"Your Majesty the Empress is pregnant!?" Wan Anran received the news the next morning. The palace was busy with many affairs on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and she got up more than half an hour earlier than usual.
Wan Anran was originally very sleepy.
But when such earth-shattering news came down, Wan Anran was wide awake. Full of energy, her eyes were bright and she excitedly jumped out of bed.
The Empress is pregnant!
The Empress is pregnant!!
The Empress is pregnant!!!
Wan Anran clenched her fists and placed them in front of her chest.
Your Majesty, Your Majesty, thinking back on my worries yesterday was so ominous! Wan Anran slammed her head against a pillar with a loud bang, startling all the palace maids around her.
Haitao asked cautiously, "Master, Master?"
Isn't this a bit of an exaggeration? It seems like even when the master herself was pregnant, she wasn't this happy.
After finally regaining her composure, Wan Anran hurriedly called for people to help her change clothes and wash up. She then rushed to Kunning Palace, determined to be the first to comfort the Empress.
Unfortunately, the Emperor is already here.
Wan Anran: "...cut."
She said sullenly, "Your Majesty, today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Why are you still in Kunning Palace instead of Qianqing Palace?"
Kangxi: ...?
He raised an eyebrow: "But it would be strange if you showed up so early."
Wan Anran said confidently, "Not surprising at all."
She raised her head slightly and straightened her chest: "As a concubine, it is perfectly natural and normal for me to pay my respects to the Empress!"
Kangxi: …………
He glanced at the sky outside, then at the Western clock hanging on the wall, and felt that Consort Qi was talking nonsense again: "Don't think I don't know that you always sleep in late, and it's a miracle if you can even make it to the morning and evening greetings."
The Empress burst out laughing.
Wan Anran's cheeks flushed red as she glared angrily at the Emperor.
Emperor Kangxi had no time to argue with Consort Qi.
Seeing Liang Jiugong looking at him frequently with great anxiety in his eyes, and with Consort Qi's reminder, Kangxi realized that the time was approaching.
On the first day of the new year, I was busy from morning till night.
He sighed softly, instructed the palace servants to take good care of the Empress, and then hurriedly left.
Wan Anran stuck out her tongue at Emperor Kangxi.
The Empress sighed: "You... don't be allowed to argue with the Emperor like that next time."
The emperor's favor is finite.
The indulgences of today may become sins in the future, such as Consort Tong and Consort Yi. The more they remain silent, the more worried the Emperor becomes about Consort Qi.
Wan Anran took the Empress's arm.
She smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I know what I'm doing, and besides—"
Wan Anran changed the subject: "The most important thing now is you."
Then she and Granny Zhou and the others discussed the upcoming arrangements, trying their best to ensure that the Empress could get the best rest during the busy New Year.
Aside from the tasks that required the Empress's attendance, the other duties were categorized and arranged. Wan Anran knew the Empress was busy, but she didn't realize there were so many miscellaneous things to do; she would be extremely busy for the next period of time.
The only saving grace was that Consort Tong also helped.
It's unclear what Consort Tong and the Empress discussed beforehand, but she seems to be in good spirits these past two months, and she's been very efficient and decisive in her work. With her prestigious family background and influence, Wan Anran quickly became the one cheering her on from the sidelines.
Naturally, some people went to Wan Anran to report on her, and Consort Tong also knew about it. She was somewhat wary, worried that Consort Qi might do something, but she waited until after the Lantern Festival without any news.
Even after receiving the Emperor's praise, Consort Tong was even more confused: "I haven't done much; Consort Qi is the busiest one."
Emperor Kangxi smiled and said, "Consort Qi has told me everything."
He paused for a moment and then added, "I can still tell the difference in my cousin's handiwork."
If it were Consort Qi, she would certainly have a different opinion.
For example, meals or Lantern Festival activities wouldn't be so rigid and formal; they would be more interesting, right?
Consort Tong was unaware of Emperor Kangxi's thoughts.
She looked bewildered and turned around, still puzzled. After thinking it over, Consort Tong finally went to her door in person and asked, "Why...why are you still speaking up for me?"
Wan Anran: "...?"
She tilted her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"During the New Year..."
"Oh, those were all made by the Imperial Concubine?" Wan Anran said dismissively. Thinking back to her past life, before she went it alone, she had worked a job. What do office workers hate most? It's the type who doesn't do any work but only seeks credit.
Wan Anran hates that kind of person the most.
