For three days after arriving at the hunting grounds, Shen Lingshu stayed inside her own tent without going anywhere.
“Concubine Shen, the Emperor summons you.”
A eunuch’s voice sounded outside the tent.
The Emperor?
“Yes.”
Shen Lingshu combed her hair while facing the mirror, giving Zhuxin a meaningful glance. Zhuxin went out and bowed to the eunuch, discreetly handing over a pouch: “Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch.”
In another tent, Hai Jiaren was with Side Consort Fang. When Eunuch Shun’en came to deliver the message, Side Consort Fang immediately said: “Lady Hai, you should follow Eunuch Shun’en. In front of the Emperor, be careful not to breach etiquette.”
“Yes, Concubine.” Hai Jiaren’s face flushed with excitement. Along the way, she hadn’t even seen the Prince twice, but now she unexpectedly had the chance to serve the Prince first. Hai Jiaren felt even more grateful to Side Consort Fang.
“Go ahead.” Side Consort Fang watched as Lady Hai followed the eunuch away, so pleased that she even forgot to give a tip. Her eyes flickered slightly, but she didn’t remind her.
Side Consort Fang lowered her gaze and murmured: “Matron Gui, could it be that I guessed correctly? Is the Emperor truly concerned about the Prince’s heirs?”
When she previously asked the Prince to allow Lady Hai to accompany the royal hunting party, Side Consort Fang had used this reasoning: since both Lady Hai and Lady Shen were bestowed upon the Prince’s mansion, the Emperor surely hoped the Prince would bring them along to help expand the family line as soon as possible.
“The Crown Prince is older and already has three sons and one daughter. Prince Heng’s mansion also has one daughter and two sons. Only the Prince has no children yet, so naturally the Emperor is concerned.”
Matron Gui whispered: “Concubine, a letter has arrived from the Fang family. They have found a folk remedy for you, guaranteed to help you conceive.”
“Hurry and prepare the medicine according to the prescription. Once I have regulated my body, I can conceive a child as soon as possible.” Side Consort Fang immediately urged Matron Gui to brew the medicine.
At the center of the Southern Garden hunting grounds stood a bright yellow tent—the largest and most conspicuous one.
Shen Lingshu looked ahead. From their tents to the Emperor’s tent, they encountered many patrolling guards along the way, each clad in armor and holding long swords, appearing fiercely intimidating. It seemed that anyone making a suspicious move would meet a bloody end on the spot.
Upon reaching the tent entrance, Eunuch Shun’en said: “Please wait here, ladies. Allow this old servant to announce your arrival.”
“Concubine Shen, why do you think the Emperor wants to see us?” Hai Jiaren and Shen Lingshu stood side by side at the tent entrance. Although Hai Jiaren disliked her, they both came from Lin Prince’s Mansion.
“We will know once we see the Emperor.” Shen Lingshu stood upright. Faint laughter could be heard from inside the imperial tent. Time passed slowly, and Hai Jiaren muttered: “When can we go in?”
Hai Jiaren secretly glanced at Shen Lingshu, who stood perfectly straight, and quietly shifted her feet. After a long while, the eunuch’s announcement came: “Summoning Lady Shen and Lady Hai of Lin Prince’s Mansion for an audience!”
Hai Jiaren was so excited she nearly stumbled, but Shen Lingshu reacted quickly and reached out to steady her.
“Thank you.” Hai Jiaren took a deep breath.
Shen Lingshu said nothing. If she hadn’t been worried about being implicated by Hai Jiaren, she wouldn’t have bothered to help. The moment she stepped into the imperial tent, Shen Lingshu couldn’t help but think: it’s good to be rich!
Not only was this tent in the wilderness larger than a three-bedroom house, but the entire floor was covered with soft carpets.
“Lady Shen pays respects to the Emperor. May the Emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years.”
“Lady Hai pays respects to the Emperor. May the Emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years.”
