Chapter 019: The Legend of Zhen Huan – An Lingrong

"Indeed."

The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly and added, "The New Year's Eve banquet must be free of any mishaps. Instruct those below to keep a close watch on the Plum Blossom Pavilion. Once the plum blossoms begin to bloom, I intend to host a banquet to enjoy them."

"Understood, Your Majesty. I shall give the orders to have it monitored."

...

Yanxi Palace.

"Your Majesty, why have you come?" Li Siqi said with a playful, coquettish tone, "I thought you wouldn't come to see me!"

"If I didn't come, you silly girl, you would only find more reasons to complain about me."

The Emperor pulled her to sit on the divan, his gaze warm and contemplative as he looked her over. "You look no different than usual. Are you feeling any discomfort?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Li Siqi began toying with his sleeve. "Our little one is very well-behaved. Fearing that I might suffer, the child refuses to cause me any trouble."

"To hear you say that, the child truly is considerate of their mother." The Emperor thought of Xia Dongchun, who was being put through the wringer in the side hall, and could not help but agree with her sentiment.

Looking at the naive, charming girl before him, he felt compelled to offer a reminder: "You must also be careful. The first three months are prone to accidents; you must be mindful of your actions."

"I know, I know." Li Siqi shot him a playful glare. "If you are truly worried, Your Majesty, why not bestow a wet nurse upon us? We are just young girls, and as this is our first pregnancy, we don't know much. It would be better to have a nurse looking after us. Don't you agree, Your Majesty?"

"You make a good point." The Emperor realized the validity of her request.

He immediately called out to the attendants outside: "Su Peisheng, select three experienced nurses and bring them to Yanxi Palace. Assign them to Noble Lady Fucha, Noble Lady Xia, and Noble Lady Xin, and tell them to take good care of their mistresses and the unborn children."

"At once!" Su Peisheng replied and departed.

The Emperor smiled and tapped Li Siqi on her dainty nose. "You silly girl, are you satisfied now?"

"Satisfied, of course I am." Li Siqi beamed at him with a joyful smile.

Sensing that the Emperor was in a good mood, she began playing with his fingers. "Your Majesty, may I ask you for something?"

"You have quite a lot on your mind, little one." The Emperor chuckled and gestured for her to proceed. "Speak; let me hear what it is."

"You told me to say it, Your Majesty." Li Siqi blinked at him. "But you mustn't be angry with me once I've said it."

"You and your endless affairs." The Emperor smiled dismissively.

In his heart, however, he found himself genuinely enjoying An Lingrong's "lawless" temperament. She was naive but not stupid; she knew when to be submissive and when to speak up for her own interests. He had seen many women in his life—the intelligent, the foolish, the proud, and the aloof—but the only one who truly made him feel at ease was the girl before him. She appeared cunning, yet her thoughts were transparent. He was more than willing to favor a concubine who was both doting and knew her boundaries.

Besides... this girl possessed a wonderful body. Every time she attended to him, he found himself unable to get enough. In high spirits, the Emperor was willing to grant her some face. "If you don't speak now, I shall ignore your request altogether."

"That won't do." Li Siqi shook his hand. "Your Majesty, I have only one wish: when the child is born, please allow me to raise them. Do not take my child away, please?"

"..." The Emperor's expression froze. He had never expected Li Siqi to make such a request.

Instead of agreeing, he asked, "Are you aware that only high-ranking concubines are qualified to raise their own children?"

"I know." Li Siqi nodded earnestly. "But the harem belongs to you, Your Majesty, and the children are yours. You can arrange things however you please. Is there truly anything you cannot decide?"

"Of course I can decide." The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "But you are like a child yourself. How could you possibly take proper care of a newborn?"

"Don't look down on me, Your Majesty." Li Siqi looked displeased and tilted her chin up. "I won't lecture you on grand principles. I only know that maternal love is the greatest force of all. A mother will give everything for her child, even her own life. Though I am young, I am willing to protect my child with all my heart as they grow. Even if it costs me my life, I would do so willingly."

"Is that truly how you feel?" The Emperor saw the gravity and resolve in her eyes. He felt as if he could see her truly giving her all for the child. In that moment, he felt a flicker of profound emotion. He could not help but think of his own foster mother and biological mother. If only his biological mother had been willing to protect him at all costs... That hypothetical scenario had crossed his mind countless times. Yet, he knew that the only one his biological mother had protected at all costs was his younger brother, the Fourteenth Prince.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" The charming, naive voice pulled him back to reality.

He met her aggrieved gaze. "Why won't you answer me, Your Majesty? I am asking for this grace with all sincerity. Please, say you will agree. Your Majesty, I beg of you!"

"Enough, enough!" The Emperor could not bear to see her disappointed. "I will promote you to Noble Lady Xin now. When you give birth, I will promote you to the rank of Concubine, so that you may raise the child yourself."

"Yes!" Li Siqi immediately released his hand, climbed off the bed, and knelt before him. She happily kowtowed. "I obey your decree, thank you for your imperial grace, Your Majesty!"

"Rise!" No sooner had he spoken than the Emperor felt a tinge of regret. He was generally stingy with titles and rarely granted high ranks. Having impulsively promised the rank of Concubine, he felt a moment of unease. But then he looked at the woman kneeling on the floor, beaming with gratitude. He recalled her saying she would give everything for her child. The Emperor, who had always craved the maternal love he lacked, could not bring himself to dislike someone who planned so devotedly for her offspring.

He reached out to pull her up and instructed, "You are about to become a mother; you must act with more caution and stop being so boisterous."

"How could I?" Li Siqi leaned into his embrace. "Aren't you sending me the nurses? They will surely keep an eye on me."

"That is correct. You must listen to them well and conduct yourself like a proper concubine."

"Your Majesty, you mustn't dislike your concubine." Li Siqi sat up and quickly changed the subject. "Your Majesty, since you have promoted my rank, shouldn't you also bestow rewards upon Noble Lady Shen, Noble Lady Borjigit, and Noble Lady Xia, who are also expecting?"

The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "What is this? Are you pleading for rewards on their behalf?"

"I just thought that since they are also carrying children..." Li Siqi looked at his expression cautiously and mumbled, "You shouldn't treat the mothers of your children poorly, Your Majesty. Take Noble Lady Xin, for instance—she is the mother of the Eldest Princess. Why don't you show her more favor? Look at the mother of Princess Wenyi—she is still only a Noble Lady..."

"Presumptuous!" The Emperor rebuked her. "You are reckless and speak without restraint. Are these things for you to discuss?"