Chapter 108 The Legend of Zhen Huan: An Lingrong 18
During the winter, Consort Fang Jia served the emperor. Because of her childlike and coquettish nature, she was quite favored by the emperor and was given the title Ying.
After New Year's Eve, it was revealed that Consort Fucha was pregnant, and the Emperor bestowed upon her the title of Consort Tian, making her Consort Tian.
On the auspicious day of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, An Bihuai presented cowpox vaccine to prevent smallpox. On the same day, An Lingrong gave birth to a prince.
The Emperor was overjoyed, believing that the child had brought good fortune, and promoted An Lingrong to the rank of Consort Shu, and bestowed the name Hongxu upon the Sixth Prince.
An Bihai was promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and concurrently Grand Secretary of the Cabinet due to smallpox. The An family was then incorporated into the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner and given the surname Anjia.
After securing the last position among the four consorts, An Lingrong was satisfied and began to lie down for a short while.
An Lingrong sought help from the system to directly cut off the epidemic at its source.
The plague broke out not long after her own child was born. The Empress might tamper with things and pin the blame on Hongxu.
Jingren Palace —
An Lingrong sat upright in her chair, facing Consort Qi, with Consort Jing beside her, while the seat opposite Consort Jing was empty.
That position was reserved for Consort Hua. Liu Ben was arrested, and Consort Shen of Cunjutang was promoted to Noble Lady Hui. Consort Hua was stripped of her power to assist in managing the six palaces and demoted to Consort Hua.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."
After Jiang Fuhai's voice rang out, all the concubines bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to Your Majesty the Empress."
The Empress, supported by Jianqiu, sat at the head of the table and smiled gracefully at the kneeling crowd. "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."
The Empress looked at An Lingrong on her right, "This is Consort Shu's first visit to pay her respects since giving birth. It's been many days. How is your recovery going?"
An Lingrong replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have recovered very well."
"That's good." The Empress turned to look at the empty seat where Consort Hua was sitting, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes. "Has Consort Hua not recovered yet?"
Since Consort Hua was demoted to Consort Hua, she has been using the excuse of feeling unwell to avoid coming to Jingren Palace to pay her respects to the Empress.
Jiang Fuhai bowed and said, "Yes, Yikun Palace reports that Consort Hua is unwell."
"After paying your respects, have Imperial Physician Zhang go to Yikun Palace to take Consort Hua's pulse. It's not good for her to be in poor health all this time."
The Empress naturally knew that Consort Hua was feigning illness to avoid paying her respects, because if she came, she would have to pay her respects to Consort Qi and Consort Shu, whom she had previously looked down upon.
But the Empress didn't want Consort Hua to hide; she really wanted to see Consort Hua in a sorry state.
Jiang Fuhai replied, "Yes, sir."
The Empress instructed Consort Tian: "Consort Tian, you are pregnant now. If you need anything, just tell me or the Imperial Household Department. Under no circumstances should the imperial heir be neglected."
Consort Tian: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will certainly speak if I need anything."
"Now that Consort Shu has given birth and Noble Lady Tian is also pregnant, the rest of you should also work hard to bring some joy to the palace."
Especially Consort Guan, Consort Hui, Consort Ying, and Consort Xia, you are all still young and more likely to conceive.
The concubines responded, "Yes."
"Alright, you may all leave now." With that, the Empress rose and departed.
"Respectfully seeing off Her Majesty the Empress."
After seeing off the Empress, the concubines returned to their respective palaces. Jiang Fuhai, following the Empress's instructions, asked Imperial Physician Zhang to examine Consort Hua's pulse.
Consort Hua was not ill, so how could she allow him to take her pulse? She had no choice but to resume her daily greetings.
After Consort Hua lost favor, Consort Qi considered herself the head of the consorts because she had the Third Prince. Whenever Consort Hua paid her respects, Consort Qi would make a few sarcastic remarks to her.
This was also to avenge the grudge that Consort Hua had made against her and the Third Prince when Consort Hua was still a concubine.
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