Liu Mengyan retracted her gaze and did not continue to look at YO YAO.
Her gaze shifted to Wen Zhao yuan, offering a full bow with a gentle smile, her voice cold yet respectful: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reminder. However, in this palace, whether one is favored or not is beyond my control, and everything depends on the Emperor's will."
Wen Zhao yuan hummed softly, her words tinged with a hint of bitterness: "The Fair Guiren seems to be quite enlightened, but the favors of the harem won't descend from above for no reason; one must have means to secure them."
Liu Mengyan's mouth curled slightly, revealing a faint, elusive smile: "Your Majesty is absolutely right. However, the word 'means' is one that requires careful contemplation."
Lün's eyes swept back and forth between Liu Mengyan and YO YAO with a light chuckle, "Fair Guiren, as you are newly arrived in the palace, it is natural that you do not know how formidable Qin Jiehu's methods are. From a palace maid to a Jiehu in just two months, she has managed to firmly hold onto the Emperor's favor. This demonstrates her power. If you do not want to be easily outdone, you will need to carefully plan."
Liu Mengyan was secretly startled in her heart. Was Qin Jiehu originally a palace maid? And had she risen from a palace maid to a Jiehu in just two months?
Her eyes flicked, looking at this opulent yet oppressive palace, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
Thinking of her appearance, which is not inferior to that of Qin Jiehu, and having been meticulously nurtured by her family since childhood, it was unjust for her to lose to a palace maid.
YO YAO rolled her eyes in disbelief, "This Lü Fei is really making an effort to give me trouble."
But she didn't bother to respond, pretending like she hadn't heard.
The atmosphere in Fengyi Palace became even more subtle, and all the concubines were also watching the situation unfold.
The Empress laughed with a deep meaning, said a couple of perfunctory remarks, and then dismissed the crowd.
For ten consecutive days, it was the Fair Guiren who was favored by the Empress, and this made the concubines in the harem unable to sit still any longer.
At the time, Li and Zhen also served for no more than five consecutive nights, but the Fair Guiren has been favored for ten days in a row.
Within the harem, various rumors and discussions rose and fell in waves.
The gentle breeze blows through the palace gardens, the leaves rustling softly as if they were telling stories of the bustling harem.
Wen Zhao yuan said sourly, "The Fair Guiren really has some means. She's only been in the palace for a few days and has already enchanted the Emperor to this extent."
Ning Zhao Yi echoed, her expression melancholic, "Yes, if this continues, when will we ever have a chance to shine?"
The harem was filled with various rumors, and some concubines were jealous enough to turn red-eyed, cursing Liu Mengyan as a cunning woman behind her back.
YO YAO remained calm in her own palace, for the fluctuations of favor in the harem were just a matter of course.
Only ten days, but during the mourning period, she had nearly a month of consecutive nights with the Emperor, though no one knew about it.
She just felt that the Fair Guiren did not know how to restrain herself, and being so conspicuous might not necessarily be a good thing.
The jade vase, seeing its owner's calm demeanor, was not at ease in its heart, "My master, the Fair Guiren is so favored, and you are not worried?"
Fortunately, the Emperor comes to Yihé Hall during the day to be with the ladies, and sometimes he invites them to dine at Taihe Hall.
Otherwise, she really did worry about the future days of the master.
YO YAO gently shook her head, "What do I have to worry about? The Fair Guiren's favor towards me may not be a bad thing. It would prevent everyone from keeping their eyes on me all the time."
With the Fair Guiren being favored for ten consecutive nights, she became the target of mockery and jealousy among the women in the harem.
During these days, she went to Fengyi Palace for daily visits, and every day was like watching a show. However, no one targeted her anymore.
Hu Jie, seeing the master in this way, didn't dare to say anything.
Liu Mengyan's life was actually not as magnificent as everyone imagined.
She served the Emperor at night, and when she returned, she had to be hounded by Yuhuang Fei, and the bitterness of it was only known to herself.
Moreover, she found that the Emperor treated her as a mere plaything, with all sorts of embarrassing and degrading acts.
He never cared about her feelings and did as he pleased.
But for the sake of honor and favor, she had to put up with it.
Even with a smile, she would do her best to please him.
It's really repulsive, really repulsive.
On this night, Liu Mengyan returned to the side palace of Guanjiu Palace with a pale face, and as soon as she returned, she vomited violently.
In Taihe Palace, she dared not vomit and had to hold it in until she returned, only then did she dare to vomit it out.
