Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

By noon, Concubine Yu sent someone to inform the Emperor that she was feeling unwell due to the sweltering weather.

The Emperor had been favoring her recently, so upon hearing that she was unwell, he naturally rushed over to check on her.

Upon entering the room, he saw Concubine Yu dressed in a thin veil, lying on the bed, her snow-white skin contrasting her slender waist, which was utterly captivating. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, evoking pity in anyone who saw her.

The Emperor hurried over: “What happened to my beloved concubine?”

Concubine Yu, seemingly startled, struggled to sit up: “This concubine is here to greet Your Majesty.”

“Lie back down.” The Emperor quickly pressed her down and asked with concern, “Where is my beloved concubine feeling unwell? Should I summon the Imperial Physician to check on you?”

“Your Majesty, please don’t worry. This concubine has no real ailment. It’s just that the weather has been increasingly hot lately, and I don’t feel like eating or drinking much.” Concubine Yu nestled timidly against the Emperor, “It’s not a big deal that I’m sick, but I can’t serve Your Majesty well, and that makes me feel bad…”

The Emperor felt unbearably sorry for her: “This is not a big issue. Your health is what matters the most.”

“This concubine really is fine. It’s just… I can’t seem to stomach any food. It must be the heat. I’ve been sensitive to heat since I was young, especially during this spring-and-summer transition.”

“I’ll ask the Imperial Kitchen to prepare some delicious dishes.”

“I can’t eat the food from the Imperial Kitchen right now either.”

“What should we do then?” The Emperor furrowed his brows.

At this moment, a palace maid attending by the side mentioned, “This servant heard that the Princess Consort is skilled in cooking. Even the emperor’s eldest grandson, who is usually a picky eater, couldn’t get enough of her food.” “Qin’er, what are you talking about? The Princess Consort is delicate and noble; how could I let her cook for me?” Concubine Yu immediately scolded the palace maid.

The Emperor laughed, “It’s just a meal, what’s the big deal? Besides, you are her elder.”

“Your Majesty, please don’t make a fuss over me and cause resentment among others.”

“What nonsense! I don’t believe that asking the Princess Consort to cook a meal would make her bear a grudge. Beloved concubine, don’t worry. Princess Consort is truly filial. She has been very good to the Princess Consort of Huai and Concubine Xian recently; I know all about it.”

The Emperor patted Concubine Yu’s hand and stood up, calling for a eunuch, “Convey my oral decree: Concubine Yu has caught a summer heat and is feeling unwell. Order the Princess Consort to cook some appetizing dishes and send them over.”

The eunuch respectfully complied and went to the East Palace to deliver the decree.

At this moment, Jiang Ning was coaxing her two children to take a nap.

Since Li Hongyuan became the Crown Prince, he had been busy with various affairs, often away from the East Palace. Jiang Ning was happy to have some peace and quiet. Every day, she managed the East Palace’s numerous tasks and spent her leisure time playing with Wenzan and Lingzi, reading, and writing.

She was content with her carefree and leisurely life.

However, as the wife of the Crown Prince in a palace full of the Emperor’s concubines, she could not stay idle for long.

Just as she had put her little ancestors to sleep, Huang Ying came in with a low voice to deliver the Emperor’s oral decree.

Jiang Ning frowned: “Concubine Yu?”

Having served in the palace for many years, Huang Ying was familiar with the situation. Seeing Jiang Ning’s puzzlement, she immediately explained, “Concubine Yu has been in the palace for many years but only recently gained favor. Coincidentally, she and the Princess Consort of An are sisters. Concubine Yu is the half-sister of the Princess Consort of An, and they are said to have a very close relationship.”

“Prince of An?”

Jiang Ning understood. She bent down to kiss Lingzi’s sleeping face and put on her shoes to go to the outer room, “It seems the Prince of An’s Mansion is seeking revenge for that prodigal son.”

Huang Ying said, “Now that Concubine Yu is suddenly claiming to be ill and specifically requesting the Princess Consort to cook for her, she is definitely up to no good. We absolutely cannot comply.”

Jiang Ning laughed, “Why not? I, for one, enjoy fulfilling other people’s extraordinary wishes..”