Volume One, Chapter 19: There Are Plenty Who Will Protect This Child

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After resolving the matters within the palace, an official suddenly dropped a bombshell. The governor of Linxi, Lord Huo, was gravely ill and had recommended his cousin, Huo Siwei, as his successor. Members of the Ji and Xiang clans were visibly shocked; they had not heard a whisper of such a significant development. Xiao Xuanyu pondered for a moment, feeling much of his frustration ease. Over the past few years, the Huo family had been consumed by internal strife. Their hasty decision to send Lady Huo into the palace had been rushed, and unlike the Ji and Xiang families, they had not steadily promoted their kin into the capital. Now that Lady Huo had suffered a miscarriage, he knew he must reward and appease the Huo family. Xiao Xuanyu cast a sharp glance at the heads of the two families, a glint of ruthlessness in his eyes. These two clans had not fought fiercely enough in the capital; he would fan the flames further—if chaos was to come, it would engulf them all. The Huo family was now firmly under the control of the third young master, Huo Chi. Soon, Xiao Xuanyu issued an imperial edict, citing Lady Huo’s miscarriage to confer the position of Minister of Justice upon Huo Chi, who was to enter the capital immediately to assume office. Naturally, the Ji and Xiang families were unwilling, but with some Huo family members in court and the emperor’s authority, the matter was settled. The morning court session extended until afternoon. Xiao Xuanyu barely had time for lunch before hastening to Jingyang Palace. The imperial guards outside Jingyang Palace were merely for show; once the court reached a decision, they withdrew quietly, causing no disturbance to the palace’s occupant. Lady Pei Yueshu had been unwell through the night and only fell into a deep sleep after the imperial physician administered a calming decoction at dawn. The palace was silent, servants tiptoeing cautiously. Jin Lu lowered her voice to report Lady Chen’s condition to the emperor. “Lady Chen is pregnant; can she take the calming decoction?” Xiao Xuanyu asked. “Your Majesty, the chief physician said an occasional dose would not cause harm.” Xiao Xuanyu nodded; he trusted the chief physician’s skill. He dismissed his attendants and entered the bedchamber alone. Though the weather was hot and ice was placed within the chamber, it was kept at a distance due to Lady Chen’s pregnancy. Hai Tang sat by the bedside, fanning her gently to ensure a comfortable rest. Xiao Xuanyu bade the attendants withdraw and took a seat beside the bed. The palace staff informed him that Lady Chen had suddenly begun vomiting heavily the previous night. Before the physicians could be summoned, the Empress Dowager had called her to Shangyang Palace, so she was uncertain of her pregnancy. Only at the critical moment did the servants take the risk to try to protect their mistress. Xiao Xuanyu felt a pang of discomfort, suddenly unsure how to face her. If not for this child’s timely arrival last night... “It’s all my fault. From now on, I will treat you well; nothing like last night will happen again.” He gently caressed her face, leaning down to press a kiss upon her lips. After a while, he rose to leave, with many matters still demanding his attention. The arrival of the Huo family’s young master in the capital was sure to cause a stir; balancing the power among the three families was paramount.

