Fifteen years ago (Part 1)
Ping An had an idea, but she didn't know much about how to do it, since her current situation was quite different from before.
Previously, all she needed to do to gain a high status and wealth was to lower Cui Shenzhi's guard and enter his heart. But now, it's not so simple for her to take back everything that belongs to her.
As the Imperial Concubine, who is second only to the Emperor in status, Shen Meiwu is an obstacle she must overcome. The Emperor, the ruler of the land, will also likely be an obstacle for her, not to mention the Crown Prince Cui Shenzhi, whose status is second only to the Emperor and Shen Meiwu, but whose prestige is frighteningly high.
None of these three people are easy to deal with.
*****
Fifteen years ago.
Cui Sugong paced anxiously back and forth in Chengqian Palace, because his beloved woman, Shen Meiwu, was giving birth to their child, his first child.
Shen Meiwu came from a commoner background and suffered a lot in her early years due to her poor family circumstances. Even after she came to his side and was carefully cared for, her health was not very good. Therefore, it took nearly ten years for Shen Meiwu to finally conceive this child.
The pregnancy is not going well.
Therefore, Cui Sugongshi was very worried and even skipped the morning court session to come here to guard her, just to prevent any accident from happening to Shen Meiwu.
But Cui Sugong was an emperor, not a skilled doctor, much less a god. All he could do was pace anxiously outside the delivery room and threaten the imperial physicians and midwives that if anything happened to Shen Meiwu or their child, everyone present would be executed.
Upon hearing this, the imperial physicians and midwives broke out in a cold sweat, their hands trembling uncontrollably.
Everyone knew that Shen Meiwu's body was not suitable for pregnancy; otherwise, why would she have been favored by the emperor for nearly ten years before finally becoming pregnant? It was already the result of the imperial physicians' painstaking efforts to keep her pregnant until full term. No one could say for sure what the child's condition would be.
However, Cui Sugong was the emperor, and a capricious one at that. Since he had given the order, everyone could only do their best to help Shen Meiwu give birth.
Nearly a day later, the weak cries of a newborn finally came from the delivery room.
Upon hearing this commotion, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief, and joyful expressions appeared on their faces.
After carefully cleaning the baby, the midwife wrapped it up neatly and handed it to Shen Meiwu.
Before even taking the child, Shen Meiwu eagerly asked, "Is it a prince?"
The midwife's expression stiffened for a moment, then she tried to say auspicious words: "Your Majesty, it's a princess, but you don't need to worry. The old saying goes that if the first child is a daughter, the next child will definitely be a son. You are still young, and you will definitely have a prince in a few years."
Shen Meiwu's face darkened.
The next child? She barely managed to conceive this one after ten years of trying, so where would she get the idea of a next child?
She glanced at the midwife and then looked at her personal maid, Rouge.
Rouge nodded, immediately ordered someone to gag the midwife and drag her away, and then moved closer to Shen Meiwu.
"Rouge," Shen Meiwu stroked her daughter's face with loving eyes, "what was His Majesty's reaction when he heard that I had given birth to a daughter?"
"Your Majesty, rest assured. Although His Majesty was somewhat disappointed when he learned that you had given birth to a princess, he was happy again after hearing that you were alright, and even rewarded everyone present."
"Relax?" Shen Meiwu scoffed. "How can I be at ease? Fu Yunjin is pregnant with another child! What will happen to my daughter if she gives birth to a prince? No matter how tightly I hold the Emperor's heart, sooner or later there will be no place for my daughter and me in this harem!"
"Back when I was taken in by Fu Yunjin to the Fu family, I was her maid. Does she think that after all the hard work and effort I put into getting to where I am today, my daughter will suffer the same fate and become her son's maid?!"
"Your Majesty!" Rouge raised her voice, both threatening those present and reminding Shen Meiwu that this was not the time to speak: "Princess is His Majesty's and your eldest daughter. Even if the Empress gives birth to a prince, Her Majesty will still be a princess of noble birth. You don't need to worry so much."
