The queen gently lifted her hand and instructed the chief palace maid, Jinxuan, beside her: "Jinxuan, go to the Taihe Hall personally and inform the emperor of this matter. Let's make the emperor happy as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Jinxuan withdrew hastily upon receiving the order, her skirt fluttering slightly, causing a gentle breeze to stir.
The queen looked at Yun Fei, Yu Yao, and Shu Beauty, a complex and profound expression flickering in her eyes, but her face remained serene.
She slightly raised her chin and her gaze slowly swept over the three, speaking softly: "You three are the bearers of the royal offspring, with great responsibilities. Please take care of your health and help to spread the royal line."
Hearing this, Yun Fei's eyes reddened slightly, and she bowed again.
She slightly lowered her head, her tone firm as she said, "I will not disappoint Your Majesty's great expectations. I will be careful and cautious, ensuring the safe birth of a royal heir."
Yu Yao also bowed respectfully, saying, "As a servant, I will also do my best to protect the fetus in my belly and repay the love and favor of the emperor and Your Majesty."
Shu Beauty was so moved by this that her eyes sparkled with tears. At this moment, she could hardly speak, "As a servant, I will follow Your Majesty's teachings and protect this… child well."
Whoever dares to harm her royal heir in her womb, she will make sure that person suffer more than death.
The queen saw this and nodded gently, indicating that they should stand up. "You three are all smart and capable people, and I believe you can handle everything well. However, I also want to remind you that the palace is full of unpredictable people. Please always be vigilant and don't trust others lightly."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Cloud Fei, Yu Yao, and Shu Beauty responded respectfully, their expressions solemn.
In the Imperial Study, the scent of dragon's tears mingled with the aroma of ink, creating a tranquil and dignified atmosphere.
King Jing is busy reviewing petitions, the sunlight slants in from the side, casting a focused expression on him.
Luxi lifts the curtain and enters, breaking the silence in the room, "Your Majesty, the empress has sent a messenger to report that this morning during the morning greetings at Fengyi Palace, Yun Fei suddenly vomited without reason. The empress has therefore summoned a imperial doctor, who has diagnosed that Yun Fei is carrying a child for nearly three months."
King Jing hesitated slightly, looked up at Luxi, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Yun Fei? She's almost three months pregnant?"
Luxi bowed slightly and said, "Yes, because Yun Fei has been pregnant for nearly three months, the empress ordered imperial doctors to examine all the concubines present. In the end, it was found that Qin Jieyu and Shu Beauty are also pregnant. Like Yun Fei, both Qin Jieyu and Shu Beauty are almost three months pregnant, and Shu Beauty's pregnancy is just one month."
Yu Yao's pregnancy was known to King Jing, but Yun Fei and Shu Beauty's pregnancy were beyond his expectation.
He had only favored these two once, and then never touched their names again. He didn't expect them both to be pregnant; it's rather unexpected and a pleasant surprise.
King Jing's face broke into a smile, and he put down the red pen in his hand.
He slightly narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Alright, I understand. I will immediately depart to Fengyi Palace."
He stood up and stepped out of the Imperial Study, his robes fluttering as he moved, creating a breeze.
Fengyi Palace.
As a eunuch cried out in a high-pitched voice, "The emperor has arrived!"
The sudden noise immediately quieted the previously bustling Fengyi Palace.
All the concubines knelt and greeted him with respect, not daring to be negligent.
Their figures were graceful, their skirts spread out like petals, "We humble ourselves before the emperor and wish him great fortune and peace."
Their expressions were respectful and excited, their eyes almost glued to the incoming King Jing.
Yu Yao knelt among the crowd, with everyone else tightly packed together.
She slightly lowered her head and had a calm expression.
"Rise everyone. Today's gathering in Fengyi Palace has indeed been quite lively."
King Jing's voice was gentle, and he walked directly towards the empress.
He walked with steady steps, his robes slightly fluttering, gently pulling the kneeling empress to her feet as a sign of respect.
Even though he didn't like the empress, in such an occasion, he would still give her a bit of face.
The empress's face faintly reddened, indicating that she was pleased within.
She slightly raised her lips, taking advantage of the emperor's hand, rising smoothly, and her expression took on a touch of pride.
The concubine looked at him with envy, feeling extremely uncomfortable in her heart.
She clenched her lips tightly and her eyes were filled with jealousy.
Even though she knows that her cousin does not like the empress, an older woman, every time she sees such a scene, she feels extremely uncomfortable in her heart.
It's as if she is clearly telling everyone that the empress is his wife, and the people present are all concubines, including herself.
The empress glanced at the irritated face of Jade Concubine and felt even more relieved in her heart.
The empress raised her chin slightly and gave the emperor a gentle smile, "I congratulate Your Majesty, Consort Yun, Concubine Qin, and Concubine Shu. All have been diagnosed with pregnancy. Three blessings have come at once, which is truly a blessing for our dynasty. Your Majesty should bestow further grace."
According to custom, concubines who become pregnant are usually promoted, and even if she didn't say anything, the emperor would still do so. It's better to speak up and be a good person.
King Jing listened to this and his gaze moved over Yu Yao, Yun Fei, and Shu Beauty.
Finally, his gaze settled on Yu Yao's face, and a touch of tenderness and favor shone in his eyes.
But it was well hidden by him, and he quickly redirected his gaze to another direction.
"That's what the empress has said."
