Chapter 18: The Dark Emperor vs. the Delicate Palace Maid

When she woke up, Chuli became a permanent being.

She looked at the palace maids who were taking care of her, as if she were in a dream.

The emperor gave her the Suihuaxuan as a place to live, saying that the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers here were more suitable for her name.

The fake pregnancy brought me a promotion, so it wasn't a loss at all.

But how did she get promoted? After being confused by the system, I suddenly had no idea.

At this time, the imperial concubine arrived.

Hatsuri was surprised when she heard the title.

How did she become a concubine?

Concubine Chao Gui had a lifeless face and looked very haggard. She sat on the edge of her bed and laughed at herself.

"I have been in the palace for six years. I have always been ignored. The emperor doesn't love me, the imperial concubine doesn't like me, and the queen mother doesn't like me. I finally thought that I could have a child to keep myself safe forever. I had a trump card, but I didn't expect that you would make the emperor remember you. I don't know whether you are capable or scheming. You knew that I needed you, but you repaid me like this and became the emperor's concubine. Chu Li, I already know all your schemes."

Chu Li sneered and ignored her, but she did not show any weakness in her words: "My queen, you don't really think that I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life just because you gave me a few sets of clothes and a few worthless jewelry? You are so stupid. You planned everything carefully and said that it was for the sake of the child, but your purpose is far more than that. Who in the harem doesn't want to be the queen?"

These words seemed to have touched her heart. Concubine Chao was so angry that her mouth was shaking. The imperial physician had told her that she must not get angry because it would harm her body.

She stared at Chu Li viciously, as if she wanted to see through her, but she couldn't understand Chu Li. She had always been on guard, but she didn't expect that anything would go wrong with the Emperor.

After all, he is the man she loves, what can she do?

"I treat you very well, but you slander me for coveting the position of empress?"

Chu Li was tired and yawned deliberately.

She said in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty, I have to thank you for this child. But I am a little tired. I wonder if you are okay?"

The implication is to drive her away.

Concubine Chao Gui was furious, pointing at her and scolding her for not having any image at all: "Do you think you can become the empress just because you have a child? The emperor still gave you the position of a concubine. You are a million miles away from me!"

Seeing her so angry, Chu Li felt relieved.

She continued to yawn, relying on her pregnancy to show off her power, "Hey, you said I was tired, Madam, please go back. I am pregnant with a dragon seed, otherwise, are you pregnant too?"

These words made Concubine Chao Gui so angry that she couldn't refute at all.

She was infertile, and this was undoubtedly like rubbing salt into her wounds. She had no choice but to leave this place.

After returning home, she vented her anger to the imperial physician: "What a jerk! Didn't they check for a few days and say that you are not pregnant? Are you lying to me?"

The imperial physician knelt on the ground and begged for mercy, unable to explain such signs: "Please spare my life, Madam Noble Concubine. When I took her pulse, there was indeed no sign of pregnancy! Moreover, Princess Hatsuri has been with the Emperor for more than a week. I can swear on my family that what I said is not a lie!"

Seeing him swear such a cruel oath, Concubine Chao Gui couldn't help but doubt whether Chu Li was really pregnant.

If she finds out, I will definitely die.

Ever since Hatsuri became a charioteer, the news spread throughout the palace.

The news of her pregnancy indeed caused a sensation throughout the capital.

It is said that the emperor has hope of having an heir. This is the first time in all these years.

The Queen Mother learned of this and hurried back from the temple to visit Hatsuri.

When she stepped into the palace and saw the woman's rosy face and the food she was eating, the Queen Mother's jaw almost dropped to the ground as she stood at the door.

This girl is really optimistic.

"I pay my respects to the Queen Mother. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness."

Hatsuri reacted immediately and bowed.

She learned etiquette very well, thanks to the teaching of Aunt Rong, and no one could match her posture in saluting.

The Queen Mother looked left and right as if she was sizing up Hatsuri.

Sigh: "The last time I saw you was more than a month ago. I didn't expect you to suddenly become the emperor's concubine. You really surprised me. There were so many concubines in the harem, but you didn't get married. Now you let me see hope for the future."

After hearing this, Chuli smiled with her two fangs showing. She was still a little insecure about the system's fake pregnancy skill, and was afraid that it would be exposed. She would be very upset then.

Seeing the Queen Mother's delight, Chu Li once again silently said in her heart: I must work hard to serve her well in bed and give birth to more children!

"Empress Dowager, my relationship with the Emperor was actually an accident..."

The Queen Mother interrupted her and did not let her continue. "It doesn't matter. I don't care about your background. In this huge palace, the offspring I have prayed for for many years has finally come true. As long as it is the emperor's dragon seed, I can accept any status. It's just that this position is a bit low. The emperor..."

Before he could finish his words, a voice came from outside: "The emperor has arrived."

Shen Yan hurried back here, and when he heard that the Queen Mother had returned to the palace, he rushed to Chu Li. Fearing that the Queen Mother would be embarrassed, he asked the eunuchs to send him here without stopping.

Seeing that Chuli's complexion had recovered, he finally put his worries to rest.

"Why did the Queen suddenly come here?"

The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Emperor, how long are you going to keep this a secret from me?"

"You are joking, Queen Mother. I just found out about this a few days ago. It's just that Li Changzai is weak and she is less than a week pregnant. She is in a critical period and needs to be carefully cared for."

The Queen Mother nodded, her face serious: "Emperor, you said that whoever is pregnant will be the Queen, right?"

Shen Yan knew that the Queen Mother was concerned about the position of Empress, and the country could not be without an heir. Shen Yan had also thought about whether he should directly promote Chu Li to the position of Empress.

But her background and ability are not enough for the job.

Not only will she be framed by the harem, but she will also be slandered by the imperial court.

"Replying to the Empress Dowager, I plan to wait until the child is born safely before officially enthroning him. I'm afraid Concubine An will have a hard time during this period."

Hatsuri shook her head, already satisfied with this.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty. It is my great honor to serve Your Majesty. I will take good care of this child in the future. I hope to give birth to him soon and let him grow up quickly."

The Queen Mother was more and more pleased as she listened. She gave the bracelet on her hand to Chu Li and said earnestly: "I value the heir very much. If anyone wants to harm you, you can find me and the emperor. I and the emperor will take care of it for you."

As expected, she was the champion of last year's palace fight.

The Queen Mother unexpectedly thought of a plot that even Hatsuri herself had not thought of.

"I obey your command."

At this time, Concubine Chao Gui had been trying to kill Chu Li behind her back. She could never accept that her child had become someone else's wedding dress to become a phoenix.