Chapter 96: The Probe

Chapter 96: Testing the Waters

[Long Author's Note Ahead]

"You and I will have children sooner or later."

The news of Talent Lady Yu's pregnancy hit like a thunderbolt, causing a momentary shock to ripple through the banquet hall.

Except for a flicker of surprise in the Emperor's eyes, the other royal consorts' expressions subtly turned unfavorable, ranging from envy and jealousy to outright resentment. Such fortune, if not on oneself, would naturally cause discomfort no matter who received it.

Even Noble Lady Xiang's gaze cooled slightly.

Among the many royal consorts present, only Su Jiaojiao remained calm, showing no trace of disturbance.

Talent Lady Yu had only recently gained some favor and was now closely dependent on Noble Lady Xiang for survival. Though Noble Lady Xiang had introduced her to the Empress, with the Second Prince barely past his hundredth day, the sudden emergence of a pregnant consort to share the Emperor's favor would inevitably upset Noble Lady Xiang.

However, if Talent Lady Yu was willing, it might attract more attention from the Empress.

But Su Jiaojiao still had a few lingering doubts.

Had Talent Lady Yu known about her pregnancy beforehand, or had she chosen an opportune moment to reveal it?

If she had known earlier, she must have realized Noble Lady Xiang would not be pleased. Yet, she remained close to Noble Lady Xiang—was it to preemptively calm Noble Lady Xiang's anger, or had Noble Lady Xiang also known about it?

If Talent Lady Yu had only just found out about her pregnancy today, Su Jiaojiao wondered about the Empress and Noble Lady Xiang's plans.

Noble Lady Xiang still had her value to the Empress, so Su Jiaojiao should avoid interacting with her too closely to prevent arousing the Empress's suspicions. In that case, it would be wise to keep an eye on Talent Lady Yu.

Just then, the Emperor asked the Grand Eunuch, "Is it true that Talent Lady Yu is pregnant?"

Cai Shan quickly nodded and said, "Your Majesty, to avoid misdiagnosis, I summoned another physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau. It is confirmed that she is pregnant, though only a little over a month along. The pulse is naturally unstable, and today's fall has caused some disturbance to the fetus. Fortunately, the physician said it is not serious and only requires proper rest and care."

"As long as the Imperial Heir is safe," Shen Huai stood up and said calmly, "Since Talent Lady Yu is pregnant, I shall go and see her. My consorts, please feel free to continue without waiting for me. I will return shortly."

Noble Consort Mi's smile froze on her face, but she could not defy the Emperor's will. She forced a smile and said, "Talent Lady Yu's pregnancy is a blessing for the empire. I congratulate Your Majesty. Since Talent Lady Yu is pregnant and has suffered a fright, it is only right for Your Majesty to visit her. I will also strictly discipline Beauty Xiao to ease Talent Lady Yu's grievances."

She curtsied more deeply, "I respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty."

Shen Huai patted Noble Consort Mi's shoulder and strode down from his seat. When he reached Su Jiaojiao, he paused.

After a moment, he turned his head to look at her and extended his hand, "Jiaojiao, come."

Su Jiaojiao smiled softly, stepped forward to take the Emperor's hand, and whispered coquettishly, "Your Majesty is going to see the pregnant Talent Lady Yu. Why are you calling me along? Aren't you afraid Talent Lady Yu might be displeased?"

Shen Huai, however, was unfazed and said matter-of-factly, "Talent Lady Yu is gentle and understanding. She naturally won't be displeased. Besides, Noble Lady Xiang has just given birth to Nan Xi, and now Talent Lady Yu is pregnant. It seems the recent promotions in the harem to celebrate Noble Lady Xiang's pregnancy have brought good fortune. I want you to share in this auspiciousness as well."

Su Jiaojiao tilted her head slightly and looked at the Emperor, "Is Your Majesty in a hurry?"

Shen Huai was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't considered the underlying reason for his words—that he hoped Su Jiaojiao would also become pregnant.

But he remembered that she was not yet ready and was still young.

Honestly, there was no rush.

Yet, seeing Noble Lady Xiang and Talent Lady Yu consecutively becoming pregnant, he couldn't help but think of her.

Whether it was the fortune of bearing a child or not, sharing in the auspiciousness couldn't hurt.