Shen Meiwu wanted to say more, but Cui Sugong ignored everyone's obstruction and walked into the delivery room at this moment. She quickly shut her mouth, asked Yanzhi to help her tidy up her appearance, and put on a girlish look of joy and admiration as she looked at Cui Sugong.
As soon as Cui Sugong entered, he saw his beloved woman holding their child, looking at him with tender affection and contentment, and his heart melted completely.
He strode forward, ignoring that Shen Meiwu was covered in sweat and blood after giving birth, and embraced her and the child in her arms.
"Meiwu, thank you for your hard work."
“It’s not hard work. I’m not tired at all because I can give birth to a child for Cui Lang. It’s just that…” Shen Meiwu frowned slightly, with a hint of sorrow, and said, “It’s just that I’m useless. I couldn’t give you a prince. I only gave birth to a princess.”
Seeing the sadness on Shen Meiwu's face, Cui Sugong quickly comforted her, "So what if she's a princess? As long as she's your child, I'll love her whether she's a prince or a princess."
“Cui Lang, I know you love me and cherish her, but a princess cannot inherit the throne.” Shen Meiwu lovingly touched her daughter’s face, her eyes flashing: “Without an heir to the throne, the ministers will never be completely loyal to you, and the people will talk about you.”
"Cui Lang, my heart aches for you."
Hearing this, Cui Sugong kissed Chen Meiwu's forehead with a look of deep emotion: "Meiwu, you don't need to worry too much. Isn't the Empress pregnant with another one? Maybe it's a prince?"
A cold glint flashed in Shen Meiwu's eyes.
“That’s true. Although the Fu family behind the Empress is not very peaceful and is only thinking about vying for power, it is only right to give the Fu family some benefits as long as the Empress can give birth to a prince. After all, he is your eldest son and the future heir to the throne.”
Cui Sugong frowned.
Yes, if Fu Yunjin gives birth to a daughter, outsiders will just laugh at him for not having a son. He's still young, he'll have plenty of opportunities to have a son later. But if Fu Yunjin gives birth to a son…
The Fu family behind her is no pushover. Plus, Fu Yunjin is the Empress, and this child is the eldest son of the legitimate wife. The Fu family and the court officials will definitely do everything they can to push that child to the position of Crown Prince. In that case, will the world belong to the Cui family or the Fu family?!
What will happen to Shen Meiwu and their daughter then? Although Shen Meiwu respects Fu Yunjin very much, Fu Yunjin has not been very good to Shen Meiwu over the years. If her son succeeds to the throne, Fu Yunjin will definitely bully Shen Meiwu and their daughter.
Seeing the dark and ambiguous expression on Cui Sugong's face, Shen Meiwu felt a little relieved. However, this was not enough. After all, if Cui Sugong could make her and Fu Yunjin pregnant, he could also make other women in the harem pregnant. Sooner or later, someone would give birth to a prince.
Over the years, in order to firmly hold onto Cui Sugong's heart, she has suppressed all the other women in the harem, and secretly driven many of them insane or to death. If any of them were to give birth to a prince, her situation would only be worse than if Fu Yunjin had given birth to a prince.
She had to do something.
Shen Meiwu secretly began to plan in her heart, but on the surface, she changed the subject with a gentle and tender expression.
"Let's not talk about that anymore, Cui Lang. Have you thought of a name for our daughter?"
"Of course I've thought it through!" Cui Sugong stroked his daughter's soft baby hair: "Lingxian, Cui Lingxian."
"Ling Xian?"
Cui Sugong nodded and explained, "She is our first child, more important than anything else in my heart. She is the apple of our eye, above all else. So I hope that she can live a more carefree and happy life than an immortal. What do you think of this name?"
Shen Meiwu nodded with a face full of joy, extended a finger for Cui Lingxian to hold, and said softly with deep meaning, "Lingxian, my Lingxian, I promise you will be the happiest child in the world."
It will also be the most precious child in the world.
Your mother will not let anyone get past you.
No one can.
