Pixiang Hall, Consort Wen.

Jiang Xuening knew of Pixiang Hall, but as for any Consort Wen—she had no impression whatsoever. Listening to this rank, it wasn’t particularly high in the harem either. What trouble could it lead to?

Thinking from this direction, she was completely without clues.

On her way back to Yangzhi Studio, feeling this matter was of great importance, she racked her brains. She simply forced herself to think in another direction: Had anything major happened at this time in her previous life?

The biggest event was the confiscation of the Marquis of Yongyi’s estate.

At that time, after returning from the marquis’s estate, she’d been in a daze, frightened into a severe illness. She’d been bedridden for several days. During that period, only Prince Linzi Shen Jie occasionally still thought of her, dispatching someone to inquire after her condition.

After she recovered from her illness, she’d only heard that someone in the capital had raided the imperial prison. The emperor’s fury was like thunder, punishing many officials in the capital. Many great ministers had invited fatal disasters upon themselves.

Was there anything else?

For instance, the matter had already passed for several days—why had Shen Lang suddenly erupted in thunderous rage again?

Snow had fallen just two days prior, and the weather had long since turned cold. The palace pathways were utterly silent.

Only her light footsteps transmitted outward.

One thought turned and ten thousand thoughts followed. A flash of lightning suddenly streaked through her mind. Jiang Xuening’s steps, which had been moving steadily forward, abruptly stopped. Even her eyes widened together: Apart from the rebels raiding the imperial prison, during that period when she was ill, something else seemed to have indeed occurred in the palace—something that might not be considered major in other dynasties but could absolutely not be considered minor in this dynasty, especially during Shen Lang’s reign…

Returning to Yangzhi Studio, everyone was already preparing for the afternoon poetry composition among plum blossoms and snow admiration.

This time, Jiang Xuening wasn’t ill, so naturally she couldn’t claim illness to avoid going.

So she could only tidy herself up in plain, simple clothing, fastening on a powder-blue cloak. Among the crowd vying for splendor, she positioned herself precisely at the middle level—neither so outstanding as to draw attention through excess, nor so shabby as to be particularly conspicuous.

Her expression appeared no different from usual.

The others had lived under the same roof with her for not too long and couldn’t detect anything.

But Jiang Xuehui was after all her elder sister. Even if the two sisters usually had conflicts, she could be considered somewhat understanding. Somehow, looking at her, she felt her face was shrouded in a layer of gloom. On the road to the plum garden, she quietly turned back to look at her three times, her brow also furrowing slightly. But thinking of their relationship, she ultimately didn’t ask.

Jiang Xuening was thus glad for the ease.

In the plum garden, various types of plum blossoms were planted and had now reached the height of their bloom.

The snow from two days prior hadn’t completely melted, piling beneath the plum trees—blue sky, white snow reflecting red plum blossoms—truly beautiful to behold.

In the harem, with Empress Dowager Xiao at the head, basically everyone had arrived.

In the Kanxue Pavilion at the southeast corner of the plum garden, most of the study companions from Yangzhi Studio, after being in the palace for so long, finally truly saw the emperor’s harem for the first time—the Son of Heaven’s consorts.

Seated at the very top was Empress Dowager Xiao.

Below was Empress Zheng, who had carefully adorned herself. Further down were consorts whose makeup was each more exquisite and charming than the last—each one a great beauty, some cold and alluring, some languid and lazy, with myriad postures. Some spoke in low, soft voices, while others were forthright and generous.

At first glance, it truly made one envious.

The emperor’s three palaces and six courts, countless consorts—truly one could say he enjoyed all the blessings of齐人.

When Jiang Xuening arrived and raised her head to look, she couldn’t help but wrinkle her brow lightly. In her heart, she felt genuine contempt. Prince Linzi Shen Jie wasn’t any sort of lustful person, but his elder brother Shen Lang during his reign was quite the enjoyer. Ministers who couldn’t stand it had submitted memorials advising him to “guard against bedroom pleasures.” The words had already been quite direct, but would Shen Lang listen? Instead, he flew into a rage from shame and before long found an excuse to transfer this minister out of the capital.

