Xiang Fei finally became pregnant again. Whether it was to the Empress Dowager or to Emperor Taizong of Northern Wei, she negotiated with them time and time again. The Empress Dowager after all wanted a grandson, and the Emperor agreed to let her keep the child. But in the end, even if this child were born, he would not be recognized as the son of the Emperor, but only as the second legitimate son of Xianyu Wang. The best outcome for Xiang Fei was still separation from her child.

  Ruier felt this was cruel.

  She burst into tears uncontrollably. She cried for Zhen Huan and also for herself. She was terrified of the fate that had befallen Lan'er, becoming a pawn in the hands of the emperor.

  But Shang Fei quickly calmed down and said to her, "Rui'er, the Emperor is your master after me. If you want to live a little longer, don't offend him."

  "Your Highness, why don't you discuss this with the princess? Perhaps there's still room for maneuver..."

  "No, I won't be able to change his mind." Xiang Fei wanted to smile wryly, but could only reveal a sorrowful expression: "Well, if this can ensure the child's safety for life, even if it means I'll never see him again... Go and call Zhen Huan over."

  ***

  Ten days later, Xiang Fei reappeared in everyone's sight again.

  She had been recuperating in the Inviting Moon Pavilion for a long time, but this did not deter people's attention to her. After all, the Emperor would visit her every day.

  She has been the most favored person in the harem for six years since she entered the palace.

  It will be like this from now on. She thought to herself.

  She went to Changle Palace on the first day of September in good weather. Next to the golden sedan chair with six curtains and a peach-red canopy, which was for the imperial concubine of the first rank, was not Feng Zhuang Ji but Zhen Bin, the woman who had been recuperating from her foot injury for more than three months without leaving the palace gate.

  Jin Pei has always been envied and feared by Xiang Fei because of her high status and many similarities with Feng Zhuang Ji. However, over the past three months, Feng Zhuang Ji's ability to handle things has really not met Xiang Fei's expectations. Jin Pei is still more reliable in this regard.

  Xiang Fei, who was sitting in the sedan chair, coldly glanced at Zhen Huan. She had been in the palace for six years now, and not to mention surpassing herself, she was far inferior even compared to Yunxiang Rong back then. Such a person, it's unlikely that she could turn her own palm over.

  Upon arriving at the Chang Le Palace, as expected, Ziyun's nanny came forward and reported to her: "The Empress Dowager is worshiping Buddha today, Master and the young masters only need to kowtow at the palace gate." She also smiled politely and said: "Concubine Sheng has a pregnancy, the Empress Dowager ordered that she be excused from paying respects."

  Xiang Fei naturally didn't dare to be arrogant in front of the Empress Dowager, and she got down from the sedan chair and knelt down in front of the vermilion gate.

  On the side, there were dozens of concubines, all piously kowtowing to pay their respects. When they saw Xiang Fei approaching, they hastily paid their respects to her as well. Xiang Fei looked at them with a raised head, not bothering to respond to any of them, only casting an extra glance or two at Lin Yu. As for Lin Yu, she clearly didn't have the heart to exchange many words with Xiang Fei either.

  The two of them now have more important things to attend to and no longer have the extra energy to entangle with each other.

  Xiang Fei bowed her head to Empress Dowager and then paid respects to the Empress in front.

  The empress responded faintly and turned to those around her: "Xiang Fei's pregnancy has passed, why hasn't Shen Zhaoyuan arrived yet?"

  Before the palace maid could respond, someone below laughed and chimed in: "Shen Zhaoyuan is unrefined and disrespectful to her elders, Your Majesty should teach her a lesson."

  Shen Yunrong's reputation has now plummeted.

  The queen heard it in her ears and felt uneasy in her heart.

  It's just this extent, still far from reaching her expectations.

  The palace maid replied cautiously: "Princess Zhao has been reflecting on her mistakes behind closed doors." The empress said: "Very well, I only hope she can change her ways and make amends for past wrongs."

  Another snicker rose from below. Thinking about it, it sounds good. Probably can't bear to lose face and doesn't want to come out to see people.

  The imperial concubines quickly finished their curtsies and escorted the empress away.

  Lin Yan fell behind in the crowd. Her legs have been aching for days and she can't walk fast. It was like that in her past life too, whenever she felt tired, her legs would ache.

  Now some things are obviously beyond her control. The queen and Sheng Fei's power is far superior to hers, in the gap of their playing power, she, a noble lady, will be destroyed in an instant.

  What she hated most was this feeling, the feeling of being controlled by others. It's really more tiring than the last life.

  Tan Su Ji Chu Huashang was indeed walking very quickly, and the distance between the two of them opened up to a considerable extent. Since Chu Huaxin was abolished, these two people had never met in private or spoken a word. Chu Huashang often suffered from being ridiculed by others because of her sister in the cold palace, saying that she would have a hard time after losing her support. She never argued and very obediently made a sad and sorrowful appearance, making people feel that she and Chu Huaxin were indeed sisters in one body. Naturally, Lin Yuan, who was an enemy of Chu Huaxin, could not get close to her either.

  Lin Wan was very satisfied with this result. The agate pendant was originally taken out from the main hall by Chu Hua Shuang and given to Lin Wan, and Chu Hua Xing would not be foolish enough to use such an eye-catching thing to buy off Chu Yun. Now that Chu Hua Xing had fallen, both parties had gotten what they wanted.

  At this time, a eunuch in the attire of an eighth-grade imperial attendant came running from afar. He first bowed and blocked Chu Huashang's path, then hastily ran over to pay his respects to Lin Yu. The smile on his face had a more flattering tone than usual, saying: "The Emperor has summoned the two young masters, Guiji and Shuji."

