Chapter 23 Pregnant Woman Competes for Favor
Inside Changning Palace.
Momo was frantic, pacing back and forth: "It's one thing for other families to request a talent show, but for the family head to get involved too, what does that mean for the young master?!"
"Mother was just fulfilling her duty as a subject." Shen Mingyue's eyes reddened, but she still told herself to understand her mother's good intentions. "Mother is doing this for my own good."
A mother's love is as vast as a mountain and as deep as a river. Although he was raised by his father from a young age, he knew that his mother was the one who held up his sky.
Every child longs for their mother's approval, but no one doubts their mother's love.
He knew rationally that his mother meant well, but he still felt a tightness in his chest: with an outstanding and healthy young man from a prominent family entering the palace, would His Majesty's cousin still visit Changning Palace often?
Shen Mingyue was feeling very unwell, so unwell that she didn't want to eat. Momo persuaded her again and again before she reluctantly picked up her chopsticks. However, as soon as her favorite food entered her mouth, her stomach started to rebel.
The next moment, he vomited violently, and his already red eyes became even more watery.
Momo paused for a moment, then her eyes widened: "Young Master, could you be pregnant?!"
Got it?!
Shen Mingyue froze, her hands awkwardly protecting her lower abdomen: Was he pregnant with the imperial heir?
"Quickly, summon the imperial physician!" The usually composed First Lady's voice cracked.
Shen Mingyue was startled awake by the sound, and her stomach began to churn again.
The palace maids immediately sprang into action.
Soon, news leaked from Changning Palace that the Empress was pregnant.
"He's finally achieved his goal." Upon hearing this news, Si Ze felt a sense of relief, without any further emotion.
When the palace servants from Changning Palace came to deliver the good news, she didn't put down the memorial in her hand: "Tell the Empress that if there is anything she wants, just give the order to the Sixth Chamberlain, and I will go over to keep him company tonight."
The palace servants didn't notice anything amiss and happily went back home.
When Si Ze arrived at Changning Palace, although her face did not show the joy of becoming a mother, her eyes revealed concern and worry for the Empress, which was enough to make Shen Mingyue happy.
The already magnificent Changning Palace is now even more splendid.
The next day, this tremendous 'good news' spread throughout the inner palace, and the young palace servants of Anle Palace naturally heard the news as well, and they couldn't help but beam with joy.
In the past, the emperor and empress favored them exclusively, and they had no chance to complain. Now that the emperor and empress are pregnant, their chance has come!
The maids were all busy getting ready, and Zhu Yun even tried to get in touch with the palace servants of Zichen Palace to speak well of him to the head steward.
Bai Ping pinned her hopes on the Imperial Chamberlain, while Piao Peng and Ming Xiang spent their days wandering around the Imperial Garden hoping to run into His Majesty.
When Gan Cao heard the news, his heart pounded wildly: although his daily maintenance and exercise were fulfilling, he always dreamed of His Majesty at night.
Men are naturally promiscuous, and he had experienced that kind of ultimate pleasure with His Majesty, how could he not want it?
The code of male virtue requires men to be chaste, self-disciplined, and restrained in their desires. He was busy during the day and could control himself, but his reason was loosened in his dreams, and he almost had problems several times.
By copying the precepts for men every day during this period, I engraved the rules in my subconscious and thus avoided breaking them because of my dreams.
But if he continues to neglect his duties, he cannot guarantee that he will not break the precepts.
Therefore, he must win the Emperor's favor and affection.
He touched his chest and abdomen, then looked at his enviable figure in the mirror. He was somewhat satisfied, yet worried that it wasn't enough.
Those who rely on their beauty to please others are always afraid that their beauty is not good enough, especially since Eunuch Cui had subtly hinted that there might be a talent show in the future.
"Go and invite Sun Momo over here," he instructed Xiao Li.
Mao Gen also learned some massage techniques, but they could only barely relieve fatigue. To achieve the desired effect, Sun Momo still had to do it.
Soon, Sun Momo followed Xiao Li and walked over quickly.
"Lu Cai greets Your Highness Cai Nan. May Your Highness be blessed with good fortune!" He greeted Gan Cao with a smile as soon as he entered the room.
