Consort Jing sent someone to inquire with His Majesty first, and after receiving permission, she summoned everyone to pay their respects to the two Empress Dowagers.
The group gathered outside the Longevity Palace.
Several pregnant women also came.
After looking at everyone, Consort Jing said, "Is everyone here? Let's go and pay our respects to the Empress Dowager."
Except for a few who didn't meet the eligibility requirements, almost everyone came.
The one with the lowest status was Lady Xiang, who lived in Suning Palace.
Consort Jing led the way, guiding everyone inside.
The Empress Dowager didn't make them wait too long before she came out.
After paying her respects, the Empress Dowager only asked a few polite questions before saying that she was tired.
Consort Jing understood and led everyone out.
Then we went to Ruining Palace.
The Empress Dowager did not make everyone wait.
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects. May Your Majesty be well."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand: "Please sit down."
After everyone was seated, the Empress Dowager naturally first showed concern for the pregnant women.
Consort Xiangxian's pregnancy symptoms are so severe that she looks haggard even with makeup on.
"I heard you vomited badly, so I'll let it go this time. You don't need to come next time; we'll talk again when you feel better."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I understand," said Consort Xiangxian.
"Hmm, how about Luo Wanyi and Rong Guiyi?"
"Your Majesty, I have always been well. Thank you for your concern," said Luo Wanyi.
"I feel the same way. Although I sometimes feel nauseous, it's not as severe as Consort Xiangxian's," said Consort Rong.
The Empress Dowager glanced at her a few more times, nodded, and said nothing.
"You are all blessed people, especially Luo Wanyi, who is the second child. It is clear that she has a good constitution. As long as you give birth to imperial heirs, I will reward you accordingly," the Empress Dowager said.
The group thanked them profusely.
"Is Consort Yi feeling better now?"
Consort Yi stood up: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am much better now."
"That's good. The Emperor dotes on you. Although you couldn't keep the baby this time, you're still young. And the others who came in this year, you all need to work harder to produce more offspring for the royal family," the Empress Dowager said.
Several people hurriedly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, we will remember your teachings."
"Yes. Consort, now that the Empress is ill, you are the highest-ranking consort. You must manage the affairs of the inner palace well."
Consort Jing replied, "Yes, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has said so, and I will remember it."
As they were leaving, Granny Lu had said that whatever the Empress Dowager said, they should just agree to it.
However, the Empress's illness should have improved by now, so it's best not to think about taking the lead at this time.
If His Majesty is willing to grant her more power, then he should do so directly.
The key is to have a child. Having a child gives you more confidence.
The Empress Dowager then questioned several of the imperial grandsons and princesses, before waving her hand to dismiss everyone.
On their way back, Consort Huo and Yan Nangui did not ride in a carriage. They walked back instead.
"The Empress Dowager is different now than she was two years ago."
Yan Nangui also sensed this and became much more reserved.
It was mostly because of Ye Xiaoyi's affair that it triggered him.
"Speaking of which, is Consort Xiang's pregnancy so uncomfortable?" Yan Nangui asked, also surprised.
“Yes, she’s still young. How come she’s so uncomfortable during her pregnancy? Look how much weight she’s lost lately.” Huo Zhaorong shook her head.
“Yes, Luo Wanyi and Rong Guiyi were affected by the medicine in the iceberg before, and now they are both lively and energetic. Why is she so weak?” Yan Nangui shook his head.
And she hadn't been able to get pregnant for many years, and even when she did, she felt so uncomfortable.
Tsk.
Upon arriving at Zhaochun Palace, Consort Huo said, "Sister, if you're not tired, I'd like to sit here for a while?"
“Okay, let’s go to the pear orchard,” Yan Nangui said.
The two of them went around to the Pear Garden in Zhaochun Palace and Feixue Pavilion.
Because of the geese returning south, this place has been fenced off, and the fence is covered with roses of various colors.
There are actually only about twenty pear trees here, along with a few clumps of peonies that were just planted this year. There's also a small orchid garden.
Shu Chengfeng had previously instructed that a pavilion should be built here in autumn, to serve as a small garden, after all the leaves had fallen.
Behind here is Zhaochun Palace, in front is Feixue Pavilion, and to the west, across the road, are Qingyage Pavilion and Linhua Palace.
To the right, across the road, are other pavilions and palaces, the kind where concubines no longer live.
Now, only Ding Liangren lives in Linhua Palace.
She won't come, because Linhua Palace is closer to the Imperial Garden.
Therefore, this place is essentially owned by the returning geese.
Of course, it's hard to say what will happen if people move in later.
After sitting down, Yan Nangui said, "Take my hair out."
Jiangxiang agreed and removed several large pieces of jewelry from her head.
Once it's removed, the hair bun won't stay in place.
So they put everything down.
Use only a ribbon to roll up the long hair and tie it at the back of the head.
"Sister's hair is so beautiful," Huo Zhaorong said with a smile.
“You know I take Yangrong Pills regularly. It’s said that one of the ingredients in it is very good for hair. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I still have to keep taking them,” Yan Nangui said.
"How is your health these days, sister? You've been recuperating for so many years, you should be feeling better by now, right? You should have a child eventually," said Consort Huo.
"There's no rush. The imperial physician just said that rest is all that's needed. Perhaps." Yan Nangui smiled nonchalantly.
Actually, she feels that things are fine as they are now. The child is lovely, but after having a child, many things become beyond her control.
The two were talking when someone came over.
It was someone from the Imperial Concubine's quarters who came.
He originally intended to go to Zhaochun Palace, but seeing that there were people here, and knowing that Consort Chen liked to sit in the Pear Garden, he came over instead.
"This servant greets Consort Chen and Consort Huo."
He was the head servant of Feiluan Palace, named He Fan.
"What is it?" Yan Nangui asked.
"Your Highness Consort Chen, it is our Consort who requests that everyone go to Feiluan Palace to discuss how His Majesty's birthday should be celebrated," He Fan said.
Yan Nangui laughed and said, "Tell Consort Jing to live however she wants."
"This... Consort Chen, aren't you going?" He Fan knew that this consort had a bad temper, but was she really going to be so direct?
"I'm not going."
Huo Zhaorong felt a little embarrassed and said, "This kind of thing is not my decision, so I won't go."
If she weren't here, she would definitely go.
He Fan dared not persuade him and had no choice but to leave.
"So anxious? The Empress should be well by now," Yan Nangui said.
Huo Zhaorong shook her head: "It's probably a rare opportunity."
The two sat for a while longer before Huo Zhaorong went back first.
The geese flying south were not taken seriously at all.
However, after Consort Huo returned, Green Feather said, "You didn't go, and you even said it in Zhaochun Palace. If Consort Jing heard this, wouldn't she think that you and Consort Chen are in cahoots?"
"We've caught up with it, so what can we do? If Consort Chen has this temper and doesn't go, does that mean I can't have one?"
Green Feather sighed; there was nothing more to say.
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