Due to the emperor's preference for the dog, few people paid attention to Yu Yao, everyone was jealous of Liu Mengyan.
"Qin sister, let's go together."
Shu Meiren walked over to Yu Yao and whispered softly.
Yu Yao looked at the approaching Shu Meiren and nodded slightly, "Alright."
Just as the two were about to return, they saw Liu BaoLin, Qian ChangZai, and Zhou YingZai walking over.
Although Liu BaoLin's face carried a smile, his eyes concealed his envy and jealousy, "Miss Qin, Miss Shu, I really congratulate you. It's really envy that the little sister has."
Qian Changzai slightly lowered her eyes to hide her inner jealousy, and when she raised them again, her eyes were filled with genuine blessings. However, it was the slightly clenched hands that betrayed her.
"Yes, the sisters have been favored by the emperor and have produced a son, they will definitely have a bright future. The little sister prays that the sisters can safely deliver a son, adding joy to the royal family."
Zhou Yingzai stood to the side, somewhat reserved, with a touch of envy in her eyes, "Miss Qin, Miss Shu, congratulations to you. The little sister also wishes to have such good luck as the sisters."
Yu Yao looked at the three, who usually didn't speak much with her, just greeting her when they met. Now, their warm and intimate approach might not be without other intentions.
She suppressed the thoughts in her eyes and smiled lightly, "The three sisters, your compliments are too much. This is all thanks to the grace of the emperor and queen. The little sisters will also have such blessings in the future."
Everyone knows how to say polite words, but what they really think in their hearts is another matter.
Shu Meiren nodded slightly, her eyes adding a layer of caution, "Thank you all for your blessings. Now that I'm pregnant, I must be careful."
This is her future hope, so she naturally has to be extra careful.
Even facing Liu Baolin, Qian Changzai, and Zhou Yingzai, who are usually in good relations with her, she did not lower her guard.
People's hearts are like bellies, who knows what they are thinking?
Wouldn't it be thinking of killing her, so that they can take over her child in her belly?
Liu Baolin, seeing Shu Meiren being so cautious, was somewhat dissatisfied in her heart, but her face showed a smile and said: "Miss Shu is right. It's indeed necessary to be careful and prudent when one is pregnant. The sisters will definitely pray for the sisters, wishing them everything goes smoothly."
Qian Changzai and Zhou Yingzai echoed from the side.
Yu Yao slightly narrowed her eyes, her expression alerting, "Thank you for the three sisters' concern. We should also return. We don't want to chat with the little sister any longer."
These three are not white rabbits at all, especially Qian Changzai and Zhou Yingzai. When seeking revenge, they are really ruthless. It is said that the wonderful beauty was severely tortured by the two of them, becoming neither human nor ghost.
Shu Meiren also joined in, "Yes, we should go back first. The little sister, take care of yourself."
After saying that, they pulled Yu Yao and walked away.
Liu Baolin, Qian Changzai, and Zhou Yingzai watched their departing backs, each with a different expression.
Liu Baolin's eyes flashed a trace of dissatisfaction, "Miss Qin has always been favored by the emperor. Having a child during pregnancy is nothing, but Miss Shu has what she has, and it really makes people jealous."
People are like this. They do not envy those who are much higher than them, but only envy those who are similar to them.
Qian Changzai furrowed her brow slightly, lowering her eyes without speaking, lost in thought.
Zhou Yingzai stood there silently, not speaking.
The three, despite their different thoughts, also quickly left.
Duchess Zhuang witnessed the whole scene, sighed softly, and then left as well.
She no longer craved the favor of the emperor, but only hoped to have a child to ease her loneliness in the palace and avoid future sacrifices.
But since the emperor does not favor her, no matter how much she wants to have a child, there's no way for her to do so.
Empress Lv watched the expressions of the few people and her eyes flashed with a few calculations. She smiled softly and left soon after.
Just as Yu Yao and Shu Meiren returned to Yihedian, their butts had barely hit the chair when a eunuch's loud and shrill voice rang out from outside: "An imperial edict has arrived. Qin Guifei, Shu Guiren, receive the imperial edict!"
The eunuch who came to deliver the edict was Lu Xi.
