eurekapd Chapter 89 The Blessings of Consort Fucha
Chapter 89 The Blessings of Consort Fucha
A few days after learning that Consort Jin was pregnant, Consort Xin sent some snacks to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Princess Shuhe misses her father, the Emperor, and wishes to invite him to Chuxiu Palace.
The familiar recipe, the familiar taste—Big Fat Orange always felt that this Noble Lady Xin had a surprise waiting for him.
Big Fatty Orange led Su Peisheng toward Chuxiu Palace, his heart filled with doubt and anticipation along the way.
Upon arriving at Chuxiu Palace, Consort Xin bowed gracefully, but her eyes held a hint of mystery.
As soon as the chubby orange sat down, Princess Shuhe greeted him cheerfully.
He bowed and greeted him.
To Da Pang Ju's surprise, Shu He is now completely different from before.
She used to be extremely reserved in front of me, and she didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
However, at this moment, she not only took the initiative to greet him, but also behaved with grace and poise, and seemed much bolder than before.
Big Fat Orange was in a great mood. He reached out and gently pulled Princess Shuhe into his arms, smiling as he said:
Why is Shuhe so happy today?
Is there some good news to tell Father Emperor?
Princess Shuhe blinked her large, bright eyes, first turning her head to glance at Consort Xin standing to the side.
Seeing Consort Xin nod slightly in acknowledgment, he then turned to the chubby orange and said:
"Father, I have recently learned to paint, and today I specially painted a picture to present to you. Please take a look."
The chubby orange cat said with great interest, "Oh, quickly show it to Father Emperor!"
Princess Shuhe broke free from the big fat orange's embrace and ran over to retrieve the painting.
The chubby orange carefully took the scroll and slowly unfurled it.
The painting prominently features a cute and lifelike little dog.
The puppy had snow-white fur, and its fluffy appearance made you want to reach out and touch it.
The art style is unique and full of childlike innocence and fun.
The chubby orange cat was so engrossed in watching that he secretly admired Princess Shuhe for being able to create such a masterpiece at such a young age.
He raised his head, turned his gaze to Consort Xin, and asked with a smile:
"Was this painting truly done by Shuhe? Did you teach her?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Xin hurriedly stepped forward, respectfully curtsied, and then softly replied:
"Your Majesty flatters me. I am but a humble woman, how could I possibly know anything about writing and drawing!"
As for who taught Shuhe this painting, Your Majesty, I would like to ask for your guess.
Big Fat Orange thought for a moment, and realized that Consort Xin, along with Consort Shuhe and Consort Jing, had been frequently visiting Yanxi Palace recently.
See Consort Shu and her son, Hongchang.
The chubby orange cat already knew the answer in its heart, but deliberately teased:
"I can't guess. Yingfeng, why don't you just tell me directly?"
Consort Xin smiled gracefully and replied:
"Your Majesty, Shuhe was taught to paint this by her younger sister, Consort Shu."
Consort Shu's younger sister is a master painter with an exceptionally kind heart.
Seeing that Shuhe liked to draw, she personally taught Shuhe.
Fortunately, Shuhe was diligent and did not disappoint her younger sister, Consort Shu's, teachings.
The chubby orange-haired man feigned surprise: "So it's Consort Shu. I knew this painting had the style of a master."
The chubby orange cat gained the approval of Consort Xin and became increasingly satisfied with Consort Shu.
Consort Shu is a true example of virtue and magnanimity, far superior to the Empress.
The chubby orange cat praised Shuhe, making Shuhe's face turn red and her eyes sparkle.
So Big Orange instructed Su Peisheng, who was beside him:
"Go and bring the best paintbrush and paint set from my treasury to Princess Shuhe as a reward."
Then he turned to Consort Xin and said, "Consort Xin has done a good job in taking care of Shuhe. She is hereby rewarded with one hundred taels of silver."
Consort Xin hurriedly expressed her gratitude.
Then, the chubby orange ate with Princess Shuhe and Consort Xin.
When everyone had almost finished eating, Consort Xin suddenly stopped what she was doing.
With a delighted expression, she turned to look at the chubby orange cat, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said softly:
"Your Majesty, I have some wonderful news to tell you!"
Upon hearing this, the chubby orange cat slowly put down its chopsticks, a hint of curiosity in its eyes, and asked gently:
"Oh? What good news? Tell me quickly."
Just then, a familiar feeling suddenly welled up in Big Fat Orange's heart.
It was as if this scene had appeared somewhere before.
He couldn't help but recall the scene when he went to Consort Jin's palace a few days ago.
A similar situation seemed to have occurred at that time... Could it be...?
Just as the chubby orange cat was pondering to itself, it saw that Consort Xin's smile grew even wider.
She spoke with a hint of shyness, "Your Majesty, I feel as if I am pregnant with your child."
Although the big orange cat had a premonition about this.
But when he heard Consort Xin's affirmation with his own ears, he still couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
Immediately following was joy, even though this was the third time.
But he doesn't mind having more children and more good news.