Besides, she really didn't do anything. Most of the time she probably just ate melon seeds in Kunning Palace and played mahjong with the Empress to pass the time.
Therefore, when faced with Consort Tong's doubts, Wan Anran crossed her arms and snorted coldly: "This concubine would never do such a thing. No matter how well Your Highness does, it is not due to this concubine's merit."
Consort Tong: …………
She remained silent; Qi Fei's thoughts were completely different from what she had been taught.
Consort Tong stood frozen in place.
Wan Anran was somewhat confused, and the atmosphere at the scene became slightly tense. The three who broke the awkward silence were Yinzhen, Yinqi, and the Fourth Princess, who appeared together.
The appearance of Consort Tong left Yinzhen somewhat stunned.
A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, while Yinqi and the Fourth Princess greeted each other openly and generously. Yinqi, in particular, even asked with a smile, "Mother Consort Tong, why isn't Seventh Brother out playing?"
Consort Tong's eyelashes trembled slightly, and after a moment she smiled and replied, "Next time."
After speaking, she bid farewell to Consort Qi and left in a hurry, leaving only Yinqi still complaining: "Next time, when is next time, tomorrow? Fifth Brother, should we ask tomorrow?"
Yinzhen: …………
Wan Anran couldn't understand Consort Tong's intentions either. Even though Consort Tong had taken over most of the work, she was still exhausted. Now, she stretched and prepared to take a good rest.
After all, the beginning of next month is the spring plowing season, and the month after that is the Emperor's birthday, both of which are extremely important holidays.
Wan Anran had just closed her eyes.
Before she could even doze off, Yinqi came running over: "Mother Qi, Mother Qi, wake up! Let's play hide-and-seek, shall we?"
"Let Haitao play with you..."
"Hai Tao and the others are all pretending not to see anything. It's not fun at all." Yin Qi swayed back and forth, he was quite adept at using the skill of acting cute.
Wan Anran is struggling.
Yinqi used his last trick, secretly giving Yinzhen a wink: Go for it!
Yinzhen: …………
Why did I end up with my fifth brother? Why did he turn out like this? Yinzhen sighed deeply, and finally couldn't resist Yinqi's starry eyes, so he silently stepped forward and said, "Mother."
"Um?"
"Your subject wishes... that you play with us." Yinzhen read aloud.
Wan Anran's closed eyes immediately opened wide.
Seeing the slight blush on Yinzhen's cheeks, and then looking at the excited expressions of Yinqi and the Fourth Princess, she rolled her eyes and instantly came up with an idea: "If Yinzhen kisses his mother, then his mother will play with the three of you."
Yinqi and the Fourth Princess didn't see it as a problem at all.
They all turned their heads at once, their round eyes fixed on Yinzhen.
For Yinzhen, however, this was quite a test. Faced with the urging of Yinqi and the Fourth Princess, his face turned pale and then flushed. It took him a long time to suppress his shyness and hesitantly leaned forward to give her a kiss.
Wan Anran suddenly sat up.
With her hands on her hips and full of energy, she said, "Come on, let's play together!"
Wow, Fifth Brother's kiss is amazing!
"Of course! Yinzhen's beloved is the number one in the Qing Dynasty, no! The number one in the world!"
"Then I want a kiss from Fifth Brother too!"
"I want one too! I want one too!"
"..." Yinzhen stared expressionlessly at Yinqi and the Fourth Princess, then glared angrily at the outspoken Wan Anran: "Mother—stop making trouble!"
"What Mother said is true!"
"Fifth Brother, it's okay to give him a kiss—"
The sounds of laughter and commotion in Chuxiu Palace reached Consort Tong's ears. She hadn't walked far when she subconsciously stopped and stared blankly back at the scene.
Let...Yinyou, come out and play?
Would the child be willing? Consort Tong lowered her head, thinking of how Yin You had become increasingly reluctant to leave the house recently, and couldn't help but sigh secretly.
Back inside Chengqian Palace.
Removing her cloak, Consort Tong walked towards the side hall where Yin You resided. The entrance was eerily quiet; a young eunuch silently shook his head upon seeing Consort Tong's arrival.
"As expected..." He didn't go out today either.
Consort Tong bit her lip, stepped forward to knock on the door, and just then a voice called out: "Your Highness, the Emperor has sent someone to deliver an imperial decree."
Consort Tong withdrew her hand that hadn't yet come down.
