Zhu Yixiu is reborn in Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace and single-handedly kills her way throug

Yongqi twisted his body in Hongli's arms and said, "Father Emperor, I know that my mother is pregnant with a younger brother and cannot hold me!"

"Sly."

Hongli patted Yongqi's butt gently and put him down.

Yongqi trotted a few more steps and took Qingying's hand. "Mother, please slow down."

Qingying couldn't suppress her smile, and walked closer with Yongji by her hand, "Greetings to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor."

"You're pregnant, why bother with these empty formalities? Sit down quickly, Yongji, come to the Empress Dowager."

After watching Qingying sit down, Yongqi walked up to the Empress Dowager and said, "Grandmother."

"Have you finished practicing your calligraphy today?"

Yongqi was almost five years old and was about to go to the Shangshufang.

The Empress Dowager had started teaching Yongqi calligraphy at an early age, so the Emperor and the other two did not find it strange when asked this question.

Yongji nodded and said, "Grandmother, the training is finished."

"Then go play with Aunt Jianqiu."

The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren always seems to be closer.

Yongqi was led out of the door by Jianqiu.

"Yongji has the Empress Dowager to take care of him. This saves me a lot of worry."

After Qingying finished speaking, Hongli also laughed and said, "I have heard from the Emperor Father that the Empress Dowager's calligraphy has its own unique style and can be called the work of a master. It is a blessing for Yongqi to learn calligraphy from the Empress Dowager."

The Queen Mother laughed and said, "You two are really sweet-talkers. Well, I will take the trouble to take care of Yongji."

When the Queen Mother said this, several people laughed.

The door curtain was lifted again. Yongqi poked his little head out, took a look, chuckled twice, and ran away again.

After a long time, the laughter gradually died down.

The Queen Mother then continued, "I'm sure you know why Qingying came to Shoukang Palace today, pregnant. The late emperor's three-year mourning period is almost over, and the harem hasn't had any new concubines for a long time. It's time to put the selection of concubines on the agenda."

"Yes, Empress Dowager, I spoke to the Emperor about this a few days ago. This is the first imperial selection, so it must be a grand affair. I'm sure the daughters of each family have already been eager to enter the palace and take part in the selection."

Qingying smiled and said, "Empress Dowager, have the rules for the selection been finalized?"

The Queen Mother said nothing and looked at Hongli.

Hongli also laughed and said, "You are the queen, are you still trying to shirk your responsibilities? You have never been involved in this matter, so how can you make the rules?"

"I have discussed this with the Empress Dowager. There's no need to rush the selection process. We can wait until you safely give birth to your unborn child. What do you think?"

Qingying pretended to be helpless.

"I originally thought that since I was pregnant and couldn't take care of things, I could still shirk my duties, but the Emperor and Empress Dowager didn't give me that opportunity at all."

"You, you're almost a mother of two, yet you still speak in such a childish way."

The Queen Mother pretended to be angry and then said, "The selection of concubines should be handled by you, the Queen. Only you, who have been married to the Emperor for many years and have a deep love for him, can choose the one he likes, right?"

"The Empress Dowager is right."

Hongli agreed very much, but received a reproachful look from Qingying.

"Since both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor have said so, I naturally cannot refuse."

"It's good that you understand. I've already consulted the imperial physician, and he says your due date is likely to be in early May."

"Let's start the draft in early July. Do you think that's feasible?"

Hongli naturally had no objection, as he was asking this question to Qingying.

"Empress Dowager, as long as Your Majesty finds it suitable, I will naturally have no problem with it."

The Queen Mother nodded slightly. "Of course. I am old and don't have the energy to take care of these things anymore. I am just concerned about your health and don't want you to be overworked. As for the time, it is always up to the Emperor to decide."

Hongli smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager is thinking about her son, so why shouldn't she respond?"

The draft was thus agreed upon.

The Queen Mother's gaze wandered between the two for a moment before she added, "I heard that the Queen ordered the Imperial Hospital to prepare pregnancy-enhancing medicine daily for all the concubines in the palace."

"Yes, Empress Dowager. As Empress, I should consider the heir to the throne. Empress Dowager longs to have grandchildren, so I cannot skimp on the pregnancy-maintaining medicine."