Shen Huai glanced at her casually, chuckled, neither confirming nor denying, and simply said, "You and I will have children sooner or later." Su Jiaojiao smiled and said no more, walking hand in hand with the Emperor as they left the sight of the others.

During the spring banquet, someone in the crowd sneered, "His Majesty is truly fond of Noble Consort Zhen. On such an occasion, instead of bringing Noble Consort Mi, he brings Noble Consort Zhen. It seems he doesn't hold Noble Consort Mi in high regard at all."

Noble Consort Mi frowned and scolded, "The Empress is recuperating, and I am temporarily handling the affairs of the inner palace in her stead. If His Majesty leaves and there's no one to keep things in order, chaos is bound to break out! If anyone dares to gossip behind my back again, I will not be lenient!"

Concubine Lian, clenching her fists, sneered, "I heard that Noble Consort Mi used to care deeply for His Majesty. Now that Noble Consort Zhen is so favored, you seem quite at ease, even protecting her. Back then, it was Noble Consort Mi who was the most favored in the harem, not some upstart Noble Consort Zhen who only recently gained favor."

Noble Consort Mi's expression darkened.

Though domineering, she could see that Concubine Lian was trying to stir up trouble.

Su Jiaojiao was under her command. If she couldn't tolerate Su Jiaojiao, she would have dealt with her long ago, without waiting for others to gossip.

Since she hadn't disciplined Noble Consort Zhen, it implied her tacit approval. Who were they to judge!

Noble Consort Mi coldly smiled, "Concubine Lian, you are mistaken. Of course, I care for His Majesty. Because I care, I understand that His Majesty is preoccupied with state affairs and needs someone by his side to comfort him. Noble Consort Zhen is gentle and obedient, and it's good that His Majesty favors her. If His Majesty favors her, then so do I."

"From what Concubine Lian is implying, are you planning to defy His Majesty?"

Concubine Lian's sneer froze on her face. Her delicate, beautiful face now clearly showed her displeasure, but she bit her lip and refrained from further argument with Noble Consort Mi.

It was strange. Before entering the palace, her family had sent people to gather information on the personalities and appearances of several key figures in the palace. Regarding Noble Consort Mi, they said she was the most favored, jealous, and domineering, but not particularly intelligent.

But now, it seemed the rumors weren't entirely true.

Noble Consort Mi, though hot-tempered and ruthless, was no fool. As for jealousy, there was no trace of it.

Noble Consort Zhen's favor was unmatched, almost overshadowing Noble Consort Mi. If Noble Consort Mi were truly jealous and domineering, she would have used her power and status to suppress Noble Consort Zhen long ago, not protect her like this!

Thinking this way, it must be that both His Majesty and Noble Consort Mi have been charmed by Noble Consort Zhen. Otherwise, how could a neglected legitimate daughter be sent to the palace so easily and rise to the rank of Noble Consort?

His Majesty's heart is mine alone, and no one else shall claim it!

In the secluded room by the imperial garden.

Talent Lady Yu was lying on the bed, her delicate face pale.

Her forehead was damp with cold sweat, clearly showing she had been greatly frightened. Hearing a sound, she slowly opened her eyes.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw His Majesty's figure by the bedside.

Seeing His Majesty had come to visit, Talent Lady Yu's eyes immediately filled with tears, and she softly said, "Your Majesty has come..."

Shen Huai hummed in acknowledgment, speaking gently, "No need for formalities. You're with child, so rest well."

Talent Lady Yu smiled through her tears, her gaze at His Majesty filled with affection, mixed with the shyness and embarrassment of a first-time mother, "Your Majesty already knows? I am overjoyed."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Jiaojiao stepped forward from behind His Majesty, standing in front of Talent Lady Yu, smiling warmly and appearing genuinely happy for her, "Talent Lady Yu, you are truly fortunate. As soon as His Majesty heard you were pregnant, he immediately left the spring banquet and all the sisters to come see you. It shows how much His Majesty cherishes you and the child you carry."

From Talent Lady Yu's perspective, she hadn't seen Noble Consort Zhen at first. Hearing her speak, she turned her head slightly and saw Noble Consort Zhen standing beside His Majesty.

