Meng Shi's words made the Empress Dowager and Nangong Zhen'er's expressions turn grim.
However, the Empress Dowager did not show too much reaction.
"Empress, what are you saying? Look at how you speak, as if your Imperial Grandmother doesn't want the Imperial Noble Consort to give birth to a child..."
Nangong Zhen'er stopped mid-sentence, then glanced at the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager's face darkened further, and she shot Nangong Zhen'er a glare.
Mentally cursing Nangong Zhen'er as a fool, she smiled and said, "The Empress speaks very rightly. Currently, the Imperial Noble Consort's pregnancy is indeed the most important. I also like children very much, but..."
After speaking, the Empress Dowager took a sip of tea. Nangong Zhen'er quickly took the teacup from her hand and respectfully placed it down, then heard the Empress Dowager continue.
"But... during a woman's pregnancy, especially the first three months, she needs to be most careful. And with so many people in the harem, there are bound to be a few foolish individuals who do foolish things."
"Empress, you must be vigilant."
With a shift in tone, the Empress Dowager actually began to show concern for the child in Imperial Noble Consort Gu Qianying's womb.
This left Meng Shi feeling somewhat bewildered.
Beside her, Nangong Zhen'er was even more confused.
"However, even with imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital checking the pulse and fetus daily, it's not as safe as personal care."
"How about this: I will temporarily handle the affairs of the harem for you. In the next few days, Empress, you will move to the Jiaofang Palace and personally attend to the Imperial Noble Consort. Once the Imperial Noble Consort's pregnancy has passed the three-month mark and is stable, I will return the Phoenix Seal to you."
Upon hearing this, Meng Shi's body swayed, and her fingers, hidden beneath her embroidered handkerchief, clenched tightly in her palm.
She, the Empress, was to personally care for an Imperial Noble Consort?
The ruler of the main palace attending to a concubine?
Such humiliation, yet Meng Shi dared not refuse.
A moment later, she rose, bowed to the Empress Dowager, and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace than a smile. "Yes, Empress Dowager, your subject obeys."
Indeed, she was merely a pawn by the Empress Dowager's side. Was she still dreaming of turning the tables?
The position of Empress was also bestowed upon her by the Empress Dowager. How could she refuse to return the Phoenix Seal?
A moment later.
Empress Meng Shi personally handed the Phoenix Seal to the Empress Dowager. As she left the Empress Dowager's palace, the Empress Dowager only urged her to hurry and prepare.
Stepping out of the Fushou Palace and looking up at the blue sky beyond the palace walls.
A bitter smile spread across Meng Shi's lips.
At this moment, she deeply missed her life before entering the palace.
Although her reputation was not as good, she had at least lived happily.
Not like now, where she felt helpless, like a "walking dead."
"Your Majesty?"
Her personal maid called out to her.
Meng Shi snapped back to attention and calmly said, "Let's go. We need to get ready."
Fushou Palace.
"Imperial Grandmother, what is the meaning of this?"
Nangong Zhen'er personally peeled an orange for the Empress Dowager and placed it on a plate for her to eat.
The Empress Dowager leaned back in her lounge chair, her eyes half-closed, too lazy to banter with Nangong Zhen'er. She said directly, "Don't you know Gu Shu? The Emperor does not permit the Imperial Noble Consort's child to be born. However, this matter requires a scapegoat. From here on, you know what you need to do, right?"
How could she not know what kind of person Nangong Zhen'er was?
And Empress Meng Shi could only be described as a blockhead, uncomprehending, and also disobedient.
She could not keep disobedient people by her side.
"Yes, Imperial Grandmother. Zhen'er understands."
Nangong Zhen'er was extremely pleased at this moment.
The child in Gu Qianying's womb was not permitted to be born by both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, so why should she be polite?
This was completely different from before, when she had acted alone.
But now, it was with the permission of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, so what did she have to worry about?
However, the Empress Dowager was right. A scapegoat was needed for this matter.
And the Empress was that scapegoat, allowing her to escape unscathed.
This plan was brilliant!
"Alright, I am tired."
The Empress Dowager leaned back.
A personal maid, holding a soft blanket with both hands, bowed and approached, covering the Empress Dowager with the blanket.
"Yes, Zhen'er takes her leave."
Nangong Zhen'er, with her keen insight, quickly withdrew.
Exiting Fushou Palace.
Nangong Zhen'er returned to her own domain.
After tormenting the palace maids serving in the room, her mood finally improved.
And at Fushou Palace.
After dismissing the palace maids serving in the hall, the Empress Dowager threw aside the blanket and, with her personal maid, went to a Buddhist hall built in the palace in recent years.
This Buddhist hall was located behind Fushou Hall.
It was unguarded by anyone.
It was the place where the Empress Dowager typically chanted scriptures and prayed for blessings.
The Empress Dowager entered the Buddhist hall with her personal maid and walked towards a porcelain vase about half a person's height, turning it.
*Click.*
The sealed Buddhist hall's wall shifted, revealing a hidden room.
She glanced at the maid behind her and commanded, "You stay here and guard."
"Yes."
Pushing open the door to the hidden room.
The Empress Dowager walked inside.
In the hidden room, several night-blooming pearls were placed in the corners of the walls, providing ample light.
Several slightly aged calligraphy and paintings hung on the surrounding walls.
A smell of blood and decay permeated the hidden room.
In the center of the room, there was a large iron cage.
Inside the cage was bound an old woman with white hair and a skeletal frame.
Her hands, bound by iron chains for many days, had worn through the skin, and blood flowed from her wrists.
The old woman seemed indifferent, as if she felt no pain.
"Sister, I haven't seen you in a long time. How have you been lately?"
The Empress Dowager approached, covering her mouth and nose with an embroidered handkerchief.
Upon hearing her voice, the old woman in the iron cage suddenly raised her head.
Beneath her bloodshot eyes was a deep hatred.
"Ula Nara Jin Xiu, I am your sister. How can you treat me like this? Let me out quickly."
The old woman roared, her body swaying slightly against the iron chains.
The Empress Dowager smiled.
"What does it matter that I am your sister? Did you not also wish for my death?"
"It is a pity that your wish will never be realized. However, if you can tell me where that little girl from years ago went, I, your sister, will kindly grant you a swift death."
"No, I don't want to die, I want to live! Ula Nara Jin Xiu, I want to live to see you die of a sudden illness in the near future because you could not obtain that little girl's heart's desire!"
At this moment, the hatred in the old woman's eyes intensified.
Her emaciated face, though covered in knife marks, allowed her appearance to be clearly seen.
This allowed Leng, who was hiding in the shadows, to clearly see the old woman's appearance.
Shi Momo?
The wet nurse of the Ninth Prince Nangong Mo!
The person his master had been searching for for many days!