CHAPTER 98: CHAPTER 97: IT’S A PRINCE

"Ying Yue..."

"Your Highness, what is the matter?" Ying Yue stepped forward and asked.

"Call Consort Yun here. I have something to ask her."

"Yes!"

「...」

Consort Yun arrived swiftly.

Back when Noble Concubine Shih had just become pregnant, she had been jealous, full of hatred.

But ever since her father was demoted, she no longer had the same audacity.

A mere Fifth Rank Minister.

With just a cough from Grand Tutor Shih, her father could easily lose his official position.

So, all her previous emotions had dissipated. Her devotion to the Noble Concubine had thus become unwavering.

"Noble Consort..."

Consort Yun curtsied.

Noble Concubine Shih was lying on the couch, glancing sideways. After putting down the soup bowl with the medicinal concoction, she asked, "Are the two Honored Ladies in your care doing well?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Yun smiled. "Everything is being done according to Your Highness’s wishes. They trust me a lot now."

Noble Concubine Shih breathed a sigh of relief. "That’s good. Maintain this. I will have great use for you sooner or later."

"Yes!"

Consort Yun was very respectful.

The two spoke a little longer.

Seeing that the weather was good, Consort Yun said, "Your Highness, why not take a walk outside? It’s such rare, fine weather!"

Noble Concubine Shih squinted and looked outside. After a while, she finally said, "The Imperial Physician said the same. He told me to walk more to ease childbirth in the future."

"Let’s go... take a walk outside."

"Ying Yue..."

Ying Yue acknowledged and hurriedly called people to prepare for the outing.

「...」

「In the Imperial Garden」

The weather in April and May was neither cold nor hot; the vegetation was lush, and the flowers were blooming magnificently, creating a beautiful scene.

Noble Concubine Shih sat on a palanquin, elevated above all. Consort Yun, leading the Palace Maids, followed below.

The entourage moved slowly towards the Imperial Garden. Passing by a rockery, they traversed a cobblestone path.

Noble Concubine Shih, looking at the flourishing beauty around her, basking in the warm breeze and the sun, narrowed her eyes contentedly. She occasionally chatted and laughed with Consort Yun. She was utterly complacent.

Unfortunately, the Empress had also come out to enjoy the sun, and the two, heading from different directions, ended up crossing paths directly.

"Empress?" Consort Yun couldn’t see clearly at first; only when she got closer did she confirm it.

"Greetings, Empress." Consort Yun and the other Palace Attendants hurriedly curtsied.

The Empress smiled. "All rise."

As she spoke, her gaze turned towards Noble Concubine Shih.

But Noble Concubine Shih remained seated high on her palanquin, showing no intention of descending. The Empress stood on the ground, while she, seated high on the palanquin, possessed a distinctly condescending air.

Noble Concubine Shih, her belly more than four months into her pregnancy, smiled with great satisfaction. "Empress, I should indeed come down to pay my respects to you, but this belly of mine..."

"Oh dear..." As she spoke, she even intentionally let out a feigned cry. "The child kicked me! Such an ill-behaved little one, to not even distinguish the occasion. I must have made a fool of myself before Your Majesty..."

The Empress was about to explode with anger. She clenched her fists so tightly within her sleeves that several of her fingernails broke. Yet, on the surface, she still had to smile and say, "It is hard on Noble Concubine Shih being pregnant. Let’s dispense with the formalities."

Delighted, the Noble Concubine smiled broadly. "Then I thank Your Majesty immensely!"

"Ying Yue, let’s go."

Indeed, the palanquin moved straight down the middle of the path. Thus, even the Empress had no choice but to step aside to let her pass.

Consort Yun curtsied once and, without saying a word, followed the palanquin as it moved on.

However, just as the Empress was seething and the Noble Concubine was reveling in the moment, Noble Concubine Shih suddenly turned her head back.

"Empress, the Imperial Physician says that the child in my belly is a Little Prince."

"Empress, when my child is born, you will surely be happy, won’t you?"

The Empress stifled the frustration in her heart, yet her face remained composed as she spoke. "Of course."