*****
Although Shen Meiwu was in confinement after childbirth and could not attend to the emperor, Cui Sugong showed no intention of leaving and even offered to stay in Chengqian Palace to keep her company.
Shen Meiwu declined this thoughtful gesture.
The most important reason, of course, is that she can't wash herself during her postpartum period, and her appearance will be terrible. People are naturally attracted to food and sex, and once Cui Sugong sees her disheveled appearance, even if he likes her a lot, he will waver, giving others an opportunity to take advantage of her.
Secondly, it's about preparing for what's to come.
Fu Yunjin was a person who didn't compete or fight. Knowing that Cui Sugong liked her, she kept her distance from Chengqian Palace and never bothered him once. If Cui Sugong didn't go, how could she scheme against Fu Yunjin? How could she make Cui Sugong hate Fu Yunjin's unborn child? Even to the point that he would be useless even if the child was a prince?
Therefore, Shen Meiwu not only refused Cui Sugong's request to stay by her side, but also advised Cui Sugong to go and accompany Fu Yunjin.
“Cui Lang, I know you don’t want to leave me, nor do you want to leave our Ling Xian, but you also have to think about it. The child in the Empress’s belly is also your child, and she is about to give birth. You are not going to be with her. How sad she must be? The child in her belly will also be sad.”
Upon hearing this, Cui Sugong was deeply moved and took Shen Meiwu's hand, rubbing it against his face.
"Meiwu, the Empress always bullies you, yet you still care about her so much. You are just too kind, always thinking of others and never considering yourself."
Upon hearing this, Shen Meiwu was momentarily dazed before she came to her senses.
“Cui Lang, how am I not thinking of myself? I advised you to go and accompany the Empress, which was for your own sake.” Chen Meiwu said affectionately, under Cui Sugong’s questioning gaze, “You are the man I love, and I naturally love your child as well, whether I gave birth to him or not. That’s why I advised you to go.”
Cui Sugong was even more moved.
"Mei Wu..."
Shen Meiwu didn't want to argue with Cui Sugong anymore. She stretched out her slender fingers and pressed them to Cui Sugong's lips, her voice tender yet tinged with bitterness as she said, "Cui Lang, I was already reluctant to part with you. It took me many days to finally decide to persuade you to go. Please don't shake my already wavering heart, okay?"
"Besides, Her Majesty the Empress is not far from giving birth. After she gives birth to a prince for you safely and both mother and child are healthy, you can come back to be with me, right?"
Cui Sugong also wanted a prince, but after hearing Shen Meiwu repeatedly urging him to have a "prince" and "mother and son," he made a few token refusals and left Chengqian Palace for Kunning Palace.
Shen Meiwu's face darkened rapidly after Cui Sugong left.
She leaned against the bed, a hint of fierceness in her voice, and said, "Rouge, what happened to the palace maid and midwife who overheard our conversation on the day I gave birth?"
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I have eliminated them all, leaving none alive."
After saying that, Rouge handed Shen Meiwu a bowl of nourishing medicine.
Shen Meiwu responded, took the medicine from Yanzhi's hand and drank it all in one gulp. After calming herself down, she said, "Later, take some people to pack up some of the things His Majesty often uses, and send them to Kunning Palace in a grand manner tomorrow."
"yes."
"Go and spread rumors that I gave birth to a daughter, and that the Emperor was very disappointed, which is why he abandoned me and went to Kunning Palace to accompany Fu Yunjin. Because Fu Yunjin is carrying a prince, I, a concubine who only gave birth to a princess, am of course no match for the Empress who is carrying the eldest son of the legitimate wife."
"A prince?" Rouge's face was full of surprise and uncertainty. "Your Majesty, is the Empress carrying a prince? Where did you get this news? Are you sure?"
Shen Meiwu couldn't help but roll her eyes at her: "You girl are really... rumors, rumors. Only rumors are those that are hard to tell from the truth. The child is still in Fu Yunjin's belly, how would I know if it's a boy or a girl? Just do as I say."
Rouge pouted and replied, "Yes, this servant will take care of it right away."
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