The image of Shen Yelei's death by crashing into the wall, covered in blood and with his eyes wide open in agony, gradually transformed into that of Shen Lixue. Her cold eyes slowly turned ashen, blood trickling from the corner of her smiling mouth, her small face contorted in pain. Tsk tsk, what a spectacular show! She had to see it with her own eyes; she couldn't let it slip by easily.
Shen Lixue was able to marry Dongfang Heng and win his favor because of the verbal marriage agreement made by the elders. Those few words of jest bound Prince An and hindered her happiness. She would do everything in her power to erase them, and Shen Lixue, who was associated with them, would also be eliminated.
It doesn't matter if Dongfang Heng doesn't like her; she will try her best to impress him and make him like her.
Moreover, once her cousin ascends the throne, Prince An will be his subject. If he bestows the title of Princess Consort upon Dongfang Heng, Dongfang Heng will have no choice but to accept it, as she is eager to see Shen Lixue's tragic end.
"How long will it take for Shen Lixue to have an accident?"
"It's hard to say." In order to avoid Shen Lixue discovering anything amiss, Consort Li put a very small amount of pomegranate seeds in the perfume, and it would take some time for it to take effect. However, that perfume was of the highest quality, and I believe Shen Lixue will use it every day. Before long, something bad will happen to her.
The two women, each with their own agendas, reached an agreement to witness Shen Lixue's tragic end. Li Youlan even sent people to Yonghua Palace every day to inquire about the situation. As the days passed, Shen Lixue remained unharmed.
Chapter 209: Sowing Discord, Internal Strife Among the Scumbag Women
On a bright and sunny morning, Yongning Palace, unlike its usual quiet and deserted state, was filled with beautiful women. The gentle tinkling of their jade pendants and the colorful dresses they wore created a stunning scene.
The Empress Dowager took a sip of tea, her kind gaze sweeping over the Crown Prince's residence and the concubines of the Prince of Zhan's residence: "A few days ago, a precious item was sent from the Southern Frontier. I found it uninteresting to look at myself, so I summoned you all to come and admire it."
In the past, the Southern Frontier had sent many precious items, which the Empress Dowager had seen and then ordered to be put away. This time, however, she had summoned the Crown Prince's residence and the concubines of the Prince of Zhan's residence to come and admire them. These must be very special treasures. I wonder what they are.
The concubines frequently glanced curiously at the objects covered with cloth on the high table.
A palace maid stepped forward and carefully lifted the veil. A dazzling light shone out, so bright that everyone squinted slightly, shielding their eyes from the light to look closely.
This is……
The concubines stared in astonishment, some even gasping and covering their mouths with handkerchiefs to avoid making a sound.
Shen Lixue looked at the items on the high table. They were a pair of purple jade kylins, carved from pure purple jade. They were noble and extraordinary, lifelike. When the warm sunlight shone on them, they reflected rays of light and shadow, dazzling and beautiful. They were light and graceful with a noble air, and noble with a transcendent meaning. They were unparalleled in the world.
Having seen the many treasures of the War King's Mansion and the Holy King's Mansion, Shen Lixue sighed inwardly, realizing that they were indeed rare and precious items.
Looking at the admiration in the eyes of the concubines, the Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction: "This is a purple jade unicorn. It is said that whoever obtains it will enjoy good fortune, longevity, and many children and grandchildren."
Shen Lixue smiled. Besides representing nobility, the Qilin also symbolizes many children and grandchildren. The Empress Dowager summoned the concubines of the Crown Prince's residence and the Prince Zhan's residence not just for admiration, but also to indirectly remind them that they should give birth to a great-grandchild for her to hold.
The concubines were all intelligent women, and they all understood the Empress Dowager's meaning. Their bright eyes dimmed, and they quietly stroked their flat bellies. After being married for several days, they also wanted to have children, but such things depended on fate, which they could not control.
The Empress Dowager looked at the concubines and smiled, "The Qilin brings a child; those who are destined will receive it. I have no use for it; it is most suitable to give it to you young women."
In the Crown Prince's residence and the Prince Zhan's residence, the concubines, whose eyes had been dim, secretly gleamed with excitement. They all knew about the legend of the Qilin bringing children, and since the Qilin was so noble and extraordinary, if they obtained it, it might really bring them children.
Furthermore, the jade unicorn bestowed by the Empress Dowager herself is of extraordinary significance, and it can further solidify their positions. It is unknown which of them will receive some special honor and be favored by the Empress Dowager.
“There are only one pair of Qilin, and there are several of you.” It’s not easy to give a reward.
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, looking troubled: "How about this, whichever of you becomes pregnant first is destined to be with the Qilin, and I will bestow upon you this pair of purple jade Qilins."
Shen Lixue almost burst out laughing. The Empress Dowager was eager to have a grandson and was using the Purple Jade Qilin to provoke her granddaughters-in-law.
Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no offspring. The Crown Prince and Prince Zhan are equally powerful and have similar backing. If one of them gives birth to an heir first, it will increase their chances of ascending the throne. The concubines will definitely try even harder to get pregnant.
The Crown Prince's principal and concubines were overjoyed. The Crown Prince treated them very well, and if they were just a little gentler and more proactive, having children would not be a problem.
The concubines of Prince Zhan's mansion looked gloomy. Prince Zhan was busy every day and had never visited their courtyard since their marriage. They held the title of Prince Zhan's concubines, but they were still virgins and had not even consummated their marriage. How could they possibly have children?
Unlike the other concubines who were dejected, Shen Yingxue, a concubine herself, looked at the pair of purple jade unicorns with shining eyes. The purple jade unicorns were too noble and too charming, and they also symbolized status. She had to get them.
She was a concubine of Prince Zhan, of low status. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's summons, she wouldn't have been qualified to enter the palace at all. Now that she's in the palace, she doesn't have a seat and can only stand behind Li Youlan like the other maids. It's truly a disgrace to her reputation as the most beautiful woman.
Looking down at her small hands, her fingers were slender and her knuckles were distinct, but the calluses on her palms ruined the beauty of her fair and jade-like hands. Not to mention the Prince Zhan, even she herself found them an eyesore.
She raised her eyes and glared fiercely at Shen Lixue, thinking, "That despicable woman who refused to help someone in distress is utterly despicable."
Li Youlan was also secretly observing Shen Lixue. She and Dongfang Zhan were a fake couple, and she was not interested in the purple jade unicorn promised by the Empress Dowager.
Looking closely at Shen Lixue's beautiful face, her skin was delicate, fair and rosy, with an excellent complexion. It was exactly the same as the symptoms that Consort Li had described after using the pomegranate seed balm. She had used it for so many days; even if the amount was small, the medicine should have penetrated into her skin and affected the fetus. Why didn't she have any reaction at all? Had the balm become ineffective?
It seems someone is observing her in the dark. Is it Shen Yingxue or Li Youlan?
Shen Lixue suddenly looked up and met the gaze coming from the direction. Li Youlan and Shen Yingxue didn't have time to dodge and were caught red-handed. Their eyes flickered unnaturally, and they quickly turned their heads to the side, secretly annoyed. Damn it, she actually caught them.
Shen Lixue curled her lips into a cold smile. The eyes of the two women were filled with anger and resentment, clearly harboring ill intentions and plotting against her. She would create an opportunity for them to do so.
She pretended to be in pain, supporting her lower back, and her beautiful eyebrows furrowed tightly.
While instructing her granddaughters-in-law, the Empress Dowager also kept an eye on Shen Lixue. She was the first to notice her discomfort and asked with concern, "Is Lixue feeling unwell?"
"Your Majesty, it's just that my back is a little sore, nothing serious." Shen Lixue smiled gently, her eyes looking somewhat tired. She sat upright for half an incense stick's time, and her back really was a little sore.
"Pregnant women are most prone to back pain." The Empress Dowager looked at Shen Lixue's four-month pregnancy. This child was the first among the younger generation of the Qingyan royal family and the first great-grandson of the Holy King's Mansion. There could be no mistakes. "Go back to the mansion and rest. Don't overwork yourself."
When Shen Lixue entered the palace, Dongfang Heng often came to pick her up and take her back to his residence, making no attempt to hide his affection for her. Many palace maids and concubines in the harem were envious and jealous, and even the Empress Dowager's kind gaze towards her carried a hint of mockery.
A blush crept onto Shen Lixue's beautiful face: "Thank you, Your Majesty. Lixue takes her leave."
Shen Lixue was a martial artist and moved nimbly, but being four months pregnant, she dared not be careless. Gently supporting Qiu He's hand, she slowly walked out of Yongning Palace amidst the watchful eyes of the concubines.
Li Youlan narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly. Shen Lixue rarely left the Holy King's Mansion, so she had to find out why she hadn't miscarried before Shen Lixue returned to the mansion, and then she could take appropriate measures. Otherwise, if Shen Lixue returned to the Holy King's Mansion and stayed hidden, it would be difficult to scheme against her.
Shen Yingxue watched Shen Lixue's figure gradually disappear into the distance, her eyes filled with resentment. What's so smug about it? It's just a pregnancy. She was pregnant before, and if it weren't for the accident, she would already be holding her son in her arms.
Of course, that child was Lei Cong's, and she didn't care about it. It didn't matter if she lost it. After resting for a few months, her body had almost recovered and she could get pregnant again. This time, she wanted to have Zhan Wang's child.
Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, all the concubines' attention was focused on the purple jade unicorn, and no one paid any attention to her. Shen Yingxue carefully withdrew from the group of maids and quietly left Yongning Palace, following the bluestone path in the direction where Shen Lixue had disappeared.
He asked Shen Lixue one last time. If she would help him, all the better. If not, he would go to the imperial physician to get a prescription for ointment.