After seeing off Duke Ye, Shu Chengfeng said to Ding Min, "It's time to ask Second Brother and Third Brother to move up in rank."
Ding Min nodded in understanding and left.
Within a few days, some ministers suggested that the second and third princes should also be granted the title of king.
Rewinding to that day, everyone in the manor was still wondering where the Crown Prince would go that evening.
The Crown Prince has it tough, always rushing from one event to another. He absolutely has to go to Lady Murong's room tonight.
Before going there, he first went to see Xia Fengyi, who was having a meal at Xia Zhaoxun's place.
This is...
That's quite intriguing.
Although he did not stay overnight in Xia's room, he had a meal with her before going to Murong Liangyuan's place.
This only makes people pay more attention to Xia Zhaoxun's favor with the emperor.
Murong was naturally dissatisfied, but she dared not say so and could only greet them with a smile.
The next day, Ye Liangdi, unable to hold back her words any longer, said, "Look at you, you're not even as good as Xia Zhaoxun."
Murong Liangyuan was a patient woman, so she smiled and said, "Sister Xia is heavily pregnant, and it's been quite a while since we've seen her. But neither of us can serve the Emperor, so wouldn't it be good for Your Highness to go and see her?"
Xia Zhaoxun smiled and said, "Sister Murong is really concerned about me."
Everyone watched the two of them putting on an act, and regardless of what they were really thinking, they still managed to keep a respectable facade.
Ye Liangdi merely rolled her eyes.
After a while, Consort Xiao suddenly said, "Sister Yan, why aren't you saying anything? Is it because His Highness didn't come to your place last night?"
Yan Nangui laughed and gently shook his head: "Why do you have such a deep grudge against me, Sister Xiao? His Highness didn't go to my place, so did he go to yours? You can say that again if His Highness goes to yours someday."
“Where Your Highness goes is none of my business. But I see that Sister Yan is so melancholy, ah, is that how you put it? Melancholy, that’s not it. My mother said that women from the Central Plains are always like this, they are prone to illness.”
Yan Nangui looked at her and just smiled.
Oh no, she couldn't tell for a moment whether this Xiao family member was truly stupid or just pretending.
It doesn't seem like he's really that stupid, does it?
"Alright, everyone go back now. The weather is getting hot, so take care to avoid the heat. Xia Shi, you're quite pregnant, you should give birth in September. June and July are the hottest months, so you don't need to pay your respects yet. If you want to come, you can come in August," said the Crown Princess.
"Well... I think it's alright. How about... I come over on the first or fifteenth of the month? I should at least pay my respects to you," Xia Zhaoxun said.
“Alright, you’re a sensible person. Let’s settle on this. Murong, what about you? If you also feel unwell, you can do the same,” the Crown Princess said.
"That won't be necessary. I'm not showing any signs of pregnancy yet, so I'm not tired at all," Murong Liangyuan said with a smile.
The Crown Princess nodded and waved her hand, "Go ahead."
After everyone left, the Crown Princess didn't move for a moment, but just shook her head: "I can't see through this Murong family."
“Your Majesty, I’m afraid she has quite a bit of ambition,” said Madam He.
The Crown Princess might not care if other women were pregnant, but what about the Ye and Murong families…?
Of course, there's also the Yan family, but the Yan family doesn't conceive easily.
"Wet nurse, what do you think we should do?" the Crown Princess asked.
Mrs. He understood her meaning perfectly, so she whispered, "Isn't there someone readily available to use?"
This naturally refers to the Xiao family.
The Crown Princess gently squeezed her wrist: "Her?"
It's not that she's afraid, it's just that the person she's with can use it.
"Ye Liangdi has connections now, so she's hard to touch. But even if Xiao Shi did something, she'll be fine for the time being because of her father." They can cover it up.
"I need to think about it carefully, really think about it."
Meanwhile, Murong Liangyuan, who had not yet returned to Jiangyun Garden, went to the garden.
Wu Yu helped her sit down: "Liangyuan, you must take good care of yourself. The nanny sent by the family will be here soon."
"Of course, the chief physician probably wants me to miscarry," Murong Liangyuan scoffed.
"Hmph, she can't have children herself, that's cruel. But no matter how cruel she is, it's useless, she still can't have children. Why don't you just agree to her request, rest more and pay your respects less?" Wu Yu said.
“There’s no need to stay still, but we can’t just stay still either.” Murong Liangyuan smiled. “It’s alright. My pregnancy is stable, and I’m in good health. Nothing will happen for the time being. Just be careful in Jiangyun Garden.”
"Yes, we servants will definitely pay close attention," Wuyu replied.
Four days later, more and more memorials from the court were submitted suggesting that the two princes should be granted the title of king.
Around this time, the Murong family sent over a nanny specifically to take care of her, named Granny Ting.
The Crown Prince had no objection, and the Crown Princess agreed, so this nanny entered Jiangyun Garden to serve Murong's pregnancy.
She had served the Murong family for over a decade, so she was naturally an expert.
This was clearly someone prepared for Murong Liangyuan.
With her around, Murong's pregnancy was much safer.
This is the source of confidence for a large family.
At least, compared to the Ye family's wavering, the Murong family still had a lot of confidence in the Crown Prince.
Perhaps this is the natural esteem that scholars hold for the legitimate heir apparent.
Living by the lake, Xia Zhaoxun thought this way.
She's been experiencing leg cramps while sleeping these past few days; being pregnant, discomfort is a common occurrence.
But……
What could she do if she felt unwell? She didn't even dare to invite the Crown Prince.
Only by keeping a low profile and remaining quiet can things last, and only then can this pregnancy be born safely.
Xia Zhaoxun was always composed, calm, and mature, but at this moment, touching her belly and looking down, she couldn't help but feel sad.
Without a prominent family background, her journey has always been difficult.
She cherished His Highness's favor, but she was also... terrified.
Qing Shuang placed the teacup in front of her: "Zhao Xun, have some tea. You've been feeling a bit feverish these past few days. Drink less green tea."
"Don't overthink it. Life isn't easy in this inner palace. After you give birth, your status in the palace won't be low. Don't be fooled by the current prestige of those women from noble families; what about their future?"
To put it bluntly, they may not be as secure as Xia Zhaoxun in the future.
"I was overthinking it," Xia Zhaoxun smiled.
"I was just saying it casually, please have some tea," Qing Shuang said.
Xia Zhaoxun nodded, and indeed stopped thinking about it.
Yes, what she's most proud of is her calmness and... composure.
After receiving numerous petitions requesting that the two princes be granted the title of king, Shu Zhongjing could no longer pretend he hadn't seen them.
Both of them were the Crown Prince's elder brothers, and had been married with children for many years; they were eligible to be granted the title of king.
The reason they aren't being sealed off now is simply because they don't want their strength to increase.
After sealing it off, it wasn't without its advantages; it could suppress the crown prince to some extent.
But Shu Zhongjing was unwilling.
But you can't refuse. If you disagree, you have to give an explanation. Unless you drag it out, that would be dissatisfaction with your two sons.
Who in the court doesn't know that the emperor always wants to depose the crown prince? If he also has grievances against his two older sons, then it sounds even worse.
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