Jiang Yuan ultimately possessed strong self-control. Although he found mahjong quite amusing, he did not indulge himself. After playing for about two hours, he stopped.
The Empress Dowager, being advanced in years, grew somewhat weary after playing all afternoon and decided to end the game. However, she kept the Emperor and the others at Cuisong Garden for dinner.
Since the purpose was to amuse the Empress Dowager, naturally they had to see it through to her full satisfaction. Jiang Yuan agreed immediately.
The meal was set up in the side hall. Qi Daiyu and Concubine Shu stood to the side, watching the Empress serve dishes to the Empress Dowager. After just a couple of servings, the Empress Dowager smiled kindly and said, "That's enough. It's time for a proper meal; there's no need for you to do this. Please, sit down. Concubine Shu, Consort Hui, you may sit as well."
Having been granted a seat by the Empress Dowager, Qi Daiyu sat down according to etiquette.
Eating in front of these individuals was no small pressure, so she followed the Empress's lead. She only picked up her chopsticks when the Empress did.
When the Empress put down her chopsticks to listen to the Empress Dowager speak, she also put hers down and listened with a smile.
Jiang Yuan observed this scene and found Qi Daiyu rather amusing. This person was always adept at putting on an act. Previously, she had pretended to adore him, and now she was imitating the Empress, putting on a show of reverence.
Remembering Qi Daiyu's past affectations, Jiang Yuan's smile faded.
Over the past few months, Jiang Yuan had not summoned Qi Daiyu for his favor. Apart from that one visit to Yanqing Residence regarding the shop matter, it had been a long time since he had concerned himself with her situation.
For Jiang Yuan, upon initially learning of Qi Daiyu's deception, he had been furious, even resorting to some childish actions as if that could uphold his dignity as the Son of Heaven.
However, he soon calmed down. She was merely a woman; what value did she hold to stir his emotions?
Especially with new consorts entering the palace, there were those no less appealing than Qi Daiyu. Why should he care about a mere Consort Hui?
Indeed, the gentle and refined Nie Zhiyu appeared. Such a woman, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with a sensitive mind like a comforting confidante, brought him much joy and relaxation when he sought it.
Jiang Yuan quickly forgot about Qi Daiyu.
Given a little more time, Jiang Yuan might have even forgotten what Qi Daiyu looked like.
But today, Jiang Yuan encountered Qi Daiyu again at Cuisong Garden.
During the mahjong game, the woman's small gestures of fiddling with her tourmaline bracelet, her slightly dazed eyes when lost in thought, that playful strand of hair tucked behind her ear, her waist cinched so slender by her belt...
Unbeknownst to the woman herself, because they were sitting so close, her silk shawl had fallen onto his lap.
Jiang Yuan thought several times about picking it up but restrained himself.
Jiang Yuan's eyes darkened slightly. He realized something rather troubling. Consort Hui seemed able to stir his desire with unsettling ease.
This feeling, after months of distance and upon seeing her again, was actually even stronger.
Qi Daiyu had no idea what His Majesty was thinking. She observed subtly and carefully, ensuring she made no mistakes.
Then she saw the Empress suddenly frown, seeming extremely uncomfortable. The Empress swallowed the food in her mouth, but her expression grew even stranger the next moment.
"Ahem." The Empress couldn't hold back and coughed twice.
The Empress Dowager asked with concern, "What's wrong, Empress? Did you choke? Quickly bring the Empress some tea."
Tea was promptly served. The Empress took a small sip, but the next second she couldn't suppress the urge to retch and immediately covered her mouth with a handkerchief.
"This consort has been discourteous..."
The Empress's state caused the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and Concubine Shu to be taken aback. Qi Daiyu's thoughts were a step slower, but she soon realized what it might mean and widened her eyes.
Then she heard the Empress Dowager's voice, filled with delight, "There's a vinegar-fish dish today. Empress, could it be that you..." Her gaze fixed intently on the Empress's abdomen.
The Empress, having given birth to the Eldest Princess, naturally also realized the possibility. But the feeling came so suddenly; she was unprepared and dared not be certain.
