Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Wei Shuangxue was undoubtedly the most favored concubine in the harem. Her outstanding appearance made her stand out in the harem and become Kangxi's new favorite.
Wu Yaxin was very upset, but Wei Shuangxue's attitude towards her remained as respectful as ever. She could only suppress her unhappiness and secretly pray that Wei would be able to conceive and give birth to a son.
Perhaps it was because Wu Yaxin's prayers day and night were effective, for after only half a year of being favored by the emperor, news came from Chengqian Palace that Consort Wei was pregnant.
At that time, Wu Yaxin's youngest daughter had just died, and then she heard the news that Wei Shuangxue was pregnant, which made her feel very complicated.
When she heard the news, Wei Shuangxue was a little surprised. She touched her belly, which was not yet showing, and did not expect that she would be pregnant at this time.
Looking out the window, it is early spring, a season of renewal and blooming flowers.
The peach trees in the yard are in full bloom, the peach blossoms are about to open, turning red little by little, the flowers are light and pale, painted on the graceful branches.
The image of that boy reappeared in Wei Shuangxue's mind.
How wonderful, it was in this season that I met you.
I was already prepared to take action, how could this happen? How did I end up pregnant with his child? What am I going to do?
Feeling somewhat dejected and powerless, Wei Shuangxue felt as if God was playing a cruel joke on her, making her pregnant at this crucial moment.
Composing herself, Wei Shuangxue took a deep breath, placed her hand on the windowsill, and stared intently at the peach tree, constantly reaffirming her resolve.
The plan is about to begin, I absolutely cannot stop!
With a snap, the window closed, and Wei Shuangxue turned and left the window.
The view outside was shut out by the window, and Wei Shuangxue kept her feelings buried deep in her heart, not revealing a single word.
...
On the palace path, several young palace maids were sweeping and cleaning, chatting amongst themselves as they worked.
"Have you heard? Consort Wei of Chengqian Palace is sick again!" A palace maid in green swept the floor and said to the others beside her.
The palace maid A replied with some surprise, "Ah! She's been sick several times this month!"
Another palace maid chimed in, "Yes, yes, since Consort Wei became pregnant, she has called for the imperial physician several times."
Hearing what everyone was saying, the palace maid in green spoke up with a hint of jealousy: "I think Wei Yingying's status is just too low. I heard that she used to be a slave in the Xin Zhe Ku, just like us. She only became a palace maid by the side of the noble lady Wu Ya because of her help."
Covering her mouth and chuckling, she sneered, "She's become a palace concubine and is even pregnant. Other concubines are fine when they're pregnant, but this Consort Wei is only a few months pregnant and she keeps calling for the imperial physician. It's clear that her status is too lowly and she's not worthy of bearing the imperial heir."
Seeing her say that, the others became a little scared and dared not continue the conversation. They all started talking about other things to change the subject.
After the palace maids dispersed, Kangxi appeared from around the corner.
"Is what these palace maids said true?"
Liang Jiugong nodded and replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Consort Wei has indeed summoned the imperial physician several times during this period."
Emperor Kangxi was somewhat displeased. This palace maid was too ignorant of etiquette. How could these servants dare to discuss the concubines?
He glanced at Liang Jiugong and ordered in a deep voice, "Go to Chengqian Palace."
Liang Jiugong, being perceptive, understood the situation. He whispered a few instructions to the eunuch beside him and then followed the Emperor to Chengqian Palace.
Upon entering Consort Wei's residence in Chengqian Palace, Kangxi immediately saw that Wei Shuangxue was leaning weakly and listlessly against the bed.
He strode forward and helped Wei Shi, who was about to bow, saying, "You are pregnant and weak, so the formalities are unnecessary."
Wei Shuangxue feigned fear and declined several times before finally agreeing with a look of gratitude.
Emperor Kangxi inquired carefully about Lady Wei's condition and learned that she was not seriously injured, which left him with some questions.
This Wei family has always been healthy, and there has been no news of any problems with her pregnancy since she became pregnant. Why is she calling the imperial physician so frequently this month?
Having some doubts, he talked to Lady Wei. After returning to the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Kangxi summoned Physician Zhou, who had examined Lady Wei's pulse.
However, Physician Zhou also said that Lady Wei's health was fine and the fetus was developing well. He only said that Lady Wei had been thinking too much and was restless lately.
This made Kangxi even more suspicious. Nothing major had happened in the palace, and Wei's pregnancy was a joyous occasion. Why was she so worried instead of happy?
Emperor Kangxi ordered Imperial Physician Zhou to give Consort Wei a proper examination, and he took this matter to heart.
A few days later, Wei's illness not only failed to improve, but she also became more preoccupied, and it was even close to endangering the fetus and the mother.
Emperor Kangxi was getting restless. That evening, he went to Wei Shuangxue's residence and decided to have a serious talk with him.
Wei Shuangxue initially vehemently denied having any worries and said nothing.
Under Kangxi's persistent questioning, Wei Shuangxue finally spoke up, revealing the reason for her recent unease.
With a thud, Wei Shuangxue knelt down, disregarding her four-month pregnancy, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Kangxi tried to help her up, but she refused. Helpless, he looked at Wei Shi on the ground and said in a low voice, "What is it that you need to do this for?"
"Your Majesty, everything I am about to say is true and I have no intention of deceiving you."
Kangxi nodded, signaling her to continue.
Upon hearing this, Wei Shuangxue's body began to tremble slightly. "Your Highness, I was previously a second-class palace maid serving Consort Wuya, and we were very close. Some time ago, I overheard Consort Wuya talking to her maid Yuyin about wanting to..."
Looking up at Kangxi, Wei Shuangxue's eyes were filled with tears as she spoke softly, "She said she would eliminate the concubines and raise their children."
Wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes, Wei Shuangxue looked somewhat disappointed as she spoke to Kangxi.
“Your Majesty, this child was born to Consort Wuya. I will give her to her without complaint. However, I have seen that they have made a witchcraft doll to harm me.”
This tactic of retreating in order to advance not only demonstrated her attitude but also revealed her shock and fear, which, in turn, made Wu Yaxin appear even more ruthless.
Upon hearing this unexpected news, Kangxi's face darkened. "Is what you're saying true?"
“Every word I have said is true. I would never dare to deceive Your Majesty. I heard and saw all of this with my own ears.”
The art of witchcraft has existed since ancient times, but it has never appeared since the founding of the Qing Dynasty. I never expected it to appear in my own harem now.
He was a little skeptical of what Wei had just said, but seeing her tearful and sincere expression, he didn't think she was lying.
As a Manchu, Emperor Kangxi believed in such superstitious things to some extent, and therefore he took this matter to heart.
After a moment of contemplation, suppressing his emotions, he helped Wei up and gently comforted her with a few words.
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