The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 281 - Mid-Autumn Festival in August

Everyone present was sensible enough not to linger and hinder the new Emperor and his favored consort.

After seeing the Fourth Prince and exchanging a few congratulatory words with Fang Yun, they all took their leave.

Once the room was free of outsiders, Pei Yao took Fang Yun's hand and spoke gently.

"You are weak, and now that you have given birth, you need even more meticulous care. I have arranged for two experienced caretakers to attend to you. The child's wet nurses and attendants are also in place, and Physician Zeng will continue to look after you both. I have discussed with the Empress that you will have an extended postpartum period for a full two months."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for arranging all this. To have left you with a bloodline is all I could ask for."

Fang Yun pressed her face to his hand, a single tear falling from the corner of her eye, soaking into Pei Yao's palm and reaching his heart.

Gently wiping away her tears, Pei Yao said nothing, but the pain in his eyes was evident.

Fang Yun, already weak, lacked the energy for much conversation, so Pei Yao soon left, allowing her to rest well.

He also had state affairs to attend to.

In the Eastern Palace:

"Your Highness, Your Highness, there is news from the palace!"

A maid hurried into the room, immediately met by the stern gaze of the head maid, Siqi.

"Rushing in like that, what's the matter? Speak clearly and don't frighten Her Highness."

The maid quickly knelt, "Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn't mean to. I just heard good news from the palace that Zhao Fei has given birth to the Fourth Prince, and mother and son are safe."

"A son?" Yang Fei straightened, holding a jade pendant.

The maid nodded, "Yes, I asked carefully. It's a prince."

Yang Fei laughed derisively, "If it were a daughter, she might feel better. Losing a girl is one thing, but a sickly son who may not live past ten? What a waste of effort. Better if she had miscarried."

"Indeed," Siqi chimed in, "Zhao Fei has damaged her body. She won't have more children. This sickly boy will have to be treasured."

Yang Fei sipped her tea, placing the jade pendant aside.

"Raising a sickly son won't cause any waves. When she ages and loses beauty, she'll be worse off than Jin Pin, whose eldest prince is at least healthy."

"Her troubles come from her karma. Who else drives their own parents to death? A lowly birth suits her, raising someone's maid's child."

Siqi's disdain was evident as she agreed.

Yang Fei, fingers tracing her teacup, mused,

"Fang Shi is no longer a major threat. Hu Shi is more concerning. If Wan Lingyi bears a child, she could rise from concubine to consort."

The Hu family, especially Hu Daixu, now an imperial confidant, held significant military power.

Siqi, in a low voice, suggested,

"Your Highness, the key is for you to rise higher. With your family background, you deserve to be Guifei, Huang Guifei, or even the Empress."

Yang Fei smiled, appreciating Siqi's insight.

"You have a good point. Well said."

Siqi smiled, pouring more tea.

Time flew by during Fang Yun's postpartum period.

Caretakers and Physician Zeng ensured she had ample rest, letting her sleep and regain strength.

Eating, sleeping, and caring for the child made the time pass quickly.

By the Fourth Prince's full month, the other concubines from the Eastern Palace were finally brought into the imperial palace.

Their arrival, however, had little impact on Fang Yun.

Pei Yao had issued a decree: Zhao Fei needed rest, and no one was to disturb her without permission. Any actions causing her harm would be severely punished.

With this protection, Fang Yun enjoyed a peaceful postpartum period.

Her reappearance coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival in August.

Though still in mourning, a modest family banquet was held without grand festivities, marking Pei Yao's first Mid-Autumn Festival as Emperor.

The venue was set at the Ziwei Terrace in the palace, a prime spot for moon viewing. By the time Fang Yun arrived, everyone except the Emperor and Empress was already present.

"Zhao Fei has arrived!"

With the eunuch's announcement, all eyes turned toward the entrance.

Everyone had assumed Fang Yun, after enduring a difficult childbirth that left her with a weak constitution and a sickly child, would now appear haggard and frail. However, when her figure emerged in the doorway, they were taken aback.

Fang Yun was dressed in a pale lavender palace gown, her hair styled in a Furong bun adorned with a delicately carved silver hairpin and a set of white jade rose ornaments. Her brows were lightly drawn, her eyes soft and bright, her cheeks tinged with a subtle peach blush, and her lips radiantly red.

Though she was noticeably slimmer than before, she did not look weak or unwell. Instead, her delicate frame gave her an air of graceful fragility, as if a willow swaying gently in the wind, evoking pity and admiration.

Meeting their gazes with poise, Fang Yun, supported by Qingrong, walked in slowly and elegantly.

"Greetings to Zhao Fei!"

Everyone quickly snapped back to their senses and rose to bow in salutation.

"You may rise," Fang Yun said with a wave of her hand, her gaze then falling on Yang Fei. "Sister Yang, it has been a while."

Yang Fei's face finally showed a faint, performative smile as she stood to exchange a formal greeting with Fang Yun.

"Sister, seeing that your health is well maintained puts me at ease. Were it not for the Emperor's orders, I would have come to visit you in the palace sooner."

"You're too kind, Sister," Fang Yun said with a slight smile. "The Emperor only worries for me. He feared that someone with malicious intent might sneak in and harm me or the Fourth Prince, which would be unacceptable. Besides, Sister's residence in Zhongcui Palace is quite far from my Yuzhang Palace, making visits rather inconvenient."

Her words were laced with implication.

The first part required no explanation—everyone understood. The latter, however, was more than a remark about physical distance; it was also a veiled jab at the remote location of Zhongcui Palace, far from both Yuzhang Palace and Pei Yao's Jingqian Palace.

Yang Fei, of course, caught the underlying meaning and forced a stiff smile.

"How could we compare to Sister, who is so favored by His Majesty? I've heard that even Jade Zhang Palace was specially chosen and renovated for you in advance."

Not to be outdone, Yang Fei quickly shifted the conversation to highlight Fang Yun's preferential treatment, hoping to stir some envy among the others.

Fang Yun remained composed, letting out a soft sigh. "Had I not been harmed and left weakened, there would have been no need for His Majesty to make such arrangements. It was all to ensure my child's safe delivery. Now, both the Fourth Prince and I are reliant on medicine, and it's unlikely I'll ever be able to bear His Majesty another heir. Sister, however, is in excellent health and will surely give His Majesty another strong and healthy prince."

This response first unsettled Yang Fei and then cleverly made her own case.

By pointing out that both she and the Fourth Prince were in poor health and that she could no longer have children, Fang Yun subtly emphasized that she posed no threat to anyone.

In contrast, Yang Fei, still in good health, might very well produce another heir.