After they had finished touring the villa, Qing'er returned to the Empress Dowager's place, and Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi returned to Consort Yu's residence. "Mother, we're back."
Consort Yu smiled and said, "You've come back just in time. Let's wash our hands and have dinner."
As the three ate, Consort Yu asked with a smile, "Little Swallow, is this summer resort more fun than the palace?"
Little Swallow looked up at Consort Yu and whispered, "Compared to the palace, this summer resort is indeed more enjoyable!" Mainly because here, there's no need to be too particular about rules, and it's much more relaxed than the palace!
Consort Yu sighed, “When the weather is hot, His Majesty usually comes earlier, so we used to stay here for more than half a year. This year, it just so happens that Consort Shu is about to give birth, so we have been delayed in the palace for so long. By next year, I may have spent my birthday, Dragon Boat Festival and other holidays here.”
Little Swallow laughed and said, "In that case, I might be able to come here directly to celebrate the Empress's birthday!"
Looking at the happy Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi who was doting on her, Consort Yu said happily, "I'm just content that you've come back to see us safely!"
After the meal, Mei'er and Ying'er had the bowls and chopsticks removed. Consort Yu said, "Yongqi, you can rest for now and don't need to study anymore. After you've played for a few days, your father will probably arrange for you to continue your lessons here!"
"Understood, Mother. You can go and rest now." After Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi escorted Consort Yu back to her room, the two of them stood quietly in the corridor outside their rooms, gazing at the moonlight. No one spoke.
To be precise, it was Xiao Yanzi looking at the moonlight, and Yongqi looking at Xiao Yanzi.
Little Swallow sighed, "Tomorrow is the Ghost Festival. I wonder how my parents are doing now, and where my brother is?"
"Little Swallow, I believe your parents are watching over you from heaven right now. They will bless you and grant your wishes. As for your brother, I have a feeling we will see him soon!"
Really? You feel that way too?
Yongqi nodded. "His sister is here, and the enemy from his memories is here too. There's no reason for him not to show up. Maybe we'll run into him when we get out of here!"
"I hope so."
Seeing that Xiao Yanzi's brows were still furrowed, Yongqi reached out and smoothed them, comforting her, "Alright, don't think about it so much. If you can't sleep, why don't we go for a walk again, as a way to digest after dinner?"
She looked at Yongqi curiously, "Going for a walk? Are you sure we won't be mistaken for assassins?"
"Are you kidding me? How could I, the Fifth Prince, be mistaken for an assassin? Let's go!" Yongqi grabbed Xiaoyanzi's hand and headed outside, just in time to run into the Fu brothers, who were still awake. "Erkang and Ertai, are you out for a walk too?"
"We couldn't sleep, so we went for a walk."
The four chatted casually until late in the evening before returning to their respective rooms to rest.
The next day at noon, everyone sat together for a meal. While everyone was eating well, Consort Jia suddenly vomited. The concubines looked at each other in surprise. The Empress Dowager ordered, "Granny Gui, immediately go and summon Physician Hu to come and take Consort Jia's pulse."
Granny Gui accepted the order and left. Soon, Physician Hu arrived at the restaurant and took Consort Jia's pulse. Physician Hu congratulated her, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Consort Jia is three months pregnant."
Upon confirming that Consort Jia was pregnant again, Emperor Qianlong and the Empress Dowager laughed heartily. The other concubines reacted with a range of emotions: some were indifferent, some were jealous, and some were horrified and filled with lingering fear…
"She's already three months pregnant, which means she was already pregnant when Xiao Yanzi entered the palace?" Yongqi thought to himself upon hearing this news, "If she hadn't framed Xiao Yanzi for stealing, but instead..."
Yongqi thought about it carefully, and cold sweat broke out on his back. Qing'er, who was next to the Empress Dowager, seemed to have thought of the same thing. Her palms were sweating. She clenched her hands tightly and quietly watched Yongqi, who was also feeling scared. They both wished they could finish their meal as soon as possible and leave this place of trouble.
The adults were happy, and the children, after finishing their meal, immediately found a quiet place to gather together. Fu Erkang sighed, "That was too close! If Consort Jia had used the children as a gamble that day, Little Swallow would probably be..."
Xiao Yanzi asked, puzzled, "Did Consort Jia know she was pregnant back then?"
Qing'er whispered, "Consort Jia has already been pregnant with three princes. She's experienced. Usually, when she finds out, she'll suppress the news first. When her pregnancy is about to become obvious, she'll pretend to vomit and then have the imperial physician examine her..."
Yongqi chimed in, "As the saying goes, 'sour for a boy, spicy for a girl.' From now on, she'll probably start eating all sorts of spicy food to confuse the situation. If this child is a girl, that's fine, but if it's a boy, the harem will probably be in turmoil again!"
"This harem is truly terrifying. She already has three princes, and the fourth prince, Yongcheng, is performing quite well, yet she still keeps her eyes on you... Last time, she tried to harm you by framing Xiaoyanzi. Do you think she might try to get rid of you through this pregnancy?"
Once they fall for plotting to murder a prince, even if Emperor Qianlong knows they are innocent, as long as the false evidence is convincing enough, even if Emperor Qianlong believes them, he cannot protect them for the time being!
Qing'er became more and more frightened as she thought about it, and she held Xiao Yanzi's hand tightly, saying, "If she has already lost her mind, then she will definitely take advantage of the situation!"
Even if she can't deal with the inseparable Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi, she'll probably target Consort Yu or Consort Ling. After all, one is Yongqi's mother and the other is your aunt. Everyone knows that you're close to the Fifth Prince, which means that Consort Ling is already on Yongqi's side!
No matter who she frames, Yongqi will be affected, and then she will have achieved her goal!
Little Swallow asked, "So that means if she's still rational, or if she doesn't dare to risk her child, then we'll all be relatively safe for the next few months after she gives birth, right?"
Fu Erkang nodded and said, "Theoretically speaking, that's true, but none of us can say for sure..."
Qing'er chimed in, "Yes, we're just guessing right now. We can't be sure what she'll do, so for the time being, we can't do anything but be careful!"
Yongqi sighed, "No matter what, we should try to avoid any contact with her. If it's not necessary, we shouldn't appear in front of her. We should minimize contact to reduce her chances of framing us! Erkang, you two remember to go and say hello to Consort Ling. I also need to remind my mother when I get back. In the current situation, we should avoid things as much as possible..."
The last time Consort Jia cried wolf and caused the death of a palace maid, Yongqi still felt a chill when he thought about it. He wondered how many other palace maids in the harem had been killed by their masters.
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