"This consort is not sure either."
She calculated the dates in her mind. It was indeed possible, but it wasn't yet time for her monthly cycle, so she couldn't be sure.
Jiang Yuan's face was already alight with joy. He ordered Quan Fuhai, "Go, summon Doctor Xia!"
He said, "Whether it is or not, the imperial physician will know after taking the pulse." But the expression on his face was one of certainty that the Empress was with child.
Perhaps it was all too sudden; even Concubine Shu wasn't prepared to receive this news. Her tone, somewhat uncontrolled, came out sourly, "Yes, we must still wait for the imperial physician to confirm."
Her handkerchief was clenched tightly in her hand.
The people in the hall waited for the physician's arrival with tension and anticipation. The tension might have been shared, but the anticipation varied from person to person.
Soon, Doctor Xia arrived. After taking the pulse, under the gaze of the several individuals, he announced, "Her Majesty the Empress is indeed with child. It is not yet a full month; the pulse is still somewhat faint."
He was the Head Imperial Physician, highly skilled. Although the term was early, he was fully confident.
"Wonderful! The Empress's pregnancy is a great joy for the nation!" The Empress Dowager laughed heartily.
Jiang Yuan was also all smiles. "Quan Fuhai, convey Our decree: The Empress is with child. All palace staff are to be rewarded with an extra month's stipend. The staff of Kunning Palace are to be rewarded with an extra three months' stipend!"
Such a generous reward showed the extent of his delight.
The pregnancy of the Central Palace was indeed a major event.
Qi Daiyu and the others immediately bowed. "We thank Your Majesty for your grace! We congratulate Her Majesty the Empress!"
Even Concubine Shu, regardless of her true feelings, had to put on a happy face at this moment.
The Empress said with a smile, "Please rise."
She was filled with emotion. It had been several years since she had any news after giving birth to the Eldest Princess. Although confident in her health, the Empress occasionally lamented that the right moment hadn't come.
After Concubine Shu gave birth to the Eldest Prince, the Duke of Chengen repeatedly presented secret recipes for conceiving a son. The Empress hadn't used them, but it had inevitably added some pressure.
Now, being pregnant again, her joy was boundless.
The Empress was pregnant!
This news quickly spread throughout the Summer Palace.
Setting aside how others might have felt, upon returning to her residence, Rui Zhu Palace, Concubine Shu immediately had Diancui summon Consort An.
Consort An was out playing with the Second Princess when she was suddenly summoned. She had no choice but to bring the Second Princess along to Rui Zhu Palace.
"Why did you bring her?" Concubine Shu, anxious and impatient, spoke rather harshly, displeased that the Second Princess's presence made some topics difficult to discuss.
The Second Princess was old enough to understand. Sensing the dislike in Concubine Shu's tone, her eyes immediately reddened, and she hid in Consort An's arms.
Consort An gently patted her daughter's back. "Your summons was urgent, Consort. This humble consort could not simply abandon the Second Princess. Even if Your Ladyship is anxious, there's no need to vent your frustration on the Princess."
Although she followed Concubine Shu's lead, Consort An was never timid with her words, sometimes even daring to talk back to Concubine Shu.
Concubine Shu knew she had spoken out of turn and forced a smile for the Second Princess. "This consort will have Diancui take the Second Princess to play with her younger brother, alright?"
The Second Princess nodded obediently. "Okay."
Once Diancui had taken the Second Princess out, Concubine Shu flung her handkerchief, which happened to hit Consort An in the face.
"How can I not be anxious? The Empress is with child! Just as Concubine Mei's commotion has settled down, the Kun Ning Palace stirs again. Can they not let me have a few peaceful days?"
Consort An calmly folded her handkerchief. "It's unreasonable to expect all the good fortune in the world to belong to you, Your Highness. You have already given birth to the Eldest Prince, a profound blessing. Surely you cannot forbid others from becoming pregnant?"
"Anyone else can be pregnant, but not the Empress! It was only because the Empress gave birth to a princess back then that my Hao'er could claim the title of 'the Eldest'. Now, if the Empress gives birth to a prince, he would be the legitimate heir from the central palace..."