She glanced at the closed gate, then turned and hurried toward the front yard.
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree had a smile on his face.
He said respectfully, "By order of the Empress, the Noble Consort is requested to depart the day after tomorrow with the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager to Mount Wutai to pray to Buddha."
Consort Tong was slightly taken aback.
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree said with a smile, "Your Majesty will also be traveling together."
Consort Tong: "The concubines who have left the palace..."
The imperial eunuch delivered the decree: "The journey is still short, and Her Majesty the Empress has said that the Imperial Concubine may accompany you."
After the eunuch who delivered the decree withdrew, Chengqian Palace erupted in jubilation. The nannies and maids stepped forward with smiles: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Your Majesty, we must hurry and get things ready."
Consort Tong was stunned.
She then nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips.
The Empress would not have made such a decision without the Emperor's permission. Consort Tong's eyes crinkled with a smile, her heart pounding—Your Majesty, has he forgiven me?
Consort Tong was unusually in high spirits.
A smile played on her lips, and her voice was light and cheerful: "Then let's get started!"
After the Emperor, the Grand Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager departed, the Forbidden City became considerably quieter. Wan Anran, however, was very diligent, choosing to report to the Kunning Palace every day.
At first, she wanted to pass the time by playing mahjong, but when she entered the room and saw the Empress with her eyes downcast, sewing small clothes and radiating a strong maternal glow, Wan Anran was suddenly stunned.
No, now is not the time to play mahjong!
What's most important during pregnancy? Prenatal education, of course!
Upon hearing from the palace servants that Consort Qi had arrived, the Empress was gathering up the half-finished garment she was sewing, intending to chat with Consort Qi for a while. However, she did not expect that when she looked up, she would see Consort Qi turn and leave.
Empress: ...?
She couldn't hide her confusion and tilted her head: "What's wrong with Consort Qi?"
Granny Zhou shook her head.
What puzzled them even more was that, after only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Qi Fei hurriedly arrived again, carrying a stack of books.
Thick books were piled on the round table.
Then Wan Anran picked up a book and began to read it aloud with great enthusiasm.
Empress: ...?
Originally, it was thought that Consort Qi was just having a whim, but unexpectedly, from morning to night, and even when she left, she instructed the palace maids to continue reciting.
The Queen's face was practically filled with questions.
She tried to stop Qi Fei: "What are you doing?"
Wan Anran smiled and said, "This is prenatal education!"
She patted her chest and proudly exclaimed, "That's how it is; that's why I gave birth to such a sensible and obedient child as Yinzhen."
Empress: "Is...is that so?"
Wan Anran nodded emphatically: "That's right, exactly!"
She carefully instructed the palace maids to take turns reading to the Empress before happily taking her leave.
Only the empress remained, still pondering.
She tried to recall the scene, but all she could remember were Qi Fei happily preparing food with various ingredients.
Empress: …………
She murmured, "It seems completely different from what they said?"
Granny Zhou ignored her.
She looked at the Empress with affection: "What Consort Qi said must be true. I really hope that the little prince can be born healthy!"
The empress stroked her belly.
She smiled brightly: "That's true! But rather than being smart, I'd prefer this child to be an ordinary one."
"How could the lady's child be ordinary?"
"...It's better to keep it simple," the Empress said with a faint smile.
Except for the Third Prince, Yinzhuo, who was on good terms with the Crown Prince.
Excluding the disabled Seventh Prince Yinyou, there are still six princes remaining, not including the four who are pregnant.
Moreover, the emperor is still in his prime.
If the Emperor were to live longer, a struggle for the throne would be inevitable in the future. Even Consort Qi, the Empress could hardly guarantee that she wouldn't be involved, let alone the child in her womb.
He will be the legitimate son once he is born.
The only fortunate thing is that His Highness the Crown Prince is already eleven years old. With such a large age difference, even if he were a young prince, he wouldn't be involved in the struggle for the throne, right?
The Empress sighed, resting her chin on her hand.
Maintaining the current peaceful state will likely face a severe test in the future.
Before the future even arrived, rumors began to circulate in the palace, and they were quite detailed. It was said that Consort Tong was very lucky, as she made Consort Yi, who had been told by the imperial physician that she could not conceive, pregnant again. It was also said that she made the Empress, who was barren, finally conceive...
It became quite a hot topic.
Wan Anran hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help but say, "It's as if Consort Tong was the one who got the concubines pregnant."
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