Chapter 30

The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the land. The world seemed wrapped in a soft, golden veil.

Su Jingyao gently put down her guqin. Her belly was already quite large—at six months pregnant, even small tasks made her feel tired.

She continued to play music despite this, believing that soft melodies would be good for her baby. Every note carried her deep love and care for the child growing inside her.

She also tried to think less and keep herself relaxed for the baby’s sake.

“Miss, the sun is going down. Do you want to take a walk?” Miaoyun asked softly, concern in her eyes.

Su Jingyao looked outside at the darkening sky and nodded.

“Yes, let’s go for a walk. It’s October now—it’s not so hot anymore.”

She slowly stood up.

Miaoyun quickly stepped forward to support her carefully.

Miaoxia, Miaoyue, and Miaoxue followed closely behind. Since she was pregnant, she was always surrounded by a small group of attendants.

Along with the four maids, two eunuchs also followed, all of them extremely cautious.

If something happened to Su Jingyao, everyone in Xiyan Palace would be in trouble.

She walked slowly toward the small garden outside the Eastern Palace. She knew she couldn’t walk for too long, so she avoided the farther Imperial Garden.

The flowers in the small garden were in full bloom. The palace gardeners had recently transplanted autumn begonias, cotton roses, and periwinkles. They swayed gently in the breeze, filling the air with a delicate fragrance.

Su Jingyao strolled among the flowers, breathing in their scent and enjoying the peaceful scenery. She felt completely at ease.

Suddenly, a bright and clear female voice broke the silence.

“What a coincidence! First, we met the Crown Princess and Lady Tang, and now we run into Sister Side Consort too. Today must be a lucky day.”

An Jingyan’s voice was sweet, with an exaggerated friendliness.

Su Jingyao turned toward the sound and saw the Crown Princess, Ling Yue, walking toward her. Behind her were Tang Fengyi and An Liangdi.

What a coincidence—these three women had gathered together.

Su Jingyao stepped forward gracefully, her chin slightly raised, a calm smile on her lips.

Her belly was already quite prominent, so she didn’t bow. Instead, she gave a small nod of respect.

“I greet you, Sister. My belly is big now, and His Highness has excused me from paying formal respects. I hope Sister doesn’t mind.”

Since Ling Yue’s punishment had ended, she hadn’t seen Su Jingyao much. Now that she did, she felt a strange, indescribable emotion rise in her heart.

Her gaze fell on Su Jingyao’s large belly. Everyone in the palace treasured this child, and even Jun Zechen had excused her from daily greetings.

Su Jingyao rarely left her palace these days. Even when she did, she was always accompanied by the Prince.

So Ling Yue truly hadn’t seen her in a long time.

Even six months pregnant, Su Jingyao was still breathtakingly beautiful.

Watching her elegant figure from afar, it was almost impossible to believe she was carrying a child.

It seemed like fate had been far too kind to this woman.

Her every move was graceful, her skin flawless, and her eyes shone with intelligence. She was simply stunning.

Ling Yue steadied her emotions and maintained her usual calm expression.

She replied smoothly, “No need for formalities. The royal heir is the most important.”

“Sister, are you out for a walk with the ladies?”

Su Jingyao smiled gently, a trace of curiosity in her eyes.

“The Crown Princess and I were walking together, and we ran into An Liangdi along the way,” Ling Yue explained calmly.

An Liangdi and Tang Fengyi took a step forward and respectfully greeted Su Jingyao.

An Liangdi smiled brightly and said, “Side Consort, it has been a while. You still look as radiant as ever.”

Su Jingyao chuckled softly, her eyes warm as she looked at An Liangdi.

“Your words are always so sweet, Sister An. You look lovely too.”

Then, she turned her gaze to Tang Fengyi.

Tang Fengyi was dressed in a pale blue gown that fluttered gently in the breeze, making her look delicate and pitiful.

“Tang Fengyi doesn’t seem as thin as when we first met.”

Hearing Su Jingyao’s words, Tang Fengyi was startled. She quickly tried to stay calm and replied in a steady voice, “Maybe I’ve been feeling tired recently and haven’t gone out much, so I’ve gained some weight.”

Her voice had a hint of nervousness.

Su Jingyao covered her mouth and laughed softly. Her laughter was clear and pleasant.

She said with a smile, “I was just joking with you, Tang sister. You still look slim and beautiful.”

Her eyes were full of warmth, making her kindness feel sincere.

Hearing this, An Liangdi turned to take a closer look at Tang Fengyi. Indeed, she seemed less thin than when she first entered the Eastern Palace.

A thoughtful expression appeared on An Liangdi’s face.

Su Jingyao then said, “Sister, I’ll continue walking for a bit before heading back. I’ll take my leave now.”

After saying that, she nodded slightly and turned to walk away.

An Jinyan quickly said goodbye to the Crown Princess and followed after Su Jingyao.

Ling Yue stood still, watching their backs as they walked away. A complicated look flashed in her eyes.

She would not let An Jinyan go easily. But she did not expect that after being freed from punishment, An Jinyan would grow so close to Su Jingyao.

A mix of emotions filled Ling Yue’s heart. She did not want to hurt Su Jingyao.

She still remembered the kindness Su Jingyao showed her on her birthday.

An Jinyan caught up to Su Jingyao and lowered her voice. “Sister, did you know? Tang Fengyi is now siding with the Crown Princess.”

“Oh? And what does that have to do with me?”

Su Jingyao stopped walking. She reached out her slender fingers and gently plucked a hibiscus flower.

Bringing it close to her nose, she took a soft breath, letting the delicate scent surround her.

