The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

The next day, news of Consort Li's pregnancy spread throughout the entire harem.

People flocked to congratulate the emperor, but what spread even wider was the story of Consort Qi accidentally pushing Consort Li out of fear, and being punished by the emperor.

Although it wasn't intentional, people naturally have a protective instinct towards pregnant women, which has sparked much discussion.

"A dog scared her to death. Consort Qi is no better than a child. Confining her to her quarters is too lenient."

"I already said it was an accident. Let's see if you get chased by a mad dog!"

"Even if you're being chased by a mad dog, you can't push someone. What if they miscarry? That's a dragon's offspring; His Majesty has only had this one since he ascended the throne."

"They haven't even been born yet, how can we know if it's a dragon or a worm?"

"You dare say that? If someone hears you, you'll be in jail. Don't say you know me then, or you'll be out of here."

Even more extreme, some began to stage plays in restaurants and teahouses—telling stories of emperors traveling with two concubines, when a mad dog pounces on them, one concubine pushes the other to the ground, and she hides in the emperor's arms, trembling with fear.

"Father, what's being circulated in the streets today is mostly..." Qi Shubai's face was very grim.

In those plays, Qi Yitang became a complete villain, extremely cowardly, selfish, and ruthless, resorting to any means to protect herself.

"Tangtang would never do that; it's most likely someone deliberately framing her."

Qi Wenyuan also knew.

Although his daughter is a bit slow-witted, she has no bad intentions and would never intentionally harm anyone.

It's not that he doesn't believe in the possibility of accidental loss, but his daughter runs faster than a monkey whenever she encounters something, so why bother with all that trouble?

Ning Nishang, however, worried about the others, "The palace is a complex place. Tangtang is currently confined to her quarters; won't she be bullied?"

Ning Wanrong said, "No."

Everyone looked over. Ning Wanrong had always been an impatient person, and she would draw her knife and fight at the drop of a hat. It could be said that Qi Yitang's intelligence was mostly inherited from her—she was the type who had both brains and beauty.

But today, he was surprisingly calm and didn't make a fuss about going to the palace.

Ning Wanrong: "The fact that there was no severe punishment proves that His Majesty believes Tangtang is innocent. Now that Consort Li has disturbed her pregnancy and the pregnancy is unstable, confining her to her quarters is a good way to avoid her sharp edge and also to prevent the Empress Dowager and Consort Li from constantly finding fault with her."

That's certainly the logic, but Qi Wenyuan couldn't help but ask, "Madam, what's wrong with you today...?"

He paused, then changed his words, "It's completely different from before."

After decades of marriage, Ning Wanrong knew exactly what he was thinking; she could only say that he was an ape who had finally developed a brain.

"Qi Wenyuan, are you looking for a beating?!"

Qi Wenyuan skillfully dodged, "Madam, you have misunderstood my meaning. I didn't say anything."

Ning Wanrong: "Alright, let's just do what we need to do these days. Third brother, keep an eye on the servants and don't let them gossip. Jingyi is about to give birth, second brother, take good care of her and don't let her worry about these things."

Qi Zhongheng responded, "Yes."

Qi Wenyuan massaged Ning Wanrong's shoulders, saying, "Our family really can't do without Madam no matter what."

Ning Wanrong: Stop being so cheeky.

The couple's relationship has remained as good as ever for decades. Ning Nishang smiled, but there was still a hint of worry on her face.

Consort Li is a daughter of the Qin family. Once she becomes pregnant, she enjoys immense prestige. Qin Zhenxiong has also made great contributions in the Northwest. The father and daughter dominate the imperial court and the harem, so Tangtang's life is probably not going to be so easy.

If I could enter the palace, I would just want to see her.

……

Cheng'en Palace.

Yang Lanru was furious. "Yue'er almost miscarried, and all she gets is confinement? His Majesty is far too lenient with Consort Qi!"

With so many concubines in the harem remaining unconcerned, and this being the emperor's first child, who might very well become the crown prince, anyone would feel that this punishment is too lenient.

But there was nothing that could be done; the emperor's favoritism towards Qi Yitang was obvious to everyone, and even the empress dowager could not change it.

The baby is still safely inside her womb, so it's impossible for Qi Yitang to bleed.

