Tianliangyuan

Chapter 253 We must ensure Jiang Ning keeps the child.

Consort Jiang enjoyed the emperor's favor in the palace for many years, winning over countless palace servants and concubines, but naturally offending many people as well.

Jiang Ning chatted with Consort Jiang in the palace for a while, and was then invited to stay for lunch. Consort Jiang ate noticeably more than in the previous days, which relieved the palace servants in charge of her meals.

Jiang Ning is now more than two months pregnant, and it is not advisable for her to go out.

However, Consort Jiang was unwell. Consort Jiang was the Jiang family's greatest support, so naturally nothing could happen to her. Therefore, Jiang Yanping immediately notified Jiang Ning to come to the palace to accompany the Consort.

Jiang Ning was extra careful during her visit to the palace. Consort Jiang was naturally very concerned when she learned that Jiang Ning was pregnant with Prince Zhong's child.

Because Jiang Ning was pregnant, Consort Jiang's heart unconsciously leaned towards Prince Zhong.

Jiang Ning returned safely to the Prince's mansion, while the maidservant beside the Princess looked puzzled.

"Your Majesty, you clearly had the opportunity to cause Lady Jiang to miscarry, so why didn't you give the order?"

"There's no reason why. She's from the Prince Zhong's household. I'm the wife, and she's the concubine. I would never stoop to such things as vying for favor. Now that she's carrying the Prince's child, it's a joyous occasion for my Prince Zhong's household. As the Prince's wife, I should always put him first in everything I do. I haven't been able to give birth to a legitimate son, and the Prince has always kept his promise. He hasn't betrayed me, so how could I possibly harm his offspring?"

Outside the door, without anyone noticing, a pair of black court boots had appeared.

“Your Majesty, you are kind and generous, and you always think of the Prince. But the concubines in the backyard are all only thinking about vying for favor and profit. Even that Lady Jiang has deliberately contradicted you several times. It is only because you are magnanimous that you do not hold it against her. If this were in another mansion, such a disrespectful concubine would have been beaten to death long ago.”

Zhao Yue chuckled: "Why are you so hostile today? Did someone offend you? Or did you hear something from someone else?"

The maid pouted and said in a muffled voice, "Your Highness, some people say that as long as Lady Jiang gives birth to a son, the Jiang family will definitely do everything in their power to help her become a princess. Moreover, I haven't forgotten about the poisoning you suffered back then."

Zhao Yue smiled faintly: "Now that the poisoning matter has been resolved, it should not be brought up again. As for the Jiang family, to be honest, I am now hoping that Jiang Ning can give birth to a son for the Prince."

The maid's eyes widened: "Your Highness?"

"You lot! You're all so short-sighted. I am the Prince's legal wife, and it was a marriage bestowed by His Majesty. Who can shake my position? Besides, the Prince is not the kind of person who doesn't know what's important. A wife is a wife, and a concubine is a concubine. If the proper order is violated, the Prince's image in front of the Emperor will plummet. Therefore, the Prince would never do something like favoring a concubine over his wife."

"Furthermore, I trust the Prince. After all, the fact that he has never allowed a concubine's eldest son to be born first is already a sign of his respect for me. He has shown me enough respect, so I should consider his feelings and naturally help the Prince achieve his wish."

The maid still didn't understand, but dared not speak again.

Zhao Yue glanced back at her: "Be careful with your words and actions in the future. Do not repeat what you said today. Also, Madam Jiang is not an ordinary concubine. If you encounter her, you should treat her with the appropriate respect. Do not look down on her or be negligent!"

"Yes, my lady, I'll take note of it."

"Yes, Granny!"

A maidservant immediately stepped forward: "This servant is here."

"Take her to investigate and see who is gossiping behind our backs. They are clearly trying to sow discord among our wives and concubines, to cause unrest in the Prince's household, to distract him, and perhaps even to embarrass him in front of the Emperor. Such wicked servants should be dealt with immediately once the facts are verified."

"Yes, ma'am."

The maidservant led her maid down to investigate, and when they opened the door, they saw their master outside first.

"Greetings to the prince."

The Loyal King raised his hand, signaling them to step back.

Zhao Yue also got up to pay her respects, but was helped up by the Prince of Zhong: "We are husband and wife, in our own home, there is no need for such formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I heard what you just said. I didn't expect there to be such troublemakers in my own backyard."

"Your Highness, please don't be angry. You have great things to do. Leave these trivial matters to me. I will certainly not let those villains succeed."

"Yes, I trust you completely with your work."

"Your Highness, I happen to have something to ask of you."

King Zhong's curiosity was piqued: "What is it?"

"Your Highness is surely aware of Madam Jiang's visit to the palace today. I originally intended to stop her, but the Jiang family sent people to fetch her personally, and they repeatedly emphasized that she was going to the palace to accompany Consort Jiang. I simply couldn't refuse. However, Madam Jiang is currently less than three months pregnant and should really rest. Perhaps you could send someone to inform Lord Jiang that it would be better not to trouble Madam Jiang any further."

“It is indeed no longer appropriate for Madam Jiang to leave the residence. You are the Princess Consort, and all the women in the household should be under your supervision. You can handle it as you see fit. Of course, I will also send someone to inform the Jiang family.”

Zhao Yue said gently, "Your Highness, I was just thinking of asking you about this. I think we should ask my mother to send a nanny to Lady Jiang. Although I am in charge of the inner courtyard, there are bound to be some troublemakers. If someone dared to provoke my head maid today, then someone might sabotage Lady Jiang's meals tomorrow."

"Although I am capable, I am but one person, and I dare not deceive Your Highness. I already suspect there are spies within our palace. If someone were to use this opportunity to cause Lady Jiang to miscarry, and then pin the blame on me, it would certainly affect Your Highness's actions in court."

The Prince of Zhong's mother had already passed away, and he was raised by Consort Liu at the suggestion of the Empress Dowager when he was young.

Consort Liu's maternal family was not powerful, at least not as powerful as the Empress and Consort Jiang, but Consort Liu herself was smart enough and very well-behaved.

After Consort Liu adopted Prince Zhong as her son, she tried to minimize her appearances before the Emperor.

It wasn't that no one in the palace laughed at her for being cowardly and useless.

But only she and her son knew that Consort Liu did this in order to protect Prince Zhong.

It was precisely because of Consort Liu's caution that she and her son were able to live peacefully to this day.

It wasn't until the Prince of Zhong was granted the title of king and allowed to establish his own residence outside the palace that Consort Liu was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Now that the Prince of Zhong has a legitimate son and Consort Liu has become a grandmother, she has clearly become much more assertive.

"Your Majesty, the Princess Consort of Zhong requests an audience."

Consort Liu was quite satisfied with this daughter-in-law; the marriage was made possible thanks to her strong efforts.

"What made you decide to come to the palace today to see this old woman?"

"Your daughter-in-law greets Mother Consort. Mother Consort remains as beautiful as ever. Why do you call me old? Your daughter-in-law has come today to ask for your favor."

"Hmm?" Consort Liu raised an eyebrow: "You're not lacking in good things?"