amaotonovel Chapter 175 Shen Meizhuang is pregnant
Chapter 175 Shen Meizhuang is pregnant
The atmosphere suddenly stagnated, and Hong Xuan also calmed down. Looking at Jiang Ruyin's peaceful expression, he slowly said:
"Every time my son shows that he likes his younger brother, his mother will be very happy. If he defends his younger brother, the emperor will be very happy. Every time we go to the Yanxi Palace, Empress Qian is very happy. Everyone seems to be very happy, so my son will always like his younger brother."
"Ah,"
Jiang Ruyin suddenly smiled and reached out to pinch Hongxuan's rosy cheeks. "Silly boy, just do what makes you happy. We'll talk about the future later."
Having said that, Hongxuan held his chubby cheeks in his hands with grievance, looking at Jiang Ruyin in confusion.
The Ghost Festival in August
Early in the morning, everyone in the harem gathered together.
Nian Shilan sat high in the main seat with a calm expression.
Everyone was seated, and Concubine Jing was the first to bow and say, "May your Majesty be well. Today is the Ghost Festival, and the palace has made all the necessary preparations."
Nian Shilan nodded slightly: "In that case, we must be more careful. We must not make any mistakes, so as not to offend the gods."
Jiang Ruyin looked at her in surprise. These words didn't sound like something that would come from Nian Shilan's mouth.
Following Jiang Ruyin's gaze, Nian Shilan moved her lips slightly, as if she was about to roll her eyes.
Concubine Cheng looked worried and said softly, "I've heard some rumors in the palace lately, saying that the night of the Ghost Festival is filled with gloomy energy and may bring bad luck."
Nian Shilan's expression froze, her face showing clear dissatisfaction. "This is all nonsense. Everything in the palace is going smoothly, so how can there be such evil talk? You just need to be respectful and don't panic."
Jiang Ruyin was still sipping tea. Yes, if one does not even fear ghosts and gods, who would respect and fear the imperial power?
Lou Yong'er, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up: "I wonder if there are any special rules for offering sacrifices in the palace during the Ghost Festival?"
Nian Shilan glanced at her sideways and said, "Of course there are rules. Lady Lou needs to learn more from the maids."
Wenpin said gently, "Don't be too nervous. Just follow the etiquette and be sincere and respectful during the sacrifice."
As she was speaking, the nanny beside the empress dowager hurried over and said, "Your Highness, the empress dowager has ordered that today's Zhongyuan sacrifice be kept simple."
Nian Shilan quickly stood up to receive the order, very surprised, "I will obey the Queen Mother's order."
Everyone agreed.
Shen Meizhuang walked in slowly and bowed to everyone in a gentle voice.
Zhu Xi's face was filled with worry, but she forced a smile as she said, "The noble lady met with the Empress Dowager this morning. She is already one and a half months pregnant. The Empress Dowager was very happy and restored the title of 'Hui' to Concubine Shen. She is in much better spirits now."
After saying this, she turned around and bowed again, "My lady, your health is precious, please return home early. I still have good news to tell the Emperor, so I'll take my leave now."
Shen Meizhuang still maintained the half-squatting posture of saluting. Nian Shilan said in a flat tone, "Since you are so precious, just stand up quickly. Why are you still being so formal?"
Shen Meizhuang lowered her head slightly. "Your Highness, please forgive me. I have always been thinking about the Empress Dowager, so I wanted to inform her as soon as I learned that I was pregnant. So I sent Caiyue to report to her and went to Shoukang Palace first."
Nian Shilan only chuckled, "I know, otherwise I would have punished you long ago. I am also concerned about the Empress Dowager. You did the right thing, and I will reward you."
After saying that, Nian Shilan tilted her head and asked, "How?"
Songzhi flashed out from the inner room and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the history is correct and the date matches."
Shen Meizhuang's tightly clasped hands suddenly loosened, and she sat down.
Logically speaking, since Shen Meizhuang has regained her title, she should not sit below the untitled Concubine Chun and Concubine Lou.
