The Legend of Zhen Huan Reborn: Overthrowing Zhen Huan to Become the Queen Mother

Chen Xun changed the subject, "I have heard Imperial Physician Jiang mention that Concubine Hua is in good health. Pregnancy is only a matter of timing. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

Hua Fei had heard such words countless times, and she still felt expectant, so she nodded.

The emperor breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Chen Xun. "You have been taking care of Concubine Fang since she became pregnant. This time, both mother and child are safe. Your contribution is not small. I will not treat meritorious officials harshly. Take good care of Concubine Fang and the Sixth Prince, and I will reward you handsomely."

Chen Xun was stunned when he heard this, but he didn't dare to refuse, so he could only agree with a bitter heart.

Just then, the concubines arrived. The Empress served as background for a while before saying, "The other sisters are here too. Would the Emperor like to invite them in to share in the joyous occasion?"

The emperor looked up and looked around. He knew that the Suiyu Pavilion was too small. He was thinking about finding a new place for Jiang Ruyin to live. He said, "Fangpin is weak. Let them go back first. There will be plenty of time to congratulate them later."

Su Peisheng went to the Cining Palace, and now Jianqiu was the one who went out to pass the message.

The concubines had walked such a long way, and were called back just as they arrived. They couldn't help but feel resentful, but they didn't dare to say it to his face.

Before leaving, Shen Meizhuang tilted her head and looked towards the East Side Hall. The East Side Hall's doors were tightly closed, and it looked very deserted. Shen Meizhuang sighed inwardly.

It was not until night fell that Jiang Ruyin slowly woke up.

"Suochun..." Her voice was a little hoarse, which was due to Suochun often using a wet handkerchief to wipe her lips.

Upon hearing this, the emperor stepped forward and took over Suochun who was about to give him water.

"Your Majesty..." Jiang Ruyin's eyes turned red and she looked at the man in front of her lovingly.

The emperor felt soft-hearted and gently advised him to use water first.

Jiang Ruyin propped herself up with her arms and lay down, asking with concern, "Your Majesty, where is the child?"

The emperor smiled gently, "I've asked the wet nurse to take care of him in the side room. He's a healthy little prince, and he's been very cute since he was born."

Jiang Ruyin nodded with a smile, "That's good... Eh? Has the Emperor been here all the time?"

The emperor replied, "I'm taking a day off today. After seeing you this morning, I realized you hadn't woken up yet, so I thought I'd spend some time with you."

Jiang Ruyin tilted her head and leaned in the man's arms. A muffled voice came from his arms: "The emperor is so kind."

The emperor felt guilty upon hearing this. He was busy ascending the throne and seldom entered the harem. Later, he selected concubines, and they had seen each other less frequently since Jiang Ruyin became pregnant.

So he avoided the topic and mentioned the matter of promotion.

"I have thought that you have served me for three years, and now that you have given birth to a prince, I really feel sorry for you and want to promote you."

Jiang Ruyin raised her head and asked, "Is this concubine the only one who has been promoted?"

"What's the meaning of this? My beloved concubine is having a difficult pregnancy, why would you promote someone else?"

Jiang Ruyin blinked, "Sister Cao entered the palace with me and gave birth to the lovely Princess Wenyi. Sister Xin served the Emperor even earlier and gave birth to Princess Shuhe. How could I, a concubine, be so worthy as to be above these two sisters?"

The emperor smiled and said, "You, giving birth is so dangerous, and yet you still want to ask for rewards for others. Such a beautiful woman, you are actually a fool."

Jiang Ruyin pouted in a feigned grievance, "I know my background is limited, so I studied the palace rules diligently and never forgot them. I hope Your Majesty will consider this."

The emperor nodded. "You are right. I was not thoughtful enough. However, Concubine Xin only holds the rank of Concubine. It is against the rules to promote her to a concubine. Concubine Cao has no achievements at this time. If she is promoted to a concubine at the same time as you, it will inevitably lead to gossip."

