"Mother is right. Grandmother is old and in poor health, so she shouldn't come to the palace. After a few years, I will ask the Emperor to allow me to leave the palace to visit my grandmother again."
Old Lady Bei wants to go to the palace and threaten to commit suicide. Bei Lingyao is in a difficult situation. If she really dies in Yufu Palace, it will be extremely disadvantageous to both her and the Bei family.
Ling immediately shook her head. "Your Highness, once you enter the palace, you are the Emperor's person. You must not act arbitrarily in front of the Emperor or become arrogant because of his favor. You must serve the Emperor well. Your Highness, your father, your seven brothers, and your sister-in-law will take care of the family affairs. Your Highness, do not worry or be concerned."
Bei Lingyao saw a hint of sadness between Ling's brows, and sighed in her heart how pitiful the parents in the world are.
Even though she was favored in the palace, Ling still couldn't sleep or eat well outside the palace.
When the mother and daughter were talking privately, Bei Lingyao held Ling's hand, put it on her belly, and blinked.
Ling also blinked, not quite understanding, but soon realized what was going on and her eyes widened.
“This, this…this…”
"That's what mother is thinking. The imperial physician said that before the third month, the fetus is not stable and we can't reveal it yet. Mother is my mother, I'm only telling you."
"Yes, yes, you can't tell anyone."
Tears welled up in Ling's eyes, and a huge smile appeared on her face.
But when she thought of the conspiracies and intrigues in the harem, and the open and covert attacks, Ling became worried again.
"Or you can ask the Emperor to confine you to house arrest for three months, or until you give birth..."
"Mother, don't worry. The Emperor values his heir more than us. Yufu Palace is now protected by the Emperor like an iron barrel, and not a single leak can escape. As long as the Empress Dowager doesn't come out, your daughter doesn't need to go and pay her respects, so there's no need to worry."
Ling knew that she had no control over the affairs of the palace, but she was still very worried about her daughter's pregnancy.
"When my daughter is older, I will ask the Emperor to come to the palace to accompany her during the birthing process."
Bei Lingyao's words made Ling nod her head repeatedly. She wanted to go to the palace to accompany her daughter in giving birth.
I just hope my daughter can keep this baby and give birth safely.
At this time, all the concubines in the harem were talking about Concubine Bei with their families, and they all felt sorry for their daughters.
Some thought their daughters were not ambitious enough and could not attract the emperor.
Some regretted sending their daughters to the palace.
If I had known this would happen, I would have rather entered Prince Fu’s palace or married someone else as a noble lady.
But at the time, they were blinded by the imperial power and wanted to take a gamble, hoping that their daughters would be favored, that they would have an heir to the throne, and that they would be the mother of the country.
Now they are still unwilling to give up.
The eldest princess said, "Good luck in the New Year! On New Year's Day, I will join forces with the royal family to ask the emperor to allow a number of royal family sons to enter the palace and be raised by the concubines, to study in the Shangshufang, and then select the outstanding sons from among them to succeed the emperor."
Concubine Lu's eyes lit up, "Will the Emperor agree?"
"The Emperor is unwilling to select only one person, but if all the eligible sons of the royal family are to be trained in the palace, the Emperor will definitely not refuse."
The eldest princess put a lot of thought into ensuring her daughter could raise a royal heir.
Concubine Liu's face was filled with excitement and anticipation: "Is everything arranged?"
"My queen, everything has been arranged. Even if something happens, there will be no one to blame. We will not be implicated."
"I am at ease with your work."
Concubine Liu was satisfied. She knew that the emperor must not have been able to do it before, so she could understand why he did not enter the harem.
Now, as long as they get rid of Concubine Bei, they will have the opportunity to get close to the emperor.
In the evening, preparations for the palace banquet began.
Ling brought her daughter-in-law and granddaughter to Baohua Hall to attend the banquet.
Emperor Shengwu came in person to pick up Bei Lingyao. Although he had arranged for enhanced protection tonight, he was still nervous and worried.