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The personnel of Jingyang Palace also needed reorganization; the matter of the pearl could only occur once. After he left, Pei Yueshu opened her eyes and quietly wiped her face with a cloth. Now that Lady Huo’s child was lost, Empress Ji and Noble Consort Xiang would surely focus their attention on her womb. For the next eight months, she had to be exceedingly cautious. However, following the trajectory of her previous life, the emperor would soon favor several beauties sent by the Ji family—namely, the fifth and ninth young ladies. The fifth was Empress Ji’s younger sister, known for her ruthless methods. The ninth was a daughter of the second branch, who had become pregnant shortly after entering the palace. Reflecting on her past, Pei Yueshu realized that to unseat Empress Ji, the Ji family must first be eradicated. The best method now was to incite internal strife among them. Thus, she instructed Jin Lu to spread word to have Huo Chi sow discord between the Ji family’s main and second branches. Meanwhile, Consort Zhao and Noble Consort Xiang were also pregnant. The palace would soon become lively once more. A month later, after the heat subsided, the emperor held a Mid-Autumn night banquet at Linshui Terrace. Though the palace feast appeared lavish and festive, it was often where trouble most easily arose. Xiao Xuanyu had initially wished to keep Pei Yueshu confined to Jingyang Palace, which was guarded like a fortress, as he felt more at ease with her inside. However, Empress Ji personally came to invite her; Pei Yueshu had to grant her this face. Otherwise, if rumors spread, the Ji family would seize the opportunity to stir trouble. Pei Yueshu’s lower abdomen showed a slight curve, though it was not obvious under her garments. Empress Ji sat outside like a great Buddha, while Iris felt unease but worked her hands more deftly. “Miss, whenever the Empress appears, misfortune follows. You must be careful,” Iris whispered in Pei Yueshu’s ear. “Don’t worry. Many will protect this child,” Pei Yueshu replied with a meaningfully subtle smile. Huo Chi had arrived in the capital; he would surely come to see his child. Until the fruit was ripe and the child confirmed his own, he would never let harm come to it. “Even pregnant, my sister’s grace remains,” Empress Ji said, eyeing Pei Yueshu, who was dressed plainly yet radiated undeniable elegance. A strange gleam flashed in her eyes. Pei Yueshu said nothing, merely nodding slightly in the Empress’s direction. Xiao Xuanyu had decreed that, being pregnant, she need not bow to anyone. The last time Empress Ji tried so blatantly to destroy her, palace servants already whispered that she was mad—there was no need to pretend. Empress Ji snorted coldly but said nothing, leading the way with dignified poise. The palace feast traditionally saw lower-ranking attendees arrive first; only after Noble Consort Xiang took her seat did Empress Ji escort Pei Yueshu to theirs. Since Pei Yueshu’s pregnancy became known, Xiao Xuanyu had sent Zhang Shunlai to watch over her at Jingyang Palace. The clever lad immediately arranged Pei Yueshu’s seat at the banquet, placing her at the foremost position below the emperor and empress, even ahead of Noble Consort Xiang. Naturally, Xiang was furious. As the foremost of the four consorts and having arrived only slightly later than the Empress, why should this widow sit before her? It was a deliberate humiliation. Yet making a scene now would only worsen her shame, so she swallowed her anger for the time being.

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Though Noble Consort Xiang had not attended Lady Huo’s miscarriage, she was fully aware of the event. Her gaze turned venomous as she stared at Pei Yueshu’s abdomen, thinking if that child were gone, how could Pei Yueshu remain so arrogant and proud? Clad in a black dragon robe, Xiao Xuanyu entered the hall, and all immediately knelt, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" Officials above the third rank and consorts only offered formal greetings. “No need for formalities,” Xiao Xuanyu said, glancing at Pei Yueshu as he stepped forward to take her hand gently, softly asking, “Why are you here?” Pei Yueshu remained silent, keenly sensing a piercing gaze fixed upon her. “Your Majesty...” Zhang Shunlai whispered a few words beside Xiao Xuanyu. The emperor nodded, giving Zhang Shunlai a look of approval. The palace banquet was a chaotic affair; with Lady Chen seated at his side, Xiao Xuanyu felt at ease. After taking his seat, he uttered a few polite words. The consorts and officials raised their cups, followed by singing, dancing, and drinking. Noticing Noble Consort Xiang’s displeased expression, he praised her for attentively caring for Lady Chen, calling her a model for the harem. Though the words failed to please Xiang, the phrase "model for the harem" carried a deeper meaning. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Lady Chen’s pregnancy makes it my duty,” Noble Consort Xiang said, casting a smile toward Empress Ji, who responded with a secret, cold smile. Xiang could not tolerate Ji Yiling’s haughty demeanor, though she herself was proud yet pragmatic. She was sent to the palace to bear the emperor’s child; if she offended him with arrogance, what use would the child be? Ji Yiling’s family at best pressured the emperor not to favor one woman alone but could not force him to cherish the Empress. She had effectively sealed her own fate. “It has been a long time since Your Majesty drank with me. I toast to you,” Noble Consort Xiang said with a graceful smile. Xiao Xuanyu accepted graciously. Amid their mutual affection and exchanged glances, the two women seated on either side of Xiao Xuanyu were quietly reserved. This was Pei Yueshu’s first public appearance as a consort. Officials of all ranks in the capital knew her as the emperor’s newly accepted wife from the Duke’s household and watched her closely. Pei Yueshu paid little mind, but when her father, Duke Pei, deliberately avoided looking her way, her heart ached sharply. In her three years within the palace, and since her rebirth and entrance into the palace, this was the first time she had seen her father. Since childhood, he had cherished her as a treasured jewel; she never imagined this day would come. Pei Yueshu smiled wryly and silently poured herself another cup. “How does the kitchen staff manage things? Lady Chen is pregnant—how can they serve wine at her seat? Replace it immediately with nourishing fruit drinks.” Though Xiao Xuanyu was conversing with Noble Consort Xiang, his gaze never left Pei Yueshu, noticing her glance toward her family.