Chapter 37

Outside, the world was covered in a blanket of snow. Pure white snowflakes drifted down gracefully, turning the land into a dreamlike scene.

But inside Xiyan Hall, it was as warm as spring.

Every corner of the hall had charcoal braziers burning brightly, filling the room with a comforting warmth.

Everyone in the Eastern Palace knew how much His Highness valued Concubine Su.

Every detail was carefully attended to, ensuring that Concubine Su felt completely cared for.

Su Jingyao sat elegantly on the couch, wearing a luxurious embroidered robe. Her long, silky hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall. Her skin was as fair as snow, and her beauty was breathtaking.

On the other side of the couch, Li Jing was carefully taking her pulse.

His fingers, long and steady, rested lightly on her wrist through a silk handkerchief.

“Concubine Su, the imperial child in your womb is very healthy. You are now eight months along. Based on my diagnosis, the baby should be born in about five weeks.”

Su Jingyao smiled radiantly, her beauty even more captivating.

She gently placed her hand on her belly, feeling the tiny life growing inside her, connected by blood.

It was a magical feeling, filling her heart with warmth and anticipation.

Her eyes softened, revealing a maternal glow—an indescribable tenderness and love.

Li Jing rarely saw Su Jingyao this gentle.

In his memory, she was always the proud young lady, distant and untouchable, always strategizing and controlling everything.

When they first met, even though he was older than her by a few years, she always gave him a sense of security.

She was exceptionally intelligent—whether managing her own businesses or seizing market opportunities, she was always decisive and composed.

At that time, Li Jing saw her as a goddess beyond reach, someone who had saved him. Her wisdom and talent often left him in awe.

If she had been born a man, she would have surely risen to power and achieved great things.

Su Jingyao thoroughly enjoyed the process of being pregnant. Even though she had experienced nausea, extreme fatigue, and occasional leg cramps at night, none of that could overshadow the happiness she felt.

In her modern life, she was an orphan who had never known parental love.

After arriving in this ancient world, she had experienced fifteen years of love from a mother, a father, and a doting older brother, but nothing compared to the intense bond she felt with this child.

She wanted to cherish and protect this baby, giving them endless love and care.

Looking down at her rounded belly, Su Jingyao’s face was filled with a joyful smile.

She was lost in thought for a moment until she suddenly noticed Li Jing’s gaze on her.

Lifting her head, she quickly withdrew her smile, her expression returning to a calm and distant coolness.

Leaning back slightly, she casually asked, “How is Tang Fengyi’s pregnancy going?”

Li Jing snapped out of his thoughts, a trace of distraction still lingering in his eyes.

“Tang Fengyi’s pregnancy has been under the care of Imperial Physician Hu. However, after only a month of monitoring, he has been looking increasingly troubled. Every day in the imperial hospital, he seems anxious, his brows tightly furrowed as if weighed down by worries.”

“Oh? Is Tang Fengyi’s pregnancy in a bad condition?”

Su Jingyao raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of amusement appearing in her expression.

“Yes, Tang Fengyi’s pregnancy is not in a good condition. The Empress has already ordered Imperial Physician Hu to do whatever it takes to preserve the imperial heir. Right now, some of the methods he’s using are severely damaging to the mother’s health.”

Li Jing nodded slightly and continued, “I suspect that the Empress’s goal is to keep the fetus alive until the seventh month, at which point they can perform a cesarean section to take the child, even at the cost of the mother’s life.”

His voice carried a heavy tone, his brows furrowing even more tightly.

In the palace, aside from a few powerful figures, no one truly had control over their own fate.

He did not pity Tang Fengyi—he simply thought fate was cruel, and life and death were determined by destiny.

Su Jingyao lowered her gaze, deep in thought.

So, the Empress truly valued the Crown Prince’s child.

Of course, she did.

After all, how could those in power ever care about a woman of such low status like Tang Fengyi?

To them, giving birth to an imperial heir was a woman’s greatest fortune.

How pitiful.

“Hmm, I understand. You may leave.”

After Li Jing respectfully withdrew, Su Jingyao slowly stood up and walked unhurriedly toward the window.

She stood there in silence, her eyes fixed on the falling snow outside.

The snowflakes were as light as feathers, drifting gently from the sky, dancing like countless nimble little spirits.

They were so pure, so flawless, as if they could conceal all the sins and darkness of the palace.

Silently, they fell, bringing a fleeting moment of peace and beauty to this world.

But Ling Yue, you stand in my way.

