Very few people knew that Lu Ningrou’s body was never meant to bear children.
Other than her birth parents, only Chunyan, the maid who had served her since childhood, knew the truth.
Even Li Jinghuai had been kept completely in the dark.
Lu Ningrou had been born with a frail constitution.
If she became pregnant, nearly all of her body’s qi and blood would be diverted to nourish the child, causing her own health to deteriorate at an alarming rate.
Even if she somehow survived until childbirth, the very moment the baby was born would also be the moment her own life burned out.
In the imperial harem, nothing was more important than producing heirs.
But Lu Ningrou had no intention of sacrificing her own life just to give birth.
She wanted to preserve herself and remain by the side of the man she loved for as many years as possible.
May I be the stars, and may you be the moon, shining together night after night.
As for children…
Every emperor’s harem throughout history had its share of motherless princes and princesses.
When the time came, she could simply choose one to raise as her own.
What she had never expected was for pregnancy to come so suddenly.
She had been overwhelmed with anxiety.
Li Jinghuai, on the other hand, had been overjoyed.
He had placed all his hopes on the unborn child, never realizing that the baby was doomed from the very beginning.
“Rou’er, only the child you bear for me is worthy of inheriting my throne.”
She couldn’t bear to tell him the truth.
Instead, she chose another path.
If she permanently lost the ability to bear children, there would never be another pregnancy.
Although she felt some guilt toward Imperial Noble Consort Wen, it was a solution that would settle everything once and for all.
After all…
Li Jinghuai had always intended to destroy the Wen family eventually.
Adding one more accusation against Wen Zhiyi made little difference.
…
Trembling from head to toe, Chunyan confessed everything without holding anything back.
When she finished, Wen Zhiyi stared at her coldly.
Her expression revealed neither joy nor anger.
“So His Majesty truly said…”
“…that only Lady Zhaorong’s child would be qualified to inherit the throne?”
“I wouldn’t dare deceive Your Highness at a time like this.”
True to her word, Wen Zhiyi ordered the palace servants to escort Chunyan out of the palace for treatment.
As Chunyan was being carried away, she couldn’t resist glancing back.
Under the dim candlelight, the Imperial Noble Consort’s stunning face was half hidden in shadow.
She looked breathtakingly beautiful…
And terrifyingly sinister, like an enchanting demon.
“If that’s the case…”
“As the Imperial Noble Consort, I should naturally help His Majesty fulfill his wish.”
…
Early the next morning, Li Jinghuai assigned Aunt Liufang, his most trusted palace attendant, to oversee Yuexian Palace.
Aunt Liufang had served by his side since he was a child.
Having survived over forty years within the imperial palace, she commanded respect from everyone she met.
With her replacing Chunyan in caring for the pregnant Lu Ningrou, every aspect of Lu Ningrou’s food, clothing, and daily life was meticulously attended to.
…
The next time Wen Zhiyi saw Lu Ningrou was in Fuchun Garden.
She was seated beside the lake, leisurely playing a game of Go with Hongyi.
Just as the match reached an exciting point, a gentle voice interrupted.
“Your Highness certainly has refined tastes.”
Hongyi immediately stood and bowed.
Wen Zhiyi, however, remained seated, looking mildly surprised.
Lu Ningrou had arrived with only a single unfamiliar young palace maid beside her.
After Hongyi quietly pointed it out, Wen Zhiyi learned that the maid’s name was Qiurui, recently promoted within Yuexian Palace.
The moment Wen Zhiyi noticed Aunt Liufang wasn’t accompanying Lu Ningrou, alarm quietly rose in her heart.
Her face, however, betrayed nothing.
“I wonder which flowers have bloomed today to entice Lady Zhaorong into strolling through the garden.”
Lu Ningrou smiled softly.
“Flowers aren’t the only reason to visit.”
“Fuchun Garden is lush with trees and greenery, and its artificial hills and flowing streams make it the perfect place to relax.”
Following her gaze, Wen Zhiyi looked toward the lake.
The water was crystal clear.
Sunlight danced across its rippling surface.
“You can relax anywhere.”
“So why come all the way here?”
“You’re only a little over two months pregnant.”
“The pregnancy hasn’t even stabilized yet.”
“You should be more careful.”
The smile on Lu Ningrou’s face gradually faded, replaced by a trace of quiet grievance.
