Chapter 027

Chapter 027

The Emperor's intention in arranging Lady Wuyashi to reside in Jingren Palace was undoubtedly to ensure that the Consort could keep a close eye on Lady Wuyashi's pregnancy. Otherwise, how could a mere low-ranking concubine protect the imperial heir in her womb?

Consort Rong had given birth the most, yet out of her five sons and one daughter, four princes had died young, which clearly shows that the concubines in the harem are not to be underestimated.

This Lady Wuyashi, a mere palace maid, dared to rise above her station by carrying an imperial heir, without considering how many in the harem had yet to conceive, thus drawing attention.

Many would want to take action, making it difficult for Lady Wuyashi to keep her pregnancy safe.

However, "She's just a lowly servant, unworthy of my concern!" Consort Tongjia snapped, her face clearly showing her disdain for Lady Wuyashi.

At this thought, she wanted to make Lady Wuyashi suffer, yet she had to reluctantly take care of a lowly servant.

She wished she had given Lady Wuyashi a potion to end her pregnancy, or better yet, one to render her infertile.

Nanny Wang swiftly offered counsel, weighing the pros and cons for Consort Tongjia,

"Your Highness, you forget, Lady Wuyashi is just a low-ranking concubine. Even if she gives birth to a prince, at most, the Emperor might promote her to a daying or a noble.

Only a concubine of higher standing is allowed to raise her own child. If you wish to teach Lady Wuyashi a lesson, you could suggest to the Emperor to take Lady Wuyashi's child and raise it yourself.

Then, prevent Lady Wuyashi from seeing or contacting the child, making the child know only you as the noble Consort, leaving Lady Wuyashi with nothing but bitterness."

In the harem, besides rank, children are crucial.

Taking Lady Wuyashi's child would leave her without support. With her low rank and being in Jingren Palace, under your control, how could Lady Wuyashi possibly cause any trouble?

Hearing this, Consort Tongjia frowned but soon smiled.

Although she was repulsed by Lady Wuyashi and her unborn child, if this could teach Lady Wuyashi a lesson, making her realize that even if one is fortunate enough to conceive and give birth in the harem, it doesn't mean she can raise the child herself.

Thinking that giving birth would elevate her status, she would make Lady Wuyashi's joy short-lived.

Let's see how Lady Wuyashi can still be arrogant!

As a noble Consort, her status is esteemed. Offering to raise the child of a lowly servant like Lady Wuyashi is already giving her face. She has no right to refuse.

After thinking it through, she agreed, "Nanny, you make a good point. Then I shall protect her, ensuring she can safely give birth, as the child will be under my care in the future."

Daring to mock her, she would ensure Lady Wuyashi, this lowly servant, faced the consequences.

Word of Lady Wuyashi's sprained foot in Jingren Palace swiftly made its way to Yikun Palace.

Learning that Lady Wuyashi was only frightened but the pregnancy was still progressing well, the Imperial Noble Consort's expression was unusually calm, as if not surprised.

This was just a small test.

Success would be best, but failure was not too disappointing.

If not successful this time, Jingren Palace would be on guard, and she would have to plan slowly, waiting for the right moment to strike decisively!

The Imperial Noble Consort crushed the fresh flowers in her hand, then tossed them to the ground with disdain, grinding them under her embroidered shoes until they were nothing but a muddy mess.

Qianqing Palace

Su Yi, now resting on a soft couch for her afternoon nap, slept soundly, showing no signs of discomfort despite the new bed.

The duration of a nap can vary; for some, fifteen minutes is enough, while for others, a nap can last until sunset, making their nap time exceptionally long.

Su Yi belongs to the latter category; she either skips her nap entirely or sleeps until she wakes up naturally.

Yun Hua initially stayed up doing needlework, waiting to attend to her mistress upon waking. However, as time passed without any movement from the inner room, and with the afternoon drowsiness setting in, she accidentally dozed off.

A small figure took advantage of her dozing, sneaking past her guard and creeping inside.

At one point, the figure bumped into something, causing it to fall and make a noise, which startled the little figure into holding its breath. Seeing that Yun Hua was still asleep with her eyes closed, the figure let out a deep breath and cautiously continued on its way.

The little figure thought its sneaking was very covert, believing it had successfully evaded the notice of the eunuchs, feeling a little thrill of success.

However, in reality, the eunuchs had been carefully pretending not to see him as he passed by.

Meanwhile, someone quickly informed Eunuch Liang, reporting to the Emperor about what should be done.

Upon hearing this, Kangxi was not at all surprised and, without looking up, said, "Let him be, just keep an eye on him."

If Consort Rong had any ill intentions towards Baocheng, she would have acted on them three years ago. The fact that Baocheng remained unharmed would be the real surprise to Kangxi, who expected him to be more cautious.

On the other hand, the little figure, after a series of dodges and stumbles, arrived looking a bit disheveled, turning from a clean little dumpling into a dirty one, exhausted from the cautious journey.

But upon seeing the figure on the soft couch, his eyes lit up. He tiptoed over, his chubby hands clutching his clothes, unsure of what to do.

