g stench of blood and death choked him, and he almost instinctively ran back to Andrew's territory, where at least he could survive."Andrew, please you must help me. You said peonies would give someon...Three months later, both a concubine and a maid were diagnosed with a pregnancy pulse, which made Xin Yuan very happy, and the East Palace also became lively.

When the princess consort learned about this, she smashed a teacup, but was eventually soothed by her nursemaid.

"Your Highness, please don't get angry. You are carrying the prince's firstborn child. Nothing must happen to him."

"Nurse, I can't stand it! Isn't this a slap in the face"

The Crown Princess Yang Peirong said, wiping her hands with the handkerchief she held.

The wet nurse listened and waved her hand, dismissing the maids and eunuchs serving her. Then she spoke softly:

"My godmother, since the day you married the prince, you should have known that the prince couldn't possibly only have you as a woman. How did you assure the madam back then"

"I know, but now they are all pregnant and my child is not much different in time from theirs. What if..."

This is what she worries about the most.

"My Lady Consort, a woman carries a child for ten months, and many unexpected events can occur during this time. Even if she endures these ten months, childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell. Moreover, whether the child in her womb is male or female remains unknown. There's no need to worry so much."

The wet nurse spoke, so her advice was very skillful.

Yang Peirong listened, her apricot eyes turning, and she understood. She then motioned for the wet nurse to come closer and whispered something in her ear. The wet nurse hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Gu Die'er still didn't know that the turmoil in the imperial harem would soon reach her. At this time, she was drawing a tabby cat. The cat was lying on a corner of the rockery basking in the sun, looking lazy and endearing.

Gu Die'er finished the painting in one breath, capturing the scene of the tabby cat basking in the sun on the paper. She felt she had done a good job today and instructed Lancao to wait for the ink to dry before framing it and hanging it in her small study.

When it was time for dinner, Lan Cao still went to the kitchen as usual to collect her food box. Before the dishes were placed on the table, she used ripples' specially made silver needles to test for poison. As a result, someone had tampered with both the meat dish and the soup today.

"Master, look!"

After confirming that the food was problematic, Lan Cao didn't make a fuss. She immediately let Gu Dieer take a look.

Gu Die'er's eyes darkened after seeing this. This was someone who didn't want to see her well, because good news had come from the prince's courtyard, so they wanted to strike first and create chaos in the prince's courtyard. However, this happened to fall right into her plan.

"Don't make a fuss, just handle these two dishes. Take some of the simple food we prepared for emergencies. Go to the imperial kitchen and ask someone you know to prepare two more dishes for you. Just say it's from me."

Yes, Master.

The orchid grass bowed respectfully and went to do her business.

After such a week, those who had been plotting disappeared. When the women from the Crown Prince's inner courtyard went to pay their respects to the Crown Princess on New Year's Day, the Crown Princess had a smile on her face. She first showed off the demeanor of a legitimate wife and bestowed silver on the two pregnant concubines.

"My sisters have done a great service by bearing sons for the prince, and I originally wanted to bestow some tonics upon you. However, my handmaidens reminded me that things consumed can be tampered with. To avoid unnecessary trouble, silver is more practical. Please do not find my gift too common, my sisters."

This palace has also invited a physician who specializes in pulse diagnosis to give all of you present a pulse reading for good health.

"Thank you, Princess!"

All four stood up and bowed in thanks. Although they didn't know what everyone was thinking, on the surface, they were all harmonious and happy.

When Xin Yuan arrived at the Crown Princess's palace, he happened to see the Imperial Physician diagnosing Gu Die'er. He smiled and asked:

"Perong, why are you so excited today Is there something good happening"

"Your Highness!"

Yang Peirong, with the support of her grandmother beside her, was about to rise and bow when Xin Yuan pressed her down. He said in a gentle voice:

"Your body is heavy, you needn't be so formal."

Then she naturally sat beside the Crown Princess, which pleased Yang Peirong very much. The Crown Prince had given her the due respect, and she would naturally not disappoint him.

Today my sisters came to visit me. I gave some silver to Xu, the concubine who is pregnant with an imperial heir, and Wu Liangdi to make their lives a little easier. Since the Imperial Physician came to check my pulse, I had him also examine them for good health.

"Perong, you've been so thoughtful. From now on, let someone else handle these kinds of things. Your health is the most important thing."

Xin Yuan held Yang Peirong's hand and said reproachfully.

Yang Pei-rong shyly replied:

"Yes!"

At this time, the imperial physician had just finished taking Gu Die'er's pulse and reported:

“Concubine Xu and Lady Wu are both in good health, and their babies are still in their early months. It's best to be extra careful for the first three months.”

The Consort Min and Lady Gu are in good health, with abundant Qi and Blood. When the time is right, they will naturally be able to extend the lineage for the Crown Prince.

The physician is Yang Peirong's person, and his words are also proper and measured.

"That's good, then. From now on, the few sisters don't have to come to my palace on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month. Just take good care of yourselves. I can see that my pregnancy is progressing, and I am a bit tired. I won't be distracted by contacting you all."

The Crown Princess gracefully yielded, demonstrating both her magnanimity and her concern for the crown prince's heir.

Her performance also pleased Xin Yuan, who nodded in agreement:

"Alright, I'll do it your way."

Gu Die'er and the others all politely thanked him, then found an excuse to leave, not delaying the Prince and Princess from getting to know each other.

After Gu Die'er left, Lan Cao lowered her voice and said:

"Miss, the Princess Consort is testing the effectiveness of the drug."

Gu Die'er said indifferently:

"Well, she'll be pleased."

"Miss!"

"Rest assured, this is my protection. Don't you think that without a legitimate son from the Crown Princess, we women wouldn't have been able to give birth to concubines"

Lan Cao's eyes flashed after hearing this, and she understood the meaning behind her young mistress' words.

"Reed, go and knock on the door of our courtyard. Try to avoid contact with outsiders, and don't go out to pry into other people's affairs. Let's just stay inside and live our own lives. Don't get involved. If necessary, I will pretend to be sick."

"Yes, miss, I'll go tap them right now."

The orchid grass knew its place and immediately turned around and left.

On the other side, Granny Gu said with concern:

"My lady, what will you do after this"

"I can only take one step at a time. As long as my family is safe, there's a place for me in this palace. That Xia Xin Yuan won't get away with taking our family's silver for nothing."

Upon hearing this, Granny Gu immediately lowered her voice and reminded her:

"My lady, be careful! There might be ears on the other side of this wall. Choose your words carefully!"

This time Gu Die'er did not retort, but only nodded.

On the other side, Xin Yuan accompanied Yang Peirong for a while and was then called away by the emperor's close eunuch.

After the prince was sent away, the nanny by Yang Peirong's side lowered her voice and said:

"Doctor Wang said that Lady Gu is no longer able to bear children and will never be pregnant again. Please rest assured, Your Highness," family's prized protégé.""You know all about it! He definitely told you a lot about me before you left, even hinted at some things, didn't he"Ripple flicked her silver whip and continued,He said you'...