Chapter 380: Chapter 375: Imperial Concubine
"Ah!" A pained scream suddenly emanated from the inner chamber, causing everyone outside to shudder.
All these events touched Noble Consort Fang deeply. She was fortunate that when she gave birth to the Eldest Prince, it was within the Prince Wang Mansion and she didn’t have to face such treacherous waves. At the same time, a strong sense of crisis washed over her. Even Consort Wang, backed by the Empress Dowager, experienced such an ordeal; could someone possibly covet her Eldest Prince? Without any significant status or backing, would she be easily manipulated in the future? It seemed she had to be even more cautious from now on.
Meanwhile, Qiao Qingyue’s intense desire to bear children dissipated in that moment. No wonder the Emperor did not agree to her conceiving right now. Was he afraid that she wouldn’t be able to keep the child safe? Did he not want her to end up like Consort Wang at this moment?
Qiao Qingyue felt touched. It seemed that although her interactions with the Emperor had become less intimate lately, he still cared about her deeply. With this thought, she cast a loving glance at Ji Fei.
Ji Fei, of course, noticed Qiao Qingyue’s affectionate gesture, but after a brief exchange of glances, he hurriedly looked away, then his gaze inadvertently brushed across Ye Qiu’s cheek. Seeing that she hadn’t noticed his small interaction with Qiao Qingyue, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Qiao Qingyue observed Ji Fei’s expression carefully, then saw Ji Fei stiffen cautiously while looking at Ye Qiu, which caused her fingers to tighten slowly.
When did the Emperor start caring so much for the Imperial Concubine? The Imperial Concubine was so beautiful; had the Emperor truly never been moved by her? Or had he unconsciously started to hold the Imperial Concubine close to his heart by playing his role too earnestly?
No, she absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen. The Emperor was hers, the position of Empress was hers, and these were promises he had personally made to her back then!
The determination and resolve in Qiao Qingyue’s eyes flickered and then vanished, before she resumed her demure posture, sitting and waiting quietly for the results of the Imperial Physicians’ efforts.
Watching the palace maids carrying buckets of hot water in and out, only to come out with buckets of bloody water, the hearts of everyone present trembled. About a quarter of an hour later, the Imperial Physicians finally emerged.
"How is it?" Empress Dowager Wang stood up anxiously and asked.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, Consort Wang’s life is saved, but regrettably, this servant is powerless to save the child within her womb," the Imperial Physician replied, and was already preparing himself for punishment.
"It’s good that the person is safe." Ji Fei’s expression eased somewhat, but his eyes still conveyed deep distress, "Mother, you should not worry too much either. It’s most important that the adults are safe."
"How is Consort Wang’s body? Can she still..." Empress Dowager Wang left her sentence unfinished, but everyone understood her intentions and focused intently on the Imperial Physician’s response.
"Consort Wang’s body has not suffered serious harm. With good care over the course of two years, perhaps she may conceive an heir again."
Hearing the Imperial Physician’s words, Empress Dowager Wang felt a sinking feeling in her heart. Who knew what the situation would be in two years?
"Everyone go back. Crowding around here affects Consort Wang’s rest." Ye Qiu stood up and instructed those present, "Mother, you should also rest, I would truly feel guilty if you were to be affected."
"I am fine," Empress Dowager Wang gently closed her eyes, "The Emperor can return. I will stay here and accompany Jing’er for a while longer."
"Mother, take care of yourself, and please comfort Consort Wang; tell her not to be too sorrowful. Tomorrow, I will issue an imperial edict promoting her to Consort Jia."
The Four Concubines have always been distinguished by Noble Virtue, so from where does this Consort Jia come? Empress Dowager Wang’s face darkened as she looked at Lady, who seemed somewhat pleased with herself, and suddenly said, "Lady, stay behind and keep me company. Consort Wang is your sister, and you grew up together. She would be happy with you here."
Lady’s steps faltered, and her expression became troubled: "But the Second Prince is still young, and I needs to take care of him."
"I have already sent Nanny Gui to take care of him. With her experience, she will do it well, and certainly won’t let him rashly bump into others and cause any danger," Empress Dowager Wang said meaningfully, staring at Lady.
Lady’s face grew even more unsightly, and she looked at Ji Fei and Ye Qiu for help, but neither of them showed any intention of assisting her.
"Slap!" After everyone else had left Cining Palace, Empress Dowager Wang harshly slapped Lady, "You have some nerve!"
Wang Yaning, with her reddened cheek in hand, stared directly at Empress Dowager Wang: "I do not understand, Aunt, what wrongs has I committed for you to treat me this way? After all, I am still the First-rank Lady conferred by the Emperor himself, the birth mother of the Second Prince."
"You still dare to argue?" Empress Dowager Wang glared at her furiously, "Tell me, was it your instruction? Did you deliberately cause the miscarriage of your sister’s child?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Yaning let out a cold laugh, "Aunt should be cautious when speaking such words. Plotting against the Heir would lead to the execution of the entire extended family for such a major crime. My family is also your family, Aunt, and you should produce evidence before making such accusations. The Second Prince is just two years old; what does he understand? Can he comprehend the instructions of an adult?"
"I will find out the truth. Not only can children understand adults’ words, but they also cannot keep secrets," Empress Dowager Wang said ominously.
Wang Yaning was not afraid: "Then, Aunt, go ahead and ask."
"Do you have anything else, Aunt?" Wang Yaning’s mouth twitched with pain, "If there is nothing else, I should leave. I need to apply some ointment to reduce the swelling. Otherwise, how should I explain it to the Emperor when he sees it tomorrow?"
"Wang Yaning, do not forget that you are still part of the Wang Family. What do you gain by framing your own sister?" Empress Dowager Wang questioned her coldly.
"What do I gain?" Wang Yaning’s eyes were icy as she stared directly at Empress Dowager Wang, "Aunt, when you need me, you drag me over, and when you do not, you kick me aside. I have heard that ever since Wang Yajing became pregnant, my concubine mother has had a difficult time. If Wang Yajing indeed gives birth to a Prince, then what should my own Second Prince do?"
"So, just for that, you plotted against your own sister’s child?" Empress Dowager Wang said in disbelief.
"Shush!" Wang Yaning raised her index finger, "Aunt must be careful with her words. When have I said that I plotted against the Heir? Wang Yajing’s miscarriage was due to the Second Prince’s naughtiness and her own carelessness. This was witnessed by everyone present in public."
Empress Dowager Wang felt she had never truly known Wang Yaning until this moment. Was this still the vain, status-seeking, and cowardly Wang Yaning she knew?
But Empress Dowager Wang overlooked the fact that women are strong when they are mothers. Without everything that Mrs. Wang did beforehand, how could Wang Yaning be so easily instigated by Wang Yaqing?
Now it was her concubine mother, and in the future, it would be her and the Second Prince. Why was it that as soon as Wang Yajing entered the palace, she became the hope of the entire family? Why were she and the Second Prince just stepping stones for her? It is true that legitimacy carries more weight, but not all legitimate daughters become Empress, nor is it that only legitimate sons can ascend the Emperor’s throne. Isn’t the Holy Emperor himself a bastard?