A Crossover of Film and Television: Miao Miao's Life Transmigration

Chapter 206 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 19

After giving birth to Hongxi, Wen Yuan stayed quietly in Chuxiu Palace to raise her child, except for paying her respects.

Since Wen Yuan gave birth to Hong Xi safely, Consort Xin carefully sought refuge with Wen Yuan. Consort Xin would often bring Shu He to Chuxiu Palace to play with Hong Xi.

Shuhe is almost seven years old this year. She is very small and seems a little malnourished. After Wenyuan realized Xin Guiren's sincerity, she also gave Xin Guiren some benefits.

One day, the Emperor came to Chuxiu Palace and had Consort Xin bring Shuhe there. When the Emperor saw Shuhe's appearance, he was somewhat angry. Although he did not like Consort Xin and Shuhe, Shuhe was, after all, his daughter. The Imperial Household Department's treatment of Shuhe was a slap in his face.

The Emperor decreed that all the palace maids and eunuchs who had neglected Shuhe should be beaten to death, and that Consort Xin should personally raise Shuhe.

The next day, Consort Xin brought Shuhe to Chuxiu Palace to express her sincerity. Wen Yuan's lips curled up slightly, her eyes filled with a hint of coldness, and she said, "I understand Consort Xin's intentions, but whether they will last, I will see in my eyes. Time will tell."

Shuhe officially settled into Chuxiu Palace and would visit Hongxi whenever she had a spare moment.

Hongxi was only two months old. The baby was a deep sleeper, sleeping for ten out of twelve hours a day. He didn't cry or fuss, and when he was awake, he would always stay by Wenyuan's side.

Feng Ruozhao of Xianfu Palace, seeing that Consort Xin brought Shuhe to cultivate her relationship with Hongxi, also brought Wenyi over every now and then.

Feng Ruozhao is a smart person. Hongshi is already a teenager and can't get along with Wenyi. If Wenyi can develop a good sibling relationship with Hongxi, it will be good for Wenyi's future when she grows up and has a good brother.

The days passed by at a leisurely pace. Every time Wen Yuan paid her respects, Yi Xiu would make sarcastic remarks, both overt and covert. Wen Yuan was not one to be trifled with, and she would immediately retort. Feng Ruozhao and Consort Xin would help her smooth things over.

Yixiu looked at the concubines below. Consort Li was confined to a side hall of Changchun Palace, and the Emperor had no intention of releasing her. Only Consort An was useful. Consort Liu had been given death by the Emperor, and Consort Rui had been disfigured. Yixiu exempted her from paying her respects. Consort Hui was Zhen Huan's person.

Unfortunately, the imperial selection process only lasted a year, and the emperor could not hold another selection.

On the Double Ninth Festival, Zhen Huan was already eight months pregnant. The Emperor had not told her about Zhen Yuandao's imprisonment.

Zhen Huan's mood had improved considerably, and she even sent the Empress Dowager a Double Ninth Festival gift.

"It must be hard for Consort Wan to think of me," the Empress Dowager said to Zhu Xi.

"Your Majesty, you are in much better spirits." Zhu Xi had been by the Empress Dowager's side for many years before she dared to say something that was not in keeping with her status.

"Consort Jin is a good person. She gave the royal family a little prince this year. Although he was born prematurely, Hongxi is growing very well. She is very thoughtful," the Empress Dowager sighed.

"It's a pity about the Empress..." The Empress Dowager thought and thought, but she still couldn't understand why Yixiu didn't raise Hongxi.

"Your Majesty, you're just caught up in it. In time, you'll naturally understand the Empress Dowager's good intentions," Zhu Xi comforted her.

"If Consort Wan can give birth to this child safely, the harem will have two more children this year. After I pass away, I will have done right by my ancestors," the Empress Dowager said with a deep sigh.

Zhu Xi didn't dare to speak again. The Empress Dowager could only sigh, but the Empress was, after all, the Empress Dowager's niece, and their relationship was not something a servant like her could discuss.

An Lingrong has been quite anxious lately. Although the Empress hasn't given up on her, her treatment is much worse than before. She still has the Emperor's favor, yet the people from the Imperial Household Department dare to treat her like this. Anyone with eyes can see that the Empress is dissatisfied with her. Consort Jin has safely given birth to her child and has returned to the ranks of those vying for the Emperor's favor.

