Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“Mm.”

The Empress narrowed her eyes and added, “An accident can’t happen at the New Year’s Eve feast. Tell someone to keep an eye on Yi Mei Garden. Once the plum blossoms in Yi Mei Garden bloom, I will hold a plum-viewing banquet.”

“Yes. This servant will tell the people below to watch it.”

… Yan Xi Palace.

“Your Majesty, why did you come?”

Li Si Qi acted spoiled as she said, “I thought Your Majesty wouldn’t come to see me.”

“If I didn’t come, you silly girl would be complaining about me again.”

The Emperor took her hand and sat with her on the couch, smiling as he looked her over. “You don’t look any different from usual. Do you feel unwell anywhere?”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern.”

Li Si Qi played with his sleeve. “Our little one is so well-behaved. It was afraid I’d suffer, so it didn’t want to torment me.”

“From the way you put it, the child really does feel for you, its mother.”

The Emperor thought of Xia Dong Chun in the left side hall, who was being tormented badly, and could not help agreeing with her. Looking at the sweet, simple girl in front of him, he still re minded her, “You need to be careful too. The first three months are easy to have accidents. Mind your limits in everything you do.”

“I know, I know.”

Li Si Qi glared at him. “If Your Majesty isn’t at ease, then grant each of us an experienced nanny, okay? We’re little girls, pregnant for the first time, and we don’t understand anything. It’ll be better if a nanny watches over us.

Right, Your Majesty?”

“You’re right.”

The Emperor realized that too. He immediately instructed the people outside, “Su Pei Sheng, pick three experienced nannies and bring them to Yan Xi Palace. Give one each to Noble Lady Fu Cha, First Attendant Xia, and First Attendant Xin. Have them take good care of their mistresses and the pregnancies.”

“Yes!” Su Pei Sheng answered and left.

The Emperor smiled and tapped Li Si Qi’s nose. “Silly girl, are you satisfied now?”

“Satisfied. Of course I’m satisfied.”

Li Si Qi smiled at him in delight. Seeing that the dog emperor was in a good mood, she started playing with his fingers. “Your Majesty, can I tell you something?”

“You little girl really do have a lot going on.”

The Emperor chuckled and said, “Go on. Say it and let me hear.”

“Your Majesty told me to say it.”

Li Si Qi blinked at him. “But Your Majesty can’t get angry at me after I say it.”

“You have so many conditions.” The Emperor laughed, not taking it seriously.

Yet he very much enjoyed An Ling Rong’s ‘lawless’ temperament. She seemed simple but not stupid. When she needed to be well-behaved, she was well-behaved. When it was time to ask for benefits, she never missed a chance.

The Emperor had seen many women. Clever or foolish, proud or cold – he had dealt with all kinds. The only person who truly let him relax was the little girl in front of him. She looked sly, yet he could still see through what she was thinking.

A consort who clung to him but knew her limits was still worth favoring a bit. What’s more… This girl in front of him had a healthy body. Every time she served him, he could never get enough. In a buoyant mood, the Emperor was willing to give her a bit of face.

“If you still won’t speak, I won’t handle your matter.”

“No, you can’t do that.”

Li Si Qi grabbed his hand and shook it. “Your Majesty, I only have one wish. When the child is born, let me raise it myself. Don’t take my child away, alright?”

“…”

The Emperor’s expression stiffened when he heard that. He never expected Li Si Qi to make such a request. He did not agree. Instead, he asked, “Do you know that only a main-palace consort is qualified to raise a child?”

“I know.”

Li Si Qi nodded. “But the Inner Palace is Your Majesty’s Inner Palace, and the child is Your Majesty’s child. Your Majesty can arrange it however you want. Could it be that Your Majesty still can’t make the decision?”

“Of course I can make the decision.”

The Emperor raised his brows. “You silly girl, you’re like a child yourself. How can you take care of a newborn?”

“Your Majesty, don’t look down on me.”

Li Si Qi looked unhappy and lifted her chin at him. “I won’t lecture Your Majesty about grand principles. I only know that a mother’s love is the greatest. A mother can give everything for her child, including her own life.

Your Majesty, I’m not that old, but I’m willing to protect my child with all my heart until they grow up. Even if I had to gamble with my life, I’d do it willingly.”

“Do you truly think that way?”

The Emperor saw the seriousness and resolve in her eyes. It was as if he could see her truly fighting to the death for her child. At that moment, he felt a small shock in his heart. He could not help thinking of his adoptive mother and his birth mother.

If his birth mother had also protected him at all costs… That thought had appeared in his mind countless times. But he knew that the only one his birth mother would protect at all costs was Old Fourteen.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

That sweet, simple voice came again. The Emperor came back to himself and met that aggrieved little face. “Why are you ignoring me, Your Majesty? I’m seriously begging Your Majesty for this favor.

Will Your Majesty agree, please? Your Majesty, I’m begging you!”

“Fine, fine!”

The Emperor could not bear to disappoint her. “I will promote you to Noble Lady Xin now. When you give birth, I will promote you again to Concubine. Then you can raise the child yourself.”

“Yes!”

Li Si Qi let go of his hand at once, got up, and knelt before him. Beaming with joy, she knocked her head once. “This concubine obeys the imperial command. Thank you for Your Majesty’s great grace!”

“Get up.” The Emperor, having just said it, had a faint trace of regret.

He was always stingy with ranks and was not very willing to confer high positions on consorts. Blurting out a promise of a Concubine rank made him feel uncomfortable for a moment. But when he saw her kneeling on the ground, happily kowtowing in thanks, he suddenly thought of what she said about being willing to give everything for her child. Someone who could plan and scheme for her child was hard for an emperor who longed for maternal love to hate.

He reached out and pulled her up. “Since you’re about to become a mother, you must be more cautious. Stop being so jumpy.”

“How could I be?”

Li Si Qi leaned straight into his arms. “Aren’t they the nannies Your Majesty is sending? They’ll definitely keep an eye on me.”

“That’s right. Listen to the nannies, and act like a proper consort.”

“Your Majesty, you can’t dislike a consort.”

Li Si Qi sat up again. She quickly changed the topic. “Your Majesty, you promoted me in rank. Since Noble Lady Shen, Noble Lady Borjigit, and First Attendant Xia are pregnant too, shouldn’t Your Majesty reward them a little as well…” The Emperor narrowed his eyes.

“Oh? You’re asking for rewards on their behalf?”

“This concubine was just thinking that they have children too.”

Li Si Qi looked cautious. She checked his expression and muttered softly, “Your Majesty can’t shortchange anyone, but especially not the mothers of your children. Just like First Attendant Xin – she’s still the mother of the Eldest Princess. Why doesn’t Your Majesty give the Eldest Princess a little face?

Look at Princess Wen Yi – her mother is still only a Noble Lady…”

“Impudent!”

The Emperor snapped. “You speak without thinking and have no restraint. Are these words you can say?”