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

Chapter 198 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 11

After the Suiyu Pavilion was repaired, Zhen Huan moved back there. During this time, Wen Yuan became pregnant and could not serve the Emperor. The Emperor was not one to suffer in silence, so he naturally went to Zhen Huan's place again.

"Your Majesty, are you unhappy?" Jingfu asked cautiously.

"How could that be? I'm just feeling a bit sentimental..." Wen Yuan said, touching her belly. Although it was a fake belly, it could still simulate fetal movement. She was almost three months pregnant now, and she would have to go to pay her respects to Yi Xiu. There were so many women in the harem, it would be hard to stay peaceful.

News just came from Jingren Palace that Zhen Huan has been promoted to the rank of Consort and An Lingrong to the rank of Concubine. They deliberately spread the news while she was on maternity leave, just to make her feel uneasy.

Yixiu is so active; if she's not careful, something extra will end up. Luckily, Aunt Fanglan and Jing'an are there.

Although she hasn't had her investiture ceremony yet, the Emperor has already issued an edict and sent over the auspicious robes for a concubine. He's just waiting for her to settle down before holding the investiture ceremony. Now she has to hold it together with Zhen Huan and An Lingrong, and Zhen Huan is even more superior to her. Isn't that just to make her unhappy?

Jingfu opened the door, walked in, greeted Wen Yuan, and said softly, "Your Majesty, someone has made a move. Xia Ju, I saw her walking towards Jingren Palace. I was careful not to be discovered, so I followed her from a distance and saw her enter Jingren Palace with my own eyes."

"Hmph, it's a shame that Her Majesty treats them so well, yet they're all plotting to harm her," Jing An complained on behalf of Wen Yuan.

Wen Yuan patted Jing An lightly and sneered, "We've been waiting for almost two months, and now you're finally showing some signs of weakness. Jing Fu, tell Xiao Lengzi to keep a close eye on things. And don't let your guard down with the rest of the group either."

Yixiu didn't seem to be in a hurry to use Xiaju as a trump card. Instead, she continued to mix things that could harm pregnant women into the gifts given by the Imperial Household Department, such as cloth and charcoal. The quantities were small, but she always made small moves.

Wen Yuan then revealed all of this to the Emperor. The Emperor, worried about Wen Yuan's pregnancy, allocated some of his share to her and instructed Su Peisheng to use this as a pretext to catch the mastermind behind the crime.

Wen Yuan couldn't help but roll her eyes at the Emperor's decision. Even if they were caught, they would probably only be some lowly soldiers.

However, Wen Yuan was quite satisfied that the Emperor allocated his share to her. As a result, she made fewer small moves and no longer made Aunt Fanglan, Jingfu, and Jing'an worry every day. Although she was not afraid, she could not explain why.

In the previous dynasty, some officials disliked Zhen Yuandao and submitted a memorial criticizing Zhen Yuandao for collecting Qian Mingshi's poetry collection, which contained verses praising Nian Gengyao, Yunti, and Yune. Moreover, Qian Mingshi had close ties with Nian Gengyao, and Qian Mingshi was even executed for treason.

Regardless of what the officials said, Jawed Jaemin remained unmoved. He knew that Wen Yuan was destined for great things. Now that Wen Yuan had only been in the palace for a short time and was already pregnant, he trusted her even more. Doing things according to her wishes was always the right thing to do.

Although the Emperor refrained from investigating, he already harbored suspicions about Zhen Yuandao. The Emperor was the most ruthless of creatures; once he became suspicious, he would show no mercy next time.

To dispel any concerns, the Emperor still went to Suiyu Pavilion. In a way, Zhen Huan thought the same as her father.

The Emperor was immediately displeased and calmly said, "You're right. I'll think about it some more. Alright, you're about to have your investiture ceremony. Rest well. I'm going to see Consort Jin."

As Zhen Huan watched the Emperor leave, she realized she had said the wrong thing, but she didn't think she had done anything wrong. On the contrary, the Emperor kept bringing it up.

By the second day of the second lunar month, Wen Yuan was already more than three months pregnant and had to go to pay her respects to Yi Xiu. Her life of having to get up early every day was truly miserable.

