Rong Fei followed closely behind and entered with Guifei.

  “Li Fei’s constant opposition is truly exhausting,” Guifei said as she sat down, not mentioning the Empress first for once.

  “She’s reacting to Li Liangyi’s pregnancy. After all, she can’t openly take it out on Li Liangyi—doing so would displease the Empress Dowager—so she’s venting her frustration on you instead. She may still be favored, but she has no children. And what future is there for a favored consort without a child? Especially when new women keep entering the pace. His Majesty’s affections are bound to shift. Just look at how he treats the Empress now—quite different from before, isn’t it?” Rong Fei said.

  Guifei took a deep breath. “You and I both have children, but they’re only princesses. Even holding a high rank, without a prince, it’s hard to secure our positions.”

  “Your Highness will have one eventually. You’re still deeply favored—one day you’ll bear a son. As for me, I have you to rely on, so I’m not worried. But between the Empress and Li Fei, if either gives birth to a prince… or even a princess—as long as she can bear children, she’ll be promoted. His Majesty will certainly raise her to First Rank. And by then, trying to deal with her won’t be easy at all,” Rong Fei sighed.

  “We’ve all seen it—she’s always been at odds with the Empress. But tely, she seems to be speaking up for her. What’s going on there?” Guifei frowned.

  “I can’t say. But the priority now is ensuring Li Liangyi’s pregnancy goes smoothly. No matter what, she must be protected,” Rong Fei said.

  “Then I’ll have to rely on you. Let’s watch over her together,” Guifei said, pressing her fingers to her temple. “Since the Empress gave the orders today, there are things that must be done. But they’re all troublesome.”

  Guifei and Rong Fei feared Li Fei bearing a son—but Li Fei also feared them having one.

  If Li Liangyi safely delivered this child, chances were the baby would be taken to Guifei’s care.

  And once that happened—mother and child separated—it would essentially be Guifei’s child.

  Li Fei and Guifei had never gotten along. Of course, she was worried.

  Everyone had their own schemes and calcutions, but over on Wumian’s side, things were calm for now.

  On the morning of the Dragon Boat Festival, Wumian rose before dawn. By the time she arrived at the Empress Dowager’s pace, many had already gathered.

  Today, everyone ranked Meiren and above was qualified to attend. But Fu Meiren, still unable to walk, naturally did not appear.

  In the harem, only those who had cwed their way up to Meiren were seen as people by those of higher status. No wonder everyone fought tooth and nail for promotion.

  There was also some good news among the imperial cn today—Prince Kang’s primary consort, Lady Shangguan, was pregnant. She had been married to him for six or seven years without ever having children. The entire Prince Kang household had been childless until now.

  Now that the primary consort was finally pregnant, it was believed that the Prince Kang household would soon be blessed with more children.

  The Empress Dowager was delighted upon hearing the news. “Quick, come sit. This is wonderful news. What did the imperial physicians say?”

  “Thank you, Mother. The physicians said everything looks fine. His Highness and I are both healthy—the ck of pregnancy was simply due to fate. It was my failing, truly… I haven’t lived up to expectations these past years,” said Lady Shangguan.

  “Fate comes in its own time—sometimes early, sometimes te. Now it has arrived, so be happy. Don’t dwell on the past,” the Empress Dowager said, turning to Dowager Consort Zhou. “Now you can stop worrying, can’t you?”

  Dowager Consort Zhou, who had held a Second-Rank Consort title under the te emperor and was ter granted the First-Rank Dowager title by Ying Qionglou, smiled. She had given birth to two sons and one daughter—all still living—so she was considered quite blessed. Her retionship with the Empress Dowager was also amicable.

  “It’s all thanks to Elder Sister’s blessings. I chose the right daughter-in-w. Even if she’s giving birth a little ter, I’m still happy.”

  And it was true—Lady Shangguan was capable and tactful, and of the three princely households, Prince Kang’s was by far the most peaceful and well-managed.

  After a few more words with Dowager Consort Zhou, the Empress Dowager turned her gaze to Wumian. “You must take better care of your health now. That illness of yours sted far too long—it’s worn down your strength. You need to nourish yourself properly and bear a few children. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Thank you for your concern, Mother. I’ve been following a regimen to recover. My health isn’t the best, but fortunately, there are now concubines expecting—once their children are born, they’ll be my sons and daughters too,” Wumian replied with a serene smile.

  “Her Majesty the Empress is truly virtuous,” the consorts and noble dies from the imperial cn began to praise her.

  Ying Qionglou gnced at Wumian. In the past, she’d never answered these sorts of questions with such tact.

  Then again, when it came to children, he—as the emperor—didn’t exactly have much to boast about.

  The Eldest Prince was no longer eligible for succession, and no one spoke of him anymore.

  The Second Prince was frail and sickly, unlikely to reach adulthood.

  There was only the healthy Third Prince, but he was still very young—and given the infant mortality rate, even his survival couldn’t be taken for granted.

  The Empress Dowager was truly anxious. After all, the te emperor had sired several sons by this age.

  The Dragon Boat Festival was lively and festive. Wumian, curious, tried a bite of zongzi—and was instantly hooked.

  She loved the fvor—northern-style rough millet stuffed with candied dates or red beans. Although glutinous rice was more common now, it was rare in the north, and not often used in the pace.

  Wumian very elegantly—and quite contentedly—ate two.

  Though small, zongzi were filling, and two were a good portion.

  At first, Ying Qionglou didn’t pay much attention to the Empress. But every time he turned his head, she was… eating.

  Eating wasn’t strange in itself, but at a formal banquet, who actually ate this seriously?

  She wasn’t breaking any rules, nor was she neglecting her duties. She still exchanged polite words and greeted everyone with fwless etiquette, while simultaneously managing to polish off two zongzi and several other dishes.

  So what everyone saw was: the Empress intently focused on her meal, and the Emperor repeatedly gncing her way.

  And who was the Emperor? The center of the entire realm. His every gnce and gesture was noted by all.

  Naturally, such a scene didn’t go unnoticed.

  People couldn’t help but specute about the Emperor’s feelings toward the Empress.

  Considering her youth and beauty, it wasn’t surprising if he’d taken a renewed interest in her.

  Especially the consorts in the harem—arms were ringing in their heads. The higher their rank, the more concerned they were.

  Wumian noticed his gaze, of course. Her response? She asked a maid to send the dish in front of her to the Emperor.

  After all, a gift of food from the Empress to the Emperor couldn’t be more appropriate.

  When the family banquet concluded, the royal kin slowly took their leave of the pace. It was still early—around the hour of the dragon. The harem dies would return in the evening for another meal with just the inner household, which would mark the festival’s end.

  Wumian was just about to head back for a much-needed nap when the Empress Dowager stopped her.

  “Emperor, you stay too. I have something to say to both of you.”

  Wumian sighed inwardly but agreed without protest.

  Once they had moved to a more private chamber, the Empress Dowager didn’t mince words.

  “I’ll speak pinly. You, Emperor—you’ve not been doing your job properly.”

  Ying Qionglou had barely sat down when he jumped up again. “Mother is right to rebuke me. I dare not argue. Please, do instruct me.”

  Wumian also rose, though inwardly she was groaning. Even hearing the Empress Dowager criticize the Emperor couldn’t rouse her. Physical exhaustion is truly unbeatable.