Chapter 431 - 433: Congratulations, You're Pregnant
Not long after Feng Bailing received the news, Dugu Wu, who had just left the morning court, frowned and confronted the two men before him.
"Have the Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince thought this through? Do you really want to participate in the Competition Among Ten Countries? After all, the Crown Prince and I are also responsible for it."
His implication was a reminder that they need not join his command, given that Dongfang Yu was indeed their elder brother.
"My Brother Nine and I have thought it over and decided to join your side. We sympathize with you. We heard that after you and Second Brother took charge of the competition, you still haven't recruited anyone, while Eldest Brother's side is already swamped with people."
Dongfang Li looked at Dugu Wu with a scornful face.
Who would have thought that the widely feared Prince Wu would one day be in such a predicament of being ignored. But it was not surprising, considering the Crown Prince could help people consolidate both the Wenhua Seal and Wuji Seal, whereas Prince Shun's Mansion offered no benefits whatsoever, and with Prince Wu being disabled, following him would mean offending the future Crown Prince.
Anyone with sense knew how to choose.
Both Old Nine and he possessed talents—one in literature and the other in martial arts. If it weren't for Dongfang Li, who wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to perform well in front of Feng Bailing, he wouldn't bother helping Dugu Wu.
In fact, Dongfang Li had motives other than drinking itself; they were pressuring him to marry Princess Anyang as soon as possible, but he really didn't like her. In order to avoid marriage, he simply joined the competition, which would take several months anyway.
Dugu Wu furrowed his brows.
Dongfang Mosheng was one thing, but with Dongfang Li's impetuous character, it would be a lot of trouble to let him participate in the competition.
Not to mention, he was in the same team as Feng Bailing, and add Dongfang Mosheng to that, just thinking about it made him feel depressed.
"There's no need for Prince Wu to worry. Although Brother Seven and I don't have experience in campaigning, we are both skilled in our respective fields and have lived together from a young age, boasting great tacit understanding. We surely won't drag down Prince Wu's other team members."
Dongfang Mosheng said with a smile.
"We have also reported this matter to Father Emperor, and he agrees. We will take this opportunity to toughen ourselves up."
Dongfang Li's face was full of pride.
Dugu Wu was thinking about how to decline this affair.
Just then, Li Qing came hurrying over with a sense of urgency.
"Seventh Prince, Ninth Prince, Prince Wu, hurry to the harem. There's been an incident; Princess Consort Wu and Princess Anyang have gotten into a fight."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of Dugu Wu and Dongfang Li changed dramatically.
Especially Dugu Wu, who had told her to stay in the mansion. How did Feng Bailing end up in the Imperial Palace?
Feng Bailing had entered the palace with Princess Consort Shun.
After being frightened by Feng Bailing, Princess Consort Shun dared not mention Dongfang Chun's matter again.
Then, she thought of something else, claiming that Noble Consort Guo had invited Feng Bailing to the palace to catch up.
It had been a while since Feng Bailing's last visit to Yuxiu Academy to treat Noble Consort Guo. Her sudden summoning of Feng Bailing must be related to childbearing issues.
Previously, Feng Bailing had helped Noble Consort Guo find the root cause of her infertility, and Feng Bailing prescribed her some backache relief and protein powder to nourish her body.
After Feng Bailing and Princess Consort Shun entered the palace, Noble Consort Guo sent Princess Consort Shun away to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
Feng Bailing evaluated Princess Consort Shun's complexion. Noble Consort Guo appeared healthier and slightly chubbier than before. Ever since she planned to have children, she resigned from her position as a female teacher at Yuxiu Academy.
"Actually, my monthly period hasn't arrived yet. I dare not rashly consult the Imperial Physician, so I could only invite you over."
Noble Consort Guo said somewhat sheepishly.
She thought that since Bai Ling had been pregnant before, the latter might have some insights and thus invited her. As for her sister Princess Consort Shun, her sister was too straightforward. She preferred to wait until her pregnancy was confirmed before speaking about it.
Upon hearing this, Feng Bailing hurriedly asked her about some symptoms, then found a pack of early pregnancy test strips in the emergency kit, and had Noble Consort Guo take a urine test.
"Noble Consort Guo, congratulations, you are indeed pregnant."
Feng Bailing was genuinely happy for Noble Consort Guo.
Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Guo was teary-eyed with excitement.
But she quickly lowered her gaze, and her long eyelashes hid a trace of bitterness in her eyes.
"Unfortunately, this child is not awaited. However, I will not regret."
She gently stroked her still-flat belly, her feelings complex, as a new life began to grow within.
"Noble Consort Guo, after becoming pregnant, you should walk around and stay active for an easier childbirth. You should also pay attention to your mood and diet. Oh, and this is a gift from me to you and your child."
Feng Bailing admired Noble Consort Guo's personality; in a place like the Imperial Palace, where political schemes made many lose their true nature, someone as pure as Noble Consort Guo was truly a rare creature.
Saying this, she took a box of paint out of the emergency kit.
During their last conversation about paints, Feng Bailing had noticed that the paint used for painting was very monotone at the time, and the color reproduction was also quite average. Using rocks she had collected, and after processing them and adding some of the Spiritual Spring, she created new paints with many more colors that could be preserved for a long time.
Feng Bailing put them into ceramic jars and gave them to Noble Consort Guo.
Noble Consort Guo was indeed captivated as soon as she saw them.
"The weather is nice today, let's take a walk in the imperial garden."
Noble Consort Guo took Feng Bailing by the hand, and the two set off for the imperial garden with laughter and conversation.
After the arrival of autumn, the imperial garden presented a different scene.
The lotus flowers had already withered, but the maple leaves reddened more with each passing day.
It was a pity, though; despite the beauty of the imperial garden, their good mood was soon shattered.
They had only walked a few steps when they heard a peal of giggling.
Noble Consort Guo intended to avoid it, but it was too late to leave as the group was already upon them.
Noble Princess Consort Xiao was arm-in-arm with Princess Consort Mu, accompanied by Mo Qianqian and Princess Anyang.
Mo Qianqian had some capabilities; she was saved by Princess Consort Mu because of what happened with the Eldest Prince, and afterwards became a trusted confidante of Princess Consort Mu.
"Sister, you must be four or five months along; looking at the shape of your belly, it's eighty percent likely to be a prince."
Noble Princess Consort Xiao used to be quite dissatisfied with Princess Consort Mu, but now with the Seventh Prince and Princess Anyang about to get married, soon they would become family by marriage. Noble Princess Consort Xiao and Prince Mu joined forces to oppose the Crown Prince, becoming allies, and their relationship became very close.
"What does it matter if it's a prince? The Emperor already has nine princes; another one wouldn't be anything special."
Although that's what Princess Consort Mu said, her eyes couldn't hide the joy.
The Empress was dead, and although there were Noble Princess Consort Xiao and Noble Consort Guo left in the harem, they were older, and Princess Consort Mu was the youngest and most favored one, inevitably carrying some pride.
"If you give birth to a prince, given the Emperor's current favor for you, you won't be able to escape being made a Noble Consort."
Noble Princess Consort Xiao said with a smirk.
"But I heard that the Emperor is going to hold another selection of consorts."
Princess Consort Mu, touching her already large belly, wore a worried expression.
She was not afraid of the older noble consorts; she feared those newcomers, the little temptresses newly entered into the palace.