“Chapter 0052: Pregnancy Matters”

"Chapter 0052: Pregnancy Matters"

"After spending a night in the Emperor’s service, Yun Li was genuinely tired."

"The next day, she ended up taking the hairpin the Emperor had used yesterday."

"It was a man's hairpin, engraved with a Kui dragon pattern, not overly ornate."

"She excused her desire to keep it as not having seen the Emperor for a long time and wanting something personal of his."

"He Jingli didn't mind her playful mischief and let her keep it, tucked it into her bosom."

"He lightly flicked her forehead, 'Behave yourself.'"

"Yun Li then dutifully went to pay her respects to the Empress."

"Having served the Emperor only a few times recently, the gossip she faced today was manageable."

"Struggling with sleepiness, she listened through the entire session and then went back to sleep."

"The day passed peacefully."

"During the night, the year's first snowfall began."

"Yun Li seemed to have woken up once in the night and had a dream."

"But by morning, she had forgotten it all."

"The light snow continued outside. Yun Li rubbed her head, feeling like something lingered in her mind, but as her attendants came in, it all drifted away."

"After dressing and freshening up, she was ready to pay her respects."

"However, with the snowfall, she first ate some snacks and drank hot water to avoid being cold on an empty stomach."

"She could only walk, slowly making her way to Fengyi Palace."

"Before she arrived, she heard some commotion behind her."

"It was Zhang Baolin and Liu Yuniang; hearing the noise, Yun Li turned to see Zhang Baolin had fallen to the ground and was slow to get up."

"Liu Yuniang and several maids hurried to help her."

"Having witnessed the incident, Yun Li felt obligated to go back."

"Once helped up, Zhang Baolin complained of stomach pain and looked pale."

"'Sister, you go ahead, I’ll help Zhang Sister back. Please excuse us,' said Liu Yuniang."

"Yun Li responded, 'Alright, then you go back first.'"

"After thanking Yun Li, Zhang Baolin was supported as she headed back."

"Yun Li watched for a moment, then turned to continue on her way."

"This delay meant she was the last to arrive."

"Xu Baolin remarked, 'Oh, Qi Xiaoyi doesn’t seem to take paying respects seriously now, does she?'"

"Yun Li gave her a cold glance and ignored her."

"'Empress, I apologize for my lateness. On the way here, Zhang Baolin suddenly fell and looked unwell, saying she had a stomach ache. Liu Yuniang is helping her back, so I am excusing them both.'"

"'She fell? Get up first. What seems to be the matter?' the Empress frowned with concern."

"I don’t know for certain, but seeing Zhang Baolin clutching her stomach, it seems she was really in pain," said Yun Li.

"This statement set everyone thinking."

"The Empress instructed, 'Send the imperial physician to check on her.'"

"The Empress herself didn’t go, but Ruyi did."

"Soon after the physician's visit, news came that Zhang Baolin was pregnant, nearly three months along."

"It was hard to know what to say."

"While Yun Xiaoyi had a miscarriage, Zhang Baolin was found to be pregnant."

"And Wu Baolin was already more than six months into her pregnancy."

"This development compelled the Empress to reward Zhang Baolin."

"The fall had not harmed the child, but the physician advised that she had slightly agitated her pregnancy and needed to rest and avoid walking."

"This raised an issue, as Zhang Baolin’s residence was quite remote."

"Yining Xuan, where she stayed, was far from Fengyi Palace."

"This prompted the Empress to make arrangements."

"Consequently, she ordered Tingzhu Xuan to be prepared for Zhang Baolin and Liu Yuniang to move in after a while."

"Originally, Liu Yuniang had nothing to do with this, but since the Empress was extending a favor, there was no need to leave the less favored Liu Yuniang behind."

"Upon learning of Zhang Baolin’s pregnancy, He Jingli also visited and bestowed gifts."

"However, it was evident that he didn’t particularly prioritize this matter."

"Neither Wu Baolin nor Zhang Baolin were favored consorts."

"Yet their pregnancies were progressing better than Yun Xiaoyi's earlier one, who indeed wasn't a favorite of the Emperor."

"But for now, their lack of favor might change if they were to give birth to a prince or even a princess."

"Zhang Baolin understood this well. She initially didn't want to reveal her pregnancy so soon, but the first snowfall provided an opportunity to move out."

"Residing in Tingzhu Xuan brought her closer to the main palace, potentially offering more opportunities to see the Emperor."

"Moreover, with Yun Xiaoyi's recent miscarriage, her announcement came at an opportune time, and anyone plotting against her would now have to be cautious."

"With two miscarriages in succession, the Empress had to be more vigilant. Another loss would be too costly for her."

"Everything was about timing; it couldn't be labeled good or bad, only that Zhang Baolin had her moment."

"The snow stopped around noon the next day."

"Yun Li, in her palace, had roast venison, but she found it dry and not to her liking."

"This venison, brought in from outside, was limited, and though she received only a small portion, she genuinely didn’t enjoy it."

"Compared to pork, lamb, or beef, it was far less appetizing."

"Zhu Que announced, 'Xiaoyi, Jing Xiaoyi is here.'"

"Yun Li stood up with a smile, 'Sister has come.'"

"'The snow has stopped. I thought of taking a walk and hadn’t visited you yet, so I came over,' Jing Xiaoyi said."

"Dressed in a multi-colored skirt with a peach-red cloak and a wind cap, Jing Xiaoyi looked charming and playful."

"Yun Li responded with a smile, 'Great, let me change my clothes, sister, please wait a moment.'"

"Yun Li went to her inner chamber and changed into an apricot-red dress adorned with large patches of 'Shi Shi' brocade."

"She also chose a lotus-root-colored cloak with a hood."

"Her hair was styled in a lily bun, and she adorned herself with a few silver ornaments. Opting for simplicity, she dotted a small red circle at the center of her forehead. The tiny, bright red spot made her look exceedingly charming."

"'Sorry to keep you waiting, sister. Let’s go now.'"

"'Even with simple adornments, sister, you manage to dazzle. I am truly envious,' Jing Xiaoyi laughed."

"Yun Li playfully nudged her, 'Stop joking, sister, let's go, let's go. I also want to enjoy the snow.'"

"The two left Yue’an Palace and headed straight for the Imperial Garden."

"The Imperial Garden was indeed a sight to behold, covered in pristine white. The trees bore heavy snow, bending their branches."

"The lake had not fully frozen over yet, but ice had started to form."

"Some plum trees were budding, though not in full bloom yet, with most still showing only tender green leaves."

"The evergreen pines and cypresses stood tall, while the bamboo was shedding its leaves."

"The snow wouldn't last long, making snow appreciation all the more interesting."

"As they walked deeper into the Imperial Garden, they found beauty at every turn, with only the paths cleared of snow."

"The ground was not swept carelessly to avoid marring the beauty."

"But they weren't the only ones out to enjoy the snow; they soon encountered Shu Jieyu and Jia Meiren."

"These two lived in different pavilions – Zhaixing Pavilion and Yuexian Pavilion – but were close by."

"They were often seen together."

And that's not all; just when the four of them gathered and had barely exchanged a few words, someone else approached from afar.

Judging by the stature, who else could it be but the Emperor himself?

Accompanying him was Consort Lan, who was dressed beautifully.

Yun Li thought to herself, I should have expected this. Why come to the Imperial Garden? Wouldn’t it have been better to stroll in the Little Plum Grove?