At this point, a title could be used to make up for it, but there was no chance of promotion.
Regardless, most people are happy about this.
As luck would have it, on that very night, after everyone had dispersed and gone home, Consort Rong launched her attack.
This was her first pregnancy, so it was bound to be difficult. She didn't give birth all night.
She finally gave birth the next morning.
It was a prince, Shu Chengfeng's fourth prince. Although the birth was difficult, both mother and child were safe.
Shu Chengfeng was very pleased and bestowed many gifts upon him.
The fact that both pregnant women had given birth put the Empress's mind at ease.
Although the fourth prince has been born, he came from Lady Jiang's womb, so the empress is not too worried.
Her biggest worry was still Consort Ye.
This year's New Year celebrations were not very lively due to the Empress Dowager's presence, but everyone who was supposed to come in still did.
The necessary procedures cannot be omitted.
Many people were promoted this year, and congratulations were offered everywhere. However, this was only extended to those at the Three Excellencies and Three Consorts level and above. Those below did not receive this treatment.
Wen Guiyi was quite surprised to be promoted.
Fortunately, although she was unprepared, she had years of experience, so she didn't embarrass herself.
When the wild geese returned south, they met Lady Xinyang and her daughter-in-law on the sixth day of the month.
Yan Nangui smiled and pulled her inside to talk.
"That's against the rules."
“What rules are there? It’s just the two of us going inside to talk, it’s so cold outside,” Yan Nangui said with a smile.
"Hearing about the promotions of everyone in the palace, but not hearing from Your Majesty, I feel... sigh." In fact, Lan Xiangyi also knew that it was already good enough to be a concubine without having children.
But I still feel like I want to give her a higher position.
"That's all in the future. His Majesty's promotion isn't just about who has served the longest. There are always other considerations. What's the point of always being in a high position? Wouldn't it be much better if His Majesty looked after more people?" Yan Nangui said.
"Your Majesty sees things very clearly. The harem is not the same as the old mansion now." Lan Xiangyi held her hand: "Be careful in everything."
"Don't worry, Aunt. His Majesty knows me best. I won't pretend to be virtuous and gentle. I just won't harm anyone, nor will I let anyone harm me. As for His Majesty's words, as long as my father and brothers are well, I will be well too."
Yan Nangui said with a smile.
Before long, Chanyi brought over grapes, snacks, and tea.
"Knowing you love grapes, I brought them especially. These were stored from the summer; they don't keep very well, so they don't look as nice now, but they taste good," Chanyi said.
Those grape stalks don't look very nice anymore.
It wasn't the green color it had when it was fresh, but the grapes weren't spoiled.
Just as Lan Xiangyi was about to eat, Yan Nangui suddenly asked, "When did you bring these grapes?"
"Huh? Just this morning? I had someone fetch it from the Imperial Household Department. What's wrong?" Chanyi asked.
"Have you washed them? Isn't there a lot of white bloom on these grapes?" Yan Nangui asked.
Chanyi's heart skipped a beat. She picked up the plate and looked at it: "It is indeed... not quite right. This servant will go and call the imperial physician right away."
"Wait, take this to the Beichen Palace now. Remember, at least give it to Liu Cha," Yan Nangui said.
"Yes, this servant will go right away," Chanyi hurriedly replied.
"Bring someone with you," Yan Nangui waved his hand.
Chanyi agreed and put the grapes back into the food box and took them away.
The other items on the table were also off-limits and sealed away.
Lan Xiangyi and her daughter-in-law, Sun, had turned pale.
"This...this is...this is during the New Year..."
"Aunt, don't panic. Come, pour tea for you and your sister-in-law." Yan Nangui smiled and said, "It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it wouldn't be surprising if something were. It's not some deadly poison. No one would dare to openly poison someone in the palace. If it is some kind of medicine, it's probably something that will embarrass someone or cause them to break out in a rash."
Hearing her say that, Lan Xiangyi felt a little relieved.
She genuinely thought it was some kind of deadly poison, and wondered if it was going to kill her as she returned south.
“Sending it to Beichen Palace like this... Won’t His Majesty be angry? After all, it’s the New Year.” Lan Xiangyi asked.
"No, after something like this, how could I possibly hide it? At most, it'll be nothing, just a false alarm. I'm favored, after all. A false alarm might just get me a few scoldings from His Majesty, what else can happen? It's always better to be cautious," Yan Nangui said.
Lan Xiangyi took a deep breath: "This is truly a den of dragons and tigers..." As she spoke, she realized she had spoken out of turn.
We absolutely cannot let her turn back halfway, so Zhaochun Palace will still hold a lively banquet.
Inside the Beichen Palace, Chanyi handed the items to Yunji.
Yun Ji was also greatly alarmed and reported it to His Majesty.
Shu Chengfeng frowned: "Summon the imperial physician. How is your empress?"
"Her Majesty didn't say anything, she just told me to bring it. Because it's the New Year, we didn't dare to disturb anyone. However, Lady Xinyang Marquis loves grapes the most, and it was because she came that I went to the Imperial Household Department to ask for them. This..." Chanyi was telling the truth.
"I understand. Go back now and tell your empress to treat the guests well. I'll go see her tonight." Shu Chengfeng waved his hand.
Chanyi thanked His Majesty and then returned home.
Shu Chengfeng looked at the grapes, said nothing, and waited for the imperial physician to arrive.
The imperial physicians He and Huang arrived. After examining the substance, they said, "This is the juice of some plant that has been dried and ground into powder. As for what it is, I do not know."
"Is it fatal?" Shu Chengfeng asked.
"It's not fatal, but... if you ingest this stuff, you'll inevitably... likely develop a rash all over your body and face. If not treated properly, it might even ulcerate," said Physician He.
"Hmph, as expected. With Consort Chen's face, there will always be people who can't stand it."
Shu Chengfeng said calmly.
He was furious, but his words carried a subtle meaning to the two imperial physicians.
Which of the empresses who can enter the harem doesn't have a beautiful face, Your Majesty?
"You may all go back now. Yunji, go to the Imperial Household Department and tell the Prefect that if he doesn't do a good job, I can replace him," Shu Chengfeng said.
The imperial physician hurriedly withdrew.
Yunji took half of the grapes with him and left. The other half was naturally to be taken to the Imperial Medical Academy to be studied to find out what it was.
Inside the Imperial Household Department, Prefect Song sighed, "How did this happen?"
“We’re busy during the New Year, but it’s not like we can’t check. You should be grateful for the New Year, otherwise, with Consort Chen’s temper, heh,” Yun Ji said with a smile.
"That's right, that's right, I'll investigate right away. We can't let the Imperial Household Department have such a thing. Don't worry, once they've come into contact with it, they can't escape it," said Prefect Song.
When Lan Xiangyi left the palace, she seemed to have a lot to say, but there was nothing she could do but sigh.
Shu Chengfeng arrived in the evening.
It was right after Lan Xiangyi left.
"His Majesty has arrived." Yan Nangui had just changed into a light red dress and wasn't wearing much jewelry.
"I had the imperial physician examine that thing; it can cause you to break out in a rash. It's not poison. The investigation is ongoing, and we'll have the results soon," Shu Chengfeng said, pulling her along.
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