Ji Mingfu said, "It's already over... look, all those who are going to become mothers are so afraid!"
Ji Mingxuan leaned on Ji Mingfu's shoulder and her expression slightly relaxed.
After a long while, they released each other.
Ji Mingfu said, "Are the palace servants still obedient? With you carrying the heir, you must not be careless at all."
"They're all fine, and Grandmother Empress personally appointed Cheng Mumma to come over. There won't be anything wrong."
Ji Mingfu nodded, having less danger now protected by Grandmother Empress.
"Besides Grandmother Empress, always be cautious with everything. If you give birth to a prince, your feet will firmly stand."
Ji Mingxuan nodded.
"When is the coronation ceremony?"
Ji Mingxuan said, "Seven days later."
"According to the rules of the palace, you can have exclusive control of one pavilion. If the Empress or Debutante Consort, Constant Consort, tells you to move out of Qing'an Pavilion, don't listen to them,"
Ji Mingxuan looked at Ji Mingfu and said sadly, "I know."
Ji Mingfu sighed and said, "As long as you know, that's good enough. Our foundation is too shallow, and our child... we will have opportunities to raise him/her in the future!"
They didn't speak further.
"Second Sister, do you hate me?" Ji Mingxuan asked.
Ji Mingfu looked surprised at Ji Mingxuan. Ji Mingxuan said, "These four months, I've seen many things, heard some gossip, and my heart is very restless."
Ji Mingfu pursed her lips; hatred wasn't appropriate, but jealousy did exist.
"Don't worry too much." She comforted.
Ji Mingxuan still hadn't completely put her worries aside, and Ji Mingfu could sense her fear.
"Don't think too much, think of the future prince."
Ji Mingxuan recovered and said, "I want a little princess." This way, she wouldn't be taken away.
Ji Mingfu was stunned. Looking at Ji Mingxuan, she shook her head.
At that moment, a light noise came from outside.
"Master..." Ji Mingfu said, "It looks like there's an emergency."
Ji Mingxuan nodded and said, "Come in."
The door was pushed open by Zhi Cao, who stood before Ji Mingxuan and Ji Mingfu, performing a bow. Then he said, "Empress struck seven eunuchs who were responsible for maintaining the fake mountain."
Striking eunuchs? Ji Mingxuan coldly laughed inside. It seemed they weren't planning to continue investigating.
"What happened?" Ji Mingfu couldn't help asking.
Two royal heirs, plus the noble Ning Jieyu, were dealt with so easily?
Zhi Cao saw his master didn't oppose, so he said, "Empress issued an imperial decree instructing the entire harem to punish the seven eunuchs because they failed to promptly repair the old fake mountain, even allowing several palace maids to witness their misconduct."
Stealing and fiddling—what a good excuse! Ji Mingxuan was disappointed. She had hoped for more drama!
"Is there any other imperial decree?"
Zhi Cao replied, "Everyone present that day, including Master, Empress Xiuhua, Ning Jieyu, and the newly promoted Concubine Guipin, were confined."
Ji Mingxuan's heart relaxed; she knew what the upper echelons were about to do.
She waved her hand.
Zhi Cao bowed and retreated.
Since the upper echelons wanted to resolve this matter quickly, she had no choice but to swallow her anger. But if she found out, she wouldn't be easy to talk to.
"You should rest well and visit again another day."
Ji Mingxuan hesitated, her eyes still filled with fear.
Ji Mingfu said, "It was just an accident. Listen carefully to what Grandmother Empress and Cheng Mumma have to say."
Ji Mingxuan frowned, and Ji Mingfu patted her hand before turning around and leaving.
Zhi Cao and Zi Zhu entered, saying, "Your Highness, Prince Zhang will be here soon to take your pulse."
Ji Mingxuan nodded. It was an act of grace from Grandmother Empress. Zhi Cao helped Ji Mingxuan lie down and rest, while Zi Zhu noticed her unease and smiled, saying, "All the other main consorts sent many gifts to Your Highness. The presents given by Ms. Xiuhua are thicker than yours by five times."
How could Zhi Cao possibly understand Zi Zhu's intentions? She immediately responded, "Of course they are thicker. Your Highness is going to be a queen next week, so they naturally want to curry favor."
Ji Mingxuan still didn't smile.
