Chapter 109:

Layue didn’t know whether it was just her imagination, but since discovering her pregnancy, she had become increasingly drowsy.

She often didn’t rise until well after sunrise.

Although her sleep wasn’t peaceful, she no longer woke at every little sound as she had before.

As for those individuals who had presented problematic gifts that day, the Empress Dowager had not shown leniency—each of them had their ranks demoted and their annual salaries withheld for a year.

This time, the Empress Dowager acted decisively. From Layue’s observation, matters within the palace were well known to either the Emperor or the Empress Dowager, since they had placed informants in every quarters. Even if they didn’t know immediately, it wasn’t difficult for them to investigate later. Yet many matters still ended up unresolved.

Thus, it was evident that sometimes things which seemed as significant as heaven to them were merely trifling matters in the eyes of those in power.

“Your Ladyship, eunuch Laixi has arrived with an elderly nursemaid and requests an audience with you,” Jinxin said, lifting the curtain and entering.

Layue was eating porridge and placed the small bowl aside. She wiped her mouth elegantly.

“Let them in.”

Shortly afterward, Laixi entered with an elderly nursemaid in her fifties, both performing formal courtesies.

Layue merely gave them a brief glance before telling them to rise.

After standing, the two found Layue watching them openly. The elderly nursemaid remained composed, slightly lowering her head with a respectful demeanor.

Coughing a few times, Laixi spoke, “Your Ladyship, the Emperor says that there is no experienced person in your quarters, and he fears that if you experience any discomfort, you wouldn’t know what to do. This nursemaid, Madam Zhou, is an experienced palace nursemaid, known for her meticulousness and careful nature. Happily, she is also highly skilled in caring for pregnant women and assisting in childbirth. With her to care for you, the Emperor says he feels somewhat reassured.”

Wasn’t this also a way of telling her that Madam Zhou was someone the Emperor trusted?

She had never dared to regard Emperor Jing as a person who lacked clarity.

Therefore, Layue firmly believed that as long as the Emperor wished for her to carry the child to term, the child would certainly be safe.

Perhaps not entirely perfect, but this selection of personnel would definitely be without error.

“Please convey my gratitude to Eunuch Laixi on my behalf for the Emperor’s kindness.”

Jinxin slipped a bag of golden melon seeds into Laixi’s hands. Laixi feigned refusal for a while before accepting.

At this moment, Laixi thought to himself that this Consort Chun was indeed no simple character. Whether at her initial entry into the palace or now, her attitude toward him had never changed. Someone capable of maintaining such consistency must certainly not be naive.

After leaving Tingyu Pavilion, Laixi walked a long way before glancing back at the pavilion’s plaque, pondering. He thought that as long as Consort Chun encountered no mishaps, she would surely attain great fortune and honor.

Seeing Laixi off, Layue smiled and said, “Madam Zhou, please sit.”

After thanking Layue, Madam Zhou sat on a chair not far away. Layue didn’t say much, only asking about various aspects of her pregnancy—what taboos she should observe, what she should eat and avoid eating.

She inquired in detail about which symptoms were normal and which were not. Madam Zhou answered thoroughly.

After resolving her own questions, Layue summoned several maidservants, introducing them one by one.

Madam Zhou did not assume any airs of seniority, exchanging courtesies with them all.

Madam Zhou understood that these were the prominent attendants of Tingyu Pavilion. If not for Consort Chun’s pregnancy, the mistress wouldn’t have sent her here. Observing the girls’ attentive service, she realized that this place was indeed well-managed.

It seemed Tingyu Pavilion was in excellent order.

Time passed swiftly.

Before long, the tenth month arrived.

With Madam Zhou’s presence, Tingyu Pavilion seemed to function even more smoothly. Previously, matters big and small had already been handled competently by Jinxin and the others.

Madam Zhou focused solely on Consort Chun’s health, not involving herself in other affairs.

Layue knew that in a few days, the Emperor would perform the Heaven Sacrifice ceremony. Speaking of this ceremony, Layue felt somewhat apprehensive. Every time the Emperor left the palace, trouble inevitably arose. The first incident was Chen Yulan’s miscarriage. The second was the dangerous situation during Bai Youran’s childbirth.

Layue did not believe Bai Youran’s incident was accidental.

This time, with the Emperor away, she felt deep concern. Indeed, she was only three months pregnant, and her condition had just stabilized. If someone attempted sabotage, she dared not imagine the consequences—avoiding overt threats was easy, but evading hidden dangers was difficult.

She wasn’t afraid of what minor troublemakers might do, but why did every absence of the Emperor result in success? There must be someone in a high position, managing the palace affairs, secretly plotting.

Perhaps noticing her mistress’s recent anxiety, Madam Zhou advised, “Though I don’t know what concerns Your Ladyship so, I must say a few words. No matter what happens, there is always a solution. If heaven collapses, there’s still the Emperor. At a time like this, Your Ladyship must take care of her own health.”

Layue understood this was for her own good and nodded.

Yet even as she nodded, her brows remained tightly furrowed.

Seeing this, Madam Zhou considered whether she should report this to Emperor Jing.

This Consort Chun was still very young. Judging from her current size, this child must be quite large. Her unstable emotions were truly detrimental to the baby.

