Chapter 23 Production
When Fanghua opened her eyes, she found someone sitting next to her bed. Her eyes remained closed for a long time, and they became somewhat blurry.
It took her a while to see who was sitting there.
"Grandmother." Fanghua composed herself, revealing a mix of grievance and fear as she called out the name she often used when she was a child.
Seeing her like this, the Empress Dowager's heart softened. "Oh, Grandmother is here, don't be afraid, Grandmother is here." She held Fanghua's hand and comforted her softly.
"Your pregnancy has been fraught with difficulties, Fanghua. Your due date is fast approaching. These days, you should rest and recuperate in Kunning Palace. Don't worry about anything outside. Once you've finished your confinement, the Ancestor will give you the Phoenix Seal. Xuan Ye's harem cannot do without you."
Although Fanghua didn't know what she meant by saying that, she knew that the old woman was definitely up to no good, but power in the palace was indeed what she needed most.
As empress, if power in the palace falls into other hands and the number of women in the harem increases, she will lose all prestige.
"Royal Grandmother."
"Oh, my child, rest well. I'll stay here and watch over you."
Regardless of Wenqing's motives at this time, with the Empress Dowager's care, Fanghua's health improved day by day.
Before she knew it, it was December. Fanghua's belly had grown so big that it affected her mobility, and she didn't go anywhere except Kunning Palace.
As she had said, the Empress Dowager personally took care of her, spending several hours each day in her Kunning Palace. It was truly hard on her.
"Your Highness, it looks like it's going to snow soon. You should stay inside and walk around. You can't go outside." Zhang Mama, Ji Mama, and Qiaoling were serving her closely, just in case something happened.
Seeing her mistress looking outside again, Zhang Mama couldn't help but try to persuade her.
“That’s right, Your Highness must not be willful now,” Granny Ji echoed Granny Zhang.
Qiaoling stood guard to the side. When two of the old women spoke up, she could only show her stance through her actions.
Fanghua also looked helpless. "You guys, I didn't plan to go out." She could tell the difference between sincerity and pretense, so she wouldn't do anything to worry them.
Besides, she hadn't planned to go out in the first place; she was just wondering why Li Changfu hadn't arrived yet. She always hoped that Li Changfu would come over and tell her what was happening outside.
"I was looking at Li Changfu. Why is he so late today?"
Hearing this, the three of them laughed helplessly. "Her Majesty is really something. How come her personality has changed after having a prince?" Zhang Mama couldn't help but tease.
"That's good, it proves that our little prince is lively."
Just as the group was chatting and laughing, Li Changfu walked in, accompanied by Aunt Su.
Seeing the two of them come in together, Fanghua was a little curious, but couldn't help but glance outside.
"Why did Aunt Su come over? Is there anything the Empress Dowager needs?" Since the outer room froze over, Fanghua had stopped letting the Empress Dowager come over, but it had only been a few days.
Previously, the Empress Dowager would come to visit her every single day.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is not feeling well today. She is worried about you, so she sent this old servant to come and check on you."
Recently, the princess has been spending more time with the empress, and she has developed a fondness for the empress that she herself is unaware of.
In her opinion, the Empress is excellent. She can help the Emperor and manage the harem very well. It is no exaggeration to say that she is exceptionally virtuous.
"Has the imperial physician been summoned? No, I must go and see my grandmother. I won't feel at ease without seeing her."
As Fanghua was about to leave, fortunately, there were many people serving her who immediately stopped her.
"Your Majesty, please don't! The Empress Dowager was afraid you would worry, so she sent this old servant to tell you. If anything were to happen to you while you're out, this old servant would deserve to die!" Su Ma pulled the Empress aside and immediately told her the Empress Dowager's instructions.
"But, but I'm worried about my grandmother." Her eyes welled up with tears as she spoke. "Aunt Su, what did the imperial physician say? Is my grandmother alright?"
Was Fanghua really in such a hurry as she appeared?
There is none.
But you have to put on an act when the time is right.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, the Empress Dowager is doing well. She has just caught a cold, but the imperial physician said she should rest for a while. The Empress Dowager also said that she will personally accompany you during childbirth."
Seeing the Empress so worried about her own princess Su Ma, she was very happy and felt that the princess had not favored the wrong person.
"That's good, that's good. May the Eternal Heaven protect us. No, I must go and offer incense to the Bodhisattvas. I'm sure they will bless my grandmother with peace and good health."
Having finally managed to persuade the person to stop, Su Ma felt relieved. "Then this old servant will certainly convey Your Highness's filial piety to the Empress Dowager. This servant will take her leave now."
After seeing Su off, the sadness on Fanghua's face immediately lessened.
Li Changfu then emerged from the corner.
"Your Majesty."
"Tell me, what happened outside that made the Empress Dowager pretend to be sick and not come to Kunning Palace?"
Yes, just as Su Ma came over, Xiao Feng told Fang Hua in her mind that the Empress Dowager was faking illness.
Xiao Feng is quite capable now, spending her days spreading rumors and eavesdropping on palace gossip. She gathers far more information than Li Changfu could.
Li Changfu was startled. He hadn't even said anything yet, and the Empress already knew about the Empress Dowager's feigned illness. She truly was his mistress.
"Your Majesty is wise indeed. Prince Chengrui is not well, and I heard that he may not live much longer."
There is no precedent in the royal family for killing one's own son. Even though the current eldest prince is mentally challenged, Kangxi simply tells him to take good care of him.
Whether he lives or dies, he has done his best as a father.
"Not long, ha, he certainly knows how to pick a date, daring to cause trouble for my child, no wonder he is a descendant of Lady Magiya."
Fanghua was very angry. In her previous life, she lost her leg in May of the ninth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. Regardless of the reason, it must have been the fault of Ma Jia herself.
She never laid a hand on a child in her past life.
"Li Changfu, find a way to feed this to the eldest prince." He's just a mentally challenged child; let him follow his predetermined fate.
We can't ruin the auspicious day of her birth, Chenghu.
"Yes." Li Changfu took the things and left.
Fanghua gave Li Changfu a small honey pill diluted with spiritual spring water.
Its effect is likely only to alleviate Chengrui's pain; it cannot cure him.
She was neither a virtuous empress nor a saint in her life.
His mother dared to frame her own child, so he should pay the price.
The young child is innocent, and that won't work on her.
Before we knew it, it was time for Fanghua to give birth.
That morning, Fanghua felt a little uncomfortable while she was still asleep. As soon as she woke up and tried to get up, she found that there was a large wet patch under her.
There was also a warm, unexpected surge between her legs. She had given birth twice before, so she immediately understood what was happening.
"Qiaoling, Granny, I'm about to give birth."
After saying that, she let out a scream, because it hurt quite a bit.
Qiaoling and Zhang Mama, who were guarding the corner of the bed, immediately woke up and rushed over to check on her.
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