The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 206 - Establishing Authority

"Your Highness, please don't be too heartbroken. The First Prince still needs your care. If you fall into despair, what will happen to him?" Bai Lu gently comforted her.

Thinking of her child, Wen De Fei's expression softened slightly. She returned to the inner chamber and stayed by the bedside, watching over her son as he slept.

The servants brought her lunch, but she had no appetite and sent it away untouched.

Bai Shuang suddenly knelt down, her heart steeled.

"Your Highness, this servant knows it's not the right time to say something so ominous, but the First Prince is indeed weak. The Empress has yet to bear children, and the other two princes are both healthy. Unless the First Prince is the only heir, how could His Majesty possibly choose him to inherit the throne? Just look at Prince Kang today. No matter which prince ascends the throne, how could our First Prince endure the hardships? The only way is for Your Highness to bear another healthy prince, to give the First Prince some protection."

Wen De Fei remained silent. In truth, she did want to have another child and was determined to do so. However, it seemed that the Emperor had become distant toward her lately. While he would still stay overnight, nothing else happened.

Looking at her sickly child, tears welled up in Wen De Fei's eyes. "Even if I wish to, the Emperor may not allow me to bear another child."

"Your Highness, there's always a way, as long as His Majesty still visits you," Bai Shuang whispered.

It was unclear what the two maids discussed with their mistress, but after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they both withdrew from the chamber.

Bai Lu couldn't help but pull Bai Shuang aside.

"You and I both know that Her Highness' body isn't fit for childbirth anymore, so why did you say such things?"

"Dear sister, the Emperor is already growing cold toward our mistress. If we don't take a risk now, who knows what will happen when the new court ladies arrive next year? Even as things stand, those like Yi Xiuyuan and Ming Jieyu are already formidable rivals. Our mistress isn't like Shu Fei, who has her family backing her. Without that support, what can she do?" Bai Shuang said solemnly.

Each word struck deeply in Bai Lu's heart.

After all, neither of these maids had been with Wen De Fei since childhood. They were assigned to her when she became a concubine in the Prince's residence. While they were loyal, they also cared about their own futures.

Whether their mistress fell from favor or rose in status would directly affect their treatment as servants. Wen De Fei had enjoyed many years of glory, and they, too, had shared in that prosperity. Naturally, they didn't want to return to the days when they were looked down upon. Pushing Wen De Fei to find ways to regain favor was also a way to secure their own standing.

Meanwhile, Ye Yun had finished her lunch and was strolling leisurely around Jiaotang Courtyard.

One has to admit, this courtyard is far more refined than the previous Zhaixing Pavilion, several times over. From the arrangement of the furnishings inside the house to the pavilions and flowers in the yard, everything is of great value.

Especially noteworthy is a crabapple tree in the yard, its branches lush and full, covered in blossoms, filling the courtyard with fragrance.

"Aren't crabapples supposed to bloom from March to May? How is it that it's June, yet they're still blooming so profusely?" Ye Yun walked around the tree, reaching up to pluck a flower, and bringing it to her nose for a light sniff.