Empress Dowager Sima Lan looked at Yu Zheng and felt a little better. Finally, she had such a sensible child, which made her worry less.
Her face darkened at the thought of the Empress.
However, under such circumstances, Sima Lan naturally wouldn't reveal her true feelings; she had come to comfort Yu Zheng and her precious grandson.
"Consort Yu, you must take good care of the child."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yu Zheng dutifully performed her proper greetings. The Empress Dowager reached out and pulled her to sit with her, then waved for the other concubines to sit down.
"From now on, you don't need to bow to me when you see me. The most important thing is for you to take good care of your pregnancy. This child is the hope of both the Emperor and me."
Sima Lan's eyes were fixed on Yu Zheng's belly, filled with anticipation. Yu Zheng nodded happily and said gently, "Yes."
After she finished speaking, she remembered something else: "I miss my family a little and would like to invite my sister Xiuya to come to the palace to keep me company. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Sima Lan granted permission before she could finish speaking: "Someone, immediately summon the daughter of Grand Tutor Ye to the palace to accompany Consort Yu."
"Yes," a eunuch replied and went to summon the person.
Yu Zheng's face was full of smiles, but a dark glint flashed in her eyes, so fast that it was impossible to catch it.
The women looked at Consort Yu, who was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager, and couldn't help but feel jealous and envious. They never expected that Consort Yu would be the first to conceive a royal child. They saw that as soon as she became pregnant, she immediately rose to the position of one of the four consorts. If she gave birth to a prince in the future, her position would be secure.
It seems that the most important thing in the royal family is to have a son. Just look at the concubines of the previous dynasty. Those concubines who had no children were sent to temples. It is said that they could not leave the temple for the rest of their lives, spending their lives with only the dim light of the lamp and the ancient Buddha. How desolate their later years were! On the other hand, the Empress Dowager had a son, and she enjoyed a life of honor and glory.
Inside the main hall, each woman had her own thoughts.
The Empress Dowager glanced at the women and said with a smile, "You should all try your best to produce offspring for the Emperor as soon as possible. Once you are pregnant, Consort Yu will be your mirror."
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, all the women in the hall were overjoyed. It seemed that as long as they conceived, their rank as concubines would immediately rise. If they did not conceive, they feared that it would be difficult to rise to the rank of concubine. Furthermore, if they did not work hard, when the imperial concubine selection came and other beauties entered the palace, would they still have a chance? Thus, the whole hall became lively.
I don't know who said that.
"Didn't Her Majesty the Empress send anyone to congratulate Consort Yu?"
Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent.
The Empress Dowager's face darkened. As the head of the harem, the Empress should naturally be virtuous and generous. The Emperor has a child, and she should be happy. According to the ancestral rules, the Empress should send someone to deliver congratulatory gifts and come to show her concern. But so far, there has been no sign of her.
Consort Yu glanced at the situation in the hall, then looked at the Empress Dowager's face, and then spoke with a gentle smile.
"It's alright, Her Majesty the Empress has her reasons."
This statement not only demonstrated Consort Yu's understanding of the bigger picture, but also brought up the fact that the Empress was out of favor.
The concubines who had received the Emperor's favor all smiled and then whispered among themselves.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Yu Zheng, aware of her little schemes, but chose not to expose them. Having spent so many years in the palace, how could she not know the thoughts of the women in the harem? However, she didn't care about these petty squabbles; what she cared about was the royal bloodline. So far, only Yu Zheng's belly had shown signs of pregnancy, while the others remained unconcerned. It seemed that a selection of consorts needed to be held as soon as possible. Although the Emperor was filial and had even refrained from entering the harem for the sake of the late Emperor, the continuation of the imperial line was a matter of utmost importance for every emperor. Even if the late Emperor were still alive, he would have urged the selection of consorts to proceed as soon as possible.
In the inner palace, besides the Empress, the position in the main hall was occupied by Consort Yu. The Empress was not popular, the Emperor did not want to see her, and she could not force her son.
Consort Yu is now pregnant. As for Consort Lian, Consort Lin, and others, they are all wives of the Crown Prince. Men always like novelty, so it seems this matter should not be delayed for too long.
Having made up her mind, the Empress Dowager instructed Consort Yu to be careful, then got up and led her people away.
The concubines respectfully saw the Empress Dowager off. Once the Empress Dowager was gone, everyone in the hall gathered around Consort Yu.
"Sister Yu, you are so kind, you even speak up for that woman."
"Yes, Sister Yu is always like this. No wonder she got pregnant first. It seems that God is protecting good people."
Yu Zheng smiled, listening to the whispers of the women around her. She was extremely satisfied, and her expression softened even more. This was the effect she wanted.
Zhengyi Palace.
Hai Ling slept soundly until nightfall, feeling refreshed and invigorated. Before she even got up, she heard the palace maids whispering outside the screen.
"Did you know? After Consort Yu became pregnant, not only did the Emperor bestow many gifts upon her, but even the Empress Dowager went to visit her!"
"Yes, this is truly an unparalleled honor."
"I heard that all the concubines in the palace have gone to Qingxin Palace. It's so lively! The palace hasn't been this lively in a long time."
As the group was chatting animatedly, footsteps suddenly sounded, and Xiao Ke scolded the gossipy palace maids.
"Shut up, what are you all saying? If you displease the Empress, I won't let you off the hook."
There was no more talking outside. Xiao Ke and Lian Yi followed Yan Zhi into the inner palace and immediately saw Hai Ling sitting on the bed. Naturally, the Empress must have heard the discussions outside. Xiao Ke was afraid that the Empress would be upset, so he quickly spoke up.
"Your Majesty, they're just gossiping people, don't take it to heart."
"It's okay, don't be nervous, this is just the truth."
She didn't like Feng Zixiao, and she was indeed upset when he embarrassed her during their wedding. But over the years, she had become indifferent. Everything about that man was irrelevant to her, and she wasn't sad or upset anymore, so she might as well say it.
"Your Majesty."
Xiao Ke called out, and Yan Zhi shook her head, indicating that the Empress was alright, and gestured for the two of them to help the Empress get up.
When Hailing got up, Yanzhi instructed the palace servants to prepare dinner and bring it up for everyone to eat.
Because she had taken a nap in the afternoon, Hailing was not sleepy, so she led Yanzhi and Lianyi for a walk in the back garden of Zhengyi Palace, while Xiao Ke went ahead to assign tasks to the various eunuchs and palace maids.
Half an hour later.
A young palace maid came panting and reported, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Xiao Ke, Xiao Ke, what happened?"