Moreover, he already had few children.
Big Fat Orange quickly pressed on, asking:
"Is what Yingfeng said true? Are you really pregnant with my child again?"
Consort Xin quickly nodded in agreement:
"How could I dare to deceive Your Majesty? This would be a crime of deceiving the emperor. I would never dare to do such a thing."
Big Fat Orange burst into laughter after hearing this and said "good" three times.
Big Fat Orange: "Okay, okay, okay, how long have you been pregnant? Have you consulted the imperial physician?"
"Su Peisheng, quickly go and fetch the imperial physician."
Su Peisheng accepted the order and left, quickly arriving with the imperial physician.
After carefully examining the emperor's pulse, the imperial physician, beaming with joy, congratulated him.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Consort Xin is almost two months pregnant, and the pregnancy is stable."
The fat emperor was overjoyed, but in his heart he was calculating the dates when Consort Jing, Consort Jin, and Noble Lady Xin would become pregnant.
Because Consort Shu mentioned Consort Jing, Consort Jin, and Noble Lady Xin, he then remembered that he had indeed neglected the elderly people he served.
He then stayed at their palace twice to calculate the dates of their pregnancies.
Big Fat Orange knew that they had conceived on the first night he stayed over.
When did he become so capable? Why didn't he have so many concubines pregnant before?
Is it because this year is favorable for having offspring?
Just as the chubby orange cat was thinking to itself that it should spend more time visiting the harem lately...
Consort Xin said with a face full of joy, "When I first heard that I was pregnant again, I couldn't believe it!"
After all, the concubine's body was damaged due to that accidental miscarriage.
I have always believed that I will never be able to conceive a child of the emperor in this lifetime.
This pregnancy is a completely unexpected joy.
Perhaps it's because I've been frequently visiting Consort Shu's palace to see Prince Hongchang lately.
Thanks to the good fortune of Prince Hongchang, and the blessings of Heaven, I was able to become pregnant again!
"This concubine will certainly express her deepest gratitude to Prince Hongchang."
Hearing Consort Xin's words, the chubby orange cat thought to itself: "Hmph, this is hardly Hongchang's good fortune."
It's clear that I am still as vigorous and energetic as ever!
What could this have to do with a tiny baby? This talk of good fortune is far-fetched.
However, he couldn't possibly say that his son was unlucky.
On second thought, if Consort Shu hadn't mentioned Consort Jing and the others, he wouldn't have remembered to go see them.
They couldn't possibly get pregnant, especially after the Empress Dowager bestowed the "Two Immortals of Harmony and Prosperity" hairpin, symbolizing many children and abundant blessings, upon Consort Shu.
Consort Shu offered three sticks of incense every day, praying devoutly beneath the hairpin.
Consort Shu wasn't just putting on an act; she did this every single day.
Following this, Consort Jing, Consort Jin, and Noble Lady Xin all became pregnant.
Including Consort Jing, Consort Jin, and Noble Lady Xin, everyone says that Consort Shu and her son are blessed.
The first time, Big Fat Orange just laughed it off; the second time, the third time...
Big Fatty Orange gradually came to believe that Consort Shu and her son were truly blessed people.
It was because of Consort Shu's sincere prayers that the concubines in the harem became pregnant one after another.
He had trusted the Empress before, but the imperial harem was dwindling in number, and then the Empress confined him to her quarters.
Consort Shu gave birth to Hongchang safely, and then Consort Jing and several others who were pregnant came to visit.
Then think about how Consort Shu taught Shuhe to paint. Look how well Shuhe paints in such a short time; you can tell at a glance how much effort Consort Shu put into it.
In the entire harem, only Consort Shu was willing to take good care of the children born to the other concubines.
Consort Shu must love me deeply to be so devoted.
Only a truly virtuous, magnanimous, and blessed woman is worthy of the position of Empress and the role of mother of the nation.
Big Fatty Orange still felt a pang of regret when he thought about the sterilization drug the Empress Dowager had given Consort Shu.
Consort Shu is so blessed. If she could bear me more children, wouldn't they be even more intelligent?
Did the Empress Dowager not want her son to have a good life? Recalling the past...
He made Yixiu, a concubine's daughter, his secondary consort, while all the princesses in the harem were Han Banner women.
He liked talented women, but that didn't mean he liked Manchu noblewomen. Ironically, the Empress Dowager had chosen a Han Chinese bannerman for him.
In contrast, most of the women in the fourteen prefectures were Manchu bannerwomen.
Empress Dowager is so biased!
At this moment, the little bit of maternal affection that the chubby orange cat had for the Empress Dowager diminished even further.
If there were a favorability system, then the fat orange cat's favorability towards the Empress Dowager would decrease by one, one, one...
The chubby orange cat's initially good mood instantly turned gloomy upon thinking about all this.
Consort Xin keenly sensed the change in the fat orange cat's emotions and couldn't help but be secretly surprised:
Just a moment ago, the emperor was all smiles and pleasantries, but in the blink of an eye, like a Sichuan opera face-changing act, his expression instantly turned grim.
