Chapter 19 False Pregnancy Exposure (Part 1)
"My sister, you've finally overcome all your hardships."
Inside the Leisurely Moon Pavilion, An Lingrong sat facing Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang. Hearing Shen Meizhuang's sigh, An Lingrong smiled subtly, her heart unmoved.
"Lingrong still wants to thank the two older sisters for their help."
"We couldn't help you much; you've earned it all on your own." Zhen Huan looked at An Lingrong with a complex expression. Originally, she had brought An Lingrong to share the Emperor's favor and counter Consort Hua. However, because An Lingrong couldn't let go of her feelings for the Emperor, she hadn't made a move. Now, Lingrong had gained the Emperor's favor and even been promoted in rank through her own efforts.
"I was too worried before, and forgot that His Majesty is wise and discerning, and would never wrong any good person."
“You are different now…” Shen Meizhuang looked at An Lingrong, who was sitting upright on the stool and no longer hunched over, and couldn’t help but sigh. Zhen Huan, who was beside her, also nodded in agreement. Lingrong was indeed different.
Thinking of the mysterious and powerful figure who saved her from dire straits, An Lingrong smiled gently, "After this incident, Lingrong has certainly grown somewhat. Do you two sisters think Lingrong has become a better person?"
“Of course, Lingrong, you are doing very well now.”
Zhen Huan looked at her approvingly, and Shen Meizhuang also smiled. An Lingrong raised her eyes and met the eyes of the two of them, creating a particularly warm atmosphere.
But only An Lingrong knew that things were different. She had let go of her obsession and no longer tried to force her way into the relationship between Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang. She had become more detached, and their interactions became more natural.
...
"Consort Hui, you look radiant; I'm sure this pregnancy will be safe and healthy..."
"His Majesty has arrived!"
"May Your Majesty be well!"
Emperor Yongzheng led Zhen Huan and An Lingrong into Xianyue Pavilion, only to find many concubines there. Yongzheng was somewhat surprised: "What a coincidence that you are all here today."
Yi Xiu smiled gently, "Consort Hui is pregnant. As the mistress of the harem, I should show her more care and consideration, and fulfill my duties as Empress."
"We, your humble servants, also follow the Empress," the other concubines said in unison.
Yongzheng nodded, showing no suspicion. "Get up, all of you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"How are you feeling today?" Yongzheng approached with a smile, looking at Shen Meizhuang with concern.
Shen Meizhuang touched her belly, her smile gentle, "Your Majesty, I feel very well, thank you."
Consort Hua couldn't bear to see this tender scene, so she immediately said, "Has Your Majesty eaten yet? A new chef has come to my palace. He is an expert in Jiangnan cuisine, so I just ordered a meal to be sent to the Fourth Prince."
"Shilan is benevolent and loving."
Upon hearing this assessment, Nian Shilan proudly raised her head and glanced triumphantly at the Empress, only to hear Yongzheng say, "We just had dinner at Bitong Academy. Let's do it another day. Another day, I will take Hongli with me."
Just as Nian Shilan was about to erupt, she heard the last sentence and glared at Zhen Huan. Then she looked at Yongzheng with a beaming smile: "Your Majesty must keep your word. I will have the chef prepare the dishes and wait for you and your son."
"Rest assured, I have never lied to Shilan."
The implication of a family of three in their words was so strong that the Empress could barely contain her emotions and couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, the General of Yili has sent over some melons as tribute. Let's enjoy them together."
Yongzheng nodded. Just then, a eunuch from the Imperial Household Department came to ask the emperor to choose a concubine. Yongzheng said directly, "No need to choose. I'll go to the Empress's. If you still have any honeydew melons, I'll go there to eat. By the way, have you sent some to Hongli?"
Upon hearing this, Yixiu's smile became even more genuine. "Your Majesty, rest assured, it has already been sent to all the princes."
Yongzheng nodded in satisfaction. After all, she was still the Empress. Although she favored Hongli, she hadn't forgotten the other princes.
