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

Jingyang Palace

Concubine Cao quietly came to Jingyang Palace, looked around to make sure no one was following her, and then gently knocked on the door.

There was the sound of light footsteps, and the gate of Jingyang Palace slowly opened. Chunhua poked her head out and saw Concubine Cao standing outside. She quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Concubine Cao."

Concubine Cao nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "I want to see Concubine Shu. Please let me in."

Chunhua stepped aside, and Concubine Cao quickly slipped into the palace. She looked around and breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that no one was paying attention.

"Where is the Empress?" Concubine Cao asked anxiously, with anxious eyes flashing.

Chunhua replied respectfully, "Her Majesty is resting in the inner chamber. I will go and inform her right away."

"Your Majesty, Concubine Cao requests an audience."

"Bring her in." An Lingrong's low voice came from inside.

Concubine Cao pushed the door open and walked quickly to An Lingrong, bowing respectfully and saying, "Shupin, I have something to ask of you."

An Lingrong raised her eyebrows and motioned her to stand up: "Go ahead."

Concubine Cao lowered her voice, a shrewd glint in her eyes: "I am willing to serve Concubine Shu, and I only ask for your protection in the future."

An Lingrong narrowed her eyes and looked at Concubine Cao: "What can you do for me?"

Concubine Cao bit her lip and said with determination: "I have been with Concubine Hua for many years and know many of her secrets. If Concubine Shu needs me, I can..."

An Lingrong's eyes flashed with surprise, but she quickly regained her composure. She stood up, slowly walked over to Concubine Cao, and said softly, "Okay, from today on, you are mine."

Concubine Cao heaved a sigh of relief and knelt down to kowtow: "I will do my best to live up to Concubine Shu's high expectations."

An Lingrong nodded with satisfaction and waved for Concubine Cao to leave. When the door closed again, a triumphant smile played at the corner of An Lingrong's mouth.

Concubine Cao is smart and cautious, and it is definitely a good knife if used well.

Concubine Cao leaned closer to An Lingrong and said in a low voice, "Shupin, I have something else to tell you."

An Lingrong raised her eyebrows and signaled her to continue.

"That girl Huanbi secretly burned paper money in the Imperial Garden to commemorate her deceased mother the day before yesterday. This is a big taboo." A shrewd look flashed in Concubine Cao's eyes.

An Lingrong's eyes lit up, and then she sneered, "Oh, he is a filial man." She stood up, walked to the window, looked at the palace wall in the distance, and seemed to be thinking about something.

"Shupin, what do you think about this matter..." Concubine Cao tested cautiously.

An Lingrong turned around, her eyes piercing, "Huanbi, that girl, has high aspirations. Just wait and see, and find the right opportunity to give her a push."

Concubine Cao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: "What Shupin meant is..."

"Let her have a taste of what it's like to be a concubine." An Lingrong sneered, "Don't you think she looks a lot like Zhen Da Ying?"

A hint of surprise flashed across Concubine Cao's eyes, but she quickly concealed it: "I understand."

Concubine Cao bowed respectfully and withdrew, her footsteps gradually fading away. An Lingrong stood alone at the window, a calculating glint in her eyes and a sneer on her lips.

East Side Hall of Xianfu Palace

Mei Zhuang sat in front of the dressing table, looking at her haggard self in the bronze mirror, her eyes full of worry.

She gently stroked her flat belly and sighed softly, "I've slept with him many times, but I still haven't been able to conceive a dragon heir. If this continues, I'm afraid..."

Mei Zhuang's eyes lit up, and she called her personal maid: "Go, invite the imperial physician Liu Bin."

Soon, Liu Bin arrived in a hurry. Mei Zhuang gestured for the others to step aside before saying, "Doctor Liu, this young lady has something to ask of you."

Liu Bin bowed respectfully and said, "My lord, please speak."

Mei Zhuang bit her lip and mustered up the courage to say, "I...I want to ask for a secret recipe for giving birth to a boy."

Liu Bin was startled when he heard this, but quickly regained his composure: "My lord, this..."

Mei Zhuang interrupted him anxiously, "Doctor Liu, you and I are from the same hometown. I beg you to help me. I am isolated and helpless in the palace. Only if I can have a son can I gain a foothold in this deep palace."

Liu Bin looked at Mei Zhuang's earnest eyes and finally nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, my lady. I will do my best."

