Shi Zhenxiang had not been back at her Maternal Family for many days when the Empress Dowager ordered her to enter the Imperial Palace.
Eldest Sister-in-law Shi was worried, "Could the Empress Dowager be blaming you for not being able to give birth to a Prince?"
Shi Zhenxiang replied with disdain, "That is the Emperor's problem; it has nothing to do with me."
Eldest Sister-in-law Shi hurriedly covered her mouth, "You might say that, but others won't admit it."
Shi Zhenxiang was indifferent, "Let's focus on the shop first; getting the Business up and running is what really matters."
She did not return to her Maternal Family just for Postpartum Confinement; her main purpose was to open a Store.
Otherwise, relying solely on that meager Stipend, she wouldn't even be able to afford a meal of Mutton.
Eldest Sister-in-law Shi agreed, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on the Shop for you. I'll go and take inventory in a while."
Shi Zhenxiang nodded and headed into the Imperial Palace first.
Upon arriving at the Empress Dowager's palace, the Empress Dowager saw that she looked well and first had her sit on a warm Chair, then took out a Talisman and gave it to her, "I went to the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple specifically to pray for this for you."
"The Grand Tutor has calculated it for you and said that your next child will definitely be a boy."
"As long as you burn the Talisman and drink it, then have sexual intercourse with the Emperor, I guarantee you will give birth to a Prince next year."
Shi Zhenxiang...
Does she really think this is a Child-bearing talisman?
Can a single Talisman produce a Son? If so, wouldn't there be no daughters left in the world?
That is simply nonsense.
Besides, she had no intention of giving birth anymore.
Having five Princesses is enough to support her in her old age; having a Prince would just be asking for trouble.
However, she still had to show gratitude on the surface, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your gift."
"Your subject will certainly take it as instructed."
The Empress Dowager was very satisfied and told her to go back and prepare quickly.
Shi Zhenxiang returned obediently, but as soon as she reached the palace, she burned the Talisman and used the ashes to water the flowers.
The palace maid was puzzled, "Empress, do you not wish to try for another child?"
After all, this was a Talisman from a master at the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple, something worth a thousand gold.
Shi Zhenxiang didn't believe in it at all, "Which woman in the Harem hasn't prayed for one? And yet, who has become pregnant?"
If it were truly that effective, the Harem would be full of children by now.
Seeing that it was still early, she wanted to return to the General's mansion.
As it turned out, the Empress also sent for her.
The palace maid was a bit worried, "Could the Empress also be planning to send you some kind of Child-bearing talisman?"
Shi Zhenxiang chuckled, "More like a child-preventing talisman."
The Empress acts kindly toward her, but in reality, she wishes nothing more than for her to be unable to give birth to a Son.
Why would she ever give her a Child-Seeking Talisman?
Upon arriving at the Empress's palace, Shi Zhenxiang bowed weakly.
"Greetings, Empress."
The Empress did not tell her to rise, but instead looked her over slowly, as if deliberately making her kneel for a while longer.
Shi Zhenxiang was not about to suffer that, and immediately let out an "ouch" and slumped to the floor.
"Please forgive me, Empress. Your subject has not yet recovered, and I felt a bit dizzy and couldn't kneel steadily. I beg for your punishment."
The Empress couldn't help but roll her eyes.
She thought to herself that this Imperial Consort Shi looked honest, but she didn't expect her to be so cunning.
Claiming she hadn't recovered, feeling dizzy, and then asking for punishment?
If she really punished her, not to mention the Emperor, even the Empress Dowager would question her.
After all, who would punish a woman who had just given birth by making her kneel? If word got out, her reputation would be ruined.
She gritted her teeth and told her to get up, "Give the Imperial Consort a Chair, and brew some ginger soup. Don't let the Imperial Consort catch a chill."
Shi Zhenxiang held her forehead and swayed as she expressed her thanks, "Thank you, Empress. You are truly kind."
The Empress...
This Green Tea, she really knows how to flatter her.
But she had to keep up the act, hoping to build her up just to see her fall.
Shi Zhenxiang leaned weakly against the Chair; since the Empress didn't ask any questions, she didn't speak either, and the air remained quiet.
The more the Empress looked at her, the more of an eyesore she became.
She still had to feign concern, "Imperial Consort Shi, why hasn't your body recovered yet? Is it severely depleted?"
