134 can enter, but must first talk about rules

  Inside the Weiyang Palace, the Empress Dowager sat high on a luxurious couch with carved dragons and phoenixes, flanked by two flying phoenix birds, each holding a large dragon pearl in their beaks. She wore a dazzling golden crane-patterned robe with wide sleeves, her white hair neatly combed into a Wanshan hairstyle, with a slanted insertion of a glittering gold hairpin adorned with rubies. On her forehead, she wore a crimson agate headband. Although her face was old and wrinkled, she sat upright on the couch, exuding the majesty of the Mother of the Nation, truly awe-inspiring.

  The Empress Dowager sat upright on the phoenix throne, gazing at Ruoxi who was entering from outside the palace. She smiled and said, "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives. You've come just in time, I was about to discuss something with you."

  She was dressed in a purple-golden brocade embroidered with phoenix patterns, her hair combed into two buns, with a small golden pin adorned with five phoenixes and a bright pearl on top of her head. A pair of crimson gold hairpins shaped like butterflies were tucked behind her temples, and a large golden pendant in the shape of a drop of water hung from her forehead. A delicate golden chain encircled her neatly combed buns, wrapping around them several times, looking extremely exquisite and beautiful.

  It doesn't matter if it's the King and Queen, or Yang Tai Furen being arrogant, they can only get up from their seats and slightly bow. In the scene, Empress Dowager Zheng Yue sat on a lower chair beside the Grand Empress Dowager, her expression cold and indifferent, as if she had never put anyone in her eyes.

  Lu Shu Fei got up and smiled: "The King of Jing's consort has arrived, haha, that's great. Yang Niang's infatuation will finally be requited."

  Ru Qing first paid respects to the Empress Dowager with difficulty, although she looked down on Ru Qing's humble origins. However, the Empress Dowager was quite pleased with Ru Qing's gentle and refined nature, smiling: "Now that you're pregnant, there's no need for such grand courtesy." She then glanced sideways at the eunuch standing below her.

  That eunuch made a swift movement and steadily supported the body that had fallen to its knees in desire.

  "The princess's body is precious as gold, and Empress Dowager is already worried about the princess, how can she still perform this grand ceremony?"

  As soon as the words left her mouth, she straightened up and smiled: "Thank you, Imperial Grandmother, for your kindness." Then she turned sideways and paid respects to Empress Dowager Zhen, who was only looking at her own well-maintained hands and didn't even glance at Ruqun. It wasn't until Ruqun had struggled to kneel down that she said lightly: "The Princess of Jing has a body, why bother with such grand courtesy?" Then she turned her face and glared at the eunuch who had led Ruqun in, scolding: "You fool, you didn't even lend a hand."

  That eunuch shrank his body, not daring to raise his head. As Qing smiled lightly and also gave a courtesy to Lu Shu, Lu Shu also stood up to return the courtesy. Meanwhile, Princess Qing'an had already stood up when Qing entered the palace, and now she slightly returned the courtesy with Qing, but her knees didn't bend at all, laughing warmly: "Sister-in-law has arrived just in time, the Empress Dowager is taking pity on you for being pregnant and working hard, so she wants to help sister-in-law share the worries and labor. They were discussing this matter, unexpectedly sister-in-law has arrived."

  With a faint smile, "The little sister is indeed kind-hearted."

  At this time, Mrs. Yang and Mrs. Yang both came forward, just about to pay their respects, but with a faint smile: "Since Miss Yang is determined to be my king's concubine, then the Yang family can't be considered as the honored guest of the Wang family anymore. The queen wants to discuss something with the Empress Dowager, so please ask both of you to withdraw."

  Ru Qing's words stunned everyone in an instant, not to mention the Empress Dowager, but also Lu Shu Fei and Qing An Gong Zhu, who stared at Ru Qing with wide eyes, looking at her incredulously.

  Madam Yang's face turned iron-green, while Madam Yang looked embarrassed and could no longer hold back, glaring at her mother-in-law with a resentful gaze. Her face flushed like blood as she whispered to the people present: "I, your concubine, bid farewell." Then she shot another glance at her mother-in-law before storming out in anger, her skirt fluttering behind her.

  As if she hadn't seen the reactions of these people, Yan Yan came to the front of the Empress Dowager and smiled cleverly: "Empress Dowager, your granddaughter-in-law has come to pay her respects to you this time, and also to discuss with you the matter of my husband taking a concubine."