Upon hearing the arrival of the imperial edict, the two quickly tidied up their appearance and came out of the house, smiling at each other before kneeling in the courtyard to receive the edict.
Lu Xi held the yellow imperial edict and entered Yihedian with a gentle smile on his face. His eyes lingered on Yu Yao for a moment before unfolding the edict and reading it aloud:
"By the Mandate of Heaven and the Emperor's Decree: Yu Yao, the Consort Qin, is gentle, virtuous, and accomplished in both virtue and talent. She is now with child, which is a great joy for the royal family. Therefore, she is promoted to the rank of Guifei (imperial concubine) and granted residence in Xinghua Palace to highlight her virtues. Li Shu, the beauty Shu, is dignified and polite, and also carries a son in her womb. She is promoted to the rank of Guiren (official concubine) as an encouragement. You are expected to continue to observe the female virtues and perpetuate the royal bloodline. This is an imperial decree."
Yu Yao and Shu Meiren answered in unison: "We, the subjects, accept the edict and thank Your Majesty's great favor."
After Lu Xi finished reading the edict, he looked at Yu Yao with a smile and a tone full of familiarity and congratulations: "Madam Guifei, congratulations to you! This is indeed double happiness. The emperor has placed great importance on you."
Yu Yao smiled lightly, her expression gentle: "Thank you, Eunuch Lu, for your good wishes. It's kind of you to come in person."
Lu Xi quickly waved his hand: "Oh no, it's the privilege of the slave to serve the lady. Thank you for entrusting this task to me."
Then he added in a meaningful tone, "The Xinghua Palace is indeed a wonderful place, with beautiful scenery and tranquility, and no other concubines live there. It's the perfect place to rest, I'm sure the madam will like it."
Yu Yao slightly paused, as the Xinghua Palace was in the West Six Palaces, which was not a short distance from the Taihe Hall or the Fengyi Palace.
It was also the palace where the original owner lived, but at the side room in the back.
After Emperor Jing ascended the throne, since Xinghua Palace was quite remote and no palace concubine was willing to live there, it had been vacant. Who knew that the Dog Emperor would have her move in there.
Although it's a bit distant, the environment is indeed excellent, and it's truly suitable for staying in to nurture a child.
Shu Meiren heard that Yu Yao's new palace was Xinghua Palace, and she slightly furrowed her brow.
The environment of Xinghua Palace is indeed good, but its location is at the southernmost end of the West Six Palaces, adjacent to the Laundry Bureau. It's seldom visited.
She really couldn't understand why, with Yu Yao so favored by the emperor, he would have her move to such a distant place.
There are also many empty palaces in the East Six Palaces.
Yu Yao smiled slightly and exchanged a mutual understanding glance with Lu Xi, "Thank you, Eunuch Lu. Xinghua Palace is indeed a good place. It would be a great favor if you could convey my thanks to the emperor on my behalf."
Lu Xi nodded slightly, "Madam, rest assured, the slave will convey it."
Then he said a few more polite words and left.
After Lu Xi left, Shu Meiren furrowed her eyebrows slightly and asked with a confused expression: "Sister Qin, Xinghua Palace is located in a remote area. It's really hard to understand the emperor's arrangement. Sister you are so favored by the emperor, how could you be assigned there?"
Yu Yao gently patted Shu Meiren's hand, her expression calm, "Sister, don't worry. The emperor's action may have his reasons. Although Xinghua Palace is far, it is also quiet, which is just right for me to rest and nurture my child in peace, away from the hustle and bustle."
She really does think that Xinghua Palace is quite good. The environment is tranquil and undisturbed, making it the perfect place to carry out her pregnancy.
Shu Meiren nodded slightly but still had some worried expressions: "That's true, but if Sister Qin is too far away from the emperor, those with ill intentions might take advantage and cause trouble."
Yu Yao smiled lightly, "It's all right. We just need to be careful and do our own duty. The emperor has his own considerations."
Not only does Shu Meiren not understand, even Empress Wu and Empress Li also don't understand. How could the lady be so favored, yet assigned to such a remote place like Xinghua Palace?
I don't know. I thought that the lady had done something wrong, which made the emperor annoyed and so he sent her away far away.
