In June of the eleventh year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, Hongzhou's second son was born.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
When Qianxue ran into the house excitedly, Geng Youran was practicing calligraphy.
"What's the big deal? Don't make a fuss."
"Your Majesty, the Fifth Princess Consort has given birth! It's a prince!"
"real?!"
"real!"
Geng Youran was overjoyed, never expecting the Fifth Prince's wife to be so capable.
"Where is Hongzhou?"
"Your Majesty, they should have already entered the palace by now."
"Alright, alright. Go and bring out the gift I prepared in advance. Also, have Xiao Anzi keep an eye on things. If he sees Hongzhou, have him come to Chengqian Palace."
"yes!"
About an hour later, Hongzhou arrived.
"Your son greets his mother!"
"Get up. Come and see, these are all prepared by your mother."
On the table were exquisite gold and silver locks, as well as tiger-head hats and tiger-head shoes.
"Mother, what are these?"
Hongzhou knew that his mother had never been good at needlework.
"How is it? Does it look good?"
There was a hint of anticipation in his tone.
At that moment, Hongzhou inadvertently noticed the strip of cloth wrapped around Geng Youran's fingers.
"Mother, you didn't make these yourself, did you?"
"Your mother isn't very good at needlework; she learned it from your Empress Xi."
"It's fine to let Aunt Qingyan and the others do this. Why should Mother make things difficult for herself?"
"How is it difficult? Making clothes for my own grandson makes me happy,"
These are Geng Youran's true feelings.
She's not love-obsessed, and she's past the stage of treating love as everything.
Although she chose to stay for love back then, she later realized that she did not regret any of the decisions she made.
"Alright, you should go back now. Take good care of the Princess Consort."
“My son knows.”
After watching Hongzhou leave, Geng Youran suddenly felt very tired.
When she woke up, it was almost evening.
"Qianxue".
"Your Majesty, you're awake."
Why didn't you wake me up?
"I saw you were sleeping soundly, so I didn't wake you. You've been staying up late for several nights recently to make the little prince's tiger-head shoes and hat."
"Although I am a bit tired, I am content. By the way, has anything been done with Consort Ning?"
Qianxue shook her head:
"Recently, the Emperor hasn't been visiting Consort Ning much. The ones who have been serving him in bed are mostly the newly arrived ladies-in-waiting."
Hearing this, Geng Youran was surprised by her own inner calm.
"Keep an eye on Consort Ning's side. I'm still a little worried."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured."
The central topic of conversation between the master and servant was Consort Ning, who was indeed quite anxious lately.
"Your Majesty, what are you thinking about?"
The one speaking was Bai Mei, a trusted confidante newly promoted by Consort Ning.
"It's nothing. Have you found out everything I asked you to inquire about?"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has recently summoned several newcomers to the palace, among whom the one who has served him the most is named Consort Liu."
"How does he/she look?"
"Not outstanding, probably above average. However, I heard that this Lady Liu looks a lot like someone else."
"who?"
"I heard... I heard she looks a lot like Consort Yu when she was young."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Consort Ning slammed the cup in her hand down:
"Damn it, I put in so much effort, but in the end I still can't beat her. Now, a woman who just looks a little like her dares to ride roughshod over me."
Consort Ning was intelligent and also unwilling to admit defeat.
She devised a plan: Bai Mei bribed the palace maids and eunuchs around Consort Liu, and had them casually mention the matter to Consort Liu.
As time went on, Consort Liu truly took it to heart.
One day, she sat in front of the mirror, touching her face, unsure whether she was asking herself or the palace maid behind her:
"Tell me, does the Emperor prefer me or her?"
The palace maid didn't even hear what Consort Liu said, and reflexively replied:
"His Majesty naturally favors you, Your Highness."
"Yes, if she likes me, then she has no need to exist."
The palace maid behind him was taken aback upon hearing this.
"My lord, what did you just say?"
Liu did not answer, but instead took out several silver notes and a paper package from a drawer in front of the dressing table.
"As long as you can find a way to add this to Consort Yu's meals, all these silver notes will be yours."
This palace maid was quite bold; she took the silver notes and paper packet from Consort Liu, turned around, and left.
That very evening, news spread that Consort Yu had been poisoned and fallen into a coma.
Upon hearing this, Consort Liu was overjoyed and secretly went to Chengqian Palace. However, she was stopped by Consort Ning on the way and taken to Consort Xi.
"Your Highness, I saw it with my own eyes. It was her. She was acting suspiciously around Chengqian Palace; she must have poisoned Consort Yu."
Consort Xi didn't even glance at Consort Ning, but instead looked at the woman kneeling on the ground, trembling:
"Raise your head and let me see you."
Consort Liu didn't dare to raise her head, but the eunuch next to Consort Xi forcibly pulled her head up.
"What a pity, such a wasted face. Someone come here."
"Your servant is here."
"To be beaten to death."
"Let's see who dares to touch me!"
Liu raised her head defiantly:
"Even if you are a noble concubine, you cannot frame people so easily. What evidence do you have to prove that I ordered the poisoning?"
Consort Xi mocked:
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