Her smile faltered for a moment but quickly returned to normal. She lowered her eyes and said, "I am unwell and cannot pay my respects to Your Majesty and Her Ladyship. Please forgive my rudeness."

Shen Huai said, "Noble Consort Zhen is the most kind and magnanimous. She would not mind such trivial matters. You are pregnant and have been bullied by Beauty Xiao. The most important thing is to rest and take care of the baby."

Su Jiaojiao's smile deepened, as if casually probing, "What a coincidence. Today is the hundredth-day celebration of the Second Prince, and today you are diagnosed with pregnancy. It's truly double happiness. Talent Lady Yu, you are close to Noble Lady Xiang and often spend time together. The two of you must have planned this, keeping it from His Majesty, waiting to surprise him today."

Talent Lady Yu's expression changed slightly. She lowered her long lashes and softly said, "Your Ladyship jokes. I only found out today that I am pregnant, and Noble Lady Xiang only found out today as well."

"Oh?" Su Jiaojiao covered her mouth with a light laugh, "Then it seems I overthought. I thought you had chosen this auspicious day for double happiness."

Shen Huai pondered for a moment, speaking of Talent Lady Yu but looking at Su Jiaojiao: "Although Talent Lady Yu has only recently been elevated in rank, there are few imperial heirs in the palace, and I am considering elevating her rank further. Especially since she is pregnant and has been bullied by Beauty Xiao, if her rank were higher, Beauty Xiao might be more restrained."

He looked at Su Jiaojiao and asked softly, "Jiaojiao, what do you think I should confer on Talent Lady Yu?"

Su Jiaojiao naturally dared not influence the Emperor's decision, so she deliberately smiled, somewhat envious of the Emperor's affection for Talent Lady Yu, her sweet voice was crisp and clear: "Your Majesty has already decided, why ask Jiaojiao? Talent Lady Yu is close to Noble Lady Xiang, and now she has also been blessed with the joy of Noble Lady Xiang by carrying the Imperial Heir. If Your Majesty is so inclined, why not confer her the title of Noble Lady as well, making the two sisters' ranks equal."

Shen Huai, instead of being angry, laughed and flicked her nose: "You are becoming quite the orator."

While the Emperor and Noble Consort Zhen joked, Talent Lady Yu dared not accept.

If the Emperor were to confer her the title of Noble Lady, Noble Lady Xiang, who is of a jealous nature, would not tolerate her. Her opportunity to advance depended entirely on Noble Lady Xiang's favor. She had only just secured a brighter future for herself, and if she displeased Noble Lady Xiang, and the Empress did not trust her, she would truly be in a dire situation!

Talent Lady Yu hurriedly threw off the blanket and knelt down, her face pale: "Your Majesty, this is too much honor for me. I am of humble status and do not deserve such favor. I have already been promoted recently and granted a title by Your Majesty. This is already a tremendous honor. If I were to be promoted again in such a short time, it might cause dissatisfaction among the other sisters in the harem. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness and dare not ask for more."

Su Jiaojiao glanced down at her reaction, inwardly sneering for a moment.

She was merely testing Talent Lady Yu's intentions, wanting to see how confident she was about her unborn child and her alliance with the Empress, and whether she would dare to offend Noble Lady Xiang for the sake of this child. Who would have thought that Talent Lady Yu, upon hearing she might be equal to Noble Lady Xiang, would rather not be promoted than risk it.

When it comes to promotions, which Imperial Consort would not want a higher rank? Only Talent Lady Yu, clinging to Noble Lady Xiang, fears surpassing her.

It seems that in Talent Lady Yu's heart, Noble Lady Xiang is still very important. Otherwise, she would not have reacted this way.

Su Jiaojiao reached out her hands to help Talent Lady Yu up, pretending to be self-reproachful as she smiled and said, "Talent Lady Yu is pregnant, and His Majesty has exempted you from formalities. Why kneel so suddenly? If the fetus is harmed, my jest would be a grave mistake."

She slightly turned her head to look at the Emperor and smiled lightly, "Your Majesty, don't you think?"

Shen Huai smiled faintly, looking at Talent Lady Yu, his tone neither warm nor cold: "Since you are so sensible, wait until you have given birth to the Imperial Heir before considering a promotion."