12dz Chapter 149 Consort Tong is Pregnant
Chapter 149 Consort Tong is Pregnant
Meanwhile, He Lingyi, whom she was concerned about, was dealing with a thorny issue.
Not to mention her, even the people in the harem never expected that the old emperor, who was already terminally ill, could still have a child with Consort Tong, who was attending to him. It was simply unbelievable!
But once the imperial physician revealed the exact time of pregnancy and the old emperor acknowledged it, the situation in the harem changed. Suddenly, Consort Liang's family became the dominant force, and Consort Tong also wanted a share of the spoils.
After all, among the only two pregnant women in the harem, her rank is higher than that of Consort Jia. And because it is a new pregnancy, countless eyes are watching her. Everyone is gossiping behind her back, saying that Consort Tong disregarded the old emperor's life and death for her own future, and that she might have drugged him to have sex with him to conceive this child.
Despite the criticism and complaints, most people admired and envied him.
Whether her methods were despicable or clever, at least she secured a guarantee for herself. Whether it was a prince or a princess, her future life would be rewritten. In this respect alone, she was capable!
The main hall inside Consort Liang's palace.
When He Lingyi entered, she saw Consort Liang dressed in a magnificent palace gown, handling her daily affairs with ease. Upon seeing her, Consort Liang immediately waved and smiled.
"The Crown Princess has arrived, please have a seat."
"Lingyi greets Consort Liang."
"Alright, we're all family, no need for such formalities. I have important matters to discuss with you today."
After He Lingyi sat down, she glanced at the thick ledger on the table and then praised, "Managing the trivial matters in the palace is much more complicated than managing the affairs of ordinary people outside. Consort Liang, you have worked hard."
"Speaking of this, I am also very apprehensive. There are many complicated matters in the palace. A single move can cause hundreds or thousands of taels of silver to flow out. Even the richest family cannot afford such waste. Therefore, I dare not overstep any boundaries. I mostly follow the old precedents, which is how I barely maintain the face of the royal family."
He Lingyi gained a new understanding of this Consort Liang through her modest words.
She had thought this person would become arrogant because of his newfound power, but it seems he is quite shrewd. That's good, because it will allow her to keep a low profile when dealing with Jia Meiren, and avoid giving others ammunition to criticize her.
As they were talking, a palace maid served tea and snacks, and Consort Liang naturally began to recount her recent frustrations.
"I invited the Crown Princess here today to discuss Consort Tong's pregnancy. You must have received the news by now. Consort Tong is almost two months along. No one expected that she could have given birth to a child while attending to her illness. She is truly blessed."
Although the words were somewhat sarcastic, the meaning was quite clear.
The old emperor was about to pass away, and if things went as expected, this child would be his last. So what Consort Liang said was true; it was indeed a "good fortune."
Hearing Consort Liang's words, He Lingyi understood the situation and replied with the dignified smile befitting a Crown Princess.
“It is indeed a good thing that Consort Tong is pregnant. There are not many children in the palace, so every child we can have is a blessing. Before I came here, I asked His Highness, and he said that as long as Consort Tong takes good care of herself during her pregnancy, the child will definitely be born smoothly.”
These words are both an expectation and an affirmation.
Upon hearing this, Consort Liang understood. She had no children, and her current glory was only for a few months. Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, she would be sent out of the palace just like before.
Therefore, she expressed her opinion, not wanting to make enemies.
"That's what I think too. This child of Consort Tong is hard-won. She just lost her own child not long ago. With this child, she has hope. So she will definitely be able to give birth safely and healthily!"
"Your Highness Consort Liang is kind-hearted, and the harem has become more peaceful and stable under your management."
"Your Highness is too kind. If it weren't for the sudden injury to Consort Gui, this burden wouldn't have fallen on my shoulders. Only after working diligently these past few days have I realized the bitterness of this heavy responsibility. So, I still hope that Consort Gui can recover soon, so that I can hand over the power back and continue to live my carefree life as before."
Would Consort Liang be willing to relinquish power?
He Lingyi didn't believe it; at least she certainly wouldn't have been willing before she killed Jia Meiren.
She had her own selfish reasons for advising the Crown Prince to elevate Consort Liang to the position, so she felt a little guilty when the Crown Prince looked at her. However, the Crown Prince still approved her actions, so He Lingyi simply sat back and watched the two tigers fight.
Consort Jia was unaware that Consort Liang was the enemy who had harmed her entire family, but at this moment she was protecting her child like an iron barrel, and Consort Liang could not easily succeed, so she could only wait for the day of her delivery.
He Lingyi has always been good at making use of things. Since the Li family can be brought down by the Prince of Li, why can't the Consort Liang be used to bring down Consort Jia and the Lü family?
Then, with a meaningful smile, she replied, "Your Highness Consort Liang will surely get what you wish for."
"Then I accept the Crown Princess's auspicious words."
The two were neither adversaries nor allies. Since they had each obtained the information they wanted, they sat for a while before He Lingyi left.
"Go to Consort Qin's palace."
"Yes, Princess."
Since returning from the sacrificial ceremony, Consort Qin's palace gates have remained tightly closed. To the outside world, it was said that the Consort was recuperating and no one dared to disturb her. However, since He Lingyi was "friendly" with the Third Princess, he would naturally send some messages to Consort Qin from time to time so that no one outside would suspect anything.
So when she appeared at the entrance of Consort Qin's palace, the people inside did not stop her, and He Lingyi quickly walked into the West Warm Pavilion.
Unlike the time when Consort Liang met her in the main hall, He Lingyi always met Consort Qin in the West Warm Pavilion. In just three or four months, Consort Qin seemed to have become a completely different person.
Having lost her last and only daughter, all her energy and spirit were drained away.
Even some white hairs have grown out. When the sunlight shines on her, you can't feel any trace of a living person. It can be said that if it weren't for avenging the Third Princess and keeping her alive, Consort Qin would probably be dead long ago.
Seeing this, He Lingyi also felt a little sorry for her.
The passing of a loved one is always like a torrential downpour, sometimes it can crush a person, sometimes it can drench a person completely, but no matter what choice is made, no one else can comment.
They could only tell Consort Qin about the recent developments outside.
"The Crown Prince has arrested many people, and now most of Prince Li's spies in the capital have been eliminated. However, Your Highness and I both believe that Prince Li is probably still hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Therefore, Your Highness, you must stay alert and not let your guard down until the very last moment."
"Don't worry, even if I'm clinging to this breath, I will wait until the day when Prince Li surrenders. I will personally tear flesh from his body and let him taste whether this pain is like a hundred ants clinging to his bones!"