Chapter 19: Delicate Palace Maid VS Cold-hearted Emperor 19

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager felt even more approving of her.

Sensible and polite, gentle and humble.

Perhaps it was because her state of mind had changed, but half a month ago, when she was only conversing with the Noble Consort every day and there were no children in the harem, just these concubines, she, influenced by the one-sided words of the Noble Consort, thought of this Susu as a vixen who monopolized the Emperor's attention, ignoring the rest of the harem. As the Empress Dowager, she went along with the Noble Consort to reprimand her a few times.

But now, this Susu had become the first in the harem to become pregnant, whether she gave birth to a Prince or a Princess, she would be a meritorious figure of the entire Wang Dynasty.

The Empress Dowager's kindness toward Su Zhiruan had another reason; she was the only woman currently capable of conceiving a Dragon Descendant. In the past, when the abbot of Huguo Temple was nearing the end of his life, he had divined for the Emperor Shen Qi, saying that his fate was extremely noble, a born Emperor's destiny, and thus he might be unable to have children with ordinary women. But now, this extraordinary woman, Su Zhiruan, had appeared.

During the conversation, many footsteps could be heard from outside the bedchamber, indicating that a lot of people had arrived.

The old nanny walked in and bowed to report, "Greetings to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor and the Noble Consort, among others, are waiting outside the hall."

"Let them all come in." The Empress Dowager carefully helped Su Zhiruan to her feet, "The Imperial Physician has just been to see you, and treated the wound on your arm. The child is alright, he will prescribe some fetus-preserving medicine and that will suffice."

"From now on you will stay in my chamber. This is a serious matter, and no one can be careless. From now on, Susu, you will share the same bed and sleep as me. Also, these experienced nannies will be at your disposal, and you can summon them whenever you're puzzled during your pregnancy."

At this moment, Shen Qi, the Noble Consort, and a line of concubines entered in succession, and upon their entrance, they heard the Empress Dowager's words.

None of the concubines had ever heard the Empress Dowager speaking so kindly and attentively to a palace maid.

No, she could no longer be called a palace maid. Since the Imperial Physician confirmed her pregnancy, even the most foolish knew that Su Zhiruan must have transformed from a sparrow into a phoenix.

"Mother, how is Ruanruan?" Shen Qi asked as soon as he entered, his eyes immediately focusing on Su Zhiruan. He hurried forward to check on her, glancing at her arm, then curiously looking at her stomach and cautiously stroking it, "How are you feeling now? Are you uncomfortable at all?"

"I felt nauseated just now, but after speaking with the Empress Dowager for a while, I felt much better," Su Zhiruan replied with a gentle smile, her eyes shining with a compassionate and tender light that was unforgettable at a glance.

"You little girl, you are quite the charmer," laughed the Empress Dowager, as Shen Qi sat on the left side of Su Zhiruan and she on the right, "the nausea just now probably indicates morning sickness. It's very normal. If you want to vomit, just have the servants bring a spittoon. Pregnant women go through many bodily changes. Emperor, you must pamper her well."

The three of them chatted back and forth, looking very much like a warm and harmonious family that did not allow others to intrude.

By this time, the Noble Consort was nearly furious to death, her handkerchief almost torn to shreds in her grip, her gaze undergoing significant changes.

The Consort standing beside the Noble Consort gazed at this heartwarming "addition to the family" scene and immediately looked toward the Noble Consort. This Consort was on the side of the Noble Consort in the harem and could be considered her lackey. She was only so-so in appearance, but highly observant, and managing to yield in front of such a person as the Noble Consort was not simple.

Besides these two, the other concubines had never seen such a scene before, and their chins almost dropped to the floor in shock, each displaying expressions of utter amazement.

The once insincere-smiling Empress Dowager was now expressing warmth and concern for Su Zhiruan, meticulously explaining to her various pregnancy taboos and other matters.

The once reserved Emperor Shen Qi, who many concubines had only seen for the first time at the recent Mid-Autumn Festival, now had eyes full of worry and tenderness. He carefully listened to the Empress Dowager while also scrutinizing Su Zhiruan to see if there were any other injuries on her.

The three of them sitting together resembled a warm family—a senior, a young couple, and the newly-formed child in the womb.

Within the crowd, perhaps only Noble Lady Song and Noble Lady Wang were somewhat happy.

With their lower statuses and scant opportunities to see the Emperor, plus their young age, their heads were filled with thoughts of where to play or leaving the palace to venture into Jianghu.

"Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, since she is pregnant, why not confer a title upon her?" The first to speak was Consort Shu; after she said this, she looked towards the Noble Consort.

The real drama was about to unfold.

This title could be major or minor.

Su Zhiruan was of low birth, but now she was carrying the Heir.

"Ruanruan, what do you think?" Shen Qi asked Su Zhiruan directly, and at this time, the Empress Dowager also looked towards her.

"It would be best for His Majesty and the Empress Dowager to decide," Su Zhiruan said, without further refusal to stay by Shen Qi's side.

After all, she was now carrying a child, and it was Shen Qi's first child. If she declined a title, it would seem ungrateful.

The Empress Dowager and Shen Qi exchanged a few words. Initially, Shen Qi wanted to grant her the position of Noble Consort, but the Empress Dowager felt that it was better to promote her after the child was born. Now, to let her sit on the same level as the current Noble Consort seemed worrisome as the court's old conservatives might not approve.

"Bring the imperial decree," Shen Qi said to Little Fuzi, "Let Su Wenbu from the county town be brought into the Capital, join the Ministry of Revenue, be granted a mansion, his wife bestowed with a chest of gold and silver, and share his rank with her husband. For his daughter, Su Zhiruan, virtuous and elegant, dignified and observant of rites, bright as the moon, be granted the title 'Moon,' and ennobled as concubine."

Soon, an imperial decree was prepared.

"Empress Dowager, Your Majesty! No palatial residence was granted for Concubine Moon," a concubine interjected from below.

At this time, the Empress Dowager made her appearance directly, waving her sleeve, "The harem is too full. Let Ruanruan stay with Ourself in Cining Palace, to avoid any mishaps."

The concubines had been shocked too many times today and were now numb.

Even to such astonishing news.

And surprisingly, Shen Qi agreed, while the Empress Dowager was overjoyed, quickly ordering the servants to tidy up the nearest and most scenic side palace.

The Noble Consort, watching all this, nearly had a breakdown. In the past, although she had no children, she was able to speak her mind in the harem because the Empress Dowager was her aunt.

But now, the Empress Dowager was busy arranging things for a mere maidservant, which filled her with jealousy.

However, there was nothing she could do; in the end, she could only stew in her anger and then followed everyone else back to the harem.

In the middle of the night, the Empress Dowager was too happy to sleep and wandered about the garden.

With a smile, the old nanny urged, "Empress Dowager, please rest. Being happy doesn't mean staying up all night!"

"Ah, I have been longing for this for so many years, and finally, my wish has been fulfilled. I have a grandson, how could I not be expectant!"

The old nanny shook her head with a smile.

The Empress Dowager really adored children, and now, with Concubine Moon Su Zhiruan, she had finally had her wish granted.