Difficulty producing heirs—how could it not be difficult?

Fortunately, he had a younger brother Shen Jie. Their relationship from childhood was quite good—there was indeed a sense of an elder brother being like a father. Moreover, Shen Jie was indeed obedient, so for a long time, the rumors in court were that if the emperor had no heirs, he would establish his younger brother as Crown Prince to block the endless murmurings of the realm.

Among these consorts, Jiang Xuening didn’t recognize very many.

Based on her limited contact in her previous life, at most she knew that sitting on the empress’s right hand—the one wearing luxurious kingfisher feather ornaments with a rather languid manner—was the currently favored Consort Qin of the harem. Below her were two more, Consort Shu and Consort Xian. Those of even lower rank, she didn’t recognize at all.

Much less any Consort Wen.

Zheng Bao had warned her beforehand. She remembered it all the way here. When entering with everyone to pay respects, she deliberately and subtly remained at the back. After the ceremony concluded and they took their seats, she naturally occupied the last seat, naturally farther from those various consorts.

Xiao Shu very subtly glanced at her.

Jiang Xuening acted as if she hadn’t noticed.

After the various study companions entered, these consorts of the harem looked at these young ladies not yet of age. The expressions in their eyes were varied. However, Empress Zheng had never been particularly favored. She’d probably grown accustomed to the palace scene of new people replacing old. What’s more, these young ladies hadn’t entered the harem but were only study companions, so her expression was the most natural and kind among them. She even proactively brought up another matter: “Some days ago, His Majesty mentioned to this subject the matter of selecting a consort for Prince Linzi. He said the prince is still more youthful in spirit and it’s time for the prince to establish a family and career. Thus he can become more steady. Both the prince and His Majesty were born of the Empress Dowager. This time, I’m afraid we’ll trouble you to carefully observe and select for the prince.”

Today’s Empress Dowager Xiao no longer bore those gloomy expressions from days past. After all, the events occurring in court now almost all aligned with her wishes. Thus, her face was full of spring breezes. The entire person even appeared much younger.

Empress Zheng’s words were also meant to please her.

Prince Linzi finally selecting a consort meant he would establish a family and career. For Empress Dowager Xiao as his mother, this was naturally good news. So she rarely didn’t pick at Empress Zheng’s faults and even smiled, saying: “Though the Ministry of Rites will handle the selection process, how could men understand marriage matters as well as women? The empress manages the harem with internal and external titled ladies all moving about. You should also pay more attention for the prince.”

Empress Zheng actually felt somewhat flattered and hurriedly said: “This subject will certainly do her utmost and also hopes the prince will marry a satisfactory princess consort.”

Consort Qin, seated below, held an exquisite hand warmer in her arms. Hearing this, she lifted her eyelids and, in a languid manner, glanced toward that group of Yangzhi Studio study companions in the furthest corner. Drawing out her voice teasingly: “If you ask this subject, where’s the need for such effort? Look, aren’t all the capital’s most talented and beautiful young ladies sitting right there? If you ask me, Her Highness the Grand Princess selecting these study companions was truly killing two birds with one stone. Actually saves having to do any more selection. Perhaps our Prince Linzi’s consort is right here at this moment.”

These words—only the favored dared speak them.

After speaking, Empress Dowager Xiao’s gaze fell upon her and also looked toward the various study companions’ direction, though without revealing any emotion: “Who can say for certain? We elders can only check and screen. The important thing is still whether he likes her. All right, don’t just accompany this old woman in conversation. Taking advantage of this winter’s first snow, it’s rare to come out and move about—go look around more.”

The topic regarding Prince Linzi Shen Jie’s consort selection was thus lightly passed over.

Naturally, no one dared say anything more. They rose in twos and threes to go to the plum garden.

For a time, the plum blossoms bloomed with cold beauty. People among the flowers appeared even more charming and delicate.

