Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

The maid carefully observed Jia Yuanchun's appearance and physical condition, inquired about her diet and sleep habits, and then offered some specific advice. For example, she advised Jia Yuanchun to consume more foods with beauty benefits, such as bird's nest and white fungus, and to focus on sleep quality and ensure adequate sleep. She also wrote Jia Yuanchun a prescription and instructed her to boil and take the medicine according to the prescription.

Jia Yuanchun listened to Nanny's advice and found it very reasonable. She adjusted her lifestyle accordingly, taking her daily medicine, eating beauty foods, and going to bed early. After a while, Jia Yuanchun noticed that her skin became smoother and more refined, and her facial wrinkles were significantly reduced. This made her very happy and full of confidence for the future.

However, Jia Yuanchun knew that there were many concubines in the palace and the competition was fierce. Relying solely on her beauty could not guarantee her long-term favor from the emperor. She needed to find a unique way to attract the emperor's attention and consolidate her position in the palace.

One day, while strolling in the Imperial Garden, Jia Yuanchun encountered the Emperor. An idea struck her: to use this opportunity to showcase her talents. As the Emperor engaged her in conversation, Jia Yuanchun deliberately mentioned her profound knowledge of poetry and literature, successfully capturing the Emperor's interest.

Seeing that the emperor was indeed attracted by her words, Jia Yuanchun couldn't help but feel happy, thinking that she had found a way to gain favor. However, she didn't know that if the current emperor hadn't taken the late emperor's face into consideration, the Jia family would have been punished for her past actions.

It turned out that Jia Yuanchun had done some shameful things under the coercion of the late emperor. Although she was forced to do so, there was also an element of her active seduction.

The emperor now understood everything clearly, but he was unwilling to dwell on these trivial matters. However, if he truly did dig up these old scores, it would be a serious crime punishable by confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan. After all, all merits and faults rested solely with the emperor. Now that she had become a concubine and had acquired the status that came with it, having children was probably impossible. The emperor would never allow a concubine like her to have children of her own.

Unbeknownst to Jia Yuanchun, the child was, in fact, a death warrant. If she were truly pregnant, her death would be imminent. Yet, completely unaware of this, Jia Yuanchun continued to desperately consume various fertility-enhancing medicinal soups, hoping to conceive and give birth to a prince as soon as possible.

Time flies, day by day, Jia Yuanchun drinks all kinds of medicines day after day, hoping to get pregnant soon. Meanwhile, Concubine Zhen, who has been silently supporting the Jia family, is furious at the news of the emperor's death and eventually follows him.

Of course, this was only the official cause of death. In reality, many within the palace knew full well that Concubine Zhen Gui had been poisoned and forced to accompany the retired emperor to his death. Without the powerful support of Concubine Zhen Gui, the Jia family's position within the palace suddenly became precarious and jeopardized.

Jia Yuanchun was terribly anxious, knowing that only by conceiving an heir could she secure her and her family's position within the palace. Thus, she desperately hoped for a successful pregnancy. However, fate seemed to play tricks on her. Despite her best efforts, the emperor never set foot in her bedroom.

Jia Yuanchun spent her days in anxiety, her body steadily wasting away. One day, after drinking another bowl of bitter medicine, she was suddenly overcome by a wave of intense nausea. She secretly rejoiced, wondering if she was finally pregnant with an heir. But the imperial physician's diagnosis disappointed her—she simply suffered from a stomach upset. This news was like a bolt from the blue, leaving Jia Yuanchun devastated. Desperate, she frantically searched for alternatives, even resorting to dangerous folk remedies.

However, all these efforts were in vain. Just when Jia Yuanchun was about to give up, she thought of the Eighth Prince. As long as they planned well, she believed that both of them could get what they wanted.

Jia Yuanchun was determined to consult the Eighth Prince about countermeasures. On a quiet night, when the palace's restrictions had relaxed slightly, she quietly left her palace and headed towards the palace where Concubine Zhen had once lived. Because today was the 100th anniversary of Concubine Zhen's death, the emperor had granted the Eighth Prince special permission to remain in the palace tonight.

When Jia Yuanchun entered the palace, the Eighth Prince was standing in the courtyard, moonlight casting a hazy shadow on him. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes upon seeing Jia Yuanchun's arrival, but he quickly regained his composure and asked softly, "I wonder why Your Majesty has come here so late?" Jia Yuanchun looked at him and spoke slowly, "Your Highness, I presume you already know the cause of Your Majesty's death! I wonder how you feel right now?"

As soon as these words came out, the Eighth Prince's face instantly turned gloomy, and he said angrily: "Your Majesty actually disregarded etiquette and came out secretly in the middle of the night, just to tell me this?"

Jia Yuanchun smiled faintly, a smile that held a hint of confidence and mystery. She slowly said, "Of course not. I've come here hoping to discuss an important matter with the prince. This matter will benefit both of us and may even change the entire situation."

Jia Yuanchun shook her head slightly, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes. She said softly, "Your Highness is well aware of my current situation in the palace. If I continue like this, I'm afraid my fate will be bleak. But if I can conceive a dragon descendant, perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope."

Jia Yuanchun's gaze fell on the Eighth Prince, her eyes filled with expectation and determination. "And Prince, you are the only one who can help me. As long as Prince is willing to lend a hand, everything is possible."

The Eighth Prince narrowed his eyes, carefully studying Jia Yuanchun. He pondered the pros and cons of the situation. After a moment's silence, he finally asked, "How can I help you? Not to mention whether the Emperor will favor you, even if you do conceive a Dragonborn child, how can you be sure it will be a boy?"

Jia Yuanchun took a deep breath and said firmly, "If I can successfully conceive a dragon offspring, I can naturally ensure it's a boy. Then, with just a little support from Your Highness at court, this child will surely ascend to the throne. And Your Highness, you will become the de facto emperor, wielding supreme power. Furthermore, you can use this opportunity to exact revenge on the current emperor. Wouldn't that be delightful?"