*chapter 8*

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*The Empress's Chambers*

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The soft morning light filtered through the intricately carved wooden screens, casting a warm glow over the Empress's chambers. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine tea and the gentle hum of conversation.

The empress is sitted on her silk covered chair sipping her tea, ..her servant ,jia hoa walks in bowing
"Greetings Huang hou niang niang"
The empress nods her head ..as she stares back at the maid..

"Speak."

Jia hoa's voice was low and measured. "Wang guiren is with child"
She blurts out

The Empress's expression remained serene, but a subtle tension crept into her shoulders. She set her teacup down, the delicate porcelain clicking against the saucer.

She smiles, dabbing her handkerchief on her lips, "well that's great news, hopefully she'll bear a son for the emperor,he only has one son and would need more heirs, more sons to run around "
The empress looks around her palace before muttering" ....... just like mine did"

Jia hoa's expressions softens slightly.."Niang Niang.........

The empress turns back to her with a slight Chuckle, standing up
"Quickly go prepare some nourishing soups,let's go visit ..let's go visit Wang guiren"

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**Jade palace**

Huan rong rushes into the palace with a laundry basket in hand
"Niang Niang!!!, Niang Niang.. Niang Niang.....

Shen Xiao comes out of her sleep chambers in a hurry..."what's wrong"

Huan rong rushes to her immediately, setting the basket down as she bends trying to catch her breath, panting..
Shen Xiao rolls her eyes as she dabs Huan rong's face with her handkerchief, she clicks her tongue before speaking "you're a lady and you still don't know how to behave in an elegant manner, what happened?

Huan rong grabs shen Xiao's hands as she stands up."Niang Niang, Wang guiren is pregnant "

*Scoff* "it was to be expected considering the fact that she spent each moment with the emperor, everyone knows she's a......"
Jingyi was cut of with a glare from shen Xiao..

"You don't speak about a concubine that way... go outside and reflect on your mistake "

Jingyi grumbled as she strode outside

Huan rong turned to shen Xiao, grabbing her sleeves "Niang Niang!.it's been three months and the emperor hasn't once visited you, you don't even try to fight for favour, other concubines would have started coming up with something when they haven't seen the emperor for a week..but you haven't...." She pauses before continuing "you've never even met him"

Shen Xiao turns to Huan rong with a smile before saying "come inside quickly,I embroidered a new pouch for you,come try it on " she says as she enters her palace.
Huan rong follow her in.."Niang Niang , you..."
She got cut of with shen Xiao holding her hand out, shutting her up
"Not a word about this again, are we clear"
Huan rong frowns but bows "yes Niang Niang"
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*In the palace of chrystmantus, Wang mei's palace*

She's sitting on her chair ,her maids serve her sour grapes,her maid bends down to whisper is her ear as she fans her "Niang Niang... you're craving sour foods ,you must be carrying a prince"
Wang mei giggles as she responds "we don't know that yet..all I know is...."
She's interrupted by a servant announcing the arrival of the empress,the maids immediately bow down to greet
"Greetings Huang hou Niang Niang" they chorus

The empress looks over to see Wang mei still sitting down, munching on a fruit, Wang mei turns to her with an apologetic look on her face
"Huang hou Niang Niang..you see I'm pregnant now and can't afford to kneel..you understand right" she says with a sly smile

The empress smiles and heads over to sit with Wang mei "of course I understand, that's why ..." She pauses gesturing to her maid "....I asked my servants to prepare you some nourishing food,it's very fragnant and tasty,it would surely be good for you and the little prince"

Wang mei giggles while covering her mouth with her handkerchief "how would your highness understand the things needed for a prince when you only have a princess"

The empresses smile freezes on her face as her maid jia hoa lashes out on Wang mei
"How dare you speak to her highness like that"

Wang mei flings her tea on jia hoa as she screams
"How dare you,a mere servant speak to me like that"
The empress immediately sends jia hoa away as she turns to Wang mei
"Wang guiren , calm down it's not good for your baby, and yes you're right,I might not know how to care for a prince but I'm just trying to show my care"

Wang mei rests her hands on her forehead as she sighs
Her maid immediately turns to the empress
"Huang hou Niang Niang, my mistress is tired and needs her rest now"
The empress clenches her first knowing they're indirectly sending her away, she smiles as she stands up
"Well rest well" she says as she leaves

Immediately she steps outside, jia hoa rushes to her side "Niang Niang why bother coming to talk to her, wang guiren has always been proud, not to talk of now that she's pregnant,why didn't you put her in her place?"

The empress smiles as she heads to her sedan
"Wang guiren is pregnant with an imperial heir,of course she's untouchable..." She pauses as she gets on the sedan before continuing "...but whether she can keep the baby or not, depends on her luck" the empress finishes with a smirk as the sedan starts heading back to her palace.


Pretty short chapter guys 😭😫, I'm sorry, been having a severe case of writers block recently

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⏰ Last updated: Oct 20 ⏰

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