Chapter 609 - The Fight in the Harem, Consort Yus Going into Premature Labor (1/2)

The next morning, Consort Zhao sent Emperor Zongwen away with deep affection. She even followed for a long while after Emperor Zongwen boarded the imperial carriage. It was only when she saw Emperor Zongwen at a distance into Qianqing Palace that she returned slowly with Caichun. Thinking of how much the Emperor had doted on her yesterday, she felt excited.

She had followed Emperor Zongwen back at a distance, partly to show that she was so devoted to the Emperor that she could hardly leave him, and partly to show it to the other concubines. She had been neglected for a while before, all because the Emperor did not come to Mingyue Palace.

After this matter, who would dare to look down on her?!

Therefore, she kept on sending him off!

Even though it was still early, there were plenty of people in the palace, who were secretly watching. There must be a lot of consorts who knew that the Emperor was still deeply in love with her. The Empress Dowager would also think highly of her. Furthermore, she had even heard from the Emperor that he had no intention of giving the throne to Feng Yuran. Such an important piece of news was enough to make her closer to her future position.

She was now wholeheartedly trying to help Feng Yuzhen ascend to the throne. She had mentioned the Empress Dowager many times when they held deep affection last night. She had said that the Empress Dowager was kind to the Emperor and was a good mother who really cared for him. However, she had not mentioned King Ning. Even though King Ning had not revealed his intentions directly, everyone could see that and knew that this was a taboo to the Emperor.

“Haste makes waste. I have to be more careful!”

Consort Zhao felt relieved, and the depression she felt of the past few days had been swept away. Not in a hurry to return to her palace, she ordered the palace maids that she would sit down in the nearby pavilion. It was good to admire the scenery of autumn morning. Although there was a heavy dew in autumn, there was fine gauze around the pavilion. She sat inside and would not get wet.

Because she was in a good mood, she did not feel that the outside was still dark. Sitting there, she asked Caichun to make a cup of tea for her and asked the palace maids to leave far away.

After that, it was daylight already with the first rays of the morning sun.

“Sister Zhao, you are really free. You came so early to drink tea and enjoy the scenery. I really envy you!” A laughter came from another path. Two palace maids held Consort Yu, who had a baby b.u.mp, and appeared at the end of the path. The pregnant woman had a smile in her eyes, suppressing a trace of jealousy in them.

She was now carrying the Emperor’s child and was the most enviable person in the palace. However, she said that she envied Consort Zhao while she deliberately showed her belly as if she couldn’t walk. She slowly walked with sarcasm on her face. If a woman in the imperial harem didn’t have a son, no matter how much she was favored, it was useless just like looking at the moon in the water. How much wealth and leisure could she expect?

Consort Yu was stabbing daggers at Consort Zhao’s heart!

If this had happened in the past, Consort Zhao would not have quibble with Consort Yu. She was a forbearing person. She had been in the imperial harem for more than 10 years, and she didn’t learn it in one year. However, a few days ago, when she had fallen out of favor, Consort Yu had sent two palace maids over to insult her. She claimed that since there were fewer servants in Mingyue Palace, Consort Zhao would lack servants to serve her in the future. She meant what had happened at the banquet.

Consort Zhao was so angry that she had smashed a few porcelains in the palace. However, she had to pretend to be gracious and send the palace maids back to Consort Yu’s place politely.

So when she heard that Consort Yu was trying to thrust daggers at her again, she looked Consort Yu up and down impolitely and said sarcastically, “Consort Yu, are you looking for His Majesty? I’ll tell His Majesty you want to see him the next time I see him, and ask him to come to see you, okay?”

Consort Yu was pregnant. Even though all sorts of things were being sent to her palace, the Emperor had indeed not visited her for a long while. He had come to visit her at first but it was getting fewer and fewer in number, and now he rarely went to her palace. Consort Yu had thought of many methods to solve this matter. She had even tried to deceive the Emperor that her tummy hurt last night, but Consort Zhao’s palace maid stopped her.

She had been angry for the whole night. This morning, she had come to pick a fight!

“Many thanks, Consort Zhao. By the way, you entered the palace earlier than me. I did not expect that I would be pregnant with the Emperor’s child but your belly…” Consort Yu sat down on the stool opposite Consort Zhao. She cast a glance at Consort Zhao’s belly with a smile and giggled, as if she did not know how harsh her words were.

The palace maid behind her arranged tea, snacks, and fruits neatly, which filled the whole table. Another palace maid felt that Consort Zhao’s pot was a hindrance and pushed it in front of Consort Zhao impolitely.

Consort Zhao was the only one who used the table just now, but there was no room for her to place other things than the teapot and teacup in front of her as it was filled with Consort Yu’s things.

“I’m sorry, Sister Zhao. I’m craving food recently. It’s all because of the foodie in my womb. I think I can’t spoil him. But His Majesty said that I’m blessed. Besides, I should not keep a royal descendant hungry. If there’s anything delicious or funny, I should just take it. If there’s anything you want to eat, just take it.”

Consort Yu waved her hand generously and pointed at the snacks and fruits on the table with a satisfied smile on her face.

Even though the Emperor did not come to her, he allowed her to eat what she wanted. Obviously, the Emperor loved the child in her belly and might spoil him than he spoiled King Xuan. Consort Yu was definitely not that short-lived Consort Xian. Her better days were still to come. As for Consort Zhao, she had no child. So even if she had a higher position than Consort Yu, she had to just sit to the side obediently when Consort Yu had the chance to humiliate her.

“You want to tie His Majesty to you all the time? You wis.h.!.+”

“Many thanks, Sister Yu. But I don’t like these things. You shouldn’t eat all of them as you’re pregnant. Some of them aren’t good for the child in your belly. You’ve been pregnant for almost eight months now, so you have to be more careful.” Consort Zhao looked up angrily with a look of annoyance in her eyes. Consort Yu had taken advantage of the child in her belly again and again, which made Consort Zhao already furious.