Shen Lingshu and Hai Jiaren performed the full kowtow ceremony together. Shen Lingshu suppressed the excitement in her heart—this was the most revered man in the Kingdom of Munning.
“Rise.”
The Emperor’s robust voice rang out.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
As soon as Shen Lingshu and Hai Jiaren stood up, they immediately paid their respects to Consort Shu, the Crown Prince, Prince Lin, and Prince Heng. After completing this series of kowtows, Shen Lingshu felt a faint ache in her knees again.
The Emperor’s voice came: “Second Son, are these two concubines serving you well?”
“…”
Shen Lingshu lowered her gaze. At this moment, she felt as if she were… a commodity?
“The gifts bestowed by Father Emperor are naturally excellent.” Prince Lin’s ink-black figure stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, with such beautiful ladies attending Prince Lin, I believe good news will soon reach Your Majesty’s ears.”
Consort Shu’s voice sounded, melodious as a nightingale’s, charming yet not vulgar.
Shen Lingshu stole a glance and instantly understood why Consort Shu reigned supreme in the imperial harem. In every gesture and smile, her noble aura was innate, her bearing magnificent.
“Consort’s words greatly please this emperor!” The Emperor beamed with joy.
The Crown Prince encouragingly patted Prince Lin’s shoulder and said, “Second Brother, I have long prepared gifts for my little nephew. Next year, I will personally deliver them to your mansion.”
Prince Heng, who had been drinking wine, suddenly sensed the cold glare from his mother, Consort Shu, and shuddered all over.
Prince Heng’s eyes shifted, and he immediately chimed in, “In terms of heirs, I am ahead. However, Second Brother, do not be discouraged. These two concubines clearly look fertile. Next year, I look forward to attending my little nephew’s third-day full-moon banquet.”
The Emperor, seeing the harmonious interaction among his three sons, smiled until his eyes narrowed. “Whichever of you gives birth to the first child of Lin Prince’s Mansion shall be promoted to a Secondary Consort.”
Secondary Consort!
Although her status would be lower than that of a Concubine, as long as she bore a child, she would be recorded in the imperial jade register.
“Eunuch Feng, bestow the rewards.”
Before Hai Jiaren and Shen Lingshu could speak, the Emperor’s voice rang out again. Only after receiving the rewards and leaving the Emperor’s tent did Shen Lingshu think: The Prince must resemble the late Empress.
The Emperor was also a handsome middle-aged man, but his square face exuded immense authority.
“I will definitely be the first to bear a child and be promoted to Secondary Consort!”
Hai Jiaren was determined to secure the position of Secondary Consort.
“Master.” Zhuxin looked worriedly at her abdomen. Her master had served the Prince so many times—why was there still no sign?
“What is there to fear? For Hai Jiaren to become a Secondary Consort, she must first conceive.” Shen Lingshu placed her hand on her abdomen. According to the script, she should become pregnant by the end of the year.
“That’s true, Master. The rabbit bestowed by the Emperor is truly beautiful.” Zhuxin carefully cradded the gold-threaded white jade rabbit.
Shen Lingshu glanced at it. Rabbits are prolific breeders—it seemed the Emperor truly cared about Prince Lin’s heirs.
Shen Lingshu slept soundly until dawn and hurriedly asked, “What time is it?”
“Just past the hour of Chen. Matron Gui from the Concubine’s side came to relay a message: the Concubine has gone hunting in the mountains with others and said you need not pay your respects.” Zhuxin whispered.
“Oh.” After washing up and having a simple meal, Shen Lingshu returned to bed and lay down.
In the afternoon, while drowsily asleep, Shen Lingshu suddenly felt an unbearable itch on her face. She mumbled, “Zhuxin, I’m still sleepy.”
“Since you’re still sleepy, I won’t take you horseback riding today.”
Prince Lin’s voice sounded, and Shen Lingshu scrambled to her feet. When she looked at Prince Lin, her eyes shone with delight: “I thought Your Highness was accompanying the Emperor?”