Chapter 24: Noble Lady Fang Vomited

Consort Yu had sent a message through Xuanyuan Ling a few days ago but hadn’t gone out since. She was feeling stifled and uncomfortable, so today she went out after deliberately dressing up.

She was naturally the flamboyant type. Now that her pregnancy hadn’t yet noticeably changed her figure, and her complexion had clearly improved over the past two days, she looked radiant. Today, she wore a bright orange-red palace gown and was dressed to the nines, with an air that seemed intent on outshining all others.

Shen Qing, who appreciated beauty, would normally have enjoyed admiring someone like Consort Yu a bit more, but unfortunately, the circumstances didn’t allow it.

Consort Yu looked at her with eyes ready to ignite a fight.

Shen Qing felt completely at peace; she wasn’t sure whether she should mock Consort Yu’s persistence or lament her own status as perpetual cannon fodder.

Luckily, Noble Lady Fang arrived at that moment.

Noble Lady Fang had injured her leg previously and had spent several days recovering in bed. Though she was still a little unsteady on her feet, at least she could walk now.

But the look Consort Yu gave her now was very different from the simple jealousy she used to feel over Noble Lady Fang receiving Xuanyuan Ling’s favor.

Now, there was a hint of hatred in her eyes.

Consort Yu had served Xuanyuan Ling for quite a while and had always acted arrogantly. This was the first time she had been reprimanded by him—how could she not bear a grudge?

Shen Qing thought to herself, “Great, you two go ahead and fight. Just don’t drag me into it. I’ll just enjoy the show.”

The Emperor, as always, was the last to arrive—just like the main character entering the stage.

Before greeting the Emperor, the consorts and concubines had to first pay their respects to the Empress. The Empress immediately noticed that Shen Qing was wearing the gown she had previously bestowed upon her and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

The Empress smiled gently at the gathered concubines, exuding the graceful dignity befitting the mother of the realm. Before long, Xuanyuan Ling entered.

When the Emperor and Empress met, there was no sign at all of their previous disagreement.

Xuanyuan Ling gave the Empress all the proper respect, without slighting her in the least.

Shen Qing watched until her eyes hurt—what a performance. She couldn’t bear to look anymore.

At least for now, Consort Yu was preoccupied with glaring at Noble Lady Fang and had no time to bother with her. Like at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet, Shen Qing dressed conspicuously but ate discreetly.

You could never expect to eat well at banquets. After all, the food followed strict formal regulations and wasn’t tailored to her tastes.

And even if it were, banquets weren’t really for eating—you couldn’t exactly gnaw on pig trotters or drink and feast without restraint. Everyone maintained their decorum. It was impossible to eat your fill, so she had already eaten something before coming.

Now, she just picked at the cold dishes.

Xuanyuan Ling sat in his high seat and casually glanced over at Shen Qing. He saw her eating some shredded cucumber.

Suddenly he remembered that during the Crown Prince’s birthday, this little girl had also only eaten cold dishes.

Clearly, she was just being delicate again—it must be that the banquet dishes didn’t suit her taste.

Though her face showed no disdain, her selective eating said otherwise, which he found quite amusing.

Compared to the other concubines, her little gestures were especially playful and charming.

While Xuanyuan Ling was watching, one of the concubines suddenly covered her mouth and gagged.

That sound drew everyone’s attention.

Shen Qing also looked over and saw that it was Noble Lady Fang.

Noble Lady Fang was clutching her mouth, eyes wide in alarm. She glanced quickly at Xuanyuan Ling, and upon seeing that he was also looking at her, she hurriedly apologized:

“Your Majesty, forgive me. I… I don’t know what happened. Suddenly I just…”

Her eyes were already red.

The Empress was momentarily taken aback.

Among the more senior consorts, especially those who had borne children—Consort Shun and Consort Yu included—their thoughts shifted the moment they saw Noble Lady Fang’s reaction.

But for now, no one said anything.