He dared not hug her, fearing that Consort Rong might wake up.

After standing for a while, feeling tired, he just plopped down on the footrest.

He stretched out his chubby hand to rest on the corner of the couch, laid his head on his arm, and gazed intently at the peacefully sleeping Su Yi, watching her with great focus.

He really felt that this Consort Rong seemed familiar, and the closer he got, the more familiar she felt.

But he couldn't quite describe it; her presence made him feel very comfortable.

Originally not very sleepy, the little milk dragon's eyes began to droop as he watched, and eventually, he gave up the struggle and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Su Yi, who had been sleeping with her eyes closed, slowly opened them and looked at the slightly dirty little milk dragon resting on the corner of the couch, a faint smile in her eyes.

She reached out and touched his little face, and the little milk dragon, still half-asleep, nuzzled against her hand.

It was very soft; she had wanted to touch it for a while, and now she finally got her wish.

Having touched the adorable little one, Su Yi felt content and withdrew her hand, closing her eyes to go back to sleep.

Although she wanted to take advantage of the moment to hug the little milk dragon and enjoy a little indulgence, the poor child must have rolled on the ground on his way here.

Transforming from a cute little dumpling into a dirty one, she couldn't bring herself to hold him; her clothes today weren't stain-resistant.

Outside the Qianqing Palace

Yipin, wearing flowerpot shoes and accompanied by a palace maid carrying a food box, arrived, clearly dressed up more elaborately than when she went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager at the Cining Palace in the morning.

With willow-leaf eyebrows and a pair of slender phoenix eyes, her careful makeup made her look even more charming and captivating, her slightly curved lips adding to her striking beauty.

Dressed in a pink robe embroidered with large clusters of begonia flowers, Yipin's graceful figure was accentuated, her slender waist almost too delicate to grasp.

She held onto her maid's hand as she waited outside the Qianqing Palace, while a eunuch went inside to announce her arrival.

But deep down, there was still a sense of unease, as if she had stumbled into a battlefield.

Consort Rong was still in the Qianqing Palace, and now Yipin arrived with an imposing demeanor, clearly setting the stage for a confrontation between the two.

With Yipin's arrival, the concubines in the palace were all on edge, eager to witness the drama and gauge Consort Rong's mettle.

Zhongcui Palace

Rongpin was discussing the matter with her personal maid.

She didn't like either Consort Rong or Yipin, but she was eager to see them clash.

"Your Highness, do you think His Majesty will see Yipin?"

Rongpin was copying Buddhist scriptures, exuding an air of calm and cultivation.

"Whether he sees her or not, we'll have a good show to watch," Rongpin said with evident satisfaction.

"Your Highness, this servant is foolish."

Rongpin put down her brush, wiped her hands clean, and then spoke slowly, "If His Majesty sees Yipin, it would be giving her face, but Consort Rong would feel displeased."

"If he doesn't see her, Yipin's visit would become a joke, and she would likely take her anger out on Consort Rong. Given Yipin's temperament, she wouldn't treat Consort Rong kindly in the future."

Lady Guoluoluo, who usually relied on the Emperor's favor to act arrogantly, believed she was the most favored. If she were to lose face in a confrontation with Consort Rong, she would surely harbor resentment.

The Niohuru family was now in a much stronger position than the Guoluoluo family, which had fallen from its former glory.

Since Ebilun left, the Guoluoluo family had lost its past splendor. If it weren't for the Imperial Noble Consort holding things up, who knows how far they would have fallen.

Yipin's usual arrogance disgusted her, and the only thing she could mock her for was that Yipin had been in the palace for three years without any sign of pregnancy, unlike her younger sister, who had been more fortunate.

"If it weren't for..."

Rongpin unconsciously touched her belly, her eyes filled with sorrow. She had given birth to so many children, but only Yinzhi and one daughter survived.

If it weren't for this, she should have been the most confident person in the palace, second only to the Imperial Noble Consort and the Noble Consort, rather than being ranked below Anpin and Jingpin.

Seeing this, Rongpin's personal maid knew that her mistress must be thinking of the lost princes again, and she fell silent.

She couldn't help but sigh for her mistress, who had truly suffered a hard fate.

People from other palaces also sent out their own spies to gather information, eager to be the first to know the outcome of this first confrontation between the two.

Some guessed it would be Yipin, as the Emperor had once favored her, and Consort Rong was just a newcomer.

Others guessed it would be Consort Rong, given the novelty, which Yipin, as the older one, couldn't match.

Inside the Qianqing Palace

Liang Jiugong felt a bit troubled when he learned that Yipin had arrived. If the Emperor were to see Yipin, and Consort Rong happened to come out at the same time, the scene would surely be dramatic.

Just thinking about it made his scalp tingle. Only the Emperor could remain calm in such a situation.

"Your Majesty, Yipin has arrived, saying she wants to bring you lily and lotus seed soup. Should we let her..." Liang Jiugong trailed off, waiting for the Emperor's response.