Zhen Huan is already eight months pregnant. If Yi Xiu tries to keep the baby, it will inevitably arouse the Emperor's suspicion. Therefore, An Lingrong will have to step in again.

Yi Xiu revealed that something had happened to the Zhen family, and An Lingrong understood that this meant Yi Xiu wanted her to take action.

An Lingrong arranged for Xiao Guiren to deliver an expiratory stone to Zhen Huan, and also to reveal the news of the Zhen family's troubles. She also had Xiao Guiren secretly go to Zhen Yuandao's prison and deliver a rat that had contracted the plague.

Zhen Huan was so angry that she went into labor, and Huan Bi hurriedly went to fetch Wen Shichu.

Wen Shichu brought news that an official from the previous dynasty who was at odds with Zhen Yuandao had impeached him.

Following Wen Yuan's advice, Jawedia Emin did not get involved in the matter. Originally, the Imperial Household Department would have arranged for Lady Jawedia to enter the palace after Wen Yuan was eight months pregnant.

However, Wen Yuan was worried that it would ruin things, and Yi Xiu had always been eyeing her covetously. She thought it would be inappropriate for Lady Zhaerjia to enter the palace at this time, and suggested that it would be better for Lady Zhaerjia to enter the palace after she gave birth to a child.

At Hongxi's full moon celebration, Lady Zhaerjia finally saw Wenyuan. Wenyuan hadn't changed much, and Lady Zhaerjia was finally relieved.

When Zhen Huan learned of the news, she realized that it was a concubine in the harem trying to cause her to have a premature birth. However, Zhen Yuandao was Zhen Huan's father, so how could Zhen Huan deal with it rationally? Zhen Huan decided to ask the Emperor for an audience to plead for the Zhen family.

In Chuxiu Palace, Wen Yuan watched with a smile as Shu He and Wen Yi played, while Hong Xi lay beside them. It was rare for Hong Xi to be awake when his two older sisters came to play.

A young palace maid trotted in and bowed respectfully: "Greetings to Consort Jing, Consort Jin, and Noble Lady Xin."

Wen Yuan instructed Jing Fu to carry Hong Xi away, and Shu He and Wen Yi were also taken away by Feng Ruozhao and Consort Xin's maids.

Jing An noticed that the little palace maid's expression was off. This little palace maid, named Bai Tao, was sent by the Imperial Household Department after Xia Ju was given death. She was sent by the Zhaerjia clan and could be trusted to some extent.

"Speak up, why are you stammering? What is it?" Jing An asked.

Bai Tao quickly said, "Your Majesty, Consort Wan has given birth prematurely and is currently in Suiyu Pavilion."

"What?" Feng Ruozhao exclaimed in surprise.

"Weren't you just fine a moment ago? How could this suddenly happen?" Consort Xin asked.

"I heard she had a dispute with the Emperor, and Zhen Huan pleaded for Lord Zhen. She went into premature labor as soon as she left the Hall of Mental Cultivation," Bai Tao said.

"Alright, go down and continue gathering information." Wen Yuan let out a soft "hmm," her tone calm.

"It seems that Consort Wan has also been ambushed," Feng Ruozhao said worriedly.

Wen Yuan looked in the direction of Jingren Palace, sneered, and said coldly, "We really have a 'good' empress."

Feng Ruozhao quickly interrupted Wen Yuan, saying tactfully, "My sister is young and should understand that words can bring disaster. We'll just have to see if Consort Wan can get through this ordeal."

"Sister is concerned about Consort Wan. Even if something happens, as long as our child is alright, we don't care how they fight." Consort Xin has always had a good attitude. Now that Shuhe has moved to Chuxiu Palace to live with her, being able to take care of the child at all times is her greatest wish.

"Xin-meimei is right. Seeing Wenyi growing up healthy day by day puts my mind at ease," Feng Ruozhao sighed.

Wen Yuan looked at the two of them, smiling but saying nothing. As for why they didn't go to Suiyu Pavilion, it was because the Emperor hadn't lifted the restrictions on Suiyu Pavilion yet. Didn't you see that even the Empress didn't go? How could the concubines go and disobey the Emperor's decree?

It wasn't until midnight that news came from Suiyu Pavilion that Consort Wan had given birth to a little princess.