  The Empress Dowager sat high on the third step of the imperial dais, staring at Ruoxi for a while before speaking: "You're pregnant and your fetus is unstable. I didn't want to disturb you at this time. Originally, I thought I'd wait until after you gave birth to discuss this matter. If you don't want to let Ning enter the palace now, then we can make a decision when Xiang comes back."

  Ru Qing said with gratitude: "The Empress Dowager is indeed kind to me, knowing that I am not in good health and my pregnancy is unstable, she does not want to trouble me with these annoying things. The Empress Dowager's loving care for me has truly moved me. But some people, on the other hand, take advantage of the King's departure and come to stir up trouble."

  Some people's faces changed, with a look of shame and unease, as if they had seen Yang Tai's sharp tongue before. But now, seeing Ruoxi calm and composed, with her servants also at ease, and the Empress Dowager not showing the dislike that was rumored, she felt a chill in her heart, thinking that Ruoxi must have come prepared, but didn't know if she would be able to get what she wanted today.

  Yang Qining stared at Ru Jing's belly, seeing her struggling to sit down, with both hands holding her belly, and exchanged a glance with Princess Qing'an. Princess Qing'an smiled knowingly and said: "Sister, you're wrong about this. Yang Qining didn't intentionally choose this timing, it's just that Madam Yang insisted on marrying her off to another man, but Qining wholeheartedly loves Wang brother and doesn't want to marry someone else. But Madam Yang was determined to marry her off far away, which forced Qining to resort to begging the Empress Dowager to intervene. Qining is also pitiful, with a heart full of love for Wang brother, it's really heartbreaking." Princess Qing'an wore a stunning rose-red embroidered silk dress with silver and gold patterns, surrounded by pearls and jade, and as she spoke, the golden tassels on her hair ornaments swayed gently, reflecting the cold light.

  At this time, the night was already deep, and the huge Tianming Pearl on the top of the Weiyang Palace emitted a dazzling light. On both sides, the colorful golden palace walls, the row of gilded bronze seven-layer lotus flowers, lit up the silver-white giant candles. The hall was brightly lit, with fragrance wafting through the air, and the vermilion phoenix's mouth spat out wisps of dragon saliva incense, making the entire palace immersed in a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

  But all of this is just on the surface, as you know, today's battle can only be won, cannot be lost.

  Yang Qining knelt down to Ruqing, his tone pleading, "Princess... Qining begs of you, please have mercy on me and give me a way out, considering my true loyalty to the prince."

  Mrs. Yang glared at her disappointing daughter with a scowl, rebuking: "You despicable thing, as the eldest miss of the prestigious Marquis's manor, you're actually so humble and lowly for a man, it's truly humiliating to our Yang family's reputation! Be it, be it, if you want to die then go ahead, I won't stop you anymore. Alas, this life has been wasted on raising such an unashamed daughter like you."

  Princess Qing'an hastily comforted Madame Yang, "Madame, what are you saying? Qining is your own flesh and blood, how can you abandon her for the sake of appearances? Can it be that as a mother, one must watch their own daughter be trapped by emotions without any concern?"

  Mrs. Yang gazed at Princess Qing'an with a complex look, her resentment growing in her heart. This person had been urging her daughter to become Li Xiu's concubine, and she didn't know what kind of mind he was thinking of.

  But at this time, the daughter has become like this, if she still can't marry into the Jing Wang Fu, not only will her reputation be ruined, but it will also affect the reputation of the Qing Chang Hou Fu. Now she is in a situation where she can't turn back, and can only close her eyes and push her daughter forward. As for what happens next... She looked at Ru Xiang, who was drinking ginseng tea with a gentle and elegant expression, but somehow, Yang Tai Fu Ren, who had been through many storms in the imperial family's noblewomen circle, felt an inexplicable sense of fear towards this young and shallow woman.

  Mrs. Yang suddenly wiped her face and cried, "With such a despicable thing happening in our family, how can I have the face to see the ancestors of the Yang family?" Then she glared at Yang Qining and scolded, "You shameless thing, why don't you go love some other man? You have to go love Jing Wang, are you stupid?"

