At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, everyone was toasting and laughing. The Emperor was in high spirits. The most delightful news was that Consort Chen, who was extremely favored and loved by all, was pregnant.
When the imperial physician announced the news with a joyful expression, the emperor laughed heartily, a rare moment of loss of composure, and everyone's face showed the same surprise.
I thought that Consort Chen was already at the height of her favor, but unexpectedly, one good thing after another happened. Not long after entering the palace, she became pregnant with the emperor's child. If she gave birth to a prince, when the emperor abdicated normally, the little prince would have just grown up, which would be a great threat to the other five princes.
Those who were quick-witted had already turned to look at the princes' faces, and sure enough, they were all as black as the bottom of a pot. They had obviously thought of that possibility and felt a sense of crisis.
The third and fifth princes looked the most displeased. The third prince was the frontrunner for the throne, with a noble status and a powerful maternal family. With just a word from the emperor, the entire court would support his chosen crown prince, and the third prince's advantage would vanish instantly.
The Fifth Prince's face was ashen, his heart filled with indescribable emotions—jealousy, anger, and even a hint of unease. If Jiang Wuyou had her own child, would she still wholeheartedly help him?
The child in Jiang Wuyou's womb is not only a formidable rival to him, but also proof of Jiang Wuyou's betrayal. How could his woman bear a child for another man? Regardless of the purpose, this child must not be allowed to live.
Having been reborn, the Fifth Prince was more stable and quickly regained his usual gentle smile. He subtly glanced at the Third Prince beside him, whose third brother was a very useful pawn!
The ups and downs of others did not affect Wuyou. She touched her flat belly with delight, her heart racing. This was not her first time being a mother, but this child had a very special meaning for her, one she would never forget.
“Wuyou, this is so wonderful… so wonderful…” Zhou Huaijin was at a loss, looking at Wuyou, wanting to touch her but not daring to, and kept muttering to himself, as if he were a father for the first time.
Wuyou reached out and grasped his large hand. The warmth quickly spread from her palm to her whole body. She looked at the group of people below, their expressions varied, each harboring their own secrets. She then touched her abdomen.
He would never allow anyone to harm his child, no matter what.
The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet ended in an eerie atmosphere. The princes returned to their residences to discuss their plans, each with their own thoughts. The concubines in the harem also stayed up all night, tossing and turning. They were already out of favor, and now a new imperial concubine had appeared, who was pregnant with a child, posing a great threat to them and their sons.
The people in the kilometer were all shrewd and quick to act. Before long, Wuyou discovered the abortion drug in the food. The dosage was so small that it would not be easily detected, but these were nothing more than child's play for Wuyou.
When Zhou Huaijin learned of this, he was furious. This was his and Wuyou's child, the fruit of their love. How could he allow unrelated people to lay a hand on his wife and child? So Zhou Huaijin took action.
He ordered the arrest of everyone involved, subjecting them to severe torture and interrogation. The mastermind was quickly uncovered: Consort Li, the mother of the Second Prince. Consort Li was of humble birth, and giving birth to the Second Prince was considered extremely lucky. She had remained largely unknown until now, when she dared to act in such a manner. Zhou Huaijin ordered her execution without hesitation. Her family was exiled to remote areas and barred from taking the imperial examinations for three years. Even the Second Prince was banished to a harsh and desolate region as an official, rarely allowed to return to the capital.
Over the years, Zhou Huaijin has cultivated a more refined character and rarely resorts to deadly moves. The current situation clearly shows he's truly angered and has been provoked. This has also changed others' perceptions of Wuyou; the influence of this Consort Chen on the Emperor far exceeds what ordinary people can imagine.
This tactic also temporarily deterred those who were tempted to act, preventing them from running into trouble.
A light autumn rain began to fall outside, bringing a chill that seeped into the bones. A snow-white pigeon flapped its wings and perched on the windowsill, cooing softly, its endearing clumsiness evident.
A woman leaned back on a soft couch, her jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders, adding to her languid and natural charm. Her bright, almond-shaped eyes gazed at the pigeons perched on the window, her eyebrows curving slightly in a smile.
"Wuyou, it's time for your pregnancy-stabilizing medicine." Zhou Huaijin, dressed in a bright yellow casual robe, squeezed his tall figure into a corner on Wuyou's soft couch, the medicine in his hand emitting a strong, bitter smell.
After finishing her medicine, Wuyou looked at the man beside her, reaching out to trace his handsome face with her hand, the light pressure causing a slight tickle. Then his brow furrowed slightly, forming a beautiful arc. "Why do you look so haggard? It's only been a day. What happened?"
"I'm fine, you don't need to worry. You just need to take good care of yourself and the baby. I'll handle everything else." Zhou Huaijin held Wuyou's playful hand and kissed it lightly, his tone gentle and doting.
"No way, how can I let you bear all the burdens alone? I'm not a little woman hiding behind a man. If you see me that way, you don't understand me at all." Wuyou reached out and pushed Zhou Huaijin's face away, her tone firm.
"Now, quickly give me my medicine and lie down here to rest." Before Zhou Huaijin could even open his mouth to argue, Wuyou propped himself up, several pairs of eyes staring intently at him with a commanding tone.
"Alright!" Zhou Huaijin smiled helplessly.
Before long, Sanxi brought over a bowl of medicinal soup. The medicine was stronger and more bitter, and upon closer inspection, one could detect a faint, almost imperceptible, sour taste. This was a new formula developed by the imperial physicians under Wuyou's tutelage, known for its calming and sleep-inducing effects, and remarkably effective in relaxing the mind.
Wuyou's nostrils twitched slightly, her eyes flashed, and she turned to look at Zhou Huaijin, her tone serious. "I've changed my mind now. You should rest and take your medicine after you wake up."
Zhou Huaijin smiled bitterly, but his instincts made him obediently lie down on the soft couch. After all, it was the familiar, elegant bamboo scent, and he gradually drifted off to sleep.
Once she was sure everyone was sound asleep, Wuyou tiptoed off the bed and beckoned to Sanxi, "Let me see the Emperor's medicine."
Sanxi wasn't some clueless naive girl. Upon hearing this, she instinctively tensed up, immediately realizing something was wrong, and quickly handed the medicine to Wuyou.
“There’s something wrong with this medicine.” He pulled out the silver needle and stirred it gently. Although it didn’t turn black, the sour and astringent taste became more and more obvious. Judging from the thickness of the medicine, Wuyou became more and more certain of his guess. He threw the silver needle aside and spoke in a cold tone.
"What? The food served to the Emperor is handled by his trusted confidants, how could there be a problem?" Sanxi's suspicions were confirmed, and he was terrified.
"Don't be impatient, don't alert them. I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Don't tell the Emperor yet." Wuyou's eyes flashed. Under these circumstances, the only people who would drug Zhou Huaijin are those princes.
Unable to harm the child in her womb, she turned on Zhou Huaijin; how cunning!
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