Consort Xuan's pregnancy caused a sensation throughout the entire harem... but not really.
After all, with the Empress's pregnancy preceding her, even if Consort Xuan's pregnancy was shocking, it was nothing special.
Aside from some rumors circulating in the palace about Consort Xuan's good fortune, and seeing that even the two empress dowagers did not bestow any extraordinary rewards, the commotion surrounding Consort Xuan's pregnancy quickly subsided in the inner palace.
Wan Anran was overjoyed.
The palace maids exchanged glances, and Hai Tao said softly, "Since that's the case, why doesn't Your Highness also have one? It just so happens that the Fifth Prince mentioned last time that he wanted a younger brother or sister."
While everyone was somewhat skeptical of what their master had said before, the palace servants were stunned when they learned that Consort Xuan was pregnant.
So, Master, you hold treasures in your hands but choose not to use them?
You must know how many people throughout the palace yearn to have a son of the emperor!
One isn't enough.
There should be two, three, and four!
When the palace maids urged her to have a baby, Wan Anran waved her hand and said, "Let's not talk about this... um."
Seeing that Hai Tao and Zi Su both looked serious, she still explained, "At least not now, let's wait until next year? Look at the Emperor, he doesn't have the mind for that right now. After all, a pregnant woman is a treasure, but when the whole palace is full of pregnant women, there are just too many treasures..."
Palace servants: "..."
Wan Anran continued to sigh: "His Majesty must be very busy lately, right? I heard that the Russians are attacking the border? And there are signs of flooding in the upper reaches of the Yellow River due to excessive rainfall? I heard that he hasn't had a proper rest for quite some time." As for other matters, there are too many to list.
Palace servants: "…………"
Wan Anran rested her chin on her hand, feeling increasingly sorry for the Emperor as she spoke: "Besides, even if he returns to the inner palace, the Emperor doesn't have much time to rest, does he?"
She counted on her fingers: "I have to accompany the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager on walks and meals, and I also have to accompany the Empress to conduct prenatal education activities. I can't miss the two people in Yikun Palace either, and there's also Sister Xuan..."
Palace servants: "………………"
Wan Anran sighed and rubbed her forehead: "Besides that, the other concubines must be very enthusiastic too, right? I suppose so, since the imperial concubine selection is in less than two months."
Wan Anran continued to ponder: "Leaving aside the enthusiastic concubines, His Majesty also has to pay attention to the studies of His Highness the Crown Prince and all the princes... right? Wow, His Majesty is too amazing!"
Just looking at Wan Anran makes me feel tired.
She thought for a moment, then sighed and shook her head: "For the sake of His Majesty's health, let's wait until next year?"
Palace servants: "..."
Wan Anran tilted her head: "...?"
The palace servants nodded repeatedly with sorrowful expressions, saying, "Our master is right."
Wan Anran burst out laughing.
"Looking at it, it seems like it's almost time for Little Twelve, isn't it?" She counted on her fingers, thinking, and cupped her cheeks, a hint of anticipation creeping in.
Hai Tao and the others exchanged glances.
They couldn't help but sigh in unison.
Wan Anran noticed their movements.
She waved her hand helplessly and gestured for everyone to come over: "Speaking of which, Ju Bai..."
Ju Bai replied with a puzzled look, "Master, this servant is here."
Wan Anran covered her mouth with a piece of paper, her eyes crinkling: "I asked my father to investigate your family situation, and also the person who might become your future husband."
Ju Bai was slightly taken aback.
Immediately afterwards, her cheeks and ears turned completely red.
Haitao and Zisu's eyes lit up.
They smiled and crowded around, and soon even Granny Zhao and the other palace maids came over, curiously looking at the documents and occasionally bursting into surprised laughter.
Ju Bai blushed, let alone blushed.
In the end, they were so hot from all the fumes that they wished they could just dig a hole and crawl into it.
She was saved by a string of young princes.
More and more children followed behind Yinzhen, and a large group of them surged in, filling the entire Chuxiu Palace with noise.
Wan Anran cupped her face and said, "Yinzhen is really popular."
Yinzhen sighed: "It's clearly Mother who's more popular, isn't it?"
Wan Anran's eyes held a smile.
This fool Yinzhen, it's obvious that the young princes' eyes are shining when they look at him, and they're so affectionate with him that even he can see it.
Yinzhen felt that his mother's eyes were beyond saving.
In his past life, he was an extremely unpopular prince, and all his brothers except for his thirteenth brother were very indifferent to him.
popular?
This was a reason that had absolutely nothing to do with him, and besides—he stared at Yinqi and Yinyou, who were clutching a piece of cake tightly: "Half for each of you, and no arguing allowed."
Look at that!
Yinzhen crossed his arms and looked at the two who were unwilling to let go: These guys were clearly attracted by Mother's snacks.
The mother and son sighed at the same time.
My son/mother, how can you be so naive?
After enjoying the warm pastries and resting for a while, the little boys, full of energy again, were clamoring to play once more.
"Yes, yes, yes." Wan Anran smiled helplessly.
Just as she was about to send someone to fetch the toys, she noticed that Yinzhen secretly tugged at her sleeve: "Mother."
Wan Anran was slightly taken aback: "Hmm?"
Yinzhen said in a low voice, "Can we play Eagle Catches Chickens?"
Wan Anran slightly widened her eyes.
The disbelief in her eyes stung Yinzhen. He forced a stern look and tried to lower his voice: "It's not that I want to play, it's..."
Wan Anran glanced into the room.
