1. Pregnancy
Wan Anran's third pregnancy was far more difficult than her first two. When she was pregnant with Yinzhen, Wan Anran had a great appetite, but when she was pregnant with Yintao, things were much worse. When she was pregnant with her third child in Chengde, she didn't have much of a reaction, but after returning to the capital, she seemed to have a problem with the change in environment. She kept vomiting everything she ate, and instead of gaining weight, she lost weight.
Wan Anran stroked her belly with deep sorrow, earnestly communicating with the baby inside: "You've settled down in the capital, this is your true home!"
Baby: I don't care, I'm going to make a scene!
Wan Anran looked terribly haggard, which greatly displeased Emperor Kangxi. With a dark expression, he touched Consort Qi's belly, trying to explain the seriousness of the situation to the child inside.
Threats are useless.
Kind words are useless.
Emperor Kangxi was very troubled: "This child is definitely different from Yinzhen and Yintao; he's absolutely a mischievous little prince!"
That's not necessarily true.
Wan Anran, supporting her belly, recalled this experience, which was completely different from the previous two. She said with a serious expression, "I think, perhaps this time it's a little princess."
Emperor Kangxi's expression froze.
He followed Consort Qi's train of thought—what if he gave birth to a little princess who looked exactly like Consort Qi?
A miniature version of Consort Qi is acting coquettishly towards me.
Emperor Kangxi's heartstrings were touched, and he immediately beamed with joy: "Greetings, Princess! Greetings, Princess!"
"Being mischievous is good, isn't it?"
“Being mischievous is fine! A princess should be a little willful and assertive, that way she can keep her husband in check.” Kangxi nodded emphatically.
Wan Anran rolled her eyes at him.
A wife is supposed to be kind and gentle, while a princess is supposed to be willful and fierce? Look at this double standard, tsk tsk tsk.
But now is not the time to talk about this.
Following this line of thought, Wan Anran also had other concerns.
It is often said that boys resemble their mothers and girls resemble their fathers...
The emperor's physique and appearance would be quite good if he were a boy, but if a girl looked like him... Imagining a Kangxi Emperor in a Manchu-style dress, Wan Anran burst out laughing.
She was overjoyed and laughed so hard she almost fell over.
If that's the case, Wan Anran feels that the problem she needs to worry about has become something else entirely.
For example, can a princess who resembles Emperor Kangxi get married?
Oh, wait a minute? As a princess, she should be able to get married no matter what, right? At most, her husband would be under a lot of pressure dealing with a princess who looks just like the emperor.
Wan Anran burst into laughter again.
Emperor Kangxi looked at Consort Qi with suspicion, feeling that she was thinking about something improper.
Wan Anran sat up straight, feeling guilty.
If the Emperor knew what I was thinking just now, then... that wouldn't be good, would it?
Wan Anran just hadn't thought of that.
Her eyes darted around, and the way she couldn't help but laugh whenever she saw Kangxi, revealing her true intentions.
Kangxi glanced at Wan Anran.
Unfortunately, Consort Qi is currently pregnant, so there's nothing that can be done to 'teach her a lesson,' which is truly a sad thing.
Wan Anran shivered.
She wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, wondering if winter had come a little early this year.
2. Exclusive Favor
After being promoted to Imperial Concubine, Wan Anran's life was no different from before. After all, when she was pregnant with Yin Tao, Wan Anran was already the head of the four consorts, enjoying the highest treatment in the entire palace except for the Empress Dowager and the Empress.
If I had to point out a difference—
The number of times Emperor Kangxi visited Chuxiu Palace increased significantly. According to past practice, it was considered very good if the emperor could visit seven or eight days a month. However, now, after deducting the days he stayed at Qianqing Palace due to busy political affairs and the days given to the Empress, Kangxi visited Chuxiu Palace every day, rain or shine.
The concubines didn't care at first.
Everyone knows that Consort Qi has once again rendered a great service, so it's common for the Emperor to treat her with special favor. I suppose in half a month or a month... she'll be back to normal, right?
However, this situation lasted for several months.
Wan Anran was initially quite happy, but later, when Consort Yi made a sarcastic remark during the morning and evening greetings, and even Consort Xuan came to Chuxiu Palace to offer some advice, Wan Anran became a little uneasy and felt that she should discuss this matter with Emperor Kangxi.
Just thinking about having to discuss such matters and having to push Kangxi to another palace made Wan Anran feel extremely wronged, and she couldn't stop crying in the room.
Wan Anran couldn't understand herself either.
They've managed to get by like this for over a decade, but now they can't take it anymore. Aunt Hai saw this and was worried. Of course, she was happy that her mistress and the emperor were so affectionate, but what if they became targets in the harem? That wouldn't be a good thing.
Moreover, the emperor's favor is unpredictable.
Aunt Hai comforted Wan Anran: "Your Highness, let's have a proper talk with the Emperor."
