Chapter 37: The Empress’s Wariness

Chapter 37: The Empress's Wariness

Empress Dowager Wei nodded and said with a smile, "Indeed, you're only one month along." She reminisced and continued, "When I was carrying the Emperor, it wasn't easy. Just past the first month, I suffered from severe morning sickness. I couldn't even stand the smell of food, let alone eat anything. It wasn't until the fifth month that things finally settled down."

Fan Xueyao smiled in agreement, "My mother told me that when she was carrying my elder brother, she had a hard time too, unable to eat anything. But when she was carrying me, everything was peaceful. She ate well and showed no signs of pregnancy. My father joked that it must be a girl, and indeed, I turned out to be a girl."

Empress Dowager Wei was even more pleased, looking at Fan Xueyao with genuine affection rather than just because of her unborn grandchild. Perhaps with age, her preferences had changed. When she was younger, she preferred quiet and well-behaved people, finding them proper and obedient. Now, however, she found those who were overly timid or too restless to be unsuitable. Instead, she appreciated someone like Fan Xueyao, who was poised and lively in just the right measure.

Fan Xueyao's smile deepened, and she behaved with grace and modesty, neither overly humble nor overly showy. She was like a pearl, radiating a subtle glow from within, unlike a gemstone that sparkles brilliantly.

Empress Dowager Wei's impression of her improved even further, keeping her for nearly an hour before letting her go. Before she left, she bestowed a pile of medicinal herbs such as donkey-hide gelatin, ginseng, and lingzhi mushrooms, as well as fine silks and brocades.

It felt good to gain favor, but once she left Yongyan Hall, the aftereffects began to show. As a low-ranking concubine, she had to maintain a cautious and humble demeanor in front of the Empress Dowager. Although seated, she could only sit on the edge of the chair, which made her back ache terribly.

Because of her pregnancy, she couldn't have the palace maids massage her as she used to.

Fan Xueyao lay on the couch for a while and noticed something different about the hall. She smiled and asked, "Did the Office of Palace Affairs come to redecorate while I was away?"

Huaping carefully helped her sit up and replied, "Yes, they replaced the furnishings suitable for a Beauty with those for a Jie Yu. How does it look, Jie Yu? If there's anything you dislike, I'll change it immediately."

She got up and walked around the rooms. Previously, her furnishings were all suited for a Beauty, except for some tables and chairs she had customized herself. Now, everything had been replaced with items suitable for a Jie Yu, and her own pieces were stored away. However, Huaping had clearly put thought into it, placing two bouquets of vibrant blue jacaranda flowers in vases, adding a touch of feminine charm to the room.

Fan Xueyao smiled warmly, "Let's keep the current setup for now. We can make changes later if needed. Just replace the cushions on the couches, chairs, and tables. These embroidered ones look beautiful but are quite uncomfortable to sit on."

Thus, the silk cushions, chair covers, and couch mats were all replaced with simpler ones. The carved wooden armrests were also swapped for plain ones with padded backs and headrests filled with soft cotton. Huaping and the others took care to fluff them daily and air them out regularly, making them particularly comfortable.

Just after lunch, Chu Nan sent additional palace attendants for her. A Jie Yu rank entitled her to six more attendants than a Beauty, including two additional kitchen maids, totaling eight. However, sixteen people knelt before Fan Xueyao. This exceeded the number for a Jie Yu; only a Nine Consort would have so many.

There were twelve palace maids and four kitchen maids. Fan Xueyao glanced over them and smiled, "Please introduce yourselves."

The sixteen people reported their names in order from left to right. Then, Fan Xueyao asked the twelve maids about their specialties. Four of them were from the Office of Clothing and were skilled in sewing. She realized that Chu Nan had assigned them to her to ensure she wouldn't strain herself with embroidery.

Fan Xueyao named all twelve maids and instructed Su'e to settle them in.

After Su'e returned, Fan Xueyao called her four senior maids—Huaping, Zhuzhu, Su'e, and Qiaoqiao—and said, "We have more people now. The four from the Office of Clothing will stay here to serve. Each of you take one under your wing and train them. Assign the rest to various duties, and make sure there's no conflict between the new and old staff. They are all part of our household, and if any trouble arises, everyone will be punished equally."

