Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

“Don’t you want to get more sweets to win over concubine mother?” Li Hongyuan persuaded gently, “In recent years, there’s very little that concubine mother truly cares about.”

Jiang Ning remained unmoved: “That’s what makes it precious due to its scarcity. If she’s completely satisfied, she wouldn’t value it anymore, would she?”

“Do you use the same tactic with concubine mother?”

“Why not?” Jiang Ning glanced at him, “The things I make are indeed delicious. Your Emperor Father loves them, concubine mother likes them, and your nephew likes them even more. In this life, who wouldn’t crave that?”

“Well, maybe not to that extent.”

“That’s just because you don’t understand,” Jiang Ning said leisurely, “For you, food isn’t the most important thing because you have other desires, such as power and the Imperial Throne. But for your Emperor Father and concubine mother, they have already experienced the best things the world has to offer and have no other pursuits.”

Li Hongyuan said: “You’ve got quite the twisted logic. Concubine mother helped you yesterday, and today she purposely sent someone to demand sweets. Are you going to let them leave empty-handed?”

“That’s true.” Jiang Ning thought for a moment, then said to Huang Ying,

“Aren’t there still some cakes? Let’s give those to her.”

“Cakes?” Li Hongyuan couldn’t believe it, “Jiang Ning, are you just brushing concubine mother off? She wants sweets, and you give her a few cakes. Aren’t you afraid of angering her?”

“I just don’t have any right now. Even if you kill me, I can’t produce any.”

Huang Ying brought a paper box tied with a blue silk ribbon in a bow, which looked rather elegant and delicate.

Li Hongyuan took the box and said, “If concubine mother gets angry… you deal with it yourself.”

“What would she do if she got angry?”

“She might ask Emperor Father to release the Prince of Huai.”

Is Concubine Jin really that whimsical?

Living so carefree and happy-go-lucky.

Jiang Ning said, “If a little food can change Concubine Jin’s mind, then the Prince of Huai might have to spend his life in prison.”

“What do you mean?”

“Emperor Father can control the Prince of Huai, Concubine Jin can control Emperor Father, and I… can control your family’s Concubine Jin.” Jiang Ning said, “You don’t believe it? That’s fine. I specialize in dealing with stubborn people.”

Li Hongyuan glanced at her belly and said, “This prince would like to see who will control you in the future.”

He carried the box back to the front courtyard and handed it to the eunuch, “Give this to the Queen Mother. Although it’s not the sweet osmanthus honey, it is something Jiang Ning made personally.”

“Ah, my lord, this slave came to request sweet osmanthus honey. If I take something else back, will Concubine Jin be happy?”

“If she’s not happy, there’s nothing I can do.”

Li Hongyuan said, “How can I force Jiang Ning with her big belly to do anything?”

“That can’t be allowed. The little prince is important.” The eunuch hurriedly took the box, “Let this slave return and report first.”

The box was brought to Concubine Jin.

She looked at it and asked, “Where is my sweet osmanthus honey?”

“Princess Consort of Yu said there was only so much, and if you want more, you’ll have to wait a few days. This box of cakes was also personally made by Princess Consort of Yu. Please try it, Your Highness.” The eunuch explained with a smile.

Concubine Jin opened the box and saw six small compartments, each containing a golden yellow cake shimmering with a thin layer of oil.

“These cakes do look quite interesting.” Concubine Jin took a piece and sniffed it. It smelled sweet.

Her mood immediately improved.

She loves sweets most of all,

Taking a bite, the outer layer was crispy, while the inside was soft. It was sweet and fragrant without being too greasy.

It only took a few bites to finish the small cake.

Concubine Jin picked up some tea, took a sip, and reached for another cake..