Chapter 201: Fool

Chapter 201: Fool

Right after Yunli returned, the Empress sent several people over.

"Jiyu, the Empress has sent over some servants from Qi Jingyi's side, Zhang Maolin, Ban Yue, Can Xia, and two little maids."

"The Empress suggests since your staff has been insufficient since your promotion, and also, Ban Yue and Can Xia are from the Qi family, though they were given titles in the palace, they are essentially servants of the Qi household. As for Zhang Maolin, being a chief eunuch who served Qi Jingyi, probably has nowhere else to go, hence they were all given to you," said Zhuding.

Yunli scoffed: "The Empress really knows how to arrange things."

"Go, tell Ban Yue and Can Xia to pack up their things and send them back to the Qi household. It's about time for them to marry off," said Yunli.

"Yes," Zhuding laughed.

"Keep Zhang Maolin... After all, he was a chief eunuch close to Qi Jingyi, from the Eastern Palace, he must know a lot. Might be useful someday. Let him do some menial work, keep him at a distance," Yunli said.

"Yes, what about the two little maids?" asked Zhuding.

"No, send the two little maids away. To the needlework bureau. Tell them I ordered them to learn tailoring, give some silver to the matron there, and let them study well." Whether it takes three years, five years, or even a decade or eighteen years, when they can leave is up to their teacher.

"Ah," Zhuding went off to carry out the orders with a laugh.

"Jiyu, are you worried about those two young ones?" Zhu Yu asked curiously.

"It's hard to say. Ban Yue and Can Xia are too obvious since they're from the Qi household. Their lives are in the hands of the Qi family; what could they dare to do? I don't care for those who served Qi Qingluan. As for Zhang Maolin, a eunuch's fate is hardly enviable; if he dares to do anything, isn't death certain? It's only the two young ones. Sending them away is best."

After all, it wasn't as if I didn't give the Empress face; didn't I keep one?

Especially since it's Qi Jingyi's chief eunuch, such a conspicuous person?

From five people, now only one remains.

In the afternoon, when the Empress learned of this upon waking from her nap, she snorted coldly: "She is indeed clever, much better than her sister."

"Your Majesty, don't be upset. She's still far from it," Ru Yi quickly soothed with a smile.

The Empress waved it off, moving on from the subject.

"How has Ye Xiaoyi been lately?" the Empress inquired.

"Ye Xiaoyi... hasn't served in bedchamber duties for some days," Ru Yi shared.

The Empress huffed: "Another disappointing one. I thought she had potential when she entered the palace."

"Your Majesty knows, initially it was the Emperor giving face to Prince Qi. After all, Prince Qi's daughter was sent for marriage alliance. That’s why she was elevated upon entering the palace as Baolin. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so easy," Ru Yi explained.

"I'm aware, but nurturing someone in this inner palace isn’t easy. I've seen a few new faces that are quite promising. Yunshi, for instance, is quite good. Good looks, but poor family background. It's not easy to elevate someone like that, unlike Ye Baolin, who has birthed a princess," the Empress sighed.

"Indeed... Consort Jin seems to be paying close attention now," Ru Yi mentioned.

"Of course she is, without the eldest prince, she'd love to adopt one," the Empress snorted.

"Seeing how content Consort Lan is now, Consort Jin must be envious," the Empress remarked.

Ru Yi agreed, but wondered to herself if Consort Lan was truly content?

After all, Consort Lan's occasions in the Emperor's bedchamber are... few and far between.

No matter what, it's an undeniable fact that women of the inner palace can only secure their positions with offspring.

"This pregnancy truly cements Jiyu's position," Ru Yi remarked.

The Empress pondered for a moment: "So what if she gives birth?"

The Empress, of course, knows that with the Emperor's protection, she can't lay a finger on her now.

"There will be others more anxious than us," she referred to Ning Xiuyuan.

The departure of Qi Jingyi brought no change to the harem.

When the news reached the Qi household, Qi Tongxi didn't react much, feeling that it might be for the best.

At least it would save her life.

As for the Jiang family, although Jiang Shi was furious, she's currently under house arrest, forbidden from leaving or sending anyone out.

So she could only swallow her rage.

At the beginning of July, Zhao Yuyu was found to be pregnant. Merely a day apart, Meng Baolin also revealed her pregnancy.

Both were around two months along.

The Empress was overjoyed, bestowing numerous rewards, showcasing her virtuous and gentle demeanor.

He Baolin, after finally being released from confinement, found herself significantly behind others.

Most importantly, even Yu Xiaoyi has recently started to behave, no longer causing trouble.

Consequently, the most attention now goes to the pregnant ones: Meng Baolin and Zhao Yuyu.

Yue Xian Ge and Ting Zhu Xuan, being next to each other, are now equally bustling.

Liu Baolin of Ting Zhu Xuan finds herself in an awkward position, being a Baolin from the previous selection and still holding that title.

Seeing her contemporaries advancing, and even though the newcomers haven't surpassed her yet, their pregnancies mean it's only a matter of time.

Mainly, He Baolin's incident made it complicated for the Emperor to show favor hastily; it has to be gradual.

Yu Xiaoyi, indeed, knows when to seize the moment.

She has temporarily retreated after achieving her goals.

After all, the presence of the newly pregnant makes them far more noteworthy than her.

It must be said, it's also a matter of good luck.

In the Imperial Garden, Yun Li sits in a pavilion enjoying the blooming jasmine, finding the scent soothing.

At five months pregnant, her belly isn't too large yet but is noticeably showing.

Gently touching her stomach, she stands up: "Let's go down and take a look."

"Yes," Zhi Fu assisted her down from the pavilion.

Not far away, they spotted a few individuals in pink gauze dresses, not appearing to be servants.

"It looks like Yu Yuyu, He Baolin, and... Meng Baolin?" Zhu Yu frowned. "Didn't she just announce her pregnancy and now she's out?"

Yun Li smiled, unconcerned.

Indeed, the trio approached together, paying their respects to Yun Li.

Yun Li greeted them, noting Meng Baolin's rosy complexion and cheerful appearance.

However, she was more surprised by He Baolin.

"Cousin, didn't you just cause a big fuss with Jiang Baolin's pregnancy? Haven't you learned your lesson, mixing up with pregnant Meng Baolin now?"

He Baolin looked fine, though she seemed thinner than before.

Observing closely, Yun Li thought He Baolin bore no resemblance to the Emperor.

And as for her looks... they were just average.

"Enjoy your walk. Feel free to stroll around," Yun Li said, uninterested in further conversation.

The three didn't dare to linger and quickly agreed.

As Yun Li walked away, Meng Baolin said, "Though just a Ji Yu, being a fourth rank is still different."

Yu Yuyu glanced at her, thinking to herself, "Is she naive? Just a fourth rank? Try attaining it yourself."