On that day, the official in charge of the investiture came in and said, "His Majesty is worried that the Empress is in poor health, so he wants her to complete the investiture ceremony as soon as possible, go to the Empress's palace to receive instruction, and express her gratitude to His Majesty and the Empress."

"Jingfu, present the rewards." Wen Yuan felt that this day had finally come. Although she had been a concubine for more than two months, the emperor was worried about her pregnancy and had not yet held the investiture ceremony.

"Your Majesty, I just spoke with the official in charge of the investiture and told him to be the first to pay his respects," Jingfu said after seeing the official off.

"Your Majesty has suffered so much these past few months. Now that His Majesty cares about your health, it shows that he has you in his heart," Fanglan said with a beaming smile.

That's right. She specially requested it yesterday. This investiture ceremony is to expose the fact that Zhen Huan is a substitute. If it were to coincide with Zhen Huan's investiture ceremony, wouldn't that disrupt her ceremony? So she asked the Emperor to end it as soon as possible, and also said that the ceremony was too arduous and that she was pregnant and could not overexert herself. Only then did the Emperor agree.

"Quickly, we need to finish the investiture ceremony as soon as possible," Wen Yuan said with a smile.

The palace maids of Chuxiu Palace busied themselves, quickly helping Wen Yuan get ready and change into her auspicious attire. Wen Yuan, riding in a sedan chair, first completed the investiture ceremony before arriving at Jingren Palace.

When Yixiu saw Wen Yuan, she was surprised for a moment and said, "Why didn't Consort Jin wait for Consort Wan to come together?"

Wen Yuan respectfully bowed to Yi Xiu and said, "I am unwell, so I beg Your Majesty to allow me to perform the investiture ceremony first."

"Hahaha, it is my approval. Consort Jin is pregnant and should not overexert herself." The Emperor entered from the back, seemingly having just finished court and rushed over.

Yi Xiu's eyes darkened slightly. This Consort Jin was lucky to have escaped unscathed. Following the rules, Wen Yuan listened quietly to Yi Xiu's instructions. After everything was over, Wen Yuan gave a grand salute to the Emperor and Empress, and the investiture ceremony was finally concluded.

Wen Yuan bid farewell to the Emperor and Empress. After all, no matter how grand the investiture ceremony was, it would take half an hour. Adding the Empress's listening to the teachings and the Emperor and Empress's thanks, it would take almost an hour. Wearing auspicious clothes and so much jewelry, how could she not be tired?

Back at Chuxiu Palace, Wen Yuan changed back into her everyday clothes and finally came back to life. She instructed Xiao Lengzi to keep a close eye on Consort Wan's movements.

Inside the Broken Jade Pavilion, an hour earlier, the official in charge of bestowing titles had come to deliver an imperial edict to Zhen Huan.

Jinxi, Huanbi, Liuzhu, and others congratulated Zhen Huan with joyful expressions.

"Congratulations on Your Highness's promotion to Consort Wan."

"Get up, all of you!" Zhen Huan's face flushed, her eyes sparkling.

"Huanbi, go and see off the officials who are bestowing titles. Don't forget to send over those congratulatory gifts," Zhen Huan instructed.

Huanbi quickly bowed and left. Jinxi came over to remind her, "Your Majesty, after the investiture ceremony, don't forget to go to the Empress's palace to receive her teachings, and also to express your gratitude to the Emperor and Empress."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "The official in charge of the investiture just reminded me."

Suddenly, Xiao Yunzi walked into the room and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Jin has already gone to perform the investiture ceremony."

"Why is Consort Jin being conferred her title first? Logically, Your Majesty should be the one to lead Consort Jin and Consort An in the conferment ceremony first," Jinxi said with a furrowed brow.

"Yes, Consort Jin is so ill-mannered," Liu Zhu complained for Zhen Huan.

Zhen Huan's smile faded slightly as she asked, "What happened?"

Xiao Yunzi respectfully replied, "It is the Emperor's will. He said that Consort Jin is pregnant and that she should go through the investiture ceremony first. It has probably already begun."

Zhen Huan smiled slightly and said, "Alright, since it's the Emperor's will, and Consort Jin is pregnant, let her go first. However, we can't be too slow. Liuzhu, bring me my auspicious robes and help me change!"

Upon hearing Zhen Huan's words, Liu Zhu smiled again and replied cheerfully, "Yes."