“Molan, well? Where did the Crown Prince go?” Liu Meizhao asked urgently as Molan entered.
Molan quickly saluted. “The Crown Prince went to Wutong Courtyard…”
“He went to Wutong Courtyard again tonight? Does he not know three newcomers have entered the Eastern Palace?” Liu Meizhao’s face darkened, her palms clenched tight.
“Liangdi Xiao’s morning sickness was severe. As soon as the Crown Prince heard, he rushed over.”
“She looked arrogant enough during the daytime greetings, and now she’s stirring trouble again.” Liu Meizhao’s chest tightened with anger.
“Crown Princess, don’t worry. The newcomers won’t indulge her,” Molan whispered in consolation.
Liu Meizhao’s eyes flickered. “Keep watch on tonight’s situation.”
“Yes.”
At Wutong Courtyard.
Shen Qingchen was gently feeding Xiao Hanyan her medicine, every movement tender and careful.
“Your Highness, I can’t drink anymore.” The physician’s prescription was bitter, and after a few sips, Xiao Hanyan could not continue.
Shen Qingchen, unwilling to see her suffer, stopped at once. “Alright, no more. Tomorrow I’ll have the physician prepare something easier to swallow.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Xiao Hanyan lifted her beautiful eyes. “Will Your Highness leave later?”
By custom, since she was pregnant, Shen Qingchen should not remain.
“I won’t leave. I’ll stay with you.” He patted her hand reassuringly. “I’ll bathe first. Wait for me.”
“Alright…”
Once he had gone into the inner chamber, Xiao Hanyan beckoned Qingdai closer, lowering her voice. “What did you say?”
“Master, I pretended to be very anxious and ran to Physician Su, saying your morning sickness was severe and you couldn’t take the medicine. Who knew word would spread so quickly—His Highness came at once.”
Xiao Hanyan had intended only to see where Shen Qingchen would go that night. No matter where he went, Qingdai was to spread a reason for him to return. Surely he would come. But before the night was even late, Shen Qingchen had rushed over as soon as he heard.
“Master, isn’t it good that His Highness came? And besides, you truly were unwell.” Qingdai whispered comfort.
“You… be careful. Too many eyes and ears in the palace now. Don’t leave any handle for others to seize.”
“I understand,” Qingdai replied.
Shen Qingchen emerged from the inner chamber, dressed in white nightclothes with a robe draped over them. Sitting beside Xiao Hanyan, he drew her into his arms. “Do you still feel unwell?”
“With Your Highness here, I feel much better,” Xiao Hanyan nestled against him, then asked softly: “Your Highness, my body is inconvenient now, you…”
“I only wish to stay with you and the child, nothing else.” Shen Qingchen pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Don’t worry about anything. I am here.”
“Alright, I understand…”
“Mother has said that, whether this child is a boy or a girl, you will be promoted to Consort.” Shen Qingchen held her close, the two speaking quietly of the child.
“Your Highness, tomorrow I will personally thank Mother Empress.” Xiao Hanyan spoke the last two words with playful sweetness.
“She likes hearing you call her that. Even before me, don’t be afraid.”
“I will remember.”
They continued speaking of the child until Qingdai carefully entered to report: “Your Highness, Master, Liangdi Jiang has arrived.”
Xiao Hanyan lifted her head from Shen Qingchen’s embrace, looking at him uncertainly.
“It’s fine. Come with me.” Shen Qingchen straightened his robe and led Xiao Hanyan to the main hall.
Jiang Rou was already waiting. Seeing Shen Qingchen and Xiao Hanyan together, her eyes flickered with surprise before she quickly bowed. “This concubine greets Your Highness, greets elder sister…”
“Why has Liangdi Jiang come?” Shen Qingchen looked disinclined to speak, so Xiao Hanyan offered polite words.
“Elder sister has joyous news. I thought to congratulate you, but it seems I came at the wrong time.” Jiang Rou’s tone carried a hint of guilt.
Xiao Hanyan glanced at Shen Qingchen. Everyone in the Eastern Palace knew he had come to Wutong Courtyard. Jiang Rou’s pretending ignorance and choosing this hour to visit were clearly attempts to intercept him right before her. It was already growing dark outside—not late, but certainly not a time for casual visits to another’s quarters.
“Since Liangdi Jiang has entered the palace, we have plenty of time. No need to rush.”
Jiang Rou’s face stiffened. She had known Shen Qingchen was at Wutong Courtyard, and assumed he would summon one of them tonight—since Liangdi Jiang could not serve him. But it seemed he had no intention of leaving.
“You are right, elder sister. I was rash.” Jiang Rou bowed slightly, then looked to Shen Qingchen. “Since elder sister is unwell, will Your Highness leave with me instead?” Her blunt words changed the atmosphere at once.
Qingdai nearly spoke out, but Xiao Hanyan subtly restrained her.
The smile Xiao Hanyan had worn turned cold.
Shen Qingchen’s gaze cut to Jiang Rou, icy. His lips parted. “I will stay with Liangdi Xiao tonight. If you have no business, return.”
Jiang Rou had never imagined Shen Qingchen would remain at Wutong Courtyard, disregarding custom to stay with Liangdi Xiao. And Xiao Liangdi did not dissuade him, allowing him to stay.
Jiang Rou’s face darkened. She had thought he would at least give her face, leaving with her.
