readsfreenovel Chapter 428 Why Her of All?
Chapter 428 Why Her of All?
Once this thought takes root, it grows wildly in the mind like a vine.
Consort Qu unconsciously clenched her handkerchief. "If she weren't pregnant and needed to avoid the Empress and Consort Qing, why would Consort Chun leave the palace so easily at such a critical moment as Consort Jin's impending childbirth?"
Upon hearing this, Ruixue gasped. She hurriedly looked around, and only after confirming no one was nearby did she say in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I remember, since the war broke out in the northern border at the beginning of February, His Majesty has not set foot in the inner palace for a long time, except when visiting Consort Jin and the Empress. If Consort Chun... has been pregnant for almost two months since her last night with His Majesty at the end of January..."
The conversation abruptly ended there. The master and servant exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of horror in each other's eyes.
After a long while, Consort Qu couldn't help but sigh, "What an ingenious plan. Going to the imperial palace to copy scriptures and pray for the soldiers will earn her a good reputation; serving the Empress Dowager will fulfill her filial duty; and if she discovers a pregnancy pulse at this time... With such a well-connected plan, even the Imperial Observatory will probably say that this is 'a celestial omen, a blessing upon the Great Zhou.'"
Ruixue lowered her voice and murmured, "Such a triple kill, Consort Chun is truly... a woman of great hidden talent."
"Perhaps it's Consort Jin who's been plotting behind the scenes." Consort Qu suddenly chuckled. "Our Empress is taking medicine every day, hoping to conceive a royal heir. If she and Consort Qing find out that Consort Chun has gotten there first... ha, I wonder what kind of turmoil will ensue in the palace."
......
Inside the Renming Hall, even the agarwood could not suppress the bitter, medicinal smell.
After serving the Empress her medicine, Granny Gui came out of the inner room with the medicine bowl in her hand, just as Zhixue was hurrying back.
"Has Consort Chun set off?" Granny Gui asked in a low voice.
Zhi Xue replied softly, "Yes, Consort Qing and the other concubines saw us off outside the palace, and Consort Jin also went. The Emperor specially sent Eunuch Jing to escort them out of the palace. I saw a group of twelve palace servants carrying tribute gifts following behind the procession..."
A cold laugh came from inside the room.
The Empress leaned against a pillow embroidered with peonies, her face somewhat haggard, with only a touch of red on her lips adding a hint of life.
"The Emperor's filial piety towards his stepmother has always been merely a facade. Without an heir in this harem, even someone as noble as the Empress Dowager is nothing more than a clay statue."
Upon hearing this, Granny Gui hurriedly handed the medicine bowl to Xingyu and returned to the inner room with Zhixue.
She comforted her, saying, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. Physician Cui said yesterday that Your Majesty's pulse is much better than last month. Continue taking this medicine for another three months..."
"Three months and three months again!" The Empress suddenly raised her voice, then abruptly stopped, her nails digging deeply into her palms. She subconsciously stroked her flat stomach, hoping for a long time, using countless methods... but there was still no movement.
Zhixue knelt on the footstool and gently massaged her legs, saying with heartache, "With Imperial Physician Cui and Doctor Chu taking care of Your Majesty both inside and out, Your Majesty will surely get what you want and will never be like Empress Dowager Zhou in the future."
The Empress suddenly grabbed Gui Mama's hand, "Granny Gui, go back to your residence outside the palace and tell Father to bring Doctor Chu into the palace."
Granny Gui readily agreed, “This old servant will go out of the palace to deliver the message right away. Once Madam sends the invitation to the palace tomorrow, I will definitely be able to bring Doctor Chu to examine Her Majesty.”
The Empress waved her hand, and after Granny Gui withdrew, Zhixue finally had a chance to report the situation in Huining Palace in detail.
As the Empress listened, she suddenly laughed: "Very well, Consort Qing is useless. I want to see how many mistakes she can make in managing the six palaces. You give instructions to make sure that the people below are 'dedicated and hardworking,' so as not to delay the Emperor and the one in Cining Palace from restoring her to her original rank."
......
In the flower hall of Lingcui Palace, the Xiangfei bamboo curtain was half-rolled up, letting in a sparse spring light.
Meng Shu and Consort Qi sat facing each other on a carved rosewood couch, separated by a small lacquered table with several newly cut apricot blossoms on it, their tender white petals still glistening with morning dew.
Since Lingyi recovered from her illness, Consort Qi's brows and eyes have relaxed for a long time, and her complexion has become more radiant.
She came here genuinely for Meng Shu's sake, and as soon as she sat down, she spoke gently to her about the things she needed to pay attention to during the last two months of pregnancy.
She naturally omitted the dangers of childbirth, focusing instead on the proper care before and after delivery. At crucial moments, she even summoned several nannies to give them detailed instructions on diet, daily routines, and herbal remedies.
Green Willow and Winter Melon pricked up their ears, occasionally interrupting to ask questions. One asked if it was serious when the Empress had leg cramps at night, and the other asked what kind of food would be better to eat to build up strength during childbirth. They were more concerned than the old nannies.
They talked on and on for almost half an hour before finally ending.
After the nannies had all left, Meng Shu glanced around, and Green Willow immediately understood, leading Winter Melon and Bright Moon to quietly retreat as well.
The palace returned to silence. Meng Shu, holding a cup of jujube tea, asked casually, "Just now in front of Huining Palace, Consort Qu was wearing a gold filigree jade butterfly hairpin. It looks like the one that your mother brought into the palace when Afu had her full moon celebration last time."
Consort Qi was taken aback upon hearing this. "That hairpin isn't particularly valuable, but it's just a small token of my appreciation..."
As she was talking, she suddenly realized, "Why did my sister suddenly ask about this?"
Meng Shu gently turned the teacup and said calmly, "Sister, you've been getting closer and closer to Consort Qu these days?"
Consort Qi's heart tightened suddenly, and a hint of confusion appeared in her eyes. "Sister Qu was kind to Afu before. If it weren't for her mentioning the ritual this time, Afu would have suffered a lot. I am grateful to her and always look after her."
Sister Meng never speaks recklessly, but do you see anything amiss?
"It's hard to say."
I was merely reminding my sister that Consort Qu is quite adept at self-preservation and judging situations. Her returning the gold lock that day was rather suspicious. Have you ever considered why it was she who specifically brought up the matter of performing a ritual?
Meng Shu stopped there, gently placing the teacup on the table. The celadon and sandalwood touched, making a soft "ding" sound.
Consort Qi's expression gradually froze. She had never imagined that Consort Qu would have such thoughts, and upon hearing this, she couldn't help but ponder.
After a short while, she murmured, "So it seems... when Qu Baolin asked her for the gold lock..."
She paused mid-sentence, a chill creeping into her eyes: "She clearly sensed it long ago, but she insisted on waiting until Afu became so seriously ill—"
Her Adam's apple bobbed a few times before the last part of her sentence was forced out from between Consort Qi's tightly pursed lips: "—Do I really have to wait until Afu's life hangs by a thread before I can be this good person in front of the Emperor and me?!"