Chapter 20: The Legend of Zhen Huan, An Lingrong
“Why, does the Emperor not allow me to speak the truth again?”
Li Siqi immediately stepped forward, pouting playfully, “Could it be that I have no right to speak honestly before Your Majesty?”
“You, indeed!”
A trace of helplessness flickered in the Emperor’s eyes. He reached out and tapped her forehead gently. “A future mother of the heir, yet you have no sense of restraint. The ranks among the imperial consorts are not something a lowly Noble Lady like you can speak of. Should the Empress find out, she will surely punish you.”
“I’m not afraid,” Li Siqi said boldly, undeterred. “With Your Majesty’s protection, even the Empress dare not bully me.”
“You’re the one who broke the palace rules first, silly girl,” the Emperor said with a mix of amusement and mild reproach. “If the Empress punishes you, I cannot interfere.”
“That’s not allowed! Your Majesty must not let this spread,” Li Siqi pleaded again, waving her hands fervently. “Please, don’t let the Empress know. I admit my mistake!”
“Stop acting cute!”
The Emperor withdrew his hand, lifted his teacup, and asked, “Tell me honestly, is it really because of the children that you spoke up for them?”
“Of course,” Li Siqi replied with a pout, “Besides Xia Changzai, I have little association with the others. I only wished for Your Majesty to treat everyone fairly…”
…
After dining at the side hall of Yanxi Palace, the Emperor departed.
Once he had left, Li Siqi saw Aunt Ruo Lan.
“Auntie, why is it you?”
Surprise brightened her face. “Auntie, why are you becoming a maid now?”
“Your humble servant is past thirty this year,” Ruo Lan bowed and explained, “I do not intend to leave the palace and plan to take the vow of a maid. Since Eunuch Su is selecting maids for you, I have volunteered myself, hoping to serve both you and the young master.”
“So that’s the reason,” Li Siqi said, helping her up. “I’m glad you chose to come here. We spent a month outside the palace together, so we know each other to some extent. From now on, I will count on you.”
“No need for formalities, young mistress.”
Ruo Lan smiled earnestly. “Please rest assured, I will not let you down.”
“Good, let’s get along well in the future.”
…
While Li Siqi was receiving Aunt Ruo Lan here, Noble Consort Fu and Xia Changzai also met the maids bestowed by the Emperor.
At this moment, back in the Imperial Study, the Emperor immediately issued an edict.
Xinchangzai was promoted to Noble Consort Xin.
Xinchangzai was promoted to Noble Consort Xin.
Lady Shen was granted the title Noble Consort Hui.
Borzigit was granted the title Noble Consort Yu.
Xia Changzai was bestowed the title Jing Changzai.
This imperial decree sent a shockwave throughout the harem.
The Emperor’s grand promotion of six palace women at this time was entirely unexpected.
Though all were of lower ranks, this edict was the Emperor’s sole decision.
At Jingren Palace.
“The Emperor, how could he so blatantly slap my face?”
The Empress’s eyes brimmed with tears, her voice trembling with anger. “Does the Emperor even see me as the Empress?”
“Your Highness, the Emperor is merely in high spirits,” Jianqiu quickly soothed her mistress. “The consorts are expecting, so it’s no wonder the Emperor forgot to consult Your Highness. I believe he will come to explain tonight.”
“Do you think the Emperor will really come to Jingren Palace?”
The Empress dabbed her tears anxiously. “You’re right; the Emperor has never humiliated me like this before. This must be an accident. He will definitely come to explain.”
Jianqiu shifted the topic. “Your Highness, perhaps you should order the kitchen to prepare the Emperor’s favorite dishes?”
“Good idea, Jianqiu. Hurry and tell the kitchen to prepare duck soup.”
A smile returned to the Empress’s face. “Make sure to prepare several of the Emperor’s favorite dishes. Go and instruct them personally.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will arrange it immediately.”
…
Jingren Palace awaited the Emperor’s arrival eagerly.
At Chuxiu Palace.
Noble Consort Xin wept tears of joy upon receiving the imperial edict.
She ordered her personal maid to give the messenger Xia Zi a generously filled fragrant sachet.
Upon receiving the gift, Xia Zi reminded her again, “Noble Consort Xin, the Emperor’s decree states you may bring the eldest princess, whom the young prince holds, back to raise her. When the princess turns six, she will be sent back to the young prince.”
“Good, good, good!”
Overjoyed, Noble Consort Xin knelt to express gratitude. “Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for his grace.”
“Rise, Noble Consort Xin.”
Xia Zi smiled, “Don’t be so overwhelmed with happiness. The important thing is to prepare for the princess’s arrival.”
“You’re right,” Noble Consort Xin smiled and rose, immediately instructing those around her. “Qiu’er, prepare the side chamber. We will go fetch the princess shortly.”
“Yes, young mistress!”
Qiu’er, equally delighted, gathered two palace maids and left.
“Eunuch Xia,”
Noble Consort Xin removed the jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to him. “Can you tell me why the Emperor suddenly granted me this favor?”
She knew well she was not favored.
Otherwise, how could the mother of her eldest princess have been granted only the rank of Changzai upon entering the palace?
At the time, she was still carrying another child.
Later, she was harmed and miscarried, and the Emperor did not defend her.
What pained her most was that Princess Wenyi was allowed to be raised by her birth mother, while her own eldest princess had to be sent to the young prince’s residence.
She had endured too many injustices.
With no family backing, she could only silently bear these unfair treatments.
Never in her dreams had she imagined receiving such grace today.
Of course, she understood clearly someone had helped her.
Otherwise, how could the Emperor have thought of her?
“Noble Consort Xin, I’m not entirely sure myself,” Xia Zi smiled.
As he was about to turn away, he quietly added, “At noon, the Emperor dined with Noble Consort Xin at Yanxi Palace.”
“…”
Noble Consort Xin froze for a moment.
She couldn’t help but think of the coquettish and naive An Lingrong.
The two had little contact.
In fact, she had looked down on An Lingrong’s straightforward and outspoken nature.
She always felt An Lingrong was too reckless and would eventually be punished, with no good outcome.
Perhaps it was precisely that character that had spoken up for her.
…
At the Jade Fragment Pavilion.
Zhen Huan could not help but shed tears.
“Young mistress, I will go summon Imperial Physician Wen,” Huan Bi said thoughtfully. “If they can conceive, I don’t believe you cannot.”
“Young mistress, Huan Bi is right.”
Liu Zhu stepped forward softly, “We should ask Imperial Physician Wen to examine you. Maybe you are already expecting.”
Zhen Huan’s expression stiffened, and her tone grew cold. “Liu Zhu, are you joining in this foolishness too?”
“No, young mistress.”
Liu Zhu grew anxious. “Young mistress, you’ve forgotten. Your monthly cycle hasn’t come this month, and last month it was scant. I suspect you may already be pregnant.”
“Really?”
Zhen Huan suddenly looked up, disbelief shining in her eyes.
“Liu Zhu, am I really expecting?”
“Young mistress, I will immediately go fetch Imperial Physician Wen.”
With those words, Huan Bi dashed out like a gust of wind.
“This…”
Zhen Huan felt uneasy. “If I’m not, won’t everyone mock me?”
“No, young mistress, rest assured.”
Liu Zhu smiled reassuringly, “Imperial Physician Wen will help you find a way to resolve this.”