Consort Qin also rose with a palace attendant’s support, walking leisurely outward. A consort with an oval face wearing light purple palace attire, seated somewhat to the side, also followed suit, actually consciously following behind her.

Then Consort Qin, after looking around, actually stopped before Yao Xi.

She smiled with rare amiability: “Since you first entered the palace, this palace has wanted to speak with you. After all, my mother often mentions your mother. How is my maternal aunt doing lately?”

Yao Xi’s mother and Consort Qin’s mother were maternal cousins. When she’d first entered the palace, her father had mentioned it, but as the saying goes, “one degree of cousinhood equals three thousand li of distance.” After entering the palace, Yao Xi had never dared be high-profile like Xiao Shu. After all, the marriage relationship was too shallow in between.

She hadn’t even necessarily hoped people would remember.

She’d completely not expected that today, meeting for the first time, this most favored Imperial Consort in the harem would actually walk before her and proactively bring up this matter. Her heart couldn’t help but warm. She hurriedly performed courtesy: “Some days ago when leaving the palace, I saw her. My mother’s health is well. Thank you for Your Ladyship the Imperial Consort’s concern. I greet Your Ladyship the Imperial Consort.”

Having spoken to this point, she suddenly paused.

Yao Xi raised her eyes and saw the consort standing beside Consort Qin. After thinking briefly, her expression became somewhat cold, but she still followed proper courtesy: “I greet Consort Wen.”

Jiang Xuening, who was just about to rise and consider where to take refuge, heard these three words. Her heart practically leaped. Without thinking, she directly pulled Fang Miao beside her: “Let’s go down and take a look together.”

Fang Miao was stunned.

Jiang Xuening had already pulled her hand and walked directly out of Kanxue Pavilion without looking back even once.

Consort Qin had just pulled Yao Xi along. Her gaze swept around as if she still planned to call others to come along. But unexpectedly, turning her head to look, the last position was already completely empty. Below the steps, she could only see two distant backs.

To call people now would seem somewhat deliberate.

Consort Qin’s meticulously painted delicate eyebrows raised lightly. She glanced at Xiao Shu, who hadn’t walked out yet, giving a “powerless to help” look. Then, flawlessly, she brought along the somewhat timid and silent Consort Wen beside her and the just-conversed-with Yao Xi, walking out together.

After being pulled by Jiang Xuening for some distance, Fang Miao still hadn’t recovered. She couldn’t help but look back, her eyes revealing some contemplation. She actually leaned close to Jiang Xuening and asked: “Afraid someone will harm you?”

Jiang Xuening’s steps paused, her pupils contracting slightly.

Fang Miao played with a somewhat ancient copper coin between her fingers, smiled, and said somewhat proudly: “Affairs in the palace are always like this, aren’t they? When Yangzhi Studio was searched, you offended the Empress Dowager so badly. Now it’s also a bunch of women from the harem. If I were you, I’d also hide far away.”

So she didn’t know.

Jiang Xuening relaxed, pushing aside a hanging plum branch ahead. She also smiled: “You also know my recent circumstances aren’t good. Better safe than sorry.”

Fang Miao felt deeply sympathetic: “That’s how it should be.”

Though Fang Miao had also spent considerable effort to be selected to enter the palace as a study companion, that was because she was competing with her sisters at home, fighting for face. In the future when marrying, being able to say she’d entered the palace and served as Her Highness the Grand Princess’s study companion would naturally be glorious.

But she’d never thought of remaining in the palace.

In circumstances like now with harem consorts present, she was like Jiang Xuening—unwilling to stand out conspicuously, wishing to hide far from such troubles. Thus, she was happy to walk around everywhere with Jiang Xuening rather than go crowd around those various ladies.

Watching as most of an hour passed, the plum garden filled with joyous laughter—nothing happened at all.

Jiang Xuening couldn’t help but think perhaps she’d overthought it.

How could such things be done in broad daylight? Wouldn’t that be too obvious?

