Chapter 157

The spring waters were warm, and the goldfish in the imperial lake had also become lively.

Consort Shu was of a tranquil nature, and did not enjoy liveliness by temperament.

The other concubines and noble consorts would pass their leisure time watching dramas, listening to music and other such noisy activities, but she felt disturbed by the noise and never joined the crowds.

When she had nothing to do, she just liked to go to the pavilion by the imperial lake,

blow some breeze, feed the fish, which made her feel at ease and content.

On this day after her afternoon nap, it happened to be a nice sunny day, and Consort Shu was saying she'd go sit in the pavilion,

but when she neared a corner, she heard Noble Consort Xiao and Song Zhao chatting in the pavilion.

Song Zhao gently caressed Noble Consort Xiao's bulging belly, smiling radiantly and saying: "Elder sister is already six months along, looking at your pointed belly, it must be a little prince!"

But the smile that appeared on Noble Consort Xiao's face seemed somewhat forced,

"Whether it is a princess or a prince, what does it have to do with me? The moment the child is born, he will be raised on Consort Chen's knees, and will inevitably grow distant from me. Actually, in my heart I hope I can give birth to a princess, so Consort Chen might allow the mother and daughter to meet frequently, but if I give birth to a prince, and moreover the precious prince..."

She lowered her eyes, caressing her belly, with unconcealable sadness in her eyes, "I'm afraid that mother and child, are destined to grow distant in this life."

Her words were sorrowful, and Song Zhao quickly comforted her,

"Elder sister, don't be a pessimist. Think of it another way, Consort Chen lives in luxury, this child raised at her knees will surely be well taken care of. At worst, if Consort Chen truly prevents you from seeing the child, I can secretly mention it to His Majesty to persuade him to allow you to see the child."

Noble Consort Xiao was very moved upon hearing this,

she tightly grasped Song Zhao's hand, her voice choking with sobs, "Then I must thank Consort Yi for this..." She coughed twice, and then started violently retching.

Song Zhao immediately handed her a cup of warm water, and gently patted her back, "Elder sister, drink some water to moisten your throat. How come the morning sickness has gotten worse these days?"

Noble Consort Xiao sipped some milk, dabbed the corners of her lips with a handkerchief, "It's like this every day, I'm used to it already."

Song Zhao said: "If elder sister is uncomfortable, return to the palace to rest first?"

Noble Consort Xiao waved her hand, "Being cooped up in the palace makes my chest feel stuffy and uncomfortable, I'd rather sit here and enjoy the breeze, it makes me feel much better."

Song Zhao went on: "You still need to be cautious about everything. Although it's not comfortable in the palace, at least no accidents will happen. I remember Consort Shu and Consort Chen lost their babies when they were six months pregnant, elder sister must be careful."

"Hmph, what do I have to fear?"

Noble Consort Xiao scoffed lightly, her face full of disdain, "I still have some apprehension toward Consort Chen. As for Consort Shu... Do you know why His Majesty turned over her plaque a few days ago? Wasn't it because it was the anniversary of the day she conceived last year? After she miscarried, His Majesty only turned over her plaque twice, and both times it was because of the aura of the imperial heir."

Song Zhao anxiously shook her head, "Sister, stop talking. After all, Consort Shu holds the rank of consort..."

"So what if she's a consort? A consort without favor is less than me, a pregnant noble consort. If I give birth to a precious son, I will be able to rise in status through my son in the future! She would have to avoid me when we meet!"

--"Noble Consort Xiao has great ambition."

A solemn female voice rang out from the corner.

The two looked in the direction of the voice, and saw that it was Consort Shu walking out with a dark expression.

"I want to see which path you expect me to avoid when we meet!"

She strode closer and closer to Noble Consort Xiao, frightening her into immediately kneeling down to pay respects,

"Consort Shu, please forgive this slave for her thoughtless words, I did not mean to offend you, please pardon this slave!"

Consort Shu stood loftily above Noble Consort Xiao, looking down at her,

"You, a mere noble consort, dare to gossip about me behind my back? You're pregnant with a child, not that you conquered the country for His Majesty! What makes you so proud?"

Noble Consort Xiao stammered, "This slave knows her wrongs, Consort please forgive me just this once."

Song Zhao also pleaded for her, "Consort, Noble Consort Xiao momentarily lost her senses and spoke thoughtlessly, please be broad-minded and do not hold it against her."

"Hmph." Consort Shu let out a cold scoff, suppressing her anger to say: "How could I resent you, an esteemed mother of the imperial heir, when I am a consort without favor?" Having said that, she gently grasped Noble Consort Xiao's wrist, "Come, let us go see His Majesty, and have you repeat what you just said in front of His Majesty!"

Consort Shu was usually a very composed person. If not for Noble Consort Xiao gossiping about her wrongfully deceased child, she would not have reacted so angrily.

When one is blinded by anger, even the most cunning person will find it hard to control their emotions. "No! I don't want to go!"

Noble Consort Xiao cried out in fright, shaking off Consort Shu's hand.

After breaking free, she stumbled over her own calves and tripped on the low stone railing,

momentarily losing her balance and falling back, plunging straight into the imperial lake with a splash.

This sudden accident stunned everyone present.

The water where Noble Consort Xiao fell was not deep, she stood up and it just reached her chest,

but she flailed about in panic, causing her to bob up and down, unable even to yell for help clearly.

Consort Shu froze on the spot, stunned for a good while before shoving Qingyue and shouting:

"What are you standing there for? Hurry and save her!"

Qingyue did not know how to swim, and did not have the courage to directly jump in.

In their fluster, it was Song Zhao who first calmed herself down.

She lay on the ground, stretching out her hand with great effort, barely managing to grab a handful of Noble Consort Xiao's clothes,

then yelled at Xiaofuzi: "Hurry and save her!"

Xiaofuzi immediately leapt into the imperial lake without a word, circling his arms under Noble Consort Xiao's armpits to grasp her tightly and steady her.

Seeing the person was saved, the stone in Consort Shu's throat finally fell.

But at this moment, an unbridled female voice rang out behind her,

"What are you doing?"

Consort Shu shuddered and looked back,

only to see Consort Chen striding aggressively towards her.

Upon reaching her, she berated and forcefully slapped her resoundingly without letting Consort Shu get a word in edgewise,

"Bold Consort Shu! Noble Consort Xiao is pregnant with the imperial heir, how dare you push her into the imperial lake? Qinglan, go report this to His Majesty and Her Majesty immediately!"