Seeing Jiang Rou frozen in place, Xiao Hanyan frowned lightly, pressing her hand against her chest in discomfort.
Shen Qingchen, who had been watching her closely all along, leaned forward immediately. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?”
“Your Highness, Liangdi has only just conceived, and with the recent agitation of the fetus, she is at her most fragile. The physician said she must rest quietly,” Qingdai explained anxiously.
“I’ll carry you inside. Bear with it for now.” Shen Qingchen lifted Xiao Hanyan into his arms and carried her toward the bedchamber.
Xiao Hanyan clasped his shoulders, tilting her head slightly to cast a glance at Jiang Rou.
Jiang Rou saw it clearly—the disdain, the mockery, and even pity in her eyes.
The look struck Jiang Rou like lightning. Cold sweat broke across her back. In this unfamiliar hall, she felt exposed, humiliated, with nowhere to hide.
“Master, are you alright?” Jinyun asked worriedly, seeing her pale face.
“Go… back…” Jiang Rou forced her heavy steps, and Jinyun quickly supported her out of Wutong Courtyard.
Only once outside did Jiang Rou feel she could breathe again. That single glance from Xiao Hanyan was seared into her mind. She shut her eyes tightly. She had been too impatient, underestimating Xiao Hanyan’s standing in the Eastern Palace. That look—like watching a clown—was unbearable.
At Xiyun Hall.
Liangyuan Xu and Zhaoxun Li had not yet gone to bed, quietly hoping for word that His Highness might summon them.
“Master, Liangdi Jiang went to Wutong Courtyard, but returned in disgrace. Her face looked terrible,” Liangyuan Xu’s maid, Qiushuang, reported softly.
Liangyuan Xu and Zhaoxun Li exchanged glances, then both smiled faintly. Their disappointment eased.
“She relied on her higher rank to show off. Let her. It seems best to rest now. Liangyuan Xu rose.
“I’ll return to my quarters too,” Zhaoxun Li agreed.
The two withdrew to their respective east and west wings.
At Xiwu Hall.
When Liu Meizhao heard the news, a surge of satisfaction rose in her heart. The Crown Prince had not favored the newcomers—otherwise, he would have left with Liangdi Jiang. But her joy quickly soured. The Crown Prince had broken custom, choosing to remain at Wutong Courtyard.
The newcomers were no threat. Liangdi Xiao was the true obstacle.
The next day.
The Crown Princess led the three newcomers and Xiao Hanyan to pay respects at the Empress’s palace.
Xiao Hanyan discreetly observed Liangdi Jiang’s face—it looked far more haggard than the day before.
“Liangdi Xiao is pregnant. Be attentive and careful in serving her,” Liu Meizhao ordered coldly, her tone carrying the authority of the Crown Princess.
“Yes…” the palace attendants answered in unison.
The walk from the Eastern Palace to Kunning Palace was not far, but still required time. The noble ladies all traveled by soft sedan chairs.
Upon arrival, the Empress entered the hall just as they did.
“Your daughter-in-law greets Mother.” The Crown Princess bowed first.
Xiao Hanyan and the others also curtsied. “This concubine greets the Empress.”
“Rise.” The Empress’s gaze fell on Xiao Hanyan. “Place a soft cushion on her chair.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty…” Xiao Hanyan smiled gently.
The Empress’s mood brightened. “Do you feel any discomfort? If you do, you must tell me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty…” Xiao Hanyan answered obediently.
Before the Empress, no one else dared speak. If not for the newcomers’ duty to pay respects, even seeing her would have been difficult.
Thus, Liangdi Jiang and the others chose to sit quietly and respectfully listen to the Empress. Yet the Empress’s attention was fixed on Liangdi Xiao. Pregnancy changed everything—even the Crown Princess was left neglected.
Liu Meizhao’s face grew strained. She was the Crown Prince’s legitimate wife, yet Xiao Hanyan continually stole her spotlight.
Seizing a moment while the Empress sipped tea, Liu Meizhao forced a smile. “Liangdi Xiao is pregnant, and the entire Eastern Palace is cautious. Even His Highness personally attends her. Mother may rest assured.”
The Empress’s hand paused mid-motion, her eyes flickering. Setting down the cup, she looked at the Crown Princess. “This child is the Crown Prince’s first heir. Both His Majesty and I value it greatly. His Majesty has said that once Liangdi Xiao bears this child, she will be promoted to Consort.”
Xiao Hanyan rose, bowing respectfully. “This concubine thanks Your Majesty. His Highness has already told me. I will not fail Your Majesty’s kindness.”
“Sit, sit. The first months are most important. Be careful. I know your filial heart.”
Liu Meizhao nearly lost control of her expression. She could no longer interject, forced to sit in silence.
As they departed, the Empress added: “In two months, it will be the autumn hunt. By then, Liangdi Xiao’s pregnancy will be stable. She must attend.”
“Yes, Your Majesty…”
“You three…” The Empress began to say they should serve the Crown Prince well, but changed her words. “In the Eastern Palace, you must behave properly. I will not tolerate filth.”
Serve the Crown Prince? Would that not sadden Yan’er?
For the Empress, Xiao Hanyan alone was enough. She did not even realize how far her heart had tilted.
“Yes, Your Majesty…”
The Empress’s stern words left the women shaken.