Quick Transmigration: Knowing I'm a Bad Woman, Yet Still Liking Me?

"I do not want the court to be in turmoil, so I will protect you from today's events. But you must understand, Consort, if you do anything that harms the foundation of the dynasty, I will fight you to the death. This is my bottom line." The Empress Dowager stared intently at Bai Yuan, speaking through gritted teeth.

If the old woman really gets pushed too far and tries to trade her life for his, then Xiao Chengze's stance will be uncertain.

Fortunately, this old man, like other superiors, cherishes his life very much.

Fortunately, she still had some maternal love for Xiao Chengze and couldn't bear the thought of him truly becoming childless.

Bai Yuan slowly sat back down. "Your Majesty, I think you may have misunderstood. I have never had any ambition. I know you don't trust me, and you don't trust the General's Mansion either. But you should know your son, Prince Jin. He is the most soft-hearted. Even knowing what you and His Majesty have done to him, he still willingly helps His Majesty protect this country."

The Empress Dowager sneered, "Ha, I do know my son well, but do you think I'd believe you and the General's Mansion, who have plotted this far, without a shred of ambition?"

Bai Yuan shook her head dejectedly. "Your Majesty, all Prince Jin seeks is to continue his lineage, while the General's Mansion has always sought only to protect itself. As for me, I only want a child so that I won't be without hope for the rest of my life. Your Majesty, you know that no matter how favored you are in this palace, if you don't have a child, your fate won't be good. If we hadn't been forced into this situation, my father and I wouldn't have taken this gamble."

The Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised, staring at her scrutinizingly for a long time. "Is everything you say true?"

No sooner had she finished asking than Bai Yuan raised her right hand, her two fingers joined together, and said, "I swear to Heaven today that unless His Majesty or the Empress Dowager personally speaks out, neither I nor my child will participate in the struggle for the throne. If we break this oath, may we die a horrible death."

People in ancient times really believed in oaths. The Empress Dowager was stunned for a moment after hearing it, and then fell into deep thought.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Empress Dowager seemed to have completely given in. "I will have people watching you closely. If you are truly as you say, then I will protect your child. But if you break your oath, even if I have to risk my old life, I will not let you succeed."

Bai Yuan rose and curtsied, looking at the Empress Dowager with gratitude. "On behalf of my family and His Highness Prince Jin, I thank Your Majesty. His Highness Prince Jin would be overjoyed to know that Your Majesty is protecting his child."

She believed the Empress Dowager would protect the child, after all, the situation forced them to leave no other choice.

As for anything else, nobody would believe that.

If given the chance, she will definitely kill me.

As for what she said herself, hahaha... she's always loved telling little lies.

The Empress Dowager sighed and waved her hand. "Get up. I will announce to the public that you are carrying twins. When you give birth..."

She was speaking when a series of hurried footsteps came from outside, followed by an aged voice from outside the door, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived."

The Empress Dowager's expression hardened as she looked at Bai Yuan, who quickly shook her head with a blank expression.

"Very well, then let the Emperor in." The Empress Dowager was somewhat helpless. She immediately guessed that the Emperor was truly fond of the Consort.

They can't even get into the palace gates, and they even have people guarding them.

Upon entering, Xiao Chengyu first looked at Bai Yuan, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her sitting there unharmed. "Your Majesty, I greet you."

Wang Shunan intended to follow them in, but was stopped by the Empress Dowager's men.

He could act recklessly elsewhere, but he couldn't even straighten his back in front of the Empress Dowager.

The palace doors were closed again.

Seeing him covered in snow, the Empress Dowager threw her prayer beads on the table and said irritably, "Is the Emperor in such a hurry because he's afraid I'll eat the Imperial Concubine?"

Xiao Chengyu cupped his hands again, "Your subject did not think that way. Your mother knows the Consort's temperament. Your subject is worried that she might offend you."

The Empress Dowager glared at him. "Sit down. Today, Physician Xu examined my pulse. I was worried about the Consort, who stays in the Jade Lotus Palace all day and is unwell with the imperial heir in her womb. That's why I called her over and had Physician Xu take a look at her."

Xiao Chengyu looked at the Empress Dowager, lifted his robe, and sat down. "How is the Imperial Concubine's health?"

"Hehe, good, very good."

He's a veteran actor; he was almost jumping up and down in anger at Bai Yuan just now, but now he's smiling with a hint of kindness, and no one can see through his act.

"Since the Empress Dowager is so happy, it seems that the Consort's pregnancy is indeed going well." Xiao Chengyu also smiled.

"Not only is it good, but it's also twins! I must congratulate the Emperor."

Xiao Chengyu was stunned for a long time upon hearing this, before looking at Bai Yuan with a shocked expression.

These are twins! Since the founding emperor, the royal family has never seen twins.

He felt a mix of joy and worry. He was happy that Bai Yuan was pregnant with twins, but he was also worried about how to switch the babies.

The Empress Dowager saw through his thoughts at a glance and continued, "However, the imperial physician said that the two fetal heartbeats are different in strength. The stronger one has a strong pulse and is probably a prince, while the weaker one is still unclear."

Bai Yuan inwardly marveled; this old man had even laid the groundwork for the reason why she could only have one child in the future.

"Really?" With the royal line dying out, every new prince brings joy for a long time.

Especially since this child was born to Bai Yuan, Xiao Chengyu looked at Bai Yuan.

To everyone's surprise, Bai Yuan lowered her head and held her hands to warm them, completely ignoring her.

After exchanging a few more words with the Empress Dowager, Xiao Chengyu stood up. "I have other matters to attend to, so I will return first. I will also escort the Imperial Concubine back. Mother, please rest well."

"I will have someone escort the Imperial Concubine back. You stay; I have something to say to you."

Xiao Chengyu felt a little regretful upon hearing this. It had been so long, and he had finally managed to see Bai Yuan.

However, since the Empress Dowager had spoken, he could only agree, "Alright."

Bai Yuan rose and bowed, "Then I shall return now."

After speaking, he walked out of the main hall with Wan Yue's help.

Xiao Chengyu's gaze followed her intently. The Empress Dowager put down her teacup. "The person has already gone far away."

Xiao Chengyu then came to his senses. "What does Mother Empress wish to discuss with me?"

"Regarding this prince, you now only have two princes, so let the Imperial Concubine raise this one."

Xiao Chengyu frowned slightly. Seeing this, the Empress Dowager continued, "The Consort values ​​this child very much. If you try to do something, you might alert her, and then it will be difficult to handle the situation."

Xiao Chengyu knew this perfectly well. "Mother, if this child were a few years later, she could naturally raise him. But it's not possible now."

"Don't worry, once the child is born, I will take him with me at any time. Besides, the prince is still young, so even if the Consort and the General's Mansion have ideas, they can't do it in a short time."

Xiao Chengyu naturally didn't want to touch Bai Yuan's child if he could avoid it.

Hearing the Empress Dowager say this, a faint smile appeared on his face. "I've troubled you again, Mother."

"You and I are mother and son, we are one body, there's no need for such formalities. By the way, I think the new batch of ladies-in-waiting are all quite good, and the Emperor has already bestowed titles upon some of them. They should visit the inner palace more often; with more children, they won't have to live like this anymore."

Xiao Chengyu nodded perfunctorily. The Empress Dowager was somewhat angry, and her voice rose a little, "You want to favor the Consort exclusively, but that might not be a good thing for her. The General's Mansion is still there now, but what if it's gone in the future? How will the Consort live?"

If she visits other concubines more often, after a few years, the emperor's fondness for the Imperial Concubine will likely diminish.

"Your subject understands. Let's wait a while."