Chapter 592 Shield 2
The First Madam's face immediately changed. "What nonsense are you talking about? Only the Emperor's women can stay in the palace!"
I know you're worried about your sister. I can find some skilled healers to take her to your sister's side. You don't need to do that!
"Quickly dismiss this idea, or your mother won't take you to the palace."
Ning Yan quickly pleaded, "Fine, I won't say anything more, okay? I absolutely have to see my sister today, otherwise I won't feel at ease."
Seeing that she had behaved herself, the First Madam calmed down and quickly sent a token to the palace. The mother and daughter even waited at the palace gate.
The Emperor had always favored Ning Xuexian, and the position of Empress was originally reserved for her. He also regarded the Ning family as his in-laws. When he heard that his mother-in-law wanted to see her daughter, he immediately invited her into Consort Xue's palace.
Ning Xuexian was overjoyed to hear that her mother and sister had arrived, and she had already instructed people to prepare fruit and refreshments for them.
As soon as the First Madam entered the hall, Ning Xuexian, adorned with jewels, took her mother's and sister's hands, saying, "Mother, sister, you've finally come to see your daughter."
First Madam: "I haven't paid my respects yet."
"You are my mother, there's no need for formalities." With that, she waved her hand, dismissing all the maids.
Seeing that no one was in the hall, the First Madam quickly pulled her daughter aside and asked, "Xian'er, tell your mother, are you pregnant?"
Ning Xuexian subconsciously covered her lower abdomen: "How did Mother know? It's been a month and a half already. The Emperor said he would announce the good news to you once the pregnancy was stable."
The First Madam's heart skipped a beat.
If she is indeed pregnant, will what happens next actually occur?
"What's wrong, Mother? Shouldn't you be happy that your daughter is pregnant?"
Ning Yan quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "Mother, let's sit down and talk, don't let my sister worry."
The three of them then sat down on the chairs. Ning Yan asked, "Sister, what was the name of the maid who was guarding the door just now?"
"You mean Bai Shu? She's my second-class palace maid. She was assigned here by the Imperial Household Department after I entered the palace."
"Who in the palace knows that my sister is pregnant?"
"Besides the Emperor and me, there was only the imperial physician who took my pulse that day, the spring rain and the awakening of insects that I brought from home, and the start of summer and the start of winter that the Emperor arranged for."
Why are you asking this?
Ning Xuexian changed her name later, so all of her names are based on the solar terms.
“Sister, that maid smells of medicinal herbs on her. I’m sure I’m not mistaken.”
"What?" The First Madam stood up excitedly. "Then could you smell what kind of medicinal herbs were on that girl?"
Ning Yan nodded: "It is purple pearl grass, but the smell is very faint, masked by other scents."
Mother, as you know, I grew up smelling medicine since birth. After my aunt passed away, I studied many medicinal herbs, and this smell is from Callicarpa japonica, which has contraceptive effects.
Now, neither the First Madam nor Ning Xuexian could sit still.
"Someone, go and invite the Emperor over."
The eunuch outside the palace immediately went to invite the emperor.
The First Madam pulled her daughter aside and asked, "What do you plan to say after inviting the Emperor?"
"Of course, we should tell the truth and let the Emperor investigate."
The Empress was in poor health, yet she managed palace affairs with remarkable efficiency.
Consort Xian is busy taking care of the eldest prince every day, hoping to win favor by having the child.
There was also Consort Liang, the daughter of General Qi, who was one of the four consorts, and then there was Consort Xue.
After that, there were also concubines, three talented women, and so on, totaling more than thirty people in the harem. Most of them were selected in this selection, and a small portion were concubines who were originally in the Crown Prince's palace.
She suspected that Bai Shu had been placed in her palace by some high-ranking concubine, and that such a matter should naturally be left to the Emperor to handle.
"But this matter has blown up. Now everyone in the harem knows you're pregnant. Wouldn't that make your pregnancy even more dangerous?"
The First Madam now only hopes that her daughter will give birth to this child safely; everything else comes after the child.
Ning Xuexian said, "Mother, I know what you are worried about. I was careless before. I thought that as long as the Emperor protected me, those women would have to think twice before they could touch me."
But I forgot that some things can be accomplished without them taking direct action.
Now that I've figured it out, I won't hold back anymore.
Soon, the Emperor arrived. Yin Chen, the eldest son of the late Emperor, was twenty-four years old this year. He was eight feet tall, with handsome features and a majestic presence. He had been diligent in his duties for three years since ascending the throne and could be considered a wise ruler.
As soon as he came in, his eyes were fixed on Ning Xuexian.
The mother and her two daughters quickly bowed to the Emperor.
"Quickly, no need for formalities, Xian'er. I told you there's no need for formalities, why do you always forget?"
The Emperor grabbed Ning Xuexian's arm and gently pulled her up.
"Your Majesty, etiquette is no laughing matter."
The Emperor smiled slightly, "I thought that with Lady Ning and your sister here, you would have a lot to say. Why did you call me over in such a hurry?"
Ning Xuexian recounted her sister's words with a face full of grievance. The Emperor's expression immediately darkened. He didn't think Xuefei's sister was being nosy. Xuefei was carrying his first child, and he couldn't be too careful.
He immediately summoned the imperial physician, then called Bai Shu in, and even sent people to search Bai Shu's residence.
After examining Bai Zhu, the imperial physician found that she did indeed find the Purple Pearl Grass in the purse tied around her waist, and also found a thousand-tael silver note and a gold bracelet at her residence.
"Your Majesty, the Purple Pearl Grass has a contraceptive effect. Pregnant women who take it will suffer from habitual miscarriage. Fortunately, she probably didn't have time to do it. Consort Xue and her child are both safe."
Bai Shu was only a second-class palace maid, and usually had no chance to get close to Ning Xuexian.
The emperor breathed a sigh of relief and then ordered his men to drag Bai Shu away and torture her severely to force her to reveal who was behind it all.
Ning Xuexian stepped forward and grasped the Emperor's hand. "Fortunately, my sister is here today, and fortunately, our child is blessed with good fortune. Otherwise, I would have been harmed today."
I'm so scared...
The Emperor quickly comforted his beloved, "Don't be afraid, I will protect you. This time, whoever tries to harm you or my son, I will make sure they die a horrible death!"
He offered words of comfort, but inwardly he was extremely anxious. He had been on high alert, searching around Xian'er again and again, yet someone had still managed to slip through his defenses.
How can I protect the woman I love and their child?
At this moment, Ning Yan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Your Majesty only has one prince. At this time, no matter which concubine is revealed to be pregnant, it will not be very safe for you to be around."
"I am worried about my elder sister's safety and wish to enter the palace to stay by her side. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."
The Emperor's gaze immediately fell on Ning Yan. He assumed she was one of those vain women who used the excuse of taking care of her sister to climb into the Emperor's bed. But her eyes were clear and innocent, showing nothing but worry.
Then he looked at Xuefei.
Ning Xuexian shook her head: "Yan'er, I know you want to protect me, but how can an older sister be protected by her younger sister? You just need to grow up safely. You don't need to worry about me."
"Sister, only when you are well can our family be well, and only then can our parents be well."
Besides, the food and lodging in the palace are excellent. I just keep my sister company and talk to her; I don't have to do any work. So what's all this talk about protecting her?
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