The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 58 - He Liangdi's Pregnancy

De Fu was startled. The Emperor clearly intended to protect  Wen Jieyu. "Yes, this servant will send someone right away." He didn't dare to ask any more questions and immediately accepted the order, leaving to carry it out.

**Yongze Palace.**

Due to the arrival of Madam Tan, many small fish and shrimp were exposed during the investigation. Both those serving closely and those working outside were brought to light, making Tan Momo and Li Fuquan tremble in fear.

"Mistress, could there be a mistake?" Tan Momo couldn't believe her eyes as she looked at the people kneeling before her.

Madam Tan glared fiercely at her. "I used to think you were formidable back at home. But after just a few years in the palace, you've become useless. It seems the palace can no longer accommodate you." Madam Tan was displeased with Tan Momo's rebuttal, especially after learning that there was an issue with her daughter's pregnancy.

"Once I leave the palace, you should retire as well," she added coldly. A useless person like this should not be left by her daughter's side.

Tan Momo opened her mouth as if to argue, but then, as if thinking better of it, she bit her tongue. "Yes, everything will be as Mistress says." She could still serve Lan Guifei, but she also had family outside the palace—children and grandchildren in the Tan household. For their sake, retirement would be a blessing.

While Madam Tan was taking bold actions, the Emperor, Empress, and others remained notably quiet, turning a blind eye to whatever chaos Madam Tan stirred up. As a result, most of the people by Lan Guifei's side were cleared out, though De Zhong still hadn't found out who had acted behind the scenes. For days, his face had been dark with displeasure.

Aside from the Empress Dowager, no one dared to provoke him.

It was only natural that De Zhong couldn't find the culprit. After all, as soon as the Emperor learned of the situation, he instructed De Fu to hide the person away and let them slip through Tan Momo's grasp.

"Hiding so well, are they? Very well. In time, the fox's tail will reveal itself," the Empress Dowager muttered, clearly displeased when she heard the news. "By the way, were any of our people caught in the purge this time?"

The Empress Dowager was not pleased with Madam Tan's overreach, thinking to herself, how dare a mere official's wife act so brazenly in the harem?

"Rest assured, none of our people were exposed," De Zhong replied, glancing at the attendants nearby. His tone lacked the private warmth they usually shared, likely due to his frustration. "Since they've already pinned the blame on us, we might as well fulfill their wish," De Zhong suggested. "The loss of Guifei's child would be just as well."

The Empress Dowager frowned in confusion. "Why? Wouldn't that make the Emperor more suspicious of us?" She wasn't ready to break the relationship with the Emperor just yet. After enjoying so many years in a position of power, she wasn't willing to risk everything without a guarantee.

"The Emperor has many forces at his disposal. He'll likely figure out that this has nothing to do with us. As long as he has no evidence, we can give fate a little push. After all, Guifei's child is practically half a legitimate heir, something we never intended," De Zhong said. Everyone in the room was trusted, so he wasn't worried about anyone overhearing.

The Empress Dowager was still hesitant, wanting to wait a little longer. But De Zhong saw her reluctance and pushed harder. "If both the Empress and Guifei have trouble at the same time, that would be even worse for us."

He knew what she cared about most—the Empress.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's resolve hardened. She wasn't willing to take that risk. Whether it was the Empress or Lan Guifei, neither of their children could be allowed to survive.

"And what about Madam Tan?" The Empress Dowager knew that Madam Tan, as the head of the Tan family, was no pushover. Dealing with her would require skill.

"Don't worry. She'll soon be too preoccupied to care about palace matters," De Zhong reassured her, hinting at the situation in the south, where more than just the Emperor and Prince Duan were keeping an eye on things.

Though still puzzled, the Empress Dowager trusted De Zhong's judgment and refrained from pressing further. "Very well, handle it as you see fit. Just make sure Duan'er isn't implicated."

With the Empress Dowager's blessing, De Zhong acted without hesitation. A mere half-month later, Madam Tan, who had planned to remain in the palace to take care of her daughter, was forced to leave for an urgent matter back home.

Apparently, a major crisis had erupted in the Tan household, and Madam Tan had no choice but to return and take charge.

The Emperor, of course, was more than happy to let her leave. Although Lan Guifei was reluctant to see her mother go, she understood the importance of the situation. If her family were truly in trouble, her position in the harem would be at risk. For all her current glory, it was built on the strength of her family's influence.

If something happened to her family, not only the Emperor but the Empress would be the first to turn on her.

.....

The palace was filled with constant drama, but far away in the imperial capital, Bai Jingxian remained unaware.

As time passed, the Emperor finally remembered that Bai Jingxian was also pregnant and made his way to Kunning Palace. (Translator Xiaobai: Now you remember?? LOL)

"What does the imperial physician say? Is He Liangdi's health still in good condition?" the Empress asked with a concerned expression.

The Emperor smiled. "Xiao Xiazi is in the palace, and the imperial physician has checked her. She and the child are both doing well. Empress, now I'm just waiting for the imperial offspring to be born—especially a legitimate heir." As he spoke, the Emperor placed his hand on the Empress's slightly protruding belly.

He was genuinely hopeful. For years, the court officials had pressured him to produce more heirs. Even though the Third Prince was already of age, everyone knew he had no real chance of inheriting the throne. It was as if the Emperor had no true successor.

This unrest wasn't just among the people; even the court officials were uneasy.

Otherwise, why would Prince Duan be so eager to seize power?

The Emperor's expectations used to be believable to the Empress. Now, however, seeing the Emperor more clearly, she no longer shared those hopes. She only wanted to safely give birth to this child. Whether it was a boy or a girl, as long as she had a child to rely on, her later years would be secure.

If it were a prince, she would help him rise to the throne. If it were a princess, she would still love her dearly.

"Whether it's a prince or a princess, how can you be so sure it will be a son?" The Empress's eyes gleamed with maternal affection.

The Emperor, watching her, felt a wave of nostalgia.

"It will be a prince. I'm sure of it," he declared firmly.

He needed a legitimate heir, essential for the stability of his empire.

People were always insatiable. Previously, the Emperor would have been content with any healthy son. Now, with the Empress expecting, his desires had grown.

"Then I'll take the Emperor's good wishes," the Empress replied, indifferent to whether it would be a boy or a girl. Perhaps she had once longed for a son, but as the child grew in her womb, that desire had faded.

Boy or girl, the child was hers. She wouldn't let anyone harm a hair on their head.

Together, they anticipated the child's arrival, a picture of imperial harmony. Yet no one would witness this fleeting moment.

"Since He Liangdi is pregnant, I plan to promote her after she gives birth to the imperial heir. What do you think, Empress?" The Emperor asked, though his tone was filled with excitement, making it clear that he had already decided.

Their brief harmony was soon shattered by his words.