Your Majesty, please do not disturb, the empress only wants to engage in business

Chapter 187 Changes in the Situation
The imperial physician knelt down to reply, which naturally didn't take much effort.

Upon hearing that Consort Rong was pregnant, Yao Jinse immediately took a close look at her. Although Consort Rong's face showed mostly joy, her surprise seemed rather unnatural.

It is obvious that planning this play was extremely important to Consort Rong, so much so that she did not reveal a word about it before doing so.

With an elderly woman like Granny Kang by her side, the signs of pregnancy didn't need a physician's diagnosis, especially since many symptoms were quite obvious in the early stages of pregnancy.

However, Yao Jinse thought about it a step further and felt that it was somewhat inappropriate for Consort Rong to reveal this matter in such an occasion and at such a time.

But in Consort Rong's eyes, there was nothing inappropriate about it.

In Consort Rong's view, the Emperor liked her and showed great favor to the Duke's mansion. In fact, among so many people in the harem, her favor was unique, and even the Empress often couldn't control her.

If that's the case, then the emperor must be extremely happy that she has a child, right?

The Empress has no biological sons. If she had given birth to a boy, given his age and noble lineage, he would likely have had a very bright future.

Of course, Yao Jinse couldn't guarantee that Consort Rong thought that way. After all, she had known Consort Rong, Chen Yimiao, for many years.

This kind of intensely romantic mindset wouldn't change simply because of a child. Although having a child might influence her to make some changes, her heart would ultimately still be with Xie Yun'an.

The idea that a child is less important than a man would seem absurd in any other context, but it makes perfect sense when applied to Chen Yimiao.

A pampered young lady from a wealthy family, who lacked a mother to guide her in her youth and whose father was often unable to teach her certain things, ultimately developed this personality.

Choosing to follow such a person naturally has both advantages and disadvantages. Yao Jinse has already gained the advantages, but now that the disadvantages are gradually approaching, she naturally cannot remain unaffected.

The words are divided into two parts.

Yao Jinse's mind was filled with all sorts of chaotic thoughts. On the other hand, Empress Shen received a definite report from the imperial physician and immediately arranged for someone to inform the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. Although Empress Shen also had some reservations about this matter, as the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's principal wife, she absolutely could not show her true feelings on the surface.

She does have that much shrewdness.

As for the concubines below... at this moment, no matter what they were thinking, they all had to stand up and congratulate the Noble Consort. Amidst the congratulations, the smile on Noble Consort Rong's face finally became a real one, and even the surprise she had pretended to show earlier was completely covered up.

When Xie Yun'an appeared, Consort Rong was sitting next to the Empress Dowager, being held by the Empress Dowager's hand affectionately. Shen Qingyin was standing behind the Empress Dowager, with half of her face hidden in the shadows, making it difficult to see her expression.

When Xie Yun'an's entourage entered from outside, everyone knelt down in a flurry. None of the court officials outside followed, as there was a distinction between men and women, and it was not appropriate for ministers to appear on such an occasion.

Xie Yun'an had obviously already been congratulated by the ministers, and his face was full of happy smiles. However, Yao Jinse noticed that beneath this extremely happy expression, there was a hint of suspicion and indifference in Xie Yun'an's eyes.

This matter is somewhat beyond his control.

Consort Rong has had no children for so many years, how could she suddenly become pregnant after only a little over a year in the palace?
Xie Yun'an carefully inquired about the imperial physician's pulse diagnosis several times, and the replies he received were all about the concubine's good health and the child's good health. In everyone's eyes, this was naturally a sign that Xie Yun'an was overly concerned.

Even Empress Dowager Xu, as his mother, didn't think Xie Yun'an had done anything wrong.

"The Emperor is no different. After all, he's not a first-time father. Why is he so overjoyed as soon as he hears the news? Even if you dote on the Consort, there should be some limits."

