Chapter Twenty-One: The Same Bearing as Ever

This was the first child Xiao Ceyun had conceived since ascending the throne, and it was carried by the Empress herself. If a son were born, he would undoubtedly become the future Crown Prince; even if it were a princess, she would surely be showered with boundless love and immense splendor.

An Xinyi, seeing this, rose quickly. With a face full of smiles, she bowed respectfully to Xiao Ceyun and Tang Yurong, proclaiming loudly, "Congratulations to the Emperor and Empress on this joyous occasion!"

Immediately following her, the others present seemed to awaken from a dream. They rose in unison to offer their congratulations: "Congratulations to the Emperor and Empress! May the imperial heir be healthy and the royal family blessed with a new treasure!"

For a moment, the palace was filled with an atmosphere of festivity and harmony.

Xiao Ceyun could not hide his joy. He raised his hands slightly to signal that everyone should dispense with formalities and spoke in a clear voice, "My dear subjects, please be seated. There is no need for such ceremony."

Once Wei Yanqiao was seated, a faint, imperceptible cold sneer tugged at the corner of her lips. Tang Yurong had not been pregnant before, nor had she been pregnant later; why did she have to be diagnosed just as she, Wei Yanqiao, returned to the palace? The intention was clearly to use this joyous news to overshadow the attention surrounding her own return.

Yet, she remembered that in her previous life, before she died, Xiao Ceyun had never fathered any children. Back then, she had been highly favored and dominated the harem, inseparable from Xiao Ceyun day and night. Naturally, other concubines had no chance to conceive, and Xiao Ceyun had ensured she herself would never conceive. But now, after she had been away from the palace for three months, Tang Yurong was pregnant the moment she returned.

Either Tang Yurong had long known of her pregnancy and intentionally kept it a secret until today to make it public, or she was feigning pregnancy, hoping to use it as a scheme to frame someone else. Thinking of this, she grew vigilant. She must take precautions against Tang Yurong to prevent her from suddenly "miscarrying" one day and casting all the blame onto her.

Cheng Qianyou spoke up, "Everyone, observe! Ever since Noble Consort Sheng left the palace to pray for blessings, the world has become peaceful and stable! And the moment she returns to the palace, Her Majesty the Empress is immediately found to be with child. Could it be that Noble Consort Sheng is truly a star of fortune, bringing auspicious omens with her?"

Cheng Qianyou’s words, though seemingly casual, were intended to redirect everyone's attention back to Wei Yanqiao, signaling that she was the true protagonist of the day.

The others chimed in, nodding in agreement, "Indeed! Noble Consort Sheng had only just returned when the Empress became pregnant. Such a coincidence is truly astonishing. It seems Noble Consort Sheng is indeed a blessed person!"

Wei Yanqiao’s lips curled into a modest smile. She followed Cheng Qianyou’s lead and directed the attention back to Empress Tang Yurong: "Lord Cheng, you are too kind! I am no star of fortune. Such a favorable and auspicious title is one I could never dare to claim. If we speak of a true star of fortune, it must be Her Majesty the Empress! Not only does she carry herself with the dignity befitting the mother of the nation, but she is now also carrying the imperial heir. This is truly the arrival of a star of fortune!"

After speaking, Wei Yanqiao turned her gaze to Xiao Ceyun, but his mind was entirely consumed by the pregnant Tang Yurong, and he had not heard a word of what the others had said.

Seeing this, Wei Yanqiao could not help but sneer coldly.

***

When the banquet ended, Wei Yanqiao rose slowly and headed toward her palace. Halfway there, she heard whispering ahead. She looked closely and saw Noble Lady An Xinyi and Concubine Meng Dandan talking.

Concubine Meng Dandan, her face full of envy, whispered, "Noble Consort Sheng’s return to the palace today was a spectacle of endless splendor! In all the years I have been in the palace, apart from witnessing the Empress’s grand coronation, I have truly never seen any concubine receive such a grand welcome."

An Xinyi curled her lips in disdain, scoffing, "Hmph, that Noble Consort Sheng can return to the palace only because she relies on her family’s power! If it weren't for the backing of Grand Secretary Wei and General Wei, what is Wei Yanqiao? Does she really think that since she’s back, this harem will once again be a place where she alone dominates and enjoys the Emperor’s favor? Look at today—even though she finally returned, wasn't she still overshadowed by the Empress? Tonight, the Emperor will surely stay with the Empress. To be ignored by the Emperor the moment she returns—isn't that the biggest joke in the world?"

