I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

Ye An'an looked up and saw it was Consort De.

This Consort De was known in the palace for her gentleness and virtue. She was meticulous in her words and actions and was a master of manipulative tactics.

"Consort De has arrived, please rise." The Empress's enthusiasm subsided slightly, and she regained some of the dignity befitting a queen mother, but she still politely greeted her, "Please take a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress." Consort De obediently sat down on the embroidered stool brought by the palace maid, her gaze falling once more on the mahjong table. With an innocent look, she asked, "Your Majesty the Empress, what is this? I've never seen anything like it before. It looks quite unique."

"This is called Mahjong, a new game that the Crown Princess taught me," the Empress explained simply.

"Oh? So it's the new toy that my sister, the Crown Princess, brought." Consort De immediately turned to Ye An'an, her smile even sweeter. "Sister, you're so clever and resourceful, always coming up with these interesting things to make the Empresses happy. Seeing the Empresses having so much fun makes me happy too. I wonder... how difficult is it to learn this mahjong game? I'm rather slow, but I'd like to learn so I can join the Empresses in the fun someday."

Since things had come to this point, the Empress naturally couldn't refute her in public. If she said "no," it would seem as if she, the Empress, was deliberately ostracizing the concubines.

The Empress glanced at Ye An'an, then at the cards on the table, and pondered for a moment.

Ye An'an immediately understood the Empress's predicament. She also understood Consort De's intentions.

Consort De's arrival was too opportune. She didn't come earlier, she didn't come later, but precisely when they were having the most fun. What she probably heard wasn't "The Empress summoned Consort Li and Consort Shu," but rather "The Empress and the Crown Princess were playing something new and having a great time."

This is because they feel excluded from the inner circle and are eager to squeeze in.

Playing cards with this kind of person?

Ye An'an felt tired just thinking about it.

Playing cards with the Empress and Consort Li was relaxing and entertaining. Although everyone had a competitive spirit, it was all out in the open. They accepted their losses and laughed when they won, all without reservation.

But if you add a Consort De, the flavor completely changes.

Since things had been said to this extent, the Empress naturally couldn't refuse.

So, before the Empress could speak, Ye An'an stood up on her own initiative, her face showing just the right amount of weariness, and her hand unconsciously patted her lower abdomen.

"Your Majesty, it's perfect that Consort De wants to learn. I've been sitting for a while and my back is a little sore, so I'll get up and move around a bit." She said to the Empress with a smile, "Let Consort De have this seat, so we don't have to look for someone else."

Her reason was flawless.

Pregnant women often experience back pain from sitting for too long and want to go for a walk. Who can say "no" to that?

"Oh, An'an, aren't you going to play anymore?" The Empress was indeed a little reluctant, as An'an was really engrossed in the game.

"Yes, Your Highness, this is just the beginning," Consort Li said, trying to persuade her to stay.

This Consort De appears gentle and virtuous on the surface, but in reality, she is cunning and scheming. She has climbed from a lowly concubine to the rank of Consort over the years, and that was not due to luck.

Ye An'an didn't want to deal with this kind of person and avoided them whenever possible.

"No, Your Majesty, I am truly quite tired," Ye An'an insisted, her tone gentle yet leaving no room for argument. "Besides, the three ladies have already learned how to play mahjong, so it doesn't matter whether I'm here or not. It's a good opportunity for Consort De to try it out as well; it's more fun with more people. You ladies can play at your leisure, while I stroll around the garden outside, not going far."

After she finished speaking, she smiled at Consort De and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Consort De to take my place."

Consort De's smile froze for a moment. Her original plan was that if she came, even if Ye An'an was unwilling, the Empress would let her stay. Then, the four-person game would become five, and one person would have to be vacant, allowing her to squeeze in naturally. But she never expected that Ye An'an would be so decisive, giving up her seat and leaving!

This made her feel like she had punched a punch that landed on cotton, leaving her feeling inexplicably frustrated.

But Ye An'an used the excuse that she was "tired". If she insisted on staying, she would be considered unreasonable and inconsiderate of the pregnant Crown Princess.

"Then... Princess Consort, you must rest well and don't tire yourself out." Consort De could only force a perfect smile and said softly.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Ye An'an curtsied and, with Fu Yun by her side, turned and left Fengyi Palace decisively amidst the complex gazes of the crowd.

Once she stepped out of the main hall, shutting out the clatter of mahjong tiles and the women's laughter, Ye An'an finally breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling that the whole world had become peaceful.

"Your Majesty, where are we going?" Fuyun asked softly.

Ye An'an looked up at the sky. The spring sunshine was just right, neither too strong nor too dry.

"Let's go for a walk in the Imperial Garden," she said casually. "I've been sitting in the palace for too long, and it's really getting a bit stuffy."

Spring is in full bloom in the Imperial Garden.

Ye An'an, with her slightly protruding belly, strolled leisurely along the flower path.

Fu Yun carefully supported her from the side, afraid that she might bump into something.

"Your Highness, how come Consort De arrived at such a convenient time?" Fuyun couldn't help but mutter. "She clearly timed it perfectly and came on purpose."

"Of course she did it on purpose," Ye An'an said calmly. "But it doesn't matter, I don't want to fight anymore anyway."

The master and servant walked slowly along the red wall towards a secluded part of the Imperial Garden.

The spring breeze felt warm and pleasant on her face. As Ye An'an walked, she mentally reviewed the mahjong game she had just played. The Empress was clearly addicted; Consort Li was impatient; and Consort Shu was a quiet type. With these three together, life in the Eastern Palace would probably be much quieter from now on. As long as they had something to do, they wouldn't be staring at her belly all day.

Thinking of this, Ye An'an felt much better.

"Your Majesty, look how beautifully the magnolias are blooming over there," Fuyun said, pointing to a corner of a courtyard wall not far away.

That place was indeed remote, and it seemed that few people walked around there on weekdays. A few magnolia trees peeked out from over the wall, their white petals resembling delicate little lanterns.

"Let's go take a look." Ye An'an walked forward with great interest.

She didn't notice that the courtyard wall seemed quite old; the bricks on top had become loose due to wind and frost. She also didn't notice that just as she was about to turn the corner, a wild cat suddenly appeared from nowhere and leaped onto the wall.

"Meow!"

A sharp meow startled Ye An'an, causing her to stop in her tracks.

Immediately following was a screeching sound.

"Your Majesty, be careful!"

Before Ye An'an could react, she felt a strong gust of wind pressing down on her head. She instinctively looked up and saw a huge blue brick, covered in dirt and debris, crashing down on her head.

For a moment, Ye An'an's mind went blank.

It’s over.

That was her only thought at the time.