  Yang Qining knew that her mother was still thinking of her, so she relaxed and cried sadly: "Mother, I know I've disappointed you, but I really had no choice. If I couldn't marry the prince in this life, I'd rather be a spinster forever. I won't let anyone else humiliate me because of my situation." Then she turned to Ruo Xue and knocked her head against the ground several times, saying: "Princess, I know you're disgusted with me and hate me deeply. But no matter how much you dislike me, Qining's true feelings for the prince will never change. If only you would show mercy and allow me to be with the prince."

  Zhen Lü Tai Fei sighed repeatedly, looking at her and saying to the Empress Dowager: "This child truly loved Jing Wang dearly; otherwise, as a legitimate daughter of a marquis's family, how could she be so humble and submissive?"

  Lu Shu Fei had been sizing up Ru Xing, and now she chimed in at the right moment, "I dare to ask, what is this thing called love that makes people willing to die for each other? Miss Yang's deep devotion to King Jing is truly unprecedented and unmatched by anyone before or after."

  "Of course not," Princess Qing'an took over, "although it's a pity that Qining is really in love with Wang brother. Sister, you must say something. Can you really bear to see Qining's devoted heart go to waste?"

  As the calm and serene gaze swept across the faces of those present, Queen Jeonghye's expressionless face, Queen Roh's playful smile, Princess Gyeongan's ill-intentioned gaze, Yang Taefu's pale complexion, Yang Eun-ning who was prostrating on the ground with tears streaming down his face, and Empress Dowager in her seat.

  The Empress Dowager looked at Ru Xiang with a gentle gaze, her face full of concern. "I heard from the imperial physician that your body is not in good condition, and you almost got poisoned last time, with signs of miscarriage. How can you still come to the palace? It's better for you to go back to the Wang Fu and take good care of yourself. As for Qining's matter, let's put it off for now, and we'll discuss it again after you safely give birth to a son."

  Ru Qing smiled and said: "The Empress Dowager has taken pity on me, I am no longer in the way now."

  Princess Qing'an saw the Empress Dowager's tone change and hastily said, "Imperial Grandmother, this matter can't be delayed any longer. In three months, Qining will already be seventeen years old. If we delay further, Qining will become an old maid." Then Princess Qing'an took out the Great Qing Dynasty's law code, "According to our Great Qing Dynasty's laws, men at twenty and women at seventeen who are not yet married shall have their silver and grain confiscated. This is no joke, Imperial Grandmother. In any case, Qining will eventually marry into the Wang family, so why not make a decision now?"

  The Empress Dowager glared at her discontentedly, "I have my own ideas about this matter, so you don't need to worry about it."

  Princess Qing'an hesitated for a moment, and didn't dare to be presumptuous in front of the Empress Dowager, so she had to sit quietly. However, she secretly gave Yang Qining a signal with her eyes.

  Yang Qining looked at the Empress Dowager with tears in her eyes and said, "Your Majesty's concerns are well-founded. As long as I can marry the Prince and serve him for the rest of my life, I will be content, whether it is sooner or later. However...the Princess..." Then she knelt two more steps and turned to Ru Xing, speaking sincerely, "The Princess is pregnant and her daily activities are not convenient, let alone serving the old Prince and the Princess Consort? If the Princess does not mind, I can take the place of the Prince in serving the old Prince and the Princess Consort first, in order to fulfill my filial duty."

  Although they had mentally prepared themselves for such a situation, Chen Xiang and the others were still furious, their eyes bulging with rage. How could there be someone so shameless in this world? It was truly unheard of.

  Princess Qing'an interrupted, "Qingning is right, sister-in-law. When Wang brother is not around, my father the king and mother queen will have no one to attend to them. It's only natural for a daughter-in-law to serve her parents-in-law, but sister-in-law has just given birth and it's indeed exhausting. Why not let Qingning get married first and take care of father the king and mother queen in place of Wang brother and sister-in-law? Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone? Outsiders will also praise sister-in-law for being wise."

  She didn't look at Qing'an Princess, but instead gazed at Yang Qining with a pitiful expression. Her tone was light as she said: "Before you entered our palace, you were still the eldest daughter of the Qingchang Marquis's household, my third sister's biological younger cousin. For your own sake and for the sake of the Qingchang Marquis's household, save some face and don't kneel anymore. It would be shameful to let people laugh at you, a proud younger sister of the Qingchang Marquis, humbling yourself for a man."

