Since Consort Shu became pregnant, incense has been shut off in her bedchamber. The nine-cornered incense burner on the windowsill clearly hasn't been lit for months.
"I've heard that Your Majesty's pregnancy has been unstable and you've had many nightmares at night. Why don't you burn some calming incense?"
The group entered the hall and took their seats. The Holy Maiden spoke with concern.
Consort Shu smiled and was also polite to the Holy Maiden, "Just in case, the palace is not as good as the outside world. Besides, this child is very stingy when he is in the womb."
Those present understood.
"Then, allow me to take Consort Shu's pulse. His Majesty mentioned earlier that I should take Consort Shu's pulse and observe the signs of the child in her womb."
"Then, I will trouble you, Holy Maiden." Consort Shu smiled gently and dignifiedly, then looked at Xie Lingqin, "However, the reason I summoned Miss Xie here today is indeed because I have something to tell you. Let me finish speaking about it first."
"Then, Miss Li and I will wait outside for a while."
As the Holy Maiden spoke, she immediately stood up.
"No need," Consort Shu waved her hand with a smile. "There's nothing that can't be said to others, and it's nothing serious."
"Consort Shu, you don't look too well. Why don't you go and rest? We can talk about it another day."
Liu Yunzhou genuinely cared about this cousin.
Consort Shu glanced at Liu Yunzhou and said amiably, "Look at you, now you are the Imperial Censor, an official of the court, how can you still be so casual? You are from the Liu family, my family, don't let others laugh at you."
The tone was neither too light nor too heavy; it wasn't blaming, but it clearly conveyed a sense of caution and awareness. This was the imperial palace, and some things couldn't be done as one wished.
Liu Yunzhou fell silent.
"Someone, bring that jade pendant up."
Consort Shu then gave instructions to the palace maid beside her.
"Consort Shu, this is..."
The Holy Maiden looked puzzled.
"Oh, it's like this. I heard about the news that Miss Xie will be betrothed in a month. So I thought of giving her this jade pendant, which was once given to her by the General's wife, as a way of wishing her well."
Xie Lingqin looked slightly doubtful. Beside her, the Holy Maiden and Li Qingyu exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of doubt in each other's eyes.
"Did the General's wife also give a jade pendant to Consort Shu back then?" the Holy Maiden asked.
“That’s right. Back then, I wasn’t even a Noble Consort yet.” As Noble Consort Shu spoke, a palace maid came forward with a tray. On the tray was an exquisitely embroidered cloth bag, inside which was a jade pendant.
“This…the jade pendant given by someone like the General’s wife must not be an ordinary item.”
Curiosity was clearly visible in the Holy Maiden's eyes.
Perhaps it wasn't just curiosity, but also a very faint hint of greed, something others couldn't see but Xie Lingqin could definitely sense.
Someone like the Holy Maiden, who already possesses fame and fortune, would have no difficulty obtaining power, yet there are still things in this world that would make her greedy…
Moreover, it was her mother's jade pendant.
"Your mother said back then that this jade could protect me, and over the years, it seems to have protected me from many bad things. So now, I also hope that it can protect you and help you find a good match."
Consort Shu gently picked up the small cloth bag with her slender fingers, gesturing for Xie Lingqin to step forward.
"I wonder if you could let me take a look first?"
The Holy Maiden suddenly stepped forward, somewhat losing her composure, and seemed extremely eager to examine the jade pendant.
Xie Lingqin's mind sharpened slightly. She exchanged a glance with Consort Shu, and then smiled gently, "I will follow Consort Shu's orders in everything."
"It is not impossible. The Holy Maiden is a loyal member of the Northern Rong royal family, not an outsider. Let's take a look. After all, the quality of this jade pendant is truly excellent and rare in the world."
The Holy Aunt accepted it as if it were a sacred object, took it out of the cloth bag, and admired it. In an instant, her entire mind seemed to be drawn to it.
Li Qingyu also stepped forward to watch with the Holy Maiden.
Moreover, Xie Lingqin keenly sensed that the Holy Maiden seemed to be doing something with the jade pendant, and around her, there seemed to be a powerful mist condensing and swirling around her.
This feeling...
It was as if she could clearly see and feel a breath being drawn into the Holy Maiden, attempting to inject it into the jade pendant, but... in the end, everything dissipated, indicating that it had not succeeded.
Saintess quickly composed herself, feeling a little regretful and dejected, and handed the jade pendant back to Xie Lingqin.
Xie Lingqin took the jade pendant. The jade was warm to the touch, and suddenly her mind became clear, and her internal organs felt completely refreshed.
Although this jade is of superior quality, that is not its preciousness; there must be another secret about it.
Only after seeing Xie Lingqin put the jade pendant into her sleeve did the Holy Maiden rise and walk towards Consort Shu, saying, "Then, I will now take Your Highness's pulse."
"Um."
Consort Shu stretched out her hand, her wide sleeves sliding down to reveal her snow-white wrist.
The curtains were drawn.
Liu Yunzhou naturally looked away, but he still glanced at Xie Lingqin out of the corner of his eye.
What's so special about that jade pendant? Why did my cousin insist on inviting her to give it to me? And it's clear that the Holy Maiden really loves this jade pendant and is reluctant to part with it.
The Holy Maiden of the Northern Rong Royal Family could have any kind of jade pendant she desired.
Although he hadn't met this holy woman often, he had never seen her with such an expression on her face before, a woman who was usually so sacred and solemn.
Ah~
Just as everyone was lost in thought, Consort Shu suddenly cried out in pain.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
The palace maids nearby were alarmed and rushed forward. Xie Lingqin also took a few steps forward, but did not get close—she did not want to cause trouble.
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