I fulfilled the female supporting role's wish and I succeeded

The annual palace banquet arrived. An Lingrong stood before the mirror, carefully adjusting her makeup and clothing. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation and excitement, and a confident smile curled her lips.

"Tonight is my chance to announce my pregnancy." An Lingrong whispered to herself, her hand unconsciously touching her slightly bulging belly.

Qiuyue walked in and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, it's almost time to go to the banquet."

An Lingrong took a deep breath and stood up. She looked at Qiuyue, a glint of determination in her eyes. "Let's go. After tonight, everything will be different. When the news of my pregnancy gets out, I don't know what the Queen will do to me. I won't have easy days anymore."

The two of them walked slowly towards the banquet hall. An Lingrong's heartbeat quickened with the sound of their footsteps, as she rehearsed the scene that was about to unfold in her mind.

"Don't be nervous," she said to herself, "everything will be fine."

The palace was brightly lit, with pearl curtains and jade curtains shimmering with light. The magnificent dining table was filled with exquisite delicacies, and the aroma filled the air.

The concubines, dressed in gorgeous clothes, gathered in groups of three or four, talking in low voices and laughing from time to time.

An Lingrong walked slowly into the hall, her eyes sweeping over the crowd. She noticed the Empress sitting at the head of the table, her expression haughty. Concubine Hua stood off to the side, chatting and laughing with several concubines.

"Lady Shu is here." Someone reminded softly.

Everyone's eyes immediately focused on An Lingrong. She smiled slightly and saluted gracefully to the Queen: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

The Queen nodded calmly. An Lingrong slowly stood up and walked towards her seat.

An Lingrong had just sat down when a strong smell of meat suddenly wafted over her. Her face turned pale, her body trembling slightly, one hand tightly covering her mouth, the other holding onto the edge of the table.

"Ugh..." An Lingrong let out a low groan, and a look of pain flashed in her eyes.

The emperor immediately noticed her abnormality and asked with concern, "Shu Guiren, what's wrong with you?"

An Lingrong suppressed her discomfort and replied weakly, "Your Majesty, I suddenly smelled a fishy odor, and my stomach is churning. I feel very uncomfortable."

Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned and said anxiously, "Quick, call the imperial physician!"

The eunuchs took action upon hearing the order, and a moment later, the imperial physician hurried over. He carefully felt An Lingrong's pulse and examined her, a look of surprise gradually appearing on his face.

The imperial physician respectfully reported to the emperor: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Concubine Shu is pregnant and is three months pregnant."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire banquet hall fell silent. Everyone's eyes were focused on An Lingrong, and the air was filled with shock and surprise.

An Lingrong lowered her head, gently caressing her belly with both hands, a happy yet shy smile on her face. She whispered, "It is truly my great fortune to be pregnant with a dragon seed."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's face lit up with a delighted smile, and he nodded repeatedly: "Good! Good! This is really good news!"

At this moment, a eunuch hurried into the hall, knelt down and reported loudly: "Your Majesty, victory news from the front! General Nian has successfully quelled the Junggar rebellion!"

When the emperor heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he laughed out loud: "Great! It's really a double happiness!" He stood up, looked around, and his eyes finally fell on An Lingrong.

"Noble Lady Shu is pregnant with a prince, and we have also won a great victory in suppressing the rebellion. I am very pleased." The Emperor walked up to An Lingrong and took her hand affectionately. "Today I will make you a concubine. The canonization ceremony will be held after the fifteenth day."

An Lingrong looked up in surprise, tears welling up in her eyes: "I thank the emperor for his grace." She gently stroked her belly, a happy smile on her face.

Upon hearing this, the Queen's face turned pale and her lips trembled slightly. She was about to speak when the Emperor interrupted her, "It's settled. Come, change the dishes for Concubine Shu to something that a pregnant woman can eat!"

The hall erupted in joy, and everyone congratulated An Lingrong. Concubine Hua stepped forward and said reluctantly, "Congratulations, Shupin! This is truly a cause for celebration."

