Chapter 370 - 148: Who Is the Emperor Guarding Against?

Chapter 370: Chapter 148: Who Is the Emperor Guarding Against?

As soon as Qin Xiyue entered, she saw Consort Shu and Consort Zhuang. She stepped forward to curtsy, then looked at Yun Zhao and offered her congratulations. "Congratulations on your double blessing, Song Zhaoyi."

Song Yunzhao smiled. "Thank you, Qin Wan Yi. Please, have a seat."

Qin Wan Yi thanked her and sat down. Song Yunzhao ordered someone to serve tea. Lu Zhixue lowered her gaze slightly, not wanting to look at Qin Xiyue’s face.

Feng Yunjin and Han Jinyi gently nudged her, and only then did she rise with them to curtsy to Qin Xiyue.

Ever since Consort Shu had her change of heart, she had grown impatient with such occasions. She looked at Song Yunzhao and asked, "You fainted out of the blue the other day. What did the Imperial Physician say? You usually seem so healthy. Was there a reason you suddenly collapsed?"

At these words, everyone present looked at Song Yunzhao with concern.

Song Yunzhao mulled it over. ’Consort Shu is probably just genuinely asking if I’m all right, but I doubt Consort Zhuang and Qin Xiyue think so.’

"I didn’t know I was pregnant. I was overly frightened that day, which is why I fainted. The Imperial Physician checked my pulse and said there’s nothing seriously wrong, but I must be careful and rest so it doesn’t happen again." Song Yunzhao put on a helpless expression, but she was thinking, ’I’ll get this story out there first. That way, if the Empress Dowager tries to make things difficult for me later, I’ll have a ready response.’

Consort Shu frowned. "You do look a bit frail. You must eat more. Although I’ve never been pregnant, I know that an expectant mother is eating for two. The child in your belly is the Emperor’s first, so you can’t be willful. Have the Imperial Physician check on you regularly."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’Has Consort Shu been possessed or something today?’

It wasn’t just Song Yunzhao who was surprised; Consort Zhuang, Qin Xiyue, and Lu Zhixue were all taken aback. What was wrong with Consort Shu?

Consort Shu ignored the others’ stares and said to Song Yunzhao, "I had someone send you some restorative goods like bird’s nest soup. Have the Imperial Physician look them over later, and if they’re suitable, you can eat them."

When Song Yunzhao heard Consort Shu mention the Imperial Physician, she understood this was her way of saying the gifts were absolutely safe. She smiled and said, "Thank you, Lady Shufei. You’ve gone to too much trouble."

Consort Shu huffed and glanced at Song Yunzhao’s belly. "What can I do? This is the palace’s first child, after all."

Consort Shu’s words brought a very strange expression to Consort Zhuang’s face. Even though she tried her best to suppress it, a hint of her true feelings still showed.

Forcibly suppressing her thoughts, Consort Zhuang followed up with a smile. "Consort Shu is right. Song Zhaoyi, you must be very careful. If you need anything, just ask."

"Thank you, Consort Zhuang." Song Yunzhao said with a smile. ’Even if I really did need something, I would never borrow it from Consort Zhuang. Do I have a death wish?’

Qin Xiyue chimed in from the side with a smile. "Song Zhaoyi has always been meticulous and cautious, and handles matters with great care. This child will surely be born safely. I’ll just be waiting to drink at the full-month celebration."

Hearing such words, even though Song Yunzhao detested Qin Xiyue, she couldn’t help but feel happy. Who wouldn’t want to give birth to their child safely? However, given that she and the female lead were on opposite sides, the female lead’s words always seemed to have a jinx-like quality, and her heart immediately tensed up.

"I’ll take those auspicious words, Qin Wan Yi." Song Yunzhao didn’t want to say another word to her. She was afraid that the more she said, the more likely she was to make a mistake and trigger some unknown mechanism of this novel’s world. Where would she even go to complain then?

Consort Shu noticed the dark circles under Song Yunzhao’s eyes. Seeing that Consort Zhuang and Qin Wan Yi showed no intention of leaving, she stood up directly and said, "You are pregnant and need to rest more. This one won’t disturb you any longer." She then looked at Consort Zhuang. "Consort Zhuang, shall we go together?"

