The Eldest Huangzifei and the Eldest Prince had been married for several years, and they had passed the period of their strongest affection. The matter of miscarriage had become a knot between the couple.

The Eldest Huangzifei was unhappy when Yang Gongren had a baby in Yanxi Palace, but she had no choice as she couldn’t do anything about it.

“Why is Your Highness back so early?” The Eldest Huangzifei greeted him with a little concern in her eyes.

The Eldest Prince sighed and recounted the events in the palace one by one: “…Mother, proud and arrogant as she is, has never been outdone by the Empress before. But today, she suffered a setback at the hands of Lu Shi. She was not happy about it, and Yang Gongren was also troublesome. She insisted on changing the imperial physician, which led to me getting scolded by Mother as well.”

When Yang Gongren was mentioned, the Eldest Huangzifei’s eyes darkened. She said in a soft voice: “Your Highness should advise the Concubine Mother. Yang Gongren is pregnant and needs to be properly cared for. It’s one thing for Mother to take her frustrations out on you and me, but she mustn’t frighten Yang Gongren. If anything happens to the pregnancy and harms the child, what will we do?”

The Eldest Prince said reluctantly, “Mother is in such a state of anger; she won’t listen. But fine, in a few days, we’ll bring Yang Gongren back to the mansion to ensure her pregnancy is safe. You are careful in your actions, and I trust you.”

The Eldest Huangzifei replied with a smile: “Your Highness is right. This is a matter within my status. It is because my body is not up to par, so my Concubine Mother has to worry about it. Now I have already taken good care of myself, let Yang Gongren return home. When the child is born, I will raise it myself.”

This was a virtuous and gentle wife.

The Eldest Prince listened very pleasantly, put his arms around the Eldest Huangzifei’s slightly thin body, and said pitifully: “This matter is not urgent for now. No matter how important the child is, it is not as important as your body.”

The Eldest Huangzifei showed a touched expression. Nestling her head into the Eldest Prince’s chest: “I don’t know how many lifetimes I have been blessed to be married to His Highness.”

The Eldest Prince laughed softly: “I am lucky to have a good wife like you.”

The Eldest Huangzifei pursed her lips and smiled, and said softly: “I only hope to maintain good health, get pregnant soon, and give birth to a legitimate son for Your Highness.”

The Eldest Prince responded without thinking: “We are still young. In the future, with time on our side, why worry about not having children?”

Yang Gongren became pregnant so quickly, which proved that he was young and healthy and had no problems. The Eldest Huangzifei had a miscarriage, which was really a pity. However, there will always be another pregnancy in the future.

Of course, the Eldest Prince wanted a son.

However, how can a bastard born from a palace maid be compared with a legitimate son?

After sharing a tender moment as a couple, Huangzifei reiterated, “Once mother-in-law has calmed down, Your Highness, please inform her and bring Yang Gongren back.”

The Eldest Prince didn’t hesitate and immediately agreed.

The Eldest Huangzifei lowered her eyelids to hide the coldness flashing in her eyes.

Meng Guifei’s hand was too long and she reached directly into the Eldest Prince’s mansion. Yang Gongren, who belonged to Meng Guifei, was pregnant and was taken into the Yanxi Palace. If she gives birth to the Eldest Prince’s first son and with support from Meng Guifei, wouldn’t she, the legitimate wife, end up in the same situation as Empress Qiao in the past?

She could no longer tolerate weakness like this.

If she didn’t fight back, in the future, she would only have the name of the Eldest Huangzifei.

…

On the second day, Empress Qiao issued an edict to the Sixth Palace.

Su Zhaorong was promoted to the rank of Fei, and she would be Su Fei from now on.

In addition, Qin Fei has also been promoted to a higher level, with the additional title of “Xian”,^[1]worthy and she would be Qin Xianfei from now on.

Of course, Empress Dowager Zhao’s contribution was indispensable in this matter.

Empress Dowager Zhao directly invited Emperor Yongjia to come over: “Su Zhaorong’s background is not worthy of being a Fei at all. The Emperor was concerned about the Meng family and promoted her as a Fei. The Ai family cannot stop the Emperor.”

