Qing Dynasty: The Imperial Concubine is Pregnant Again

The matter of Song Gege's childbirth passed just like that, and it was as if it had never happened in Prince Yong's mansion, just like a drop of water entering a river without causing a single ripple.

Tong Nuanyan's life became more and more leisurely. She walked around in the yard every day and arranged the work of Xueyue Pavilion from time to time. Of course, what could not be ignored was that since Song Gege gave birth.

Zhang Gege came to Piaoxueyuan more and more frequently, once every two days. Now it has been three days in a row, and she came to pay her respects to Tong Nuanyan every day.

On this day, Tong Nuanyan was spending time with Hongzhao in the front hall. She was wearing a lake blue Manchu dress with twined edging. The fabric was the colorful Shu brocade, and the light yellow jasmine embroidered with silk sparkled in the indoor light, looking vibrant.

She was holding an exquisite silk round fan and gently fanning her chest. On the handle of the fan was a piece of transparent fragrant jade. As the wind blew, wisps of fragrance wafted out, which was particularly elegant.

There were two maids waiting beside her, and there were also two maids following Hong Zhao on the carpet, always paying attention to the movements of the young master, for fear that they would fall down the little master who was learning to walk if they were distracted.

When Zhang Gege came in, she saw a picture of a beautiful woman being slapped. Hong Zhao, who was as lively and cute as a pink ball, was walking on the carpet. He was staggering and looked like he was about to fall.

Zhang Gege was horrified and rushed forward to support Hongzhao, but she didn't expect the little pink ball to raise his hands, avoid her hands, change direction and continue to walk unsteadily.

Seeing her standing there in a daze, Tong Nuanyan couldn't help but chuckle, and there was some emotion in her eyes when she looked at her.

"Girl Zhang is eager to save people. Hong Zhao is a very smart child. Don't worry about it."

Zhang withdrew her hand in the air and clearly felt that Tong Nuanyan's gaze was different from before. Hope ignited in her heart. Did this mean that the concubine was going to accept her?

"I came to pay my respects to Concubine Concubine, hoping to show off, but I didn't expect Concubine Concubine to make a fool of herself."

Zhang smiled brightly, without any embarrassment on her face, and sat down on the chair brought by the maid. She looked up at the man, a little surprised.

"I didn't expect that the concubine has a beautiful girl by her side. Does the concubine plan to propose marriage?"

The hand that was fanning herself at the top paused, and Tong Nuanyan also turned her gaze to the person who was moving the chair. Her red lips curled up, and her charming peach blossom eyes flashed with an obscure light.

"Xia Huan used to be a member of Qianxi Fourth Residence. After the Fourth Master opened his residence, he followed her here. I didn't notice her, but now that you mention it, Zhang Gege, Xia Huan is indeed outstanding."

The person who moved the chair was Xia Huan. Tong Nuanyan also knew what this person was thinking and was intentionally trying to provoke her.

Zhang was slightly surprised, and continued to say, "Yes, she is as beautiful as a flower, and her name is nice, too. She is a palace maid of the Xia generation, and she is only nineteen years old now."

Xia Huan listened to the praises of the two masters, and her heart couldn't help but beat fast. A thought that she was about to get what she wanted rushed out. Concubine Zhang said this, is she planning to...

The more she thought about it, the more jealous she became.

I heard that Princess Song was also born as a palace maid. She was favored by Concubine De and given to the prince, who was still a prince at the time, to be a concubine who was taught and acquainted with her. Later, she was promoted to Princess.

She was also a palace maid, why can't she do it?

Seeing the various emotions surging in Xia Huan's eyes, Tong Nuanyan's smile grew wider. Wouldn't it be fun to let this kind of person jump around for a long time and then catch him in one fell swoop when he is at his most glorious moment?

"What Zhang Gege said is right. Nineteen years old is the age of a flower. You have to be twenty-five to get married outside the palace. Xia Huan, why don't I, your wife, make the decision for you and find you a guard in the banner..."

Before Tong Nuanyan could finish, Xia Huan's expression changed immediately, and she knelt on the ground in fear and trepidation: "Concubine, I dare not."

Zhang looked at Xia Huan who was kowtowing, and then looked at the concubine who was still smiling. A guess flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help being a little surprised. Xia Huan had such thoughts, and the concubine was still thinking about arranging her in marriage. If it was the legitimate wife, Xia Huan would probably disappear from this world.

"Oh, if it were someone else, they would have thanked you profusely. Why would they refuse this marriage? Could it be that you have some improper thoughts in mind?"

Hearing Zhang Gege's words, Xia Huan's face turned pale, and he just kowtowed continuously. He put down the round fan with his slender hands. Tong Nuanyan lazily supported her face with one hand, and opened her red lips slightly:

"Okay, I am not someone who will force you to do anything. Go down and be a maid from now on."

With a wave of his hand, Wang Chengyun, who had been acting as a bodyguard at the door like an invisible man, came in and pulled Xia Huan out. He could only hear her begging for mercy gradually becoming smaller and smaller until it disappeared.

She looked at Zhang again and asked, "I wonder why Zhang Gege came here today. A maid has ruined her mood."

Today, Zhang was no longer wearing plain clothes like she did when she first came to Piaoxueyuan. Instead, she returned to her previous flamboyant attire, wearing an orange Manchu dress embroidered with grape branches, and three or four colorful carved hairpins on her hair.