However, just as this thought emerged, suddenly from the southwest corner of the plum garden came a series of startled cries, immediately followed by people calling out—

“A mouse, a mouse!!!”

“Your Ladyship, are you all right?”

“Miss Yao, what happened? How could you be so careless…”

…

The palace attendants’ screaming voices were obvious. People both near and far admiring plum blossoms and viewing snow all heard. For a time, everyone was alarmed and uncertain, looking toward where the sounds came from to see the situation.

Jiang Xuening couldn’t help but exchange glances with Fang Miao.

The two also followed distantly behind the crowd walking over. When they got closer, they saw it was Consort Qin, Consort Wen, and Yao Xi—several people. Apparently while admiring plum blossoms, they’d glimpsed a mouse and were all quite frightened. That thin, small Consort Wen had even fallen into the snow. Palace attendants all rushed forward with many hands to help her up. Consort Qin further frowned, lightly reproaching Yao Xi.

Yao Xi opened her mouth, seeming somewhat surprised, as if wanting to explain something. But seeing Consort Qin, she didn’t speak out and could only stand to the side with a somewhat alarmed appearance.

Seeing palace attendants go to help Consort Wen, she also made to go.

Consort Wen’s rank in this harem wasn’t high. Seeing Consort Qin treat Yao Xi well, she even smiled: “Miss Yao need not blame yourself. Anyone can be frightened. My body is durable—no great harm done.”

With her saying this, Yao Xi breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Consort Wen had only just risen when her complexion paled somewhat. She seemed to feel some discomfort in her abdomen and actually reached out to cover her stomach.

A palace attendant jumped in fright: “What’s wrong with Your Ladyship?”

Consort Wen’s expression still held some bewilderment: “My abdomen seems somewhat uncomfortable…”

She herself hadn’t yet realized, but the surrounding consorts had already quietly changed color.

However, everyone looked at each other. Not a single one spoke at this moment.

Consort Wen exerted slight force supporting herself on the maid’s hand. This time, she felt that earlier uncomfortable sensation wasn’t so strong—it seemed much better. So she smiled again, saying: “Nothing serious. Let’s continue viewing the plum blossoms.”

Jiang Xuehui was walking together with Zhou Baoying and others. Seeing this scene, her eyes flickered. She couldn’t restrain herself: “Your Ladyship Consort slipped and fell. Your clothes are all wet and stained with muddy snow. The weather is cold with harsh winds. Even an iron person couldn’t withstand it. You should first return to the palace to change into warm clothing, then summon an imperial physician to examine you and drink some hot soup to dispel the cold before discussing snow-viewing matters again.”

She looked at Consort Wen, her eyes very earnest.

Only then did Consort Wen seem to finally realize something. Her body trembled lightly, shrinking back even more. She couldn’t help but look toward Consort Qin: “What this young lady says makes sense. I’d forgotten. I’ll return to the palace now to change clothes and come back. Pardon my discourtesy.”

Everyone hastily expressed concern for her, telling her to hurry back.

Jiang Xuening, however, watched this Consort Wen’s retreating back, her heart turning cold.

Indeed, less than two ke after Consort Wen left, a young eunuch hurriedly ran into the plum garden, wiping cold sweat from his forehead to report: “Disaster! To report to the Empress Dowager, to Your Ladyship the Empress—Consort Wen has seen red. The imperial physician has diagnosed that she’s with child!”

Throughout the entire Kanxue Pavilion, there instantly came the sound of collective gasps.

Yao Xi’s face turned deathly pale. Carelessly, she knocked over a cup on the table.

However, no one could notice her loss of composure anymore.

The rumors heard in her previous life and what she’d experienced in this life—they’d truly aligned again.

However, from hearing rumors to personally experiencing them, the feelings were completely different.

In her previous life, after falling ill, Jiang Xuening had only extremely coincidentally heard that a low-ranking consort in the harem had a miscarriage. After Shen Lang learned of it, he flew into a towering rage. During that period, he took his anger out on many people in court. At the slightest offense, he’d strip officials of their positions, drawing considerable criticism from court ministers.