Both remained silent. Some said that serving the main consort was easy, but when faced with reality, the main consort turned out to be unpredictable.
"Just keep the gifts safe. Don't use them." "Your Highness, don't worry. We've stored them in the warehouse."
Ji Mingxuan said, "On the day of the coronation, new palace maids and eunuchs will be appointed. Give them the positions of near-servants."
"Yes!"
"Do you need a sixth-rank female official and a manager position, along with a nurse-maid?"
Zi Zhu bowed respectfully and replied, "Yes, Queen Empress will surely summon Your Highness to choose."
Ji Mingxuan thought for a moment, glanced at both of them, and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.
Zhi Cao and Zi Zhu breathed a sigh of relief but were somewhat disappointed.
Doctor Zhang came to check her pulse again, and the results were the same as before: rest quietly!
The Empress ordered her to skip the audience.
Ji Mingxuan naturally accepted, but she sent someone to thank the Empress.
With most of the concubines confined, including the most favored Ning Jieyu, and the pregnant Empress Xiuhua, along with the slightly favored Ji Mingxuan, it meant that the Emperor's days were empty.
The remaining concubines eagerly seized the opportunity, and even the usually quiet ones began to bounce around.
Ji Mingxuan stayed secluded in Qing'an Palace, resting, as people said that the dragon embryo was unstable. How could she go out? However, every day, she sent people to visit the Empress and the Empress.
Grandmother Empress was more satisfied, and the Empress was content, fearing that she would be arrogant. Remembering Leng Guiren's cautious and respectful demeanor, it seemed that the Ji family's education was excellent.
Taking advantage of this situation, the Empress recalled the servant musician from Leng Guiren's previous entourage.
Ying Yixuan swapped cards again. If it were before, Consort Chang would definitely fight against the Empress to the bitter end. But now that the Emperor had entrusted Empress Xiuhua to her, and promised that the child would be recorded under her name (not raised), this naturally caught Chang's attention.
Seven days flew by.
Finally, the day of Ji Mingxuan's coronation arrived.
Early in the morning, the Inner Court delivered the court attire.
The court attire was very luxurious and elaborate. This was just for the Fourth Rank Concubine position; one could imagine the regal attire for higher ranks.
Zhi Cao and the other palace maids and eunuchs were excited, seeing the court attire, they were thrilled.
"Your Highness, we'll serve you!" Red Jade coaxed.
Ji Mingxuan was in a good mood, although she hadn't been officially crowned yet, the court attire and the imperial decree had already been delivered, so calling her by the wrong title wouldn't be inappropriate.
She nodded, and Red Jade and Green Jade picked up the court attire, then served Ji Mingxuan to dress. Zhi Cao and Zi Zhu brought the accessories that matched the court attire, and meticulously arranged her makeup.
It took two hours for Zhi Cao to help Ji Mingxuan leave, and a carriage had been waiting outside the palace gates since early morning. As a concubine, she was allowed to ride in a carriage within the palace.
First, she went to theBright Phoenix Palace to receive the lessons of the phoenix.
The Empress smiled and gave a lesson as usual.
Then, she left theBright Phoenix Palace, and the carriage drove towards the Hall of Ancestral Worship, where the tombs of former empresses and concubines were located. Following the custom, she knelt three times and bowed nine times. After leaving the Hall of Ancestral Worship, Ji Concubine's name appeared in the imperial record. But this was far from the end.
The carriage stopped at the outermost square of the Dragon Instrument Hall.
Ji Mingxuan got off, facing the Dragon Instrument Hall and kneeling to pay respect.
Only after this did she finally complete the ceremony. Ji Mingxuan was exhausted from sitting in the heavy court attire and kneeling repeatedly.
Thinking about receiving visits from the lower-ranking concubines after returning to the palace, she tried to stay alert.
In the main hall of Qing'an Palace, there were two rows of people.
Looking at the passing time, none of them showed impatience.
But what they were thinking was hard to tell.
"Concubine Ji Mingxuan is so lucky, isn't she? Leng Guiren, what do you think?" Sun Xiuwan covered her mouth and smiled.
Ji Mingfu barely opened her eyes and said indifferently, "If Sun Xiuwan is envious, she should accumulate blessings during daily life to gain good fortune."
