The Rebirth of Li Fei: The Strongest Palace Fighting System

Upon hearing this, Concubine Xin quickly took over the conversation and comforted her:

"Don't say that, Concubine An. You have a bright future and will definitely have children. Moreover, as a concubine, you will not only be able to have your own flesh and blood, but also be able to raise them yourself. This is a blessing that many concubines cannot ask for. Unlike me..."

At this point, a hint of sadness flashed in Xin Guiren's eyes, as if she remembered something from the past that she didn't want to mention.

Just as I was lost in thought, Xiao Tao suddenly leaned close to my ear, lowered her voice, and said mysteriously:

"My lady! The Oleander Elf has issued new quests! And this time there are two!"

I was shocked. Two tasks? This was quite a challenge.

Xiao Tao's eyes lit up and she continued excitedly:

"The first task is to help Concubine Xin bring the child back from Xiefang Palace to Chuxiu Palace. Upon completion, you'll be rewarded with 4% progress. The second task is to allow Concubine Duan to also have the opportunity to raise a child. This reward is even more generous, at 5%!"

After hearing Xiao Tao's words, I couldn't help but fall into deep thought. These two tasks may seem simple, but in reality, they involve the complex entanglements of power and interests within the palace. Completing them will probably require considerable effort. But regardless, for the alluring reward, I have to give it a try.

"It's getting late, and I have to go back and take my medicine."

"Then I will take my leave."

After Concubine Duan left, we all dispersed and Concubine Xin returned to her Chuxiu Palace.

......

After leaving Shoukang Palace, I specifically instructed Baojuan and other servants to return to Yanxi Palace first, just so that Xiaotao and I could enjoy this plum blossom picking time alone, and also so that our conversation could be more free without being disturbed by others.

Xiao Tao happily shuttled between the plum trees, picking the freshest and tenderest buds, while chatting with me:

"My dear, you see, the three tasks the Oleander Elf has given us recently all seem to be related to children."

I nodded gently, my eyes fixed on the red plum blossoms in the distance, feeling a mixture of emotions.

"Yes, it's a good thing to help others have a mother-son relationship, but when will I be able to have my own flesh and blood?"

Xiao Tao seemed to notice my loneliness. She suddenly stopped what she was doing, as if she remembered something important:

"My lady, you are now a consort. Perhaps it is time to start fighting for the 'Fourth Prince' we mentioned earlier."

"Fourth Prince, he's the future emperor. If we can rely on him, he'll be more able to protect our wealth and glory than our own children. But, how can this path be easy?"

"My lady, didn't you say you wanted to complete the mission and ensure that Xia Dongchun, Concubine Duan, and Concubine Xin all had children by their side? If we add your beloved 'Fourth Prince' to the mix now, isn't this the perfect time?"

I nodded slightly and said to Xiaotao:

"You're right, Xiao Tao. In our previous life, when Concubine Cao died, Zhen Huan took advantage of the situation and had Concubine Duan raise Princess Wen Yi, thus forming a close alliance between the two. If I could also do a favor now, perhaps I could bring Concubine Duan into our camp."

"Not only that, my lady. There is also Noble Lady Xin. Like Noble Lady Duan, she is an important figure in ensuring the Emperor's peaceful retirement after he ascends the throne and Zhen Huan becomes the Empress Dowager. Their power should not be underestimated."

I looked at Xiaotao with a smile, feeling very pleased with her sharpness and loyalty, and said:

"Well said, Xiao Tao. Then go and prepare two boxes of the best Dong'e Ejiao. Let's go visit Concubine Duan now."

......

"This concubine pays her respects to the Imperial Concubine Duan."

"Get up quickly."

When Concubine Duan saw me step into Yanqing Palace, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes and she asked softly:

"Why did Concubine An suddenly come to visit? This palace is very simple and I don't have anything good to treat you."

After saying this, she turned around and instructed the maid beside her:

"Go, bring some hot tea to Concubine An."

"Yes, ma'am."

I took the hot tea handed to me by the maid, took a sip, and said to Concubine Duan with a gentle smile:

"Just now, while walking in the Plum Garden, I saw Your Majesty coughing non-stop. I was very worried. Thinking it might be due to insufficient Qi and blood, I specially sent you two boxes of Dong'e Ejiao, hoping it would replenish your Qi and blood."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Duan smiled:

"Princess An, you are so thoughtful. My health has been like this for years. It's an old ailment and I'm afraid it's difficult to cure."

"Your Majesty, please don't say that. Although the root of this illness is difficult to cure, if you have children around, it will be lively and cheerful, and I think it will put your Majesty in a good mood. If you are in a good mood, your health will naturally improve."

Concubine Duan has lived in the deep palace for a long time and has kept a low profile, but she is quite cunning. Seeing that there was a deep meaning in my words, she asked directly:

"Princess An, you've come to visit unexpectedly today. Do you have something to tell me? Feel free to speak frankly. I'm all ears."

Hearing this, I secretly admired Concubine Duan's sharpness and straightforwardness, so I stopped beating around the bush and spoke directly:

"Your Highness, you are not the only one without children in the palace. I, too, am a concubine. Although I have now reached the rank of Consort, it is not because of the Emperor's favor, but rather because of my previous appointments to the Six Consorts and my care for the Emperor's fetus. However, I, too... am not favored by the Emperor, and I haven't seen him in a long time. As for having children, I feel I am unlucky and unfortunate."

After hearing this, Concubine Duan's eyes flashed with a complex expression, as if she was considering the meaning of my words. After a moment, she slowly spoke, with a subtle tenderness in her voice:

"What Concubine An said is quite true. In this deep palace, the issue of offspring is related to honor and disgrace, success and failure. Aren't we not in the same boat?"

I gently put down the warm teacup in my hand, my eyes gentle yet firm, and slowly spoke, each word precious:

"Empress Duan, as Noble Lady Xin said before, even if a princess is born, she may not be able to stay with her biological mother. Most of them can only be fostered alone in Xiefang Palace, enduring the pain of separation from their loved ones. Even Noble Lady Xia in my palace is in this situation. Just imagine, if the princesses could grow up by their mother's side, like Princess Bi Changzai and Princess Luyin, what a warm and beautiful picture it would be."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Duan nodded slightly, a subtle tenderness flashing across her eyes, but also a hint of doubt and confusion:

"You are absolutely right, Concubine An. If you can help reunite a mother and daughter, it is indeed a virtuous act. However, I am curious. When you mentioned this, could it be that you intend to raise Concubine Xia's child?"

I shook my head gently, with a faint smile on my lips:

"Noble Lady Xia is in her prime, comes from a distinguished family, and has a princess. This time, she was demoted to a noble lady due to a momentary mishap, but her path to restoration will likely not be too difficult. However, Your Majesty, have you ever considered that, in addition to the children fostered in Xiefang Palace, there are two other princes who have been forgotten outside the palace: the Fourth and Fifth Princes. These two princes also need the nourishment of a mother's love and yearn for the warmth of family."