These words sounded like a reproach to the emperor, but everyone present knew that Empress Dowager Xu was clearly saving face for the empress. Otherwise, in such a scene, the pregnant Consort Rong would obviously be the most dazzling star. If the emperor were to openly bestow many favors upon her, where would Empress Shen's dignity be placed?

After all, Empress Shen was the rightful empress, and no matter how noble Consort Rong was, she was still just a concubine!

Even if the royal family is exceptional, they cannot show too much favoritism on such a grand occasion.

Empress Dowager Xu reminded him of this, and Xie Yun'an quickly realized that he had come over because the news was too unexpected. After all, in his plan, no matter how favored Consort Rong was, there was never any possibility of her getting pregnant.

This is not the time.

Following the Empress Dowager's words, he said a few more words, bestowed many rewards upon Consort Rong's Chengqian Palace, and instructed the Empress to take good care of her. On the other hand, he immediately ordered someone to send Consort Rong back to Chengqian Palace.

Originally, Chen Yimiao wanted to stay here a little longer. After all, today was the Empress Dowager's birthday. She had already stolen the Empress Dowager's thunder by revealing her pregnancy at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. At this moment, she actually wanted to spend more time with the Empress Dowager and show her filial piety.

However, since Xie Yun'an had spoken, there was naturally no room for the concubines to disobey his decree. Moreover, when he spoke, his heart and eyes were full of sincerity. His eyes were fixed on the Consort Rong with a tenderness that seemed to flow with water. Under such gazes, Consort Rong could not say a word no matter what.

And so another argument ensued.

Consort Rong left with her entourage, and the Empress Dowager and the Empress sent more people. Consort Rong, who already held a very special status, became even more precious. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Consort Rong, and they were busy for a quarter of an hour before everyone returned to their original seats.

With the incident involving the Imperial Concubine in the background, no one had any appetite, not even Consort Chen, who was usually carefree.

Yao Jinse was no exception. She was indifferent, as she knew beforehand that Consort Rong would become pregnant sooner or later. She just hadn't expected it to happen so quickly and at such a convenient time. Consort Rong was already three months pregnant, and because her pregnancy was stable, she was able to reveal it at this point. However, her timing was too perfect and deliberate, ensuring that the uproar caused by this child would be significant.

However, Yao Jinse also had doubts in her heart. Although the emperor had been going to Chengqian Palace less often recently, he had stayed there almost every time he came to the inner palace, it was just a matter of how long he stayed.

How did Consort Rong manage to suppress her pregnancy symptoms for so long without revealing them to Xie Yun'an at all?

This is ultimately an unsolvable problem.

Yao Jinse didn't intend to delve into this issue. After all, no matter what method Consort Rong used to conceal it from the Emperor, the existence of this child was already a fait accompli. Unless something unexpected happened, the child would definitely be born.

But where do so many unexpected events come from in this harem?

Consort Rong is so concerned about this child that she will naturally be extremely careful. With such strict guard, even a fly or mosquito would probably not be able to sneak into Chengqian Palace. When the baby is a little older, she can ask the Emperor for a favor to exempt her from the daily morning and evening greetings, which would make her even safer.

Right now, the person most troubled is probably Emperor Xie Yun'an.

……

The affairs of the inner palace were naturally handled by the Empress.

After the banquet, the Empress Dowager led the old ladies to Cining Palace to chat some more. Cining Palace was already prepared, as in addition to the old ladies, there were also imperial concubines living around Cining Palace, and many of them were acquaintances.

The Empress, along with Consort Zhuang and Consort Zhao, and He Yunqing, stayed behind to arrange for the palace servants to clean up the banquet venue. The other lower-ranking concubines naturally went back to where they came from, each pulling along their close friends as they left the banquet.

Logically speaking, as one of the assistants in charge of the six palaces, Yao Jinse should have stayed behind. However, because the Empress was clearly in a bad mood because of the Consort's matter, she didn't mention it. Naturally, Yao Jinse didn't volunteer to stay behind and upset the Empress.