And when someone stands in my way, I have no choice but to remove them.

Tang Fengyi would be my sharpened blade in this game.

If Tang Fengyi knew that either she or her child could survive—but not both—what choice would she make?

“Master, An Liangdi is outside requesting an audience.”

Miaoyun stepped forward and whispered the report.

Su Jingyao had just been thinking about how to meet with this little pawn, and now the woman had delivered herself right to her doorstep.

Was she here again to ask how to regain favor?

An Jingyan could be quite clever at times, yet other times, she was adorably foolish.

“Let her in.”

Su Jingyao’s voice was indifferent as she returned to the couch.

A moment later, An Jingyan entered.

She removed her heavy cloak and respectfully curtsied. “This concubine greets Side Consort Su.”

“Please rise, An-meimei. Have a seat. What brings you to my Xiyan Hall today?”

Su Jingyao lifted a hand to signal her to stand, though with her heavily pregnant belly, even a small movement was difficult.

An Jingyan took a seat on the other side of the couch.

“Not only is it as warm as spring here, but your hall is also filled with the exquisite treasures gifted by His Highness and Her Majesty the Empress. I truly envy you.”

An Jingyan smiled playfully, her tone carrying a teasing edge.

“If my sister likes anything, I will gladly gift it to you.”

Su Jingyao’s smile was gentle, her voice soft and warm.

“Many thanks, Sister. But these are tokens of His Highness’s love for you—how could I accept them so easily?”

After some idle chatter, An Jingyan’s expression began to shift, as though she had something difficult to say.

“An-meimei, do you have something on your mind?”

Su Jingyao frowned slightly, a look of mild curiosity in her eyes.

“Sister… over this past month, His Highness has been treating me with such cold indifference. He has not stepped into Xiyan Hall even once. Does he blame me for the Crown Princess’s mistake?”

An Jingyan lowered her head, her eyes welling with tears, her voice laced with grievance and sorrow.

Su Jingyao let out a light sigh, as if pitying her, but inwardly, she was struggling not to laugh.

Just as she had predicted.

“His Highness and the Crown Princess share a deep bond. The Crown Princess insists that it was because of you that she ate the tainted pastries, nearly causing Tang Fengyi to miscarry. Naturally, His Highness harbors some resentment toward you.”

An Jingyan’s expression grew anxious. She lifted her head, staring at Su Jingyao intently.

“Sister, what should I do? I love His Highness—I cannot bear for him to dislike me. Please, help me.”

Su Jingyao furrowed her brows slightly, appearing troubled.

“An-meimei… I truly don’t know what to do. His Highness dislikes the petty struggles between women, and besides, he has absolute trust in the Crown Princess.”

“If you wish to make His Highness see your sincerity, you can only rely on time—to slowly touch his heart, to show him your unwavering devotion.”

An Jingyan’s heart grew more anxious. How could she move His Highness’s heart?

Right now, he was occupied with state affairs. When he wasn’t in Xiyan Hall with Su Jingyao, he was in Qiluan Hall, or occasionally spending time with the three newly chosen concubines.

He never set foot in Xiyun Hall.

But how could he blame the Crown Princess’s mistake on her?

She had already become enemies with both the Crown Princess and Tang Fengyi.

If Tang Fengyi successfully gave birth to her child, wouldn’t that mean An Jingyan’s place in the palace would become even more precarious?

Her eyes filled with worry and unease.

“Sister, I swear I did not harm Tang Fengyi’s child.”

An Jingyan’s gaze was filled with sincerity and desperation—she wanted Su Jingyao to believe her.

“Sister, could you put in a good word for me with His Highness?”

Su Jingyao hesitated, her expression troubled, as if there was something difficult to say.

An Jingyan saw her reluctance and grew even more desperate. Leaning forward slightly, she urged,

“Sister, if there is anything you wish to say, please speak plainly.”

Su Jingyao fixed her gaze on An Jingyan, biting her lip as a flicker of hesitation flashed through her eyes.

After a brief internal struggle, she finally spoke.

“Come closer.”

An Jingyan was momentarily stunned but still leaned in.

Lowering her voice to a whisper, Su Jingyao spoke words that only the two of them could hear.

“Last time I paid my respects, I think I smelled a hint of mugwort on Tang Fengyi…”

An Jinyan frowned slightly, her eyes full of confusion. She asked, “Sister, what do you mean?”

“Mugwort is a herb used to forcefully keep a pregnancy, even if it harms the mother. I’m just guessing that Tang Fengyi might be forced to give birth regardless of the danger to her own life.”

