Chapter 736: Chapter 736: Chilled Fruit, Manipulation!

As soon as this thought emerged, Princess Consort Jing was startled by herself.

It’s no wonder she didn’t dare to discuss it with Doctor Wen; even if she did, he would scold her furiously.

In this harem, it’s either women or eunuchs with no manhood; who else could the child in your belly belong to but the Emperor?

Does she really think the bloodline of the Rong Imperial Family can be confused like this?

Therefore, no matter what, this child must be the Emperor’s. But she’s a woman, naturally sensitive, and she can sense that the man is definitely not the Emperor!

The Emperor looks down from above, gazing at all life with cold indifference, never stooping to offer warmth to concubines like them!

Yet, the man she’s with is so gentle, cherishing her fondly, even telling her stories.

This is definitely not the same person!

But this secret can only be kept hidden; no one can be told.

Palace Embroiderer.

Lady Jinfu, known as Zhi Jin, sat alone in the empty palace.

Beside her, there was a younger woman by five years, a female official who was somewhat clumsy in her tasks earlier, attracting Li Qingmu’s attention, leading others to mistakenly think he was interested in her and told Rong Si.

Rong Si immediately had her conferred a title of concubine and moved into Palace Embroiderer.

Thus, this Xiu Pin became subordinate to Zhi Jin.

"Lady Jinfu, when Zhaoming Palace announced that Ming Fei was pregnant, Princess personally selected gifts to send over. It’s said that many items were delivered, even some tributes."

A palace maid entered with quick steps, reporting the news she had gathered.

Zhi Jin’s face darkened as she clenched her fist, her sharp nails scratching her skirt, making a hissing sound.

"Lady Jinfu, His Majesty only favors Ming Fei and Princess Consort Jing, his heart is too biased. In this vast harem, with so many concubines, doesn’t he consider sharing his affections evenly? How can it be fair to others?"

"Indeed! Our Palace Embroiderer hasn’t been visited in ages..."

"Silence! Do you want to lose your heads by speaking against the Emperor behind his back?"

The palace maids were startled and immediately shut their mouths.

Yet what they said held some truth. Hearing it made both Xiu Pin and Zhi Jin uneasy.

"That Ming Fei, I truly underestimated her; she has all sorts of means, endlessly emerging, even gaining His Majesty’s favor while punished, and now pregnant with a dragon heir! Clearly, her days are quite comfortable!"

Zhi Jin spoke with gritted teeth, her anger palpable!

Because of Long Yue’s remark to not erode the last bit of master-servant bond, Zhi Jin refrained from acting, even when Long Yue flaunted her favor over the past month.

But now she’s pregnant with a dragon heir. To just let her peacefully give birth to the child—she couldn’t bring herself to do it!

She must devise a plan, get rid of that child!

But how to do it quietly? It’s a matter that requires deep thought.

"Being pregnant with a dragon heir doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll give birth to a male. Is sister overly worried?"

Beside her, Xiu Pin, quiet yet rational in her remarks.

Zhi Jin felt reassured—indeed, she’s only just become pregnant, with a long eight or nine months ahead. Time is plentiful.

Who knows what she’ll give birth to?

Will it be a boy or a girl?

Even if she truly gives birth, whether it can survive is a question worth discussing!

Zhi Jin regained her composure, glanced up at the sky. It’s nearly noon, and though early autumn, the weather remained unbearably hot.

"Ladies, Kunyue Palace has sent over boxes of fresh chilled fruits!"

Two palace maids entered, each holding a wooden box.

Xiu Pin laughed, "Sister, Empress really knows how to be considerate, often sending delicious treats in this heat!"

Zhi Jin nodded, "Yes, the Empress is indeed attentive."

Saying this, she ate a slice of chilled melon.

Suddenly, her gaze sharpened, fixing on the chilled fruits, turning to the maid who brought them, "Did the Empress only send them to us?"

"Oh no, boxes were sent to every palace."

"To every palace? Including Zhaoming Palace and Jingshu Palace?"

"Yes!"

Ha, Nianxi’s truly magnanimous, sending chilled fruits even to that woman competing for the Emperor. Is she showcasing her grace to him?

That man!

Will never be understood in his thoughts!

Zhi Jin squinted, turned to Xiu Pin beside her, suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear Xiu Pin sister, your complexion doesn’t seem right! Should the Imperial Physician be called?"

While savoring the chilled fruit, Xiu Pin was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, women always care about their looks, promptly grabbing a small copper mirror for a glance.

The copper mirror, inherently blurry, made any so-called complexion hard to discern.

Xiu Pin saw a slightly yellow-tinted face in the mirror.

Goodness gracious, the mirror’s surface was naturally yellowed; but Xiu Pin thought her complexion might appear unwell?

Her maid wanted to say it wasn’t bad, but since Lady Jinfu remarked on her poor complexion, how could a maid dare to disagree?

Lady Jinfu added, "It’s nothing, sister, don’t worry. You probably didn’t sleep well last night; hence your pale complexion."

Xiu Pin said, "Sister’s right, recent nights have been restless, often woken by nightmares, alas!"

Zhi Jin said, "A woman’s face requires nurturing; lack of sleep surely affects one’s complexion. Although His Majesty never visits our Palace Embroiderer, who knows when he might someday? If he arrives and sees a sallow face, wouldn’t our coveted favor disappear?"

Isn’t every woman in the harem yearning for the Emperor’s favor? Although Xiu Pin appeared docile, she has high aspirations too!

Hoping one day to catch the Emperor’s notice, bringing honor to her lineage.

So hearing her poor complexion, Xiu Pin grew anxious.

Knowing her temperament, Zhi Jin quickly said, "Don’t worry sister, I’ve heard flower tea can restore complexion, like rose tea, jasmine tea, and safflower tea. Just request some from the Imperial Hospital!"

Xiu Pin pursed her lips, saying nothing.

However, her maid spoke, "Lady Jinfu, you’re mistaken, the Imperial Hospital’s staff are snobbish; as we haven’t gained His Majesty’s favor, they ignore us, further disregarding us due to my lady’s lower status!"

"Exactly! Last time my lady sought some nourishing herbs but they refused to give any!"

Another palace maid murmured.

"That’s excessive! We were conferred by the Princess herself; how can others treat us with such disdain?"

Zhi Jin said angrily, "Don’t worry sister, I’ll accompany you this time, they’ll have to give us what we request!"