Gan Cao quickly helped him up: "I invited Momo here today because I have something to ask of you..."
"It is already an honor for me that you remember me, my lord," Sun Momo said earnestly, grasping his hand. "I am utterly unworthy of your request."
Without Gan Cainan explaining in detail, Sun Momo knew why she had called him over.
Not to mention that he himself felt guilty and had feelings for Cai Nan, he would do his best for himself.
His skill could only be used by palace attendants and servants, but noblemen from high-ranking families always despised such unspeakable methods. The only people who could truly use his skills were lowly palace servants from the lower classes.
Gan Cainan was the best choice. He was lucky; he served a young king who had not yet experienced the life of a harem of three thousand concubines and still enjoyed some imperial favor.
That's enough for him to place his bet.
After carefully attending to Consort Cainan's bath, he then used all his skills to give Consort Gan an ultimate pampering treatment.
The maintenance process is a bit embarrassing to talk about, but the results are amazing.
Although Gan Cao looked a little shy, her previous lack of confidence had completely disappeared.
Mao Gen was a little better, but Xiao Li blushed as she looked at her master's charming demeanor. It took her a moment to calm down before she said, "Master, let me redo your makeup!"
"Okay." Gan Cao chuckled at his reaction.
The young palace attendant was dazzled and bursting with inspiration.
Unlike her previous understated look, this time she sported eyebrow-length hair and spring-like hues at the corners of her eyes, aiming to be captivating.
"Does the young lady want to change it?" After finishing the drawing, Xiao Li suddenly realized that it was too much.
For a palace maid who is usually low-key, her beauty is too stunning!
Looking at the handsome man in the mirror, Gan Cao was momentarily dazed: Is this dazzling person really him?
Yes!
As His Majesty's palace attendant, he should have been radiant.
“I won’t change it,” courage welled up from the bottom of my heart, but I still had to keep a low profile. “I’ll put on the hooded cloak later.”
After confirming that his makeup and clothing were flawless, he brought along the selected results of his calligraphy practice.
His Majesty personally taught him calligraphy, and now that his wrist is healed, it's time for him to show off his progress.
Although it's not very well written, it's a big improvement compared to before.
Of course, the most important thing is that he needs a reason to pay his respects to His Majesty.
Therefore, he did not intend to send a palace maid to deliver it, but instead dressed up carefully and went in person.
Although he might not be able to see His Majesty, he was willing to give it a shot.
...
"These are my words, which I wish to present to His Majesty. I trouble the Grand Eunuch to convey my request." This time, standing before the Grand Eunuch, he did not bow his head, but his eyes were lowered, and his attitude was respectful.
He guessed at some of the chief eunuch's ulterior motives, but he wasn't afraid. As long as His Majesty hadn't grown tired of him, the chief eunuch wouldn't do anything to him.
Sure enough, the steward only gave him a deep look before taking the papers and going inside to report.
"Does he still remember this?" Si Ze took the paper and flipped through it with interest.
The last time, his limp, worm-like handwriting left a deep impression on her, so much so that this time, even the barely passable characters seemed neat and tidy to him: "Summon him in."
The head steward paused for a moment, then waved for the young eunuch to go out and deliver the message.
Licorice suppressed her racing heartbeat, stepped lightly into the hall, and gracefully bowed after brushing aside the hood of her cloak.
She really is a vixen!
One glance was enough to make the head steward, Gray Blue, clench his teeth.
Si Ze was also momentarily stunned: "Qingqing's outfit seems a little different today?"
“I recently read the book ‘Male Virtue’ and gained some insights into the chapter on ‘Husband’s Appearance.’ Therefore, I have dressed up a bit and hope Your Majesty will like it.” He looked up at the king, his movements were dignified, his voice was soft, but his demeanor was incredibly alluring.
Si Ze lifted his chin, his meaning ambiguous: "It's not just the way you dress, you've also become bolder."
Licorice's heart skipped a beat.
He recalled the last time he was taught the rules; thirty strokes of the cane were enough to leave a lasting impression.
The spring-like blush faded from her face, and tears welled up in her eyes, which she forcefully suppressed: "I only wished to please Your Majesty. If I have broken any rules, please punish me severely."
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