newbobooks Chapter 192 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 5
Chapter 192 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 5
The emperor wore a happy expression. Since his ascension to the throne, only Wenyi had been born, and she was conceived in his residence.
His offspring are indeed somewhat difficult to obtain. To this day, he only has three sons and two daughters. His third son is really dull-witted; he is already a teenager and still can't study well. His fourth son comes from a poor family, and his fifth son is weak and sickly. Now he doesn't even dare to let his fifth son come back; he can only recuperate at the hot spring resort.
He has been on the throne for three years. During this time, some of his concubines have become pregnant, but none of them have given birth. That's why he is so happy that Wen Yuan became pregnant as soon as she entered the palace.
Wen Yuan raised her head slightly, her eyes filled with joy, the curve of her lips almost impossible to suppress, her eyes narrowed with laughter, revealing Wen Yuan's happiness.
"Really?" Wen Yuan continued the Emperor's question.
"It is absolutely true, I have indeed detected a pregnancy pulse." Every imperial physician can detect a pregnancy pulse, which is a basic skill.
"Su Peisheng, reward him!" the Emperor laughed.
Wen Yuan looked at the Emperor with a worried expression, seemingly lost in thought.
The Emperor touched Wen Yuan's face and said, "Weren't you happy just now? Why are you unhappy again?"
Wen Yuan shuddered and said worriedly, "My mother said before she entered the palace that the harem was difficult. Now that I am pregnant, I am afraid because no one has been born in the harem for three years."
Wen Yuan was deliberately talking about me. At first, she only mentioned it a few times when she was with the Emperor. When she saw that the Emperor didn't react, Wen Yuan directly confronted him, and her tone became increasingly bold.
The Emperor also pondered this deeply. Indeed, no newborns had been born in the harem in the past three years, and Consort Qi's concerns were not without merit.
Wen Yuan continued, "I would like to ask the Emperor for a favor: please grant me a nanny who understands pregnancy and childbirth!"
After saying that, Wen Yuan shook the Emperor's arm coquettishly. The Emperor was charmed by her cute appearance and pinched Wen Yuan's little face.
"Alright, stop acting like this. What kind of behavior is this? The baby in your belly will laugh at you."
"Really, Your Majesty is too kind."
"Am I not good enough normally?"
"Your Majesty, may I ask you for one more favor?"
The Emperor frowned. Was this Consort Qi spoiled and arrogant because of the Emperor's favor, or was she like Nian Shilan before, seeking power for her family?
"You speak first? I'll see if I should agree."
"Hmph, Your Majesty doesn't care about me at all. My title is similar to Consort Qi's, and Consort Qi's gaze towards me is always unfriendly. Your Majesty, please change my title, okay?"
The Emperor felt a pang of guilt. It was the Empress who had chosen the title at random, based on the list of titles proposed by the Imperial Household Department. The Emperor then became dissatisfied with the Empress. She knew that Qi and Qi were similar, yet she still chose this title. Wasn't that because she didn't value Consort Qi and Wen Yuan?
Although Consort Qi is a bit foolish, she is, after all, the birth mother of the Third Prince. The Empress's actions are a slap in the face to the Third Prince. Moreover, the concubines in the harem may think that this was my idea and that I am not satisfied with Consort Qi.
The Emperor gazed at Wen Yuan with bright, sparkling eyes, his heart softening. He patted Wen Yuan's little head and said, "Alright, I'll give you a new title. You've already done a service by being pregnant."
"Su Peisheng, convey my decree: Consort Qi is promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine for her meritorious pregnancy, and is bestowed the title 'Jin'." After pondering for a moment, the Emperor thought that Jin meant beautiful and gorgeous, and this little girl should like it.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Su Peisheng was shocked. The Emperor had actually broken the rules multiple times for the sake of Consort Qi, no, now Consort Jin.
But these are not things he should worry about, after all, he is a servant.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. You are the best." Wen Yuan quickly stood up and bowed, but before she was even halfway there, the Emperor helped her up.
"Are you happy now?!"
Wen Yuan nodded obediently, which made the Emperor laugh out loud. Su Peisheng then instructed the eunuchs below to inform the various palaces and to serve some dishes suitable for pregnant women.
The Emperor and Wen Yuan finished their interrupted dinner in peace. In the evening, the Emperor naturally stayed at Chuxiu Palace, but out of concern for Wen Yuan's health, he did nothing.
When the Emperor's decree was issued from Chuxiu Palace, the concubines in the harem could not sleep.
The first to receive the news was Consort Xin. Both were from Chuxiu Palace, but because Consort Xin had been in the palace longer, Consort Xin was always considered more respectful. Now, Consort Qi, no, Consort Jin, had only been in the palace for less than two months, yet she had been promoted to the rank of Consort and was pregnant. This showed how much the Emperor favored her.
"Your Highness, you should rest early," Mei Xue said worriedly. (I couldn't find the name of the maidservant who served Consort Xin, so this name is made up.)
"His Majesty is truly..." Lü Yingfeng murmured softly.
But Lü Yingfeng never revealed that she had given birth to the eldest princess for the emperor and was still only a Noble Lady. She was promoted to Consort by Zhen Huan and then to Noble Lady by An Lingrong.
Compared to the bitterness of Lü Yingfeng and others, Yixiu was furious. The emperor promoted Qi Guiren to Pin without consulting her and even changed her title.
"Your Majesty, do you still have me, your Empress, in your heart?" Yixiu's face was twisted with resentment.
Jianqiu was frightened by the Empress's ferocious expression. She steadied herself and quickly comforted her, "Your Majesty, of course the Emperor cares about you. He's just been misled by those villains."
"Yes, His Majesty must be like that, that's why Consort Qi has such a face."
Changing the subject, a hint of malice flashed in Yixiu's eyes as she said, word by word, "Competing for favor is fine, but getting pregnant is unnecessary. The harem doesn't need too many children; they keep me awake."
Jianqiu quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
In the Broken Jade Pavilion, Shen Meizhuang came to find Zhen Huan to play chess.
"That's enough, I've already lost, I'm not playing anymore." Shen Meizhuang said sadly.
"What's this? Trying to cheat when you can't take back your move? You're just being petty. Come on, let's play another game," Zhen Huan said cheerfully.
Shen Meizhuang was already in a bad mood. She stood up, walked to the parrot, and her furrowed brows revealed her troubles. She said listlessly, "I'm so annoyed. Even if we play ten more games, I'll still lose."
Upon hearing Shen Meizhuang's words, Zhen Huan understood: "I know what's troubling you, but unfortunately the time isn't right. After all, she's been favored for so many years, and getting results won't be an easy matter."
"You have no idea how much hatred I feel."
"I will hate you even more than you do. The child I am carrying is my own flesh and blood." Zhen Huan said, a deep sadness flashing in her eyes.
Shen Meizhuang knew she had touched a sore spot for Zhen Huan, so she quickly changed the subject.
The sound of a door opening came from outside, and Xiao Yunzi walked in respectfully, her face filled with worry, and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has decreed that Consort Qi has been promoted to Consort Jin for her meritorious service in being pregnant."
"But have you received definite news?" Shen Meizhuang asked.
"The imperial decree came from Eunuch Su, so it can't be wrong."
"Ha, this Consort Qi is quite lucky. She's only been in the palace for two months and she's already a month pregnant." Shen Meizhuang thought of her, how she was framed by Consort Hua and faked her pregnancy to win the emperor's favor.
"Sister Mei." Zhen Huan quickly grasped Shen Meizhuang's hand. Her hand was icy cold. Had Sister Mei been thinking about something sad?