Bei Lingyao held Emperor Shengwu's hand and said softly, "Your Majesty, don't worry. I'm fine."
It was impossible for Emperor Shengwu not to worry, as this was the first child he had been looking forward to at the age of 35.
"The Emperor has arrived—"
"Empress Bei has arrived!"
In the Baohua Hall, concubines, relatives, officials, wives and their families all arrived one after another, waiting for Emperor Shengwu to start the banquet.
Everyone looked at the two empty seats at the main table, separated by Concubine Liu and Concubine Lu, intentionally or unintentionally.
The left is the most respected position in the imperial court. The seat to the left of the emperor is the empress dowager, and to the right is the queen. The empress dowager was not there, and the queen was not present either, so no table was set up.
To the right of the emperor are the seats of concubines such as Concubine Liu, Concubine Lu, and Concubine Bei.
Concubine Liu and Concubine Lu were extremely excited. Although they were one meter away from the throne, this was the closest they had ever been to the emperor.
Concubine Lu was originally unhappy about the fact that Concubine Liu was between her and the emperor. Looking at Bei Lingyao who came with Emperor Shengwu, the silk handkerchief in her hand was twisted into a knot.
Concubine Liu was not in a much better state. She stared at Bei Lingyao intently. Looking at the dress and pretty face of Bei Lingyao, she was almost furious.
Wearing the same clothes as others is not a big deal, what’s scary is being outdone.
Today, Concubine Liu was wearing a bright purple bird-themed skirt embroidered with large peony flowers. The flowers were so numerous that it was hard to tell whether they were real or fake.
She is covered in jewels and looks like a beautiful flower in the world.
But although Concubine Liu had a beautiful face, her attire overshadowed her beauty and made her look a bit vulgar.
Bei Lingyao had her hair combed into fairy-like buns and was wearing a light purple wide-sleeved fairy dress that fluttered in the wind. She looked lively and elegant.
Everyone was amazed and felt that the fairy in heaven that they had imagined finally had a prototype.
A hint of gloating appeared on Concubine Lu's lips. Unlike Concubine Liu, she was a bright and beautiful woman.
She is wearing a gorgeous peacock feather dress, looking gorgeous and charming.
But Bei Lingyao noticed that the peacock feathers on Concubine Lu were real.
There was no such thing as animal protection at that time. Bei Lingyao had experienced the cruelty of the cultivation world and would not criticize Concubine Lu.
I just feel that compared with Concubine Liu and Concubine Lu, what I wear seems a bit simple.
However, Bei Lingyao didn't care whether she was outshined or not. After all, she was the only one who could give birth to a child for Emperor Shengwu.
Today, whether it is concubines or female relatives from various families, they are all dressed up carefully.
Just like hundreds of flowers in bloom, they are charming and beautiful, vying for beauty and grace, showing their grace and elegance.
Although the men's dress is simpler, it is also unique. In addition to the color and embroidery patterns of the clothes, a lot of thought has been put into the belts and hair crowns, the jade pendants hanging on the body, the jade sakura fingers in the hands, and the boots on the feet.
"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, and a thousand years and a thousand years of life for the Concubine Bei."
I don't know who started it, but everyone followed suit and shouted "Salute".
The roar of thunder and sea resounded throughout the entire hall, and Concubine Liu, Concubine Lu and the others were so angry that they were about to smoke.
When everyone knelt down, Emperor Shengwu took Bei Lingyao's hand and walked to the main seat, taking in the entire hall.
"Stand up"
"Thank you very much"
When everyone saw Bei Lingyao sitting next to Emperor Shengwu, their eyes fixed again.
Concubine Liu and Concubine Lu's faces were slightly distorted, and they almost couldn't control their expressions.
"Your Majesty, this is against the rules."
Concubine Liu couldn't help but speak. Even if she couldn't sit on the throne of queen, it was not something Concubine Bei could do.
Emperor Shengwu declared domineeringly: "I am the rule."
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