Anning was unaware of other people's opinions about her pregnancy, and she didn't really care about those opinions.
She was resting peacefully during her pregnancy. She didn't experience many pregnancy symptoms, and if it weren't for the people around her constantly reminding her, she really wouldn't feel any difference between being pregnant and not being pregnant.
It wasn't until her belly started to swell three or four months later that Anning realized she was pregnant.
Since she became pregnant, Emperor Kangxi would come over every few days. He didn't have the same patience for other concubines who were pregnant, which made many of the concubines who had given birth feel quite resentful.
The one who felt the most emotional was Consort De.
Consort De: "Back when I was pregnant with the Sixth Prince, my pregnancy was not going well. The Emperor would come to see me two or three times a month and stay overnight. This was enough to make the other concubines in the harem look on with envy. At that time, I thought that the Emperor's favor towards one person was nothing special. But now, the Emperor's favor towards Consort Shu is making me a little uneasy."
She wasn't afraid of being favored, but she was afraid that if Kangxi suddenly found a true love in his later years, then everything would be over.
The emperor's true love is something that defies reason.
The old nanny comforted him, saying, "His Majesty had to weigh many things in his early years. The fact that His Majesty still cared about Her Highness at that time shows that Her Highness is special to His Majesty. As for Consort Shu, I don't think she is a threat. After all, His Majesty is already forty."
It is well known that most emperors did not live long lives, but Emperor Kangxi was a diligent ruler.
Twenty years later, Consort Shu would be old, which is why the old woman felt that An Ning was nothing to fear.
Consort De was indeed comforted: "What you said is right."
Just then, someone suddenly came in.
"Your Majesty, Su Peisheng has come to report good news. Consort Wusu of the Fourth Prince's harem is three months pregnant, Consort Song is two months pregnant, and Consort Xitala is one month pregnant."
Consort De had no time to worry about Anning's favor now, her face beaming with joy: "Is it true?"
"Of course it's true."
"Alright, alright, Granny, select three nannies to send to the fourth prince. Make sure they can raise the child. By the way, I remember that Dong Eshi will only be entering the family in a few months. The fourth prince only has Wuyashi in his backyard who can serve him. It's not good."
"Alright then, go and select two more Han Chinese bondservantes to send to the fourth prince. The more attractive they are, the better, so that his future wife can have something to look at. You arrange it yourself."
The old woman couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Your Majesty is so kind, this servant will make the arrangements right away."
Consort De held a grudge; she would never get over what happened to Consort Dong'e.
The thought of Dong Eshi facing three pregnant women and three beautiful young ladies who were not pregnant upon entering the house made Consort De feel a sense of satisfaction.
No one could have outsmarted her and still live a good life unscathed.
Anning had also heard about what happened in the Fourth Prince's harem. Like Consort De, she was very happy. Dong Eshi really deserved it. As far as she knew, Consort De had never been so kind as to give the Fourth Prince such a high-quality princess before.
With three pregnant women at once, and Consort De protecting him, the Fourth Prince is likely to have quite a few children in his lifetime.
——
The days then began to fly by. As Anning recuperated, she was already five months pregnant, and autumn was beginning to arrive in the capital.
Preparations for the Fourth Prince's wedding have also begun.
Logically speaking, when a prince gets married, Emperor Kangxi and Consort De, as his father and mother, should return to the palace. Even if they don't preside over the wedding themselves, they should wait until the next day to pay their respects.
But Emperor Kangxi didn't go back, so Consort De naturally couldn't go back either, and of course, she didn't want to go back.
Looking at the cold-faced Fourth Prince Yinzhen in front of her, Dong Eshi was reminded of her wedding scene in her previous life. At that time, she had high hopes for the Third Prince, and he treated her well. In the bridal chamber, the Third Prince was very considerate and caring towards her.
The sense of disparity in treatment made Dong Eshi's face show some grievance, and she quickly lowered her head.
"Master, it's time to drink the nuptial wine."
Yinzhen gave a curt "hmm," and then the two of them picked up their wine cups and began to drink.
Now that he had brought the woman home, Yinzhen naturally wanted to consummate the marriage, and the night went relatively smoothly.
The next day, after waking up, the newlyweds had breakfast together. Before they could even put down their bowls and chopsticks, they heard a commotion outside.
Lady Dong'e frowned: "Who's making a fuss outside? Baozhu, go and see."
Yinzhen stopped him, saying, "No need. It should be the concubines and princesses from the inner courtyard. They're probably here to pay their respects to you."
Dong E's face turned ugly. She wanted to lash out, but because Yinzhen was still there, she held back: "Your Majesty, I will have someone send them back first. Let them come over after they have seen Father and Mother, so as not to miss the time for them to pay their respects to Father and Mother."
On the first day after the wedding, the bride must meet her parents-in-law; concubines usually meet them after returning home.
Yinzhen shook his head: "There's no need to pay respects to Father Emperor and Mother Emperor today."
Dong E felt as if she suddenly couldn't understand what was being said, and a bad premonition arose in her heart: "What do you mean by that, Master?"
Yinzhen explained, "Father and Mother are still at Changchun Garden and haven't returned yet. Consort Tong sent someone yesterday to say that Father is not in the palace, so there's no need to go to her to pay respects for the time being. We can go to Consort Tong's place after we pay respects to Father."
Dong E felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She had entered the house but could not greet her parents-in-law, which made her feel somewhat improper and out of place.
Her expression was very unpleasant: "When may I go to pay my respects to Father Emperor and Mother?"
She then understood why Yinzhen hadn't given her a pleasant look yesterday; no wonder.
Yinzhen's expression was also not good. His older brothers' marriages were not like this. Because Dong Eshi was not popular, he was also disliked as a result.
"Let's go after Father Emperor returns to the palace."
Dong Eshi persisted: "Can't I go to Changchun Garden to pay my respects to Father Emperor and Mother?"
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