无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

Translator: 549690339

Concubine Jin couldn’t be bothered with the Emperor, relaxing languidly while munching on sunflower seeds.

The palace maid advised her softly, “His Majesty has always been considerate to you over the years, Your Highness. You should show him a little gratitude.” “How so?” Concubine Jin replied indifferently, “Haven’t you seen what he looks like these days? He’s become obese, aging, and pudgy. I’d rather not serve him. There are countless ladies in the harem, let whoever can stand him serve him. He won’t be missing me.”

The palace maid stifled a chuckle, “Only you dare to say such things. Despite the Emperor’s age and weight, didn’t Concubines Huang and Lan still look forward to serving his bed as if he were a divine delicacy?”

“Compare the Emperor with my fifth child and then tell me about devastation. I swear, I won’t serve his bed until he loses some weight. Carrying around such a huge belly, is it not nauseating?”

“My lord, please stop. Although you are favored, these words are not proper to be overheard.”

Imagine the consequences if word spread that someone dared to describe the Emperor’s appearance as repulsive!

The Emperor is the celestial dragon incarnate. Who dares question his looks?

“I’ll stop then. Pour me a cup of tea, these seeds are making me thirsty. Switch the tune while you’re at it, this one is too gloomy,” instructed Concubine Jin, gesturing at the maid to resume her pipa playing.

The palace maid came over with a cup of tea, stating softly, “The Princess Consort of Yu is pregnant with a boy, this is indeed great news.”

“What’s so great?” Concubine Jin replied indifferently, spitting out a seed husk, “All those second, third and fourth children of mine have been doing everything to give birth to children, only to get a bunch of girls. Now that my fifth’s wife is married in, she already conceived a boy. Would they not be jealous?”

“That’s true,” the maid furrowed her brows, “what should we do now?”

“In my opinion, it’s best to keep it under wraps,” Concubine Jin said lightheartedly, “But this stupid Emperor goes around proclaiming it as if he’s afraid someone might not know that his fifth son’s wife is pregnant with a boy.”

The palace maid chuckled, “It’s because His Majesty is overjoyed. There’s only been the emperor’s eldest grandson as the heir to the throne all this while, so you can’t blame the public for gossiping.”

“Well, let’s see. Those second, third, and fourth sons of mine won’t just sit back and let the fifth one be the father of a son.”

“Your Highness, will you not intervene? What if something were to happen to the Princess Consort of Yu?”

“Then blame it on the Emperor.”

The residence of the Prince of Yu.

A messenger arrived from the palace, bringing with them many gifts.

Gold and silver jewelry, food, and drink.

All exceptionally practical.

Jiang Ning, holding a phoenix hairpin, chortled, “It seems our Emperor is in the habit of rewarding people, even his subordinates know what gifts to prepare.”

Once the eunuch had finished delivering the gifts, he went to the main court to meet the Prince of Yu.

“This servant has arrived to deliver His Majesty’s decree,” the eunuch announced amiably.

Li Hongyuan immediately put down his brush to receive the decree.

The eunuch continued, “His Majesty says you should take good care of the Princess Consort of Yu. If anything were to happen to her or the little heir in her womb, you’ll be held accountable.”

“I will receive this order.”

Li Hongyuan rose and looked at the eunuch, a sudden realization washing over him. “What did you just say, Eunuch?”

“His Majesty commanded that you should take care of the Princess Consort of Yu and the precious little prince in her womb.”

“The heir?”

“Did Your Highness not know? Master Dong of the Imperial Medical Academy personally took the Princess Consort’s pulse and confirmed that she’s carrying a boy. Only after that did we send over these gifts and commanded me to deliver the message.” The eunuch laughed and made a salute, “This humble servant must congratulate Your Highness on the great joy.”

A wave rippled through Li Hongyuan’s heart.

This so-called ‘great joy’ doesn’t only refer to the Princess Consort carrying a male fetus, but also hints at the future Crown Prince’s position.

It can be said that if the little prince is born smoothly, he would have already secured half of his success in becoming the Crown Prince.

Wasn’t the reason he chose Zizi, Lin Zizi’s daughter, as Princess Consort for this very purpose?