Chapter 42: Women’s Drama

Chapter 42: Women's Drama

Chu Nan had just coaxed her to stop crying, and now he was busy pulling a stern face to calm her anger.

After a good bout of commotion, the two of them became affectionate again. Sitting on the couch, Fan Xueyao tidied their disheveled clothes. Chu Nan looked down at her movements and said with a smile, "You've become more temperamental lately. I can barely afford to offend you. If this continues, won't it be me serving you soon?"

Fan Xueyao knew he was joking. She lifted her moist, limpid almond eyes and gazed at him tenderly, pouting, "Your Majesty, saying such things really embarrasses me. If others heard, they might think I'm disrespectful. Even if some rumors spread, it would be fine, but if someone takes it seriously and punishes me, wouldn't Your Majesty feel heartbroken?"

Chu Nan cupped her small face, gazing into her eyes with unwavering tenderness. Fan Xueyao couldn't help but lower her head in shyness, murmuring, "You haven't answered yet. Do you feel heartbroken or not?"

"Of course, how could I not feel heartbroken?"

He used to have a pure heart, never leaving an impression for any woman. But now, once he fell in love, he couldn't let go. He had a premonition that if she were punished, he would suffer the most.

Fan Xueyao blinked, then broke into a radiant smile, her eyes and brows filled with joy. She leaned against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, her face glowing with happiness.

Chu Nan held her close, feeling as if his heart was soaking in a warm spring, warm and cozy.

She was in the early stages of pregnancy, prone to miscarriage. Chu Nan loved her so much that he feared staying here might make him lose control, which could harm her. After dinner, they spent time writing and painting in the study before he returned to his own palace before the palace gates closed.

Usually, only the Emperor could summon concubines; it was difficult for concubines to see the Emperor. Favored concubines could easily arrange meetings by sending a message through a palace attendant. However, for unfavored concubines, even bribing attendants to speak well of them might not work, depending on the Emperor's mood. The same method might succeed one day and fail the next. In short, it all depended on the Emperor's whims.

Now that Fan Xueyao was pregnant, many opportunities for serving the Emperor opened up. Many concubines tried their best to get closer to the Emperor during this period to earn his favor.

One morning, Fan Xueyao rose and sat by the window. Huaping stood behind her, combing her hair with a brush. Suddenly, Yue Chan quietly entered, bowed deeply, and then approached to whisper the news to Fan Xueyao.

Fan Xueyao listened as if she hadn't heard anything, her gaze falling on the hanging orchid outside the window. When Yue Chan finished, she nodded, acknowledging the information.

What did Yue Chan tell her? She spoke about last night. Chu Nan went to visit the Empress Dowager, asking about her well-being. Empress Dowager Wei kept him for breakfast. As mother and son, it wasn't unusual for the Empress Dowager to invite her son to eat. What was unusual was that Wei Zhaoyuan also joined them. After breakfast, Wei Zhaoyuan played chess with Chu Nan and then naturally served him in bed. It seemed her frequent visits to the Empress Dowager's palace finally paid off.

Huaping finished combing her hair and used a peach blossom jadeite hairpin to style it. She helped Fan Xueyao rise and carefully led her to the couch. Other attendants brought pillows and blankets.

"Jie Yu, shall we serve breakfast now, or wait a bit?" Huaping knew Fan Xueyao usually didn't have much appetite in the morning, though she wasn't sure when she would want to eat.

"Let's wait a bit. I'll walk around first." Fan Xueyao thought for a moment. She had no appetite now, but unlike before, she needed to eat for two. A little exercise would stimulate her appetite.

Huaping supported her as they walked outside. After a few leisurely laps, Fan Xueyao felt refreshed, and her stomach stirred. They returned to the hall and ordered breakfast.

