Tan Guiren’s pregnancy brought great joy to the Emperor, and rewards were sent flowing into her palace like water.
Even Tan Yingtai, the governor-general of Dongjiang and her relative, became proud and emboldened. He even dared to step into the maritime territory bordering Marquis Fengcheng, leading to ongoing disputes.
Xiao Muchen received a letter from Marquis Fengcheng, a flicker of coldness passing through his eyes.
Mingxi took the letter and read it, then chuckled lightly. “Governor-general Tan certainly is bold.”
Xiao Muchen looked at her. “What do you think?”
“Let him be arrogant—let the breeze brush over the hill,” Mingxi replied, then added, “Yesterday, when I went to the palace to pay respects to my mother-in-law, she also mentioned how favored Tan Jieyu is in the harem these days.”
After becoming pregnant, the Emperor promoted Tan Guiren to Jieyu.
Back then, the mother of Kang Wang had waited many years—she wasn’t granted the title Jieyu until long after giving birth, and she remained at that rank for years. Even after Kang Wang was made a prince, Qian Jieyu never rose any higher.
Now, Tan Guiren was elevated to Jieyu merely for being pregnant. The Emperor’s heart truly was hard to read.
Xiao Muchen frowned slightly. “She was promoted by the Empress herself. Could this be at the Empress’s will?”
Mingxi shook her head. “I don’t know. The Empress is currently claiming illness and hasn’t stepped out of Kunde Palace. Tan Jieyu is basking in favor—what lies ahead is uncertain.”
The Emperor, gaining a child in his old age, couldn’t help but be delighted—especially after two years of ill health. The fact that a young concubine was now pregnant seemed to prove his vitality.
The dark cloud left by the deposed Crown Prince was thoroughly dispelled with Tan Jieyu’s pregnancy.
In her previous life, though the Emperor had been frail for years, he still held on for a decade before the Crown Prince ascended the throne.
As for how the Crown Prince ascended, Mingxi didn’t know clearly. She wasn’t even sure if the Emperor truly died of illness.
What was certain was that Gao Zhan helped the Crown Prince build a private army and force a palace coup. Whether the Emperor truly died of illness no longer mattered.
In the months since the Crown Prince’s fall, the other princes had gradually become more active—even Yu Wang no longer seemed as dispirited as before.
Although the Crown Prince was deposed, the Emperor showed no sign of naming a new one. Some officials submitted petitions urging him to do so, but they were harshly scolded and demoted, then sent out of the capital.
Now there were rumors that the Emperor placed special importance on Tan Jieyu’s unborn child, making the already muddy waters of the court even murkier.
A month after the announcement of Tan Jieyu’s pregnancy, Qi Wangfei gave birth—a daughter—whom the Emperor named Princess Fengan.
On the third-day celebration, Mingxi and several other Wangfeis went to offer congratulations. Third Prince Consort, being under confinement with the Third Prince, naturally couldn’t attend. The liveliness of the capital seemed to have nothing to do with them anymore.
As soon as Duan Huirou saw Duan Mingxi, she came rushing over. “Sister.”
Mingxi looked at her. “Why are you so late?”
Duan Huirou hesitated before pulling on her sleeve and whispering, “I’m pregnant.”
Mingxi was momentarily stunned, then smiled with joy. “How far along?”
“Not even two months yet,” Duan Huirou replied quietly.
Mingxi calculated the time—it was almost the same as Tan Jieyu’s pregnancy. She asked softly, “Does Jin Wang know?”
Duan Huirou nodded. “He knows.”
“Then why did you still come today?”
With a bit of annoyance, Duan Huirou said, “I didn’t want to come, but Consort Zhang insisted. She doesn’t know I’m pregnant yet.”
Mingxi was surprised. “Jin Wang didn’t tell her?”
Duan Huirou nodded. “No idea what he’s thinking. Since he didn’t mention it, I didn’t either.”
Mingxi frowned. “Stay with me today. Don’t wander off.”
That was exactly Duan Huirou’s plan. Being by her sister’s side gave her peace of mind.
“Sister, when should I tell Consort Zhang?” she asked nervously.