Concubine Shu gnashed her teeth. "Tell me, how can I not be anxious?"
"What use is anxiety?" Consort An retorted.
"Naturally, it's to..."
Consort An cut off Concubine Shu's unfinished sentence. "That is the Empress! Not the foolish Concubine Mei. Setting aside the fact that Kun Ning Palace is as secure as an iron bucket—not even a fly could get in—just consider the Marshal's Estate alone. It is not to be trifled with."
Consort An did not mention the Cheng'en Estate, but specifically the Marshal's Estate.
The old Marshal Jiang guarded the borders, and the influence of his Marshal's Estate was all in the Empress's hands.
Concubine Mei was so easy to scheme against not only because she was foolish, but also because she had no backing, no power to wield. Even after miscarrying, she could find out nothing and had to accept her misfortune.
But the Empress was different.
If the Empress were to miscarry unexpectedly, the Marshal's Estate would likely turn the capital upside down.
"Moreover, His Majesty is sure to place great importance on Her Majesty's pregnancy. If anything were to happen to the Empress, do you think His Majesty would let it go easily?"
The wrath of the Son of Heaven could leave a million corpses in its wake.
If truly angered, even if the Emperor couldn't find the culprit, he could simply replace everyone in the entire palace. Then, the one who acted would truly be injuring the enemy a thousand at the cost of eight hundred of their own.
Concubine Shu's face turned ashen. "Are you suggesting we just watch as the Empress gives birth to that child? I will not allow it!"
Her Hao'er was only one year old. If the Empress gave birth to a prince, the age difference would be merely two years, which would not diminish the advantage of being the legitimate heir from the central palace at all.
Concubine Shu refused to see such a situation arise.
Worried that Concubine Shu's obsession might implicate her, Consort An advised, "Her Majesty has just conceived. There are still many months before the birth. Furthermore, we do not yet know if this child will be a boy or a girl. What if it's another princess?"
"In my humble opinion, Your Highness truly need not be so tense. Even if she does give birth to a prince, so what? It takes several years from being a swaddled infant to being able to talk and walk. There will always be opportunities."
"The more haste, the more flaws. A gradual, long-term plan is the best strategy."
Consort An genuinely did not want to move against the Empress; the risk was too great. While Concubine Shu acted without restraint, she herself believed in discretion for self-preservation. For now, she could only try to steady Concubine Shu.
Fortunately, Concubine Shu was not completely irrational. She slowly sat back down.
"You are right. It's not certain she can carry it to term, nor is it certain the child will survive to adulthood if born. I must not be hasty."
Concubine Mei had just miscarried. If something happened to the Empress now, given the Emperor's temperament, he would surely investigate thoroughly. It's possible even past incidents might be uncovered.
She could not be hasty. Slowly, opportunities would arise.
Meanwhile, in another part of the Summer Palace, Concubine Mei also heard the news of the Empress's pregnancy.
If Qi Daiyu were present, she would surely be shocked by Concubine Mei's current appearance, so different from the arrogant woman she had faced before.
That sallow, gloomy face bore no trace of its former charming beauty.
"Her Majesty the Empress... is pregnant?"
Luhui: "The news came from Cui Song Garden. They say Her Majesty was dining with the Empress Dowager and felt nauseated by the smell of vinegar-braised fish. Doctor Xia was summoned, and he said Her Majesty's pregnancy is not even a month along yet. Even Her Majesty herself didn't know."
With many people present at the time, the news could not be concealed.
Concubine Mei distractedly covered her own abdomen. "Her Majesty is pregnant. How wonderful."
She too, once had the chance to become a mother.
Seeing her sad expression return, Luhui tried to divert her attention. "Mistress, since Her Majesty has this joyous news, should you not go to offer congratulations? Her Majesty treated you so well before, and this time she specifically requested His Majesty to bring you to the Summer Palace to escape the heat..."
"You are right!"
Concubine Mei's eyes suddenly turned sharp. "Her Majesty has shown me great kindness. Now that she has joyful news, I should also send a grand gift."