Soon, dishes arrived, filling the dining table. She didn't remember specific dietary restrictions for pregnant women, but she believed moderation was key. She picked a little of each dish, eating a few bites of what she liked and forcing herself to eat a couple of bites of what she disliked. This way, she managed to eat half a meal and had some fruit, feeling eight-tenths full.

This was breakfast. Lunch required three tables with even more dishes. She instructed the kitchen to prepare dishes with animal organs daily. Yesterday, they served roasted deer liver, which wasn't very tasty without chili, but she ate a few bites anyway.

The palace maids cleared the table, while Huaping helped Fan Xueyao wash up and then took her for a stroll to aid digestion. They settled her on the couch with pillows, and the attendants took turns having breakfast.

After finishing her meal, Huaping washed up, removing any food scent, leaving only the aroma of tea. Since Fan Xueyao's pregnancy, Spreading Fragrance Hall no longer used incense or perfumed creams to avoid any risks.

Approaching Fan Xueyao, Huaping bowed and then whispered about the news Yue Chan had shared earlier. As Fan Xueyao's trusted attendant, many junior maids sought her favor, hoping to curry favor through her. Thus, she often received information without asking.

"Besides Wei Zhaoyuan, there's Yuan Meiren's Pearl, who has been frequently visiting the Yeting Bureau with food boxes. The Chief of the Yeting Bureau, Li Ling, is Li Huairen's disciple Feng Ang's foster brother..." Huaping glanced at Fan Xueyao's expression, seeing her smiling, and continued.

"However, Li Ling doesn't seem to favor Yuan Meiren."

"Tang Cairen has been trying to align herself with Jiang Jie Yu, visiting her frequently. According to Jin Ying, Jiang Jie Yu's attendant, Tang Cairen is skilled at playing the zither. Jiang Jie Yu recently gifted her a zither and arranged for daily lessons from the music instructor. It seems she intends to support Tang Cairen."

Huaping recounted the intelligence, mentioning several other concubines.

Fan Xueyao leaned back on the pillows, listening quietly, occasionally asking for details. Finally, she nodded and smiled warmly, "You've become quite influential outside. Such secret matters can't escape your notice. Not long ago, the Emperor gave me some high-quality rouge and lipsticks. I can't use them now, and these items don't last long. Take them and use them yourself or give them to your sisters. You decide."

The lipsticks Chu Nan gave her were far superior to those distributed to concubines. Huaping's eyes lit up. Being a girl, she loved beauty, but as a maid, she rarely had the chance to dress up.

Fan Xueyao was a kind mistress, not one who constantly feared her attendants stealing her position. She knew she would be the second to know if anyone harbored such intentions. Therefore, she didn't mind her maids dressing up. Sometimes, she even made cosmetics and shared them with them.

Huaping was grateful for this, often thanking her lady.

"Thank you, my lady!"

Huaping thanked her with a smile. She planned to share the lipsticks with her sisters, keeping only a deep red lipstick for herself. Her lips were slightly purple, so she used darker lipsticks to cover it.

In the morning, several eunuchs arrived at Spreading Fragrance Hall. Chuntao came to inform Huaping, who said, "They're here to clean the chimney. We reported it yesterday, and they came quickly. Jie Yu is having a snack, so don't disturb her. Have them work in the kitchen area."

Chuntao informed the kitchen staff, who retreated to the servants' quarters. Huaping called for a small palanquin to be prepared and followed Fan Xueyao inside to help her change clothes and apply makeup.

The palace implemented a two-meal system, with breakfast and lunch. It wasn't yet time for breakfast, so the kitchen wasn't too busy. Only a few junior maids bustled about, preparing vegetables for the morning meals.

When Fan Xueyao arrived, the chief cooks Xu and Ma hurriedly greeted her.

"Welcome, Jie Yu. May you have a blessed day," they said, bowing.

Fan Xueyao nodded, "No need for formalities."

Xu quickly glanced at her and asked, "Why has Jie Yu come to the kitchen today? Is there something important?"

Ma looked at her in surprise, quickly concealing it.