Upon hearing this, the Noble Concubine truly did proceed on her palanquin, departing with an air of arrogant superiority.

「...」

「Back at Jiaofang Hall」

The Empress, in a rage, smashed quite a few objects. "This is outrageous, utterly outrageous! So what if she has a child? I am the Empress!"

Sister Ji rushed to console her. "Your Majesty, the Emperor and you have some misunderstandings. At this time, it’s crucial not to foster conflict."

The Empress sneered, clenching her fist. "Sister! Do I have any other choice?"

"If it weren’t for the Emperor secretly protecting and doting on her, how could she be so presumptuous and unruly?"

Such anger made her forget all about Lady Xia’s situation. She was solely focused on eliminating Noble Concubine Shih’s child.

But Noble Concubine Shih did not forget; of course, she didn’t. The Emperor’s favor, or lack thereof, in these past few months—she was well aware of it!

The main culprit! Xia Ruqing!

During her garden stroll, she came upon Xia Ruqing, who was in the Imperial Garden looking for a cat.

As soon as the Noble Concubine arrived, Xia Ruqing stopped searching for her cat and knelt on the ground, bowing her head.

"Well, well, Lady Xia. Don’t you know that cats are not allowed in the Imperial Garden?" Noble Concubine Shih, still shaken from the scare, exclaimed angrily. Just moments before, a cat had suddenly darted out, causing her palanquin to sway and nearly topple her.

Xia Ruqing said, "This servant begs the Noble Consort’s pardon. I wasn’t aware that Your Highness would be visiting, hence..." Da Bai loves roaming the garden, so I brought it along. Otherwise, I wouldn’t like coming here myself!

Then she continued aloud, "This servant admits her fault. This servant will never dare again!"

Noble Concubine Shih scoffed. "Not dare? You even lived in Zhaochen Palace. What else would you not dare to do?"

Xia Ruqing remained silent. She knew the Noble Concubine was just picking a fight, but at this moment, she was helpless, with no one to save her.

The Noble Concubine circled around her once, then said, "Originally, I didn’t wish to punish you, but... Lady Xia, you lack discipline!" Continuing, she ordered, "Your penalty will be to kneel here for two Shi Chen. Ying Yue, have someone watch over her!"

With that, she glanced at the sky again! "You’re quite lucky. There’s no sun right now, and look... the sky is getting overcast."

"Remember, two Shi Chen!"

After speaking, Noble Concubine Shih strutted away.

Xia Ruqing’s heart was heavy. Just by stepping outside, she would run into such trouble?

Reluctantly, she remained kneeling.

「...」

Two Shi Chen later, when Noble Concubine Shih’s people had left, Xia Ruqing dared to rise. Her knees felt like they were no longer her own.

That night, Zhao Junyao saw the shocking bruises on her. His eyes flashed with a cold light!

"Shih Wanxin..." She’s truly becoming more and more outrageous.

She can’t even tolerate a mere Honored Lady? Hmph...

Originally planning to visit the Noble Concubine the next day, Zhao Junyao reconsidered and made a detour to Consort Yun’s quarters instead.

Consort Yun was overjoyed. "Emperor!"

Since that cheese incident, she had hardly had any opportunities. But now...

"Emperor, your servant thought you would never visit again!" As she spoke, she was about to throw herself at him.

Zhao Junyao was startled and quickly stepped aside. "Ahem..."

Consort Yun was puzzled. "Emperor, are you feeling unwell?"

Zhao Junyao replied indifferently, "No."

After having dinner and washing up, the Emperor and the Consort went to sleep. Consort Yun, blushing with anticipation, removed even her bellyband, hoping that the Emperor would turn over and press himself upon her.

Regrettably, her wait lasted all night, to no avail.

The next day, Zhao Junyao left early. Despite her disappointment, Consort Yun had to get up.

She was so upset she almost wanted to cry: If the Emperor isn’t going to touch me, why did he even come to see me?

Having offended the Noble Concubine and failed to gain the Emperor’s favor, she felt extremely aggrieved!

「...」

「Before long, May arrived.」

In the plum rain season, not only Jiangnan but even the Capital City felt damp and drizzly.