She suddenly realized what was happening and pressed her finger to Yinzhen's lips, stopping him from saying the rest of his words. Then, Wan Anran waved to the princes in the room: "Your fifth brother wants to play 'Eagle Catches Chicks,' do you want to play?"
"...Mother!!!"
"Waaah—Fifth Brother, just say you want to play!"
"Exactly, exactly, still pretending."
"I want to play too!"
Laughter echoed throughout the entire Chuxiu Palace.
Compared to the bustling atmosphere here, Chengqian Palace was unusually quiet.
Especially the backyard.
Seeing one pregnant woman after another in the palace, she, the first to become pregnant, became increasingly insignificant. Even when the Emperor occasionally visited Chengqian Palace, he would only stay in the front hall and be affectionate with Consort Tong, with whom he had rekindled their relationship.
Consort Tong: ...It's so annoying.
She tore at the petals, sullenly saying, "...It's all my sister's fault. She deliberately blocked the Emperor from visiting me."
Several palace maids had complicated expressions.
It's likely that only this mistress in Chengqian Palace was unaware that her child would be adopted by the Imperial Concubine.
As for the reason, it was naturally because of those rumors. Even though the Empress had been dealt with, the Emperor had left behind quite a few people before leaving the capital, and this news was immediately sent to Kangxi after the group returned.
The palace servants exchanged glances.
Seeing that Consort Tong was already eight months pregnant, they silently lowered their heads, and naturally none of them dared to say these words aloud.
The palace servants listened silently to Consort Tong's nagging.
She stroked her round belly, feeling the faint movement inside: "My dear baby, you must be a healthy child."
These complaints were naturally delivered to Consort Tong, who remained indifferent, merely instructing the palace servants to take good care of the imperial heir: "Ensure the health and well-being of the imperial heir."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You may leave." Consort Tong picked up her teacup, took a sip, and her thoughts quickly drifted to the Seventh Prince: "Where is Yin You?"
"Your Highness, the Seventh Prince has gone out to play."
"Is it the Fifth Prince again?"
"Yes."
Consort Tong was stunned and lost in thought.
Holding the cup in both hands, she sighed softly, "The Fifth Prince's personality is very much like Consort Qi's."
After returning to the palace, Consort Tong also met with the Fifth Prince.
Although the child was young, he was already well-mannered and polite. Of course, Consort Tong still felt that it was difficult to tell from his cautious and proper demeanor that he was Consort Qi's child, until later.
Yin You, who had been quiet and reserved before leaving home, suddenly had his eyes sparkle and smiled brightly when he saw Yin Zhen.
Even if it was her own son, Consort Tong had to say that Yin You was just like a little puppy wagging its tail.
The most important thing is the change in Yinyou.
Quiet and reserved, the son, who hides his soft belly under sharp barbs like a hedgehog, is like gold wrapped in sand, slowly revealing his vitality and radiance.
Even the emperor, who was previously reluctant to mention Yinyou, summoned him to Chengqian Palace to ask him questions.
Aside from not being able to run...
Consort Tong leaned back in her chair and gave a self-deprecating smile. Her current condition was much better than when she was born; at least her son, Yinyou, could walk normally now.
As for anything else, she didn't ask for much more...
Just then, a clear voice rang in Consort Tong's ears: "Mother—!"
Consort Tong raised her head slightly, and suddenly her eyes widened.
She stared blankly ahead at Yin You, who was forcefully pushing open the door. Yin You's face was flushed, and his round forehead glistened slightly in the sunlight.
They are beads of sweat.
The next second, Yin You strode wildly into the room...? Consort Tong's eyes widened slightly, and she couldn't help but cover her mouth: "Yin... You?"
Yinyou threw himself into Consort Tong's arms.
His hands gripped the Imperial Concubine's robes tightly, his shoulders heaving as he sobbed softly. After a long while, Yinyou finally roused himself and shouted, "Mother—I can run now!"
Consort Tong pinched herself hard.
It hurts so much! This really isn't a dream! She reached out and hugged her son, tears streaming down her face. Consort Tong softly replied, "Mmm!"
The Chengqian Palace was filled with jubilation.
After finally calming Yin You down and getting him to change and wash in the backyard, Consort Tong quickly summoned the Seventh Prince's wet nurse, Madam Guan, to inquire about the reason in detail.
Granny Guan smiled broadly, her face beaming with joy.
She knelt down respectfully and reported in detail: "Just now! While playing in Chuxiu Palace, the Seventh Prince ran around in a hurry and then found that there was no problem."
"Running? But his legs aren't...?"
"According to Consort Qi, the bone-setting procedure may have been successful from the beginning, but the Seventh Prince has always had a psychological shadow and is unwilling to admit that his right foot has been healed."
"So, so that's how it is..."
Consort Tong murmured to herself, this was an answer she had never expected. After seeing her son cry in pain, Consort Tong dared not let Yin You try running anymore; she was content with him walking only a few steps.
But...but...
Suppressing her frustration, she mustered her spirits and inquired carefully about Yinyou's recent condition: "How has Yinyou been feeling lately? Has he been playing with the Fifth Prince every day?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, the Seventh Prince has hardly coughed in the past two months, and his health has improved considerably. He plays with the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and the Eighth Prince every day!" Granny Guan replied with a smile.
Consort Tong clutched her handkerchief tightly.
It's only been a few months. What has she been doing all this time as a mother?
The happier Consort Tong was, the more she blamed herself.
She turned around and led her people into the storeroom, where she personally sorted out many items, deciding to go to Chuxiu Palace in person to express her gratitude.
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