
The two of them cried together.
Princess Zhaokang looked helpless and didn't know how to advise her.
Li Nanke got up, took her small hand, and whispered in her ear, "It's okay, let them cry for a while."
Consort Shu was too worried about the child in her womb, and her mind was too tense. She needed to release the fear and sadness that had accumulated in her heart.
While Song Yi was chatting with Shu Fei, she carefully reviewed the events of her dream.
In the dream, when she was by Shen Xu's side, Shen Xu was the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace and the Emperor's only son.
There was no Consort Shu in the imperial harem.
I heard from a palace maid who served Princess Zhaokang that Consort Shu died in childbirth due to complications, along with her unborn child.
In other words, the child in Consort Shu's womb was destined not to come into this world.
Looking at Consort Shu, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying, Li Nanke felt a pang of sadness.
For a mother, the most cruel reality is that her unborn child cannot be born safely and healthily.
She felt a mix of emotions and couldn't help but speak.
"Your Majesty, I have a few words I would like to say to you."
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