Seeing that the lady had an expression of composure, even appearing very happy, Empress Wu and Empress Li were at a loss for words.
They silently start to pack their things and move to Xinghua Palace.
The news of Yu Yao being granted residence in Xinghua Palace spread quickly throughout the palace.
In the palace, the news spread very quickly.
Liu Meiren and Zhang Ronghua were sitting in the pavilion in the Imperial Garden.
Liu Meiren gently waved the fan in her hand, a hint of coldness on her lips, "Hmph, I thought that the Consort Qin could maintain the emperor's favor indefinitely. Now it seems she's no different. With the appearance of that Concubine Jue, she was sent to that remote Xinghua Palace. Truly, as they say, fortune changes."
She had once been scolded by Yu Yao at the Fengyi Palace and couldn't say anything, so she was naturally resentful. At first, she was jealous of her being favored and pregnant, but now she was happily watching her being sent away.
Zhang Ronghua didn't have much ill will towards Yu Yao. She sighed inwardly and felt that the emperor's favor was truly elusive and capricious, changing on a whim.
The Consort Qin is pregnant, and the emperor shows no concern at all. Truly, he is ruthless.
Although she thought so, she smiled and agreed, "Yes, it's so far away. In the future, it will be difficult to see the emperor."
Liu Meiren covered her mouth and laughed lightly: "Today is Yu Yao's turn too. In the past, she was arrogant and proud, relying on the emperor's favor. Now it's different. She has been outdone by the new concubine. Let's see how she'll act arrogant in the future."
Yingyue Palace.
Empress Lv was delighted to hear that Yu Yao had been assigned to Xinghua Palace, a remote location. She burst into a loud and piercing laughter.
"Hahahaha, you slut, you also have your day. I thought you were favored by the emperor so much, but it turns out you're not worth it after all. Just like that, the emperor has sent you to live in such a desolate place. It's truly divine justice."
Empress Lv had a mocking expression, with a look of triumph and disdain in her eyes.
She stood up, pacing around the palace, and continued: "Pregnant and still be sent away? You're just a pitiful creature."
After laughing, Empress Lv's eyes flickered with a trace of malice and calculation.
Originally, because of that little slut's favor and her smoothness, it was difficult to find a way to get at her. That was why she was able to act so freely.
Since that little slut has been sent to Xinghua Palace, it will be much easier to get her.
Empress Lv narrowed her eyes slightly, contemplating how to teach the other a lesson.
"Come here," Empress Lv called out, and Cuirui immediately stepped forward.
Empress Lv lowered her voice and said, "Find a way to plant some people in Xinghua Palace and take the opportunity to strike. I want that little slut's baby to be born without ever coming into the world."
Without the child, that slut is no more than mud in the ground, and by then, she can be trampled upon at will.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Cuirui knew that the Empress hated Consort Qin to the core, so she respectfully agreed and went to carry out the Empress's orders.
In the Imperial Study, Emperor Jing sat solemnly in front of his desk, twirling a jade amulet in his hand, his expression grave.
After a moment, he put down the jade amulet and lightly slapped his hands.
A few guards in black martial arts attire with a stately posture appeared instantly in front of him. They had a stern countenance, their eyes sharp and piercing, and an aura of dread exuding from their bodies.
Emperor Jing looked up slightly and coldly ordered, "You few, go hide near Xinghua Palace at once. Make sure Consort Qin is safe without any negligence. If there is any mishap, your heads will be on the block."
Several palace guards knelt down and chanted in unison, "We will definitely follow the emperor's command."
They disappeared as if ghosts from the Imperial Study, vanishing in an instant.
After these people left.
Emperor Jing then turned to Lu Xi and said, "Lu Xi, quickly select a few reliable and experienced old midwives who are familiar with pregnant women in the palace and arrange them to take residence in Xinghua Palace. Make sure to ensure Consort Qin's safety."
Lu Xi hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, please be assured. The old servant will certainly pick them carefully and fulfill the mission."
The entire palace believed that the Consort Jue was the new favorite of the emperor, unaware that Consort Qin was truly the one being protected by the emperor.
If anyone dares to jump out at this moment without seeing eyes, they will die horribly.
