The empress is both charming and seductive, rising through the ranks of palace intrigue.

Just when everyone thought Consort Xi was unwell, Imperial Physician Lu finished taking her pulse and said with a joyful expression, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Highness! Consort Xi's pulse is as smooth as a pearl; this is a sign of pregnancy."

If the initial shock at the thought that Consort Zhuang was pregnant was already alarming, this is now an even greater shock.

Xiao Yu was both surprised and delighted. He released Consort Zhuang's hand, turned to Consort Xi and smiled, "Look at you, you didn't even know you were pregnant."

Consort Xi's gaze softened with a rare gentleness and shyness. She lowered her head and said softly, "My menstrual cycle has always been irregular, and I never expected this..."

The Empress was also very pleased, her eyes brimming with joy: "The maids around you are all young, no wonder they don't know anything. When we return to the palace, I will assign two suitable ones to take care of your daily life."

Consort Xi smiled and said, "Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu's tone was as gentle as a warm spring breeze in March: "Take good care of yourself. If you need anything, just tell the Empress and me."

Consort Xi gently stroked her lower abdomen and said softly, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

Consort Rong covered her mouth and smiled: "So it is Consort Jieyu who is pregnant. Congratulations, Your Majesty."

As she spoke, all the concubines offered their congratulations in unison.

Xiao Yu turned his head and saw that Consort Zhuang's expression was not good, and said gently, "Consort Zhuang also needs to rest, everyone can leave now."

He paused for a moment and then said, "I still need to go back and look at the memorials. I'll come to see you another day."

After learning of her pregnancy, Consort Xi got up and walked slowly out of Chaohui Palace.

Once everyone had left Chaohui Palace, Consort Zhuang was instantly enraged. She yanked the blanket fiercely, gritting her teeth, "Why! Consort Xi has only been in the palace for a few months and she's already pregnant. Why doesn't Heaven favor me?!"

Yulan said with concern, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health. Didn't the imperial physician say that you are fine and that you will have an heir?"

Suddenly, Consort Zhuang's eyes filled with tears again, and she said sadly, "Child...those vile women must be laughing at me!"

Yulan frowned and said softly, "No, the Emperor dotes on Your Highness so much, there will definitely be an imperial heir. It's just that the time is not yet right."

Consort Zhuang slowly extended her hand, staring blankly at her palm, letting tears silently and freely stream down her face: "Just now, His Majesty was holding my hand, but as soon as he heard that Consort Xi was pregnant, he let go of my hand. Look at how happy His Majesty was. If I were pregnant, His Majesty would be even happier. Isn't that right, Yulan?"

Looking at the boundless sorrow and grief on her face, Yulan squatted down and looked at Consort Zhuang, saying with certainty, "That's for sure. I believe that day will come soon."

Consort Zhuang gently held his hand, then suddenly smiled dreamily.

The Empress returned to Qingyun Palace and gently rubbed her temples.

As Du Ruo poured tea, she said, "I really angered Consort Zhuang today."

The Empress accepted the tea offered by Du Ruo, looked at the pale green liquid, and sighed softly, "Consort Zhuang is saddened by her inability to conceive, but am I not the same?"

The Empress felt an overwhelming sadness when she thought of the child she had lost.

Du Ruo comforted her, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Most concubines in the previous dynasty didn't get pregnant and give birth until after they were thirty. You are in good health, and you will surely give birth to a lovely prince."

The Empress took a sip of tea, only to find a slightly astringent taste spreading in her mouth. "Consort Xi is truly blessed. If she gives birth to the imperial heir, she will surely be promoted to one of the Nine Consorts, and will then be able to raise the imperial heir herself."

Du Ruo said, "Your Majesty, isn't there still Consort Ning? Consort Ning has also received much favor. If Consort Ning cannot bear children, there are still Consort Chu, Consort Meng, and Imperial Concubine Xue."

Even if Ning Shuyan and the other lower-ranking concubines were promoted after becoming pregnant, they still wouldn't be able to reach the rank of Ninth Consort. Take Ning Shuyan for example; even if she were promoted to Beauty after becoming pregnant, and then to Consort after giving birth to the imperial heir, she still wouldn't be able to raise her own child. Let alone become a Lady-in-Waiting or a maidservant. It would probably be quite an achievement for her to even reach the rank of Consort in her lifetime.

The Empress nodded slowly, seemingly somewhat tired: "I only hope that their wombs will be fertile and give birth to a prince to raise under my care."

As she spoke, a bitter taste filled her mouth. If she had a prince of her own, why would she hope that other concubines would become pregnant and raise someone else's son?

Ning Shuyan was unaware that someone was plotting against her pregnancy. Although, it was impossible for the Empress to get her way.

Back at Liuyin Palace, Ning Shuyan started eating watermelon.

Ziying said, "Consort Xi is truly blessed, receiving the Emperor's favor and now bearing an imperial heir. Miss, are you also preparing to...?"

"Do you really think it's a good idea for Xi Jieyu to be pregnant at this time?" Ning Shuyan interrupted her.

Ziying stared blankly at Ning Shuyan, and Qiu Le laughed, "You're still just a fourteen-year-old girl, you think of everything in a simple way."

After saying that, she added, "Consort Xi has only just entered the palace and hasn't yet established herself in the harem. Countless eyes are already watching when a concubine is pregnant; it's uncertain whether Consort Xi will be able to give birth this time."

Ning Shuyan smiled approvingly, "Qiu Le is right."

Ning Shuyan was somewhat hesitant about having children; she didn't want any for the time being. Sixteen was a time of development, and childbirth was physically demanding, so she always felt she was too young.

Also, her own mother died from a massive hemorrhage. She has some lingering trauma and is somewhat afraid...

Ning Shuyan suddenly remembered something and asked curiously, "There are so many concubines in the harem, yet only one has given birth to a prince. Why don't the Empress, Consort Zhuang, and Consort Ying have any children?"

Qiu Le whispered, "I heard that when the Empress and the Emperor first got married, she had a child, but it was miscarried. Although Consort Zhuang is favored, she has never conceived a royal heir."

Ning Shuyan nodded. This is the harem. There are always concubines who can't get pregnant, and there are always concubines who miscarry for no reason. Even those who are born die young.