Rumors were flying in the palace, but Chu Shaoling watched calmly from the sidelines.

"Your Highness," Wang Muhan couldn't help but worry, "I'm concerned that if the Emperor takes these words to heart and really considers establishing the child in Consort Zhen's womb as the crown prince, what should we do then?"

Chu Shaoling smiled and shook his head, "He wouldn't dare depose the elder and establish the younger."

Not to mention that the Emperor still favored Chu Shaoruan, even without Chu Shaoruan, there were already so many adult princes. If the Emperor rashly established a young son as the crown prince, it would be forcing the older princes to rebel.

Wang Muhan felt a little more at ease and nodded. He said, "In my humble opinion, there's no need to be in such a hurry to deal with Consort Zhen. The pregnancy is still in early stages, and it's not known whether it will be a prince or princess. If it's a princess, it wouldn't be worth it for Your Highness to go to such lengths."

Chu Shaoling shook his head, "I'm not worried about her giving birth to a prince. There are already so many princes in the palace, would I still be concerned about one more? I don't care whether Consort Zhen carries this pregnancy to term or not. Actually, I'd be happy for Consort Zhen to successfully give birth to a prince. I want them to fight amongst themselves."

Wang Muhan nodded, "This old servant understands. Your Highness wants Consort Li and Consort Zhen to fight like clams and snipes, while you reap the rewards as the fisherman."

"Not exactly," Chu Shaoling gently stroked the jade pendant at his waist and chuckled, "Eunuch Wang, what do you think the Zhen family is thinking now that Consort Zhen's popularity is rising?"

Wang Muhan had a sudden realization, "This old servant understands! Your Highness wants to sow discord between Zhen Jiaxin and his son Zhen Binwen!"

The Zhen family was originally staunchly in Chu Shaoruan's camp. But ever since Consort Zhen entered the palace, the balance of interests had begun to slowly shift. Zhen Jiaxin was Consort Li's father, so naturally he supported Chu Shaoruan without question. But Zhen Binwen was different. If Chu Shaoruan took the throne, he would be the emperor's uncle. But if Consort Zhen's child ascended the dragon throne one day, he would be the emperor's maternal grandfather. It was clear who was closer.

Ever since Consort Zhen entered the palace, Chu Shaoling had anticipated infighting within the Zhen family. He just hadn't expected Consort Zhen to become pregnant so quickly. This undoubtedly greatly intensified the Zhen family's internal conflicts. For the greater good, the Zhen family should naturally still fully support Chu Shaoruan. But speaking from Zhen Binwen's selfish perspective, his sister's son taking the throne couldn't compare to his daughter's son doing so.

Zhen Jiaxin only had one son and one daughter. Due to the previous assassination incident during the ploughing ceremony, Zhen Jiaxin was still under house arrest. Currently, the highest-ranking official in the Zhen family was his eldest son Zhen Binwen. Chu Shaoling would never believe that Zhen Binwen hadn't harbored other intentions at this juncture.

The Emperor was wary of plots to harm his offspring. Moreover, it had been several years since any of the Emperor's consorts or concubines had become pregnant. The Emperor placed great importance on Consort Zhen's child this time, so Chu Shaoling didn't personally intervene and only secretly made arrangements. Consort Zhen had been sent into the palace by Consort Li. Now, let's see how these two ladies of the Zhen family will fight.

In Yongfu Palace, Madam Luo took out little outfits one by one to show Consort Zhen, smiling, "It's not known whether it will be a prince or princess, but I'm so happy that I made both. What does Your Ladyship think, are they alright?"

Now that Consort Zhen was favored, although Madam Luo was only a fourth-rank Honored Lady, the Empress Dowager had granted her special permission to visit the palace.

Without her mother-in-law Madam Xu present, Madam Luo was much more at ease. She chatted warmly with Consort Zhen, teaching her daughter who was a first-time mother-to-be all sorts of miscellaneous little things.

Consort Zhen forced a smile and mustered up some energy to pick up a little outfit. She nodded, "Very good, they're all very good. Mother went to great trouble. Making these things is hard on the eyes. Mother doesn't need to go to so much effort."

