The empress is both charming and seductive, rising through the ranks of palace intrigue.

In the east and west sections of Yichun Garden, there is a lotus pond, which is extremely beautifully constructed. There are spacious wooden walkways and many pavilions for people to enjoy the lotus flowers.

Moreover, the lotus flowers here are more vibrant and denser than those in the palace.

The weather was fine that day, and there was no sun. So the Empress invited all the concubines to enjoy the lotus blossoms together.

"These lotus flowers are truly beautiful. Why don't we sisters compose poems together? That would be quite interesting," Consort Rong said with a smile.

Consort Zhuang glanced at her with a nonchalant look: "Just admire the lotus flowers, why bother reciting poetry?"

Lin Zhaorong smiled knowingly, "Actually, Consort Rong's suggestion is quite good. It's been a long time since we sisters have had such a good time together. What do you say, Your Majesty?"

The Empress smiled gracefully: "Then let's just recite a couple of poems."

Urged on by Consort Rong, the Empress recited the first poem: "The lotus leaves stretch to the sky, an endless expanse of green; the lotus blossoms, bathed in sunlight, are a uniquely vibrant red."

Consort Rong gazed at the lotus flowers with her beautiful eyes and said in a clear voice, "Only the green lotus leaves and red buds, unfurling and closing as nature would."

Next was Consort Zhuang. Ning Shuyan looked up and saw her somewhat reluctantly, saying, "Rising from the mud yet remaining unstained, cleansed by the clear ripples yet not becoming seductive."

Just as Consort Ying was reading, Consort Xi leaned close to Ning Shuyan's ear and whispered, "Consort Zhuang read mine, what should we do?"

Among the concubines, Ning Shuyan was more familiar to her, and at this moment, the proud her turned to Ning Shuyan for help.

Ning Shuyan only whispered, "Like a lotus emerging from clear water..."

Xi Jieyu's eyes lit up, and she smiled, "I know, I know, I just forgot for a moment." She then wore a smug expression as she looked at everyone.

Ning Shuyan smiled, realizing why Consort Rong had made that suggestion. Consort Zhuang came from a military family, and women from such families were generally not very proficient in poetry and literature. Consort Xi was no exception.

Ning Shuyan remembered three or four poems, but she was still a little nervous. What if others told her about them?

After Xi Jieyu recited the poem, when it was her turn, the poem in her heart had not been recited by anyone else, and she immediately relaxed: "A small lotus bud has just emerged, and a dragonfly has already landed on it."

This is the simplest thing, yet no one else has thought of it.

The Empress nodded and smiled dignifiedly, "The lotus blossoms brightly, rising gracefully from the water. A single stem draws forth green, while two shadows share the red."

Consort Rong smiled, her radiant beauty surpassing even the lotus blossoms in the pond. "Your Majesty the Empress is truly talented. Then I will compose a poem: 'Mirror Lake stretches three hundred miles, lotus blossoms bloom. In May, Xi Shi gathers them, crowds throng Ruoye to watch.'"

When it came to Consort Zhuang's turn, she remained silent.

Consort Rong raised her delicate eyebrows slightly: "Has Consort Zhuang not yet figured it out?"

Consort Zhuang's expression changed slightly. She gripped the fan tightly in her hand, and just as she was about to speak, she felt nauseous and turned away to gag twice.

Everyone was shocked. The Empress's face also turned slightly pale, and she stood there frozen, like a wooden statue.

Ning Shuyan had never seen the Empress so flustered and surprised. Could it be that Consort Zhuang was pregnant?

Consort Rong, not yet reacting, sneered, "What's wrong with you, sister? Did composing a poem bring out your old habits?"

Everyone knows that Consort Zhuang often feigns illness.

After the Empress's complexion returned to normal, she asked gently, "How is Consort Zhuang? Is there anything wrong? Should we summon the imperial physician?"

Consort Zhuang clutched her chest, feeling an indescribable sense of suffocation. She shook her head, her tone not very pleasant: "I feel a bit nauseous, so I'll return to the palace first."

Upon hearing the jarring words "nauseous and vomit-inducing," Consort Rong's brow twitched: "Could it be that Consort Zhuang is pregnant?"

Consort Zhuang was startled upon hearing this, and her eyes brightened slightly.

The Empress asked, "How long has it been since your period last?"

Consort Zhuang's face showed a mixture of surprise and joy, and she turned to look at the palace maid as if she were completely at a loss.

The palace maid quickly curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhuang's period has been over for more than ten days."

Consort Rong paled, her hands clenched tightly together, and her lips pressed firmly together.

A faint smile played on the Empress's lips, as thin as a veil that would vanish with a gentle breeze. She turned to the palace maid and said, "Quickly summon the imperial physician to Chaohui Palace."

After saying this, the group of people moved to Chaohui Hall.

If Consort Zhuang is indeed pregnant, then things will be different. Consort Zhuang has been by the Emperor's side for six years and enjoys his deep favor; her only regret is probably not having a child.

The palace servants also went to invite the Emperor, and Xiao Yu and the imperial physician arrived around the same time. Before the imperial physician could even bow, Xiao Yu stopped him, saying, "No need for formalities, please take Consort Zhuang's pulse first."

The one who came was Physician Lu, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy. As Physician Lu took the pulse, the concubines who had entered the palace seemed to be suffocating, staring intently at Physician Lu.

Ning Shuyan noticed that Xiao Yu also looked somewhat nervous.

After a moment, Imperial Physician Lu rose, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhuang is in good health. It's just that her qi is stagnant and her liver qi is not flowing smoothly. I can prescribe a formula to regulate her qi and she will be fine."

Consort Zhuang's face turned deathly pale. She exclaimed incredulously, "How could this be? My period is late, and I feel nauseous. Could it be that I'm pregnant?"

Physician Lu lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, I advise you that even the best medicine has some toxicity, and excessive use can harm your health. I have prepared a prescription to regulate menstrual irregularities, which will make Your Majesty feel much better after drinking it."

Everyone was slightly surprised. Could it be that Consort Zhuang was secretly taking medicine?

Consort Zhuang's face flushed red and then paled, her hands clutching the quilt tightly. Her eyes betrayed her disappointment and sorrow.

Xiao Yu waved for the imperial physician to leave, then sat down in front of Consort Zhuang, took her hand and said, "It's good that you're alright, Ling'er. Don't worry, you'll have a child sooner or later."

Consort Zhuang's dim eyes flickered as she looked at Xiao Yu. Seeing his concerned expression, a tear welled up in her eyes, and she said with a touch of sadness, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

Ning Shuyan watched the loving "couple" quietly, her eyes devoid of any emotion. The Empress, however, felt a great weight lifted from her heart, and with a gentle and dignified expression, she comforted Consort Zhuang.

Xi Jieyu, who was beside her, hadn't looked well since she came in, and Ning Shuyan initially thought she was jealous. Now, she suddenly swayed and leaned towards Ning Shuyan, who quickly caught her: "Xi Jieyu, what's wrong?"

Everyone looked at Consort Xi, noticing that her face was pale and that a palace maid was supporting her tightly.

"I feel a little dizzy. I have been disrespectful," said Consort Xi, her voice weak.

The Empress quickly instructed a palace maid to help Consort Xi to a chair. She then sent someone to fetch Physician Lu, who had just left, back.

Consort Zhuang rolled her eyes, clearly displeased. Why was she getting involved at a time like this? Was she trying to gain the Emperor's pity?