The four maids bowed in acknowledgment.

Fan Xueyao assigned the four sewing maids: Huaping would mentor Chun Die, Su'e would mentor Yue Chan, Qiaoqiao would mentor Tiaor, and Zhuzhu would mentor Xiuer. With this, the hall now had eight people serving her daily, either attending to Fan Xueyao or doing sewing work. At night, they would take turns on watch duty, providing even better service.

The next day, Fan Xueyao went to thank the Empress and the Emperor for her promotion. With this, the ceremony was complete.

The Empress did not show any hostility towards Fan Xueyao, but Fan Xueyao could sense her growing wariness. Genuine affection from a wife towards a concubine was unlikely. Nevertheless, Fan Xueyao continued to visit the Chilli Palace every three days to pay respects, regardless of whether Empress Xu received her or not, showing no sign of arrogance despite her newfound favor and pregnancy.

Empress Xu looked through the account books but her mind wandered to Fan Xueyao. She had married the Emperor when he was still the Crown Prince, and both of them were reserved and somewhat dull. Despite being married for seven or eight years, she didn't feel she truly understood him. However, she had observed some things.

In the Crown Prince's palace, there were over ten women with or without titles, among whom Wan Zhaoyi was the most beautiful. Yet, perhaps due to her arrogance or the Emperor's awareness of her behavior, he treated her indifferently.

Empress Xu found Wan Zhaoyi troublesome. Though beautiful, her personality made her difficult to get along with, often trying to assert herself. After the Emperor ascended the throne and she was only granted the rank of Nine Consort, she seemed to understand her place and became more subdued.

However, when Fan Xueyao entered the palace, Empress Xu felt a sudden unease. Fan Xueyao was as charming as a peach blossom in spring and as graceful as a chrysanthemum in autumn, exuding elegance and gentleness.

Empress Xu knew that any man would find such a woman irresistible. She hoped that Fan Xueyao would turn out to be arrogant, so the Emperor would eventually tire of her. Unfortunately, Fan Xueyao was not only intelligent but also wise. If she were merely clever, Empress Xu could handle her.

Now, Empress Xu was truly troubled. Fan Xueyao was always modest and never overstepped boundaries. Despite her favor, she always kept a respectful distance from the Empress and never challenged her authority. She rarely left her quarters and only interacted with a few other low-ranking consorts.

Empress Xu had spies report back, and it seemed Fan Xueyao only engaged in casual conversations, not plotting against her.

Empress Xu's well-manicured nails left a crescent mark on the account book. Now, Fan Xueyao was pregnant. If she gave birth to a male heir, Empress Xu's position would become even more precarious. Unfortunately, she had not conceived since her last miscarriage.

Empress Xu reminded herself to remain calm. She knew that the Empress Dowager valued her for her propriety and moderation. Without children or the Emperor's affection, she could not afford any missteps. The Empress Dowager valued Fan Xueyao's child, so she not only had to avoid any mischief but also ensure Fan Xueyao's safety during childbirth.

Fortunately, Fan Xueyao was reliable. It was better for her to give birth than for someone like Wan Zhaoyi to do so. As the Emperor's lawful wife, she could withstand a concubine's son. She would have her own son someday, and he would be the true heir.

Fan Xueyao asked the kitchen to prepare mutton soup. She had just started her pregnancy and had not yet experienced morning sickness. She wanted to enjoy the soup while she could.

The kitchen followed her instructions, using only radish and simple seasonings like orange peel, Sichuan pepper, and hawthorn to remove the mutton's gamey flavor. The soup was garnished with coriander, making it almost odorless.

The mutton was tender and easily separated from the bone, and the radish was cooked perfectly, neither too hard nor too soft. The soup, free of excess fat, was milky white with green coriander and scallions, fragrant and refreshing.

Unfortunately, the portion was small. Pregnant women should limit hot foods like mutton, but a moderate amount was beneficial. She savored each bite, slowly finishing the bowl.

As soon as she swallowed the last mouthful, Huaping quickly took the bowl away, "One bowl is enough. The physician warned against eating too much." She was clearly worried Fan Xueyao might overindulge.

Fan Xueyao shook her head helplessly and sipped jasmine tea to cleanse her palate.