Sun Xiuwan's smile froze. Wasn't she mocking her lack of luck? Feeling the gaze of many watching, she curled her lips and said, "Although I may not match Concubine Ji Mingxuan, in terms of blessings, accumulating blessings during daily life is more useful for a high-ranking lady."
Ji Mingfu lifted her head. Ever since she stole Sun Xiuwan's sleeping arrangement, she had targeted her.
Sun Xiuwan retorted without showing weakness, staring back at her.
Ning Jieyu frowned and said, "We are sisters in the palace, why be so competitive?"
Ji Mingfu said calmly, "My apologies."
Sun Xiuwan sneered, and Ning Jieyu didn't bother replying. The relationship between the Ji sisters was good, and they enjoyed their peaceful days in Qing'an Palace, so they didn't know what Sun Xiuwan was thinking.
"Concubine Ji Mingxuan returns to the palace!" A loud singing voice interrupted their thoughts.
Everyone quickly stood up. Ning, Wu, and Wei three Ladies-in-Waiting led the way, followed by Dan, Yu, and Sun three Ladies-in-Waiting, with others lining up according to rank.
As Ji Mingxuan stepped into the main hall, everyone quickly bowed.
"Ladies-in-Waiting, please rise." Her voice was neither warm nor domineering. It was calm and unassuming, without trying to establish authority, influence, or leave a good impression.
Everyone rose, and Ji Mingxuan sat on the throne.
Scanning the room, apart from the sick Qin Lady, even the low-ranking palace maids and eunuchs had come over.
She could see Zhou Xiuwan's unwillingness, while Dan Xiuwan hid her head extremely low. Ji Mingxuan smiled inwardly, her gaze stopping on Ning Jieyu, who seemed very composed and respectful! Ning Jieyu felt a burning gaze from above and smiled inwardly.
After a while, Ji Mingxuan moved her gaze elsewhere.
Seeing this, Zhi Cao signaled to the small attendant standing to Ji Mingxuan's right, wearing the position of a total manager.
The small attendant immediately said, "Bowing begins."
Ning, Wu, and Wei three Ladies-in-Waiting walked forward, three steps away from Ji Mingxuan, then knelt to bow. Ji Mingxuan smiled and called them up. When it was the turn of the three Ladies-in-Waiting, Ji Mingxuan was very friendly with Yu Xiuwan. She didn't call Dan Xiuwan and Sun Xiuwan to get up.
The atmosphere became tense, and Ji Mingxuan stared at the two Ladies-in-Waiting for a long time.
Dan Xiuwan's head was lowered even lower, and Sun Xiuwan felt uneasy. No one expected Ji Mingxuan to confront them on such a good day. Ji Mingfu's face darkened; she hoped it wouldn't lead to her being labeled as arrogant.
Ji Mingxuan said, "Sisters, in the future, you should be more careful with your words and actions to avoid losing the dignity of imperial concubines. If I catch you again, don't blame me for punishing you." The throne held power, even though it was the smallest type, it had the authority to teach rules to the lower-ranking concubines.
Dan Xiuwan's face paled, and Sun Xiuwan's face turned green. On her first day, she dared to challenge her. Everyone tightened their hearts, expecting this new concubine to be vengeful. They recalled past incidents and wondered if they had offended her.
"Get up!" Both Dan Xiuwan and Sun Xiuwan got up simultaneously. Sun Xiuwan tightly clutched her handkerchief, and Dan Xiuwan broke out in cold sweat.
Ji Mingxuan didn't look at them anymore.
Her upbringing, if she treated them kindly, would make them think she was weak and easy to bully. Instead of being kind and getting bullied, she preferred to be strict. She wanted to be feared, so if she ever fell on hard times, people would dare to bully her due to her previous status, and she would succeed.
This sharp-witted, low-born concubine, if she behaved properly without touching the bottom line, would make the Emperor and Empress feel secure.
And Ji Mingxuan felt better living this way, able to live a better life.
The next few people had no significant grudges with her, except for a few who had said mean things to her. Although she didn't say anything, she made sure they kept their bows longer before getting up.
After everyone paid their respects, the room fell silent.
