Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of July. The sweltering heat made everyone's temper flare up.
Consort Rong was over four months pregnant. She was particularly sensitive to heat, and ice basins were placed in all four corners of her room, yet they still couldn't suppress the stifling air.
Fortunately, although she was only a consort now, she was the only pregnant concubine in the harem, and her ice allowance had increased significantly, enough to use.
However, Li Man'er had instructed her not to eat anything cold, so she couldn't use the ice chest. Even though she knew Li Man'er meant well for her and the baby in her womb, Consort Rong couldn't help but complain.
"I really don't know how that Princess Anning has the audacity to control what I eat."
In the past, Consort Rong wouldn't dare to refer to herself as "this consort." She was merely a consort, and even if she had her own palace, she wouldn't. As the child in her womb grew healthier and more stable, and both Li Man'er and the imperial physicians said she was carrying a prince, Consort Rong's boldness grew.
Before being promoted to the rank of a high-ranking consort, she already considered herself as such.
"You should bear with it for now! Once the prince is born, it will be a simple matter of how you deal with her. The Emperor will uphold justice for you!"
A hint of unconcealed smugness flickered in Consort Rong's eyes, but soon she couldn't keep her spirits up.
The maid sent to invite Emperor Chenghua returned trembling, "Your Ladyship, His Majesty is out boating with Noble Lady Li and could not be seen."
Consort Rong's face turned pale with anger, "That little slut, deliberately going against me."
The imperial selection had been ongoing for several months, and Emperor Chenghua had taken in six new concubines. The most favored among them was this Noble Lady Li.
She was young, a genuine lady from a prominent family, raised with a silver spoon in her mouth. She was younger and more delicate than Consort Rong, so it was no wonder the Emperor doted on her.
"Bitch!" In the past, Emperor Chenghua's health was poor, making it difficult for women in the harem to conceive. Ever since Li Man'er treated him, his spirit had been improving day by day, and his condition grew better and better. Emperor Chenghua was like a peacock, frequenting the garden of beauties daily.
Now that she was pregnant, she couldn't attend to the Emperor, and could only watch helplessly as Emperor Chenghua doted on new concubines.
"Your Ladyship, you can rest assured. Lady Li is just a minor noble lady and cannot cause much trouble. Your most important task now is to safely give birth to the prince. With the Emperor's decree, you will be promoted to consort, and won't you be able to deal with that surname Li then?"
The palace maid serving Consort Rong was named Ping'er. Consort Rong had been close to her since she was a palace maid. When she was favored by Emperor Chenghua for an audience, the first thing she did was have Ping'er assigned to her side.
Ping'er understood Consort Rong very well. She knew that Consort Rong was not only angry that Noble Lady Li had gained the Emperor's favor but also angry about her surname.
There was already a Noble Consort surnamed Li in the palace, and a princess also surnamed Li who deliberately opposed her. How could she possibly take a liking to that Noble Lady Li?
Therefore, Ping'er spoke vaguely, only mentioning dealing with someone surnamed Li, without specifying who.
Consort Rong's mood was soothed, and her anger subsided, her irritable feelings much improved.
She was hungry.
Pregnant women get hungry easily, especially in the middle and late stages, with much larger appetites than before. Consort Rong feared gaining weight and was very disciplined every day, but now that she was in a good mood, she didn't want to restrain herself.
"Have someone bring me something to eat. I don't want pastries."
Li Man'er said pastries were the easiest to gain weight from, and it was better to eat some light dishes and stews. Consort Rong agreed wholeheartedly. Although she disliked Li Man'er as a person, she acknowledged her medical skills.
"Yes, this servant will prepare it immediately."
Ping'er went to prepare food, but Mama Ma ran in nervously, lacking her usual composure.
"Your Ladyship, something terrible has happened."
The anger that had just subsided in Consort Rong flared up again, her expression immediately turning unpleasant. "What is it? What happened? Rushing about, don't you know the rules?"
Mama Ma ignored the scolding and walked directly to Consort Rong, saying, "Just now, His Majesty was boating with Noble Lady Li, and somehow, Noble Lady Li fainted. After she was brought back to the palace, an imperial physician was summoned to examine her pulse. It turns out she is pregnant."
"What, say that again?"
Mama Ma braced herself and said, "Noble Lady Li is pregnant, two months along."
Consort Rong, filled with hatred, slapped out, causing Mama Ma to sway and fall to the ground.
It wasn't that Consort Rong's strength was exceptional, but rather that Mama Ma was completely unprepared.
"Say that again."
Mama Ma, looking at the domineering Consort Rong, covered her face and said, "Noble Lady Li is pregnant, two months."
Calculating the time, it seemed she became pregnant during Noble Lady Li's first night with the Emperor after entering the palace.
Consort Rong was furious. She was no longer hungry and refused the food Ping'er had brought back, her face contorting with rage.
Mama Ma curled her lips slightly, saying nothing.
"Bitch."
She felt as if there was nothing she could do but utter those two words.
Ping'er knew Consort Rong didn't trust Mama Ma, so she quietly said to her, "Mama, your face is swollen. Hurry and get some ice to apply, it's too unsightly."
Mama Ma knew the score. She knew Consort Rong didn't believe her, and Ping'er was trying to dismiss her.
She couldn't be bothered to listen anymore, feeling that sooner or later, this mistress and her maid would bring about their own downfall.
Mama Ma immediately nodded, "You should also try to advise Her Ladyship. It's very normal for women in the harem to become pregnant."
Ping'er nodded, with a fake smile, "Yes, I will advise Her Ladyship. Your health is most important."
After Mama Ma left, Ping'er spat,
"Hmph, what a thing."
"Your Ladyship, what do we do now?" Originally, Consort Rong was the only one in the harem with a pregnancy, but now this advantage had been broken by Noble Lady Li. She was younger than Consort Rong and had a significant advantage.
Consort Rong had calmed down. "Forget it. I am pregnant and a consort. She can't threaten me yet. I'm sure someone hates her more than I do."
"You mean, those who entered the palace with her?"
Consort Rong smiled, "Six new concubines entered the palace together. Only she is a Noble Lady; the others are still low-ranking Cai Nu (Lady-in-waiting)."
"This servant understands!"
Just then, another message arrived. That Noble Lady Li was indeed blessed; not only was she carrying the imperial dragon fetus, but she had also been promoted to the rank of consort, given the title Consort Ying.
At this, Consort Rong truly became anxious.
"The child isn't even born yet, and His Majesty rushed to promote her, making her my equal. Why?" Consort Rong was genuinely panicked this time. If this continued, she would be surpassed by Noble Lady Li... oh no, she should now address her as Consort Ying.
"You quietly go out and invite Li Man'er into the palace."
Ping'er panicked and immediately said, "Your Ladyship, Consort Ying has just become pregnant. It's not appropriate to invite the Princess so soon; it will attract too much attention. In three more days, it's the day the Princess is scheduled to check your pulse. Why don't we wait until then..."
Consort Rong sneered, "Very well, we'll wait a little longer then."
Ping'er finally breathed a sigh of relief.