A Crossover of Film and Television: Miao Miao's Life Transmigration

Chapter 212 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 25

After Zhen Huan announced her pregnancy, she appeared before the concubines in the harem for the first time with a triumphant air.

Wen Yuan was the last to arrive. She glanced around the hall, her gaze settling on Zhen Huan. Zhen Huan sat to the left of Consort Duan, while the first seat to her left was always Wen Yuan's, and below her was Consort Jing's seat. Wen Yuan raised an eyebrow, and seeing Consort Duan sitting opposite her, she sneered inwardly.

Consort Duan rarely showed her face, but today she made an exception and came to pay her respects to the Empress, which was clearly intentional. Wen Yuan understood that the Empress was up to something.

As expected, Yixiu would not let this opportunity pass. She suddenly looked at Consort Duan, her tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Now that Consort Xuan has returned, Consort Duan, you should also take Princess Longyue to visit Consort Xuan's palace more often. After all, Consort Xuan is Longyue's birth mother, and after she gives birth, Princess Longyue should be sent back to Yongshou Palace. No matter how close you are as her foster mother, you can never compare to her biological mother."

As soon as Yixiu finished speaking, Consort Duan's lips stiffened slightly, but she still stood up and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I obey your decree."

Consort Duan's feelings were extremely complicated. For half a month since returning to the palace, Zhen Huan hadn't mentioned Princess Longyue, and Consort Duan naturally pretended not to know. Zhen Huan had promised to entrust Wenyi to her care, and although that hadn't happened, she had at least gained custody of Princess Longyue. Who could have imagined that Zhen Huan would return to the palace again?

Yixiu turned her gaze to Wen Yuan, her tone tinged with a hint of probing: "Consort Jin, you've been pregnant with two princes before, and didn't you say a while ago that you hoped to give the Seventh Prince a younger brother or sister? Now that Consort Xuan is pregnant, your wish will soon come true."

Wen Yuan chuckled lightly, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes: "Your Majesty is right. I naturally look forward to Consort Xuan giving the Seventh Prince a younger brother or sister. As for who is unhappy, I have no idea. Does Your Majesty know?"

Yi Xiu's heart sank, but she still maintained a dignified smile: "Consort Jin is talking nonsense again. As the Empress, I naturally hope that the concubines will bear children for the Emperor."

Wen Yuan persisted, saying, "It's good that Your Majesty the Empress knows your duties. Otherwise, if I had to remind you, wouldn't that be making you a laughingstock?"

Zhen Huan watched the two women clash quietly, feeling a sense of déjà vu. Back in the first year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, Nian Shilan and the Empress had also clashed in a similar way. However, Consort Jin was now far more difficult to deal with than Nian Shilan, and her mind was far more cunning. Zhen Huan hoped that Consort Jin would not ruin her plans.

Yixiu, not wanting to get entangled with Wen Yuan any longer, changed the subject and looked at Zhen Huan, her tone gentle: "Consort Xuan, you are pregnant and need to take good care of yourself. Rest more, move around less, and skip the formalities if you can avoid them."

Zhen Huan quickly stood up and bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty the Empress."

Seeing this, An Lingrong was displeased and said softly, "Consort Xuan has a princess and is now pregnant with another child. Such good fortune is not something everyone can learn."

Her aim was nothing more than to incite jealousy in the harem. If she could use this to get other concubines to target Zhen Huan, that would be even better. Unfortunately, despite avoiding the Empress's people and focusing on recuperating, she was unable to conceive.

Yi Xiu chuckled and waved his hand: "Alright, that's enough for today. You can all leave now."

The concubines rose and bowed. Wen Yuan was the first to walk out of the palace gate. Upon seeing this, the other concubines all gave way, not daring to compete with her.

Yixiu sat in the main seat, her expression shifting between light and dark. She felt annoyed just looking at Wen Yuan, and now Zhen Huan had returned. Both of them had children, but she alone had no offspring.

She had considered taking control of the Third Prince, but his birth mother, Consort Li, though confined to a side hall of Changchun Palace, remained an obstacle. As for the Fourth Prince, Yixiu looked down on him; the Fifth Prince was too weak to shoulder any heavy responsibilities.

