The news of Long Yue regaining favor spread quickly.

The Emperor personally stayed in her room for three days and nights, taking care of her meticulously. This made all the voices saying Long Yue had fallen out of favor disappear, and many people donned new sycophantic faces.

The first to react to this change was the little maid Yu Zhu.

She was overjoyed, bustling around Long Yue with excitement, saying how amazing Long Yue was and how everyone was now fawning over her.

"Your Highness, you wouldn’t believe how respectful those people are now. Not long ago, they couldn’t be bothered with me, and now, every day, they practically wag their tails for me, hahaha..."

Yu Zhu laughed brightly, her smile radiant.

Long Yue was someone who fiercely protected those loyal to her, repaying goodness with goodness.

This Yu Zhu, how should one put it—she’s been quite agreeable so far. These days, aside from the meticulous care of Li Qingmu, it’s been Yu Zhu and Liu Xiang attending to her.

Though Yu Zhu had some minor thoughts of her own, as long as they didn’t affect Long Yue directly, it wasn’t a big problem.

"Yu Zhu!"

Long Yue suddenly shouted, startling the complacent Yu Zhu so much that she didn’t immediately respond.

"Mistress, is there something you need?"

She quickly ran over with a worshipful look on her face.

She naturally admired Long Yue; after all, the situation before was quite dire. The Emperor had been spending all his time in Princess Consort Jing’s Jingshu Palace, rarely visiting other palaces. Yet Long Yue managed to use her injury to win the Emperor’s concern and affection. How many people in the world have such skill?

No wonder the Emperor was completely taken by her.

Ah, if it were herself, she definitely wouldn’t have had this ability!

Yu Zhu had been confident in enticing the Emperor, but after spending these days with Long Yue, she finally realized that seducing the Emperor wasn’t so easy.

With so many concubines in the Emperor’s harem, each vying for his attention, sometimes resorting to overt and covert tactics, lacking any skill could get one killed without even knowing how!

Watching these past few days had got her nerves on edge.

Long Yue gently shook her head. She had no command, only some words that needed to be imparted as a caution.

"Yu Zhu, though we’ve won this round, and it looks like I’ve regained the Emperor’s favor, it’s just temporary. One shouldn’t get too carried away, or they’ll lose themselves, and the next time trouble comes, there will be no shortage of people pushing you when you’re down!"

Yu Zhu was slightly puzzled: "But... why?"

Was Yu Zhu really so carried away that she didn’t understand this basic principle?

"They will be resentful! Don’t be fooled by how respectful they are now, with all their flattering words. In reality, they’re more jealous of you than anyone else! This jealousy won’t show while you’re strong, but once you fall, they will be the last straw that breaks the camel’s back. Understand?"

Yu Zhu was silent for a moment, then said, "Understood, Mistress, Yu Zhu will restrain herself in the future!"

She thought about how she’d been too conspicuous these days. Although others looked at her with envy, wasn’t that envy tinged with jealousy?

After warning Yu Zhu and ensuring the girl wouldn’t cause trouble, Long Yue slowly lay down.

Long Yue had injured her knee earlier, and Li Qingmu used that as an excuse to get her a soft tiger skin blanket. It was extremely comfortable and felt great under her.

Long Yue quietly contemplated the words spoken to her by the man under the covers that night.

"Since my mother used you as a warning, it was to demonstrate power and to alert me. Therefore, we must move cautiously. At least for the next six months, we must remain quiet so as not to raise suspicion."

Long Yue thought that made sense and asked if he would then do nothing, living according to the Emperor’s routine?

Long Yue understood that man’s nature through and through. Even if he lived carefully, he would always dig pits.

Sure enough, he said, "Have a child! Let’s have a child soon, to distract my mother, and when the child is born, I’ll wrest some power from her! Think about it, does a father doing something for his child’s benefit does wrong?"

Long Yue gave Li Qingmu a sidelong glance at that time.

This wretched man, he’d use anything at his disposal, even wanting another child with her?

Childbirth wasn’t easy. Long Yue thought of the months of pregnancy and the post-birth recovery... Well, perhaps this suggestion was acceptable?

Following that, based on her condition and Li Qingmu’s circumstances, after a bit of maneuvering, Long Yue finally conceived three months after entering the palace.

By now, over a month had passed since Long Yue had been punished.

Li Qingmu didn’t come to see her openly every day; over at Yang Shiqi’s side, he played a role, so he visited roughly once every three days.

"Your Majesty, the consort has not been well these days, always vomiting and unable to eat."

Li Qingmu, upon arriving at Zhaoming Palace, was immediately greeted by Yu Zhu reporting Long Yue’s condition.

"Did you call for the Imperial Physician?"

"No, I was about to when you arrived, Your Majesty!"

"Then quickly go!"

Li Qingmu had a vague idea but couldn’t rule out Long Yue’s genuine discomfort, so he urged someone to call the Imperial Physician for a diagnosis.

Shortly after, the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau arrived. After feeling Long Yue’s pulse, he joyfully announced, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! The consort is pregnant!"

"Oh, really?"

Li Qingmu was overjoyed, genuinely happy!

Back when Long Yue was pregnant with their first child, Rui’er, it wasn’t easy. Duanmu Nan had diagnosed that her body had suffered from severe cold in her youth, making conception difficult. Yet, with careful nurturing, it was still possible.

After a long period of recovery, upon learning of Long Yue’s pregnancy, Li Qingmu was beside himself with joy!

And now, it was the same!

In this foreign land, or so he thought, to suddenly have his own flesh and blood gave both of them more responsibility and hope, a joy beyond words.

"Absolutely certain, the consort is showing pregnancy signs!"

The head of the Imperial Medical Bureau respectfully clasped his hands, pondering when his own daughter might bear the dragon heir, not noticing the meaningful glances exchanged between Long Yue and Li Qingmu.

"Someone, bring rewards! Also, quickly go to Fengming Palace and announce the joy!"

Rong Si had previously told Li Qingmu to hurry and expand the Rong Imperial Family. Now that they finally had a child, it was only right to make her happy. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Rong Si was momentarily stunned upon hearing the news.

Inexplicably, she thought of Long Yue’s stubborn little face and smiled faintly, "Actually pregnant? Her belly is certainly fortunate. Reward her well later!"