The queen's first reaction was disbelief. No one in the palace had been pregnant in so many years, but Jiang Yi could be pregnant?
She had just gone to see the empress dowager when this news came. It was hard to say whether it was false news deliberately spread by the emperor to protect Jiang Yi.
After all, there are few children in the harem. If someone is pregnant with the emperor's child, who this person is, what her identity is, and what mistakes she has made can all be ignored.
So the queen called the imperial physicians to verify, but the physicians ultimately disappointed the queen.
The queen was in a very heavy mood for a moment.
It has been many years since she was as anxious as she is today.
Regardless of the old grudge between Jiang Yi and Prince Cheng's Mansion, or Jiang Yi's current status as the Imperial Noble Consort, this child cannot be born.
Or they could kill the mother and keep the child, just like Concubine Li who was pregnant with Princess Qingping.
But Li Pin was different from Jiang Yihe. Li Pin was plain-looking and was just a beauty when she first entered the palace. Even if she gave birth to a child, the child should have been raised by the queen.
However, as soon as Jiang Yi entered the palace, she became the imperial concubine. Even with the emperor's connivance, Jiang Yi was superior to her.
Not only would Jiang Yi's child not be raised in her care, but it was very likely that the child would threaten her already precarious position as queen.
Like Princess Cheng, the Queen was a woman who was more dignified than beautiful, not to mention that she was now old and her relationship with the Emperor was not deep.
Her only chance of winning against Jiang Yi is her family background, but this chance can be offset by the threat of her offspring.
The queen suddenly felt as if she was facing a formidable enemy, but she did not act rashly.
The queen had someone keep an eye on the Yaochi Palace and discovered that the emperor was watching it very closely, almost impenetrable.
Not only were there people checking him whenever he came and went, the emperor even asked his secret guards to protect Jiang Yi.
Under such circumstances, it would be very difficult to take action against Jiang Yi.
At least it is impossible to poison her.
We can only find other ways.
What about shooting directly?
While the queen was lost in thought, a palace maid suddenly came in and reported, "Your Majesty, the little princess said she couldn't sleep and wanted to come and see you."
"Let Qingping in." The queen said hurriedly. Looking at Princess Qingping who walked in slowly, the queen suddenly had an idea.
"Why can't you sleep? Is there something bothering you?" the queen asked kindly.
"Mother." Princess Qingping observed the Empress' expression and said with great concern, "I heard that Father recently took in a new Imperial Noble Consort, whom he dotes on very much. I'm worried that you'll be sad, so I wanted to come and keep you company."
Princess Qingping was held in the Queen's lap since she was born. Although she was taken care of by a wet nurse most of the time, she admired the Queen very much.
Her personality is similar to that of the late Concubine Yun, and she is quite reserved. However, because she has been spoiled since childhood, she is a bit more lively and cheerful, but she is still considerate by nature.
The Queen said quietly, "I am already this old, so I am fine. I am just worried about you."
Princess Qingping was stunned for a moment, "Why is my mother worried about me?"
"Silly child, you don't know yet, do you?" the Queen said, "The Imperial Concubine is now pregnant. Once she gives birth, you will not be your father's only child."
"If she gave birth to a boy, everyone in the palace would revolve around her child and forget about my own peace and quiet."
Princess Qingping stammered, "No... That can't be."
The Queen said, "Of course not. Everything you have now is entirely because you are the Emperor's only child. If the Emperor had other children, he would inevitably be estranged from you."
"If the Imperial Concubine is jealous, she might instigate your father to marry you off to a distant land, or even arrange a marriage for a foreign prince."
"I'm afraid even my mother won't be able to protect you by then."
Speaking of marrying far away, Princess Qingping's face turned pale for a moment.
She didn't have many hobbies except reading. Many princesses who married for foreign countries in the books didn't have a good life, so she was a little scared.
She had just turned ten, and in five years she would be able to get married.
"What should I do then?" Princess Qingping looked up at the Queen. "I don't want to marry far away."
The Queen didn't want to be too explicit and simply said, "I can't help it. Well, it all started with the Imperial Concubine and her unborn child."
"Forget it, there's no point in thinking so much. It's getting late, you should go back and get some rest."
Princess Qingping had no choice but to retreat anxiously.
The queen's trusted nanny stepped forward and said, "Why did you say so much to the princess just now? She is just a child."
The Queen glanced at her trusted nanny with displeasure, "I have raised her, so she must do something for me. But this child is really useless."
"Well, how about this? You can give her some advice tomorrow. Tell her that it's for her future and ask her to please the Imperial Concubine. It would be great if she could personally send some food to the Imperial Concubine."
"Let someone unrelated tell her this, just don't involve me."
The nanny had no choice but to agree.
The Queen thought about it again, and considering Princess Qingping's personality, she felt that the chances of success were not very high, so she sent someone to deliver a letter to Prince Cheng's Mansion.
When Princess Cheng received the letter from the Queen, she was exhausted.
There was no other reason, it was just that after she returned from the palace that day, Jiang Yi had people give King Cheng many beautiful maids.
These maids came from the palace. Each of them was as smart as a human and was very good at pleasing the king.
Not only that, they often ganged up on her - Princess Cheng used to focus on her son Chu Chengfeng, and her relationship with King Cheng became increasingly distant. She used to have a son who was the crown prince, but now this son is useless.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
