Zhao Hua gently put down her screwdriver and took the lipstick Yun Shan handed to her. She pursed her vermilion lips, leaving a bright and radiant mark.
"What the Emperor cares most about is his reputation. If this matter really gets exposed, the storytellers in the streets will have a field day crafting stories about it. He would be the laughingstock of the town, and it could even cost him his life. So, for now, he can only endure and wait to see how things unfold."
"Furthermore, the Emperor cannot determine the true origin of the child in Consort Hui's womb. With his lack of heirs and reaching middle age, he only has one recognized crown prince, Chenghuan, who still fails to win his favor."
"Therefore, the Emperor naturally hopes that the child in Consort Hui's womb is his own bloodline, preferably a prince. That way, in the future, he can silently eliminate the mother and keep the child, preserving his imperial dignity and securing the dynasty."
With these words, Zhao Hua finished applying her makeup,
gazing at her exquisite reflection in the mirror.
Her beauty was still unparalleled. If someone could possess even a fraction of her looks, it would be considered extremely stunning. However, only Zhao Hua herself could see that the captivating radiance in her eyes, compared to when she first entered the palace at sixteen, had quietly faded away with the passing years.
"Last night, your brother diligently protected Consort Hui's pregnancy. The Emperor took notice and rewarded him with a hundred taels of silver, promising him the responsibility of looking after Consort Hui and the child in the future."
"That's good," Zhao Hua said with a satisfied smile, genuinely expressing her thoughts, "Let your brother take good care of Consort Hui and ensure nothing happens to her."
Xiao Fuzi nodded slightly, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"Don't worry, Empress. My brother knows exactly what to do."
*
During that winter, the entire capital was blanketed in pure white snow.
Ning Wanshuang had stopped paying visits to the other palaces early on, and the consorts quietly spent their days in their own quarters.
Amidst the silver landscape, Consort Hui's Palace of Shaochun stood out with a touch of delicate crimson.
She had planted red plum blossoms in her palace, adding a splash of color to the desolate winter scenery. However, perhaps because of the visible beauty, her heart had grown cold.
Since the day she nearly suffered a miscarriage, Xiao Jingheng hadn't visited her even once.
On the other hand, although Zhao Hua's courtyard was quiet, Xiao Jingheng would visit her every few days, expressing his concern.
Under Zhao Hua's attentive care, Ruo Xin's palpitations gradually improved. Xiao Jingheng also had a fondness for this daughter. Holding Ruo Xin in his arms, he playfully teased Zhao Hua,
"I can tell from your appearance that you're likely to give birth to a prince. That's excellent. With a son and a daughter, both you and I will be blessed."
Zhao Hua smiled coquettishly but disagreed, "Whether it's a prince or a princess, as long as the child is mine, it's my blessing. But since you prefer a prince, why don't you visit Noble Consort Chen's palace more often? I heard that recently, she has been taken to the Morning Sun Palace for intimate moments."
Xiao Jingheng's face showed a hint of embarrassment. After a moment of silence, he reached out and held Zhao Hua's hand, forcing a smile.
"I do like the prince, but I love our child even more."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hua smiled knowingly.
However, her smile concealed a hint of disdain.
Days passed like salt and snow, layer upon layer, pressing down on the passing time, until it was New Year's Eve.
This year's New Year's Eve banquet in the palace was quite special. No courtiers were allowed to enter the palace to celebrate. When asked about the reason, Xiao Jingheng simply said it was an auspicious sign of a prosperous year with the snow, and he let the nobles and officials blend in with the common people and rejoice together.
But the true reason behind it was perhaps only known to him alone.
The palace had suspended the court greetings for two months, and many faces had not been seen for a long time.
Ning Wanshuang and Rongyue remained untainted by the ravages of time, while some of the concubines had become plumper from their stay in the palace. Others hid their thoughts and fell into silence, secretly imitating Zhao Hua's appearance, hoping to catch Xiao Jingheng's attention.
But at most, it was a futile effort, like trying to copy someone's beauty without success.
After Zhao Hua surveyed the hall, her gaze finally settled on Consort Hui.
Consort Hui had a stable appearance, and her belly had grown day by day. Her complexion had improved, revealing a touch of youthful charm.
Their eyes met for a moment, and they exchanged a gentle smile and nodded, appearing harmonious.
Every year on New Year's Eve, the Inner Court would distribute the rewards Xiao Jingheng gave to each palace in advance.
During the banquet, it was time for the concubines to present their gifts to Xiao Jingheng in turn.
However, when it was Zhao Hua's turn, she stood up empty-handed and said with a smile, "I haven't prepared a gift for you, Lord Xiao."
Blushing and lowering her eyes, she caressed her abdomen and said softly, "It's because the best gift is already in my womb. Lord Xiao, our wish has come true. This pregnancy of mine carries a little prince."
Xiao Jingheng was overjoyed. "Is it true?"
At the banquet, Guo, the Imperial Physician who had been serving, was summoned to meet the emperor and truthfully reported, "Your Majesty, the woman has been pregnant for four months, and it is possible to determine the gender. Based on the pulse, a rapid pulse on the left indicates a male, while a rapid pulse on the right indicates a female. If both pulses are rapid, it means she is carrying twin boys. Consort Hui's pulse on the left side is significantly rapid and strong. I am 90% certain that Consort Hui is carrying a little prince."