When the palace maid Xiangju saw this, she hurried forward and held Liu Mengyan, her face full of concern: "Lady Mengyan, what's wrong with you? Shall I call for a doctor?"
Liu Mengyan weakly waved her hand, her voice hoarse: "No need, I'm just... a bit tired."
She didn't know what it was like for other concubines to serve the Emperor, but she did know that the Emperor had treated her like a mere plaything without any respect.
She felt as if she was as lowly as a courtesan in a brothel, completely becoming a mere toy for the pleasure of men.
Just as she was catching her breath, she saw Fuhua, who served the Yuhuang Fei, came over and told her to go to the main hall.
Her heart tightened, and a look of fear appeared on her tired face.
But she dared not refuse, and could only drag her exhausted body over.
As soon as she walked in, Yuhuang Fei's fierce gaze, like a knife, shot towards Liu Mengyan. She leaned on the bed, wearing an elegant dress and meticulously made-up, but the jealousy and anger in her eyes couldn't be hidden.
At this moment, the main hall was brightly lit, but there was an icy aura permeating it.
"Oh, isn't this our resplendent Fair Guiren? Look at her, truly pitiable to behold. Alas, with all that enchantment she's been using, one wonders if she fears retribution."
Liu Mengyan hurriedly kneeled down, her voice shaking: "Please, Your Highness, be angry no more. An inferior like me dares not."
Yuhuang Fei raised her chin slightly, sneering coldly: "What's there to be afraid of? With the Emperor's favor, you've really been making a name for yourself these days."
But she didn't relent, ordering a basin of cold water to be brought and poured directly on Liu Mengyan, "Wake up and realize who you are. Don't forget your place just because you've been favored for a few days."
She had no desire to trouble a low-ranking concubine, but how dare Liu Mengyan, with her ten consecutive nights of favor, not be afraid?
Is she trying to be alone in the favor of the Emperor? Just because she's a worthless person like this?
Liu Mengyan was drenched from head to toe, shivering in the autumn night. She hated Yuhuang Fei in her heart.
But she dared not resist.
Who made her a concubine and she just a little concubine.
"Stay kneeling here tonight. Don't get up until dawn."
Yuhuang Fei got up from the bed, looking at Liu Mengyan with a disdainful glance, then turned and went back to her inner chamber to sleep.
Liu Mengyan's experience with YO YAO was unknown to her, and she only noticed something strange when she went to Fengyi Palace for daily visits and saw Liu Mengyan the next day.
After being favored by the Emperor for ten consecutive nights, shouldn't she be radiant and increasingly beautiful?
How could she be so pale and weak, looking like she's on her deathbed?
Could it be that she couldn't withstand the Emperor's relentless advances? That's why she looks so wretched?
YO YAO was pondering over the matter when she heard a "vomit" sound.
This sound was too unique in the harem, and everyone turned to look in the direction of the sound, only to find that the person vomiting was Yun Ping.
Yun Ping's face was pale, and she used a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, her eyes flashing with regret.
She discreetly rubbed her stomach, hoping to hide it for some more time. Now, it seems that it's unavoidable.
Since there had been no children in the harem for a long time, the concubines present were all taken aback and only thought that Yun Ping might have eaten something bad.
The Empress seemed to realize something, and her expression tightened. She quickly ordered someone to summon the doctor.
With the doctor being hurriedly summoned to Fengyi Palace, the atmosphere inside the hall became subtle and tense.
After bowing, the doctor approached to take Yun Ping's pulse.
After a moment, he showed a joyful expression and knelt down to bow, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations to Yun Ping Lady. Yun Ping Lady is pregnant and has been for nearly three months."
As soon as the words were spoken, there was a stir in the hall.
The concubines looked at each other with expressions of shock, jealousy, or envy, varied in their reactions.
This Yun Ping truly did a good job, she managed to keep it hidden for three months and there was not a single shred of news.
YO YAO glanced at Yun Ping, and her heart did not feel surprised.
Yun Ping getting pregnant was due to the "Childbirth Pill" she took, which was meant to deflect the attention and jealousy of the other concubines in the harem.
She discreetly rubbed her own belly, thinking about whether she should reveal that she and Yun Ping were almost simultaneously pregnant and have been for three months.
"Yun Ping, you truly have good luck."
The Empress's mouth curved into a meaningful smile, and then she shifted her tone, "However, in the harem, getting pregnant is no trivial matter. You must be extra careful."
Yun Ping, upon hearing this, hurriedly got up and bowed, her voice weak yet resolute: "I will certainly follow the advice of Your Majesty and be extra cautious for the baby."