The emperor's expression changed so quickly that it caught everyone off guard.
The emperor, having amassed his power over many years, can still be quite frightening when his emotions shift.
Fortunately, Consort Xin was pregnant, so no matter how capricious the Emperor was, he would never lose his temper with her.
Consort Xin remained worried, fearing that if the Emperor continued to be so unpredictable, it would frighten her daughter, Shuhe.
Because of her lowly rank, Shuhe was raised in the princess's household from a young age.
The palace servants, by flattering and fawning upon those above them, instilled in Shuhe a quiet, introverted, and timid nature.
During this period, she often took Shuhe to Consort Shu's palace, and was influenced by Consort Shu.
Shuhe finally cheered up after a long time.
Consort Xin saw this and was delighted.
Naturally, she didn't want to see the optimistic nature that her daughter had worked so hard to cultivate.
Because of the emperor, he was forced back to his original form, reverting to his timid and cowardly self.
Consort Xin took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and slowly walked to the big, fat orange cat's side, asking softly:
"Your Majesty, are you not happy that I am pregnant?"
The chubby orange cat was lost in its own thoughts when the sudden question pulled it back to reality.
He turned his head somewhat blankly, looking at Consort Xin, whose face was filled with worry.
Only then did he suddenly realize that his behavior just now seemed somewhat inappropriate.
So he quickly composed himself and tried to restore his usual gentle expression.
Then he replied in the same soft voice, "How could I not be happy that Yingfeng is pregnant?"
However, I suddenly remembered some thorny issues that have not yet been resolved in the court.
He was momentarily distracted.
At this moment, Princess Shuhe opened her big eyes and said in a childish voice:
"Father, please don't be angry. If you're still unhappy, I'll paint another picture for you."
Big Fat Orange's heart softened instantly, and he picked up Shuhe, saying:
"Father is not angry. I like Shuhe's painting very much."
If Shuhe likes drawing, then she should study it diligently.
He then said to Consort Xin, "Rest assured and take good care of your pregnancy. I will have the Imperial Household Department take good care of you and your daughter."
As for Shuhe, let her learn more from Consort Shu in the future; Consort Shu is quite good.
Upon hearing this, Consort Xin hurriedly expressed her gratitude.
The chubby orange cat played with them for a while longer before setting off back to the palace.
Consort Xin watched the emperor's departing figure and breathed a sigh of relief.
I just wanted my daughter to grow up healthy and give birth to the baby safely.
Now, even in this deep palace, I have something to look forward to.
Consort Xin gently stroked her belly and said to Shuhe with her head down:
"Shuhe, you must listen to Consort Shu from now on and not be naughty."
Shuhe nodded obediently.
A few days later, the Imperial Household Department, in accordance with the Emperor's decree, sent many precious items to Consort Xin.
Consort Xin was always low-key, and instructed the palace maids to properly store the items.
The fact that the Emperor suddenly bestowed gifts upon Consort Jin and Noble Lady Xin these past few days has become common knowledge throughout the palace.
The Empress was aware of this, of course, but she had no time to care about such things.
The Empress Dowager suffered a stroke, and the Empress wanted to improve her condition, while also recuperating herself.
She simply didn't have the mind to pay attention to these things; if only she had the mind to think about them...
With her keen intuition, she would surely have noticed something amiss, which is why she was caught completely off guard when she learned the truth.
Although Big Fatty Orange didn't show much reaction after Consort Jing and the others became pregnant, she actually remembered it all.
Time flies, years pass swiftly, and days slip by like a fleeting moment.
In the blink of an eye, the year has quietly come to an end.
As is customary, the palace will soon host a grand New Year's Eve feast.
Originally, such a banquet should have been hosted by the Empress herself.
But now, Fatty Orange has lost trust in the Queen; he neither wants nor dares to entrust this matter to her.
The methods used in the palace are impossible to guard against; he fears the empress will never repent.
If it harms Consort Jing and others in the palace who have finally managed to conceive, then a good thing will turn into a bad thing.
After careful consideration, Big Fat Orange decided to entrust the matter to Consort Hua.
Originally, Big Fat Orange wanted Fucha Peiyun to lend a hand.
However, Fucha Peiyun politely declined, citing the need to take care of her child.
Consort Hua was not particularly happy after receiving this assignment.
She was no longer the Nian Shilan who deeply loved the Emperor and dreamed of becoming Empress.
She knew all too well that hosting these banquets, while seemingly glamorous on the surface, involved a great deal of mental and physical exertion behind the scenes.
It requires a great deal of effort to carefully plan every detail to ensure that the entire banquet process runs smoothly.
At the same time, they also have to subsidize a lot of expenses out of their own pockets to avoid any omissions or flaws.
Nevertheless, Consort Hua knew in her heart that if she refused to take on this matter...
Then it will inevitably fall into the hands of the Empress.
The empress will then use this opportunity to resort to some insidious means.
It would be terrible if Consort Shu and her child, as well as the other pregnant women in the palace, were harmed.