Shu Chengfeng arrived in the afternoon, while Yan Nangui had just woken up.
How was your day?
"I don't feel anything. I guess it's not time to feel uncomfortable yet." Yan Nangui covered her mouth and yawned.
"I'm still hoping it won't work out, I just hope it stays this way," Shu Chengfeng said.
"Yes. I know about what happened today. I don't care, but does Your Majesty care?" Yan Nangui asked.
Shu Chengfeng frowned: "How did you know?"
"It was Her Majesty the Empress who sent someone to say so." Yan Nangui smiled: "Her Majesty is kind."
"Kindness?" Shu Chengfeng sneered.
"How can I say that Her Majesty the Empress has ulterior motives? It's just that all these years I've gone along with her and sided with her, and all my efforts have been in vain." Yan Nangui was very straightforward.
Shu Chengfeng laughed again.
"Never mind, she has her own reasons, and you're no better." He didn't know that all these years of going along with the Empress were just because she didn't want trouble.
When did she begin to take the Empress seriously?
Yan Nangui laughed along, "At least, the Empress miscarried three times, and I didn't do anything. I've only just gotten pregnant, and she's already making trouble."
Shu Chengfeng didn't bother to investigate how she knew it was the third time, since the Empress hadn't revealed it at all the second time.
"Don't worry, with me here, you can rest easy," Shu Chengfeng said.
Yan Nangui sat on his lap: "Your Majesty, please try to conceal it. Don't let people know that I'm trying to sow discord."
"You still know you're trying to sow discord? Speaking ill of the Empress so casually." This is absolutely forbidden by the rules.
But he didn't pay any attention to it.
The two were cuddling together, and the emperor was clearly in a good mood.
As for the Empress, although she was also somewhat worried, she had something to say if His Majesty pressed her for answers.
I was just worried that Consort Chenhui might overthink things, so I tried to reassure her beforehand. What's the big deal about this?
But she had a good idea; His Majesty didn't even ask.
She was relieved, but sometimes not asking is more serious than asking.
The next morning, Yan Nangui got up and secretly went to pay his respects.
If she's pregnant and promoted at the same time, and doesn't show her face, what are those women going to do to get anxious?
Therefore, in Fengxiang Palace, the young concubines all greeted Consort Chenhui with utmost care and offered their congratulations.
Consort Xiang and Wang Lingyi entered one after the other. Consort Xiang smiled and said, "Judging from your complexion, I can tell that your pregnancy will be safe and sound. You will definitely give birth to the imperial heir well."
"Thank you very much, sister," Yan Nangui said with a smile.
Just then, Consort Jing entered.
After glancing at it a few times, he scoffed, "We don't even know if it's a man or a woman yet, what's there to be so smug about?"
She's toned it down a bit in recent years, but it's hard to shake off her sharp tongue.
Yan Nangui laughed and said, "That's right, who can match Consort Jing's ability to have a complete family in one pregnancy?"
These words left Consort Jing speechless, so she gave up.
When everyone arrived, the Empress came out and was the first to greet Consort Chenhui.
"How is my sister? I've been so happy these past few days. It's wonderful news that you're pregnant."
"I'll have someone send you some nourishing food in a bit. Also, instruct the kitchen and the Imperial Hospital to take good care of you. You should also choose a suitable wet nurse in advance. There are several wet nurses in the Imperial Household Department who are around your due date, and some who are a month or two older than you, which are just the right fit."
Yan Nangui accepted everything without question, only saying "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Empress's method of flattering Yan Nan to her detriment is far inferior to Rong Ning's approach back then.
So many women in the harem were pregnant, yet the Empress never treated any of them this well.
Does her being a geese returning south make her special?
But there was no point in refusing at this point, so he simply accepted everything and saw what other tricks the empress had up her sleeve.
The others, whether they understood it or not, didn't say anything.
Only Consort Jing disagreed: "Her Majesty the Empress is truly very kind to Consort Chen Hui. When we were pregnant, we didn't receive such care from Her Majesty. Is it because Consort Chen Hui is special?"
"Consort Chenhui has been in poor health for many years, so it's only natural that Her Majesty the Empress would take care of her. Consort Jing need not worry about it," Consort Ke said with a smile.
“Yes, in previous years, Consort Chenhui was not in good health and was often ill, but she is much better now. It is a joyous occasion that she is pregnant. Her Majesty the Empress is the most generous and open-minded. Of course, she will take care of her,” Consort Jia said with a smile.
It's hard to say how much of Consort Ke's statement was sincere and how much was meant to stir up trouble.
Consort Jia was genuinely speaking up for the Empress.
That is, speaking up for Consort Chen Hui.
"If you were to give birth, I would care just the same. Why would I be jealous?" The Empress smiled and didn't respond to Consort Jing's words.
Instead, everyone became happy and harmonious.
When everyone dispersed, Consort Jia accompanied Yan Nangui back home, as they lived closest to each other.
There were also Consort Yi and Consort Qiao, but Yan Nangui clearly ignored them, and they wouldn't bother to make a fool of themselves.
"It's wonderful news that my sister is pregnant, but His Majesty has said not to disturb anyone, so I haven't been able to visit her," Consort Jia said with a smile.
"You've been in the palace for quite some time now, there should be some news by now, right?" Consort Jia wasn't exactly favored, but because of Meng Haijiang, His Majesty would visit her at least once a month.
"Having children is all about fate. If the time is not right, I cannot rush it. Actually, it would be wonderful if I could give birth to a princess," said Consort Jia.
Although she grew up on the grasslands, she probably inherited her mother's temperament and is very gentle.
I'm very comfortable living here and don't miss life on the grasslands much. I just miss my family most of the time.
"At your level, you'll need to have a child to move up the ranks." Otherwise, given her lack of favor, it would probably take her eight to ten years to get promoted.
Consort Jia smiled and said, "Actually, Consort Jia is not a low rank. It's not bad to stay at this level."
Yan Nangui smiled but didn't say much. Indeed, pregnancy is not something one can control.
She's lucky if she can say a few words; she's not going to ask Shu Chengfeng to come see her.
Back at Wanchun Palace, Wang Lingyi curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, I shall return now."
"Come sit here with me," said Consort Xiangxian.
Wang Lingyi was taken aback, then nodded in agreement.
Inside the main hall, two people sat drinking tea.
"Consort Chenhui is currently enjoying great favor and is pregnant. What do you think?" Consort Xiangxian asked.
"This... I am but a mere concubine, without any favor, so naturally I can't do anything." Wang Lingyi's heart raced.
"In recent years, she has been favored. Consort Mei is favored, as are Consort Sang, Lady Wan, and Consort Lu. How do you feel about how I receive the Emperor here?" Consort Xiangxian asked.
Lu Baolin was the same Lu Yunu who entered the palace and was promoted after serving the emperor.
"Well... with so many people, it's inevitable that some will have to be distributed among us. Your Majesty, you are still very favored. You hold a high position," said Wang Lingyi.
Consort Xiang smiled, glanced at Wang Lingyi a few times, and then said, "These days, I am no longer the one who serves the emperor the most."
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