Li Jing attended court every day and served pens and ink in the Wenhua Hall.

At noon, she would usually go to the Pepper Room to have lunch with Empress Qiao.

Empress Qiao was the Empress, and she had the best food, clothing, and living expenses. There were at least dozens of palace maids serving in the Jiofang Hall. But the Jiofang Hall seemed a bit deserted and lonely.

This was probably because Emperor Yongjia seldom set foot in the Jiofang Hall.

Her son came to accompany her every noon, and Empress Qiao was comforted and happy. Although her son was too accommodating to his wife, he did not forget his mother.

“Yesterday in Shouning Palace, Su Fei’s words and actions were careless, and I gave her a lesson.”

After lunch, the mother and son were chatting together, and Empress Qiao casually mentioned Su Fei: “After the palace banquet, Li Hao and his wife went to Yihua Palace. They didn’t leave until after dinner. It seems that Su Fei’s ability to cry and make a fuss has improved again.”

Thinking of the vicious and cruel Empress Dowager Su in his previous life, Li Jing’s eyes flashed coldly, and he said with a double meaning: “Don’t judge a person by his appearance. Someone who looks weak and can be bullied may be malicious. Mother, don’t be too careless.”

Empress Qiao didn’t take it seriously, and even sneered with some contempt: “Don’t worry, she can’t cause any trouble.”

Li Jing glanced at Empress Qiao silently.

With her noble pride, Empress Qiao naturally looked down on Su Fei, who was born as a dancer and had nothing to do except serve men. But in her previous life, Empress Qiao died at the hands of Su Fei.

Empress Qiao did not mention Su Fei again, and asked with a smile: “Is Lu Shi okay?”

Li Jing calmed down and smiled: “Xiaoyu has a good appetite. She ate more than me last night.”

Empress Qiao was amused: “As long as you have an appetite, it’s good. It may also be that the time is short and it’s not time for morning sickness. In short, you still have to be more careful.”

Li Jing agreed with a smile, and took the opportunity to bring up the matter of keeping the baby safe: “I am in the palace every day, and Xiaoyu is keeping the baby safe alone. I am really worried. It would be better for her to stay in Lu Mansion for a few more days and keep the baby safe together with my second sister-in-law.”

Empress Qiao had no intention of objecting: “That’s fine. After all, it’s her own family home. She is familiar with everything and feels at ease living here.” After a pause, she continued: “However, there’s no reason to live in her natal family home forever. When Lu Shi’s pregnancy is three months, she should return home.”

“Take advantage of this time to sort out the people in the mansion. Those with suspicious identities and backgrounds, and those who are restless in private, should all be dismissed.”

When she said the last two sentences, Empress Qiao’s expression darkened and there was a chill in her voice.

Li Jingzhi nodded in agreement.

…

Lu Mingfang and Lu Minghua stayed at her parents’ home for a few days and then went back.

Lu Mingyu stayed in the Lu Mansion to take care of her pregnancy and kept Shen Lan company every day. The two pregnant women also had fun together.

Shen Lan soon developed morning sickness and had to eat three times a day. She would vomit out all the food within an incense stick of time.

In less than half a month, she lost a lot of weight rapidly.

Lu Mingyu’s reaction was just the opposite. She never vomited. Her appetite was just weird. The day before yesterday, she suddenly wanted to eat sour food and could eat a plate of green plums. Yesterday, she suddenly wanted to eat spicy food and could eat a big bowl of red pepper chicken.

She tried something new today and wanted to eat something sweet.

The kitchen sent a big bowl of sweet-scented osmanthus dumplings. It was sweet and sticky, and very delicious.

Lu Mingyu put them into her mouth one by one and ate them with gusto.

Shen Lan had just vomited and was in low spirits. Seeing Lu Mingyu’s good appetite, she was envious: “You can eat anything. Your appetite is so good.”

Lu Mingyu raised her eyebrows and smiled: “Would you like to try it too?”

Shen Lan hesitated for a moment, ate one, felt good, and ate another. He ate several in a row and didn’t vomit. The long-lost feeling of being full was really wonderful.

Shen Lan sighed happily.

Lu Mingyu couldn’t help laughing: “How does it feel to be full?”

“It feels so good!” Shen Lan laughed, “I’ve been vomiting everything I eat for more than half a month. I vomit at least five or six times a day. My mouth is bitter and my stomach is sour. It’s so uncomfortable. Strangely enough, I’m eating sweet-scented osmanthus made by Yuanxiao today, and it tastes so good.”

Then, she looked at Lu Mingyu with envy: “You are the best. You haven’t vomited once since you got pregnant. You eat well and sleep well every day, and your complexion is better than usual.”

Wasn’t it?

During the past half month, Shen Lan had become visibly thin and haggard, while Lu Mingyu, on the other hand, looked rosy and a little fatter than before.

Lu Mingyu smiled slightly.

She had suffered a lot when she was pregnant with Yan’er in her previous life. But this time, she was pregnant smoothly and comfortably. It could be seen that even if the same person was pregnant, the pregnancy reactions were different.

The more clearly she realized this, the more clearly she knew that Yan’er would never come back.

The regret and reluctance were still there, but the joy of being pregnant was also growing.

Shen Lan suddenly coughed, leaned close to Lu Mingyu’s ear, and asked something in a low voice.

Lu Mingyu was rarely shy and glanced at Shen Lan, whose cheeks were also red. “During the first three months of pregnancy, it is not advisable to have sex, so as not to hurt the baby. When the month is older, it is okay to be more careful.”

Shen Lan whispered a few more words.

Lu Mingyu burst into laughter and reached out to scratch Shen Lan’s nose. They were all married young women, and their words were much bolder than before.

No need to go into detail about the private conversations in the boudoir.

…

In fact, if a man wanted to cheat, he didn’t need to wait until the woman was pregnant. If he was truly committed to being faithful, it didn’t matter how many beauties paraded before him.

After the court was dismissed that day, Li Jing was summoned to Shouning Palace by Empress Dowager Zhao.

Empress Mother Zhao asked about Lu Mingyu’s situation with a loving and concerned look on her face.

It must be said that after suffering several setbacks, Empress Dowager Zhao also gained a lot of wisdom. At least her superficial skills were getting better and better.

People who didn’t know might think how much Empress Dowager Zhao loved her granddaughter-in-law!

Li Jing smiled and answered one by one: “Thank you for your concern, Royal Grandmother. Xiaoyu didn’t have any morning sickness reaction, but her taste had become a lot strange. She eats sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty food every day, and never eats the same thing twice. In the past half month, Xiaoyu’s complexion is better than before, and she is also a little plumper.”

Empress Dowager Zhao smiled and said, “That’s good. I can rest assured now. However, Lu Shi is the Hunagzifei after all. It would be embarrassing if she stayed at her parents’ home all the time. It would be better for her to return to the prince’s mansion as soon as possible to have a safe pregnancy. There are so many skilled doctors in the palace. I will pick two of the best ones and send them there.”

Li Jing smiled and replied, “Royal Grandmother is right. Xiaoyu and I have discussed it. When Xiaoyu is three months pregnant and has this baby, she will return to the Prince’s Palace.”

Empress Dowager Zhao was somewhat dissatisfied, but she said nothing more. She turned her attention to her grandson: “Lu Shi is pregnant, so you should rest and take care of the baby. Someone has to take care of your food, clothing, and daily life. I have selected two docile and pleasing palace maids for you, you can take them back today!”

(End of this chapter)