Empress Zhu was not the type to suffer for the sake of pride, so she graciously accepted Jiang Xinyue's goodwill.
After the emperor left, she asked with concern: "What's going on? Weren't you confined? Why did the emperor say Hexi Palace is not peaceful?"
Apart from Concubine Li, who deliberately leaked the news to her in an attempt to sow discord between her and Concubine Zhen, who else knew about Concubine Zhen's pregnancy?
Concubine Li wouldn't act herself. They had been rivals for so many years, but she had never seen Concubine Li harm a pregnant woman or child.
However, it was possible she was using someone else, like trying to use Empress Zhu herself to eliminate Concubine Zhen's child this time.
Empress Zhu thought that Concubine Li was treating her like a fool. Given Concubine Zhen's status, it was impossible for her to become empress. Even if she were lucky enough to bear a prince, at most she would be given the title of consort, like Consort De and Consort Liang. She wouldn't threaten Empress Zhu's position, so why would Empress Zhu do such an evil deed?
Moreover, she was one of the few who knew the emperor had spies in the harem.
If she were to act, and it was immediately reported to the emperor, her days as empress would be numbered.
She wouldn't do anything to dig her own grave. Concubine Li had miscalculated.
Jiang Xinyue sighed, looking worried as she said, "This concubine doesn't know who wants to harm me either. When I first found out I was pregnant, the imperial kitchen sent a bowl of white fungus soup mixed with safflower. Later, poisonous insects that could cause miscarriage were found on the dog I kept. Since then, the emperor has sent two nannies here, saying they are knowledgeable and can take care of me."
"Nannies?"
Consort De raised her eyebrows. "Which nannies?"
Jiang Xinyue said to her maid, "Go invite Nanny Li and Nanny Xiang."
"Is it the Nanny Li who serves in Chengqian Palace?"
"I believe so!"
Jiang Xinyue replied with a smile, "The emperor said Nanny Li used to be in the Empress Dowager's palace, and later was sent to serve him. She has been serving the emperor for twenty years now, and he told me to treat her with respect."
That confirmed it.
Empress Zhu was relieved that she had chosen to investigate the situation first. Otherwise, if she had rashly acted against Concubine Zhen, she would likely have implicated herself.
Nanny Li was the head servant of Chengqian Palace. She could manage the emperor's quarters so cleanly, without any hint of scandal, and keep all the maids and eunuchs in line. She was definitely not a simple character.
Nanny Li and Nanny Xiang entered the inner chamber, bowing to the ladies in perfect unison.
Consort Liang and Consort De dared not accept Nanny Li's bow, slightly turning their bodies away. Only the carefree Jiang Xinyue smiled and accepted the greeting.
It seemed she truly didn't know how formidable Nanny Li was.
Although they had never seen Nanny Xiang before, her serious expression and clear, determined gaze suggested she was no ordinary person either.
After the two nannies had paid their respects, they quietly withdrew. Consort Liang's expression, which had only been slightly unpleasant when the emperor was protecting Jiang Xinyue, now turned truly ugly.
She couldn't help but sneer, "In my opinion, Concubine Zhen is the luckiest one in this palace. I fear that as soon as you give birth, the emperor will make you a consort. In just a short year, you've gone from a mere noble lady to nearly a consort. Why don't you teach me how you've bewitched the emperor's heart?"
Jiang Xinyue laughed. Why didn't Consort Liang just outright say the emperor was possessed?
She was always like this. When Jiang Xinyue was down on her luck, Consort Liang was more concerned than anyone. But once Jiang Xinyue gained favor, and the more favored and better off she became, the more unhappy Consort Liang seemed to be.
This was like some fake friends in the modern world. When you're doing poorly, they're all care and concern. But when you're doing well, they become jealous, mock you, and try to drag you down into the mud with them, not allowing you to shine brighter than them.
"Sister Consort Liang is always so outspoken," Jiang Xinyue said in a joking tone. "This concubine isn't even a noble consort yet, and Sister Consort Liang is already urging me to ask Empress Zhu for favors? Unlike Sister Consort Liang, this concubine can't predict the future and doesn't know how the emperor will reward me."
"As for how I bewitched the emperor, Sister Consort Liang should ask him that, since he's the one who was bewitched by me."
The implication was clear: it wasn't that she had bewitched the emperor, so asking her was useless. If Consort Liang had the guts, she should go ask the emperor instead of making insinuations here.
Consort Liang's face alternated between red and white as she was countered so forcefully.
This aggressive side was something Consort Liang had never seen before.
Empress Zhu cleared her throat lightly, and Consort Liang extinguished her anger, glaring at Jiang Xinyue resentfully. No matter how she looked at it, that face seemed like a fox spirit that had taken human form.
Jiang Xinyue glared right back at Consort Liang, not afraid of her at all.
Consort Liang still thought she was dealing with the old Jiang Xinyue, who would smile apologetically even when insulted!
She was too spoiled!
Consort De took a sip of her now-cold tea and said, "With Nanny Li here, Sister Concubine Zhen can rest easy during your pregnancy. If you feel any discomfort, you must tell Nanny Li immediately. She used to be a favorite of the Empress Dowager. Back when the late emperor's harem was full of intrigue, the Empress Dowager feared for the current emperor's safety and sent Nanny Li to serve him. With her protecting you, Sister Concubine Zhen, no one will be able to harm you or your child in the future."
Jiang Xinyue stared intently at Consort De, as if trying to make flowers bloom on her face.
Consort De looked back in confusion, touching her temple. "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that, Sister Concubine Zhen? Is there something on my face?"
Empress Zhu and Consort Liang both looked over, confirming there was nothing amiss on Consort De's face, before looking back at Jiang Xinyue.
"There is something," Jiang Xinyue blinked. "Sister Consort De looks quite beautiful today."
Knowing that Jiang Xinyue's relationship with the Empress Dowager was not good, Consort De deliberately told her that Nanny Li was the Empress Dowager's person, making her subconsciously distance herself and be wary of Nanny Li, suspecting she was on the Empress Dowager's side and here to harm her.
If she distanced herself from Nanny Li and didn't rely on her, there would be many opportunities for foul play in Hexi Palace.
But Consort De also hinted to Jiang Xinyue that Nanny Li was highly capable, and with her around, Hexi Palace would be like an iron bucket, impenetrable to any dirty tricks against Jiang Xinyue and her child. They would be very safe.
Wasn't this just encouraging her to use her favor with the emperor to compete for people?
When the Xuanwu Emperor gave her Nanny Li and Nanny Xiang, he hadn't said they would stay in Hexi Palace permanently, but rather that they should take good care of Concubine Zhen until she gave birth.
Consort De was good at scheming. Whether Jiang Xinyue trusted Nanny Li or not, it would leave a bad impression on the Emperor.
Not trusting her would be seen as ungrateful, while trusting her and competing with him for people would be seen as not knowing one's place, causing annoyance.
How had she not realized this before?
Consort De was truly a master of palace intrigue!
Consort De, who had been complimented on her looks, felt that there was something odd about Jiang Xinyue's gaze. But her smile seemed sincere, and Consort De couldn't quite put her finger on what was strange about it.
She could only awkwardly touch her own face and say, "Is that so? Perhaps it's because I've been sleeping better lately!"
The Internal Affairs Department had sent several bottles of Loulan beauty essence to Yanqing Palace. Had Concubine Zhen noticed its effects so quickly?
She certainly had a sharp eye.
