Chapter 0123 Only You

Chapter 0123 Only You

Zhi Fu rushed out with a cloak, but she was too late.

He Jinli took the cloak and draped it over her, saying, "Why do you disregard your health like this?"

Yunli looked up and asked, "Why did Your Majesty come so late?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, full of grievances.

He Jinli sighed and lifted her up, heading inside.

He didn't even glance at Ye Baolin, who was bowing nearby.

The light from the ground lamp illuminated them.

The merged shadows stretched long, with the tall figure holding onto someone, walking slowly.

Ye Baolin stood up and retreated to his position.

Inside the room, Yunli was set down on He Jinli's lap.

"How is your grandmother?"

Yunli turned her head with a cold expression and replied, "She's probably not going to make it."

He Jinli raised an eyebrow lightly, somewhat curious about her attitude. "Imperial Consort, aren't you upset about this?"

Yunli lay in her arms, sighing deeply. "Death is inevitable for everyone. What grieves me is not just that, but the fact that while she is still alive, I have already lost my grandmother."

He Jinli, being exceptionally intelligent, naturally understood.

Though not knowing the details, the discord between her and her maternal family stemmed from her forced entry into the palace.

She made it clear that even if she met him after entering the palace, she wouldn't regret it.

However, she had always minded being forced into the palace.

Therefore, it was probably because of this matter that she was returning this time.

"Your Majesty rules over the four seas, yet all I desire is a little care from Your Majesty," Yunli reached out, embracing his neck. "Just a little."

He Jinli lowered his head, looking at her desolate face. "Are you pleading so pitifully? Naturally, I won't hesitate to give Yun'er more."

Yunli just smiled and said nothing.

Was she heartbroken? Of course, she was.

She accepted the family in this world, although she never thought about how to rely on them.

However, she also accepted from the bottom of her heart that she wasn't alone when she came here.

But...

She sighed gently, slowly, deeply.

It doesn't matter.

She was always a strong and resilient person.

This path was supposed to be walked alone. Now, it's just a return to that wilderness trail.

Look, isn't it difficult for her to use such things to seek favor?

What's the importance of it anyway?

They may come close, but alas, no one can enter another's heart, perhaps because neither intends to do so.

That night, the Emperor naturally stayed with Yunli.

The next day's greetings naturally focused on Yunli.

However, she remained indifferent, showing no post-coital joy. Perhaps she rarely had such moments.

"Speaking of it, hasn't Consort Qiong been in the palace for almost two years?" Lady Ye Zhaoyi remarked.

"Yes, it's almost that long," Lady Wu Zhaorong chuckled. "Time really flies."

"Consort Qiong has been intimate with the Emperor many times, so she must be expecting soon, right?" Lady Ye Zhaoyi continued.

Yunli smiled, "It's all about fate. So far, it hasn't happened for me; perhaps it's not meant to be."

"Sister, don't be impatient. When it comes to fate... many people miss out," Lady Wu Zhaorong said, smiling at Lady Jiamei. "What do you think, Jiamei?"

Lady Jiamei glared angrily, "Sister, don't you know?"

Lady Wu Zhaorong wasn't offended this time, "I know, I haven't had children. Because I'm not favored. You've been favored for many years, yet not a single child. Hmm."

"Since Sister doesn't have any, there's no need to bring me up. There are plenty without." Lady Jiamei gritted her teeth.

Lady Wu Zhaorong remained silent.

Indeed, it was awkward.

There are still three consorts above who haven't conceived.

Even Consort Mei, who entered the palace nearly a year ago.

Unexpectedly, their conversation made Consort Mei smile.

"Your Majesty, yesterday I consulted the imperial physician."

The Empress looked at her, "Oh? Sister, are you unwell? Is it serious?"

Consort Mei shook her head, "The physician said I am pregnant. It's less than two months, and I haven't felt anything, so I didn't know until now."

The Empress smiled, "Oh, that's wonderful news. Why didn't you say so earlier, Sister?"

Consort Mei smiled, "I intended to share the news today."

"Alright, Songlu, prepare a reward for Consort Mei." The Empress beamed, "Quickly inform His Majesty; this is a great joy."

She looked at Consort Mei affectionately, "With Yuanzheng's friendship with Dajin, I've been looking forward to your arrival. Now that you've been here for a while and are pregnant, this child's birth will symbolize the bond between Yuanzheng and Dajin. Please be cautious."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty." Consort Mei smiled.

She didn't care about revealing her pregnancy before three months.

Her enthusiasm was straightforward, but not naive.

Her pregnancy, her child, wasn't something anyone dared to harm lightly.

As the Empress mentioned, her child held special significance.

Of course, as an outsider, she knew well that if she bore a prince, he was unlikely to become the crown prince, which made her even safer.

So she could freely announce her pregnancy without concern.

Hearing the news, Emperor He Jinli was indeed pleased.

He went to the Chaoyang Palace that very noon.

In the harem, the winds shifted once again. The Chaoyang Palace became the hottest spot.

Consort Mei's pregnancy was an unbearable blow for both the Noble Consort and the Orchid Consort.

The Noble Consort had been unable to conceive for several years; the idea of her being pregnant seemed preposterous.

Upon returning to the Zhenyun Palace, the Orchid Consort smashed a heap of porcelain.

Her increasing agitation from the medication made her thinner, and her complexion was no longer as radiant as before.

Yet... it was all in vain.

The more this happened, the more she resented the Empress.

Her hatred reached its peak when she mentioned the Fourth Prince with disdain.

She talked about how inadequate the child was, how he couldn't endure.

Only then did the Orchid Consort find some relief.

However, upon hearing of Consort Mei's pregnancy today, even this small comfort was unbearable for her, and she shouted for someone to leave.

She sat on the ground covered in broken porcelain, gritting her teeth tightly.

Your Majesty.

She truly loathed that woman.

Jia Meiren was exhausted by the morning's court greetings, but after all, there was nothing she could do.

Failing to conceive was truly her heartache, but even during her days of favor, it was the same; now...

In these three months, she hadn't seen His Majesty once, so how could she conceive?

But Yunli didn't bother about these matters at all.

Without pregnancy, it wasn't the right time naturally.

Before entering the palace, she had already considered these things.

Would the people of the Qi family willingly watch her surpass the Noble Consort?

Even if Duke Dongchang could, could Madam Jiang and her son?

While Qi Xiaohè was respectful, why was Qi Qingluan so enduring now?

Or rather, from beginning to end, why were they so busy and anxious? What were they aiming for?

So the matter of childbirth, she wasn't in a hurry.

Before sleeping, Yunli asked, "Where is His Majesty?"

"According to the beauty, His Majesty is still with Consort Mei." Zhu Yu said.

"Hmm. I'm going to sleep."

Yunli closed her eyes.

In her mind, she thought about the current harem.

The Empress's legitimate son was extremely weak; it was uncertain if he would survive. Even if he did, it was uncertain if he would be of any use.