"What a pity!" Nan Shiying sighed as she lay in bed, lamenting that the other party had not made a move.
Ji Jinmo covered Nan Shiying's eyes. Nan Shiying did not close hers but instead fluttered her long lashes, her lashes brushing against Ji Jinmo's palm, tickling her.
Ji Jinmo rolled over and pressed Nan Shiying down, burying his head in her neck. The warm breath from his lips landed behind her ear, causing Nan Shiying to tremble all over, her body instantly going limp.
"You..."
Before she could even utter a sound, a warm kiss left her neck and sealed her lips.
Mmm~
The only sound in the room was a muffled whimper.
The night passed uneventfully, with no ripples of disturbance in the capital.
Hui'an and Nan Yujin opened their eyes early. Nan Yujin tidied the bedding with practiced efficiency and lay down on the bed just before the maids pushed open the door to the room.
The wet nurse and maids who had been disgraced by Hui'an the night before entered one by one to attend to their washing and dressing. The wet nurse's face broke into a smile upon seeing the bloodstains on the bedsheet.
"Young Master, Madam, it is time to go to the ancestral hall."
After changing clothes and washing up, the wet nurse spoke to them.
On the first day of a new bride's arrival, she was required to serve tea to the mother-in-law. However, with both Madams of the Nan Manor having passed away consecutively, the master had designated the ancestral hall for the tea-serving ceremony.
After serving tea to Nan Chaoyin, they paid respects to Madam Wang before heading to the imperial palace together.
Nan Yujin and Hui'an's marriage was a matter of state. That morning, they were to enter the palace to thank the Emperor for his grace. In the grand hall, Ji Hong appointed Nan Yujin as the Prefect of Yuzhang Commandery, and he was to depart soon to take up his post.
Nan Yujin and Hui'an knelt to express their gratitude.
After the morning court, Hui'an and Nan Yujin began packing their belongings and arranging for guards.
The wet nurse knelt by Zou Yun'er's side, looking at her slightly bulging belly. It was only March or April, yet her belly was as large as if she were five months pregnant, and even wrapped in layers of clothing, it was still noticeable.
"Your Ladyship, you must stall His Majesty. Before you give birth, you absolutely cannot allow that Nan Yuan'er to enter the palace and gain favor." The wet nurse spoke earnestly, filled with worry. Although the Noble Consort was favored, she was too pampered and lacked schemes, making her no match for Nan Yuan'er. Even after the Noble Consort gave birth, she needed to be cautious to prevent harm to the imperial prince.
Zou Yun'er touched her belly, her brows furrowed. Even though she was now pregnant and her body was heavy, it did not diminish her beauty in the slightest. A simple frown could evoke pity.
Shen Yue brought a plate of peeled and sliced apples to Zou Yun'er. She looked at the wet nurse kneeling on the ground. His Majesty cared more about Zou Yun'er and the child in her womb than they imagined. In fact, with His Majesty's protection, even if Nan Yuan'er had influence everywhere, she would not be able to stir up any trouble in the harem.
She understood the wet nurse's concern and good intentions, but at this moment, the most important thing for Zou Yun'er was to ensure a smooth pregnancy.
Shen Yue softly reassured her, "Your Ladyship need not worry. His Majesty will not elevate Nan Yuan'er to the palace before you give birth."
The wet nurse glanced at Shen Yue. This woman had suddenly appeared beside the Noble Consort and now spoke with such certainty. Could it be that she was also a maid sent by His Majesty to attend to the Noble Consort?
"Really?"
Zou Yun'er clutched Shen Yue's wrist as if grasping a lifeline.
After becoming pregnant, she always felt uneasy. After her father's death, although Yun Ming had grown into a capable man and supported the entire Zou family, she still felt insecure, as if she had lost a pillar of support. Looking around, there was no tree to lean on, only the Emperor's favor.
Shen Yue bent her knees slightly, not daring to look down at Zou Yun'er from a position of inferiority. She lowered herself to be level with Zou Yun'er, who was sitting in the chair, and then clasped Zou Yun'er's hand, nodding affirmatively. "It is true, Your Ladyship. His Majesty loves and cherishes you, and cares about you and the child in your womb more than you imagine. Therefore, Your Ladyship need not worry too much; just focus on your pregnancy."
"This old servant should not have interjected, but I still wish to ask, how can you be so certain, miss? This old servant means to say, imperial favor is like clouds in the sky, how can it eternally remain in one place? Furthermore, the Empress Dowager has favored Nan Yuan'er with great affection for many years. If..."
The wet nurse did not finish her sentence. She was the head wet nurse appointed by His Majesty to the Noble Consort after the death of Lord Zou. Since His Majesty had appointed her to the Noble Consort, the Noble Consort was her mistress. She naturally wished for the Noble Consort to retain imperial favor forever. However, a man's heart, especially that of an emperor, was unfathomable and immeasurable. If he were to change his mind in an instant, what would become of the Noble Consort?
The Noble Consort was no match for that Nan Yuan'er!
Moreover, there was still the Empress Dowager in the palace. Regardless of any past conflicts between His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, they were still blood relatives. If the Empress Dowager were to favor Nan Yuan'er, then would the Noble Consort have any way to survive in this imperial palace?
Hearing this, Zou Yun'er's gaze fixed intently on Shen Yue.
Shen Yue knew the wet nurse's concerns. How could she guarantee the Emperor's favor? However, there was one thing: neither His Majesty nor the Prince would allow anyone to harm the imperial heir in the Noble Consort's womb. The Lin Yuan imperial family had a declining population. How could the long-awaited eldest son or daughter be allowed to be harmed in the slightest by others?
As for the Empress Dowager, Shen Yue did not know her intentions. However, with the Empress Dowager as a variable, His Majesty would naturally consider the timing of Nan Yuan'er's entry into the palace more carefully!
Shen Yue pondered and, under the watchful eyes of Zou Yun'er and the wet nurse, slowly said, "This servant naturally cannot fathom His Majesty's heart, but I do know how important the child in Your Ladyship's womb is to His Majesty, who has no heirs."
"Therefore, Your Ladyship, His Majesty will absolutely not allow anyone to harm you and the fetus in your womb, and certainly will not allow that Nan Yuan'er to assume the position of Empress at this time."
Shen Yue deliberately emphasized the word 'anyone'. The wet nurse understood, and Zou Yun'er also understood.
Zou Yun'er breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yes, Miss is right. Your Ladyship's most important task now is to ensure a safe pregnancy. Your Ladyship need not worry about anything else; this old servant and Miss Shen Yue will arrange everything properly."
With her present, she would not let any wicked spirits disturb the Noble Consort's peaceful life.
"This Consort is counting on you, Wet Nurse, and Yue'er."
In the evening, Ji Hong came to Lilan Garden to visit Zou Yun'er. Before leaving, he ordered the wet nurse to be brought aside and inquired about matters concerning the Nan Manor and Nan Yuan'er.
"This servant has heard that Miss Nan seems to be suffering from some sort of delirium."
The wet nurse intended to subtly cast Nan Yuan'er in a bad light but dared not say too much to arouse His Majesty's suspicion. Of course, she had only heard about this matter vaguely and had not witnessed it personally, hence she used the ambiguous word "seems."
After speaking, the wet nurse quickly glanced at His Majesty but saw no discernible emotion on his face. His Majesty simply gave a faint "En" and then instructed her to take good care of the Noble Consort before leaving Lilan Garden.
The wet nurse could not fathom His Majesty's thoughts and dared not try. She did not mention this matter to the Noble Consort, fearing it would cause her further distress.