In the imperial harem, everyone is an enemy. If you are favored, you become someone else's target; if you are not favored, you become someone else's object of bullying and exploitation.
She was favored by the emperor, and Consort Jia was pregnant but did not receive any affection from the emperor. Consort Jia could not blame the emperor, so she naturally took her anger out on her. There was nothing she could do, since she was a newcomer and had a low rank!
"System, you just said that Jiafei's baby isn't doing well, right?"
"Yes, her frequent pregnancies are very harmful to the children."
Will she be able to give birth to this baby?
"If you take good care of her, she should be able to give birth, but she won't grow up to be big."
Ji Huan's eyes flickered slightly; she couldn't keep him!
Ji Huan then summoned Shu Xiang.
"Consort Jia's pregnancy is not going well. Have someone inform Granny Chen and have her spread the word."
Telling Granny Chen was meant to cheer her up and give her something to look forward to. Also, she wanted to spread the word that she had no intention of harming the child, even if the child couldn't be raised. However, she was afraid that Consort Jia might try to extort money from her.
What if Consort Jia is the kind of ruthless person who would use pregnancy to frame someone? She had just had a verbal disagreement with Consort Jia.
When Granny Chen learned that Consort Jia's pregnancy was not going well, she was indeed very happy. Then, as instructed, she began to bewitch Consort Shu, using Consort Shu's connections to spread rumors that Consort Jia's pregnancy was not going well and that she might not be able to give birth.
The news spread like wildfire.
When Consort Jia received the news, she was so angry that she smashed a lot of things: "What happened? Who spread the rumor that my pregnancy is not going well?"
"Your Majesty, the news started spreading from behind the artificial hill in the Imperial Garden. This servant is incompetent and has not been able to find out who did it."
"Well, they mean well. These things are indeed difficult to investigate. But I'm afraid my pregnancy will displease the Emperor. The Eighth Prince was born at an inauspicious time, so I have to take responsibility for this pregnancy myself."
Consort Jia has already safely given birth to two sons, so she naturally has trustworthy imperial physicians. How could she not know that even if this child is born, it will be difficult to raise? Originally, she wanted to find a gullible husband, but now it seems that she probably won't be able to find one.
When Emperor Qianlong arrived, Ji Huan said with great concern, "Your Majesty, a couple of days ago I met with Consort Jia in private to pay my respects, and I noticed that Consort Jia's complexion was not good. There are constant rumors in the harem that Consort Jia is pregnant with a child that Your Majesty is afraid of. I feel worried whenever I think about it being Your Majesty's child. We are about to go to the Yuanmingyuan. Why doesn't Your Majesty send a few more imperial physicians to examine Consort Jia?"
Emperor Qianlong: "Rumors? What rumors?!"
Ji Huan explained, “Your Majesty is busy with many affairs of state. In the last two days, many rumors have suddenly spread in the harem that Consort Jia’s pregnancy is not going well. Although I am not particularly close to Consort Jia, I can’t help but worry when I think that she is carrying Your Majesty’s child. Regardless of whether the rumors are true or false, it is always good to have a few more imperial physicians examine her.”
Emperor Qianlong was pleased: "My beloved consort is very thoughtful. Consort Jia will also appreciate your kindness when she finds out. I will arrange for more imperial physicians to examine Consort Jia's pulse."
"This will put my mind at ease."
The next day, Emperor Qianlong summoned Li Yu.
What's the story behind the rumors in the palace that Consort Jia's pregnancy is not going well?
"Your Majesty, I have only just heard about this rumor and have just investigated it and was about to report it to Your Majesty."
Who spread the word?
"It is Consort Shu."
"It was Consort Shu? Noble Lady Rou didn't get involved?"
"This servant has not found any trace of Consort Rou."
"Indeed, she hasn't been in the palace long, so she probably can't do it. Let's arrange for two trustworthy imperial physicians to accompany me to see Consort Jia!"
Since Consort Jia is capable of giving birth, he cannot ignore her pregnancy; it is his child too. Regardless of any scheming involved, he does need to know the specifics.