  Yang Qining was taken aback, then suddenly delighted, "Is the princess agreeing to let me enter the palace?" With a look of joy beyond expectation, she hastily wiped away her tears, laughing and crying at the same time: "I knew the princess had a kind heart..."

  "Qining, aren't you getting up for me yet?" Having lived to a ripe old age, Mrs. Yang had also detected the sarcasm in Qining's words and was furious, her eyebrows blazing with anger. "With Empress Dowager supporting you, why must you humble yourself and invite people's disgust? Isn't this slapping Empress Dowager in the face?"

  Madam Yang raised her voice, not only provoking Yu Qing but also flattering the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she gazed at Yu Qing with an unpleasant expression, lightly scolding: "However you put it, Rong Ning is still the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Cheng Chang. Don't be too excessive, even if we don't consider her background, but rather her relationship to us. In the future, we'll all be one family, serving Xi Er together, and should get along harmoniously."

  As the emotions in her heart had calmed down, she respectfully said: "What the Empress Dowager said is completely reasonable. However, it's not possible for Yang to enter the household without repayment. But I'm just a woman, and the Prince is not in the capital, how can I make this decision?"

  Princess Qing'an hastily said, "Sister, you're wrong. As the mistress of the house, it's your duty to arrange for someone to be with Wang brother in his room. How could he possibly blame you? He might even praise you for being wise and capable."

  "Smiling, she said: 'Giving the prince a concubine is naturally not a problem. But the question is, is Miss Yang willing to be a concubine? The prince is a noble king, even if he wants to take a concubine, it must go through official documents, reported to the imperial court and the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department, and also needs the consent of the prince and his mother. Even if I agree, it's useless. The queen mother and the prince are not in the capital, how can I make this decision?' She paused, then said warmly: 'If you really want to give the prince a concubine, come on, let's do it today, right in front of everyone, and offer him this cup of tea.'"

  Yang Qining was overjoyed, and everyone present was slightly surprised. However, Mrs. Yang had a suspicious look on her face, warily staring at Ru Qing.

  She gazed warmly at Yang Qining, her tone as warm as the May sunshine. "Today, in front of the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince, I will ask you three questions. You must answer carefully. If there is even half a sentence of falsehood, don't blame me for being ruthless."

  Yang Qining was startled and cautiously said: "Please speak, Your Highness."

  "Firstly, you keep saying you admire Wang Ye, since when?"

  Yang Qining blushed and said: "It was more than two years ago, the Empress Dowager had intended to marry me off to Prince Wang. Later, on an accidental occasion, I saw Prince Wang, and from then on, I couldn't help myself. The image of Prince Wang's handsome and elegant appearance has been etched in my mind, and I couldn't shake it off." She looked at Ruoxi, her voice choked with sobs: "But unexpectedly, Prince Wang married Princess Wang instead. Qining was heartbroken, but she didn't dare to harbor any resentment, and could only secretly wish for Prince Wang and Princess Wang to be harmonious and happy together."

  "If you want me and Wang Ye to live a happy life together, why do you have to risk your life to serve Wang Ye as a concubine and come between us?"

  Yang Qining sobbed again: "Qining also wants to forget the king, but really can't. Every day when I open my eyes, what's on my mind is the king's shadow, and it's always in my thoughts, no matter how hard I try to shake it off. Later, mother said she wanted to marry me off, that's when I realized, this lifetime, except for the king, I really can't bear any other man. That's why I'm thick-skinned enough to ask the queen to give Qining a way out."

  "As the emotions lightly sighed, 'Indeed, it is truly a deep affection, even I deeply admire. Alright, second question, do you know that if you really want to follow by the king's side, you can only lower your head and humble yourself, are you really willing?'"

  Yang Qining's tone was firm, "As long as I can follow Master Wang and serve him, even if it means going up a mountain of knives or down into a sea of fire, I am willing. I only hope that the princess will be understanding."

  As if nodding in agreement, he asked again: "Third question, are you really willing to give up everything just to be able to follow the prince?"

  Mrs. Yang's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly thought of the next move in her emotions. She was about to stand up and stop her, but unfortunately, she had only called out two words when her emotions shot back coldly. Mrs. Yang's heart skipped another beat, and considering her current status, she didn't dare to be presumptuous, so she could only swallow her anger and not express it.

  Yang Qining's eyes were filled with tears, "I said before, as long as I can follow Master Wang, even if it means being a cow or a horse, going through knives and fire, I'm willing."