  Lin Wan knew that the eunuchs in the imperial palace were not easily won over by consorts.

  But she also knew that the imperial concubine's respectful attitude towards Sheng Fei was the first in the palace, something even the empress had never possessed.

  The little eunuch in front of her now can only explain that the emperor has a very unusual attitude towards her, or towards Chu Huashang.

  Lin Yan looked at the expression on Xiao Nei's face, and her chest felt a bit more at ease. Suddenly, her legs didn't hurt as much either. In these days, she had thought about many things in her heart, but now, things seemed to be getting better and better.

  No matter how powerful the queen is or how clever the imperial concubine is, Tuoba Hong is the most important decision maker in her life.

  ***

  Tuoba Hong had no government affairs at this time and was resting in his bedroom.

  Such a leisurely time is the emperor's rare idle half-day after many days of fatigue.

  These days, he's really tired.

  It's not easy to move one Chu family and then another Shen family...

  Lin Wan and Chu Huashang arrived soon after. When the two entered the palace, they found that someone was already serving here. Ye Guiren was fanning the emperor.

  Under the favor of Lin Wan and others, Ye Tuisheng, although not eye-catching, has also climbed up a bit. She served the emperor with her heart, and a few days ago, she was promoted to a noble lady.

  The emperor still didn't think much of her in his heart. He looked up and saw Lin Yu and the others, casually waving his hand to let Ye Shi retreat.

  Lin Wan and Chu Huashang bowed together.

  Tuoba Hong's teacup made a slight clinking sound on the golden sandalwood small table. His eyes slowly swept over the two young and beautiful concubines in front of him.

  Lin Wan and the Emperor had been together for a long time, she hadn't seen him look at her with such scrutiny in a long while.

  Tuoba Hong was still thinking. Taking such a step, he didn't have complete confidence in his heart that he could get the best effect.

  But looking at Lin and Chu... At least they are both very useful.

  At last, Tuoba Hong spoke up: "These days, have you often gone to serve beside the Empress Dowager?"

  In fact, the Empress Dowager summoned Lin Wan and others only a few times. With the example of the deceased Zhou Shi, the Empress Dowager herself did not summon them, and Lin Wan and others did not dare to go on their own initiative.

  Chu Huashang lowered her head and replied: "Concubines like us are dull and cannot gain the full favor of the Empress Dowager."

  Taohong smiled faintly: "However, the Empress Dowager has some praise for you. Yesterday, I went to the Changle Palace and sat down, and my mother mentioned you to me, thinking of giving you some rewards. My mother's temperament is cold and clear, and I am busy with state affairs. Having you by my side every day, opening my heart and relieving my boredom, is the best."

  Tuoba Hong's words made Lin Yu feel embarrassed. She felt that she hadn't served the Empress Dowager particularly well.

  She and Chu Huashang both lowered their eyebrows and remained silent. Tuoba Hong flipped through a piece of paper in his hand, on which Lin Yuan couldn't see what was written, nor did she dare to look. After a moment, Tuoba Hong said: "The Empress Dowager likes you, and it's only right that you should be rewarded for your merits. Pass the edict, all the concubines serving the Empress Dowager in the Chang Le Palace will be awarded ten bolts of silk, three sets of pearls and jade. Additionally, Shu Ji is promoted to Rong Hua, and Gui Ji is promoted to Gui Yi."

  In the harem of Da Qin, it's not unusual for someone to be promoted beyond their rank. But from a concubine to Ronghua is just too...

  Those above Gonghua can nurture the imperial heir.

  Lin Wan and Chu Huashang both knelt down. Chu Huashang's face was full of incredulous expression: "Your Majesty, concubines have no merit to the country, how can they be rewarded like this..."

  "Your father and two elder brothers have all been loyal to the country and are very capable, I should have rewarded them like this long ago. Unfortunately, Chu's family committed a serious crime, and promoting officials and granting titles may be criticized by the court." Emperor Tuoba Hong rarely had patience to explain to Chu Huashang: "You are much more promising than your elder sister, and the Empress Dowager also favors you... Granting rewards to you is the Empress Dowager's intention, as well as mine."

  Lin Wan stood silently beside him, listening to the emperor's words.

  Her emotions were somewhat complicated, and it was hard to say whether she felt happy or disappointed.

  She guessed she would be promoted. However, Chu Huashang's promotion was quite unexpected.

  Tuoba Hong can support himself, which is the best thing. But supporting Chu Huashang...

  Still using the Empress Dowager as an excuse.

  That is to say, the idea of rewarding was proposed by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. The Empress Dowager had always been willing to support Chu Huashang because she thought her illegitimate daughter's identity made her a useful pawn, and she appreciated her even more... Lin Yan used to think that Chu Huashang's usefulness was the same as hers. But now it seems that the Empress Dowager's attitude towards Chu Huashang is somewhat strange.

  Lin Wan was considered a person who could give birth to the emperor's son, but Chu Huashang... After being appointed as Ronghua today, she will no longer have the qualification to give birth.

  The Empress Dowager was indeed old and cunning, fearing that she had already made up her mind. From the moment Chu Huaxin fell from the position of favoritism, the Emperor gave up on this chess piece, while the Empress Dowager began to invest in her younger sister, Chu Huashang.

  Chu Huaxin's downfall was only a matter of time, and as long as Chu Huaxin disappeared, Chu Huashang would own everything in the Chu family. Even if her stepmother was unwilling to accept it, Chu Huashang, an ordinary girl, was her father's greatest hope and trump card, and the entire Chu clan had to put all their support on her. In this way, Chu Huashang replaced Chu Huaxin.