The princess regretted it.

Chapter 269 Concubine Cen's Thoughts

Concubine Cen and Mingyue walked lightly, afraid to make any noise and disturb the conversation on the other side of the wall. They slowly approached the wall. The two people on the other side of the wall were completely unaware of what was happening here, immersed in a heated and mysterious conversation.

"I've told you this is a secret, don't you understand? If I hadn't accidentally run into Xing'er, whom I used to work with, and saw her talking to an imperial physician, I hid aside and heard the physician instructing her on some strange precautions, and then gave her two medicine bags. I was just curious at the time and wanted to follow and see. After all, I had only heard that she went to work for a nobleman, but I didn't know which nobleman it was. I just wanted to find out where she was. If that place is not bad, she might have a chance to promote me in the future. As a result, I found that she was going further and further away. I was wondering at the time how could she get any good treatment if she went so far away. So guess where she is?" The voice seemed to be deliberately whetting people's appetite, full of dramatic tension.

"How should I know? Stop keeping us in suspense and tell us." Another voice was full of anxiety and impatience, and was extremely anxious because of the mysterious atmosphere.

"She went to a very remote courtyard on the north side of the Imperial Garden. I didn't know there were people living in that courtyard. When she opened the gate and went in, I saw Nanny Su guarding a pregnant woman walking in the courtyard." The voice was a little proud, as if a major secret had been revealed.

"Really? Did you see it clearly? Is she really pregnant? Could you be seeing things?" A questioning voice suddenly rang out, full of doubt and uncertainty.

"Of course I saw it clearly! There's no mistake!" The firm answer left no room for doubt, as if emphasizing the authenticity of what he saw.

"That's not right!" The sudden turn was like a ripple on a calm lake.

"What's wrong?" The previously complacent voice turned into confusion.

"If she is pregnant with the royal heir, it would be a great joy. Why is she hiding it? And living in a side courtyard? Could it be that this child is not the royal... Hmm..." Before she could finish her words, she stopped abruptly as if something covered her mouth.

"Stop talking! Don't say that! Don't tell anyone about this. If this gets out of hand, it could be fatal!" A panicked warning sounded, and then a voice from the other side of the wall said, "Alright, let's go," followed by a rustling sound. It was obvious that the two men wanted to leave.

On the other side of the wall, Concubine Cen and Mingyue exchanged a glance. Concubine Cen said nothing, but simply gave Mingyue a calm look. Mingyue nodded in understanding, then carefully supported Concubine Cen and left quietly.

Concubine Cen remained silent all the way. She was silent and her face was stern, as if she was lost in deep thought. Mingyue didn't dare to breathe when she saw this, and could only support Concubine Cen steadily.

When they returned to Jingyu Palace, Mingyue escorted Concubine Cen into the inner chamber, untied her cloak, and helped her sit on the Arhat couch. A maid quickly brought her some hot tea. Concubine Cen, already delicate, felt drained of all her strength after such a long walk. Fatigue washed over her like a tide, enveloping her.

Concubine Cen took the tea and took two sips. The warm tea flowed slowly down her throat and into her stomach, like a warm current spreading through her body. The fatigue in her body seemed to be relieved a little, allowing her to finally recover a little. She put down the teacup, glanced at the other servants in the room, and said softly, "You all go out. Mingyue stay. I need to rest for a while."

Everyone in the room bowed quickly and quietly left. For a moment, only Mingyue was left standing quietly beside Concubine Cen. Concubine Cen held a hand warmer in her hands, lowered her eyes slightly, and fell into deep thought. She didn't speak for a long time.

Seeing this, Mingyue said softly and concernedly, "My Lady, why don't you go rest in bed for a while?"

Concubine Cen shook her head gently, her tone calm but revealing an unquestionable meaning: "No need." After that, she slowly raised her eyes and fell on Mingyue. There was a hint of inquiry in her eyes. She asked softly: "Mingyue, what do you think about what happened today?"

After Mingyue heard this, she showed some hesitation on her face. She pondered her words in her heart for a while before slowly saying, "Your Majesty, we don't know whether this is true or not. Besides, there are always a lot of rumors in the palace. Sometimes things that seem to be true often turn out to be groundless in the end. But from what those two people said today, it seems to be true. It's just that the courtyard is hidden so secretly, and a pregnant concubine is placed there. It's really weird." As Mingyue spoke, she carefully observed Concubine Cen's expression, fearing that she would say something inappropriate.

After hearing Mingyue's words, Concubine Cen's eyes flashed with an imperceptible self-deprecating smile. That smile seemed to hide her helplessness and sigh about the many unpredictable things in the palace. Then, she slowly placed the heater in her hand on the low table beside her. Her movements were gentle and carried a hint of thoughtful slowness.

"Mingyue, don't you think this is too much of a coincidence? It's so rare for me to leave the palace, and I have the chance to encounter such a thing?" Concubine Cen's voice was very soft, but it revealed an unspeakable depth, as if every word was wrapped in her complex inner emotions.

"Your Majesty, do you mean that someone deliberately told you this? Why?" Mingyue asked, not quite understanding.

Concubine Cen sighed softly, her eyes revealing the wisdom and insight of someone who had experienced many hardships. She spoke slowly, "In this palace, people are treacherous and their interests are intricately intertwined. I am now in charge of the harem, and the emperor has given me a son. I have become a thorn in the side of some people in this harem. Perhaps someone wants to use this incident to plunge me into deeper trouble, or perhaps they want to use me to uncover the secrets behind this and reap the benefits."

She paused slightly, her eyes becoming increasingly penetrating. "Furthermore, the identity of the pregnant concubine remains a mystery. If it's as strange as those two just mentioned, then what's behind this? If she's pregnant with the emperor's heir, why is it being kept secret? Could such a debauched affair really be going on in this harem? Who could be so bold?"

Mingyue tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowed as she pondered for a moment. Then, with a puzzled expression on her face, she said, "Your Majesty, whether or not someone is truly pregnant with a dragon heir is still unknown. Instead of dwelling on it like this, why not send someone directly to investigate? This way, Your Majesty will be relieved of all the doubts and anxieties she has."

When Concubine Cen heard Mingyue's words, she initially thought they made some sense. She was about to dispatch someone to investigate, but then a strange feeling of unease and caution washed over her, a feeling that her actions were still inappropriate. She felt a sudden onset of headache, as if countless tiny needles were thrashing through her mind. Helplessly, she slowly raised her left hand, bent her elbow, and gently placed it on the low table. She rested her palm against her forehead and slowly closed her eyes, trying to ease the sudden pain.