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Chapter 104

The harem was never tranquil. However, in recent times, the harem had sure enough fallen into a strange pit of tranquility. Perhaps it was because those noble masters need not meet everyday at Jingyang Palace, causing their resentment to decrease. Thus, the filthy things in the rear palace dropped in number.

Nowadays, there were many women in the imperial harem; that said, there were few imperial concubines of high rank. Those of lower ranks dared not act or speak out of place. Those of higher ranks possessed complicated thoughts, growing even more cautious with their conduct. Everyone saw Consort Zhao’s fetus grow larger and larger with their own eyes, saw the emperor fond of visiting Xihe Palace. Unexpectedly, each of the imperial concubines sat steadier than the last.

There had recently been many new arrivals to Xihe Palace who stayed in the side palace hall: eunuchs skilled in cooking, older female servants knowledgeable in gynecology, and even two female doctors. And these people all rushed about to take care of Xihe Palace’s sole master. Envy filled the hearts of those in the harem who saw this.

“There’s too much of a discrepancy between the treatment Consort Zhao and other imperial concubines receive while pregnant,” said Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, who had already lost the emperor’s favor, while she watched from far away as court eunuchs of the Department of the Palace traveled toward Xihe Palace’s direction. Somewhat envious and indulging in Schadenfreude, she added, “However, when I compare Noble Consort Shu, who’s always so aloof and thinks everyone is beneath her, to Consort Zhao, the former really isn’t worth much.”

After Noble Imperial Concubine Yan had lost favor, the person she hated the most wasn’t Consort Zhao. Rather, it was Noble Consort Shu, who always concealed her talents. Some people subconsciously disliked others who had the same talent as them. As it turned out, this was the case between Noble Imperial Concubine Yan and Noble Consort Shu. They typically had no contact with one another, but they shared a mutual dislike in their hearts.

When Consort Rou, who was in front of Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, had heard these words, an insincere smile spread across her face as she looked at her. “In the end, Noble Consort Shu is still a noble consort. She is worth more than you and then some.”

“Indeed, Your Highness Consort Rou is as impolite as ever.” Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s features proved unsightly. “But this concubine is not Wanyi Qian, allowing you to embarrass me as you please.”

“The way you speak, it’s as if I like to bully others on a regular basis.” Consort Rou cast a glance at her, one without a deep meaning. “Enough. If you like to make sarcastic remarks about other people, then do it. This palace does not have time to listen to you spout nonsense here.” Following that, she led her palace maids away, swaying her hips three times with every step, a lotus sprouting upon each step.

“What is she going on about? Acting like she never talked sarcastically about Zhuang Laoyan before.” Noble Imperial Concubine Yan snorted. She turned her body around and left with her palace maids.

Lately, Zhuang Laoyan moved about more often than she had in the previous few months. The fetus was now five months old, and the subsequent swelling of her belly made her appear plump. Although Zhuang Laoyan was not as beautiful and alluring as she had been in the past, she was more gentle. Leaning against a soft couch and listening to a musician play the guqin, she could not help but to look out the window. To look at the color of the sky. It might snow in the coming days.

Her fetus was growing ever larger. When it had been more than three months in development, she already felt it moving. An experienced older female servant informed her that a fetus who moved so early was definitely a prince. But Zhuang Laoyan was not at all interested in such words. Whether it was a prince or a princess, it was still her, Zhuang Laoyan’s, child. It’s just that this world was more partial to men.

After listening to the guqin for fifteen minutes, Zhuang Laoyan waved, signalling for the musician to withdraw. Every day, her fetus would listen to music two to three times. Each time would amount to more or less fifteen minutes. Any more than that, and it would be disturbing the fetus’ sleep.

After the musician had left, Fu Bao, who had been waiting at the side for a while, stepped forward. “Your Highness, Shangyi Bureau has sent people here to pay respects to you and to take your measurements. They said they were to make thicker clothes for you.”

“Didn’t they just make a few sets of clothes for me half a month ago? Why are they here again?” In a languid manner, Zhuang Laoyan looked at Fu Bao. “Tell them I don’t need it.”

“Your Highness, the emperor specially ordered for this. He said that as the prince you are carrying grows, clothes that are too loose will make you cold and clothes that are too tight will feel uncomfortable. Thus, he especially instructed the Department of the Palace to make you a few sets of new clothes every month. The new year is fast approaching. The Bureau of Astronomy said that it will snow in the coming days. How could Your Highness not have a few more sets of clothes?” Fu Bao smiled in a fawning fashion. “Anyway, doesn’t this show that His Majesty cares about you? How could Your Highness squander His Majesty’s good intentions?”

“You’re truly growing a silver tongue. Let them enter.” Using Yunxi’s hand for support, Zhuang Laoyan stood and took a few steps in the room. When the staff of Shangyi Bureau had finished taking her measurements, she heard a court eunuch announce the emperor’s arrival.

Once she reached the doorway, she caught sight of the emperor coming inside with large strides. Zhuang Laoyan smiled. “Why has Your Majesty arrived?”

“We are pretty free today, so came to visit Our child earlier.” He reached out to hold her hand. The two sat down on the soft couch.

Ever since the last time, when Zhuang Laoyan had thought he only liked princes and not princesses, Feng Jin called the fetus a child instead of a son. Zhuang Laoyan was very satisfied with Feng Jin’s action. At least his behavior displayed that he looked forward to this child to a tremendous degree.