Yang Lanru said indignantly, "How can a hen that doesn't lay eggs compare to our Yue'er? I think His Majesty has truly been blinded by beauty!"

Qin Yuanchao frowned slightly: "Mother, walls have ears, be careful what you say."

Yang Lanru didn't care about any of that. She was heartbroken for the Qin family. Her husband served the court and fought bravely outside, and her daughter bore the emperor's heir, yet they were treated like this. How could she not be angry?

"No, I'll write to your father and have him submit a memorial demanding severe punishment for Consort Qi!"

Qin Yuanchao did not stop him, but stood there, slightly stunned.

Consort Qi has been confined to her quarters, and the Qi family will also be implicated. I wonder how Xuan Niang is doing.

He could have easily protected her under his wing, so why didn't she reply to his letters, refuse to even meet him, and even politely declined when her mother personally went to the Grand Tutor's mansion to propose marriage?

...Does she look down on the position of a secondary wife?

Seeing Qin Yuanchao lost in thought, his newlywed wife Liang Yun assumed he was worried about Qin Lianyue and comforted him, "Husband, please don't worry. The Imperial Concubine is being cared for by the imperial physicians, so the unborn child will surely be safe..."

She then considerately handed him a soup bowl, saying, "This morning, I noticed you had a cough, so I specially made loquat and pear soup. Please drink this to soothe your throat."

"Hmm." Qin Yuanchao took the drink and said, "I still have official business to attend to, so I'll go to my study first."

He remained indifferent, offering no personal words or even asking how the loquats and pears had turned into soup, before turning and leaving.

Liang Yun's smile froze on her face, and she managed to force a smile.

The maidservant felt indignant on her behalf, "Why is the young master always like this? You cooked it yourself, Miss, and he didn't even ask a question..."

She muttered to herself, "It's a waste to drink it."

"Don't speak ill of our master." Liang Yun lowered her eyes. "My husband must be too busy..."

If Qi Yitang were here, she would definitely roll her eyes a few times.

This is the devoted second male lead that the comments section is talking about. It's really eye-opening. Who cares about his status as a secondary wife?

spit!

……

Prince Gong's Mansion.

Unlike the others who gloated over Qi Yitang's misfortune, Zhao Yan was only concerned about Qin Lianyue's pregnancy.

After all, that's their prince's child.

"Your subordinate deserves to die. I was unaware that Consort Li was pregnant, and I almost let the mad dog hurt the young master's son." Zhao Yan knelt on one knee, his face full of self-reproach.

Xie Jingyu raised his hand. "This is none of your business. Get up."

Even he hadn't expected Qin Lianyue to be so fertile. She got pregnant on her first try.

The imperial physician said it would take two months, which matched the date of their last sexual encounter.

Xie Jingyu was suspicious, so why was Xie Ling so overjoyed at the arrival of this child, without any suspicion at all?

Not right.

Doesn't he know whether he slept there that day or not? Did Qin Lianyue climb into Xie Ling's bed again after he left?

Unable to fathom Xie Ling's intentions, he remained skeptical of the child for the time being.

Xie Jingyu wants to be a father, but he doesn't want to be a father unintentionally.

Zhao Yan seemed to sense his doubts and said at the right moment, "Your Highness, my spies have reported that Qin Zhenxiong intended to succeed that night and also drugged the Emperor. The drug is more potent than ours; once drugged, the Emperor will lose consciousness. Perhaps the Emperor himself thought that he had slept with Consort Li that night."

"After that, the Emperor only slept with Consort Qi, and only summoned Consort Li a month later. I think it is indeed your child, Your Highness."

Zhao Yan was Xie Jingyu's confidant, and when he said this, Xie Jingyu's last trace of doubt dissipated.

A sinister smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "In that case, as the younger brother, it's not a big deal for me to help raise the child for a few days."

Zhao Yan casually remarked, "Your Highness, Consort Qi nearly harmed the imperial heir and has been confined by His Majesty. I've heard that the palace eunuchs are opportunistic and are taking advantage of the situation to cut Consort Qi's allowance in order to curry favor with Consort Li. Consort Qi is having a very difficult time and is constantly in tears..."

Xie Jingyu's expression darkened slightly.