A cool spring breeze drifted past.
She sneezed softly.
Qiurui immediately stepped forward.
“My Lady, have you caught a chill?”
“The Imperial Noble Consort makes a good point.”
“Why don’t we return to Yuexian Palace?”
“It’s nothing.”
Lu Ningrou smiled reassuringly.
“You’ve all become overly cautious after Aunt Liufang’s constant lectures.”
“The weather is getting warmer.”
“I’m not so delicate that a little breeze will make me ill.”
“Besides…”
“I haven’t visited Fuchun Garden in quite some time.”
“I’d like to stay a while longer.”
Qiurui still wanted to persuade her otherwise.
But seeing the hopeful look in Lu Ningrou’s eyes, she relented.
After thinking for a moment, she turned respectfully toward Wen Zhiyi.
“Luanming Palace is closest to here.”
“May this servant boldly request to borrow a cloak from Your Highness, so Lady Zhaorong can ward off the chill?”
Wen Zhiyi felt a flicker of impatience.
But considering Lu Ningrou’s place in Li Jinghuai’s heart, she could only suppress it.
“Hongyi.”
“Take her to fetch one.”
“Go quickly and come straight back.”
Hongyi acknowledged the order before hurrying away with Qiurui toward Luanming Palace.
Lu Ningrou watched them disappear into the distance before smiling gratefully.
“Thank you for Your Highness’s consideration.”
Wen Zhiyi didn’t respond.
Only a faint chuckle escaped her lips.
Its meaning was impossible to read.
“When I was still at home, I often studied Go with my father and brothers.”
“If Your Highness doesn’t mind…”
“I’ll finish this game with you.”
As she spoke, Lu Ningrou walked toward the stone table, intending to replace Hongyi.
Unexpectedly…
The newly sprouted spring grass along the lakeshore was damp and slippery.
Her footing suddenly gave way.
“Ah!”
She pitched straight toward the icy lake.
The water in early March was bitterly cold.
Had Lu Ningrou fallen in, a high fever would have been the least of her worries.
Yet faced with such imminent danger…
Wen Zhiyi didn’t move an inch.
She simply sat there, coldly watching the panicked Lu Ningrou.
Just before disaster struck—
A maid dressed in green suddenly appeared from nowhere.
She caught Lu Ningrou around the waist, swept gracefully across the lakeside, and landed safely before Wen Zhiyi.
“Hahaha…”
Unable to hold it in any longer, Wen Zhiyi burst into laughter, clapping her hands in delight.
“Well done, Lurao!”
“Quickly.”
“Bring Lady Zhaorong a seat.”
Still shaken from the ordeal, Lu Ningrou heard the green-clad maid answer respectfully,
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Lurao carefully helped her onto the stone stool opposite Wen Zhiyi.
“This is Lurao.”
“She’s usually rather quiet and rarely accompanies me when I receive guests.”
“I’ve no idea where she was hiding to avoid work just now.”
“It’s only natural that Lady Zhaorong hasn’t met her before.”
With a subtle glance from Wen Zhiyi, Lurao immediately understood.
She bent down and silently cleared the Go board, returning each black and white stone to its respective box before placing them neatly beside the two women.
Wen Zhiyi smiled.
“Lady Zhaorong truly must be more careful.”
“If Lurao hadn’t reached you in time just now…”
“I’m afraid I’d never have been able to clear my name today.”
Lu Ningrou forced a stiff smile.
“I never imagined one of Your Highness’s maids possessed such remarkable martial skills.”
“It seems there are hidden talents everywhere in Luanming Palace.”
“She’s only learned a few simple tricks.”
Wen Zhiyi casually picked up a black Go stone and rolled it between her fingers.
“Compared to her, the maid called Qiurui beside you is still terribly inexperienced.”
“Leaving her pregnant mistress alone so carelessly…”
“She deserves punishment.”
Her tone carried unmistakable amusement.
“I imagine it wasn’t easy for Lady Zhaorong to find a way to send Aunt Liufang elsewhere today.”
The smile froze on Lu Ningrou’s face.
Without looking at her, Wen Zhiyi calmly placed the black stone onto the center of the board.
Tengen.
The very heart of the board.
Only then did she finally speak again.
“There’s just one thing I can’t understand.”
“If you truly don’t want this child…”
“…why are you so determined to frame me for it?”