Wei Yanqiao’s face darkened as she slowly walked toward them.

An Xinyi and Meng Dandan saw Wei Yanqiao’s silhouette. In an instant, they looked as if they had been struck by lightning, their faces turning deathly pale. They hurriedly bowed to Wei Yanqiao and cried out in unison, "Greetings, Noble Consort Sheng!"

Wei Yanqiao looked at An Xinyi with a gaze as sharp as a torch. After a moment, she said calmly, "With the Empress now with child, it is only natural for the Emperor to spend more time with her. Noble Lady An, remember this: walls have ears. I have just returned today and do not wish to stir up trouble. If you continue to gossip about others so recklessly, no one can say what kind of person you might run into or what punishment you might receive. Instead of wasting time wagging your tongue behind people's backs, you would do better to focus your efforts on serving the Emperor and Empress well."

An Xinyi’s voice trembled as she replied, "Thank you for your instruction, Noble Consort Sheng! This concubine will never dare again!"

Wei Yanqiao turned and left. It was a long while before An Xinyi dared to rise, trembling with fear, terrified that Wei Yanqiao would hold this against her in the future.

Beside Wei Yanqiao, Shui Yao looked indignant, grumbling, "Your Ladyship, why didn't you take this opportunity to punish those two wretches who dared to gossip behind your back? It would have shown them your power and restored your prestige in the palace! You have been away for so long, and those sycophants have likely forgotten the favor you once commanded!"

Wei Yanqiao gave her a cold, indifferent glance and said slowly, "There is no need for such a fuss. I have no time or energy to waste on such inconsequential people and matters."

She now had to play the part of a virtuous person, just like the Empress; she could not kill indiscriminately.

Upon returning to her palace, Wei Yanqiao changed out of her magnificent brocade robes into plain, elegant attire that hinted at a touch of weary melancholy. Shui Yao rushed in to report, "Your Ladyship, the Emperor has indeed retired for the night with the Empress. It seems he will not be coming to us tonight."

Hearing this, Wei Yanqiao sneered inwardly—it was better that he didn't come, as it saved her from having to force a smile and endure the humiliation of dealing with Xiao Ceyun.

"Your Ladyship, let this servant help you rest."

***

"No, go and find my scriptures. I wish to transcribe some Buddhist texts." Even though she had returned to the palace, she had to maintain the proper persona. Until Xiao Ceyun allowed her to bear an heir, she would not easily attend to him in his chambers.

Whenever the scriptures were mentioned, Shui Yao felt a headache coming on. She never wanted to set foot in that temple again. Her priority was to make Wei Yanqiao forget about those scriptures and focus her mind entirely on the palace. She cautiously advised, "Your Ladyship, you have been traveling for days and must be exhausted. Why not rest early?"

Wei Yanqiao shook her head gently and said in a soft, tender voice, "I do not feel tired; rather, I wish to transcribe some scriptures to soothe my heart."

"Your Ladyship..." Shui Yao tried to persuade her again, but Wei Yanqiao interrupted, "Go!" She stood up abruptly. "Forget it, I will go myself."

At the temple, she had grown accustomed to doing everything herself.

Seeing this, Shui Yao hurriedly responded, "Your Ladyship, let this servant handle such trivial matters."

At Nan'an Temple, Wei Yanqiao had no one to serve her, lacked her former arrogance, and with the Emperor far away, she could indulge in her temper and whims. But now that she was back in the palace, she was the noble Noble Consort, and Shui Yao was a mere servant. If it reached the Emperor's ears that the powerful Noble Consort had to do things herself, ten heads would not be enough for her to lose!

Shui Yao quickly retrieved the scriptures. Li Yanzhi (Wei Yanqiao) instructed, "You may go and rest now."

"Yes." Shui Yao, already exhausted, bowed out upon receiving the command.

Li Yanzhi opened the scriptures and began to transcribe. She wrote all through the night. When Xiao Ceyun arrived at her palace the next morning, he found her asleep at her desk.