“Side Consort Sister, I won’t hide it—I want to be on your side.”

An Jinyan’s eyes showed a hint of expectation.

The Crown Princess had the prince’s favor, and Tang Fengyi had also won his attention. An Jinyan was alone and not strong enough to fight them.

If Tang Fengyi got pregnant…

Thinking about this, An Jinyan felt even more worried.

A thoughtful look crossed Su Jingyao’s eyes. She frowned slightly, her gaze turning deep.

An Jinyan was indeed smart. She knew that now that Tang Fengyi was close to the Crown Princess, her own position was weak, so she quickly came to seek an alliance.

Also, Tang Fengyi’s reaction today seemed strange.

Because of her own pregnancy, Su Jingyao had become familiar with certain reactions of expecting mothers.

Earlier, she had casually tested Tang Fengyi. Even though Tang Fengyi’s expression remained calm, the slight stiffness in her body did not escape Su Jingyao’s sharp eyes.

It seemed like she needed to have Li Jing look into Tang Fengyi.

If Tang Fengyi was truly pregnant, An Jinyan would be in even more trouble. Her eagerness to ally with Su Jingyao made perfect sense.

But what would Su Jingyao gain from this?

She narrowed her eyes, as if enjoying the flower’s scent.

“An sister, I only want to safely give birth to my child. I don’t wish to get involved in your fights.”

Su Jingyao gently stroked her round belly, her eyes filled with a mother’s warmth. The tenderness in her gaze could melt anyone’s heart.

An Jinyan leaned closer and lowered her voice.

“Sister, don’t you want to replace the Crown Princess and become the future Empress?”

“You have beauty, family background, and soon, a royal son. Have you truly never thought about that position?”

As she spoke, An Jinyan’s eyes slightly narrowed, closely watching Su Jingyao’s expression for any change.

Su Jingyao’s gaze flickered with a complex emotion.

An Jinyan’s words had hit the mark, but Su Jingyao had no intention of acting yet, nor did she want to reveal her ambition.

She frowned slightly, her voice as soft as flowing water.

“An sister, the Crown Princess is the prince’s first wife. I have never thought about taking her place. Though we have become distant, I have always seen her as my elder sister.”

Her voice carried sincerity and firmness, but also a touch of helplessness and regret.

“You must not say such things again. This time, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”

Her expression became slightly serious, and there was a hint of warning in her eyes.

An Jinyan knew that Su Jingyao was not as ambitious as she was. Today’s conversation was merely to test her.

Lowering her eyes, An Jinyan put on a pitiful look. “Side Consort Sister, I’m only worried that the Crown Princess will hold a grudge against me. Now that she’s close to Tang Fengyi, I’m really afraid.”

As she spoke, sorrow and fear filled her face. She lowered her head slightly, making it hard to see her expression.

Su Jingyao sighed and looked at her with a bit of sympathy.

“An sister, it’s not wrong for you to seek the prince’s love. The Crown Princess has deep feelings for him, so it’s natural for her to be jealous.”

“Why don’t you both try to make peace?”

Her gaze was full of concern and hope, as if she truly cared for An Jinyan.

“Side Consort Sister, it’s not that easy. The Crown Princess already hates me.”

An Jinyan wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, her shoulders trembling slightly as if she were truly sad.

Su Jingyao hesitated, her face showing a conflicted expression. She frowned, pressing her lips together as if debating whether to say something.

She seemed to have something on her mind but was unsure whether to speak.

Noticing this, An Jinyan quickly asked, “Side Consort Sister, is there something you want to say?”

Su Jingyao sighed again, as if deeply troubled.

“An sister, you and I share the same struggles. I don’t want to see you like this. After seeing Tang Fengyi today… I have a feeling she might be pregnant.”

Hearing these words, An Jingyan was shocked. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

Tang Fengyi was pregnant?!

An Jingyan stared at Su Jingyao, wanting confirmation.

Su Jingyao shook her head.

“This is just my guess. But if what you said is true—that Tang Fengyi has sided with the Crown Princess—and if she really is pregnant but hasn’t announced it yet, you should be careful…”

She looked at An Jingyan with concern, as if truly worried for her.

An Jingyan understood the hidden meaning in Su Jingyao’s words. If the Crown Princess planned to use Tang Fengyi’s child against her, then…

No, she had to prepare herself!

A flash of determination crossed An Jingyan’s eyes, but it disappeared quickly, almost unnoticed.

Su Jingyao gently said, “I’m tired from walking today. I’ll be heading back.”

An Jingyan forced a smile and replied, “I wish you well, Sister.”

Su Jingyao turned and walked away gracefully, each step calm and elegant.

Her face still carried a gentle smile, but behind that smile hid a trace of cunning and satisfaction.

Today had been quite an eye-opening experience. She had witnessed an entertaining game.

She originally thought An Jingyan and Ling Yue’s conflict would begin with An Jingyan making the first move.

But surprisingly, after Ling Yue was released from confinement, she quickly allied with Tang Fengyi.

This move caught Su Jingyao off guard, making her see Ling Yue in a new light.

A hint of amusement flickered in Su Jingyao’s eyes—it was the expression of someone watching a thrilling show.

She lifted her chin slightly, the corners of her lips curving into a subtle smile.

If Tang Fengyi was indeed pregnant and the Crown Princess had kept it a secret, she was likely planning to reveal it as a surprise at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet in half a month.

But now that she had planted suspicion in An Jingyan’s mind, the outcome was uncertain.

Things were getting more interesting—she couldn’t wait to see what would happen next!