Unexpectedly, no sooner had Aunt Hai finished speaking than Kangxi's voice came from behind them: "What are you saying to me?"
As Kangxi walked in from outside Chuxiu Palace, his brows furrowed slightly.
The courtyard of Chuxiu Palace was unusually quiet, with palace servants looking worried, and the sound of low sobbing could be heard as one stepped into the room.
Kangxi's gaze fell directly on Consort Qi, who had her back to him.
Wan Anran's body tensed up. She hurriedly wiped away her tears and turned around.
Even with just a slight redness in her eyes and the tip of her nose, Kangxi could immediately recognize that the one who had just been crying was Consort Qi. Kangxi stepped forward, gently took her wrist, and asked in a much softer voice, "Why are you crying? Who made you cry?"
Wan Anran awkwardly turned her head away.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and without uttering a word, a tear fell from her eye.
Tears streamed down her cheeks and landed in Kangxi's palm, causing him to hold his breath and feel a dull ache in his heart.
He never comforted anyone.
Faced with Wan Anran's sudden tears, Kangxi awkwardly took out a handkerchief to wipe them away, unable to utter a single sweet word. For the first time, he lowered his head, suppressing his worry, and softly asked, "What happened? Tell me? No matter what, I will help you."
Wan Anran opened her mouth.
Hearing Kangxi's words, her nose stung with tears again. After a long while, Wan Anran bit her lip, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, and pushed Kangxi away: "From now on... you are not allowed to come every day."
Kangxi was taken aback, but quickly came to his senses.
His expression was grim, and a rage simmered in his eyes. Of course, this anger wasn't directed at Consort Qi, but rather at anyone who dared to speak nonsense in her ear.
Emperor Kangxi reached out and pulled Consort Qi back into his arms.
He gently kissed her hairline, then traced his kisses down her forehead to the corner of her eye, sighing softly, "You're willing to do that?"
"..."
"You're willing to part with it, but I'm not." Before Wan Anran could speak, Kangxi, who was pinching her earlobe, bit it hard.
Wan Anran was too preoccupied to even grieve.
She cried out in pain, a fire igniting in her misty eyes, her mind filled with only one thought: she would bite back.
Kangxi looked at the mark he had left with satisfaction.
He was in a great mood and planned to tell Consort Qi that he had been prepared all along. But as soon as he raised his head, he saw Consort Qi pounce on him like a tiger, and bite his nose in the process.
Hey!
Wan Anran looked at Kangxi's astonished eyes and proudly puffed out her chest.
Aunt Hai sighed quietly.
She quietly withdrew, accompanied by the palace maids whose faces were already flushed, and slowly closed the door.
Presumably... there's nothing to worry about anymore.
As expected, an imperial edict was issued from the palace that very evening, promoting Consort Duan to Imperial Concubine Duan.
The imperial edict caused an uproar throughout the palace.
Although the imperial edict stated that Consort Duan was diligent, conscientious, and meticulous during the emperor's serious illness, was she really granted the title for that? If so, she would probably have been granted the title as soon as she returned to the palace, and wouldn't have been able to wait until the end of the year.
Consort Yi, who had thought it was inevitable, was both angry and ashamed.
Consort Ning looked at her sister and could only sigh in the end: "I told you long ago, why bother with that pride?" You've already hit the wall of Consort Qi once, why go and hit it again?
Consort Yi pursed her lips and remained silent.
She herself, with three sons, was still a concubine, while Consort Qi, pregnant with her own child, was already a Noble Consort. Not to mention Consort Qi, she couldn't even compare to Consort Hui, Consort Rong, or Consort Xuan, and now... now even Consort Duan, who had no children, was stepping on her head.
Consort Yi was heartbroken.
The renewed ambition and fighting spirit vanished instantly in the emperor's biased eyes.
It was also heard about in the imperial court.
The court officials and members of the imperial family were also discussing this extensively, and the residences of Wanliuha Tuoerbi and Tuoheqi were once again filled with guests. Having learned from his previous experience, Tuoerbi simply took his wife under the pretext of inspecting the rare animal garden and stayed there. In any case, the Changchun Garden was deserted in winter, and they were happy to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Tuoheqi was much more unlucky.
He could only feign ignorance and dismiss his colleagues' questions with a few words: "Is that so? How do you know about things in the harem? Don't believe rumors, they're not true!"
His colleagues all retreated in defeat.
Just as the ministers in the court were getting restless, a message from the Imperial Hospital leaked out and reached the ears of many: "His Majesty's illness this time is too serious, it has damaged his vital energy, and I'm afraid it will harm his offspring."
You pass it on to me, I pass it on to him, and he passes it on to others.
As time went on, something went wrong, and by the time it reached the ears of some court officials and members of the imperial family, it had become: "The Emperor is suspected of being impotent!!!"
"puff--!!!"
Not to mention the court officials and members of the imperial family, even Yinzhen was so shocked by these rumors that he spat out his tea and coughed violently.
