The pace maids attending her all said it was probably just something that irritated her skin—stay away from it, and she’d be fine. Or maybe it was some kind of bug bite; after all, this time of year, all sorts of insects and pests were cropping up throughout the pace. Since she was pregnant, she couldn’t use medicinal powders or insect-repelling incense freely.

  Even in the finest timber-and-brick rooms, there was no perfect defense against pests. Most people relied on those powders to ward them off.

  Since the rash subsided quickly, Li Liangyi didn’t think much of it. By the time she woke up the next day, the bumps had completely disappeared, and the itching was gone. She assumed it had just been a single insect bite and didn’t think it was worth raising a fuss over.

  Guifei had already warned her to stay low-key, lest she draw attention and invite trouble—if someone with ill intent targeted her pregnancy, it would be a serious matter.

  Li Liangyi had taken the advice to heart. She was generally a cautious and steady woman. That impulsive stunt she pulled in the Empress’s pace had been a rare moment of poor judgment.

  During morning greetings that day, after everyone had said their part, Xu Liangyi suddenly rose and said, “Your Majesty, I’ve been feeling a little unwell these past few days—may I request a visit from the imperial physician?”

  With her low rank, Xu Liangyi couldn’t summon an imperial physician on her own; she needed approval from her superiors.

  But bringing it up now, directly before the Empress, was… telling.

  “Of course. If you’re feeling unwell, the physician should be called right away. Go summon one,” Wumian replied easily, catching the signal but not dismissing the group just yet.

  She had already heard rumors from her maids that Xu Liangyi might be pregnant—there had just never been confirmation, nor any overt signs.

  And now, clearly, Xu Liangyi was pying it much more patiently than Li Liangyi had.

  Everyone else was thinking the same thing as they quietly waited for the imperial physician to arrive.

  Soon enough, the physician arrived at Fengyi Pace and took Xu Liangyi’s pulse right in the main hall.

  After checking both wrists, he decred firmly, “Congratutions, Your Majesty. Xu Liangyi is nearly two months along. The pregnancy appears stable.”

  It was customary to first congratute the principal wife, no matter who conceived.

  Xu Liangyi broke into a delighted smile, and Wumian smiled as well. “That’s excellent news. Reward the physician.”

  “Congratutions, Your Majesty. And to Xu Liangyi as well,” Guifei added with a smile.

  The rest of the consorts echoed the congratutions one by one, and Xu Liangyi bowed to Wumian. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m inexperienced and still young. This is my first pregnancy, and I’m terribly anxious. I humbly ask Your Majesty to guide me.”

  Wumian arched a brow and smiled. “That’s funny—I’ve never been pregnant either. But this is wonderful news. Of course I’ll look after you. Do you wish to remain at Shicui Pace, or would you prefer another residence? I may not have final say in everything, but I can certainly decide that.”

  As she spoke, she gnced over at Guifei.

  Guifei cursed silently but managed a smile. “Your Majesty is most thoughtful.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty. Shicui Pace is just fine. I’m close with Sister Yun, and I’m used to the pce. If Your Majesty is willing to spare me even a bit of attention, I’m already beyond grateful. I only ask that I be allowed to pay my respects often in the future,” Xu Liangyi replied.

  “Alright—but only after your pregnancy is stable. Let’s say this: from today on, you’ll rest and nurture the child. After the fourth month, you can start moving about. I’ll ask Guifei to ensure your daily meals and care are properly arranged. Will that do?”

  “Many thanks, Your Majesty. You are truly considerate—I am deeply grateful,” Xu Liangyi said earnestly.

  Once the gathering was dismissed, Linshui commented, “Your Majesty, it seems Xu Liangyi is trying to align herself with you. Her family background isn’t strong—now that she’s pregnant, without someone to protect her, she might not carry to term safely.”

  Wumian nodded. “Since she wants my protection, I’ll give it. Go personally to her pce and give a little ‘reminder’ to her attendants.”

  “Shall I also assign an experienced momo or maidservant to her?”

  “No need for now. Bring in Dukang.”

  When Dukang entered, Wumian said, “Go inform His Majesty of the good news—Xu Liangyi is pregnant.”

  Dukang nodded and left to deliver the message.

  Announcing the pregnancy so publicly may have been Xu Liangyi’s way of making sure her child wouldn’t be quietly ‘lost.’

  Wumian was more than willing to protect the baby. There was no harm in building goodwill.

  Afterward, she also sent Jinbo to report the news to the Empress Dowager, let everyone be happy together.

  As for Guifei, she looked calm when leaving Fengyi Pace, but the moment she entered Chaoyang Pace, her expression darkened. “That girl’s asking for trouble.”

  Rong Fei frowned as well. “Xu Liangyi just found out? Or had she known and plotted with the Empress to stage that little drama?”

  Guifei’s frown deepened. It wasn’t impossible.

  “Could it be that the Empress wants this child?” If that were the case… then she just might get it.

  “They must all be mad. The Empress has little favor, yet they’re all throwing themselves at her,” Rong Fei scoffed.

  But even she knew—no matter how unfavored the Empress was, she was still the Empress. As long as she held that title, she could always be someone’s pilr.

  “Looks like we’ll need to rethink our strategy,” Guifei said with a deep breath.

  Back at Shicui Pace, after Linshui had gone over the arrangements, Xu Liangyi y down to rest.

  “Feeling more at ease now, Liangyi?” Chunyu tucked a light bnket over her. “The Empress has accepted you—you’ve got someone to rely on. But I don’t understand… why not just ask His Majesty directly?”

  “Of course I wanted to. But His Majesty is burdened with the affairs of state—would he have time for me? And even if he did, wouldn’t that just offend others?” Xu Liangyi replied. “Guifei has power, Li Fei has affection, and Xian Fei, Rong Fei, and Min Fei all have children. Where do I stand? I’m better off pledging loyalty to Her Majesty the Empress. No matter how they fight, as long as I remain loyal to her, that can’t be wrong.”

  A concubine heeding the words of the principal wife—that could be expined anywhere.

  Besides, they were all newcomers. They hadn’t experienced the Empress’s previous unreliability. Even if they’d heard bits and pieces, it made little difference.

  The Empress Zhao Wumian they had come to know was a reliable one. First impressions matter, after all. On the day of the selection, the Empress had sat high above, graceful and composed, her smile warm and gentle. Could one really say she wasn’t a good Empress?

  She didn’t manage pace affairs, but it was clear she wasn’t some discarded figure either. His Majesty still visited her, didn’t he?

  It was probably because she had been ill for too long before, and her health couldn’t sustain the burden, which was why Guifei had taken over responsibilities.

  But in time, she would surely manage things herself.

  So Xu Liangyi wasn’t particurly worried. For these concubines with humble backgrounds, Her Majesty the Empress was like a towering figure—the mother of the realm. Of course, she was a great Buddha to cling to.

  That night, Lou Yingqiong paid a visit to Xu Liangyi and bestowed many rewards upon her.

  Although Xu Liangyi was unfit for bedchamber duties at the moment, His Majesty still spent the night at Shicui Pace.

  By early morning the next day, everyone knew—it was Yun Baolin who had served His Majesty that night.

  Such were the benefits of living under the same roof as a pregnant consort.

  Three or four days ter, Jinbo came in mysteriously to report to Wumian, “Your Majesty, this servant believes something’s amiss in Biyue Pavilion.”

  “Li Liangyi? What happened? Hasn’t she been behaving herself tely? What new tricks is she up to now?” Wumian asked with interest. In her mind, Li Liangyi was not the type to stay quiet when something went wrong.