Inside Yanqing Palace, Consort Duan sat at the head of the table with a solemn expression. Jixiang said indignantly, "Your Majesty, we've raised Princess Longyue for so many years, and now Consort Xuan wants to take the princess away as soon as she returns. What kind of logic is this?"

Consort Duan waved her hand, her tone calm: "Alright, stop saying such things. Consort Xuan is Princess Longyue's birth mother, so naturally she can't be compared to me, her adoptive mother."

Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, trembled slightly, her heart filled with resentment. The Emperor was now infatuated with Zhen Huan, so what could she, a concubine without favor and living in a remote palace, do? The only one who could rival Zhen Huan now was Consort Jin.

"What is Longyue doing?" Consort Duan asked softly. The past three years with Longyue had been the happiest time of her life in decades, and her tone was full of doting affection.

Jixiang replied, "The princess has just woken up and is probably having breakfast."

Consort Duan nodded, her tone calm: "After Longyue finishes her breakfast, we will take her to Yongshou Palace."

Jixiang stamped her feet anxiously: "Your Majesty, how could you... If Consort Xuan wins over the princess, wouldn't all the effort Your Majesty has put into raising Longyue over the years be wasted?"

Consort Duan interrupted her, coldly saying, "Her Majesty the Empress has given the order, and as an unfavored concubine, I naturally have to follow it."

Before long, the wet nurse came in carrying Princess Longyue. Princess Longyue was tiny and had a childish voice. It was this little girl who brought Consort Duan the long-lost joy of family life.

"Mother." Longyue struggled to get down, ran to Consort Duan's side, and tugged at her sleeve.

Consort Duan touched Longyue's little face and said softly, "Longyue, your mother will take you to pay your respects to Consort Xuan."

Longyue pouted and said innocently, "Longyue doesn't want to go. Longyue wants to play with Mother."

Consort Duan patiently coaxed, "Good girl, we'll go see Consort Xuan first, then we'll come back to play."

After paying her respects at Yongshou Palace, Consort Hui came to catch up with Zhen Huan.

After Zhen Huan returned to the palace, she arranged for Wen Shichu to treat her father's illness. Now, Wei Lin is taking her pulse. Although Wei Lin was shocked by Zhen Huan's outrageous act, Zhen Huan was now very powerful, so how could a mere imperial physician like him dare to say anything? If he was not careful, the Emperor might very well kill him to silence him.

Jinxi walked in happily and reported, "Your Majesty, Consort Duan has arrived with Princess Longyue."

Zhen Huan's mood improved considerably upon hearing that Princess Longyue had arrived. She had just mentioned Princess Longyue to Meizhuang, and she hadn't expected her to come so soon.

Consort Duan led Princess Longyue into Yongshou Palace. Yongshou Palace had been uninhabited for many years, and although it had undergone minor repairs, it still appeared desolate. The decorations inside were even less impressive than those of the former Suiyu Pavilion, a sense of bleakness permeating its former splendor.

Consort Duan glanced at the main hall out of the corner of her eye, a cold smile playing on her lips. Zhen Huan, however, was completely focused on Princess Longyue; once she saw Longyue, her gaze was fixed on her. Consort Duan, seeing this, was filled with resentment. She had raised Longyue for so many years; why should Zhen Huan take her away the moment she returned?

Princess Longyue was frightened by Zhen Huan's gaze and quickly hid behind Consort Duan. Consort Duan teased, "Princess Longyue is still young and a little shy."

After saying this, she gently pushed Longyue forward and offered a few words of tender comfort. Only then did Longyue timidly walk up to Zhen Huan, bow, and her clear, childlike voice rang out: "Greetings to Consort Xuan."

With tears in her eyes, Zhen Huan gently touched Longyue's face, her voice light yet choked with emotion: "There were too many people yesterday, so I couldn't say much. Today, seeing you, sister, I'm so grateful for your years of devoted care for Longyue, treating her like your own daughter."

The gloom in Consort Duan's eyes had not yet dissipated, but she quickly said, "Sister, there is no need for such a grand gesture."