"How could I be afraid of going to any effort?" Madam Luo smiled, "This is Your Ladyship's first prince. I'm so happy I can't stand it. Let alone making these things, even if it's something the little prince needs, I'd be willing to give my heart. Your Ladyship just conceived the little prince and can't feel him yet. When the child grows a bit bigger and Your Ladyship can feel him moving in your belly, at that time, you'll wish you could give him your life."

Consort Zhen turned her head away as tears flowed down. Would she even be able to wait until this child moved in her own belly?

Seeing Consort Zhen cry, Madam Luo also panicked. She quickly said, "What's wrong, Your Ladyship? Is there something unpleasant in this palace?"

Consort Zhen shook her head, silently shedding tears, "Mother, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep this child."

"How could that be?" Madam Luo's face paled as she softly consoled, "Your Ladyship mustn't have such wild thoughts. Starting from the Empress Dowager, who isn't being extremely careful with Your Ladyship's condition? Now the Emperor dotes on Your Ladyship, and the Empress Dowager also greatly values Your Ladyship because of the little prince. Isn't this all very good? Even your father is now highly regarded at court. Isn't this all because you've done well?"

Hearing this, Consort Zhen's heart ached. Her mother was ignorant and had no idea about the matters here. The Empress Dowager now sent the head of the imperial physicians to take her pulse every morning and evening, bestowing medicinal tonics and precious treasures, causing a huge fuss. This wasn't valuing her, this was killing her with kindness.

Consort Zhen originally still had some misgivings. She knew her father couldn't be the master of the household now, and there was no benefit in turning against her grandfather. But recently, Consort Li had become increasingly unreasonable, embarrassing her every day and always making insinuating remarks that made Consort Zhen tremble in fear that Consort Li would find a way to do her in at any moment.

Just before Madam Luo arrived, when paying respects at the Empress Dowager's palace, Consort Li had sarcastically mocked Consort Zhen, opening with "Consort Zhen must be careful, the pregnancy is in early stages now, a time of instability" and closing with "Consort Zhen has impressive methods, to be pregnant but still have the Emperor unable to forget her, visiting Yongfu Palace two out of every three days. When serving in bed, you must be careful. It wasn't easy to conceive, what will you do if you lose the child due to receiving favor?" All sorts of distasteful insinuations that Consort Zhen had to endure.

Consort Li had fought in the palace for half her life and had all kinds of vicious private methods that Consort Zhen couldn't even imagine. Consort Zhen was apprehensive with every sip of tea and bite of food each day, not knowing if she would still be alive the next moment.

Consort Zhen was after all young. Now that she was pregnant, she was at a loss. She could only confide all her worries to Madam Luo. Consort Zhen placed one hand on her belly and the other grasping Madam Luo's hand. She wept softly, "If it wasn't for Aunt going too far, I wouldn't want to say this. Mother, Aunt has never tolerated me and makes things difficult for me at every turn. For the sake of keeping up appearances, I endured it all before. Now Aunt can't stand that I'm pregnant and wants to take action against me. I really don't know what to do. I'm young and my foundation in this palace is shallow. If Aunt wants my life, it would be as easy as lifting a hand."

Madam Luo cried out in shock, "Is Consort Li truly so heartless? Your Ladyship has never done anything wrong, why would Consort Li be so vicious?!"

"I don't believe I've done anything to let the Zhen family down, so why are Grandfather and Aunt treating me this way?" Zhen Si felt both resentful and angry in her heart as she said hoarsely, "When they initially betrothed me to Prince Qin, everyone clearly knew it was a trap, but did I ever say no? I accepted it! Later, by some twist of fate, I entered the palace - was that my idea?! I had no say in any of the marriage arrangements, but I accepted that too. Now that I've finally established a foothold in the palace, they can't tolerate me either?! Am I only allowed to suffer and not permitted even a sliver of hope? Based on what?! Aunt Zhen Bihe is a daughter of the Zhen household, but aren't I one too? How am I inferior to her?!"