"Consort Wan, spend some quality time with Consort Hui."
After saying this, Yongzheng got up and was about to leave with the Empress. Standing behind the two of them, Consort Hua rubbed the handkerchief in her hand angrily. She thought the Empress was cunning and even glared at Yongzheng with dissatisfaction. "Eat, eat, eat! You were tricked into eating melon with just one bite. Are you that greedy?"
Fortunately, Cao Qinmo was focused on her later schemes. Otherwise, she would have been horrified to see this scene, as the usually doting Consort Hua was looking at the Emperor like that.
"Who's lurking around there? I saw you! Come out, come out!"
As soon as they stepped out of the main hall, Cao Qinmo took the initiative to lift the curtain on the grand performance. Her stern rebuke startled everyone, who looked suspiciously into the courtyard in the night.
"Don't arrest me, don't arrest me, I'm serving Consort Hui."
A flustered palace maid, clutching something in her arms, suddenly knelt before the crowd.
"Isn't this Fuling from Consort Hui's palace? Why is she acting so suspiciously here? What's she holding in her hand?"
"Could it be that you're planning to steal the young master's things and escape with them?"
Hearing the commotion outside, Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan came out. Seeing this scene, they were filled with shame and indignation, and shouted angrily, "What a worthless servant! Drag him out of here right now!"
Zhen Huan quickly comforted her, "You're pregnant, why get upset?"
Fu Ling panicked and looked to Chen Meizhuang for help, "My lady, my lady, save me!"
Shen Meizhuang frowned, recalling the news Caiyue had reported earlier, "How can I tolerate you doing such a thing? Go now, go now!"
"Wait..." Cao Qinmo suddenly spoke up, pointing with a hint of fear at the object in Fuling's arms, "What...what is this? Blood? Why is there blood on these pants? Could someone be trying to murder me for money?"
"This is strange. Why would someone steal something that isn't valuable, but instead takes trousers and skirts, especially dirty things? Are these Consort Hui's belongings? How did they get stained with blood? Could it be that Consort Hui has been bleeding?"
After Consort Xin's analysis, everyone couldn't help but look at Shen Meizhuang with concern.
Shen Meizhuang looked blank, but for some reason felt uneasy. "No."
Before Cao Qinmo could continue speaking, Shen Meizhuang suddenly said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, this palace maid has already made a mistake and has impure thoughts. I was originally going to send her away, but I didn't expect her to dare to do such a thing..."
Cao Qinmo's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Fuling had been exposed?
At this juncture, there was no way to stop acting, so Cao Qinmo had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "In that case, in my humble opinion, why not drag him to the Censorate for a thorough interrogation?"
Upon triggering the keyword, Fuling immediately erupted: "My lady, I destroyed the evidence for you, yet you heartlessly abandoned me to death. Why should I remain loyal to you?"
After saying this, Fuling kowtowed to Yongzheng and said as if she had nothing to lose, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Now that things have come to this, this servant will no longer dare to deceive Your Majesty. The mistress is not pregnant at all, and these clothes were not stolen by this servant. The mistress's period ended a few days ago, and she soiled her clothes and asked this servant to throw them away. These clothes are irrefutable evidence!"
Shen Meizhuang was so angry that she swayed, but fortunately Zhen Huan caught her in time: "Sister!"
"Your Majesty, she...she has slandered me!"
"Consort Hui has been frightened; go and fetch the imperial physician." Yongzheng's expression was somber, seemingly concerned, but in reality, he also had the idea of "verifying her identity."
Hearing this, Caiyue, who was standing behind Shen Meizhuang, glared angrily at Fuling. Without thinking twice, she immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, this servant Caiyue kowtows to you. Your Majesty, Fuling is wicked and cannot be trusted. She has long coveted the Fourth Prince, and Your Highness has wanted to expel her for a long time. If it weren't for the Fourth Prince's reputation, why would you have kept her alive until now, and why would you have entrusted her with such important matters?"
"What?!"
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