Ji Mingxuan smiled, but no one believed she was being nice. She wasn't the one in charge yet; when someone bullied her, she would retaliate. Now that she had power, she didn't expect people to continue bullying her. From the brief meeting, they could see that it was still her big day, and she was already so unfriendly, so don't expect things to change in the future.
"This palace is tired, sisters, feel free to go." Everyone was surprised.
Ji Mingxuan left with Zhi Cao's hand.
For a moment, everyone was unsure whether to go or stay.
So, they focused their gaze on Ji Mingfu and Ning Jieyu.
Ji Mingfu proactively bowed to Ning Jieyu and excused herself, signaling for everyone else to leave. Seeing this, everyone also bid farewell and left.
Ning Jieyu and Yu Xiuwan walked last!
Because Consort Chang was responsible for Yu Xiuwan's pregnancy, Yu Xiuwan left a step earlier.
When Ning Jieyu stepped out of Qing'an Palace, it suddenly occurred to her. She turned back, looking at the palace, and finally fixed her gaze on the three characters, Qing'an Palace.
Qing'an Palace? Starting today, will she truly find peace and safety?
"Son said."
Li Decai performed a bow and said, "Servant will follow the command."
Ji Mingxuan looked at Zhi Cao for a moment and then Zhi Cao slowly walked over.
Li Decai was very polite to Zhi Cao. When Zhi Cao bowed, he stretched out his hand to help her up.
Ji Mingxuan smiled slightly. Xiao Shuzi hurriedly helped Ji Mingxuan enter.
After resting for a while, Zhi Cao led in three palace maids and three eunuchs.
She didn't look particularly handsome, but she was quite obedient.
"The servant/butler prostrates before Princess Jini."
Ji Mingxuan calmly said, "No need to kneel."
The six people stood up, not daring to lift their heads.
Ji Mingxuan said, "This place strictly prohibits gossiping and leaking secrets. Anyone caught will be severely punished without mercy."
The six people were startled and almost kneeled down.
Ji Mingxuan said, "Xiao Shuzi, have Gu Lian and Xiao Zhuang take good care of them."
Xiao Shuzi replied, "Yes."
Xiao Shuzi led them away.
Ji Mingxuan returned with Zhi Cao to the room.
"They'll be watching them."
"I understand."
Ji Mingxuan rubbed her forehead. She had been exhausted all day and still had to serve the emperor tonight. How could this life ever come to an end?
Zhi Cao said affectionately, "Master should rest a bit!"
Ji Mingxuan nodded and said, "Wake me if there's anything urgent."
Zhi Cao felt warm inside. It was because they grew up together that they were more intimate in private. She walked over to Ji Mingxuan and gently massaged her.
The sky gradually darkened.
The bright moonlight was especially bright tonight. It hadn't rained for several days, so it was sunny today, and there would be a full moon.
"Princess, this is a good omen."
Although Ji Mingxuan didn't believe it, hearing nice words made her happy.
"Is the emperor here?"
"Yes, Princess, the constant attendant already informed His Majesty that He wishes to dine with you."
Ji Mingxuan smiled. Apart from the empress and Empress Dowager Dechang, the emperor had never personally dined with any other concubine. Although it was due to the child in her womb, the benefits of such honor were undeniable.
"Bring me some needles and thread!"
Zhi Cao said, "Princess, don't work too long. Your eyes might get tired."
Ji Mingxuan said, "Just for a little while."
Zhi Cao smiled and took out the things.
Ji Mingxuan skillfully picked up the needle and thread. To be honest, even throughout two lives combined, her needlework wasn't very good. Her hands weren't nimble, so she hadn't thought about making clothes. She feared that future children might find the clothing uncomfortable.
So, she only made toys for the future.
"Heavenly Father has arrived."
Ji Mingxuan put down what she was doing on the side table. Zhi Cao wanted to pick it up, but Ji Mingxuan took her hand and walked out.
"My lady welcomes His Majesty."
Zhao Songlou quickly helped Ji Mingxuan up and said, "Your health is delicate. No need for excessive courtesy."
Ji Mingxuan said, "How can I be so delicate? After seven days of recuperation, I'm nearly better. This is something my lady should adhere to."
Zhao Songlou had heard that Ji Mingxuan had intimidated many people within the palace. At first, he thought she was being arrogant, but now it seemed she wasn't like that after all.
"You've shown respect, which pleases His Majesty."