When news of Consort Fang's pregnancy reached the mansion, it was considered a minor matter.
She was just a pretty girl with no impressive background; she only gained favor because of her good looks.
However, in the Crown Prince's residence, Consort Luo became pregnant again, which was a momentous event.
Thanks to the fact that she is at least a respectable woman, she hasn't caused any major problems yet.
But to be honest, she also knew very well that whether or not the child could be saved really depended on His Highness's mind.
When Ye Liangdi paid her respects in the morning, she felt she could not bear to eat her alive.
The Crown Princess, however, showed concern and warmth, without revealing the slightest dislike.
Luo Liangyuan sat there feeling uneasy. Finally, the party ended, and although she glanced at Yan Nangui a few times, she didn't dare to approach him.
However, she didn't dare to approach. When Yan Nangui delivered the gift, she did ask Luo Kui to pass on a message.
“Our Liangyuan says that instead of living in fear, you should be more open about it.”
"What do you mean?" Luo Liangyuan leaned forward, clearly eager to know.
"This servant does not know either. It is only because our Lady Consort said that whether to choose His Highness the Crown Prince or the Crown Princess is up to you."
After saying this, Luo Kui curtsied and left.
Back at Jiyue Pavilion, she recounted the whole story: "I saw that she was quite interested. You're helping her, and no matter the outcome, she'll surely thank you."
"Silly girl, how naive. Why would I help her?" Yan Nangui laughed.
"Huh? Isn't that right?" Luo Kui asked, puzzled.
"Well, helping her is just a side benefit. I'm still helping myself. This inner court needs a break from the peace. If the Crown Princess doesn't give birth, the concubines can't either. The lower-ranking women can't compete, and even if they get pregnant, it's difficult for them to give birth. When will this situation end?"
Who doesn't dream of making something of themselves?
Even if her goal is revenge, a person still needs to live, right?
When Shu Chengfeng becomes emperor, where will her rank be? Why not fight for it now?
Besides, the water in the backyard is murky anyway. Luo Liangyuan isn't a particularly formidable person, but what if she has a child?
That would be different.
"This servant doesn't quite understand, but this servant will listen to you anyway," Luo Kui said with a smile.
Yan Nangui smiled and said, "I just don't know who she will choose in the end."
Luo Kui didn't know either, thinking to herself... if it were her... then she should choose the Crown Princess? After all, the Crown Prince couldn't possibly keep an eye on the inner palace all the time.
Luo Liangyuan thought so too.
She pondered for a day and finally decided to pledge allegiance to the Crown Princess.
So the next morning, she arrived earlier than anyone else.
Inside the main courtyard, the Crown Princess was still getting ready. Knowing that she had come so early, she must have something important to discuss.
So they called her in.
"Your Majesty, I apologize for disturbing you," Consort Luo said with a smile.
"It's alright, you seem to have something to say? Then speak." The Crown Princess stopped beating around the bush.
Luo Liangyuan bit her lip and suddenly knelt down: "Please, Your Majesty, help me. As long as Your Majesty is willing to protect me and the child in my womb, I will obey Your Majesty's orders without question and will never dare to have the slightest objection."
The Crown Princess thought of it, so she just smiled and didn't remember to wake her up.
"I don't understand what Consort Luo is saying." The Crown Princess naturally wouldn't say it directly.
"Your Majesty, I am truly sincere and willing to surrender. I only ask for Your Majesty's protection." Consort Luo didn't say anything fancy.
"Get up first. You know how treacherous things are in the inner court. There's Consort Su, whom His Highness favors, and Consort Ye, from His Highness's maternal family. Even within the inner court, Consort Yan comes from a prestigious family. Even if I am the Crown Princess, I don't have absolute authority in many matters." This was not a definitive statement.
"Your Majesty, I know your hardships. I am willing to be your vanguard. I only ask that Your Majesty protect my child and me." Consort Luo also felt resentment in her heart.
Her first miscarriage was probably caused by the person in front of her.
But she had no choice; if she miscarried again, would she be able to have children again?
"Alright, it's almost time. They should be here soon. Let me think about this matter." The Crown Princess waved her hand.
Immediately, someone came to help Luo Liangyuan to her feet.
The ground was very cold, but she couldn't feel it while kneeling. The anxiety in her heart was more unbearable than the coldness in her knees.
Because she arrived early, Ye Liangdi had something to say. However, as long as Luo Liangyuan refused to respond, the argument wouldn't escalate.
After everyone had left, Yan Nangui smiled and said, "It seems she still chose the Crown Princess."
“Yes, but what if the Crown Princess doesn’t agree…” Jiangxiang shook her head.
"Then that's none of my business." Yan Nangui looked ahead and went back with a smile.
In the main courtyard, the Crown Princess's wet nurse, Madam He, asked, "What does Your Highness think of this matter?"
"Then what do you think, wet nurse?" The Crown Princess was undecided for a moment.
She could certainly do it, but doing it repeatedly would certainly not look good to His Highness the Crown Prince.
“In my opinion, we can keep him,” said Madam He.
"Tsk, what if it's a son?" A daughter would be fine, but what if it's a son?
“Your Highness, you haven’t had your period lately, so you’re very likely pregnant. Luo’s pregnancy was only a little over a month ago, so if you’re pregnant, it’s probably been a little over a month as well,” said Madam He.
"That doesn't guarantee it will be my husband; he still has to have a son first," the Crown Princess frowned.
Madam He smiled and said softly, "What's the point of giving birth? It's the raising that matters. Your Majesty, don't forget about Wen Yuexuan. She's tried to cause trouble time and time again, but failed. With Consort Luo pregnant, how could she not be anxious? In the palace, there's always the idea of having her replace you. Why don't we prepare this grand gift for her?"
The Crown Princess's eyes lit up: "If that's the case, then I'll have to protect Consort Luo properly."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. If Consort Luo gives birth to a daughter, you can loosen your grip a bit. After all, the Crown Prince has been married for two years, and it would be unacceptable for him to have no heir. But if it's a son, as long as he's born before you, he'll naturally be a thorn in your side. At that time, we can simply go with the flow," said Madam He.
The Crown Princess smiled and said, "Since that's the case, then pass on the message to her that I will protect her well."
In fact, Luo Liangyuan knew perfectly well that she was dealing with a tiger for its skin.
Is there any way to do this?
She really didn't dare to ask the Crown Prince for help.
She dared not, nor was she certain that the Crown Prince could protect her. What if the Crown Prince refused? By then, she would have also offended the Crown Princess to death, wouldn't that make things even more difficult?
Now that she had received the Crown Princess's words, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief for a short while.
Fortunately, she wasn't favored by the emperor, nor did she come from a prominent family. Her only difficulty was that the three elders in the household had no children, and she was the first.
Otherwise, there would be no need to worry like this.
Now that Luo Liangyuan is pregnant, Shu Chengfeng has to come and see her no matter what.
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