Having endured for so long, now that Zhen Si was pregnant and had both leverage and clout, she finally couldn't take it anymore. Wiping away the tears on her face, Zhen Si said solemnly, "Mother, relay my words exactly to Grandfather. Tell him that I've had enough and can't bear it any longer. Since entering the palace, I've yielded to Aunt in everything out of respect for our family ties. But she shows not the slightest regard for our kinship. If that's how it is, then I won't hold back either. Right now, my only hope is the child in my belly. If this child lives, I live; if this child dies, I die. But don't misunderstand my intentions - I absolutely will not die in vain."

"If anything happens to my unborn child, I will bring the entire Zhen household down with me in mutual destruction, even at the cost of my own life. I mean what I say."

Madam Luo was originally a woman of few words. But now that her daughter had gained favor in the palace and was carrying an imperial prince, Madam Luo was gradually growing a backbone in the Zhen household. That evening, she went to the main hall and relayed Zhen Si's words verbatim, even adding her own comment at the end: "This daughter-in-law doesn't understand much, but I can see that the Imperial Consort is prepared to die. In light of this, I implore you, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, to carefully consider the situation."

Zhen Jiaxin didn't get angry, but instead shed tears and sighed deeply, "It's Noble Consort Li who has been rash, causing Imperial Consort Zhen such distress. It's all my fault, all my fault..."

When the old master started crying, Madam Luo was at a loss and said blankly, "No, it's just that Imperial Consort Zhen is young and may not have considered everything..."

Madam Xu hated this to the core, but she also appeared grief-stricken on the surface, sobbing, "Our family is unfortunate, beset by continuous troubles. Now, just as both Imperial Consorts have finally secured their positions in the palace and gained some leverage, how could we as family not be happy for them? Daughter-in-law, think carefully. Would your Father-in-law and I not pin our hopes on Imperial Consort Zhen's prince? We've been longing for this day and night. The palace is just full of rumors right now. How could you all believe them? The palace is always rife with gossip. If we took it all seriously, how could your sister-in-law have survived in the palace all these years?"

Madam Xu held Madam Luo's hand and cried, "You know your sister-in-law's temperament. I'm not criticizing her, but she's competitive, spoiled, impatient, and sharp-tongued. But she doesn't have an ounce of malice. Have you forgotten how she used to treat Si?"

"No need to defend her. It's definitely all Bihe's fault!" Zhen Jiaxin slammed the table angrily. "She's always enjoyed mocking others since she was little. Now she's even teasing her own niece. Imperial Consort Zhen is pregnant and in a sensitive state of mind. How can she withstand such provocation?! Daughter-in-law Wen, set your mind at ease. Tomorrow, I'll have your mother-in-law go to the palace to give Bihe a stern talking-to and make her personally apologize to Imperial Consort Zhen!"

Zhen Jiaxin and Madam Xu were both skilled in acting and crying. With a bout of tears and words, they portrayed Noble Consort Li's vicious deeds as mere "teasing" and "provocation." On the surface, they still spoke up for Zhen Si in every way. Madam Luo, who lacked opinions of her own, didn't really want mutual destruction. Her daughter was pregnant with an imperial heir, and her good days had just begun. She wasn't ready to die yet.

Seeing how considerate her in-laws were of her daughter, Madam Luo felt reassured and sobbed, "This daughter-in-law is also indecisive. Hearing the Imperial Consort cry to me in the palace, a mother's heart was completely shattered by her tears. Since Father-in-law and Mother-in-law have a plan, this daughter-in-law is at ease. After all, a harmonious family prospers in all endeavors."

"Well said." Madam Xu patted Madam Luo's hand and said gently, "Tomorrow, I'll go to the palace and have a good talk with Noble Consort Li. As for you, just put your mind at ease. I care for Imperial Consort Zhen no less than you do. Leave this matter to me today. No need to mention it to Binwen. He overthinks, and there's no need to trouble him with minor issues."

Madam Luo nodded. Having made a scene in the main hall, she was still worried that her husband would scold her. Hearing Madam Xu say this, she wouldn't say much to Zhen Binwen.

After seeing Madam Luo off, Zhen Jiaxin sighed heavily and said in a low voice, "I was still hesitating before, but now it seems we can't keep Si around."