Consort Zhuang had no choice but to rise and take her leave as well. Qin Xiyue left with them. Lu Zhixue and her two companions certainly wouldn’t stay behind. They had only lingered because they were worried the three concubines would make things difficult for Yun Zhao. Now that everyone was gone, they also left to let Yun Zhao rest properly.

Just as the group reached the entrance of Wangyou Palace, they saw Zhang Maoquan standing there and were all momentarily stunned.

Seeing the group, Zhang Maoquan immediately stepped forward to bow. "This servant greets you, my ladies."

"Chief Steward Zhang, what are you doing here? Does the Emperor have a decree?" Consort Zhuang found it strange that Zhang Maoquan was standing at the entrance of Wangyou Palace. ’If he were here to deliver a decree, why would he be just standing here?’

Qin Xiyue’s eyes also fell on Zhang Maoquan, and a vague sense of foreboding rose in her heart.

Zhang Maoquan looked up and said with a smile, "Song Zhaoyi is with child, and Wangyou Palace is short on staff. The Emperor has ordered this servant to come and attend to Song Zhaoyi."

’Of course, Zhang Maoquan hadn’t wanted to leave Taiji Palace, but coming to Wangyou Palace was a different matter. When the Emperor wasn’t in Taiji Palace, he was in Wangyou Palace. By serving Song Zhaoyi here, he could still see the Emperor often. Once Song Zhaoyi safely gave birth to a Prince, he would have performed a great service. Then, when he returned to Taiji Palace, he would have the confidence to compete with Meng Jiuchang.’

Consort Zhuang’s expression froze for a moment. ’The Emperor actually sent Zhang Maoquan to work at Wangyou Palace?’

’Just how much importance does he place on this pregnancy of Song Yunzhao’s?’

’He’s this protective before the child is even born, bestowing a promotion the moment she’s pregnant. Once she gives birth to a Prince, won’t she be walking all over us?’

Consort Zhuang’s composure was starting to crack. Afraid Zhang Maoquan would notice something, she quickly said, "For the Emperor to send Chief Steward Zhang shows how much he values Song Zhaoyi’s pregnancy. With you here, Chief Steward Zhang, the Emperor can rest assured. This one has other matters to attend to, so I’ll be taking my leave."

Consort Shu watched Consort Zhuang’s pretentious display, huffed, and said to Zhang Maoquan, "That’s quite a nice assignment you’ve got there, Chief Steward Zhang."

Zhang Maoquan: ...

Qin Xiyue merely smiled without speaking and left Wangyou Palace with Feng Yunjin and the other two.

Zhang Maoquan saw the ladies off, his eyes darting about. Then, he grinned. ’This assignment really is a good one.’

’It’s a good thing I paid such close attention to matters concerning Song Zhaoyi before; otherwise, this wonderful opportunity wouldn’t have fallen to me. When I was leaving, Xu Sixi’s eyes were red with envy.’

’Serves him right!’

’It’s too late for him to realize that Wangyou Palace is a land of fortune now. I got here first, and Meng Jiuchang gave him another kick. Xu Sixi can go cool his heels wherever he pleases.’

Once the group left, other visitors came to offer their congratulations. Zhang Maoquan, with Anshun in tow, was still so busy his feet barely touched the ground.

Everyone from the Empress Dowager to the three concubines had already come. The other concubines in the palace naturally couldn’t be impolite and fail to visit. However, Yun Zhao didn’t see everyone; Zhang Maoquan turned most of them away on her behalf. This time, even Nanny Yu had a much easier job.

If Nanny Yu had been the one to turn them away, it would have undoubtedly given them an excuse to accuse them of being disrespectful. But Zhang Maoquan was different. He was one of the Emperor’s personal attendants.

The news quickly reached Shouci Palace. An Shutong, who was by the Empress Dowager’s side, was also somewhat surprised to hear Nanny Yao’s report and subconsciously glanced at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager’s expression wasn’t very pleasant either. ’Who is the Emperor trying to guard against by being so protective?’

She, too, had never expected the Emperor to be this protective of Song Yunzhao. Even the late Emperor, no matter how much he doted on a concubine, had never sent one of his personal stewards to serve in a concubine’s palace.