The Duchess of Ju and the Duchess of Zhao came together to Changle Palace to pay their respects.
"Your Highness's bitter days have finally turned to sweetness. Tomorrow we shall go to Huguo Temple to pray for Your Highness and the young prince."
With a smile, I offered them the newly made pastries from my palace kitchen. "Thank you both for keeping me in your thoughts. This pregnancy has been very stable. I haven't suffered much at all."
The Duke of Ju, the Duke of Zhao, as well as the General of Agile Cavalry and the General Who Guards the North, were people I had known since I married Xie Linzhuo. During those difficult years that followed, I planned and schemed every step of the way for Xie Linzhuo, which made me even closer to their wives.
There was no movement from Jiaofang Palace, but my legal mother came to Changle Palace the following day. She stared intently at my belly, which was not yet showing. I used my wide sleeve to cover it unobtrusively. Only then did she look up at me, forcing a smile.
"Noble consort, this pregnancy of yours really comes at the perfect time. If it is a boy, you must plan well for his future. Her Majesty the empress enjoys the emperor's favour. Her child will certainly be the crown prince. Noble consort, why don't you—"
I smiled and shook my head. "Mother, you have overstepped."
My legal mother was stunned for a moment. Once she realized what had happened, she flew into a rage.
"Do you think that just because you are called noble consort, you have truly risen above your station? At the end of the day, you are nothing but a concubine. What kind of grand future can the child of a concubine possibly have?"
I looked at my legal mother as she flung her sleeves and walked away, smiling without a word.
In the evening, I had Chuju quietly summon the imperial physician. When the lamps were lit, Xie Linzhuo rushed in anxiously.
"Are you feeling unwell? Why did you call the physician?"
"I am fine. The physician said I am just worrying and thinking too much."
I smiled and welcomed him. He helped me sit down.
"Did your mother say something to you?"
I lowered my head. "Mother wants me to give this child to my sister, to ease my sister's grief."
Xie Linzhuo pulled me into his arms. "Do not worry. Ying'er is still a child herself. How could she raise a child? Well, if she hadn't been so childish and reckless before, things wouldn't have—"
His hand around me tightened instantly. I pulled at his lapel. "You should go visit my sister more often. Sister's heart and eyes are entirely filled with you."
If the two of them do not meet, how can they discover that the love which was meant to last a lifetime, the exclusive favour in the deep palace, can actually end in mutual resentment?
I no longer need Xie Linzhuo's love now. I only need his guilt. His guilt for demoting me from wife to concubine. His guilt for my innocent child who died of illness.
Even though I was pregnant, I still took charge of organizing the imperial birthday banquet. That day, the breeze was gentle and the weather was beautiful. Noble ladies from both inside and outside the court gathered in Jiaofang Palace. My elder sister, comforted by Xie Linzhuo's affection, still appeared charming and innocent, yet dignified.
Everything was going smoothly at first, until we were watching the fireworks after the banquet. The little heir, who was sleeping in the arms of the princess consort of Ying, whimpered a few times in his sleep. No one around paid much attention, but my sister turned and stared fixedly at the child in the princess consort's arms. She even broke free from Xie Linzhuo's hand, walked up to the princess consort of Ying, and reached out to hold the little heir.
The princess consort of Ying trembled slightly in fear, but she did not dare to refuse.
My sister held the two-year-old heir in her arms, watching his face wrinkle as his sleep was disturbed, and then smooth out again as he drifted back to sleep in her embrace. Suddenly, she turned back to Xie Linzhuo, her face full of surprise and anticipation.
"Linzhuo, look."
Xie Linzhuo looked down and gently touched the baby's cheek. "He is a good child. Quickly return him to the princess consort of Ying."
"Not mine."
The grand fireworks display had just come to an end, making my sister's voice stand out exceptionally clear. The festive atmosphere instantly turned cold and silent. The princess consort of Ying fell to her knees with a thud, wanting to cry but not daring to, wanting to speak but not daring to open her mouth.
After recovering from his shock, Xie Linzhuo tried to coax my sister. "Ying'er, this is not our child. Give him back first. We will have our own children in the future."
My sister held on tightly and refused to let go. "But I was pregnant. I want him."
On the emperor's birthday, the imperial clan, high-ranking officials and noble ladies were all gathered. At this moment, everyone was staring at the emperor and empress. My legal mother hesitated in the crowd, wanting to step forward.
Xie Linzhuo's eyes were as dark and deep as an ancient well. The already silent atmosphere seemed to be slowly freezing over. Yet my sister was completely oblivious.
"No, my child went to become an immortal. Xuan'er is dead too. I want him."
A pang of grief hit my heart, and I stared at Xie Linzhuo.
"Empress!" Xie Linzhuo barked angrily. "Have you no sense of propriety or decorum?"
I was far from the only one scoffing inwardly. The reigning emperor and empress — when have they ever cared for propriety or decorum?
The young heir was awoken by the noise. Finding himself held by a stranger, he burst into tears. The Prince of Ying's family was frantic with worry, yet they dared not step forward.