Chapter 36: Bound to the Child-Bearing System and Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 36: Cannon Fodder Little Imperial Consort (36)

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

Xiao Yanchen seemed to have truly finished his Front Court affairs, and he began frequently entering and leaving the Huang Hou.

Although most of the time he stayed overnight at Shen Yao's Weiyang Palace, others in the Huang Hou also had a chance to see Xiao Yanchen.

Seeing the real person, some Imperial Consorts could no longer hold back and began to scheme again, but before they could act, the Imperial Consorts who had first conceived using the secret medicine for bearing children began frequently showing bad symptoms.

Wow, such a grand spectacle directly scared everyone silly.

Could it be that this prescription really has a problem?

"Indeed there is a problem; the Imperial Physicians said those Imperial Consorts' bodies have already suffered varying degrees of damage, and if they continue the pregnancy, it is very likely to repeat Zhou Guifei's earlier situation."

What was Zhou Guifei's situation? To bear children, she exhausted her life, and in the end both mother and child perished, logging off and receiving her boxed meal quite decisively.

Qiu Yue patted her chest with lingering fear, her face full of fright.

Speaking of this secret prescription for bearing children, it truly harms people deeply; even our Weiyang Palace received a prescription.

If not for our mistress's sufficient skill, relying on herself alone to safely give birth to five imperial heirs, who knows what might have gone wrong among them.

"These people, the earliest pregnant ones have already been pregnant for over four months; would they be willing to abort?"

Shen Yao felt this was somewhat difficult; the self-rescue methods were too bloody and violent.

Among Imperial Consorts in the Huang Hou, there are many who, longing for a child, have worried themselves sick.

Wanting these dream-fulfillers to personally shatter their own dreams, Shen Yao shook her head; the difficulty was very great.

Qiu Yue shook her head, "Naturally unwilling; I heard that as long as an Imperial Consort is pregnant, they all refused the Imperial Medical Bureau's proposal."

The Emperor said nothing more about this, nor did he prohibit the prescription circulating throughout the Huang Hou."

As if this matter was completely unimportant, leaving Qiu Yue baffled, not understanding the deep meaning behind the Emperor's actions.

Shen Yao raised her eyebrows, instead smelling something unusual from it.

But she tacitly did not speak; what could she say? The Royal Family is inherently ruthless; these Imperial Consorts do not heed advice, would the Emperor really order abortions? Unless the Emperor does not care about his own reputation.

In other words, whether these people can safely give birth to offspring or not does not affect the Emperor.

Anyway, the path of choice has already been laid out openly; it depends on how these people themselves choose.

Thinking about it now, even if the road ahead is dangerous, there are still quite a few people who choose to gamble.

Lowering her head to ponder for a moment, Shen Yao waved her hand, a smile of boredom on her face, "Let's not talk about these; in a few days it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet."

You stay in the palace to take good care of the children then; this palace may not be here."

Xiao Yanchen said he would take her out to play, and also said they would spend the night at the mansion outside the palace.

Shen Yao looked forward to it; she very much wanted to see the prosperity outside the palace in this world.

Hope, do not disappoint her.

……

August fifteenth, Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet.

Shen Yao was busy all morning, and finally took Xiao Jin and the three children out from Weiyang Palace.

"Jin'er, when entering the hall later, you take your younger brother and younger sister to sit honestly in your seats and do not leave."

If there is something, remember to have the slave by your side come find Mother Consort; Mother Consort is busy with affairs and may not be able to attend to you, so you must be more careful yourself, understand?"

Sitting in the spacious sedan chair, Shen Yao patiently explained things to Xiao Jin beside her.

Not far to one side, Xiao Yu and Xiao Yue huddled together laughing and joking, like two silly fools.

Shaking her head rather helplessly, Shen Yao could only focus all her thoughts on Xiao Jin.

There was no way; among these three children, only Xiao Jin was the smartest and most sensible.

The capable do more work; Shen Yao also felt heartache for her son, but there was no way, she could only ask him.

Xiao Jin was in a good mood; he very much liked the feeling of managing others and worrying for others, which was more like an innate leadership ability.

In daily life, as long as Xiao Jin spoke, Xiao Yu and Xiao Yue would obediently listen and no longer cause trouble.

Mm, Shen Yao had once observed and summarized, feeling this was Xiao Jin's dignity as the Eldest Young Master.

Xiao Jin nodded obediently, "Mother Consort rest assured, son understands everything."

It's just taking care of two younger siblings; for him it's too simple.

Previously in Weiyang Palace, wherever Xiao Jin went he took care of them; now going to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, Xiao Jin said it was even more of a no-brainer, guaranteeing to watch those two tightly.

Shen Yao:... there is no need

"Mother Consort believes in you," she said gently, then patted Xiao Jin's small shoulder, and once again held him in her arms to dote on him well.

