Chapter 0097: Just You Being Sour

Chapter 0097: Just You Being Sour

Wu Zhaorong grew interested, “Hard to say, maybe she’s the one unable to conceive.”

“How could it be so easy to be barren? The women sent to the palace… wouldn’t their families seek a doctor’s advice? Even if Lan Fei’s family isn’t wealthy, they aren’t destitute. Why send a woman who can’t bear children to the palace?” Ye Zhaoyi questioned.

“So… what does sister mean?” Wu Zhaorong asked.

Ye Zhaoyi was silent for a while before speaking.

“Both of us… failed to keep our children. Even with the emperor's favor, we couldn’t maintain it. Back then, we were just concubines of modest status. She’s just a favored concubine. If we couldn’t keep our children, and she’s so favored, could her journey really be that smooth?”

Ye Zhaoyi’s reasoning was quite sound.

Wu Zhaorong was stunned, “Then you… who do you think is behind it?”

“It must be one of those at the top. The Empress’s first child was a daughter… was she anxious? The Noble Consort is intent on replacing the Empress, so she might be a possibility. Jin De Fei has an eldest son, would she fear Lan Fei bearing a son to usurp her son’s position? After all, if Lan Fei also had a child, her status would be comparable to theirs.”

Wu Zhaorong pondered, now believing the theory.

It indeed made sense.

Otherwise, why wouldn’t Lan Fei, in good health, show any signs of pregnancy over these years?

And moreover…

The top-ranking women seemed not too harsh on this favorite consort who didn’t come from a prominent family.

It really looked more and more plausible the more they thought about it.

The two gossiped about this matter, unaware of what others might know.

Throughout July, three people were most frequently summoned to serve the emperor in his bedchamber.

One was the new arrival, Ye Baolin. As a newcomer, she naturally received several days of favor.

Another was Mei Fei, who now falls somewhere between the high and low ranks.

And the last one was Yunli.

As these two were favored, Le'an Palace became a preferred place for the palace servants to work.

Of course, the pregnant Empress and Lin Meiren also saw the emperor, but only for meals and such.

The others, like Lan Fei and Xu Yushi, were summoned only once.

The emperor hadn’t visited Jin De Fei for a long time, but when he did, she happened to be unwell, so Xu Yushi was called to serve in her place.

This situation inevitably led to some mockery, but she couldn't help it.

Finally, it was August.

The Empress was six months pregnant, and her belly was now quite noticeable.

Lin Meiren was almost five months pregnant, and her belly was also becoming evident.

Many had not performed formal greetings for months, so today, everyone conducted a grand ceremony to pay respects to the Empress.

The Empress smiled and gestured, "Everyone, please rise."

"It's been a long time since I've seen all my sisters. How are you all doing?"

Naturally, everyone said they were doing well.

The Empress first inquired about Lin Meiren's pregnancy, and Lin Meiren also reported that she was well.

Indeed, she was in good health, with a rosy complexion and not suffering from severe morning sickness.

Then the Empress asked about Jin De Fei's child, as well as Zhang Cairen.

After inquiring about everyone, it was time for others to speak.

The first to speak was Jia Meiren.

Throughout July, she hadn’t been summoned to serve in the bedchamber even once, and now her resentment towards Yunli had reached its peak.

“We used to come for greetings every day, which was quite lively. Not coming for these few months, I've really missed all the sisters.”

The Empress replied with a smile, “Indeed, I've been thinking of you all as well.”

“Though we haven’t had formal greetings recently, the palace has been lively. Some time ago, Lan Fei and Lady Qiong even accompanied His Majesty to admire the lotuses. In the past, only Lan Fei liked lotuses, but now there’s another.”

“Oh, Lady Qiong also likes lotuses?” Ye Zhaoyi asked with a smile.

“Yes, I like them. I like all flowers. Don't you, Sister Ye?” Yunli responded in kind.

She had anticipated this; being favored recently, she expected someone would pick a fight.

Jia Meiren had been holding back for too long.

“Oh, Sister Ye, don’t ask like that. There was quite a debate between Lady Qiong and Lan Fei over liking lotuses. Isn’t that right, Sister Lan Fei?” Jia Meiren said.

Lan Fei looked over, “When did this happen? I can’t quite remember. Jia Meiren, it sounds like you’ve been there yourself. Have you been having someone watch us?”

This remark was rather serious.

Spying on the emperor? That’s tantamount to treason, a capital offense.

“Of course not, it’s no secret,” Jia Meiren smiled, “I was just reminiscing. I remember in the Eastern Palace, there was a pond of lotuses taken care of because Sister Lan Fei liked them. Now, we have even more lotuses in the Imperial Garden. Since Lady Qiong likes them too, I imagine the Emperor will give them even more attention, right?”

Jia Meiren turned to Yunli, “You must agree, Sister? Being so favored, the Emperor must be particularly protective of you, right?”

Yunli, unfazed, tilted her head and smiled, “Tsk, tsk, tsk. I got up in a hurry this morning and didn’t eat anything before coming. Jia Meiren must have risen early.”

Jia Meiren, sensing a backhanded comment, didn’t respond.

But if she wouldn’t respond, someone else would.

“What do you mean by that? How would Lady Qiong know she got up early?” Wu Zhaorong asked.

“It’s simple. If Jia Meiren hadn’t gotten up early, how could she have had breakfast before coming? Not only do I know she got up early, I’d even guess that Jia Meiren's Xingxing Pavilion had dumplings for breakfast,” Yunli said.

Before Wu Zhaorong could react, Lan Fei was already laughing.

“Oh, look at what Sister says, isn’t it just so? I was wondering why there was such a sour air about.”

Everyone laughed at this exchange.

Jia Meiren’s face turned red and then quickly paled as she glared at Yunli, “You’re only good with words.”

“Aren’t you the same? Picking a fight early in the morning,” Yunli retorted with a cold laugh.

“Alright, enough. You all said you missed each other, but as soon as you meet, you start quarreling,” the Empress interrupted with a smiling tone.

She then turned to the Noble Consort, “Why are you so quiet these days, sister?”

The Noble Consort stood up, “In the past, I was foolish and offended Your Majesty. I have realized my mistake and dare not repeat it.”

No one knew how reluctant she was to bow her head.

But she also knew that now she had no choice but to submit.

Indeed, despite being a Noble Consort, she now seemed invisible to others.

The Empress merely smiled, “Nonsense, sister has always been the best. Virtuous, well-mannered, sensible, respectful to all, truly exemplary.”

The irony in these words was not lost on the Noble Consort, but realizing it did her no good.

The consequences of yesterday lead to today’s outcome; it was all deserved.

The morning greeting session ended, and everyone dispersed.

As they left, Jia Meiren angrily said, “Relying on your favor, you now disregard everyone. Do you think you’ll be favored forever? There will come a time when you fall out of favor. Don’t cry then.”

“Why would I?” Yunli smirked, “Aren’t you the one who cries, Jia Meiren?”

With that, she walked away.

Jia Meiren quickly realized what had happened and, furious, watched Yunli walk away without bothering to look back.