Xuanyuan Ling frowned. “If you’re feeling unwell, summon the imperial physician.”

The Empress, seeing that he clearly hadn’t caught on, suggested, “Your Majesty, why don’t we have the physician take a look?”

Xuanyuan Ling realized then that the Empress wouldn’t act so tactlessly, nor would she make things difficult for a Noble Lady. It suddenly dawned on him—

Could Noble Lady Fang be pregnant?

He was a little surprised and immediately ordered someone to summon the imperial physician.

The Dragon Boat Festival banquet took a sudden turn with the arrival of the physician, who was quite nervous. But after taking her pulse, he relaxed and confidently reported:

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress—Noble Lady Fang is indeed pregnant. She is already over a month along.”

So she really was pregnant.

Once the physician confirmed it, Noble Lady Fang’s shock turned to joy, and the others were filled with envy.

Shen Qing glanced around. First, she looked at the Empress—her expression was impeccable, even smiling. Then she looked at Consort Yu, who was gripping her own fingernails so hard she was about to snap them. If Xuanyuan Ling hadn’t been present, she might have exploded on the spot. As for the others, they reacted much the same.

Shen Qing curled her lips slightly and joined the others in congratulating the Emperor and Noble Lady Fang.

Among the new arrivals to the palace, Noble Lady Fang was the first to become pregnant. Given the still-limited number of royal heirs, her pregnancy was sure to be regarded as extremely precious.

First surprised, then elated by everyone’s congratulations, Noble Lady Fang soon became overwhelmed with emotion. She didn’t even realize it herself, but after the excitement came a wave of fear.

She had just made Consort Yu kneel in punishment and had spent days recuperating in bed. This child was strong to have survived that ordeal.

Because of that lingering fear, her hatred toward Consort Yu deepened even more.

Consort Yu had previously had the upper hand by already having a child and now being pregnant again. Fang couldn’t compare. But now that she too was with child, the future was long—she had time to catch up.

The joyful news coinciding with the Dragon Boat Festival added to the festive atmosphere—at least on the surface.

After the banquet, Xuanyuan Ling, following protocol, went to the Empress’s palace—just as he had after the Crown Prince’s birthday.

Shen Qing returned to Zhaohua Palace and had several cups of tea as soon as she arrived.

The banquet never had enough tea anyway.

Chunhua noticed that Shen Qing was all smiles. Earlier, she had seemed mature and composed; now she looked adorably young.

Once Shen Qing had recovered a bit, Chunhua and Fang Yun helped her wash up. When Shen Qing lay down, she stretched and yawned. She felt that the current situation was going quite well.

Noble Lady Fang could now stand toe-to-toe with Consort Yu.

Consort Yu had always targeted her, but now things had changed—Noble Lady Fang could draw some of that firepower. The timing of this pregnancy really couldn’t have been better!

Shen Qing slept soundly that night—completely at ease. But not everyone could sleep so peacefully.

Noble Lady Fang had arrived at the banquet inconspicuously, but left in an imperial soft sedan chair—a truly glorious exit.

Her face glowed with happiness, and even her complexion looked better. As of now, only Consort Yu and Noble Lady Fang were granted such soft sedan chairs, both because they were pregnant—truly noble indeed.

Now that she was with child, the Empress also formally assigned palace attendants to serve her and ensure no harm came to the unborn child. The number of servants in Noble Lady Fang’s palace increased accordingly.

As good as Noble Lady Fang felt upon returning, Consort Yu’s mood was equally terrible when she went back.

Wen Qiu feared Consort Yu would harm herself out of frustration. She had so much she wanted to say to comfort her mistress, but was afraid that if she spoke out of turn, she’d only make her feel worse.

In the end, she couldn’t hold it in—after all, Consort Yu was pregnant too, and suppressing her emotions would be bad for her health.

“Your Highness, please rest assured. She’s only just gotten pregnant. To conceive is lucky—but whether she can carry to term depends on her abilities.”