She smiled and said in a cheerful voice:

"Hey, it's actually nothing serious. I just mentioned it to Concubine before, hoping to ask Concubine for protection."

She paused for a moment, glanced at the door, her throat rolling, and she swallowed nervously: "Didn't Song Gege give birth to the third princess? Because the prince was not here, the first wife's third day bath was not arranged, and Song Gege had a difficult delivery and was injured, so it couldn't be held."

"It's been five or six days, and the third princess hasn't had a name since she was born."

Tong Nuanyan was confused. Isn't it normal that Yinzhen couldn't be named when he was not around? Could it be that something unknown happened? She thought so and asked Zhang Gege.

Zhang Gege lowered her voice, leaned forward, and approached Tong Nuanyan, saying in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Didn't the third princess suffocate for a long time after she was born because her mother had a difficult birth? Now the nurse who takes care of the third princess is trembling with fear, fearing that one day...Now, it is rumored in the palace that the third princess will not live past the full month!"

Tong Nuanyan was stunned for a moment, and thought about it in her mind. How could such secret information be known so easily by Zhang Gege, a simple-minded person?

"We have all seen these three princesses after they were born. They are white, tender and plump. Although they were injured during childbirth, they are not so weak."

Zhang Gege didn't understand what Tong Nuanyan meant, and still smiled and said, "Who cares whether it's true or not, everyone spreads it privately. I only found out about it when Su Gege let it slip when I was chatting with her. Concubine, just treat it as a joke."

Su Gege?

Could it be that this person spread all this?

It's no wonder Tong Nuanyan said that. Su Gege usually bullies the weak and fears the strong. Once she gets some good things, she will show off everywhere and can't keep secrets. But this was before Su Gege's difficult birth.

Ever since she came out of confinement, Su Gege has become gloomy and introverted. She no longer shows off like before. The only thing she can't hide is the look of resentment in her eyes. In the past, it was her, then it was the pregnant concubine Liang, and now it is Song.

Song, Su and Zhang all live in Mingxueyuan. Zhang Gege is now raising the second princess and has no time to worry about the third princess. Only Su has a reason.

Or maybe Uya's hand was also in it. She had been courteous to the Second Princess before, and even went to ask the Fourth Lady for the custody of the Second Princess. Later, she was also sarcastic towards Zhang.

"It doesn't matter if the subordinates have nothing to do and like to chat, but you have to control your own people. It's not good if gossip gets to the wife."

Tong Nuanyan seemed to have been thinking for a long time, but only a few seconds had passed. She concealed her thoughts calmly and spoke to Zhang Gege.

Zhang, who was sitting on the chair, didn't react for a moment, but then she was overjoyed as if she had obtained some great treasure. Since Concubine Jin had told her so, it must be considered that she agreed to let her join Concubine Jin's camp, right?

"Thank you for your reminder, Concubine. I will definitely restrain my subordinates when I return and stop them from spreading this information."

A few days later.

The rumor that the third princess would not live past the full month did not disappear. Instead, it became more and more intense and even spread throughout the Prince Yong's Mansion.

"Snapped!"

In the main courtyard, the fourth lady fiercely smashed a cup of tea on the ground. The sound of the porcelain breaking was particularly loud, accompanied by the fourth lady's somewhat exasperated voice:

"The person who spread the rumor must be arrested! If the Fourth Master hasn't come back yet, and the newly born Third Princess is cursed to death, how can this Concubine have any face left?"

Zhou Hetong knelt on one knee on the ground, listening to the angry voice of his master, and couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

Qiu Li frowned and walked forward, reaching out to touch the back of the Fourth Lady. He rolled his eyes and said to her in a soothing voice, "The Lady must not lose her composure. Whoever is behind the scenes is coveting the position of the First Lady."

The Fourth Lady turned her head in confusion and looked at Qiu Li, which frightened Qiu Li so much that she shivered and almost couldn't keep the smile on her face. She suppressed her frightened heart and continued to carefully pat her master's back.

"You are right. They are all waiting for me to give up my position. Zhou Hetong, arrange for people to keep an eye on the movements in each courtyard. Don't alert the enemy. I will definitely catch this person who is playing tricks on me!"

"Yes! I obey your command!"

Ulanara's eyes were full of resentment. The prince had only been away on business for a month, but the mansion was already in turmoil. And the Piaoxue Courtyard, which she hated the most, had not done anything wrong, so she could not punish Tong Nuanyan.

Even Li, who had the most offspring in Luomei Courtyard, had been behaving very quietly during this period and refused to leave the courtyard. Ulanara grabbed the silk scarf in her hands, and pulled it hard with both hands as if it were a substitute.

"Tear~"

The scarf was split in half, and her mood became a little better. She looked at Qiu Li beside her and asked, "How is Third Princess doing?"

Qiu Li stopped what he was doing and replied respectfully, "To reply to Mrs. Fujin, there is nothing unusual with the Third Princess. The nurse who is taking care of the Third Princess said that she is in good health."

“That’s good. Let them take good care of the Third Princess. Nothing must happen before the prince returns!” Although Ulanara did not like other people’s children, as the legitimate wife, she must not let anything happen during her time as the housekeeper, otherwise the Fourth Master would definitely not let her go like before.