Chapter 17: The Legend of Zhen Huan, An Lingrong

“Life in the harem is never easy for anyone,” Zhen Huan said softly, lowering her eyelids. “Please don’t say such things anymore.”

“Miss is kind-hearted, but no one truly takes you seriously!” Huan Bi still bristled with indignation. “I think you should make an example out of someone, so everyone in the harem knows you’re not someone to be bullied—and so they learn what happens when they offend you.”

“I am well aware of that,” Zhen Huan replied gently, a sharp glint flashing briefly in her eyes. “I won’t give anyone the chance to bully me again. Those who act so arrogantly will pay the price sooner or later.”

“I think it’s best if you’re expecting,” Huan Bi said, her gaze inevitably falling on Zhen Huan’s abdomen. “With His Majesty’s favor, if you are pregnant, you’ll certainly be promoted to the rank of Concubine. Then you can move into the main palace and raise your child by your side.”

“That would be too good to be true,” Zhen Huan murmured, touching her belly with a trace of sadness. “I wonder when that fate will come.”

…

At Yanxi Palace.

“Miss, Huan Bi, from Lady Guan’s side, acts more like a concubine than her mistress,” Lv He couldn’t help but complain. “Anyone who doesn’t know might think she is the real Lady Guan. She looks down on everyone all day—I really don’t know how those at the Jade Fragment Pavilion can tolerate her.”

“It’s simple. Because she relies on her status, she dares to bully others under Lady Guan’s name,” Li Siqi replied casually. “As for Lady Guan, she’s willing—and forced—to protect her. After all, this is a burden her family created, so naturally, she has to bear it.”

“Why?” Lv He was curious. “Could it be that their identities were switched? Is Huan Bi the real young lady?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Li Siqi laughed. “They’re biological sisters. Huan Bi is Lady Guan’s illegitimate younger sister.”

“No way!” Lv He exclaimed. “Who would treat their own sister as a servant? Lady Guan must be mad.”

“She’s not mad; her father is,” Li Siqi smiled mischievously. “He secretly took in the daughter of a disgraced official as a concubine. When the daughter was born, he disowned her and even registered her as a servant, sending her to serve his legitimate eldest daughter. Isn’t that ridiculous?”

“Wow…” Lv He was utterly shocked. After a long pause, she found her voice again. “Miss, Lady Guan’s father must have lost his mind. Taking in the daughter of a disgraced official as a concubine is already a crime, and placing his own daughter in servitude? That means Huan Bi is doomed to be a servant for life!”

“Of course not,” Li Siqi raised an eyebrow. “He has his plans. As long as his eldest daughter becomes a favored consort, she can help him marry off this illegitimate daughter to a prince’s son.”

“Dream on!” Lv He blurted out. “A disgraced official’s daughter, an illegitimate child, a servant in the palace—thinking she can marry a prince’s son? Only a mad emperor would agree to that.”

“That’s right, that’s right. The emperor would have to be mad,” Li Siqi laughed heartily.

At that moment, Lv Xiang hurried in and saluted. “Miss, Lady Xia Changzai in the left wing is unwell. Someone has been sent to summon the imperial physician.”

“Unwell?” Li Siqi immediately stood. “Come on, let’s go see her.”

As she spoke, she headed out with Lv He and He Xiang following closely behind.

“What’s wrong?” Li Siqi asked as soon as she entered the main hall, spotting Xia Dongchun’s pale face. “Are you sick?”

“Ugh!” Before she could speak, Xia Dongchun bent over and vomited.

“Isn’t this morning sickness?” Li Siqi noticed her condition clearly indicated pregnancy-induced nausea. She couldn’t help but ask, “Any other symptoms?”

“Your servant reports!” Xia Dongchun’s maid, Xing’er, saluted. “Miss has been experiencing dizziness, fatigue, and drowsiness lately.”

She looked worried. “We thought Miss was just not resting well, but these past two days, she’s lost her appetite, detests greasy food, feels nauseous, and has been vomiting. Seeing her suffer like this, I had no choice but to send for the imperial physician.”

“Don’t worry,” Li Siqi said, not concerned since she already knew Xia Dongchun was pregnant. Sitting beside her, she smiled. “Changzai, looks like you’ll have a tough few months.”

“What do you mean?” Xia Dongchun wiped her mouth weakly and leaned on the cushion, glaring at Li Siqi with fierce eyes. “An Lingrong, I think you’re gloating.”

“Yes, I am gloating!” Li Siqi nodded with a smile. “Besides, this is a blessing you asked for.”

“You’re wicked!” Xia Dongchun sat up angrily and said, “If you don’t explain yourself properly, don’t blame me for kicking you out.”

“You’re really foolish,” Li Siqi rolled her eyes. “You don’t even realize what’s going on with such obvious symptoms. Of course, you’re pregnant. You’re experiencing morning sickness.”

“Some women have symptoms like this early on—loss of appetite, poor sleep, dizziness, nonstop vomiting—enjoying that feeling worse than death,” Li Siqi continued.

“You mean I’m pregnant?” Xia Dongchun was stunned, disbelief written all over her face. “An Lingrong, you’re not joking, right?”

“Why would I joke about that?” Li Siqi rolled her eyes again. “Wait for the imperial physician. Then you’ll know if I’m lying.”

“So… I’m really pregnant!” Though she spoke in disbelief, Xia Dongchun’s mind was already coming to terms with the news.

Sure enough, after the imperial physician’s examination, it was confirmed that Xia Dongchun had been pregnant for nearly two months.

She was overjoyed, carefully touching her belly, momentarily forgetting the misery of morning sickness.

“Imperial physician, please take my pulse as well,” Li Siqi decided to reveal her own pregnancy.

The imperial physician Wen, who had come to Yanxi Palace, was Zhen Huan’s childhood friend.

“Congratulations, Lady Xin, you’re already two months pregnant,” Wen said.

Upon hearing this, Xia Dongchun exclaimed, “She’s pregnant too?”

“Yes, Lady Changzai, Lady Xin is indeed pregnant,” Wen replied calmly. “Around the same time as you—both about two months along.”

“Pregnant or not, what’s the big deal?” Li Siqi glanced at her disdainfully. “Don’t forget, we share similar schedules. It’s natural that we’d conceive around the same time.”

“Oh, you’re right,” Xia Dongchun nodded foolishly, quickly embracing the joyful surprise.

“Imperial physician,” Li Siqi looked at Wen and pointed to the pale lady beside her, “Lady Changzai is suffering from morning sickness—dizziness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, nausea—it’s tormenting her. Is there any way to alleviate this?”

“Lady Xin, morning sickness is quite normal,” Wen said with a troubled expression. “Lady Changzai’s constitution is still good. In my opinion, it’s best to avoid medication. For poor appetite and aversion to greasy food, prepare some light meals and include foods she enjoys…”