Deep Palace Pet Peach Blossom Flawless

"Lady Li!"

Empress Dowager Li suddenly called her, interrupting Li Guiren's thoughts.

Concubine Li hurriedly bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty the Queen Mother."

Empress Dowager Li looked at her dissatisfiedly and said, "Lady Li, you've been serving the Emperor for almost a year, why aren't you pregnant yet? The Emperor summons you to his bed every month, why don't you show some courage?"

Really, Empress Dowager Li did not ask for the prince born by a girl from the Li family to be very successful. As long as there was a prince born by a girl from the Li family in the next generation, the glory of the Li family could continue for another hundred years. But this noble lady Li has not made any move yet.

"Look, there are two more pregnant concubines in the palace. There might be good news next month. You should pay more attention to it. Have you summoned the imperial physician to see it?"

Nanny Li stood behind Empress Dowager Li without saying a word. Since she could see that Concubine Li had bad intentions, she was wary of her. Now, when she saw Empress Dowager Li scolding her, she would never interrupt and speak for Concubine Li.

But it was different for Concubine Yi. Since Concubine Yi and Empress Dowager Li started getting along, even the mother-son relationship between the emperor and the empress dowager had eased. It was obvious who was good and who was bad. I believe that the empress dowager, who had been immersed in the harem for decades, had already noticed it.

In addition to Concubine Yi's likable personality, Empress Dowager Li was very close to Concubine Yi and loved her very much, which might be a warning to Concubine Li.

Concubine Li stiffened slightly. "Her Majesty, the Imperial Physician said I'm fine, maybe it's not the right time yet."

Seeing her extremely respectful and cautious demeanor, Empress Dowager Li became even more infuriated. "Not yet? Then when will it be? Seriously, I haven't abused you, so why are you like this all day?"

Nanny Li hurriedly tried to console him, "Your Majesty, please don't get angry. Concubine Yi specifically instructed that this peach blossom cake be eaten while it's hot. It's soft, delicious, sweet, and glutinous. Please try it."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Li took a piece in her hand and was even more satisfied after tasting it.

Concubine Li was scolded so much that she couldn't even lift her head. After hearing Nanny Li's praise, she suddenly couldn't help but say, "Sister Yipin is even more favored than me. I didn't expect there's still no good news."

Empress Dowager Li paused for a moment, then put down the peach blossom cake with pink petals in her hand. She spoke sternly, "Concubine Yi has always been weak. It won't be too late to conceive after she has recovered. Are you saying this because you are dissatisfied with Concubine Yi's favor? The Emperor and I have never treated you unfairly. Even though you weren't pregnant, the Emperor still promoted you because of your last name, Li. Don't get the wrong idea!"

There is a reason why Concubine Yi is weak. Concubine Li really touched upon Empress Dowager Li's taboo.

Concubine Li's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly knelt down to admit her mistake: "Your Majesty, I had absolutely no such intention. I just felt that Concubine Yi was not pregnant, and my situation was normal. I didn't mean to say anything bad. I am devoted to serving Your Majesty and Your Majesty, and I would never dare to have any other thoughts."

Empress Dowager Li no longer had the heart to reprimand her. "That's good to know. As long as I'm here, the Emperor won't neglect you. Focus more on the Emperor and get pregnant soon. Now, please leave."

Li Guiren was extremely upset and twisted. Would he ignore her? She was still a virgin! But she couldn't speak and could only bow and leave.

After Li Guiren left, Empress Dowager Li frowned slightly: "Look, it's only been a short time since she entered the palace, and her mind has already started to become crooked. This harem!"

Nanny Li presented Empress Dowager Li with a cup of tea and said, "Your Majesty, there's nothing to be afraid of. You're watching over us. Your birthday is coming soon, and it would be a proper occasion to celebrate your birthday."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Li thought of Prince Shen again: "I wonder if Huai'er has requested permission to return to Dasheng Imperial City this time? Will I ever see him again in this lifetime?"