  With a soft sigh, her voice carried an almost imperceptible tone of pity and admiration, "Indeed, you are a devoted one. Very well, today, in front of the Empress Dowager, I, the Princess Consort, will grant your request to enter the palace."

  Yang Qining was overjoyed, but after her joy subsided, she couldn't help but wonder if this man was really so easy to talk to?

  Jeong-yi, the Grand Empress Dowager, and Queen Roh, as well as Princess Gyeongan, were all stunned. They had thought that Yeon-woo would struggle more, but to their surprise, she was so quick and decisive, it was somewhat beyond their expectations.

  The Empress Dowager was also stunned for a moment, in her heart, she wouldn't think that Yang Qining would be refused entry, it's just that after agreeing so readily, she had a sense of guilt, as if Li Xun was covering his stomach, with a painful expression, she felt uneasy, she loved Li Xun dearly, but didn't want to let her grandson blame her, especially since Li Xun was carrying such a big belly, and yet came up with this situation, so the Empress Dowager lightly coughed and said: "Anyway, Xun'er still has more than half a year before he can come back, Qining's entry doesn't have to be rushed, let's talk about it after Xun'er comes back, ah, I see your face isn't looking too good, go call the imperial physician to take a look."

  Rubbing her belly, slightly furrowing her brow, she smiled and said: "Imperial Grandmother doesn't have to worry about me, I'm fine, it's just the child being naughty and kicking me in the stomach."

  The Empress Dowager was overjoyed, "Really? There's fetal movement? Ah, come quickly, let me feel it."

  As she got up, under the gentle strokes of the servants, she went up to the platform and sat down on the couch with Empress Dowager Cixi. She gently leaned against Empress Dowager Cixi's shoulder, letting her hand gently touch her belly, and indeed, her belly moved slightly. She exclaimed: "It really moved, it really moved! Oh my, my great-grandson is so mischievous!" Laughing with excitement, the servants below all had darkened faces.

  As soon as she saw the reaction of the people below, her lips curled up slightly, and she suddenly said sorrowfully: "Heaven bless this child, he's lucky to be alive, fortunately, he wasn't harmed by those scoundrels. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the face to see you, elder."

  The Empress Dowager's eyebrows furrowed, "What? What did you say?"

  The queen's eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions, but she remained silent, only gazing at Zhou Mama beside her. Zhou Mama understood and stepped forward, saying loudly: "Empress Dowager, the princess is in good health, even the imperial physician said that the princess is suitable for childbirth and the fetus is stable and healthy, it's certain that she will give birth to 10 or 8 children without any problem." However, unexpectedly, not long after, the princess began to feel nauseous and vomit, lost her appetite, and sometimes fell into a coma. The empress was extremely anxious and summoned the imperial physician at night to diagnose the princess's condition. The conclusion they reached shocked all of us slaves. Zhou Mama's tone was indignant: "Unexpectedly, the princess had been poisoned."

  The Empress Dowager was shocked and angrily said, "How can this be? Who did it? Dare to secretly harm my great-grandson?" Then she paused, her eyes revealing a fierce light, "Can you find out who did it?"

  "Chen Taigong's medical skills are exceptional, and at a glance, he could see that the princess was poisoned by Datura stramonium. However, after searching thoroughly inside and outside Longxian Residence, from top to bottom, there is no sign of Datura stramonium anywhere. Therefore, I carefully searched every corner of Longxian Residence, and found that the princess wasn't poisoned, but rather murdered. The murder weapon was a mirror."

  "What's going on with the mirror?" Empress Dowager asked: "Tell me everything at once, don't keep me in suspense."

  "Empress Dowager, that mirror was a gift from someone else. The craftsmanship is indeed exquisite, with a bright and shiny copper surface, inlaid with beautiful pearls and gems. The princess thought it was lovely and often used it to admire herself, never leaving it out of her sight. But who would have known...who would have known that the mirror contained a large amount of powdered Datura stramonium? The princess's prolonged exposure to it, combined with her pregnancy, resulted in her being poisoned within just over ten days."

  The Empress Dowager angrily asked: "Who sent that mirror?"

  Zhou's mother fell silent, only kneeling down and kowtowing deeply, "This person's identity is not ordinary, I dare not speak."