A hint of surprise flashed in Concubine Jing's eyes, and she whispered to Concubine Xin beside her, "I never thought that Concubine Shu would be pregnant with a dragon seed."

Xin Changzai nodded, her eyes following the emperor's figure, and she responded in a low voice: "Yes, the emperor looks at her differently, it's really enviable."

Concubine Cao glanced quietly in the direction of the Queen and said in a low voice, "But the Queen doesn't look happy. I'm afraid she's a little unhappy."

Lipin sighed softly and shook her head: "Ah, things in the palace are changing so fast. Who knows who will be the next one to be favored?"

Shen Meizhuang glanced at Concubine Hua and said thoughtfully, "Although Concubine Hua congratulated her on the surface, she probably felt bad inside. After all, Shupin's promotion was not good news for her."

An Lingrong smiled as she accepted the congratulations from the concubines, her face brimming with happiness and joy. She gently caressed her slightly swollen belly, her eyes gleaming with maternal radiance. However, beneath this outward display of joy, her heart was like a wary deer, constantly on high alert.

"Thank you all for your blessings, sisters," An Lingrong said softly, her eyes sweeping over each concubine present. "I will take good care of myself and give birth to a healthy prince for His Majesty."

Her voice was gentle yet firm, but a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. In this magnificent palace, every smile could hide a hidden threat. She carefully observed the reactions of those around her, especially the expressions of the Empress and Concubine Hua.

Inside the palace, candlelight flickered, beaded curtains rustled. The banquet continued, laughter and chatter mingling amidst the clinking of glasses. Although the Empress had secretly placed the red plum blossoms at the banquet, she failed to attract the Emperor's attention as she had hoped.

The Emperor was in high spirits, his eyes never leaving An Lingrong. He raised his glass, beaming, and said, "Come, my beloved concubines, let me offer you another toast. Today is a double celebration, truly worthy of congratulations!"

Everyone stood up and raised their glasses respectfully in response: "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

The queen sat at the head of the table, her face as calm as water, but her hand, gripping the wine glass, trembled slightly, betraying the turmoil within. Her gaze inadvertently glanced at the nearby red plum blossoms, a flicker of deep thought in her eyes.

"An Lingrong, Hua Fei..." the Queen thought to herself, "Your days of favor won't last much longer."

"We must push Zhen Huan out," the Queen thought to herself, her voice barely audible. Her gaze swept across the hall, landing on An Lingrong, who was chatting and laughing with the Emperor. A hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.

The Queen took a deep breath and continued to think in her mind: "I originally wanted to use Concubine Hua to remind the Emperor of Empress Chunyuan, and then arrange for Zhen Huan to meet the Emperor by chance in Yimei Garden. With Zhen Huan's face, she will definitely catch the Emperor's attention."

Her fingers tapped lightly on the table, the rhythm revealing her inner anxiety. The Queen's gaze fell again on the red plum blossoms not far away, and a trace of regret flashed in her eyes.

"But everything was ruined by An Lingrong's pregnancy. Man proposes, God disposes." The Queen sighed softly, her brow furrowed slightly. Her fingers unconsciously clenched around the wine glass, her knuckles turning white.

The palace was filled with laughter and joy, beaded curtains swayed gently, and the air was filled with fragrance. The queen sat at the head of the table, outwardly maintaining a noble and elegant demeanor, but her heart was turbulent, her thoughts a whirlwind.

The Emperor was in high spirits at the moment and had no intention of relaxing in the Plum Garden. He walked over to An Lingrong and gently patted her hand. "Shupin, you are pregnant now. You must take good care of yourself. I will have the Imperial Kitchen prepare some more tonics."

A glint of joy flashed in An Lingrong's eyes, and she replied softly, "Your Majesty, I thank you."

The banquet lasted late into the night, and the Emperor never left the palace. In the Plum Garden, red plum blossoms quietly bloomed, but no one admired them. A possible encounter between the Emperor and Zhen Huan was thus quietly missed.