The one-year-old celebration table made of golden nanmu wood is filled with a variety of objects:

There are pens, ink, paper and inkstones that symbolize literary talent, swords, spears and halberds that symbolize martial arts, abacus and ingots that symbolize wealth, jade seals that symbolize power, and a warm mutton-fat jade pendant that exudes a faint fragrance.

The air is filled with the rich aroma of fruit and wine, and the sounds of stringed instruments and orchestras are melodious and interwoven into a festive melody.

Hongxi was gently placed by An Lingrong in front of the one-year-old table. His black eyes rolled around, and he looked at everything in front of him curiously.

The little hand tentatively reached out to a golden abacus, fiddled with it twice, making a crisp sound of collision, but quickly retracted it.

He seemed to have no interest in these cold objects, his little nose slightly wrinkled, as if he was sniffing something.

Suddenly, his eyes were fixed on the mutton-fat jade pendant, which emitted a warm luster, as if calling him.

He stretched out his chubby little hand, grabbed the jade pendant, held it tightly in his hand, and giggled.

The jade pendant felt warm and delicate to the touch, just like his mother's skin, making him feel extremely at ease.

He held the jade pendant in front of his eyes and examined it carefully, as if he had discovered some treasure.

Then, he turned around and handed the jade pendant to the emperor, calling out in a baby voice, "Here... Your Majesty!"

The emperor took the jade pendant with surprise, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

The emperor excitedly hugged Hongxi in his arms, kissed his forehead, his eyes full of love.

"Xi'er is so good, he is really a good son of Father!"

The Queen Mother looked at this scene kindly, with a relieved smile on her face.

"Shu Guifei, I think Xi'er is becoming more and more adorable. When you have time, please bring him to Shoukang Palace and talk to me."

An Lingrong replied respectfully, "Yes, Empress Dowager, I'll make a note of it."

"Look at this child, he is so handsome. He will definitely be a dragon among men in the future!" a lady praised.

"That's right! These eyebrows, eyes, and nose are exactly like the emperor's!" another lady agreed.

"Look at this little hand holding the jade pendant, how blessed it is!"

"This child will definitely have a bright future!"

"As expected of the Emperor's son, he's so smart at such a young age!"

The queen looked at Hongxi's fierce and frail appearance and was burning with jealousy.

She clenched the handkerchief tightly in her hand, her nails digging deep into her flesh, but she still forced a smile.

The Queen Mother took in the Queen's expression. After the banquet, she called the Queen to Shoukang Palace.

"Empress, I know you are unhappy, but Xier is the emperor's flesh and blood, you must not have any evil thoughts." Although the empress dowager's tone was calm, it carried unquestionable majesty.

The Queen knelt down hurriedly, saying in a panic, "I dare not. I am only happy for the Emperor."

As night falls, the Jingyang Palace is brightly lit.

The emperor played with Hongxi for a while and then handed him to the wet nurse.

He looked at An Lingrong affectionately, his eyes full of tenderness.

An Lingrong is dressed up today, looking even more charming and beautiful.

The candlelight shone on her fair face, giving it a faint blush, like a ripe peach, emitting an alluring fragrance.

The emperor couldn't help but hold her in his arms, his warm breath spraying on her ears, stirring her heartstrings.

"Rong'er, you are so beautiful today."

An Lingrong lowered her head shyly, her heart beating like a drum.

The emperor gently lifted her chin and kissed her affectionately.

A beautiful night, but a short spring night.

The next morning, the emperor left Jingyang Palace feeling refreshed.

An Lingrong looked at the emperor's departing back, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

She took out an exquisite little porcelain bottle from under her pillow, poured out a red fertility pill, and swallowed it without hesitation.

The pill melted in my mouth, and a slight bitterness spread in my mouth, but it was quickly replaced by a warm current.

A few days later, the queen received greetings from the concubines in Kunning Palace.

Concubine Jing and Concubine Hui stepped forward together and knelt before the Queen.

"Your Majesty, the Queen, be respectfully wished you good health."

The Queen responded calmly and gestured for them to stand up.

Concubine Jing and Concubine Hui looked at each other, with a hint of joy in their eyes.

"Your Majesty, I am pregnant." Concubine Jing spoke first.

"Me too." Huipin followed closely behind.

The queen's expression changed slightly. She suppressed her anger and asked, "What did the imperial physician say?"

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician said that I am three months pregnant," replied Concubine Jing.

"The same goes for me." Huipin repeated.

Concubine Xin covered her lips and chuckled softly, her eyes moving. "Congratulations to Sister Jingfei, and congratulations to Sister Huipin. It's really a double blessing, adding a new child to the royal family. It's such great joy!"

A hint of jealousy flashed in Qipin's eyes, but her face was full of smiles: "You two sisters are really blessed people, I envy you so much.

The Queen sat upright on the phoenix chair, her hands folded on her knees, her nails digging deep into her flesh, but she wore a proper smile: "The pregnancy of Concubine Jing and Concubine Hui is a great joy for the palace, and I am very pleased."

She paused, her eyes sweeping across the crowd in the hall, her tone meaningful, "You should also learn from your two sisters and quickly give birth to children for the Emperor. This is the responsibility of the harem."

The Queen caught a glimpse of An Lingrong from the corner of her eye, and her tone softened slightly: "Sister Noble Concubine Shu, it's time to take good care of your body. The Emperor is also looking forward to you giving birth to a prince."

The air in Jingren Palace was filled with the suffocating scent of sandalwood. The queen angrily threw the teacup in her hand to the ground, and the fragments flew everywhere. The tea spread on the ground, just like her mood at the moment.

A crisp "pop" sound echoed in the empty hall, shocking the palace maids and eunuchs outside into silence.

The Queen glared at Jianqiu, her chest heaving violently as if she was about to explode. "How did that sickly Concubine Jing and that useless Concubine Hui get pregnant?!"

The queen's sharp voice echoed in the palace, trembling slightly, revealing her extreme inner anxiety at the moment.

Jianqiu knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe, and answered tremblingly: "Your Majesty, when Concubine Jing was in the Qiandi Palace, she lived with Nian Shilan and was poisoned by Huan Yixiang. She has been recuperating all these years. Perhaps her body has recovered now..."

Jianqiu paused, swallowed, and continued, "As for Concubine Hui, she has been keeping a low profile since her last miscarriage, and hasn't received many favors. I never thought she would..."

The queen stood up suddenly, walked to Jianqiu, looked down at her condescendingly, with raging anger burning in her eyes, as if she wanted to devour Jianqiu.

"What I want is not an explanation, but a result! Do you understand?" The queen growled with gritted teeth, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth.

The queen took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anger in her heart, and said in a cold tone: "Jianqiu, go and do something."

She walked to the window, looked at the blooming peonies outside, and said in a cold tone, as if it came from hell: "The child of Concubine Jing and Concubine Hui cannot be kept."

Jianqiu shuddered and kowtowed quickly: "I understand. I will arrange it right away."

The Queen turned around, her eyes sinister, and her tone resolute: "Remember, be clean and neat, and don't leave any traces."

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