Chapter 14: Promoted to Concubine after Giving Birth to a Child
For three days, after arriving at the hunting grounds, Shen Lingshu stayed in her tent and did not go anywhere.
"Aunt Shen, the emperor summoned you."
A father-in-law's voice sounded outside the tent.
emperor?
"yes."
Shen Lingshu combed her hair in the mirror and winked at Zhu Xin who was standing beside her. Zhu Xin went out and saluted her father-in-law, then quietly stuffed a purse into his hand and said, "Thank you for your hard work, father-in-law."
In another tent, Lady Hai was with Concubine Fang. When they saw Eunuch Shun'en coming to deliver the message, they immediately said, "Hai, please follow Eunuch Shun'en. Don't be disrespectful in front of the Emperor."
"Yes, Concubine." Hai Jiaren's face turned red with excitement. Along the way, she didn't even see the prince twice. Unexpectedly, she got to serve the prince first. Hai Jiaren was even more grateful to Concubine Fang.
"Go." Concubine Fang watched Hai follow her father-in-law away. She was so happy that she even forgot to give her a reward. Her eyes flashed slightly, but she didn't remind her.
Concubine Fang lowered her eyes and remained silent. She murmured, "Madam Gui, could it be that I really guessed right? The Emperor attaches great importance to the prince's offspring?"
This was the same excuse Concubine Fang had used when asking the prince to allow Hai to join the royal hunting expedition. Hai and Shen were both granted entry to the palace, and the emperor must have hoped that the prince would bring them both with him so that the palace could have more children as soon as possible.
"The Crown Prince is older and already has three sons and one daughter. Prince Heng also has one daughter and two sons. Only the prince has no children. The Emperor is naturally concerned."
Aunt Gui whispered, "Concubine, the Fang family sent a letter, saying they found a folk remedy for you that will surely help you get pregnant."
"Hurry up and boil the medicine according to the prescription. Once I have recovered, you can get pregnant soon." Concubine Fang immediately urged Nanny Gui to boil the medicine.
In the center of the Nanyuan Hunting Ground, the bright yellow tent is the largest and most conspicuous.
Shen Lingshu looked ahead, from their tent to the emperor's tent, and along the way she met many patrolling guards. All of them were wearing armor and holding long swords. They looked murderous, as if anyone who made a move would be killed on the spot.
When they reached the outside of the tent, Eunuch Shun'en said, "Please wait a moment, my two concubines. I will go and report this to you."
"Madam Chen, tell me, why did the emperor come to see us?" Hai Jiaren and Shen Lingshu stood side by side at the door of the tent. Although they disliked her, they were both from Prince Lin's Mansion after all.
"You'll know when you see the emperor." Shen Lingshu stood upright. Faint laughter could be heard from the imperial tent. Time passed bit by bit, and Hai Jiaren muttered, "When can I get in?"
Hai Jiaren quietly glanced at Shen Lingshu, who was standing upright, and quietly changed her feet. After a long time, the eunuch's voice came: "Announce that Shen and Hai from the Linwang Mansion are here to see you!"
Hai Jiaren was so excited that she almost fell down. Shen Lingshu was quick to reach out and help her up.
"Thank you." Hai Jiaren took a deep breath.
Shen Lingshu didn't say anything. If she hadn't been worried about being implicated by Hai Jiaren, she wouldn't bother to help. The moment she walked into the imperial tent, Shen Lingshu couldn't help but sigh, it's great to be rich!
Not only is the tent in the wilderness bigger than other people's three-bedroom apartment, but the ground is also covered with soft carpets.
"Mrs. Shen greets His Majesty. Long live the Emperor."
"Hai greets the emperor. Long live the emperor."
Shen Lingshu and Hai Jiaren kowtowed together. Shen Lingshu suppressed the excitement in her heart. This was the most noble man in Mu Ningguo.
"Stand up."
The emperor's powerful voice rang out.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
As soon as Shen Lingshu and Hai Jiaren stood up, they immediately paid their respects to Concubine Shu, the Crown Prince, Prince Lin, and Prince Heng. After a round of kowtows, Shen Lingshu felt a slight pain in her knees again.
The emperor's voice came: "Second brother, are you using these two concubines well?"
“…”
Shen Lingshu lowered her eyes. At this moment, she felt like a... commodity?
"The reward from my father is naturally excellent." Prince Lin Rumo stood up.
"Your Majesty, with such a beautiful lady serving Prince Lin, I believe Your Majesty will hear good news soon."
The voice of Concubine Shu sounded, as melodious as the sound of a yellow oriole, charming and yet not vulgar.
Shen Lingshu took a quick look and instantly understood why Concubine Shu was the most favored concubine in the six palaces. Her every frown and smile exuded natural nobility and graceful demeanor.
"Your Highness, what you said is very pleasing to my heart!" The emperor smiled happily.
The Crown Prince patted Prince Lin's shoulder encouragingly and said, "Second brother, I have already prepared a gift for my nephew. Next year, I will personally deliver it to your house."
Prince Heng, who was drinking, suddenly noticed the cold gaze of his mother, Concubine Shu, and shuddered all over.
Prince Heng's eyes flashed, and he immediately agreed, "In terms of offspring, my younger brother is ahead. However, second brother, don't be discouraged. These two concubines are obviously good at giving birth. Next year, my younger brother can look forward to attending my nephew's full moon banquet."
The emperor looked at the harmonious appearance of the three brothers, and smiled until his eyes narrowed. He said: "Whoever gives birth to the first child of Prince Lin's Palace will be promoted to concubine."
Concubine!
Although her status is not as high as that of a concubine, as long as she gives birth to a child, she can be included in the royal jade register.
"Eunuch Feng, reward."
Before Hai Jiaren and Shen Lingshu could speak, the emperor's voice rang out again. Until she took the reward and left the emperor's tent, Shen Lingshu thought: The prince should be like the late queen.
The emperor is also a handsome middle-aged man, but his square face is full of majesty.
"I will definitely be able to give birth to a child first and then be promoted to concubine!"
Hai Jiaren is determined to win the concubine.
"Master." Zhu Xin looked at her belly worriedly. Master had served the prince so many times, why was there no movement?
"What are you afraid of? If Hai Jiaren wants to be a concubine, she has to get pregnant first." Shen Lingshu's hand fell on her abdomen. According to the script, she should be pregnant by the end of the year.
"Yes, master, the rabbit that the emperor gave as a reward is really beautiful." Zhu Xin held the golden-threaded white jade rabbit carefully.
Shen Lingshu took a look and saw that rabbits can give birth. It seemed that the emperor really cared about Prince Lin's offspring.
Shen Lingshu slept until dawn and asked hurriedly, "What time is it?"
"Just after the hour of Chen, Nanny Gui, who was beside the concubine, came to tell her that the concubine had arranged for people to go hunting in the mountains, and told the master not to go and pay his respects." Zhu Xin said in a low voice.
"Oh." After washing up, Shen Lingshu ate something simple and went back to bed.
In the afternoon, Shen Lingshu was half asleep when she suddenly felt itchy on her face. She muttered, "Zhu Xin, I'm still sleepy."
"Since you're still sleepy, I won't teach you horseback riding."
When Prince Lin's voice sounded, Shen Lingshu rolled over and got up. When she looked at Prince Lin, there was surprise in her eyes: "Isn't the prince going to accompany the emperor?"
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