Ever since she moved into Cining Palace, this usually solemn palace had become much livelier due to her arrival.
Holding her teacup, the Empress Dowager's expression held a hint of anticipation, "Ruanruan, when will you come to play cards again?"
"If Mother wishes, I can come anytime!" Su Zhiruan put down her teacup and winked at the Empress Dowager.
"Judging by the time, the Emperor should have finished court by now; he's probably rushing over here as we speak. Let's wait for him to leave before we continue," the Empress Dowager said, nodding deeply to herself as the nannies around her quietly covered their mouths and giggled.
During these days, not only the Empress Dowager but also the elderly nannies serving her felt the change in the atmosphere of Cining Palace.
In the past, the Noble Consort would occasionally visit the Cining Palace, but with her capricious temperament, her visits were mostly to complain or lament about the Emperor neglecting her. Her occasional outbursts even targeted the nannies, making everyone want to avoid her at all costs.
Because of issues regarding offspring, the Emperor was so harried by the urging that he seldom visited Cining Palace aside from necessary greetings.
But after Su Zhiruan's arrival, everyone gradually grew fond of her; she undoubtedly became the beloved of the group.
Su Zhiruan was gentle, and sometimes she would come up with many novel ways to entertain. Her interactions with everyone were always comfortable, whether in conversation or in conduct, making people feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.
Since her arrival, there hadn't been a single day of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflict between her and the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager genuinely loved her as her own daughter, and the servants took even greater care in looking after her.
At the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace, Shen Qi would come to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager first thing after court each day, then he would tenderly inquire after Su Zhiruan.
In short, her presence had made the Empress Dowager much more at ease, and Shen Qi also seemed more personable. Most importantly, after the birth of the child, the relationship between the Empress Dowager and Shen Qi had greatly improved, at least appearing like a normal mother and son.
"Ah, here he is!" the Empress Dowager smiled and looked at Su Zhiruan, "Truly, thanks to Ruanruan, I have seen the Emperor this month almost more than the entire past year."
"It is I who am fortunate for Mother's grace. Had I been living in the harem, perhaps I would neither see Mother nor the Emperor every day," Su Zhiruan said, and then she lightly leaned on the Empress Dowager's shoulder before standing up again.
The Empress Dowager's smile was so wide she could barely close her mouth, and just then, Shen Qi entered.
The man was dressed in a bright yellow Dragon Robe, his expression anxious. Upon seeing Su Zhiruan, he relaxed and smiled lightly, bowing, "Son greets Mother."
"This concubine pays respects to the Emperor—" Su Zhiruan was about to bow when the anxious Shen Qi stopped her.
"No need for formalities, you are with child and must take care above all else," Shen Qi said, gently reaching out to touch Su Zhiruan's belly, where miraculously, a little life was growing.
It could be a chubby son or a tender little Princess.
This feeling was intriguing; even though a month was about to pass, he still felt the same way. Every time he thought about having a child with Su Zhiruan, he felt very warm.
It was like slowly drinking a warm cup of tea.
The feeling of being a father for the first time was indeed marvelous.
"At this moment, the Emperor doesn't much look like an Emperor, rather like a man who has just become a father," the Empress Dowager chuckled, covering her mouth and cheerfully watching the young couple draw close together.
This scene had been daily for a while now. As she was getting on in years, such warmth brought her joy, almost reminding her of her younger days.
Lately, the Empress Dowager finally felt happy, thinking about her past life brought only regret. What bitter days those were!
In the past, she'd wake up either with a headache wondering how to urge the Emperor to visit the harem— the Emperor disliked the harem, his visits could be counted on one's fingers. Or the Noble Consort would be crying and complaining that today one concubine insulted her, tomorrow another concubine fought for favor, or lamenting that the Emperor never sought her out.
Thinking about her past hardships, she felt regretful.
Fortunately, now that they had Su Zhiruan, and the Emperor had children as well, she believed the days ahead would definitely be better. With this thought, the Empress Dowager cheerfully stood up, "You all have a good chat, I am going out for a little walk, don't worry!"
"Mother..." Su Zhiruan was unable to stop her. The Empress Dowager walked briskly and soon left the hall.
Now, only Su Zhiruan and Shen Qi were left in the hall.
Shen Qi tightly held her hand, warm and slender, his eyes bore deep feelings. Su Zhiruan could feel his burning gaze, "Ruanruan, how are you faring here with the Empress Dowager? If you're uncomfortable, you can also return to the Imperial Study Room, let me take care of you and the child!"
"Your Majesty asks me this every day," Su Zhiruan tilted her head, pulling Shen Qi's large hand to her stomach, then said, "The Empress Dowager treats me very kindly, and the old nanny here is experienced in childbirth. Let me stay here for now, until..."
She leaned closer to Shen Qi, whispered with a smile, "Until the child is born, then I'll stay with the Emperor in his bedroom daily, would that be alright?"
Instantly, Shen Qi's eyes became fervent, he moved his brow, his handsome eyes smoldered with a faint smile, and a hint of darker emotion, he lowered his voice, "I, look forward to seeing what the esteemed Imperial Concubine might do to me..."
Before Shen Qi's gaze became too unsettling, Su Zhiruan swiftly escaped from his arms.
Only then did Shen Qi remember the matter at hand, "By the way Ruanruan, I sent someone to bring your parents to the Capital City, would you like to see them?"
Su Zhiruan hadn't expected that her mere mention of her background long ago would still be remembered by Shen Qi, who even brought her parents over.
The original's biggest worry was leaving behind the elderly Su Family.
"This concubine thanks Your Majesty!" She performed a salute, not only on behalf of the Su Family's elders but also representing the original inhabitant of her role, and she was very earnest.
In the original story, because Su Zhiruan did not stay beside Shen Qi, the Su elders suffered under a debauched young master and died mourning their daughter.
Regrettably, in their previous life, the Su elders never saw their beloved daughter again before their demise.
Under Shen Qi's arrangement, Su Zhiruan met the Su elders in Kunning Palace.
The moment the palace doors opened, there was only a threshold between Su Zhiruan and her parents.
In an instant, the usually reticent Su father, along with her mother, both had teary eyes.
"My Ruanruan... my Zhiruan!" Su's mother stepped forward, embracing her daughter tightly, Su's father also hurried forward two steps, trembling hands gazing at Su Zhiruan.
This was their first meeting after five years apart.
Now, Su Zhiruan was the honored Imperial Concubine, her mother muttered, with rough hands she carefully caressed her daughter, "My daughter! Your mother has finally seen you again!"