While women were pregnant, if they allowed men to participate in some small matters related to her pregnancy and to learn the difficulties they faced during it, it would cause said men to understand a father’s sense of responsibility. And once the child was born, they would feel even more deeply for said child.

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As Yunxi, who was serving at the side, watched her master and the emperor chat relaxedly about small matters, she also took note of their manner. And it seemed like that of an ordinary married couple. She could not help but think, Perhaps Master’s feelings toward the emperor weren’t in vain. At least His Majesty also treats Master with affection. Otherwise, why would he have people pay attention to Xihe Palace every day? And come almost every day himself to read the yet-to-be-born prince stories?

She had never seen another couple interacting before, but as she observed her master and the emperor, she found herself approving. That said… Yunxi’s expression darkened a shade. There were many women in the palace. In the future, there would be more young and pretty women entering through its doors. At that time, would the emperor still treat her master the same way?

No matter what, she worried for her master. Women of the harem who had fallen in love with the emperor were truly pitiful.

“It moved?!” The hand Feng Jin had had lightly placed on Zhuang Laoyan’s abdomen seemed to burn, causing him to withdraw it. This was his first time clearly feeling such a slow throb. This kind of sensation was too novel, novel to the point where he felt too afraid to use too much strength as he touched her abdomen. As if by using too much strength, he would knock against the treasure inside.

“Your Majesty, our child is likely playing by kicking,” said Zhuang Laoyan, taking in the emperor’s appearance, one of awe. She could not stop herself from smiling, placing his hand lightly back on her abdomen. Afterward, the fetus moved. She watched as the emperor revealed an excited smile. Opened her eyes wide as she said, “Oh! It’s so energetic again. The child is greeting Your Majesty.”

The throbbing beneath his palm was too wonderful. He could not help but bend over and press his face against Zhuang Laoyan’s abdomen. A smile appeared on his lips. “Child, We are your Imperial Father.” Following that, he felt another kick, and he happily burst into laughter.

Looking at this childish man, Zhuang Laoyan smiled as she extended a hand. Softly stroked the emperor’s back. She suppressed the satisfaction from her gaze. Step by step, she had not made a mistake in this game of chess. Even fully-grown men had a childish air to them. As long as she made him understand how this life was growing day after day, he would regard said life with more and more importance.

The more he was looking forward to seeing the child, the more effort the emperor would spend in the future teaching the child and the more expectations he would have of it. Children whose parents held great expectations for them would find such expectations strenuous, but in the imperial family, children like this could go far. If they instead resembled Second Prince, who had been sent away from the imperial palace, it would genuinely be lamentable.

This man was biased. She did not have the ability to make him do his utmost for all his children. Yet, she could guarantee he would treat her child as the most important.

This was the helplessness of the times. And also the sorrow of women. If this had been her previous life, she would have either divorced him or castrated him. Which woman could bear this kind of situation, where “sisters” lived together in happiness? Please go look for a stallion novel instead.

After they had the evening meal, Feng Jin personally supported Zhuang Laoyan’s hand. After they walked quite a few circles in the room, the two surprisingly shared a single basin as they soaked their feet. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to take pleasure in it.

Zhuang Laoyan placed her foot on top of Feng Jin’s foot. “Your Majesty’s foot is very large. This concubine heard that people with large feet are fortunate.”

Feng Jin cast a glance at her slender and fair feet. “We don’t believe in that saying. Although your feet are not large, you are still very lucky.”

After hearing his words, Zhuang Laoyan scratched his foot with her own. Laughed happily as she said, “Your Majesty is very lucky. When this concubine is near you, this concubine is even more lucky.”

“You, don’t listen to that nonsense.” What sachets that brought good luck? What acts of sneakily touching the ear? This woman always believed in such imaginary things. However, her good intentions made it so that others found it hard to reject her. Feng Jin reached out and grasped her hand, his own covering hers. Her warm, tender, and smooth hand caused his heart to gradually warm and soften.

After the two lay down on the piping warm quilt, Gao Dezhong, Yunxi, and the other servants tidied up well before taking their leave. After they closed the door, the servants seemed to hear the faint sound of talking inside.

Gao Dezhong glanced at the door behind him. These past two months, the emperor took a fancy to reading all sorts of stories meant for children. So much so that he would even take notes for some of them. Right now, was he discussing those stories’ plots with Consort Zhao?

Within the room, Zhuang Laoyan lay down on the soft quilt, listening to the emperor tell a story about how a little white rabbit and little black rabbit pulled a white radish. Although his level of telling stories did not improve, his enthusiasm was worth praise. Eyes half mast, she listened until the end. And she still lost to the emperor’s dull and monotonous tone, falling deeply asleep.

The way he read the story could truly compare to a lullaby. She sincerely did not know whether this level of storytelling could affect her fetus.

Outside the window fell the first snow of the year, fluttering about in its tumble. Xihe Palace, which had originally been quiet, grew even more so.

Inside Changtian House, Wanyi Qian stood in front of a window looking in the direction of Xihe Palace. Not the least bit sleepy.

FJ’s pretty cute when he’s so surprised and awed by the baby kicking XD

Next release is Saturday, June 19, 2021.

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Thirtieth chapter of The Times Spent in Pretense is out! You can read it here. It’s weekly now!

By the way, I have a new BL novel project, with my own summary below:

By the emperor’s decree, Fu Ming is to marry Jin Yi and become his male wife. The initial reception is cold. Can the two sort things out between them, the winter departing and the snow thawing?

If you’re interested, you can find it here.

Also, plugging me and my friends’ website focused on BL! Click here if you’re interested.