Chapter 21: Legend of Zhen Huan, An Lingrong

"Let us hope so!"

Distracted and uneasy, Zhen Huan tried to find topics for idle chatter. "Sister Mei finally has a title, though she is at the same rank as An Lingrong..."

Liuzhu responded with a smile, "My Lady, there are quite a few Noble Ladies in the palace with titles now."

"Indeed, because everyone is pregnant." Zhen Huan nodded. "Only Xia Dongchun received a title without a promotion in rank. She is, after all, the daughter of a fourth-rank official, yet she is overshadowed by An Lingrong, the daughter of an eighth-rank official. I wonder if she is reconciled to this."

"What if she isn't?" Liuzhu said. "In the palace, only the Emperor's favor is real. Noble Lady Xin is more favored than Attendant Jing, so naturally, her rank is higher."

"You are right. Above all else, the Emperor's favor is what matters most." Zhen Huan made a firm resolution in her heart. She would hold onto the Emperor's favor for the rest of her life. She would become the most cherished consort in the Emperor's heart; no one would ever surpass her.

Imperial Physician Wen was quickly summoned by Wanbi. Fearing something had gone wrong with Zhen Huan, he rushed over in a panic. Upon entering, he saw her chatting and laughing with her maids, and his anxious heart immediately calmed. He could not help but wipe the fine beads of sweat from his forehead. Taking a deep, silent breath, he composed himself, forced a smile, and bowed to the woman on the couch. "This humble subject greets Noble Lady Wan."

"Brother Shichu is here!" Zhen Huan smiled at him. "Please, check my pulse. I have been feeling quite anxious lately and worry it might be bad for my health."

"Rest assured, My Lady," the physician replied respectfully. "I will be sure to examine you carefully."

In truth, there was no need for a pulse check; Wen Shichu could guess the reason for Zhen Huan's anxiety. Most of the new concubines in the harem had confirmed pregnancies, and it would be strange if she, the most favored of them all, were not anxious about her own lack of conception.

"Thank you, Brother Shichu." Zhen Huan smiled in gratitude and extended her hand for the examination. Wen Shichu dared not look at her. He placed a silk cloth over her wrist and began to feel her pulse. A moment later, he stepped back a few paces, cupped his hands, and said, "Congratulations, Noble Lady Wan. You are more than a month pregnant."

"Truly?" Zhen Huan was overjoyed. She stood up abruptly and pressed, "Brother Shichu, am I really pregnant?"

"Yes, My Lady," Wen Shichu nodded earnestly. "This humble subject has confirmed it. You are with child."

"Wonderful!" No matter how composed Zhen Huan usually was, upon hearing the news she had long awaited, she could not help but cheer, "I finally have a child!"

"Congratulations, My Lady."

"My Lady is truly pregnant!" Liuzhu and the returning Wanbi were overcome with excitement upon hearing the news. They knew their mistress's heart too well; they had been waiting for this day for a long time.

"Brother Shichu, please go to the Imperial Study and report the good news to the Emperor," Zhen Huan instructed with a smile. In her heart, she began to anticipate the Emperor's arrival, looking forward to him promoting her rank even further. Since she was a favored consort, her rank should naturally be higher than the other new concubines. Most importantly, she wanted to move back to the main hall; being squeezed into this small side hall did not befit her status as a favorite.

"Yes, this humble subject will go to the Imperial Study immediately." His task as a human tool complete, he took his leave. Once he was gone, Zhen Huan wore a radiant smile and ordered her attendants, "Go to the Imperial Kitchen and bring more refreshments."

"Yes, My Lady." Liuzhu, understanding her intent, turned and left happily. Wanbi was equally excited. "My Lady, now that you are pregnant, I would like to see who dares to gossip again."

"Enough, you needn't take a few unpleasant words to heart." Filled with joy, Zhen Huan did not want to dwell on the idle chatter of servants. She added, "Go to the tea room and see that the Emperor's favorite tea is prepared."

"Yes, I shall go at once." Wanbi stepped away with a light, joyous pace. The entire Jade Fragrance Pavilion became a flurry of activity.

...

In the Imperial Study, upon hearing that Noble Lady Wan was also with child, the Emperor set aside his memorials and rushed to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion immediately.

The entire harem soon learned the news. The Empress had been waiting for the Emperor to come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to explain himself, but instead, she heard the news of Noble Lady Wan's pregnancy and the Emperor's visit to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion.

"Very good. They are all getting pregnant one by one. Such a blessing, truly." The Empress was very calm this time—unnervingly so. She emanated a sinister aura, yet wore a brilliant smile. "It is a pity, though! What does it matter if they are pregnant? It takes real skill to keep the child. When they have to watch the children they carry in their wombs slip away, I wonder how many of these 'mothers' will be able to bear it. Jianqiu, don't you agree?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Jianqiu took a fruit platter from a maid and placed it on the small table. "Watching them be happy, and then watching them grieve—it is only natural for life to involve some suffering."

"Well said, well said." The Empress applauded. "Jianqiu, you speak my mind."

Jianqiu replied respectfully, "I am only speaking the truth, Your Majesty."

"Winter is but a month away." The Empress gazed at the scenery outside. "When the snow falls and the plum blossoms bloom, the concubines will have settled their pregnancies and can come out to enjoy the flowers..."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I have already made the arrangements."

"Remember, as for the children in the other concubines' wombs, get rid of as many as you can." A fierce light flickered in the Empress's eyes. "No matter the method, Noble Lady Wan's pregnancy must be terminated. She must never have the chance to give birth."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

...

At the Hall of Prolonged Happiness, Li Siqi leaned against a cushion with her eyes closed, ostensibly resting, but in reality chatting with Xiao Huzi.

"Besides Zhen Huan, who else is pregnant without it being exposed?"

"None," Xiao Huzi replied. "Attendant Fang, Promise Kang, and Promise Xi have not yet attended to the Emperor; they certainly cannot be pregnant."

"Oh," Li Siqi said, unconcerned. "Attendant Fang is still young; the Emperor surely won't summon her. With so many pregnant women in the palace now, apart from the older concubines, the Emperor only favors Promise Kang and Promise Xi. It seems their luck has arrived. It is a pity the Emperor is already using contraceptives, so they have no chance of conceiving for the time being."

"Not being able to conceive might be a blessing for them," Xiao Huzi replied. "You know as well as I do that the Empress spends her days in the Hall of Mental Cultivation plotting how to abort the children in the concubines' wombs. With her abilities and methods, they could never protect their children. It is better not to conceive at all than to conceive only to lose the baby."

"Regardless, one must still give people a chance," Li Siqi laughed. "In three years, we shall see if they have the opportunity to conceive. As for whether they can protect their children from the Empress, that will depend on them."

"They are merely transparent characters in the play anyway, Master; no need to spend your efforts on them."

"You are right." Li Siqi suddenly thought of two people. "By the way, Wen Shichu is a decent physician, but he is a true sycophant for Zhen Huan. To avoid any accidents, have him and Sun Zhuxi, who serves the Empress Dowager, both take the Puppet Pill. These two hold some weight in this story. I will feel more at ease once they are on our side."

"Rest assured, Master. I will see that they take them tonight."