The Empress's gaze slowly swept over the people present, her eyes narrowing slightly, before she spoke, "Since Yun Ping is pregnant, the issue of offspring in the harem must be given more importance. Doctor, could you please take the pulse of all the concubines here?"
Hmph, let her see who else would continue to keep secrets.
The concubines present, hearing this, had various expressions on their faces.
Some were nervous, worried that their health might affect their favor with the Emperor.
Some secretly hoped that they could also become pregnant like Yun Ping.
Firstly, it was Yuhuang Fei. The doctor approached, bowing respectfully, then placed his finger on the slender wrist of Yuhuang Fei.
Yuhuang Fei raised her chin slightly, her expression showing a hint of impatience. Her exquisite makeup and luxurious attire couldn't hide her inner anxiety at this moment.
After a moment, the doctor withdrew his hand and bent slightly, his expression becoming somewhat serious.
Yuhuang Fei, upon seeing this, felt a tightening in her heart and quickly asked, "What is it? Does the Empress have an illness?"
The doctor quickly knelt down, bowing cautiously and answering carefully: "Your Highness, the lady's body does not show any serious illness, but her liver is in a state of prosperity, and she needs to be carefully tended."
This statement drew whispers of disdain from the concubines present, their eyes reflecting both glee at Yuhuang Fei's misfortune and envy.
"Excess of liver fire" is just being angry, isn't it?
Everyone unconsciously looked at Liu Mengyan, their expressions full of jealousy.
Yuhuang Fei, after hearing this, her face turned dark in an instant, and she was disappointed to the extreme.
She irritably pulled her hand back and gave the doctor a fierce glare, as if the result was the doctor's fault.
She looked at Liu Mengyan again, and the jealousy and anger in her eyes were even more obvious.
If it wasn't for that lowlife woman who had been favorited by the Emperor for ten consecutive days, how could she be so angry that her liver fire was so fierce?
The thoughts of the concubine are unknown to others.
As the doctor checked the pulse of each concubine in turn, it was found that they all had some sort of physical problem, either their liver fire was excessively strong, they had low body temperature, or they were out of breath.
No one was found to be pregnant.
The faces of the crowd were filled with disappointment. How could none of them be pregnant?
Soon it was Yo Yao's turn, and naturally, it was discovered that she had been pregnant for nearly three months.
The doctor hurriedly knelt down, "Your Majesty, Concubine Qin also has a pregnancy, and it's nearly three months along."
As soon as this was said, there was a commotion in the hall.
The concubines' gazes fell on Yo Yao, some showing shock, some jealousy, and some envy.
The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly, and the smile on her lips grew more meaningful, "I didn't expect Concubine Qin to also be pregnant. This is truly a double joy."
Then she added, "However, pregnancy matters are not something to be taken lightly. Concubine Qin, you must be extra careful as well."
Yo Yao quickly curtsied, "The maid thanks the Empress for her concern and will certainly be careful to ensure a healthy pregnancy."
The Empress said no more, only instructing the doctor to continue taking the pulses.
Shortly after, it was found out that Shu Mei had a nearly one-month-old pregnancy. Although the days were still early, it meant she was pregnant after all.
Shu Mei was so happy she cried. She had never imagined that with just one night of favor, she could become pregnant.
She only felt that the heavens pitied her, allowing her to have this child.
The atmosphere in Fengyi Palace became increasingly enigmatic.
The sunlight spilled through the window screen onto the crowd, but could not warm this icy atmosphere.
The concubines looked at Yun Ping, Yo Yao, and Shu Mei, their hearts filled with extreme complexity.
Concubine Qin having a pregnancy is understandable, after all, she has been favored by the Emperor many times and it's normal for her to get pregnant.
However, Yun Ping and Shu Mei both got pregnant after only one night of favor. It's truly fortunate.
Some were jealous to the point of red eyes, while others secretly calculated the future situation.
The Empress slightly raised her hand, indicating for everyone to be quiet. "Today, Fengyi Palace has numerous joys. Yun Ping, Concubine Qin, and Shu Mei are all pregnant, which is a great fortune for our Royal Family. However, everyone should understand that pregnancy is a matter of great responsibility. Any slight mistake may lead to unimaginable consequences."
The Empress's gaze swept over the crowd with authority, "From today on, each palace must act with caution and refrain from any actions that may harm the pregnant. If I find anyone harboring ill intent, I will not spare them."
The concubines all nodded in agreement, though they had various thoughts in their minds, they dared not show too much under the Empress's stern authority.
