The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 50 - Thank You, Aunt

"Fine, give her a chance. But don't say I, as her aunt, am being biased," the Empress Dowager replied with some discontent, agreeing to Dezhong's suggestion. "However, make sure you calm Duan'er down and tell him not to worry. That position will be his in the end." After all, he was her own son, and she felt protective of him.

"Don't worry, Duan'er is very sensible. But you shouldn't summon him too frequently these days. We don't want the Emperor to notice anything unusual," Dezhong said, putting down his teacup and rising to his feet. "I'll get going now. In a while, you should meet with Shu Fei, but don't let her know about the plan. We don't want a repeat of Wen Ke, who gave up everything for a man." After finishing his words, he exited the inner hall.

The Empress Dowager was left alone to reflect. She thought of many things, especially about that woman, which filled her with such hatred that she wished she could desecrate her grave.

Closing her eyes for a long while before opening them again, she called, "Come here." Soon, the momo guarding outside entered.

"Your Majesty."

"Summon Shu Fei and tell her I miss her," the Empress Dowager instructed.

"Yes," the nanny responded, though puzzled. Without asking further questions, she left to call for Shu Fei.

Shu Fei resided in Yibao Tower, not far from the Empress Dowager's Qingzhou Palace. It wasn't long before Shu Fei arrived.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager, may Your Majesty be blessed with health," Shu Fei greeted respectfully after entering.

The Empress Dowager didn't immediately acknowledge her, and Shu Fei remained kneeling without moving.

This time, however, the Empress Dowager did not make things difficult for her. Instead, she waved her over, "Come, we are all family here, no need for such formality. Sit down. It's been some time since I last saw you. How have you been holding up during this scorching summer?"

Her face was filled with concern and affection. "If you don't have enough ice, feel free to come and get some from me. I have plenty left."

Although Shu Fei didn't quite understand the Empress Dowager's sudden change of attitude, she was nonetheless happy. After all, who wouldn't want to be cared for?

"Thank you, Aunt. Shu-er has been doing well," she said as she stood up and walked over to sit near the Empress Dowager, who had already ordered a cushion to be placed there for her.

"Aunt, is there a reason you've called for me today?" Shu Fei, after feeling moved by the sudden kindness, couldn't help but ask directly, as she was not one to hide her emotions, especially in front of family.

The Empress Dowager didn't get to the point right away. Instead, she glanced at the momo, who immediately understood and led Shu Fei's attendants out, leaving space for just the two of them.

Shu Fei didn't object. She knew it would be futile to try and stop it, so she took a deep breath and asked calmly, "What can I do for you, Aunt?"

Her tone was still respectful, but it had shifted slightly. She suspected the Empress Dowager wanted her to talk to her older sister again.

"My child, you've become distant from me," the Empress Dowager said, her expression filled with sadness as though Shu Fei had wronged her. "I called you here because I heard that the Empress and others are pregnant. I wanted to ask how things are going on your end."

Wiping the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, the Empress Dowager continued, "Now that so many in the harem are expecting, I can't help but worry. You've been in the palace for many years and still have no children. I want you to put more effort into it."

Her voice was full of sorrow. "I know the past hurt you, and you deserved a better life. It was selfish of me to bring you into the Prince's household to keep ties with our Zhang family. But as your aunt, I always wanted what was best for you."

"Back then, the Emperor had only the Third Prince as his son. I thought, at least with him under your name, you'd have someone to depend on. But now things have changed, and I wanted to discuss it with you. The Third Prince's health isn't good, so we need a healthy prince with Zhang family blood, don't you think?"

Shu Fei's eyes lit up as she listened. She had thought about having a child of her own before, but her family had objected, and even her aunt hadn't supported it. Now that her aunt had changed her mind, she was overjoyed.

"Aunt, are you serious?" She could hardly believe that today her aunt was finally giving her permission to have a child.

For so many years, she had tried, but with two powerful forces opposing her, it had been impossible. Now that the greatest obstacle was willing to clear the way for her, there was nothing she couldn't achieve.

"Of course. How could I deceive you?" The Empress Dowager's eyes sparkled with tears of joy, though her tone soon became serious again. "But is your health well enough after all these years?"

Back then, Shu Fei had also consumed the cold-inducing medicine, just like Lan Guifei. Only, no one had told her about it.

"Rest assured, Aunt. I'm in good health and can bear children," Shu Fei said excitedly. "I've been taking care of myself all these years, and the imperial physicians have said I'm fully recovered."

She had even planned to use a secret remedy her mother had sent into the palace, but now, with her aunt's blessing, she didn't need to take that risk. As long as the Empress Dowager supported her, even if the Emperor disapproved, he wouldn't dare oppose her aunt.

"Good, good, that's wonderful," the Empress Dowager said softly. "I have a tonic here for you. Take it to your physician and see if it's safe to drink. If it is, take a few doses—it's a fertility tonic."

Her voice became more gentle, "But make sure you consult a physician you trust. After all, medicine has its risks, and I don't want you to harm yourself for the sake of a child."

Her words were filled with genuine concern. The mention of a fertility tonic stirred Shu Fei's emotions, but she was also cautious. No matter how kind the Empress Dowager sounded, she couldn't fully trust her.

"Thank you, Aunt," Shu Fei said, expressing gratitude regardless of her doubts. After all, the Empress Dowager was now helping her.

She immediately stood up and knelt before the Empress Dowager, offering a formal bow. Shu Fei knew that her chance to surpass her sister had finally arrived.

"Good child, get up quickly. Don't blame your aunt for these past years; I had my own burdens," the Empress Dowager said as she helped her up, her eyes brimming with tears.

"As long as you all are well, I'll be truly happy."

"Aunt..." Shu Fei and the Empress Dowager embraced, creating a warm and tender scene.

After leaving with the tonic prescription, Empress Dowager's smile vanished the moment Shu Fei was gone. "Prepare some water. I need a bath," she ordered as if Shu Fei had carried some contagion.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Back at Yixuan Courtyard, Shu Fei wasted no time calling for her trusted physician.

She had already prepared for this day, having placed her own people in the imperial medical office. Though difficult, she had eventually managed to bribe one physician—someone of moderate rank, unassuming, and with no suspicious dealings in the past.

However, what Shu Fei didn't know was that anyone allowed into the imperial medical office had their family background thoroughly investigated. No one would dare betray the Emperor.

So the physician that Shu Fei has bribed reported her immediately to the Emperor.

If not for the Emperor's approval, that physician would never risk his entire family's lives for her schemes.

"Physician He, is there anything wrong with this prescription?" Shu Fei asked nervously, her eyes fixed on him, studying every small change in his expression.

Physician He examined the prescription carefully. It was indeed a good tonic for health, filled with nourishing herbs and no harmful ingredients.