Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 160 Plain Clothes Fall Out of Favor
Consort De looked at Murong upon hearing this, unsure of what the emperor meant.

When did she become so close to Consort Ning?
She quickly remembered that she and Consort Ning had entered Murong's harem around the same time. Compared to the other concubines in the harem, the two of them were more senior and had been with Murong for a longer period of time.

"It's a rare treat for Consort De to visit Changqiu Palace. I'm very happy to welcome you. Please have a seat." Consort Ning looked at Consort De with a gentle smile.

Consort De took her seat as instructed, but she could hardly remember what Consort Ning looked like before.

She hadn't paid much attention to Murong before, and she paid even less attention to Murong's women.

It wasn't until she suddenly realized she had fallen for Murong that she began to pay attention to the other women around him.

"Since His Majesty ascended the throne, I have rarely seen my sister." Consort Ning's voice reached Consort De's ears.

She looked at Consort Ning and examined her appearance carefully for the first time.

To be honest, Consort Ning wasn't particularly stunning at first glance. In the harem, where beauties abounded, Consort Ning's appearance was rather ordinary.

But her features are pleasing to the eye, and her appearance is not particularly striking, making it easy for people to like her.

“It’s my fault, younger sister. You should visit your older sister more often to catch up,” Consort De replied with a smile.

Unlike Liang Wanying's confrontational nature, Consort De found that she could get along well with Consort Ning. Consort Ning's personality, like her appearance, was not aggressive and seemed suitable to be a friend.

There are no friends in this harem, only interests and struggles.

Inside Xianfu Palace, Yan Hui eagerly awaited His Majesty's arrival, but it never came. Later, she inquired and learned that His Majesty had gone to Changqiu Palace.

Upon hearing this news, she was disheartened and resignedly returned to serve Lou Suyi.

Lou Suying saw that Yan Hui looked like a wilted eggplant and couldn't help but look at her a few more times: "Are you alright?"

Yan Hui immediately straightened her back: "This servant is very good."

Lou Suying also knew that this girl would often peek out in front of the palace, hoping that Murong would come to Xianfu Palace.

She was initially a little unaccustomed to Murong's sudden absence from Xianfu Palace, but she got used to it later. However, Yan Hui was worried that she would be neglected, which is why she was anxious about whether Murong would come to Xianfu Palace.

She didn't reveal Yan Hui's intentions, but pretended not to know.

In the blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival has arrived, and after the Lantern Festival, the Spring Festival will come to an end.

It was another day of singing and dancing, but all the excitement had nothing to do with Lou Suying. She stayed obediently in Xianfu Palace, her belly growing bigger and bigger, making it increasingly difficult for her to move around.

She would never run out of Xianfu Palace and give those who were eyeing her belly another chance to harm her.

"If you two feel bored, why don't you go out for a walk and experience the lively atmosphere of the Lantern Festival?" Lou Suyi felt sorry for the two palace maids who stayed with her in Xianfu Palace every day.

Especially the lively Yan Hui, who did not leave Xianfu Palace during the Lunar New Year.

“It’s lively enough where you are, Miss. I don’t want to go out,” Yan Hui replied with a strong voice.

Now everyone in the harem says that the young lady has fallen out of favor. If it weren't for the fact that the young lady is carrying the imperial heir, who would still remember her?

But the young lady is carrying the imperial heir. If she is fortunate enough to give birth to a prince, she will be able to prove all those who looked down on her wrong. Jinshu replied, "This servant doesn't like to go out for walks either. Does the young lady find it boring? How about this servant accompanies the young lady for a walk in the corridor?"

"It's cold outside, so I'll just walk around inside." Lou Suyi kept in mind Physician Liu's words: one shouldn't be too lazy before giving birth and should move around frequently, as this would be beneficial for delivery.

Seeing this, Jinshu said no more.

The Lantern Festival was bustling with activity, but Xianfu Palace was deserted.

As evening approached, Yan Hui still hoped that Murong would come to keep her young lady company, but as time passed, she finally gave up hope.

Fortunately, the young lady wasn't the kind of person who couldn't live without His Majesty's company. It was only at this moment that she realized that it was right for the young lady not to expect His Majesty's arrival; without hope, there would be no disappointment.

You can expect anyone to be sincere, but His Majesty is unlikely to have that.

Your Majesty has too many beauties in your harem; it's easy to get overwhelmed by the choices.

After Lou Suyi withdrew from the service room, the two palace maids walked away, and Yan Hui couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Jinshu knew why Yan Hui sighed. She pulled Yan Hui out of the dormitory and whispered, "You haven't given up yet?"

“I’ve given up. It’s impossible for His Majesty and the young lady to be together forever. I’ve come to terms with this fact and will never think about those impossible things again,” Yan Hui replied in a muffled voice.

Jinshu thought Yan Hui's words were unreliable. She thought that if His Majesty treated the girl better another day, Yan Hui might be able to start their lovey-dovey relationship again.

After returning to Shou'an Palace, Empress Dowager Chen asked Fangruo to inquire about Murong's whereabouts. Upon learning that Murong had returned to Qianqing Palace, she frowned and asked, "Didn't the Emperor visit the mother and child in plain clothes?"

"No, I returned to Qianqing Palace after the banquet." Fang Ruo was also somewhat surprised.

Today is the Lantern Festival, and all the concubines received rewards except for Miss Lou. Is it because His Majesty deliberately overlooked Miss Lou, or is it because Miss Lou has no official title and is not suitable to receive a reward?
But rewards were given before, so was it deliberately omitted?
"Last time, I only told the Emperor not to neglect the other women in the harem, but I didn't tell him to completely ignore Su Yi. On a day like today, Su Yi is pregnant with the imperial heir, yet she doesn't have anyone to care about her. This is too much." Empress Dowager Chen felt that Murong's actions were inappropriate.

Fangruo suddenly remembered that Consort De and His Majesty were sitting together tonight, and said, "Could it be that His Majesty has really forgotten about Miss Lou because Consort De has been keeping him company lately?"

Empress Dowager Chen pondered for a moment before saying, "It's too late today. Make up for the reward we owe Su Yi tomorrow. In any case, she has done a great service by giving birth to the imperial heir, and we cannot let her feel disheartened."

Fang Ruo said, "Miss Lou seems to be a very insightful and open-minded person, so she probably won't care about these things."

"Su Yi's temperament is indeed good, and I like her too, but she should have what she deserves." Empress Dowager Chen sighed softly. "What do you think the Emperor is thinking? He is clearly my son, but his temperament is neither like mine nor like the late Emperor. I couldn't see through him before, and now I see through him even less."

Fangruo helped Empress Dowager Chen to bed and said, "His Majesty has his own ideas, so Your Majesty need not worry too much. Tomorrow I will send some rewards to Xianfu Palace, so Your Majesty can rest assured."

"We must comfort Suyi properly, lest she harbor resentment towards the Emperor," Empress Dowager Chen shook her head. "The Emperor's actions are unethical. He only has one child, yet he doesn't even treat the child's mother well..."

Fangruo echoed her words until Empress Dowager Chen went to sleep.

Early the next morning, Fangruo took the gifts to Xianfu Palace.

Lou Suyi was still asleep when Jinshu woke her up, and she hurriedly got up.

Fangruo was very pleased to see that Lou Suyi had a rosy complexion and looked plump and content: "The Empress Dowager specially ordered me to send over the rewards. If you need anything, please just let me know."