Upon hearing Madam Zhou’s report, Emperor Jing immediately thought of his upcoming inspection tour. Indeed, on previous tours, there had always been some incidents.

This girl was young, so it was natural for her to worry.

He also thought of Consort Qi, who was now nearly seven months pregnant, another difficult period. Bai Youran had encountered trouble at seven months. Thus, he must be cautious about everything.

After a brief consideration, Emperor Jing summoned Laixi and instructed him to notify all the palace consorts to gather at Changchun Pavilion that evening.

Though merely a small gathering, it was also a way of warning everyone.

Layue learned of the news at Tingyu Pavilion and felt momentarily puzzled but soon dismissed it from her mind.

She thought to herself that the child in her womb must not be an intelligent girl. Otherwise, why had her mind become so sluggish since becoming pregnant?

Moreover, this girl was a glutton, eating a lot.

Looking at the two empty bowls of wonton on the table, Layue pouted. How had she become so ravenous?

Seeing her mistress staring at the two empty bowls, Jinxin quietly asked Madam Zhou beside her.

“Madam, is it normal for our mistress to eat so much?”

Everyone knew that Consort Qi wasn’t eating much nowadays, fearing the baby would grow too large and cause complications during childbirth.

As a young maiden, Jinxin didn’t understand and naturally had to ask Madam Zhou.

Madam Zhou shook her head. “There’s nothing wrong with that. At our mistress’s current stage of pregnancy, eating more is harmless. We just need to be cautious in the later months. In the past, I served many pregnant women and noticed that they often craved foods they previously disliked. It’s said that this indicates the baby’s preference. Our mistress’s increased appetite likely means the baby needs more nourishment. There’s nothing to worry about.”

While the two were speaking, Layue had already regained her focus.

Looking at them in confusion, she said, “My belly has grown so big that nothing looks good on me anymore.”

Women always cared about their appearance, and Layue was no exception.

Madam Zhou glanced at Consort Chun’s belly, secretly thinking that the belly did seem rather large.

Logically speaking, at this stage of pregnancy, the belly shouldn’t be this big, should it?

After a moment of reflection, Madam Zhou smiled. Perhaps this was another great blessing—possibly twins!

Due to the pregnancy, Madam Zhou discouraged Layue from using cosmetics, and since Layue cherished the child, she immediately packed all her makeup away. Her small face now appeared plain and delicate.

Dressed in a pale pink long gown without a trace of makeup, her silky hair even styled into two small buns, she looked less like a Consort and more like a young girl of twelve or thirteen.

Layue didn’t arrive early. As soon as she entered the room, all eyes turned toward her.

She performed a courtesy to those of higher rank, naturally encountering no disrespect on such an occasion.

With her small face raised proudly, she walked to her seat. She had already eaten quite a bit before coming, and upon seeing the food on the table, she had no appetite.

Pregnant women were often peculiar like that.

Seeing her fresh and delicate face, many secretly resented her, yet at the same time felt a hint of joy. It was said that when a woman was carrying a girl, she would become more beautiful during pregnancy.

Observing how even more beautiful Shen Layue had become, everyone silently prayed that her child would surely be a girl. After all, she herself constantly spoke of becoming a “Princess” every day, didn’t she?

At this time, Consort Hui had already arrived. Seeing Shen Layue’s appearance, she tightly gripped the handkerchief in her hand. Glancing toward Consort Qi in the distance, she eventually lowered her gaze.

Both of them were pregnant. When would it be her turn?

Could it truly be divine retribution for having personally harmed her own child?

Regardless of others’ thoughts, Consort Hui was deeply tormented inside.

Meanwhile, Consort Qi sat there, watching Shen Layue’s natural beauty without makeup, feeling a tinge of jealousy. At her age, could she still afford to appear this way?

Looking at her meticulously applied makeup reflected in the wine cup, who would ever see the face beneath it?

However, Consort Qi comforted herself that her child would surely be a prince.

It was commonly said that craving sour foods indicated a boy, while craving spicy foods indicated a girl. It was also said that carrying a son would make the mother lose her beauty.

No matter how beautiful Shen Layue was, no matter if she bore a princess, that princess would ultimately belong to someone else.

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived—”

With the young eunuch’s announcement, Emperor Jing strode in.

After everyone had performed their courtesies, the banquet began.

It was neither festival nor holiday, yet the Emperor had specially summoned everyone for a feast.

This naturally seemed to carry some hidden meaning.

Sure enough, not long after, the Emperor spoke.

“In a few days, there will be the Heaven Sacrifice ceremony. Due to the heavy workload, I plan to shorten the itinerary. Therefore, I don’t need many attendants to accompany me. For now, it has been decided that only Concubine Xu will accompany me.”

Upon hearing that she alone would have the honor of accompanying the Emperor, Concubine Xu was overjoyed.

The others spoke words of congratulations, yet inwardly, they were filled with resentment.

Such an opportunity had unexpectedly fallen into her hands.

Then they heard the Emperor continue.

“Now that both Consort Qi and Consort Chun are pregnant, they must not be neglected. Consort Hui and Consort De, while managing the palace affairs, you two must ensure their well-being. If there is even the slightest mishap, I will not tolerate it.”

As soon as Emperor Jing finished speaking, a loud “Peng!” was heard, and Consort Qi collapsed onto the ground…