The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 273 - No Choice

After the banquet, Ning Chen naturally stayed behind to accompany Ye Yun, while the other concubines discreetly returned to their quarters.

Yi Shunrong walked back slowly, accompanied by Li Cairen.

"The Emperor is increasingly favoring Ye Shi. Even though she hasn't given birth yet, he has already thought of a name. My Han'er was only named not long ago. If this continues, once Ye Shi gives birth, the Emperor won't have room for me in his heart," she said, her expression filled with irritation, her brows furrowed.

Li Cairen smiled lightly. "No matter how much the Emperor favors her, it's still uncertain whether she'll have a boy or a girl. Unlike her, our Third Prince is smart and healthy—he's a tangible prince, not like that precious one still hidden behind a layer of belly."

"Though that may be true, the Emperor treats her too well, making me uneasy," Yi Shunrong sighed.

Li Cairen glanced at the wet nurse holding the Third Prince, narrowing her eyes slightly.

She hurried a few steps to get closer to Yi Shunrong and lowered her voice. "There are definitely more than just us in the palace who don't want her to give birth. Why not go with the flow..."

"Absolutely not..."

Yi Shunrong interrupted her directly.

"The Emperor values the Ye family, and Ye Yun herself is quite formidable. If anything were to happen during her pregnancy, the Emperor would certainly investigate thoroughly. If I get implicated even slightly, it would also affect the Third Prince."

With a child on the way, one must be cautious and not take risks lightly.

As Li Cairen said, many in the palace do not want to see Ye Yun give birth safely, and she didn't need to get involved in this murky water.

It's best to watch the situation unfold.

Even if she has a son, he must have the ability to grow up and eventually have the capability to win the throne.

Yi Shunrong doesn't believe Ye Yun can enjoy favor for a lifetime; there will always be a time when it fades.

Then, acting would be much safer than now.

"You should think about how to keep the Emperor with you. I've mentioned you several times in front of the Emperor, and he has even visited you; why can't you keep him?"

Yi Shunrong cast a glance at Li Cairen, expressing a bit of frustration.

Li Cairen awkwardly replied, "I will definitely put in more effort and not let Shunrong's support go to waste."

"You must indeed try harder. Just look at Yu Shi, who entered the palace with you. How many times can the Empress see the Emperor each month? After just a few mentions, she has already had more time in bed with him than you. And then there's Zhang Wanrong; she's from the previous group. Don't let yourself fall behind even her," Yi Shunrong said.

These words made Li Cairen quite uncomfortable, but she didn't retort, merely nodding in agreement.

In fact, Li Cairen thought to herself that the Empress is the Empress, while you're just Shunrong. No matter how favored you are, your words don't carry the same weight as the Empress's.

Naturally, the Emperor would prefer to give the Empress face.

But she certainly wouldn't say this out loud; she still needed Yi Shunrong's support for promotion.

Li Cairen's father, Li Daoqin, held the position of Jingzhao Yin and was a subordinate of Ning Chen, so her family background was naturally not lacking.