The new concubines waited eagerly for the emperor’s favor, but unfortunately, for seven or eight consecutive days, the emperor did not summon any concubine.

  The newcomers gradually became restless and started seeking out higher-ranked concubines to speak with.

  Naturally, some also tried to visit the empress, but she refused to see them.

  Wumian had already made up her mind—if the emperor wanted, she would arrange the bedchamber schedule. She would make a list: the higher-ranked ones would get more days, the lower-ranked ones fewer. As long as the emperor didn’t mind the effort, they could take turns.

  But since Guifei was in charge of managing the harem, she decided not to interfere. Let them do whatever they pleased.

  Finally, at the end of the month, the emperor summoned one of the new concubines, Li Baolin, and went to Biyue Pavilion.

  However, before the night even fell, he was called away by Li Fei.

  When Linshui reported this to her, Wumian was surprised. “What’s wrong with Li Fei? She’s never done this before. She’s always been favored, so she’s never needed to do something like this.”

  Linshui blinked. “This servant doesn’t know. It’s te at night now, but once Dukang returns, we’ll find out. He went to the imperial kitchen to get you some snacks.”

  Wumian nodded. She might not interfere in matters, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy the drama.

  Not long after, Dukang returned, bringing with him some information. “It’s said that Li Fei suddenly experienced nausea and weakness, so she summoned the imperial physician. The exact reason is still unknown.”

  “Oh,” Wumian responded zily. “She’s probably pregnant.”

  “This… this servant inquired, and indeed, Li Fei has not had her monthly cycle this month.” Dukang answered cautiously.

  “Alright, you did well. Go collect your reward. It’s te, let’s sleep.” Wumian decided against eating her te-night snack. She did need nourishment, but eating this te would only lead to indigestion. “We’ll discuss this in the morning.”

  Dukang had expected some further reaction, but seeing that there was none, he quietly withdrew.

  “If Li Fei is truly pregnant and bears a prince, she’ll likely be promoted to the rank of first-css consort,” Linshui remarked as she helped Wumian prepare for bed.

  “She’s been in the pace for over three years, and even without giving birth, she’s already a Fei. Isn’t this to be expected? It doesn’t matter as long as His Majesty doesn’t pn on having her repce me.” Based on what Wumian had observed, the emperor didn’t seem like that kind of man.

  She yawned and shut her eyes, truly unconcerned.

  Meanwhile, at Hanliang Pace, Li Fei was nestled in the emperor’s embrace, her eyes brimming with tears. “Your Majesty, it’s my fault. I thought… I truly thought I was carrying our child, which is why I was so desperate to call you over. I never expected to be mistaken… Your Majesty…”

  “Alright, alright, I’m not bming you. Stop crying.” Ying Qionglou patted her back. “I’ve told you before, you’re just too anxious. Your body is fine; it’s just your monthly cycle being irregur. If you regute it properly, it’ll happen. You never listen.”

  Li Fei wiped her tears. “Yes… I’ll send some gifts to Li Baolin tomorrow. I truly didn’t mean to disrupt her.”

  “Good, I understand.” Ying Qionglou sighed. “It’s te. Go to sleep.”

  Li Baolin, still new to the pace, didn’t dare voice any compints. She could only curse Li Fei as a cunning fox in her heart.

  The next morning, Li Fei arrived at Fengyi Pace unusually early. With all the other consorts present, she offered an expnation. “I suddenly had severe stomach pains st night and panicked, so I called for His Majesty. It was thoughtless of me and interrupt your time with him, Baolin. Please don’t take offense. I’ve already spoken to His Majesty, and he will still visit you tonight.”

  “I wouldn’t dare, Li Fei. You are too kind.” Li Baolin quickly waved her hands. “Are you feeling better now, Your Highness?”

  “It’s nothing serious. The weather has been hot, and I overindulged in cold food.” Li Fei smiled.

  “The whole pace was in an uproar st night. His Majesty must have been worried sick,” Rong Fei teased.

