Amidst the turmoil in the imperial harem, Consort Tong's belly was slowly growing larger.
This is the most dangerous period, when seven out of ten people survive and eight out of ten don't.
Looking at her bulging belly, she's already more than seven months along, and in another half month she'll be almost eight months pregnant.
Consort Tong did not have a safe and uneventful pregnancy during these months.
They experienced all sorts of unexpected dangers, incompatible foods, problematic spices, and clothes stained with the smell.
Fortunately, the servants around her were capable, and Consort Tong arrived in July without any major incidents.
During her pregnancy, Consort Tong gradually lost interest in the Fourth Prince.
At first, Consort Tong was willing to genuinely raise the Fourth Prince Yinzhen, and her kindness towards him during those years was also sincere.
Otherwise, why would the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, like his mother so much?
It's because she hasn't been able to conceive for so many years.
A helpless act out of desperation.
Now things are fine, she can conceive a prince.
There's no need to adopt someone else's child; no matter how well you raise them, they're not your own biological son.
Consort Tong's heart and soul are now completely focused on the child in her womb.
The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, had long been forgotten by her.
Except for the previous few times when the Fourth Prince Yinzhen returned from the Imperial Study to pay his respects at Chengqian Palace.
Later, Consort Tong found a reason to tell the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, to study diligently in the Imperial Study and not to return to Chengqian Palace unless necessary.
With the advice of her wet nurse, Consort Tong found a more plausible reason.
She said that she was pregnant with her younger brother and didn't have time to take care of him, so she told the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, to study hard and win the Emperor's favor.
To bring her some honor.
At first, Consort Tong was unwilling to continue supporting the Fourth Prince and wanted to send him back to the Uya clan, as she didn't want to see him around and find him annoying.
Perhaps due to pregnancy, Consort Tong has become increasingly capricious and reckless in her actions, disregarding the consequences.
When she was pregnant, she thought she only wanted the baby in her belly and didn't want anything else.
She didn't want the now-grown Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, to block her child's favor in Chengqian Palace.
Consort Tong didn't even consider whether the unborn child in her belly or the grown-up prince was more important.
Perhaps overwhelmed by maternal love, Consort Tong no longer considered any interests; all she cared about was the child in her womb.
If only Duofu knew about these things.
It's definitely true that pregnancy makes you stupid for three years.
However, Duofu was unaware that the Prince was still fast asleep in the Imperial Study, which was his residence.
During the months that Consort Tong spent resting in her palace during her pregnancy, she was extremely careful and dared not leave her Chengqian Palace.
It's been over seven months now, and she feels she's recovered well, so she wants to take a walk in the small garden at the back.
These past few months of pregnancy have been very stressful. Although I've been overjoyed, I'm also filled with fear, especially the fear that I won't be able to give birth.
After several months, Consort Tong became haggard, resembling Lin Daiyu in a frail, delicate painting, as if she might collapse at any moment.
The wet nurse's advice did not stop Consort Tong from going out for a walk.
Although she knew it wasn't the right time to go out, the recent outbreak of her illness made her determined to go for a walk in the small garden.
The more those around him tried to persuade him, the more determined he became.
Consort Tong clutched her chest, her face full of frustration, her voice tinged with impatience.
Her voice, which was usually warm and gentle, became hot and irritating.
"Granny, I just want to go out for a walk. I haven't stepped out of Chengqian Palace for the past few months."
To ensure the safety of her pregnancy, Consort Tong had already obtained an imperial decree from Emperor Kangxi, thanks to her frail health, that she was exempt from paying her respects and could instead rest and recuperate in Chengqian Palace.
"Bring more people with you then. That little garden isn't far from Chengqian Palace; it's just a few steps away."
At Consort Tong's insistence, the people of Chengqian Palace sprang into action, preparing everything for the trip.
Before the small garden was built on the road leading to Consort Tong, the nanny had already arranged for people to clear the area and eliminate any possibility of danger.
Amidst the anxiety of her attendants, Consort Tong strolled through the small garden without incident.
The eunuchs carried the sedan chair towards Chengqian Palace, and the palace gates were already visible in the distance.
Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thinking nothing had happened, a black cat suddenly appeared on the palace wall.
With a meow, it jumped onto the soft frame.
"Ah, ahh."
"Protect the Empress"
"Your Majesty."
"Quickly summon the imperial physician! Her Majesty is bleeding!"
Amidst the gasps of the crowd, Consort Tong had already fainted from fright, and red liquid slowly appeared beneath her, soaking her dress.
Consort Tong was scratched by a cat when she was a child and has been afraid of cats since she was a child, but this secret was not known to anyone except the people who served her since she was a child.
The moment the black cat jumped down, Consort Tong was trembling all over, her eyes were tightly closed, and she fainted from fright before she could catch her breath.
Due to excessive fright, my stomach started to hurt when I was nervous, and blood started flowing from my lower body.
When all the women in the harem arrived at Chengqian Palace, no matter how concerned or worried they appeared on the surface, they couldn't help but smile inside.
Traveling around while pregnant is like saying that the lump on your belly isn't precious enough.
Empress Niohuru, in particular, spoke words of worry, but the joy in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Consort De, of the Uya clan, was no better off. She looked like a pitiful little white flower, with tears glistening in the corners of her eyes, but the joy in them made even the tears shine brighter.
The women in the harem each had their own joys and sorrows. Before Kangxi arrived, they spoke words of worry while their eyes held a hint of happiness, revealing the true nature of the women in the harem.
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