"Yes, Your Majesty, we will certainly follow Your Majesty's teachings." The four knelt down once again.
The Empress called for them to get up and sit back down, which gave the concubines a chance to talk.
"I've seen Ye Xiaoyi occasionally in the past, but she never looked as radiant as she does today," Consort Murong said with a smile.
"So she really is Consort Ye's sister," Consort Xiangxian said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, I am of humble appearance, unlike my sisters, and certainly not as beautiful as the Imperial Concubine," Ye Xiaoyi said cautiously as she rose to her feet.
“I think Consort Cheng is quite beautiful. Her Majesty the Empress is the best at grooming people. Don’t you think Consort Cheng is the perfect match for Qingqiu Pavilion?” Luo Wanyi said with a smile.
Upon closer inspection, the Empress noticed that Consort Cheng indeed appeared rather aloof, and couldn't help but chuckle, "What a coincidence!"
Cheng Xiaoyi was aloof, but she quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty the Empress and Sister Luo have made me very uneasy. I have been dull-witted since I was a child and am often scolded by my mother. If I do anything wrong in the future, please teach me, Your Majesty the Empress and Sisters."
"It's good that you know the rules. There are countless kinds of people, so naturally not everyone has to be the same." The Empress waved her hand.
The group talked for a while longer.
When the newcomer arrived, no one treated him coldly; everyone was very polite.
After a long while, the Empress waved her hand and said, "It's getting late. You've just arrived today, so you must need to be settled in properly. You don't need to pay your respects for the next three days. Come back in three days, and then you can serve the Emperor."
Everyone stood up, and the newlyweds thanked the emperor and then left.
Along the same route as Yan Nangui, there were three newlyweds. Apart from Cheng Xiaoyi, the rest of them had to go this way.
As they passed by the walls of Zhaochun Palace, the three newlyweds glanced at the roses blooming beautifully on the wall, a truly magnificent sight.
As expected, this empress is very favored.
They respectfully saw Yan Nan back to the palace before continuing on their way.
Wu Baolin and Ding Liangren returned to Linhua Palace, and Ding Liangren said, "Look how nice Consort Yan's place is, it's a pity you can't stay there. Ah, Linhua Palace is alright."
Wu Baolin smiled: "How could that be? I just thought the flowers were blooming beautifully. Does Consort Yan like roses?"
Speaking of this, Ding Liangren looked strange. She remembered how Jin Lingyi had been stuffed with morning glory seeds all those years ago.
"You'll see later. My advice to you is, don't mess with her." After saying this, Ding Liangren went inside.
Wu Baolin had many other things to do and didn't have time to think about this matter.
That evening, Shu Chengfeng went to Zhaochun Palace again.
He complained for a long time about the wild geese returning south.
He didn't care, he just ordered a meal to be served: "Have you finished eating the loquats?"
"Mmm." Having finished complaining and feeling exhausted, and now hungry, Yan Nangui nodded while leaning on him, waiting for her meal.
"Just send someone out to buy some. The bayberries will be available in a few days too," Shu Chengfeng said, stroking her.
Yan Nangui glanced at him and gave a mischievous smile.
Then he said nothing.
In Qingqiu Pavilion, after having dinner, Cheng Xiaoyi listened to Rose talk about things in the palace.
"I've asked around, and the most favored one right now is Consort Xiangxian. She's the only one with a title. Her family wasn't particularly important to begin with, but she got her title because of her. She's currently an official in the capital. Next are Consort Yan and Consort Mu. Consort Mu's surname is Murong, and she's the eldest daughter of the Murong family at Qinshan Academy. Her son is the most noble of the three princes in the palace."
"Next, there are Consort Xia and Consort Qu. I heard that Consort Xia was very favored when she was in the mansion. She also gave birth to a daughter, surpassing all the other women in the household."
Cheng Xiaoyi nodded, not really caring, and said, "It's getting late, and I'm tired today. Let's go to sleep. We can talk about these things later."
Rose dared not argue, so she called someone in to help her rest.
In any case, it will eventually come in handy over time.
Everyone settled down to rest.
For three consecutive days, the first day was spent at Zhaochun Palace, but on the second and third days, Shu Chengfeng went nowhere else.
On the first day of the new concubines' nightly service, it was no surprise that Ye Xiaoyi was the first to be chosen.
That's not surprising; they have to give Mrs. Ye face no matter what.
On the second day after she was chosen to serve the emperor, Consort Ye's expression was not very pleasant when she paid her respects at Fengxiang Palace.
Despite her heavy makeup, her fatigue was still evident.
Before anyone could say anything, Luo Wanyi dropped a bombshell.
"I have given birth once before, even if it was only a little over a month ago, so I can be sure."
The Empress was stunned for a moment before smiling, "Really? This is truly a joyous occasion."
He immediately sent someone to fetch the imperial physician.
The crowd, filled with a mixture of jealousy and envy, murmured a few words, waiting for the imperial physician to arrive.
Soon, the imperial physician arrived.
Even though it's only been a month or so, a single pulse diagnosis is enough to tell that the pregnancy is indeed present.
The Empress then sent someone to speak to His Majesty.
He told everyone to go back first, leaving only Luo Wanyi to wait for His Majesty to arrive.
On the way back, Huo Zhaorong said, "Sister Luo is so lucky. She already has a princess, and now she has a son, so she has both a son and a daughter."
Yan Nangui nodded: "Yes, this is His Majesty's first child after ascending the throne, and whether it is a boy or a girl is important."
Both of them had their own thoughts, and they only exchanged a few casual words. Yan Nangui didn't want to go back, so she wandered off to the garden.
Huo Zhaorong went back.
Sitting in the Shubi Pavilion, Yan Nangui frowned: "She's pregnant, so what? Why did she choose to reveal it today? Is it for the Empress's sake?"
Jiang Xiang thought about it and understood immediately: "Yes, back in the manor, she relied on the Empress to give birth to her eldest daughter. Is it the same thing now? Revealing it today has offended Consort Ye. She's stolen the limelight. This was quite a risky move. This Luo Wanyi is quite a shrewd person."
Yan Nangui smiled and said, "Yes, she was quite capable before. She seems carefree, but she's actually very shrewd. Now it depends on whether the Empress will accept her offer of allegiance."
"Well, I think I'll still accept it, right? The Empress doesn't actually have any truly loyal people of her own. The people she supported before didn't get promoted. If Luo Wanyi stands on her side, then she'll be one of her own." Jiangxiang thought, even though her mistress seemed very loyal.
But since her family background was so good, even the Empress dared not use her own concubine as a pawn.
Luo Wanyi's family background is average, so she is a suitable match.
"The Empress is still young, and she seems to think she still has a chance. Perhaps this pregnancy will help Luo Wanyi keep her baby?" Although His Majesty's first pregnancy after ascending the throne is important, it is only important during a special period. After that, won't everything be the same?
Even so, it couldn't overshadow the brilliance of the eldest son.
"I always thought that the infighting would wait a while after the new concubines entered the palace, but I really didn't expect it. Luo Wanyi is quite formidable." Yan Nangui laughed.
Jiangxiang nodded: "Yes, it's really fast."
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