Su Jingyao sighed softly and continued, “If Tang Fengyi risks her life to give birth to the emperor’s grandson, the child might be adopted under the crown princess’s name. An, you should start preparing for this…”

Of course, Su Jingyao was making things up. Even if Physician Hu wanted to save the child at the cost of the mother, he wouldn’t openly use mugwort—it was just an excuse. The outcome would be the same anyway.

Seeing An Jinyan’s clueless expression, Su Jingyao was sure she knew nothing.

An Jinyan was shocked. Her pupils widened slightly as she stared at Su Jingyao, momentarily at a loss.

No wonder Tang Fengyi had been staying behind closed doors lately. Could it be that her body was failing?

If the empress and the prince really chose to save the child over the mother and later adopted the child under the crown princess’s name, wouldn’t that make the crown princess’s position even stronger?

Wouldn’t that mean all of An Jinyan’s efforts had been wasted?

Moreover, she and the crown princess were already sworn enemies. How could she just watch as the crown princess rose to power again?

An Jinyan was stunned for a moment but quickly regained her composure. However, the doubts in her heart remained.

Why was the concubine telling her this?

Was she trying to use her to take down the crown princess?

A sudden sense of fear welled up in An Jinyan. The concubine before her seemed unfamiliar, even a little frightening.

“Sister, why are you telling me this?”

An Jinyan’s eyes were full of suspicion as she tried to read Su Jingyao’s true intentions.

“An, I just wanted to tell you that the crown princess has the prince’s favor. She will eventually have her own legitimate son. Once the prince ascends the throne, she will rightfully become the empress.”

Su Jingyao sighed lightly, her gaze fixed on An Jinyan, unwavering.

“Even if I persuade the prince for you, if the crown princess dislikes you, he won’t care about you either.”

Su Jingyao paused slightly, her eyes flashing with a hint of worry, as if she was concerned about An Jinyan’s future.

“What you should do now is mend your relationship with the crown princess. Otherwise…”

Su Jingyao’s voice trailed off, her eyes deep with meaning, leaving the rest unsaid.

An Jinyan understood her implication immediately. Her heart tightened, and an invisible pressure weighed down on her.

The concubine was right. As long as Tang Fengyi gave birth, the crown princess would have everything.

Then, the empress would also restore the crown princess’s status.

A wave of resentment and unwillingness surged in An Jinyan’s heart. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, leaving deep marks.

But on the surface, she forced a calm response. “Sister, I understand. I will try to mend my relationship with the crown princess. Thank you for telling me this today.”

After a few more polite exchanges, An Jinyan left.

“Master, are you trying to let An Liangdi tell Tang Fengyi that she will be sacrificed for the child?”

Miaoyun, standing nearby, frowned slightly, a trace of doubt in her eyes.

Su Jingyao nodded gently. “Of course. Tang Fengyi originally sided with the crown princess to get revenge on An Liangdi. But what happened in the end?”

She paused for a moment.

“An Liangdi instead used the crown princess to harm her unborn child. How could she not hate her? Not only would she hate An Liangdi, but she might also hate the crown princess.”

Su Jingyao’s voice carried a subtle hint of persuasion.

“If An Liangdi tells her that she is doomed to die in childbirth and that her child will even be adopted under the crown princess’s name, what do you think Tang Fengyi will do, Miaoyun?”

As Su Jingyao spoke, she narrowed her eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them. A smile of anticipation appeared on her lips.

She hoped that Tang Fengyi, this “sharp blade,” wouldn’t disappoint her.

She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table, her fingers interlocked, tapping rhythmically.

“But, Master, if you are so straightforward with An Liangdi, won’t she start guarding against you?”

Although Miaoyun agreed with her master’s approach, she was worried that this might damage Su Jingyao’s reputation, making things harder in the future.

“It doesn’t matter. Whether Tang Fengyi gives birth or not has nothing to do with me. No matter if An Liangdi suspects me, she will still tell Tang Fengyi the truth. She won’t let this child be born just to help the crown princess.”

Su Jingyao’s tone was firm.

Besides, even if An Liangdi suspected her, so what? Would anyone believe her?

Su Jingyao smirked with disdain.

Moreover, her own child was about to be born, and Jun Zechen was about to ascend the throne. Soon, she wouldn’t need to act innocent in front of everyone anymore.

Not everyone was a fool. When you always benefit from a situation, how could others not be suspicious?

As long as Jun Zechen believed she was innocent, that was enough.