Chapter 106 The Legend of Zhen Huan: An Lingrong 16
Back in the bamboo courtyard, An Lingrong's small kitchen bustled with activity.
After finishing the hot meal, An Lingrong looked satisfied and glanced at Siyun, who was frowning beside her.
"You've had this expression ever since we came back from Consort Cao's room. What's wrong?"
Si Yun pouted and replied, "Since Consort Shen is pregnant, she will definitely take away half of the Emperor's favor for the young lady. The difference in months is not much, and in the future, the two imperial heirs will also have to compete for favor."
"I don't care, so why do you? This isn't something you can change just because you care."
An Lingrong raised an eyebrow, offering no further advice, assuring that Si Yun would recover in a moment.
Sure enough, less than a quarter of an hour later, Siyun was busy again with a smile on her face.
Consort Shen became pregnant, and after discussing it with the Empress, the Emperor bestowed upon her the title of "Hui".
Because Consort Hua did not cause Shen Meizhuang to fall into the water and lose favor, Princess Wenyi's birthday banquet went very smoothly.
There was neither Lady Guan performing the Dance of the Startled Swan, nor Consort Hua reciting the "Ode to the Eastern Tower".
As night deepened, An Lingrong, dressed in a pale white nightgown with her long hair flowing freely, sat in front of her dressing table.
Si Yun gently combed An Lingrong's hair, "Your Highness clearly eats a lot, so why are you still so thin? You don't gain weight anywhere except in your belly."
An Lingrong had always been slender and slim, but after becoming pregnant, her appetite increased significantly, and only her belly grew.
"Your little master is naturally thin, it's not like this is the first time you've known that."
An Lingrong glanced at Siyun. This slender, willow-like figure suited her style perfectly, and besides, although she looked thin, she was very healthy inside.
Si Yun chuckled, "Of course I know, but I always feel that being a little chubby is better, and that being chubby is healthier."
"I think your maid is right, being a little chubby is healthier."
The Emperor's voice interrupted An Lingrong and Siyun's idle chatter. An Lingrong had just gotten up when the Emperor grabbed her hand and pulled her to sit down on the edge of the bed.
"Why is Your Majesty so late?" An Lingrong asked, feigning confusion, as she looked at the Emperor touching his belly.
"I visited Consort Shen at Xianyue Pavilion today, and she actually faked a pregnancy to vie for my favor! How absurd!"
The Emperor was furious when this matter was mentioned, saying that Consort Shen was truly foolish!
"This... given Hui's... Shen's personality, this shouldn't be the case."
An Lingrong almost called her Consort Hui, because she had gotten used to calling her that lately, and suddenly being demoted to "Consort" didn't feel right.
"I also feel it shouldn't have happened, but what's done is done. Regardless of the reason, it's all because she was too foolish!"
Judging from these words, the emperor clearly knew that something was amiss.
But whether it was threatening Jiang Cheng for the fertility formula or faking a pregnancy, it was a foolish decision, and Shen agreed to it, which can be considered as reaping what she sowed.
Seeing An Lingrong yawn, the Emperor said with concern, "Rong'er, are you sleepy? That's right, you've been going to bed at this time ever since you became pregnant. Go to sleep first, I'll come back after I've bathed and changed."
An Lingrong chuckled and shook her head, "Your Majesty, we'll wait for your return."
Seeing the determination in An Lingrong's eyes, the Emperor patted her head and agreed, "Alright, then I'll come back quickly."
After the Emperor returned from his bath, he embraced An Lingrong and they went to bed together. An Lingrong fell asleep instantly.
The Emperor smiled as he looked at the sleeping An Lingrong, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Consort Wan lost favor due to being implicated by Consort Shen, but she quickly regained it, and Consort Hua also lost Huang Guiquan, the head of the Imperial Household Department, as an ally.
The position of Director-General of the Imperial Household Department was taken over by Deputy Director-General Jiang Zhongmin, who was one of the Empress's men.
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