But she didn’t know which consort it was.

Now in this life, she’d almost witnessed it with her own eyes. Recalling how Consort Qin had earlier brought Consort Wen to call Yao Xi, she felt chills assault her body.

With such an incident occurring, naturally all poetry composition among plum blossoms and snow viewing came to naught.

After everyone returned to Yangzhi Studio, no one spoke.

Yao Xi, who for consecutive days had given Jiang Xuening cold looks and sarcastic remarks, now sat dazed as if her soul had been extracted. For quite a while, she said nothing. When Chen Shuyi came over with warm consolation, she actually covered her face with both hands and suddenly burst into fearful, loud crying, saying repeatedly: “I didn’t know either. I didn’t bump into her. Someone bumped me from behind… It’s not my fault…”

Who didn’t know the current emperor Shen Lang’s bloodline was thin?

Nearly thirty years old with no sons beneath his knees.

In this entire harem, not even a single prince could be found. The consorts were all putting forth their utmost effort wanting to bear the emperor’s eldest son. Perhaps if the emperor was in a good mood, he’d establish him as Crown Prince. From then on, mother and son would rise together—wanting wind, getting wind; wanting rain, getting rain.

Unfortunately, their bellies just had no movement.

Until now, court indeed transmitted news about establishing Prince Linzi as Imperial Prince. But after all, not even the first stroke of the character “eight” had been written yet. If a prince were truly born, matters would definitely change.

Yet they’d encountered this matter with Consort Wen!

If the emperor learned of it…

Yao Xi thought of this and couldn’t help trembling all over, crying even louder.

Xiao Shu sat to the side frowning: “How could you be so careless?”

Others consoled: “Just wait for news to see if Her Ladyship Consort is all right.”

Jiang Xuening watched silently without speaking. From her previous life, she knew the answer: Later, it had been Shen Jie’s turn to ascend the throne. Moreover, she’d indeed heard rumors in the harem at that time. Consort Wen’s unborn child had most likely not been preserved.

Jiang Xuehui, however, seemed somewhat sympathetic, sighing softly.

Next, no one spoke anymore.

Throughout Yangzhi Studio, only Yao Xi’s sorrowful, frightened crying could be heard, disturbing everyone’s peace of mind.

When the sky was growing dark, finally a palace attendant who’d gone to inquire about news ran back.

Xiao Shu immediately stood up and asked: “How is it?”

Jiang Xuening also looked over.

That palace attendant was panting, yet in her eyes was complete excitement and exhilaration: “It’s preserved! Her Ladyship Consort’s pregnancy is preserved! The lords of the Imperial Medical Bureau said it was discovered early, the cold didn’t penetrate deeply—fortunately no major incident occurred. Only, going forward, she must be extraordinarily careful!”

What?!

Preserved…

Jiang Xuening’s head suddenly rang with a “buzzing” sound. In her heart was an indescribable feeling. She couldn’t help but turn back abruptly to look toward Jiang Xuehui—

It wasn’t that she didn’t sympathize with Consort Wen.

It was just that the shock at this very moment far exceeded her expectations. She simply hadn’t anticipated that Consort Wen’s pregnancy could be preserved!

Only at this moment did she realize: This life and her previous life—there were huge differences. In her previous life, after she entered the palace and became a study companion, she’d known nothing about Xiao Shu as a potential opponent. In the palace, she also hadn’t fit in, hadn’t become friends with Shen Zhiyi, and thus there’d been no matter of bringing Jiang Xuehui into the palace! Then in her previous life during plum blossom viewing, Jiang Xuehui hadn’t been present. But in this life, not only was she present—she’d even spoken out telling Consort Wen to return early and find an imperial physician…

It was different, completely different!

If Consort Wen’s pregnancy was preserved, if the child was safely born, and if the child born was a boy—then from this day forward, everything that occurred, compared to her previous life, would all be turned upside down!