Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

She laughingly said, “It’s amusing what you said, Your Ladyship. But, I suppose the women in the harem do not mind being tools for the royal family.”

“Whether Concubine Li minds or not, I don’t care.”

Jiang Ning closed her eyes.

Indeed, she was not angry at all about Li Hongyuan’s behavior, even though he had made her wait in vain for an entire afternoon and half a night.

Her current concern was that Li Hongyuan seemed to have somewhat grasped her intent. To avoid openly refusing her request, he played this little trick halfway, went directly to Concubine Li’s place, and avoided seeing her.

Where Li Hongyuan was willing to go was his choice, but if he avoided seeing her like this, how could she get information from him?

Huang Ying helped her with her shoes, and whispered, “Your Ladyship, let me lower the bed curtains so you can have a good night’s sleep. Any troubling matters can wait until tomorrow.”

“Our sister Huang Ying is always so gentle and considerate. I really cannot do without you even for a single day.” Jiang Ning turned to her with a smile.

Huang Ying laughed, “Your Ladyship has become even more talkative.”

She covered Jiang Ning with the quilt.

Jiang Ning suddenly asked, “Tell me, if the Crown Prince refuses to see me, what can I do to make him take the initiative to come to me?”

Huang Ying laughed, “When it comes to methods for attracting the Emperor’s attention, there are countless of them in the harem. The key is to adapt to the situation and choose the most suitable one for you. Otherwise, it would be like an ugly girl trying to imitate a beauty.”

“Sister Huang Ying is truly knowledgeable.” Jiang Ning clapped her hands, “then, may I ask Sister Huang Ying, which method suits me?”

Huang Ying laughed, “Your Ladyship, who can’t see through those little tricks? It’s only people with low status who need to exhaust their efforts in pleasing others. Someone with noble status and lineage like you, a legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, doesn’t need those little schemes. All you have to do is sit quietly in your room, and the Crown Prince will take the initiative to come to you.”

“Really?”

“Tomorrow is the first day of the month. According to the rules, the Crown Prince must accompany the Princess Consort.”

“Is Li Hongyuan really such a stickler for the rules? If he says he’s feeling unwell or busy, and I, the Princess Consort, insist on him coming, wouldn’t that come across as unfilial?”

Huang Ying laughed, “The rules in the palace are not meant for the emperors and princes to obey, but to give reasons for the officials, ministers, and imperial censors to supervise them.”

With these words, Jiang Ning truly began to look at Huang Ying with new eyes.

As Princess Consort, with the strong backing of her Jiang family, she could easily put pressure on the Crown Prince. If the Jiang family released even a little pressure, there would certainly be people in the imperial court criticizing the Crown Prince.

After all, the Crown Prince was not yet the Emperor.

What he needed to worry about, he still had to consider.

Jiang Ning was delighted, “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? So, it spared me the trouble today, intending to wait for the prey tomorrow.”

Huang Ying laughed, “How can Your Ladyship say that? I’m here to serve the Princess Consort, of course, I’d like for the Crown Prince and Princess Consort to have a harmonious relationship. Or do you think I’m unsatisfied with the frequency of the Crown Prince’s visits?”

“Fine, fine, with Sister Huang Ying’s clever tongue, it’s a waste to have you here.”

“Where else could I go?”

“You should be an Imperial Censor, I’m sure you’d make the emperors and princes ashamed.”

“I’m just a woman, and I don’t have that kind of ability.” Huang Ying gave a little laugh, “It’s getting late. You should close your eyes and sleep. Tomorrow, wait patiently for the Crown Prince to pay a visit.”

After Huang Ying lowered the bed curtains, she watched as Jiang Ning tossed and turned a few times on the bed. She quickly went quiet and motionless. Huang Ying knew she had fallen asleep and then she left the room with relief.