Not knowing if she was angered or scared, Consort Rong indeed felt a discomfort in her stomach, not exactly pain, but a dragging sensation.
"Li Man'er, my stomach hurts, this consort's stomach hurts," Consort Rong was so frightened that she dared not even breathe heavily. She was now entirely reliant on the child in her womb. If anything happened to the child, she would flay Li Man'er alive.
"Oh, you haven't even been enfeoffed as a consort yet, and you dare to call yourself 'this consort'. Do you believe I'll report you to her Ladyship the Noble Consort?" Li Man'er sneered. "Why are you yelling? With this County Princess present, I certainly won't let your child come to harm."
She only said she wouldn't let Consort Rong's child come to harm; she didn't say she wouldn't let Consort Rong herself come to harm.
Granny Ma listened from the side, her heart filled with dread. However, she had no proof. Princess Anning was simply not someone she could afford to offend. Perhaps with a flick of a finger, she could eliminate herself.
Don't forget, her Ladyship the Noble Consort was her relative, and the Ninth Prince was her future husband. Even the Emperor treated Princess Anning with special regard…
Granny Ma was instantly drenched in cold sweat, and her gaze towards Consort Rong was like looking at a dead person.
The palace was lacking in many things, but women were never among them. The Emperor was about to hold a selection for new consorts, and who knew how many newcomers would enter the palace then.
Consort Rong had offended Princess Anning without even realizing it, thinking that giving birth to a child would elevate her status. She would be lucky if her own life wasn't forfeit, and her child wasn't taken away by someone else.
That's right!
Her Ladyship the Noble Consort had no children. She had previously given birth to a princess who died young. Now that she was a Noble Consort, it would be a simple matter for her to raise a child from a lower concubine's rank.
Consort Rong clearly didn't think as deeply as Granny Ma. Her mind was entirely focused on the child at the moment, and she wouldn't conflict with Li Man'er.
Li Man'er took her pulse and found that it wasn't a serious issue. Moreover, Li Man'er knew exactly how this child had come about. Therefore, she immediately took out silver needles and acupunctured two points on Consort Rong.
As soon as the needles went in, Consort Rong felt her stomach discomfort subside. She looked at Li Man'er with a complex expression.
Li Man'er had undoubtedly made significant contributions to healing the Emperor's ailing body to its current state. Her medical skills were superb, and now that she was carrying the imperial fetus, she couldn't afford to offend her.
Enduring for a moment to gain a lifetime of glory – this calculation was not difficult to make.
"Your Ladyship should rein in your temper, otherwise, it will be bad for the fetus in your womb," Li Man'er withdrew the needles and put them away. "Your Ladyship, where do I live? From now on, I will be your exclusive physician. To ensure your and the child's health, I must be available at any time! Otherwise, have someone prepare a side palace for me."
Consort Rong suppressed her anger and ordered someone to prepare living quarters.
For the next nine months, she would have to tolerate Li Man'er. Just thinking about it made her furious. But for now, she had to endure.
"Granny Ma, arrange for someone to prepare the side palace and find people to serve the County Princess. Their food, clothing, housing, and transportation must be the best."
Granny Ma complied, thinking that she was being sold and didn't even know it.
However, as she was leaving, she couldn't help but glance in Li Man'er's direction. The moment she did, Granny Ma felt as if all her blood had frozen. The ambiguous smile of Princess Anning was truly chilling, as if she saw through everything and knew everything.
Granny Ma quickly lowered her head and retreated obediently.
Indeed, those who could survive for a long time in the palace were all intelligent people.
Li Man'er settled into the palace. However, she had no sense of propriety and acted like a lord in the Qitai Palace. One moment she'd complain about the food in the palace not being good, the next she'd find the furnishings not exquisite enough. In short, she found countless faults with Consort Rong.
Consort Rong was not like Li Qingshu and the others, whose hearts had been tempered to be as solid as iron through the trials of palace intrigue. This day, she was almost angered to the point of collapsing three times. The dark circles under her eyes were impossible to conceal, and she couldn't help but yawn, looking exhausted even when seeing Emperor Chenghua.
Emperor Chenghua had numerous informants and naturally knew the cause and effect. However, he didn't take it to heart. It was Consort Rong who had overestimated herself and provoked Anning first, so it wasn't surprising that the girl bared her fangs.
For an emperor, what was most important?
The empire, the nation, and the people?
In any case, it wasn't women.
A divine physician like Li Man'er was a rare find. With her protecting him, he could at least live a few more years.
Besides, Anning was a sensible person. That girl didn't even flinch when killing barbarians. If she truly wanted to cause trouble, how could a mere Consort Rong stop her?
Consort Rong was so badgered by Li Man'er that she couldn't eat. Her intestines were filled with regret. Her pregnancy had been quite stable, but with Li Man'er's arrival, she was angered to the point of experiencing lower abdominal pain every few days. She couldn't sleep well, nor could she eat properly. At this rate, how could the child in her womb possibly be well?
She hinted repeatedly for Li Man'er to leave the palace. What was a bride-to-be about to marry doing staying in her Qitai Palace? But Li Man'er remained unmoved, pretending not to understand and continuing to freeload, eat well, and nitpick.
Consort Rong was almost angered to the point of spitting blood. She now regretted it immensely and finally understood what it meant to invite a god easily but find it difficult to send them away.
Finally, she had no other recourse and had to humble herself and beg Li Qingshu.
In fact, the best and most direct way was to beg Emperor Chenghua. But Consort Rong couldn't bear to lose face. She had just asked the Emperor to have the County Princess come to look after her pregnancy, and now she wanted to drive her away. What kind of situation was this? Compared to that, she was more willing to ask the Noble Consort. Although she owed the Noble Consort a favor, at least her face was saved.
Li Qingshu, for reasons unknown, actually summoned Li Man'er away. She also instructed Consort Rong to rest well and to come for a pulse check every ten days from now on.
Consort Rong finally breathed a sigh of relief and settled down to nurture her pregnancy.
Li Qingshu couldn't fathom Li Man'er's thoughts. She always felt that this girl was plotting something, but she couldn't guess her intentions.
"Aunt, I'm leaving the palace tomorrow and won't be coming in for the time being," Li Man'er sighed helplessly and then said, "There's still one pill of the Marquis's medicine. I need to deliver it to him."
Emperor Chenghua's medication schedule was completely different from Li Shu's. Counting the time, it was time to deliver the third pill to Li Shu.
"Man'er…" Li Qingshu hesitated to speak. She knew Li Man'er was not the type to forgive and forget. She hated Cui Shi and Li Shu to the bone, which was why she went to great lengths and employed schemes to deal with them.
Cui Shi was already dead, the Eldest Princess had fallen, and Li Shu was half-paralyzed. No matter what grievances there were, they should be put to rest.
After all, one surname couldn't be written with two 'Li' characters.
However, as the words reached her lips, Li Qingshu found herself unable to utter them. She knew that Li Man'er was not someone who could be lectured, and once she set her mind on something, no one could stop her.