He nodded slightly, his face lit up with joy, and then announced, "Such good news deserves a grand reward. By my decree, Consort Yun is promoted to Consort Yun Guifei, Concubine Qin is promoted to Concubine Qin Guifei, and Shu Beauty becomes a Consort."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your honor."
Yu Yao, Yun Fei, and Shu Beauty all had faces filled with joy, bowing respectfully and expressing gratitude.
They were graceful in their posture, and their eyes were filled with happiness.
The three pregnant women only, Yu Yao, Yun Fei, and Shu Beauty, were promoted two levels. In particular, Yu Yao was only promoted from a Jieyu to a Jieyuan, and now she was promoted again, within just two months.
Instead, Yun Fei and Shu Beauty, both pregnant women, were only promoted one level. The concubines present were envious in secret, feeling that King Jing indeed treats Qin Jieyu differently.
No, she is now Concubine Qin Guifei.
Even Liu Mengyān looked at Yu Yao a few times.
King Jing took in the expressions of everyone present, and his eyes twinkled slightly.
He changed the subject and turned his gaze to Liu Mengyān, saying aloud, "Although Consort Ju is not pregnant, she is gentle and elegant. She is promoted to Concubine Jieyu, with her title remaining unchanged. I hope all the concubines take her as a role model and work together for the prosperity of the royal family."
When he spoke these words, there was another commotion in the hall.
Liu Mengyān was surprised, but her heart was filled with joy. She smiled slightly and quickly knelt down to express her gratitude, "As a servant, I thank Your Majesty for your grace."
"What's there to thank for? You've served well; this is what you deserve. Get up."
King Jing gently pulled her up from the ground, with a gentle smile and without trying to hide his partiality.
It's as if he really likes Liu Mengyān.
The concubines present had various expressions. Some were jealous and couldn't help showing it, while some even had a hint of resentment and anger in their eyes.
Yun Fei, Qin Jieyu, and Shu Beauty were all pregnant with the dragon's offspring, so their promotion was normal and in line with palace customs and traditions.
Although the concubines were jealous, they wouldn't say anything.
What kind of person is Liu Mengyān?
She didn't have a dragon seed in her womb, so what right did she have to get promoted along with the others? Especially two levels up, is the emperor too biased.
She was granted ten nights of the emperor's company upon entering the palace, and no new concubine has seen the emperor's face to this day. If the emperor continues to call for Liu Mengyān's presence again tonight, it will be an act of exclusive favor.
Compared to Yu Yao's previous favor, Liu Mengyān's favor caused shock among the concubines and made them envious.
Jade Concubine's eyes glowed with resentment, and she nearly bit off a silver tooth. Her hands, hidden beneath the wide and luxurious sleeves, clenched tightly, turning white from the force.
This little slut, how dare she win the favor of my cousin so easily. She should be punished severely.
Even Yu Yao can't help but wonder if the Emperor really likes Liu Mengyān.
She glanced at Liu Mengyān's face, stunningly beautiful, and then felt that it was quite normal.
Food, color, and sex are human nature. Men are visual creatures. It's not surprising that the Emperor is so fond of Liu Mengyān.
It's just not clear how long this favor will last for Liu Mengyān, and whether she can withstand the schemes of the other concubines in the palace.
The empress looked at Liu Mengyān with deep eyes, the expression in her eyes obscure and unreadable.
She then smiled and walked out, speaking appropriately, "Your Majesty is wise. We, the concubines of the palace, thank you for your grace."
King Jing nodded slightly, his gaze involuntarily sweeping over Yu Yao, who had her head bowed. He assumed that this woman was unhappy and hesitated slightly, a faint smile flashing across his eyes.
What a silly woman, but he said nothing.
The atmosphere in Fengyi Palace has become increasingly subtle after this promotion.
All the concubines were thinking about something and their eyes kept moving between the newly promoted Yun Guifei, Qin Guifei, Shu Guiren, and Liu Mengyān.
After that, King Jing said a few generic words for the occasion and then walked away.
After King Jing left, the empress lightly raised her hand and said with a calm expression, "The formal visitation is over for today. You can all go back now."
The concubines bowed in succession and then left Fengyi Palace one by one.
However, as soon as they left Fengyi Palace, the jealous remarks surged towards Liu Mengyān like a wave.
"This Consort Ju has truly good fortune. Even if she hasn't conceived a dragon seed, she can still be promoted."
"Hmph, I wonder what sort of witchcraft she used to make the emperor so biased."
People occasionally cast a glance at Liu Mengyān who was walking behind, their eyes filled with sarcasm and jealousy.
Liu Mengyān listened to these words, feeling wronged in her heart, but she could only endure it.
At the same time, her heart was filled with deep suspicion.
She wondered if the Emperor truly liked herself. If he did, why did he treat her so disrespectfully at night when he served her?
Those scenes repeatedly appeared in her mind, and each time she recalled them, her face flushed red with embarrassment and shame.
"Entering the palace and being granted ten nights of the emperor's company consecutively, and now she's been arbitrarily promoted. Could Liu Mengyān have some sort of supernatural abilities?"
"The Emperor's favoritism is so one-sided. How can there be any chance for us in the harem?"
Various jealous remarks were heard continuously.
Liu Mengyān touched her hot cheeks and paid no heed to the jealous whispers, hurrying back to her quarters.
Looking at Liu Mengyān's hurried departure, Yu Yao always felt quite strange.
If the Emperor truly likes Liu Mengyān, how can he indulge her without any restraint?