Shi Zhenxiang neither shook nor nodded her head, but simply said softly, "Perhaps it is because I have given birth too many times, and I am exhausted."
The Empress...
This woman, what is she showing off for?
It's just five births in a row; they aren't even Princes, what is there to be proud of?
Her tone turned cold, "Giving birth is hard work, Imperial Consort, but the Empress Dowager and the Emperor are still hoping for a Prince. You must continue to work hard."
It would be best if she ruined her health in the process.
Shi Zhenxiang sensed her malice and retorted with a Green Tea attitude, "Your subject wishes to as well, but I simply cannot produce a Son. Perhaps you should try instead, Empress. After all, your status is noble, and your womb is surely more capable than mine~~"
The Empress...
This Green Tea, she is being passive-aggressive again.
If her own womb were capable, she would have given birth long ago; does she need her to say it?
Shi Zhenxiang covered her mouth with a Handkerchief to hide her upturned lips.
The Empress was so angry her teeth chattered.
"Very well, since the Imperial Consort cannot give birth, it is time for the Harem to make an effort. In a few days, I will help the Emperor take in some Newcomers."
She thought Shi Zhenxiang would be angry and jealous at the mention of Newcomers entering the palace.
Instead, she looked completely Calm.
She even nodded in agreement, "Yes, it is right to take in more Newcomers to help the Emperor produce more Princes. Otherwise, it is not a good thing that we keep failing to do so."
The Empress...
No, she was really about to faint from anger.
The Empress took a deep breath and brought up the real matter, "A younger cousin from my Maternal Family has arrived and is not yet familiar with the rules. Why not let her learn the palace rules from you for a while?"
"That way, she can help the Emperor expand his lineage. What does the Imperial Consort think?"
Shi Zhenxiang scoffed.
She is doing this to disgust her on purpose; she won't fall for it.
She feigned innocence and declined, "Your subject is busy taking care of the children and trying to conceive; how could I have the time to help you look after your younger cousin?"
"Why don't you just send your cousin directly to the Emperor's side? Wouldn't that save more time?"
The Empress thought to herself, if she could send her over, would she need to borrow your hand?
The Emperor was never very keen on the women in the Harem, only occasionally visiting Shi Zhenxiang's palace to see the Princesses.
If her cousin could see the Emperor while at Shi Zhenxiang's palace, she might be able to seduce him, and it might just work.
But Shi Zhenxiang kept making excuses.
The Empress said unhappily, "I asked you to take on this task because I want the Emperor to have a Prince as soon as possible."
"If the Imperial Consort refuses, could it be that you don't want the Emperor to have a Prince?"
Shi Zhenxiang would not accept such an accusation.
"What are you saying? I even prayed for Child-Seeking Talismans for you. Look, not only do you have one, but the entire Harem has them."
"Including your younger cousin."
Having said that, she took a stack from her bosom and stuffed them into the Empress's hands with a look of enthusiasm.
"Your subject hopes most of all that you will give birth to several Princes, so that they can support our Princesses in the future."
"Please, take more."
Now she couldn't say that she didn't hope for the Emperor to have children, could she?
The Empress...
She was truly about to faint from anger this time.
Finally, she gritted her teeth and told her to get out.
Shi Zhenxiang smiled and took her leave.
She wanted to return directly to the General's mansion, but unexpectedly ran into Sheng Jinyan on the way.
Shi Zhenxiang wanted to pretend she didn't see him, but Old Zhengzi called out to her, "Imperial Consort?"
Only then did Shi Zhenxiang put on a look of having just discovered them, and hurriedly knelt to bow, "Greetings, Emperor. May you be blessed with peace and good health."
Sheng Jinyan did not expect to see her in the palace suddenly, and asked with rare curiosity, "Why have you returned early?"
Isn't Postpartum Confinement supposed to last thirty days?
Shi Zhenxiang replied respectfully, "The Empress Dowager summoned me, saying she had prayed for a Child-Seeking Talisman for me, and told me to take it and then have sexual intercourse with the Emperor to produce a Prince."
Shi Zhenxiang knew that Sheng Jinyan was a man who strictly followed rules and regulations; he would never sleep with her outside of the days designated for her favor.
The reason she said this was to have an excuse for when she failed to produce a Prince in the future.
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