Mei Zhuang felt relieved, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes: "Thank you, Doctor Liu."

After Liu Bin left, Mei Zhuang sat back down at the dressing table, looked at herself in the mirror, and whispered to herself, "I hope this will work."

In the scorching summer heat, the palace was unbearably hot. The emperor ordered everyone to go to the Old Summer Palace to escape the heat, and the entire harem suddenly became busy.

An Lingrong strolled through the Old Summer Palace, and the scenery before her made her stop and take in the sight. The emerald green lake, the exquisite pavilions, and the well-arranged arrangement of flowers and trees all captivated her.

"It's so beautiful here." She sighed softly, her eyes lingering on the beautiful scenery before her.

Qiuyue, who was accompanying him, asked cautiously, "Are you tired, Madam? Do you want to rest for a while?"

An Lingrong nodded and pointed to an elegant little building not far away. "Let's go there. It has a wide view and overlooks the entire garden."

She walked slowly towards the small building, each step exuding grace and composure. Climbing the steps and pushing open the carved wooden door, the interior furnishings immediately came into view.

An Lingrong looked around with satisfaction, a smile curling her lips. "The Old Summer Palace is indeed worthy of its reputation. Every detail is a masterpiece of meticulous craftsmanship."

She walked to the window, looking at the lake and mountains in the distance, and suddenly her expression darkened: "What a pity, such a beautiful scenery can't escape disaster after all."

Qiuyue asked in confusion, "What do you mean, Madam?"

An Lingrong shook her head, a hint of melancholy in her tone: "Nothing, I just suddenly thought of something bad." She turned to Qiuyue and instructed: "Go prepare some refreshments, I need to rest here for a while."

Qiuyue retreated in response, and An Lingrong stood alone in front of the window, quietly admiring the beautiful scenery in front of her, but ripples were rising in her heart.

The joyous day of Princess Wen Yi's first birthday has finally arrived. The Queen is in Changchun Fairy House, personally taking charge of the preparations to hold a grand banquet for the little princess.

Concubine Cao took the opportunity to invite Zhen Huan, Mei Zhuang and others to her palace for a small gathering. After everyone was seated, Concubine Cao said with a smile: "It's a rare occasion for us all to get together today, let's not leave until we are drunk!"

Zhen Huan raised her glass and said softly, "Noble Lady Cao is right. Today is indeed a day worth celebrating."

Mei Zhuang also raised her glass, but suddenly her expression changed, she covered her mouth and rushed out of the room. Everyone looked at each other, bewildered.

A moment later, Meizhuang came back, looking pale. Zhen Huan asked with concern: "Meizhuang, are you okay?"

Mei Zhuang forced a smile: "It's okay, maybe I have an upset stomach."

Concubine Cao rolled her eyes and said in a feigned surprise, "Sister Meizhuang, are you pregnant?"

Everyone was shocked when these words came out. Mei Zhuang quickly waved her hands: "No way, I..."

Before she finished speaking, the emperor suddenly pushed the door open and walked in. Hearing this, he was overjoyed and strode up to Mei Zhuang: "Mei Zhuang, are you really pregnant?"

Mei Zhuang knelt down in panic: "I am not sure..."

The emperor laughed and helped her up: "Good! Good! I will call the imperial physician to take your pulse immediately!"

After carefully checking Mei Zhuang's pulse, the imperial physician Liu Bin showed a delighted expression and respectfully reported to the empress, "Your Majesty, Miss Mei Zhuang is over a month pregnant."

A hint of surprise flashed in the queen's eyes when she heard this, and then she looked at Mei Zhuang gently: "Mei Zhuang, you are pregnant."

Mei Zhuang lowered her head, gently stroked her belly with her hands, and a shy blush appeared on her face.

The Queen walked over to Mei Zhuang and patted her hand gently. "From today on, you must be extra careful. Take good care of your pregnancy and don't overwork yourself."

Mei Zhuang raised her head and looked at the Queen, tears of gratitude gleaming in her eyes: "Thank you for your concern, Queen. Mei Zhuang will definitely follow your instructions."

The queen nodded with satisfaction, turned around and instructed the maid beside her, "Go prepare some supplements and send them to Meizhuang Palace."

The maid respectfully responded and went back to make the arrangements. The hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere, and Mei Zhuang's face also showed a happy smile.