Madam Xu wiped the corners of her eyes and sat down, shaking her head. "Ruthless and ambitious. Once Si secures her position in the palace, there truly won't be any room left for Noble Consort Li."

Zhen Jiaxin inwardly sighed. Compared to Noble Consort Li, Zhen Si was undoubtedly more worthy of his support. Unfortunately, it was twenty years too late, and he had thoroughly offended Zhen Si over the matter of her marriage. Otherwise, she would have been another great asset for the Zhen family in the palace.

Zhen Jiaxin also doted on Zhen Si, but in all matters, there were gains and losses. This time, he had to give up on Zhen Si.

Zhen Jiaxin took a sip of tea and said indifferently, "Keep an eye on our daughter-in-law. Don't let her say anything foolish. Si has already become estranged from us. We can't let our daughter-in-law also develop bad intentions. This grand enterprise will still be passed to my son. Sigh, as for Noble Consort Li, tell her to stabilize Si first. There mustn't be any more incidents!"

Madam Xu nodded. "Don't worry, I understand."

The next day, Madam Xu entered the palace and sat in Linzhi Palace for an hour. No one knew what she said to Noble Consort Li, but Noble Consort Li indeed went to Yongfu Palace to apologize to Zhen Si. She claimed that she had spoken carelessly because the Emperor hadn't visited her recently, making her feel upset. She asked Zhen Si to understand and forgive her. Zhen Si also didn't want to make things too unpleasant. She wanted to focus on nurturing the fetus. Although she still harbored resentment, she accepted Noble Consort Li's apology. From then on, Linzhi Palace and Yongfu Palace got along peacefully.

After more than a month, the weather gradually turned cooler.

In recent days, whenever Wei Ji went on patrol and arrived at the Eunuch Supervisor's Office around the hour of the Rabbit, he would take a stroll around Taiye Pond. It wasn't that Wei Ji was slacking off. He had overheard a palace maid who prepared tea for Chu Shaoling mention that the dew used for brewing Chu Shaoling's tea was running low.

At that time, Wei Ji had specifically asked what kind of dew was used. The female servant said that Chu Shaoling had always enjoyed using dew when drinking tea. The best dew in the palace came from the lotus flowers in Taiye Pond. They used to collect it there, but now that the weather had turned cold and the lotus flowers were diminishing, it was hard to find.

Normally, Wei Ji also drinks the tea water prepared by Chu Shaoling. In fact, he can't really tell the difference between tea brewed with dew collected from lotus flowers in Taiye Pond and tea made with well water. But he knows Chu Shaoling can definitely taste the difference. Chu Shaoling is particular about things he uses. If something is lacking, he will certainly feel uncomfortable. Wei Ji keeps this in mind, so every time he goes to pay respects or deliver something, he will take a small jar and make a trip around Taiye Pond.

This day, Wei Ji took a few guards from Bitao Palace to the Eunuch Supervisor's Office. On the way back, they passed by Taiye Pond. The guards joked, "Lord Wei, when you deliver this dew, please also mention our names. If the prince finds out, maybe there will be rewards."

Wei Ji smiled and nodded, "Alright, I'll remember that."

Although Wei Ji holds a high position, he doesn't put on airs or oppress the guards under him. Therefore, most of the guards like him. Because he is young, they sometimes tease him a bit.

"Lord Wei, that looks like..." A guard narrowed his eyes, looking at the person on the stone bridge of Taiye Pond. He hesitated, "I see it looks like the attire of a palace consort. Perhaps it's a consort in a good mood coming to enjoy the lake. Let's avoid them."

Wei Ji looked up and indeed saw a consort supported by a few maids coming over. Wei Ji nodded, "We should avoid them. Let's go."

They turned to walk towards Bitao Palace when suddenly they heard a startled cry behind them. Wei Ji abruptly turned his head and saw someone on the stone bridge tumble down and fall into the lake with a splash!

Wei Ji put down the small jar in his hand and ran to the lakeshore in a few steps. With a leap, he jumped into the lake.

Author's Note:

Guess who Wei Ji saved. The little loyal dog pulled an ally for his prince. Oops, I'm spoiling again.

Thank you for the support.

*bows*