Yan Nangui naturally learned that the Fourth Prince and the Seventh Princess had gone to the Imperial Garden.
Jiang Xiang smiled and said, "Our Seventh Princess is willing to follow the Fourth Prince. This Fourth Prince's temperament is not like his mother's."
Consort Rong was a woman of few words and little interest; she never caused trouble or made a fuss.
The fourth prince was quite different; he was rather lively.
He was especially close to the seventh princess.
As for what "inside" meant, Yan Nangui didn't bother to investigate. As long as the child was happy, that was all that mattered.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."
"You only invited me?"
"No, they invited everyone in the harem. It's probably because of Consort Li. From what I heard, it seems like she's pregnant," Bai Wei said.
The wild geese nodded as they returned south.
It's been over a year since the Empress's mourning period ended, so it's not surprising that she's pregnant.
"Then let's go."
Half an hour later, everyone gathered at Ruining Palace.
The Empress Dowager has aged considerably, and her hair has turned completely white.
Perhaps it's because she's still dissatisfied these past few years, but she's become increasingly harsh.
After everyone paid their respects, the Empress Dowager said, "Since the birth of the Eighth Prince, there has been no further pregnancy. Now that Consort Li is pregnant, it is a joyous occasion."
She originally intended to support a daughter of the Ye family to marry a prince or crown prince, but when Duke Ye saw her on his deathbed, he made her swear that she must not send any Ye family girls into the palace.
She couldn't completely disobey her father, so she had no choice but to try to find a solution from the inner palace.
"Li Xiaoyi is pregnant? When did this happen?" Yan Nangui asked.
Li Xiaoyi stood up: "Your Highness, we only discovered it today. The imperial physician said it's been two months."
"I've reviewed the records, there's no problem," the Empress Dowager said calmly.
“Of course, I was just asking.” Yan Nangui smiled. “Li Xiaoyi has been in the palace for so many years, it’s good that she can get pregnant.”
"Hmph, you high-ranking officials, although you all have children, none of you are worth mentioning in terms of fertility, especially you. Consort Chen, all these years, the Emperor has always stayed with you. You still only have one daughter. You are not young anymore, you should give her up when you should, don't be the kind of jealous and calculating person."
"Your Majesty, I cannot accept such words. His Majesty already has eight princes and seven princesses. I only have one daughter. If this is the case, it would be considered as monopolizing His Majesty and forbidding others from having children. I will not accept this," Yan Nangui said.
"Don't you understand what I mean?" The Empress Dowager's voice turned cold.
"Your Majesty, I am foolish and truly do not understand. If it is said that during the Empress's mourning period these past few years, no one could give birth, then Consort Mei gave birth to the Ninth Prince as soon as the mourning period ended. Now, Consort Li is also pregnant. The Empress Dowager says that I am jealous, which I cannot accept. Besides, I am not the Empress. Where Your Majesty chooses to spend the night, I cannot stop you, nor will I."
"Yan Shi! You've always been sharp-tongued, and I can't win an argument with you. But you should also know that you have no children, so you should be more humble and it will make your life easier in the future. You have the upper hand now, but what will happen later?" The Empress Dowager's words seemed to be well-intentioned advice.
"Your Majesty, I am His Majesty's concubine, and I entered the palace openly and legitimately. Even if a crown prince is born in the future, it is not right for Your Majesty to make things difficult for me for no reason. I understand that Your Majesty hopes that His Majesty will have many children. However, I cannot understand why you would blame me for this," Yan Nangui said.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. This is not something that can be done simply by the Imperial Concubine's word. Ultimately, it depends on His Majesty. You know His Majesty's temper," Consort Xiangxian chimed in.
"Yes, after all, it's His Majesty's own pleasure that matters. Whether the women in the harem are favored or not ultimately depends on themselves. If they can't please His Majesty, why should he wrong himself? It's not like there aren't princes." Consort He said calmly.
The Empress Dowager glanced at her and said, "Consort He, you certainly know how to talk back to me."
"I was merely telling the truth," Consort He said calmly.
"To be honest, you're actually quite happy that you haven't seen His Majesty for so long," the Empress Dowager said angrily.
"Your Majesty does not consider me to be a favorite of His Majesty. What's wrong with living a peaceful life? I live a life of luxury and honor. I can't possibly cause any trouble just because His Majesty isn't here. I know how to be content. I advise Your Majesty not to meddle in these matters."
"Consort He! You've really gone too far! Do you have any manners left? To contradict me in public, how dare you!" The Empress Dowager was furious.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Your health is the most important thing." Consort Ke smiled and said, "It's nothing serious. It's just that Sister Li is pregnant. This is a joyous occasion."
The Empress Dowager calmed down and sat back down: "Hmph, very good, you are all of one mind. Never mind, I shouldn't concern myself with these things. Li's pregnancy is naturally a joyous occasion."
"Tell Lady Li to move out. I think Liuyun Palace is quite nice," the Empress Dowager said.
Liuyun Palace is located right behind Yannangui Zhaochun Palace.
When Consort Xiaoyi became pregnant, the Empress Dowager designated a palace. Naturally, the main hall was not suitable for her to stay in, but the underlying meaning was quite intriguing.
"If Your Majesty the Empress Dowager thinks it's good, then I'll go back and have someone prepare it, and then I'll have Consort Li move in," said Consort Xiangxian.
“Okay.” Yan Nangui nodded as well.
Li Xiaoyi quickly stood up: "Thank you both, sisters."
Having achieved her goal, the Empress Dowager naturally dismissed everyone.
She wasn't doing it just because Li Xiaoyi moved; she wanted to see how people would react.
Since the emperor has no legitimate son, he will choose from among the illegitimate sons. As long as Li's child is a son, he will be the emperor's youngest son.
What emperor wouldn't like his youngest son?
“Sister, please don’t be angry. In recent years, the Empress Dowager has become increasingly… alas, she has grown old,” said Consort Jia.
Yan Nangui shook his head: "It's not that bad. Even if there is something else, think about how she is His Majesty's own mother. I have to endure it whether I want to or not."
These words were half true and half false, but Consort Jia believed them completely.
“Speaking of which, it’s a blessing that Consort Li is pregnant. With the Empress Dowager’s favor, she will surely rise to a high position in the future,” said Consort Jia.
Consort Jia is also out of favor. At first, she served him, but now she's lucky if she gets to serve him once every few months.
She was quite good, but unfortunately, she wasn't the type the emperor liked.
Given the low probability of someone being chosen to serve you in bed, getting pregnant is extremely difficult.
Therefore, even during the years Li Xiaoyi spent in the palace, including the period of mourning for the Empress, it was still quite difficult for her to conceive.
However, the Empress Dowager dared not allow Guan Shu Chengfeng to favor anyone.
Even though the Empress Dowager is now even more unreasonable, she still doesn't dare.
However, after she dissuaded the Ye family girl from entering the palace or marrying a prince, Shu Chengfeng treated her much better.
Now that they're older, they're both more inclined to reconcile.
The meeting became much more peaceful, which is why the Empress Dowager actively supported Li Xiaoyi.
She's just a concubine. Even if she gives birth to a prince, it will take many years for her to rise from concubine to imperial consort. Even if she moves to another palace now, what difference will it make?
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