  “It was my fault. I won’t be so reckless again,” Li Fei said with an embarrassed smile.

  “I thought Li Fei had good news,” Guifei sighed with mock disappointment. “I was ready to congratute you today.”

  Li Fei sighed as well. “You think I don’t wish for that? But this isn’t something that happens just because I want it to.”

  At that moment, Jiang Zhaorong suddenly spoke up. “Her Majesty the Empress has yet to bear the imperial heir. We shouldn’t be in such a rush. What we should truly hope for is for the Empress to give birth to the crown prince. That would be the best news of all.”

  Wumian, who had been quietly listening, gnced over. “Zhaorong is thinking of me. But truly, whoever gives birth to a child is a blessing for the pace. I will be happy either way. As for myself… I suppose fate just hasn’t aligned yet.”

  “That’s true,” Guifei agreed smoothly. “A crown prince born of the empress would be the most noble. I too hope for that day.”

  Wumian raised an eyebrow slightly. “Good. You all have such sincere hopes. Then let’s wait and see.”

  The room fell silent.

  "Anyways, if Li Fei isn’t feeling well, make sure the imperial physicians do their best to help her recover. As for Li Baolin, don't be discouraged. Last night was an exceptional situation. Li Fei isn’t usually like that, so don’t let unnecessary thoughts take root in your mind. In the future, you must continue to get along harmoniously with your sisters." Wumian said with a smile.

  "I wouldn't dare. I will certainly remember Your Majesty’s words," Li Baolin quickly replied.

  "That's good. You’ve all just entered the pace and aren't familiar with everything yet. Feel free to explore the gardens—spring is in full bloom, and there’s no need to keep yourselves cooped up. If there’s nothing else, shall we wrap up here?" Wumian looked toward Guifei with an inquiring gnce.

  What could Guifei say? Who would have expected Li Fei to make such a scene st night, yet the empress remained completely unbothered? If she were to make a fuss now, wouldn’t it seem inappropriate?

  She had always dealt with Li Fei using the empress as a tool—if she confronted her directly, what would His Majesty think?

  Truly...

  After leaving Fengyi Pace, Rong Fei caught up with Guifei. "Sister, do you still have any white tea? I’ve been craving it these past few days."

  "I do! Come, come, let's have some tea. I'll set some aside for you ter," Guifei said with a smile, then turned to invite Xian Fei. "Xian Fei, would you like to join us?"

  Xian Fei shook her head, declining. "You two go ahead."

  Back at Chaoyang Pace, Rong Fei remarked, "It seems that Li Fei really isn’t pregnant. Her monthly cycle is irregur, and the moment she vomited, she assumed she was expecting. But after the imperial physician checked her, he only said she had an upset stomach. She sure has a thick skin, still daring to show her face today."

  Guifei chuckled. "She’s still favored by His Majesty. Why would she feel embarrassed? It’s just irregur menses—considering how often she shares the emperor’s bed, it’s only a matter of time before she actually conceives. Do you remember when she first entered the pace? Her health was even worse back then. I’ve heard that she’s already improved a great deal."

  "Sigh, truly. His Majesty, what exactly does he see in her? When it comes to beauty, how does she even compare to you?" Rong Fei shook her head.

  Like Guifei, Rong Fei had been part of the Eastern Pace. Years ago, due to the difficulties caused by the te Empress Shen, she suffered a miscarriage. Though she still saw the emperor occasionally, she was far from favored. Now at twenty-seven, she had long aligned herself with Guifei.

  "The empress has truly changed. If Li Fei had pulled a stunt like this before, she would have lost her temper immediately. Today was a complete surprise—or rather, these past few days have been surprising. Is this how she pns to be from now on? Would she really accept it so easily?" Guifei frowned.

  "Exactly. Even Jiang Zhaorong couldn’t sit still, yet the empress..." Rong Fei frowned as well, completely puzzled.