After the Empress left, the Empress Dowager asked her trusted nanny about it.
What do you think of the Queen's suggestion?
"Logically speaking, it wouldn't be wrong for the Emperor to hold a selection of consorts to continue the lineage after the late Emperor's coffin is buried. However, the Empress brought it up today, probably because she wants you to talk to the Emperor about this matter."
"The Emperor once favored Lady Nian greatly, and I believe he did have some genuine affection for her. However, Lady Nian was frail, and his favor, in my eyes, was like poison coated in honey. He didn't understand, and Lady Nian didn't understand either!"
The Empress Dowager sensed that the fate of this imperial couple wouldn't be good; she just didn't know when it would end.
"Your Majesty's meaning..."
"The harem certainly needs some liveliness."
Jia Yue was naturally unaware of the Empress's plans and the Empress Dowager's thoughts; those were matters for the future.
Back to Chuxiu Palace, since Granny Chen arrived, the rules of Chuxiu Palace have become even stricter. Granny Chen is indeed a veteran nanny, having served the Empress Dowager for many years. Her arrival has made things much easier for Jia Yue.
Although Bao Chun is a good person, he is young and inexperienced.
Chen Mama was dedicated, and Jia Yue was generous in return. It was rare for Yinzhen to be so generous to her, so the Imperial Household Department dared not neglect her and gave Chen Mama a lot of rewards they could.
She treated Granny Chen well, and Granny Chen, whose heart wasn't made of stone, served her even more attentively.
Chuxiu Palace remained safe and sound.
As the days went by, Jia Yue's belly grew bigger and bigger.
Although Yinzhen returned to the inner palace, he did not stay overnight because Kangxi had not yet been buried, and he was indeed busy with the affairs of the court.
Although the mess left by Emperor Kangxi was not as bad as in history, it still needed to be cleaned up. He was a workaholic, and reviewing memorials gave him more of a sense of accomplishment than women.
The harem, where there is no need for concubines to sleep with the emperor, naturally appears to be much calmer.
Jia Yue is almost nine months pregnant.
Many in the harem were eyeing her pregnancy, and many were surprised to see that Jia Yue had been able to nurture the fetus for so long.
The instigator, Consort Xi, had a bad feeling.
"Didn't they say that Consort Jing's pregnancy wasn't going well? If it wasn't going well, why has she been keeping her baby for so long? She's almost full term now."
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Just because the baby is alive doesn't mean it's healthy. Don't forget, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager sent Granny Chen to Chuxiu Palace. Granny Chen is probably good at taking care of pregnant women. Your Majesty, it's really not advisable to make any big moves right now."
With the Empress Dowager watching, the Empress couldn't remain indifferent. The lack of offspring in the harem was, frankly, a dereliction of duty by the Empress.
When the imperial concubine miscarried, Yinzhen was no fool.
"Forget it, even if we can give birth, we might not be able to raise the child. Let's just let it go this time."
Another month or so passed before Jia Yue finally felt the urge to give birth.
The midwife was arranged by the Empress, so Jia Yue wasn't completely at ease about it, but she wasn't particularly worried either.
Whether the Empress was truly virtuous is hard to say, but at this critical juncture, she wouldn't be allowed to give birth to a stillborn child. At most, the mother would be expelled and the child kept, though that's highly unlikely.
As long as she isn't killed outright, she has a chance to survive.
Soon, she entered the delivery room, with Granny Chen taking charge.
The Empress arrived quickly upon receiving the news, and the other concubines of the harem also rushed over. As for Yinzhen, it was rare that he had time, since it was his child, and his first child after ascending the throne, so he also came.
When Yinzhen arrived, the Empress remained calm.
The imperial concubine looked at him with deep affection, and Yinzhen gave her a reassuring look.
Consort Xi lowered her head, recalling the time when she gave birth to Hongli, when Yinzhen was not present.
She might not love Yinzhen, but she always felt uneasy knowing he had her but she didn't.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
"Your Majesty, there's no need for such formalities. You may all rise as well."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"How is Consort Jing?"
"Consort Jing has only recently given birth, so it will probably take some more time before she gives birth."
"Um."
Inside the delivery room, Jia Yue felt intense pain. Chen Mama and Bao Chun were both watching the midwife closely.
About half an hour after Yinzhen arrived, the sound of crying came from the delivery room.
Honestly, people outside reacted in various ways when they heard such a loud cry.
It is common knowledge that sickly babies are born with weak cries, a fact that is almost common sense among the concubines in the harem, and Yinzhen was also aware of it.
A loud sound, to a certain extent, indicates that the child is healthy.
As is widely known, there are rumors that Jia Yue's pregnancy is not going well.
This is quite interesting. You see, ever since Jia Yue left Yikun Palace, she has never left Chuxiu Palace again. She has been staying in Chuxiu Palace to rest and prepare for childbirth. Not everyone can endure such loneliness.
Jia Yue breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the child's cries.
At least the midwife was alright. After the imperial physician confirmed that the child was healthy, Jia Yue said, "Mama Chen, take the child out for the Emperor and Empress to see."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Granny Chen carried the child out and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Consort Jing and the Sixth Prince are all safe and sound."
Yinzhen's face lit up with joy. Jiayue had given birth too quickly. In fact, he had already realized that her pregnancy was probably healthier than rumored.
However, he doesn't mind for the sake of his child.
She was able to stay quietly in Chuxiu Palace for several months for the sake of her child, which shows her loving motherly heart.
Having not received much love from his mother in his childhood, Yinzhen was always more tolerant of those who had a maternal heart.
"Bring the Sixth Prince here so I can see him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Granny Chen carried the Sixth Prince closer. Yinzhen glanced at the child; although he was wrinkled, he was of a good size, and his little hands were constantly moving, showing that he was a healthy child.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