As a result, Consort Xian and Consort Chun suppressed the rumors, and Consort Jia was greeted by Emperor Qianlong and two imperial physicians.
Consort Jia curtsied: "Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
"You're pregnant, sit down and talk."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I heard that your pregnancy is not going well, so I specially brought two imperial physicians to see you. Physician Zhao and Physician Zhang, come and take Consort Jia's pulse."
Emperor Qianlong's arrival was sudden, and he even used two imperial physicians that she hadn't bribed. Consort Jia immediately knew that the imperial physicians she had bribed were likely to be implicated.
Despite her displeasure, Consort Jia put on a cheerful face: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern."
As she spoke, she obediently extended her hand, waiting for the imperial physician to take her pulse. Two imperial physicians took turns taking her pulse and then concluded that Consort Jia's pregnancy was indeed not good and she needed to rest in bed. Even so, the child would be weak after birth.
Although the imperial physician spoke cryptically, Emperor Qianlong still understood that the child probably wouldn't survive.
Though heartbroken, Emperor Qianlong comforted her, saying, "Take good care of yourself during your pregnancy. The journey to the Yuanmingyuan was arduous. My beloved consort, you should rest quietly in the palace."
Emperor Qianlong still wanted to save this child who might never grow up. Although the journey to the Yuanmingyuan was not far, it would still be a bumpy ride by carriage. He felt that Consort Jia should not go.
Consort Jia paused for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your consideration for me and the child. I will certainly take good care of the child in my womb."
Thinking of her condition, Emperor Qianlong said, "My dear consort, you are very thoughtful. This puts my mind at ease. By the way, which imperial physician used to examine Consort Jia's pulse?"
The second half of his question was directed at Li Yu.
Li Yu immediately replied, "It's Wang Xingde from the Imperial Medical Academy, Physician Wang."
"The Imperial Physician Wang's medical skills are inadequate. Consort Jia is pregnant and should not bleed. He is hereby expelled from the Imperial Hospital, and his family members within three generations are not allowed to enter the Imperial Hospital."
Consort Jia, reluctant to part with her trusted imperial physician, immediately said, "Your Majesty, Physician Wang, he..."
Emperor Qianlong interrupted, "I know that my beloved consort is kind-hearted, but even Physician Wang couldn't accurately predict the baby's condition. Keeping such a physician in the Imperial Hospital would be a waste of the salary I've given him. A physician with poor skills can endanger lives. My beloved consort, please don't plead for him."
Consort Jia understood Qianlong's warning and immediately dared not say another word.
As is well known, Emperor Qianlong disliked people disobeying him.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey."
Emperor Qianlong patted her hand with satisfaction.
With Emperor Qianlong's seal indicating that the pregnancy was not auspicious, Consort Jia's pregnancy could no longer be used to harm others.
In addition, she lost a useful imperial physician, and it won't be easy to win over another one.
Furthermore, she can no longer go to the Yuanmingyuan. Emperor Qianlong liked to stay at the Yuanmingyuan, which means that she may not see him for the next six months or more.
The imperial harem had many concubines, each with their own merits. Although Consort Jia was beautiful, there were always better ones. Her long absence from the palace meant that her favor had waned.
When Ji Huan found out, she happily ate an extra half bowl of rice.
She didn't like people jumping in front of her. Originally, she hadn't thought of Jiafei, but there was nothing she could do, since she had danced in front of her!
After Emperor Qianlong left, Consort Jia frowned and said, "Continue to investigate for me and find out who spread the news."
She suffered heavy losses this time. Trusted imperial physicians are hard to come by. In all her years in the palace, she had only managed to bribe one. Now she felt extremely insecure.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
On the other side, Consort Shu smiled with satisfaction upon learning the outcome.
After learning that her infertility was caused by a concubine of bondservant origin, she harbored deep hatred for these concubines of bondservant origin in the harem. When Consort Jia was unlucky, she wished she could set off firecrackers to celebrate.
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