  "Grand Empress Dowager, as the saying goes, 'family ugliness should not be revealed outside', it's better not to mention it, so as not to hurt the harmony of the family."

  The Empress Dowager's voice was icy cold, "How dare you secretly harm my great-grandson? What is this called family shame? Who has eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard, quickly tell me, I will definitely make her bones ashes."

  "As if I'd be afraid of tears, 'If you really want to get to the bottom of it, how can the Wang estate still have peace? This matter, this matter is better left alone, anyway that string of pearls was thrown away by me.'"

  The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow, "No, didn't you just say that someone had put powdered Tzu Tzu in the mirror and poisoned you, how did it become a string of pearls?"

  Her face suddenly panicked, and she hastily waved her hand, "Right, right, it's a mirror, not a string of pearls, just the mirror that discovered the powder of Gardenia jasminoides."

  The Empress Dowager suddenly roared: "Is there still a string of pearls?" Then she glared viciously at He's mother and shouted: "You dog slave, don't you dare to confess the truth to me. What's going on with that string of pearls?"

  Empress Dowager, please calm down. The person who sent the pearl necklace to the princess is not an ordinary person. The princess ordered me not to say it out loud.

  The Empress Dowager's face turned iron-green, she slowly turned her head to the side, gazing at Ruqing. She saw Ruqing lowering her head, with a hidden and uneasy expression. Suddenly, she felt a pang of sympathy, and wrapped Ruqing in her arms, speaking softly: "Don't be afraid, tell Grandmother Empress who did this to you, Grandmother Empress will take charge."

  Rouge leaned into the Empress Dowager's arms, her voice choked with sobs. "If I say it out loud, Grandmother will definitely not believe me. That mirror was a gift from Qing'an's sister, and that string of pearls was given by Qing'an's mother, Madame Feng."

  As soon as the words fell, a shrill cry suddenly sounded, "You're talking nonsense! When did I ever give you a mirror? I clearly only gave you a string of pearls." The crowd turned around, and to their surprise, it was Princess Qing'an. Suddenly, her expression changed to one of terror, her eyes wide with fear, "You...you deceived me?"

  He said sorrowfully: "I must have remembered wrongly. The mirror and the string of pearls were gifts from Qing An's sister."

  Qing An shouted: "You're talking nonsense! When did I ever give you a mirror? You're spitting blood at people!"

  "Oh, it's been such a long time, I've really forgotten who gave it to me. It doesn't seem like it was my sister who gave it to me, but then who could have given it to me?"

  Zhou Mama gazed at Ru Qing with a mixture of sadness and anger, "The princess is confused, the mirror and the beaded necklace are not Princess Qing An's, but rather Feng Niangniang's." She turned to the Empress Dowager with a sorrowful expression, "Your Majesty is unaware, since discovering the poisonous powder and musk in the mirror and beaded necklace, the princess has been on edge, thinking that if she didn't get rid of Feng Niangniang this time, she would definitely make another move. But unexpectedly, Feng Niangniang has been quiet lately, yet someone else has become restless." As she spoke, her gaze seemed to drift towards Princess Qing An with a hint of accusation.

  Princess Qing'an was furious and her face turned red with anger. "You wicked servant, how dare you spout such nonsense! When did I ever poison your queen?"

  "Alright, this matter has already passed, let's not mention it again. As for how Qing'an sister could do such a thing, there must be some misunderstanding here. Today, let's talk about the main issue. Imperial Grandmother, don't you think that letting Yang girl become King Wang's concubine is not a good choice?"

  The Empress Dowager withdrew her gaze, gazing at Ruoqing with a mixture of pity and concern. "This matter is not urgent, so don't worry about it anymore. What's most important now is to take care of your pregnancy." Then she stroked Ruoqing's belly, saying, "Heaven have mercy, I'm already at this age, yet I still have to worry about you, this little troublemaker."

  "As the Empress Dowager smiled warmly, 'With the Empress Dowager's blessing, I believe this child will be born safely. The Empress Dowager can rest assured.' Then she looked at Yang Qining with a hint of pity, 'Miss Yang is determined to become the king's concubine, and it's rare to see such a devoted woman in this world, even I am moved. However, before the tea ceremony, I must first explain the rules of becoming a concubine to you.'"

  Digression

  Today I updated twice, how will you reward me? That thing that looks like poop, I love it the most, everyone please generously smash smash.