Su Zhiruan didn't even need to hear the next sentence to feel the heat at her earlobes, followed by a spreading blush.
She knew that during her postpartum period, Shen Qi had asked the Imperial Physician when they could resume marital relations.
The Imperial Physician said it would be about a month and a half, but for her well-being, he restrained himself many times.
Initially, Su Zhiruan suggested that with so many concubines in his harem, he needn't hold back because of her.
Although she harbored some feelings for Shen Qi, she was there to complete a task after all, and there was no need to get too involved.
But unexpectedly, when she suggested he could seek other concubines, Shen Qi uncharacteristically stared at her for a long time, and just as she was about to feel embarrassed by his intense gaze, he approached her with an aggrieved expression and slowly said, "Why push me away? I only want you. Do you and the child not want me, to push me away..."
After she repeatedly assured him that she wouldn't push him away, Shen Qi finally felt satisfied, and after pressing her, though he didn't go all the way, he left her with tears streaming, her eyes slightly red, and her legs weak, collapsing on the bed.
Now, three months had passed, and with the help of the system's Newbie Gift Package, not only did Su Zhiruan not experience any postpartum issues, but she also became more enchanting and alluring. Different from merely being glamorous, she exuded maternal charm mixed with a touch of pure allure.
This appealing contrast was utterly captivating; Shen Qi was of an age replete with vigor and unable to withstand, especially seeing her like this, he was uncontrollably passionate, causing disturbances every night, yet they still had not gone all the way.
"Rather than choosing a day, isn't it better today?" Su Zhiruan on the swing, the man sitting beside her, the two sitting close together, a slight movement from her, and she felt an unusual sensation at her waist. Soon after, she was lifted by Shen Qi, and the unusual sensation in her lower back became even more pronounced.
"Under the broad daylight, and in this clear universe, the Emperor must not—" Su Zhiruan laughed and bent over; she jumped directly out of Shen Qi's arms, waving at the man whose eyes were already reddening, "Your concubine will visit His Majesty tonight?"
Shen Qi was amused and annoyed by her antics, pressing on his fingers and said, "Tonight, you'll be the one crying."
Here, the two huddled together, playfully messing around.
Meanwhile, on another side they hadn't anticipated.
The Noble Consort, after arriving at the palace, sought a pretext to visit, claiming it was to pray for blessings for Su Zhiruan and the Little Crown Prince.
By then, the Empress Dowager was already displeased with her, fearing her potential mischief, but seeing her sincerity, she agreed nonetheless.
With Su Zhiruan as the comparison, the Empress Dowager found the Noble Consort disagreeable in every aspect.
Su Zhiruan was dignified and polite, gentle and humble, never haughty or arrogant with her favor; it had always been so, even after she gave birth to the empire's only Crown Prince, she never demanded more than was due.
Without thinking hard, the Empress Dowager knew that if the Noble Consort were pregnant, she would certainly be overbearing, causing unrest throughout the entire harem.
The Empress Dowager spent all day taking care of the Little Crown Prince, upon hearing of the Noble Consort's arrival, she personally checked all food and drink, fearful of any poisoning.
The Noble Consort in her own palace quarters, her slender fingernails scraping at some medicine powder.
One hand held the small medicine bottle, while the nails of the other picked at the powder before returning it to the bottle, her features filled with viciousness, dressed in a purple-red gown, she didn't look noble but more like a malevolent spirit on the road to hell.
"Is this the medicine you managed to get?" the Noble Consort spoke languidly, her toe kicking at the shaking palace maid kneeling on the ground.
"To, to answer the Lady, this is medicine a servant managed to get from outside the palace; it is extremely potent, they say just a touch would arouse any man instantly," the Palace Maid began trembling but perhaps confident in her medicine, she explained bravely.
"Humph, if it's useless, I will send you and your family to the road to hell together!" the Noble Consort stood up, carefully eyeing the bottle. Even though she appeared to be looking at it, her gaze was not truly on the bottle; perhaps because no one else was around, the Noble Consort slowly started talking, "Now that Su Zhiruan, that despicable woman, has a child, it proves that the Emperor is in good health. If that wretch can conceive, why can't I? As long as I too bear a child, and then deal with her child, I will still be—Empress Dowager!"
The Palace Maid was utterly shocked. She knelt on the ground, not daring to lift her head at all.
Who could have thought the Noble Consort's ambition was so great!
The Palace Maid suddenly felt pity for the Little Crown Prince and the reputedly gentle and virtuous Noble Consort.
As long as this malicious Noble Consort was around, she would disturb the peace of the harem.
Even now, she might not be safe herself. The Palace Maid thought about her way out; having heard such things today, would the Noble Consort let her go?
Impossible!
The Noble Consort hid the medicine in her sleeve, her gaze fierce. Then, she slowly began to laugh.
"Hahahahahahaha! Su Zhiruan! Just with your lowly status as a palace maid! You dare compete with me?"
*
Elsewhere, neither Su Zhiruan nor Shen Qi knew about the malicious intentions of the Noble Consort.
After stepping out from the swing, they thought to visit their child together.
In her past life, Su Zhiruan had been a worker and had little contact with children. Now, seeing the child connected to her by blood, blinking and turning over to look at her, as if seeking praise, she immediately gave him a few gentle words of encouragement.
Shen Qi just watched with a smile.
Shen Xingzhi usually stayed in the Empress Dowager's palace where he was taken care of. The Empress Dowager dearly loved this hard-won Crown Prince. Everything from his food to his clothing was of the finest quality, and the nannies serving him were the most devoted and earnest.
Su Zhiruan and Shen Qi often visited him. Despite his tenderness, he never acted shy with them, always babbling, wanting to be close to Su Zhiruan and Shen Qi.
"These days have been hard on you, mother," Su Zhiruan said as she held the child and thanked the Empress Dowager. Previously, when the Empress Dowager had threatened her, her impression of her had not been good, but after such a long period of care, she gradually felt the elderly woman's kindness, "Taking care of such a young child is difficult, mother, you've worked hard."
"It's not hard for me. As long as I see your child, I look forward to each day. Watching him change each day is like tending a well-nurtured plant," the Empress Dowager couldn't help but express emotionally, "You young couple should foster more emotional bonds. I will be at ease watching the child for you."
Having said that, the Empress Dowager's mischievous eyes glanced at them and even winked at Su Zhiruan.
These days, the young couple was almost inseparably close. Although they had practiced propriety due to Su Zhiruan's pregnancy, they had refrained from going overboard, and during the postpartum period, Shen Qi was particularly temperate, never exceeding the bounds of propriety.
Su Zhiruan, not usually shy, could not help her thin skin and her ears turned red.
Shen Qi embraced her, "Mother, let us leave Xingzhi with you and step outside for a talk."
The Empress Dowager gestured with her hand, "Go on, I'm at ease here."