Nonsense, utter nonsense!
In his previous life, Emperor Kangxi managed to get Consort Chen pregnant in the 55th year of his reign, resulting in the birth of his 24th brother, Yinmi, whom he raised as his own son.
They say the Khan is incapable of sexual intercourse—
The veins on Yinzhen's forehead throbbed as he glared angrily at the eunuch who had delivered the message, wishing he could beat him to death with a stick.
Yinyou nudged Yinzhen: "Fifth Brother."
He lowered his voice: "Do you think it might be—"
Compared to Yinqi, who was having some conflict with his mother, Consort Yi, Yinyou was bolder at this moment. His muttered suspicions made Yinzhen's heart skip a beat, and thinking of the different atmosphere between his father and mother since their return to the palace, he held his breath.
Yinzhen hurriedly went to Chuxiu Palace.
He felt he should ask his mother about this matter, but when he walked into Chuxiu Palace and saw his mother smiling as she made clothes for Yin Tao, he couldn't say anything.
Wan Anran smiled gently at Yin Tao.
Hearing the voice, she looked up and saw Yinzhen with clear and bright eyes: "Yinzhen, come here quickly! Your mother and Yintao are waiting for you."
Yinzhen slung his arm over his shoulder.
He nodded, quickened his pace, and moved closer to his mother and younger brother to discuss the style of the clothes.
Wan Anran was busy making clothes for the baby in her belly.
Seeing this, Yin Tao became jealous and clamored for his own share. If it was Yin Tao's, then it had to be Yin Zhen's. Wan Anran gestured with the black and white fur coat in her hand and decided to make a onesie pajamas: "What do you think?"
Yin Tao's cheeks flushed red: "Okay, okay, okay!"
Yinzhen's lips twitched: "Mother, how can I wear this..."
Wan Anran was extremely disappointed.
She pouted, "Mother wants to make another set for herself."
Yinzhen pretended not to see his mother's aggrieved look and insisted on turning his head to one side: he would never agree with this!
Wan Anran breathed a sigh of relief, feeling regretful.
She looked at Yinzhen for a moment and finally decided: "Then let's make a set of needlework for Yinzhen. Embroidering a bamboo bear pattern is simple enough."
Yinzhen's lips trembled slightly.
Although he couldn't imagine what needlework shaped like a bamboo bear would look like, Yinzhen thought... it's better than wearing bamboo bear pajamas, right? He kept an eye on his mother's every move, worried that she might have some kind of cat or dog pajamas on her clothes when he wasn't looking... that's not impossible... wait a minute!
Yinzhen broke out in a cold sweat and became even more cautious.
The atmosphere in Chuxiu Palace was harmonious and peaceful, unlike the noisy and chaotic atmosphere in other palaces.
The Emperor's illness... no one dares to ask about it!
Even the Empress Dowager hesitated to speak, and in the end, she only ordered that no more rumors be spread.
She twirled her prayer beads and sighed.
Compared to the late emperor, at least this emperor gave us an excuse, didn't he? Perhaps the Aisin Gioro clan is just prone to producing romantics...?
As for Wan Anran...
Feeling somewhat uneasy, she inexplicably received some words of comfort in the days that followed. Consort Xuan's knowing expression, Consort Duan's hesitant words of regret and worry, Consort Hui and Consort Rong's sighs about the past and their dreams for the future... all of these things left Wan Anran deeply confused.
Finally, she couldn't help but ask the Empress.
The Empress was overjoyed, but she still considered the Emperor's last shred of dignity and said with a smile, "Why don't you ask the Emperor later, Consort?"
Wan Anran was in a daze.
She believed the Empress's answer and asked Kangxi that very night. The answer she received made Wan Anran's eyes widen and her jaw almost drop to the ground.
Wan Anran: …………?
She looked at Kangxi with a troubled expression, hesitatingly asking, "Your Majesty, are you... really not going to make it?"
Emperor Kangxi raised his eyes and looked at Consort Qi with a half-smile.
He laughed in anger, forcefully pulling at Consort Qi's cheek: "If you weren't pregnant, I'd like to let you try and see if I'm up to the task!"
"What if someone else said such a rumor—"
"Who else do you think would dare to say this in front of me besides you? Besides, it was them who were just talking nonsense and spreading rumors!" Kangxi was both angry and speechless. Seeing that the court officials and members of the imperial family were all pretending to be mute and no longer caring about his overnight stay with Consort Qi, Kangxi was too lazy to explain anymore.
Of course, that was when dealing with other court officials and members of the imperial family.
When facing Consort Qi, Emperor Kangxi continued to mutter, "My only regret is this..."
Wan Anran: "...?"
Emperor Kangxi shook his head sadly: "I want a little princess who looks exactly like you. I don't know if I can get my wish this time."
He reached out and stroked Wan Anran's belly.
Kangxi's eyes were full of anticipation and trepidation: "If it's not like that, I'm afraid there won't be many more opportunities later."
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