As for Xiao Yu and Xiao Yue, those two little ones were already playing wildly to one side.

Regarding Eldest Young Master and Mother Consort showing mother-child affection in front of them, the two little fools did not care at all.

The mother and four people were thus carried by slaves all the way to the venue of the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, Taihe Palace.

This palace is a place long used to hold various banquets and ancestral sacrifices.

Not only is the building area large, but it can also be switched freely at various times throughout the four seasons.

Shen Yao had been in the Huang Hou for years, and came to Taihe Palace many times each year.

As for Xiao Jin and the other two, after turning three years old they began attending various festival banquets with her, and are also the main players who often appear in the Huang Hou.

"Mistress, we have arrived."

Qiu Yue stood at the sedan chair doorway, speaking softly to the sedan chair coming down.

Shen Yao stretched out her hand to lift the door curtain, letting the three children come out first and stand ready, while she herself leaned on Qiu Yue's palm and stood up very decisively.

"Mother Consort"

The three children gathered around Shen Yao, staring wide-eyed at the great hall behind her where people came and went.

Shen Yao smiled. "Alright, let's go in. Remember what Mother Consort told you, especially Xiao Jin — you must not forget."

Xiao Yu and Xiao Yue, these two children, were a bit slow; Shen Yao knew that saying more would be useless.

It was Xiao Jin who, at a young age, already bore an extraordinary bearing, and in whom Shen Yao had always placed high hopes.

Xiao Jin nodded heavily, completely without the thought of feeling dissatisfied from being instructed so much.

His face still carried adorable baby fat, chubby and very cute.

Holding his younger brother and sister by the hand, he said, "You two, make sure to stay close to Fourth Brother."

Xiao Yu and Xiao Yue nodded repeatedly, and patted their little chests guaranteeing it one after another — a completely different attitude from their laughing and playing in the sedan chair earlier.

Seeing this, Shen Yao did not find it unexpected; after all, such scenes played out daily in Weiyang Palace.

The four, mother and children, walked toward the great hall one after another; palace servants passing by all saluted and offered greetings.

Their destination this trip was the main hall, where the space was largest, and also the place in the palace where events were held most often.

By the time they arrived, inside there were already quite a few people seated here and there.

Shen Yao glanced, then instructed Qiu Yue beside her to take the three children Xiao Jin, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Yue to the imperial children's area first, while she herself stayed in place to conveniently observe the hall's layout and decorations.

Not to mention, although the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet occurs once a year, each time the decorations are not entirely the same.

This time, it was probably at the Emperor's behest; in any case, the Empress organized it very grandly and magnificently.

Including those transplanted potted flowers and plants, every single one was a premium specimen, priceless.

"Master, this servant will support you over."

Before she knew it, Qiu Yue had already returned to Shen Yao's side; she raised her hand and placed it at Shen Yao's forearm, her gaze calm.

Shen Yao gave a casual mm, turned, and went to a seat not far away.

At the head of the seating was the Emperor and Empress's position.

Oh, forgot to say — this Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, including the two Palace Empress Dowagers and the Retired Emperor, the three big shots will not come.

The reason is physical condition, making it inconvenient to move.

Mm, anyway that's how the words were put out; as for true or false, Shen Yao expresses she does not believe rumors nor spread them — everything is ultimately for the Emperor to decide.

After taking her seat, Shen Yao signaled Qiu Yue that she could leave; for now, her side was still considered safe, Qiu Yue did not need to guard beside her every moment.

Qiu Yue:... Master, don't talk nonsense.

"What is there to fear? The Emperor and Empress have not yet arrived; what storms can these people stir up?

Go down and be busy; when the time comes later, just hurry back."

Shen Yao had not forgotten that tonight she would go out of the palace to play with the Emperor.

So, she did not need anyone guarding beside her at all; even Qiu Yue by her side would affect her performance.

Qiu Yue could not say much about this, softly replied yes, turned and walked to the great hall's edge not far away to socialize.

Inside the great hall, the coming and going palace servants — quite a few were Qiu Yue's familiar colleagues.

Taking this opportunity, Qiu Yue walked around extensively, constantly pumping them for information.

Although some information was not important, Qiu Yue always accepted all comers.

The people gathering in the great hall grew more and more; Shen Yao sat properly in her seat, staring fixedly at the surrounding layout.

Tsk tsk, the Empress's aesthetic — still as ever simple and crude.

Not bad, it's not bad, but the same style year after year — no distinctive novelty.

Perhaps this has something to do with the Empress's condition? Anyway Shen Yao had once vaguely heard the Empress's health was poor, but the Empress still had them come pay respects as usual; aside from a pale and unsightly complexion there was nothing else amiss.

Shen Yao shrugged her shoulders, once again placing her gaze on the table before her.

On the table, palace servants who had come had already laid out a full spread of food.