Nanny Li's heart sank slightly. This matter was the biggest knot between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager could not afford to be confused at this critical juncture. She spoke cautiously, "Empress Dowager, the late Emperor's order is known to everyone in the court and harem. If we disobey the late Emperor's order, then... it will be very difficult to deal with."

Empress Dowager Li's eyes were filled with sorrow. "I know the Emperor is in a difficult position, but... well, I won't say anymore."

At this time, Emperor Shenwu was holding Lan Qingwu in his arms and sitting on a bench under the largest peach tree in the peach forest. The peach petals had almost fallen, and the sunlight shining down made the two of them look even more comfortable.

On the stone table nearby were delicate snacks and scented tea. Emperor Shenwu looked at the peach blossom-shaped cake and couldn't help but ask, "Did Ruoruo also give peach blossom cake to the Queen Mother?"

"Well, the Queen Mother really likes Ruo Ruo's cakes. They are soft, delicious and easy to digest. Ruo Ruo also brewed peach blossom wine and told the Queen Mother that you can drink it next year."

Emperor Shenwu couldn't help but feel a little curious. "It seems that the Queen Mother really likes you. The Queen Mother is always serious, but she is unusually relaxed with you. Could it be that Ruo Ruo is chattering non-stop at the Queen Mother like he did to me when we were children?"

Yun Heng was a quiet boy, and it was Lan Qingwu who kept chattering to him during childhood.

Lan Qingwu's cheeks flushed slightly: "No, even when Ruo Ruo was a child, he didn't have any either."

He then spoke to explain, "In fact, it's difficult for the Empress Dowager to feel close to many younger generations who are well-behaved and respectful to her. I feel this way because of Brother Heng. The Empress Dowager is Brother Heng's biological mother. When I think of this, I sincerely want to be close to and respect the Empress Dowager. Perhaps I feel more at ease with her, and this may make her feel comfortable as well."

Emperor Shenwu kissed Lan Qingwu's forehead and said, "My Queen Mother has been in the harem for decades and has seen all the women's thoughts. My closeness and filial piety towards her must have touched her heart, which is why she loves me so much. Since I did this for you, I will reward you well."

Lan Qingwu hugged the Shenwu Emperor's waist tightly: "As long as I can accompany Brother Heng like this, every day will be quiet and peaceful, that's enough for me!"

Although this is a luxury in the harem, Lan Qingwu still hopes so.

Emperor Shenwu couldn't help but kiss Lan Qingwu's lips softly: "I also hope that we can stay together like this forever."

The two of them hugged each other under the big peach tree, and the sunlight shone down, casting a layer of golden light on them.

The deputy chief eunuch Li Zhong investigated very quickly and presented the results to Emperor Shenwu's desk soon.

Emperor Shenwu read the contents at a glance, then slammed the memorial on the imperial desk after a moment: "Noble Lady Zhao?"

Li Zhong bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. The Broken Ring Palace is currently surrounded. Concubine Zhao said she didn't know it was Sleeping Beauty pollen, but simply thought it could repel snakes and insects. Concubine Zhao said she was frightened by the poisonous snake that Concubine Wen encountered."

"Noble Concubine Zhao and Concubine Yi have no connection. She was born in the north. How did she know about the Sleeping Beauty flower? Where did she get the pollen? She said she didn't know."

Li Zhong carefully replied, "Your Majesty, Concubine Zhao only said that her maid Yuhuan went out of the palace to buy the powder. She had no idea it was Sleeping Beauty's pollen. And—that maid Yuhuan had already committed suicide by jumping into the river!"

"Another senior palace maid, Cuihuan, said that Concubine Qi had kindly suggested going out of the palace to buy some medicinal powder to imitate snakes and insects. I've checked both the Suihuan Palace and the Langhuan Palace, and the Suihuan Palace is indeed attracted by the pollen and has many colorful butterflies, but the Langhuan Palace is spotless!"