This meant that she didn't want to be promoted anymore. Jiang Ruyin blinked her eyes, but didn't ask for it. She apologized, "It's my fault for not being considerate. Everything depends on the emperor's wishes."

The emperor smiled upon hearing this. Seeing that Jiang Ruyin had no intention of supporting the two, he was satisfied. "My beloved concubine, you are wrong. Concubine Cao and Concubine Xin gave birth to a princess, and they have made great contributions. Since the situation in the northwest is unstable, I will grant Concubine Cao a title and promote Concubine Xin to Concubine. It would be a happy occasion to have a banquet for the whole palace and confer them both the title of Concubine together."

After saying that, he reached out and pinched Jiang Ruyin's cheek, "Now, can you feel at ease to be granted the title of concubine?"

Jiang Ruyin smiled and leaned over again, "Your Majesty is thoughtful and considerate. This is what I wish for."

Holding the beautiful and tender girl in his arms, the emperor could not help but sigh that it was such a blessing for him to have such a virtuous and beautiful woman with a face that resembled Chun Yuan.

Early in the morning of the chosen day, the Empress read out the Emperor's decree, and Jingren Palace was immediately in an uproar.

Cao Qinmo and Lu Yingfeng bowed happily, and the queen gave them some instructions.

Jingpin also had a faint smile on her face, "Congratulations to Concubine Wen and Concubine Xin."

Cao Qinmo, also known as Concubine Wen, responded with a smile, "Empress Jing has served the Emperor for many years, and the Emperor has never forgotten us old friends!"

"It's naturally a happy occasion for Consort Fang to have a child, but why did they confer titles on the other two Consorts?"

The scene froze, and everyone looked over. It turned out to be Xia Dongchun, who had been released by the etiquette nanny not long ago.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Xia Dongchun seemed to realize that he had said the wrong thing and lowered his head in disappointment.

The Empress cursed inwardly. She hadn't wanted to tell anyone before, but now she felt compelled to. But she smiled sweetly as she spoke, "Concubine Xia may not know, but the Emperor has already drafted an edict to formally confer the title of Concubine Fang on January 19th, to coincide with the Sixth Prince's full-moon banquet. Concubine Fang felt it was unworthy for Concubine Xin and Concubine Wen to receive such honors after years of service, so the Emperor issued this edict."

She originally meant that if it weren't for Jiang Ruyin, Concubine Xin and Concubine Wen would not have been able to be promoted to this position, which would have made them feel jealous.

But unfortunately, Concubine Xin's family background is far away and she is not favored by the emperor. Now that she has been promoted and promised to be a concubine in the future, she is overjoyed.

But Concubine Wen was very smart. She knew that this was a gesture of goodwill from Jiang Ruyin, whom she hadn't seen for a long time. So why should she feel resentful about who was doing favors for whom?

Concubine Hua on the left had an indifferent expression. No matter how they were promoted, their status and favor could never surpass hers.

The Queen did not want to let Hua Fei have such an easy time. She looked at Hua Fei and said, "Sister Hua Fei, you must work hard and give birth to a son or daughter for the Emperor. It will be no later than the day when you become a Royal Concubine."

Hua Fei glanced lazily at the Queen, feeling unhappy, and said, "If it's destined to happen, it will happen. If it's not destined to happen, even if you are born, you won't live long."

These words were heartbreaking, for the queen had given birth to a son in her early years, but the son died young, and there had been no more good news since then.

After hearing this, the Queen could no longer maintain her smile and glanced at Hua Fei coldly, "Hua Fei, be careful with your words. The Emperor was deeply saddened by the death of two princes in their early years. Hua Fei, you are making the Emperor unhappy by saying this."

Hua Fei snorted lightly and said no more.

Because of the incidents involving Concubine Fang, Noble Lady Xin, and Noble Lady Wen, the other concubines' attention was finally shifted away from her. Shen Meizhuang sat quietly in her seat.

(To be continued)