She had planned to leave with Chen Meiren, but before she had walked more than a few steps, Qiao Yanran and Bai Fengping came over together. After exchanging a few words, the path that the two of them were walking together turned into a four-person walk.

The path for four people was naturally a bit crowded. Chen Meiren, who was always sensible, knew that Qiao Yanran's arrival was no accident, so she found an excuse to go to the Imperial Garden to see the flowers.

After she left, Bai Fengping also stepped back a few steps to make room for Qiao Yanran and Yao Jinse to speak.

"Sister, please speak your mind. Yuxiu Palace is just ahead. Since you're walking with me today, I suppose you're not going to my place for some more snacks?"

"Sister, you're such a straightforward person," Qiao Yanran said with a smile. "I just wanted to ask you, sister, if you had heard anything about what happened today?"

There was a reason why the two of them said this. After all, Qiao Yanran had just asked Yao Jinse to introduce her to someone a while ago, but nothing came of it, and the matter was dropped.

Today, with the news of Consort Rong's pregnancy, Qiao Yanran couldn't help but wonder if it was because Consort Rong was pregnant that her previous attempts to test her were thwarted.

She asked this question today simply to probe Yao Jinse's importance in Consort Rong's eyes—Yao Jinse was definitely not as important as Consort Rong's child, and Qiao Yanran felt there was no need to ask further about this. However, if Consort Rong hadn't revealed even a hint of this matter, then Yao Jinse was truly not valued by the Consort.

“Sister, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. How could we have heard about this before? Even the Imperial Concubine only found out today. Don’t you think so, sister? Pregnancy is never something that can be predicted.”

"Sister is so intelligent, there's no need for me to spell it out. But I'm just wondering, it's always been said in the palace that you handle things quite respectably in front of the Imperial Concubine. How come you didn't get a word of this important matter concerning Her Highness beforehand?"

"Her Highness the Imperial Concubine has been longing for a child for so many years. For Her Highness, this pregnancy is naturally more important than anything else," Yao Jinse heard the provocative meaning in Qiao Yanran's words, so she didn't respond. "However, you are still relatively new to the Emperor, but I, as your elder sister, am more obtuse. Now that Her Highness the Imperial Concubine is pregnant, she naturally cannot serve the Emperor."

In that case, wouldn't it be wonderful if someone could stay by the Emperor's side and share the burdens of the Imperial Concubine? The Imperial Concubine is pregnant, and Consort Qi's pregnancy is almost over; the number of children in the harem will inevitably increase. Sister, don't you think so?"

Before Qiao Yanran could respond, she immediately added, "Yuxiu Palace is just ahead. So many things have happened today, and I'm exhausted. I won't invite you to come and sit down. You should go back to the palace first."

The two bowed to each other, and Yao Jinse smiled and nodded at Bai Fengping behind her before leading her people toward Yuxiu Palace.

Bai Fengping quickened her pace and caught up, whispering in Qiao Yanran's ear, "Sister, how is it?"

"What else could it be? It's just an excuse. But judging from what I see, Consort Lin seems to know absolutely nothing about this. Could it be that Consort Rong only discovered it today?"

Regardless, Yao Jinse's words just now served as a reminder to Qiao Yanran.

"Anyway, now that Consort Rong is pregnant, there are plenty of people in the harem who will cause us headaches, so we don't need to worry about anything. I just heard Consort Lin's words and it reminded me that Consort Rong is pregnant now, so naturally she can't serve the emperor. This is our opportunity."

As Qiao Yanran and the other woman talked, they walked towards the Imperial Garden, each with their own thoughts and plans.

What these people were thinking was none of Yao Jinse's business.

"Let's prepare first. The Imperial Concubine will probably summon me in the next couple of days," Yao Jinse instructed Bai Tan as soon as she sat down. "Take out the things that the female physician left behind earlier. I'll copy them again, and then we'll have to burn that copy."