Deep within the magnificent imperial palace, the Yongshou Palace, the private residence of Consort Zhaoyi, was decorated both solemnly and warmly. She sat upright on her bed, her face slightly pale, but her eyes shone with anticipation. An elderly imperial physician, carrying a medicine chest, stood respectfully by the bedside.
The imperial physician bowed respectfully and said in a calm tone, "Your Majesty, I have come to take your pulse."
Consort Zhaoyi nodded gently and extended her wrist. "Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician."
The newly arrived palace maid, Cai'er, was concerned for her. This Consort Zhaoyi did not yet have any first-class palace maids, so this was her chance to prove herself!
"Imperial Physician, my lady has been restless lately and has lost her appetite. You must examine her carefully."
The imperial physician gently placed his fingers on Consort Zhaoyi's pulse, closed his eyes, and focused intently on the diagnosis.
After a while, a smile appeared on his face. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, you are pregnant. This is a sign of the dragon's offspring."
A flicker of surprise crossed Consort Zhao's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. "Imperial Physician, is this matter confirmed?"
The imperial physician nodded firmly, "Your Majesty, I have practiced medicine for many years and am absolutely certain of this. You are indeed carrying the imperial child; this is a joyous occasion."
Consort Zhaoyi smiled with satisfaction, her heart filled with joy and anticipation for the future. "This is truly a blessing from heaven, and I will cherish it dearly. My Fulu family has always prided itself on men risking their lives on the battlefield; I hope I can change that."
The imperial physician bowed again, preparing to leave. "Your Majesty, you need to rest well. I will prepare some medicinal meals to help with your pregnancy."
Consort Zhaoyi nodded, "Thank you, Imperial Physician. I will take care of myself."
After the imperial physician left, the palace maids of Consort Zhaoyi came forward to offer their congratulations, and Yongshou Palace was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
Cai'er stepped forward excitedly and said, "Your Majesty, this is wonderful news! The entire palace will be happy for you."
Consort Zhao smiled, her heart filled with maternal tenderness. "Yes, this is good news for the royal family, and also a blessing for me."
Soon after, the news of Consort Zhao's pregnancy spread throughout the palace, and the emperor and other concubines sent their blessings and gifts.
Yonghua Palace
Consort Qing was sitting in front of her dressing table when her personal maid whispered to her the news that Consort Zhao was pregnant.
Ming'er cautiously reported to Li Qingzhou, "Your Majesty, news has come from the palace that Consort Zhaoyi..."
Consort Qing interrupted the palace maid, her tone tinged with impatience, "What's wrong with her?"
Ming'er lowered her head and said in an even softer voice, "The Imperial Physician has confirmed that Consort Zhao is pregnant with the Emperor's child."
Consort Qing's face turned pale instantly. She gripped the armrests of her chair tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. A surge of intense jealousy welled up inside her, but she maintained a calm demeanor on the surface. "This is a good thing; the royal family has gained a new member."
She instantly scattered everything on the stage, shouting, "Everyone in the harem can get pregnant, so why can't I!"
After Ming'er left, Consort Qing stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the scenery outside, her heart filled with turmoil. She muttered to herself, her tone tinged with bitterness and resentment, "Why her? I have been in the palace for many years, yet I have never been able to bear the Emperor a son or daughter."
She turned to face her reflection in the mirror, a resolute glint in her eyes. A silent determination formed in her heart, and her tone turned cold: "No, I can't give up like this. There must be a way to change this situation."
Consort Qing began to plan how to improve her status. She needed a plan to win more of the emperor's favor, perhaps by using some means to increase the chances of Ming'er getting pregnant.
She spoke to her trusted palace maid with a hint of command in her tone, "Go, prepare some nourishing medicinal food for me. I need to take good care of my health."
The palace maid withdrew, while Consort Qing continued to ponder. She knew that in this power game within the palace, she had to be even more careful and shrewd.
She pondered to herself, her tone laced with ruthlessness, "So what if Consort Zhao is pregnant? In this palace, the one who laughs last is the winner."
Consort Qing's jealousy drove her to take action, but she also knew that any wrong step could lead to irreversible consequences.
There had been no happy events in the harem for a long time. With the war raging, the men of the Fulu family were all fighting desperately on the battlefield. Now that Fulu Siyue was pregnant again, Qi Jingxuan had no choice but to hold a banquet to show the importance of the Fulu family in his eyes.
For a time, the rewards from Yongshou Palace kept coming, and no one was worried about Ruan Yumu's safety. Everyone was making their own plans. The palace maids of Consort Zhaoyi's Yongshou Palace were busy dressing her up and preparing her to attend the upcoming palace celebration.
Fu Lu Siyue gently stroked her belly, a happy and proud smile on her face. Originally, she didn't feel anything, but the child was, after all, her own. "This is great news! The dragon's seed is in my womb; it is the bloodline of the royal family."
The palace maid carefully arranged the hair of Consort Zhaoyi, her tone filled with respect and joy, "Your Highness, you look so radiant; it must be the blessing brought to you by the imperial offspring."
Fu Lu Si Yue nodded, her heart filled with gratitude. "Yes, I will definitely protect this child well; he is the future of the royal family."
She stood up, moved around gently, and felt the throbbing of new life within her body.
Cai'er brought over a bowl of nourishing soup and respectfully handed it to Consort Zhaoyi. "Your Highness, this is a special soup prepared by the imperial physician to help you with your pregnancy. Please enjoy it."
Consort Zhaoyi took the soup bowl and smiled, "Thank you. I feel very safe with you all by my side."
She slowly savored the soup, her heart filled with love and anticipation for her future child.
Palace maid Bing was tidying up Consort Zhaoyi's dress when she said softly, "Your Highness, your dress is ready. It is made of the finest silk and will surely enhance your elegance."
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