As soon as I sat down, I heard Concubine Chun say crisply, "Sister Mei, please get up. It's time to change."
Concubine Chun winked at Shen Meiyu playfully and stood up.
Concubine Cheng was tilting her head and talking to Lou Yong'er, "It was her. When we were pregnant, there was no Aunt Zhuxi who announced the good news to the Emperor on our behalf."
Lou Yong'er curled the corners of her lips and thought to herself, it's still unclear whether this is joy or sorrow.
Concubine Chun came to Lou Yong'er and looked at her with her head tilted.
Then Concubine Cheng spoke, "Concubine Chun, are you confused? Concubine Lou sat below you because she wanted to chat with me, and you always sit with Concubine Qi. How come you've forgotten the rules after sitting for so long? Concubine Lou is the princess's biological mother, how could she sit below you?"
Concubine Chun's face turned pale, and Concubine Jing's smile froze. She hurriedly tried to smooth things over, "It's just that we're used to it. How can you forget the rules? Concubine Chun, please sit down."
This bias was too obvious. As soon as Concubine Jing said it, she knew she had said the wrong thing. She pursed her lips and looked at Lou Yong'er.
Lou Yong'er and Cheng Guiren looked at each other and smiled.
Concubine Cheng looked away with a smug look. Her superior was Concubine Gong, and she had always disliked what she said. During regular meetings, she would often chat with Lou Yong'er, who was a good listener and occasionally exchanged a few banter. Lou Yong'er might be of low birth, but she had given birth to a princess. Even as a Concubine, she was no match for her, which made Concubine Cheng even more satisfied.
However, Lou Yong'er felt that compared to others, Concubine Cheng was honest and much better than someone like Cao Qinmo who was cunning but had a hidden agenda. She was also willing to chat and laugh with Concubine Cheng.
Nian Shilan watched the joke for nothing and was in a very good mood.
Lou Yong'er turned around to see Concubine Chun's reaction. She saw Ling Changzai out of the corner of her eye and asked with concern, "Did Ling Changzai not sleep well last night?"
The concubines turned around. Ling Chang was over four months pregnant, and her figure was slightly plump. Her face was pale, and her usually beautiful face had lost its spirit. She forced herself to stand up and bowed, "Thank you for your concern, Noble Lady Lou. Your Majesty, please forgive me. I really didn't sleep well last night and made you worried."
Nian Shilan frowned, "Ling Changzai, you look so tired, are you feeling unwell?"
Ling Changzai forced a smile and said weakly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I've just been sleepy lately and can't sleep well at night. I always feel tired."
Concubine Qi scoffed, "You're so delicate just because you're pregnant. You still have a long life ahead of you."
Ling Changzai was silent for a moment, tears in her eyes. Just as she was about to explain, Jiang Ruyin said, "Ling Changzai is very slender, and being pregnant is bound to be difficult. I also experienced this when I was pregnant before. Please be careful with your words, noble lady."
Nian Shilan could only nod. "You should take good care of yourself and have the imperial physician see you more often. The Ghost Festival is a busy time, and the lingering sandalwood incense is especially intoxicating. You should go back to your room and rest. It's not necessary to come to the palace to pay respects as usual. Zhang Mi is old, after all, so I'll ask Jiang Shen and Chen Xun to take turns feeling your pulse."
Ling Chang let out a long sigh, as if completely relieved, and bowed in gratitude: "I am grateful for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will pray every day in the palace for the health of all the sisters, for the eternal youth and happiness of the Imperial Concubine, and for the long-lasting peace and happiness of the Concubine Fang."
Nian Shilan was delighted and waved his hand, and rewards came down like a stream.
During today's greetings, Ling Changzai gained more than Shen Meizhuang. Shen Meizhuang just sat quietly without any dissatisfaction.
An Lingrong frowned slightly and stared at Jiang Ruyin for a long time. Jiang Ruyin smiled at her and gave her a reassuring look.