“The Ai family thinks, Qin Fei Over the years, has been docile and respectful, serving the Ai family every day. It is both merit and hard work. Girl Yu will be married at the end of the year, so the Emperor should also give the Zhao family respect and promote the rank of Qin Fei!”

In short, Su Zhaorong was not worthy of being on an equal footing with Qin Fei.

Emperor Yongjia nodded obediently.

Empress Dowager Zhao immediately added: “There is guì ^[2]noble and Dé ^[3]Virtuous. If Meng Shi can become Guifei, then Qin Shi should be granted the title of Défēi.”

Emperor Yongjia was not willing.

Qin Fei’s quick wit and silver tongue could only fool Empress Dowager Zhao, who was somewhat naive and dull-witted. She couldn’t deceive Emperor Yongjia at all. Emperor Yongjia’s feelings towards Qin Shi were also average. It was all because of Empress Dowager Zhao’s dignity that Qin Shi was elevated.

It was really a waste to give the title of Défēi to Qin Fei.

Emperor Yongjia said: “Let’s make Xianfei first!”

Empress Dowager Zhao, somewhat displeased, interjected, “How can the Xianfei compare to the Défēi? Qin Shi serves by my side day after day, showing filial piety to me, and Little Si is also a clever and pleasing child. Based on these two points alone, she should indeed be titled as the Défēi.”

Emperor Yongjia said lightly, “Qin Shi shows filial piety to the Empress Dowager, which barely qualifies her for the title of ‘Xian’. I truly cannot see any outstanding virtue in her.”

As he said that, his expression turned cold.

Empress Dowager Zhao had to accept the situation: “Well, if Your Majesty says she’s the Xianfei, then she’s the Xianfei!” She added a few more words: “We can always confer the title of Défēi in a couple of years.”

Emperor Yongjia twitched the corner of his mouth and ordered Eunuch Liu to go to Jiaofang Hall to deliver a message. ^[4]This is why I have some respect for Emperor Yongjia. He listens to his mother but has a bottom line. Similarly, with Meng Guifei, he also has a bottom line. He is not muddleheaded

In short, it was not a big deal. Let Empress Mother Zhao talk about it for a few words!

…

When Eunuch Liu went to the Jiaofang Hall to deliver the edict, Empress Qiao acted as usual on the surface, but secretly she was very angry.

Faced with such a terrible mother-in-law and a biased husband, she, the Empress, was helpless. After the anger had passed, she still had to calm down and prepare a good plan.

Qin Xianfei and Su Fei came to express their gratitude with happy faces.

Empress Qiao calmed down and said with a warm smile: “This is the favor that the Emperor has shown you. If you want to thank someone, you should thank the Emperor.”

Qin Xianfei smiled hurriedly and said: “The Empress has worked hard to take care of the harem. Niángniáng has to worry about qièshēn ^[5]a formal way to say me in front of someone of a higher position in a harem and Su Fei. It’s just that qièshēn is stupid and regretfully can’t help niángniáng.”

In her previous life, Qin Fei was elevated to the position of Xianfei only after Zhao Yu’s marriage. Unexpectedly, in this life, she advanced by a year. Emerging halfway through, she stole much of her limelight.

Su Fei gritted her teeth with hatred in her heart, but she didn’t dare to show it on her face. She smiled and agreed, “Qièshēn is also stupid and not as good at talking as Xianfei, but qièshēn’s thoughts are the same as Xianfei.”

Empress Qiao glanced at the two of them and said calmly, “Your simultaneous promotions are also a joyous occasion in the palace. It’s a perfect opportunity to host a palace banquet and celebrate together.”

Qin Xianfei responded with a smile: “What the Empress said is true, qièshēn is also willing to hold a palace banquet with Su Fei to celebrate.”

What else could Su Fei say?

She could only force out a smile reluctantly: “Qièshēn also thinks this is a good idea.”

What a fart!

It was a rare chance to show one’s face and enjoy a rare moment of glory. Just like that, she was messed up by this bitch Qin Shi.

When two people hold a palace banquet to celebrate together, there must be a priority. She was not as high as Qin Shi, so she was going to be suppressed?

(End of chapter)