However, because it was not yet dining time, what was sent were only some pastries and tea drinks.

Not very hungry, but can temporarily pad the stomach.

Shen Yao did not move to eat; she had drunk soup when she left, currently not hungry, did not need to dine.

Rather, relying on the system in her mind, she discovered the cups used to hold teacups to one side had some problem.

Is it medicine powder that would cause spleen-stomach disharmony, internal imbalance, vomiting and diarrhea?

"Isn't this just an enhanced laxative? What is the point of giving this kind of thing to imperial consorts?"

While communicating with the system in her mind, Shen Yao used her peripheral vision to scan the surroundings.

Not to mention, wherever her gaze reached, aside from the princes' table not far away, all had problems.

Does this count as large-scale AOE damage? Who tampered with things, daring to make a move at such an important Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet — not afraid the Emperor will be humiliated into anger and take advantage to flare up?

The system's answers were always dry and without fluctuation: "The system is just a system, and does not know the inside information."

Shen Yao pretended to sigh in her heart: "Hey, you say — the mission is nearly half complete, yet you're still muddleheaded; what am I to say? We're partners, can you really bear to watch me face the harem's perils alone?

You must know, once my side fails, our mission ends.

The energy you want won't be one hundred percent obtained either."

The system listened, fell silent for a long while, then reappeared: "It was the Imperial Kitchen side that made the move.

Not certain whose arrangement, but the Imperial Kitchen definitely left traces."

Because these meals, including the teacup ornaments, all came out of the Imperial Kitchen.

Don't think the Imperial Kitchen is just a place that makes food; actually, objects and utensils related to food can all be found in the Imperial Kitchen.

Shen Yao did not continue replying to the system; she lowered her head slightly, picked up the teacup placed to one side, and took the opportunity to fiddle with it.

Of course, since she already knew medicine powder was contaminated on it, Shen Yao certainly would not touch it — even if she has a cheat.

"Wait and see; after this Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, the harem's structure may well continue to change."

Nowadays the atmosphere between the Emperor and the Empress is very strange; Shen Yao cannot say what exactly, but with her years of intuition she can guarantee there is a problem here.

The problem will not slowly disappear with the passage of time; on the contrary, it will explode once it has accumulated enough.

As for who will be blown up and injured when that time comes, that is not something Shen Yao needs to care about.

Melon-eating and drama-watching, focusing on herself — this is Shen Yao's life principle.

Clack—

The teacup in her hand instantly slipped from her grasp, spun several circles as it flipped over, and smashed onto the ground, shattering into several pieces.

The palace attendants standing around serving hurried forward; in the blink of an eye, a new teacup was placed before Shen Yao again.

The color and appearance were identical, but the painting on it was different.

Shen Yao raised an eyebrow and smiled, then leisurely poured herself a cup of tea and drank it into her mouth.

Not bad; this newly replaced teacup is clean and spotless, without any problem.

It seems the hand that moved was also not prepared especially thoroughly; I'm afraid it was deliberately aimed at certain people.

A short while later, the Emperor and the Empress arrived hand in hand.

Amid Wei Zhu's chanting, everyone rose from their seats and saluted the two bright-yellow figures entering.

"Exempt from salute, bestow seats."

Shen Yao sat in her position with lowered eyes and obedient demeanor, her gaze lightly lifting to meet Xiao Yanchen's line of sight.

At the instant their gazes intersected, the two people were both somewhat stunned.

Especially Shen Yao — she never expected that merely raising her head along with the crowd would result in a direct collision with the Emperor.

Shen Yao pursed her lips and smiled; because she was mindful of the other people still around, her smile was relatively restrained.

It was instead Xiao Yanchen at the highest seat, who was teased by Shen Yao's small move until he couldn't take it.

When he shifted his gaze away, the smile hanging at the corner of his mouth could not be suppressed no matter how he tried.

This made Wei Jingyi, who was constantly watching Xiao Yanchen's condition from the side, somewhat displeased.

At the same time, Wei Jingyi also felt a bit resentful and desolate; it seems the Emperor really likes Imperial Concubine Xi very much.

She has been husband and wife with the Emperor for many years; when has the Emperor ever treated her with such gentle countenance?

Hmph!

Wei Jingyi lowered her head and gathered her brows, simultaneously concealing her emotions.

Now saying these things is of no use anymore; the marital bond between her and the Emperor has already reached its end. Once she made up her resolve and chose to preserve the Wei Family, she understood what she must do in order to leave the maximum possible chips for Xiao Heng.

*Exhale*

Your Majesty, I only hope that everything I have done today can make this man preserve Heng'er's life.

She is reluctant to part with her clan, cannot set her mind at ease about her son, but since ancient times loyalty and filial piety are difficult to fulfill both; she can only choose one, and can only let Heng'er down.