Mingxi didn’t know what Jin Wang was planning either. Looking at Duan Huirou, she said, “Ask Jin Wang directly. Let him decide. His relationship with Consort Zhang is tense, but you shouldn’t get dragged into it. You won’t be able to hide the pregnancy for long. When that time comes, Consort Zhang will blame you, not her own son.”
“Alright, I’ll ask him tomorrow and let him deal with it,” Duan Huirou said helplessly. After being married to Jin Wang for so long, she found him increasingly unpredictable—his moods changed like the weather. Just recently, he had seemed possessed, spending every day and night with her.
Now that she was pregnant, she finally had a good reason to kick him back to the study. As for whether he went to Side Consort Chen or not, she didn’t care.
Kang Wangfei had always been close with Mingxi, and Yu Wangfei remained cordial—keeping a respectful distance as always. Together, they went to visit Qi Wangfei, only to find her looking quite unwell.
Her face was thick with powder, but one could still see the bluish tinge beneath her eyes. It seemed this pregnancy had drained her greatly. The once proud and competitive Wangfei now looked like a wilted flower.
In stark contrast, Qi Wangfei’s side consort, Side Consort Ming, was radiant and charming—graceful in every way. The comparison was harsh.
Qi Wangfei had always been proud and flamboyant. The way she now looked at Side Consort Ming was enough to send chills down one’s spine.
Not long after the third-day celebration, Duan Huirou sent a message to Mingxi: Jin Wang had entered the palace and informed Consort Zhang of her pregnancy, and Consort Zhang had even sent gifts in congratulation.
Mingxi reminded her to take good care of her pregnancy. With Lan Mama by her side, she wasn’t too worried—Lan Jiang’s wife was a capable person.
The little princess at Qi Wang’s manor didn’t have a one-month banquet. It was said to be Qi Wang’s decision. Just after Qi Wangfei completed her postpartum recovery, she had a quarrel with him.
“It’s said that Qi Wang is dissatisfied because Qi Wangfei gave birth to a daughter. The couple already didn’t get along well. If this child had been a little heir, Qi Wangfei might have turned things around. But unfortunately, it was a girl.” Fang Momo shared the news she had gathered with Mingxi.
Mingxi nodded slightly. That wasn’t surprising. Qi Wang and his Wangfei had always been at odds like needle tips clashing with wheat awns. Qi Wangfei tried to press down on Qi Wang using her maternal family’s influence. How could Qi Wang possibly let her have her way? Even when they first got married, there had already been a lot of conflict.
If Qi Wangfei were smart, she would’ve realized that a woman should be like water—yielding and gentle. She should’ve lowered her stance. But once they’ve already battered and bruised each other, it would be hard to mend the relationship.
She likely pinned her hopes on this pregnancy to restore her position, but things didn’t go as she wished.
Furthermore, Bai Shixi’s daughter had the title Ruian, and hers was Zhaohua, yet Qi Wangfei’s daughter was only given the title Fengan. That “Feng” character alone crushed the last sliver of hope for Qi Wang.
This daughter wasn’t favored by the emperor, which more or less became the final straw that broke their marriage.
It was also strange—while the emperor himself mostly had sons, his sons ended up having mostly daughters.
Fang Momo, noticing Wangfei lost in thought, added quietly, “I heard that Side Consort Ming had a miscarriage before.”
Mingxi was surprised. “Really?”
“Not long after Qi Wangfei got pregnant, Side Consort Ming also conceived. Later, she had a fall and lost the child.”
Mingxi then recalled how Side Consort Ming had acted so brazenly during the three-day banquet, not hiding her smugness at all and even flaunting it right in Qi Wangfei’s face. Seems like that miscarriage might have something to do with Qi Wangfei.
As for the affairs in Qi Wang’s manor, Mingxi just noted them and didn’t pay them much mind.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, Consort Shu sent word that the emperor intended to hold a grand banquet this year and asked her to prepare thoroughly.
Mingxi’s heart sank. The empress was still sick, yet the emperor wanted to host a lavish banquet—something about it felt off.
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