Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

Her appearance was undoubtedly gorgeous, inheriting Lin Zizi’s title of being the most beautiful woman in Chang’an City. She looked as if she had been delicately carved by a master sculptor.

The sole flaw in her otherwise perfect appearance was her leg.

In the past, she would always appear in a wheelchair, leaving a deep impression on anyone who laid eyes on her beautiful face and her languid posture.

But now, her leg had healed.

It was only now that people could see her slender and graceful figure, as well as the way her dress swayed lightly, akin to flowing clouds.

It was beauty that was impossible to look away from.

The way she walked was completely different from her lazy pose in the wheelchair.

The Emperor continually stared.

Although he had long known that Jiang Ning looked identical to Lin Zizi, he had never thought they would have any other similarities. Yet now, he could see the resemblance when Jiang Ning walked so lightly, which reminded him of the young Lin Zizi.

It made him think of his infatuation for her during that time.

A few strands of sorrow rose in the Emperor’s heart, accompanied by a barely noticeable sigh.

Time could not be regained after all.

The Empress smiled and said, “I have always felt that although Jiang Ning looked like Lin Zizi, she still lacked the charm and demeanor of Lin Zizi in her youth. But now that her leg has healed, I realize that she is even more captivating than Lin Zizi was. If Prime Minister Jiang had known that her leg could be cured, he might not have been willing to let her marry the thoughtful Fifth Prince.”

The Emperor said nothing, watching as Jiang Ning and the others knelt down to pay their respects.

“You may all rise,” the Emperor lifted his hand, “Fifth, you have grown up in the palace, and now you have moved back in. You should be used to it. Jiang Ning, on the other hand, has never lived in the palace, so take care of her as needed.”

“Your obedient subject acknowledges your decree.” Li Hongyuan stood up and glanced at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning’s eyes focused inward as she acted modest and demure.

The Emperor offered some encouraging words before sending them to the East Palace to settle in.

Becoming the Crown Prince was no easy task.

It involved many different aspects.

From this day on, Li Hongyuan would be busier than ever.

As for Jiang Ning, she hadn’t yet seriously considered what her life would truly be like after becoming the Princess Consort of the Crown Prince.

But it would certainly not be like it was in the Prince of Yu’s residence.

Back then, Li Hongyuan didn’t care for her, and she was constantly pregnant and handicapped. She didn’t have to worry about anything and led a comfortable and leisurely life.

The title of Princess Consort was different.

She had worked hard to earn this position, and now that her leg had healed, she could no longer sit idle and let things pass her by.

The Prince of Yu’s residence could have a palace maid as a housekeeper, but the East Palace could never be managed by a concubine.

That’s right, as Li Hongyuan became the Crown Prince, and Jiang Ning was promoted from Princess Consort of Yu to Princess Consort of the Crown Prince, Li Yuanyuan, the Teng person, also became a crown prince’s concubine.

A Crown Prince’s concubine was of the highest grade, only second to the Main Consort in the status quo, and there could only be two crown prince’s concubines at most.

In other words, no matter how many people enter the East Palace in the future, Li Yuanyuan will always be the highest-ranked person below the Main Consort.

As she was ineligible to attend the royal audience, she went directly to the East Palace through the Immortal-view Gate.

By the time Li Hongyuan and Jiang Ning arrived at the East Palace, she had already organized it to be clean, tidy and refreshing. She was there to greet them, kneeling on the ground.

Putting other things aside, Li Yuanyuan was indeed very adept at managing domestic affairs, significantly contrasting her gentle and weak appearance.

Following tradition, the Crown Prince would reside in the Supreme Palace, while his consorts would be free to choose their living quarters.

“I think the Red Sun Palace is pretty good. I will live here,” Jiang Ning circled around the East Palace and made her choice.

Li Hongyuan said, “Don’t you think the Red Sun Palace is too far from the Supreme Palace?”