"Did you hear that shes pregnant?" Sima Jiao asked.

  "What the hell, who told you Im pregnant? Cant you tell whether Im pregnant or not just by looking at me?! When Sima Jiao asked this question, Liao Tingyan almost lost control of her ferocious expression.

  She forced a smile and said: "Your Majesty is joking with me, how could I possibly be pregnant?"

  Its actually a bit unscientific that Ive gained weight, isnt it? Which Mary Sue novel has an absolute beauty who just gets fat by saying so? No, no, rational analysis, in fact, she hasnt gained much weight at all. Its just because her figure was too good and her waist was too thin before, so after wearing autumn clothes, recently always sleeping with Sima Jiao every day, only then did a small belly grow - by next summer when the weather is hot and cant eat anything, the figure will naturally recover.

  It must be so.

  At the time when Liao Tingyan was comforting herself, Sima Jiao let out a sound, looked at her belly, and then reached out to touch it, pinching it and saying: "No wonder I felt softer when holding you, turns out your belly has gained some weight."

  Liao Tingyan: "......" Self-comforting failed, mental collapse.

  "Its no wonder, you eat so much every day, Ive never seen anyone who can eat more than you."

  Liao Tingyan was furious, this dog emperor still wouldnt know how to speak, isnt reading peoples expressions his specialty? How can he not see that shes about to lose her temper?! And whose fault is this? This person doesnt like eating himself, but loves watching others eat. Every time he sees her eating, hes just like those big shots in the modern world who watch eating streams and send gifts, constantly sending her treasures. He even keeps ordering the kitchen to come up with all sorts of delicious desserts, getting her fat, and yet he still has the nerve to bully her!

  Simar Jiao took a clear look at her face, suddenly burst out laughing, stretched out his hand to hug her, but pretended to hold her waist and put it down again, saying: "Really got fat, cant bear it."

  This set of punches made Liao Tingyan lose her mind, and she pounced on him with a loud shout. Sima Jiao opened his arms to catch her, laughing loudly, "Dont be impulsive, the gentle and weak Empress, how can you be so fierce?"

  Damn your grandmas leg! Liao Tingyans anger was burning in her belly, ready to crush his waist.

  Simar Fiao: "Are you really this angry? Then Ill take you to see the treasures. You can have whatever you like."

  Not every woman would stop being angry after receiving an expensive gift, but Liao Tingyan would. ... He took out 108 pearl curtains from the emperors private storage room, said to be a treasure of the previous dynasty, and a favorite collection of a former empress dowager. Liao Tingyan was delighted to have someone collect them and prepare to hang them in the bedroom of the Furuo Pavilion.

  "But youve always been sleeping in my inner chamber, hanging yourself here, and cant be seen." Sima Jiao suggested: "Why not hang it at the front of the hall as a door curtain?"

  Liao Tingyan listened and thought it made sense, so he had them hung in front of the temple gate, where everyone could see them coming and going. Because Sima Jiao was very casual about these treasures, tossing them around to hear the sound, throwing them into the water to catch fish, Liao Tingyans attitude also became more casual, but those palace maids were much more careful, even with the laurel leaves, every day when they passed through the pearl curtain into the temple.

  Because Liao Tingyan is currently the highest-ranking concubine, in theory, all matters of the harem should be under her management. However, due to Sima Jiaos harmonious harem, there are hardly any issues that require her intervention, and minor matters are handled by the inner court officials. As a result, Liao Tingyan currently only needs to accept greetings from the beauties of various palaces on the first and fifteenth days of each month.

  Originally, everyone was asked to stay in the outer hall, but later Liao Tingyan felt cold and let them come in. In this short time, the beauties were also shocked by what they saw.

  That incense burner, seemingly a precious ornament from the Tian Pavilion of the Xuanwu Temple in the previous dynasty, is said to have a special fragrance when burning incense; such a large piece of pure white fur without any impurities was used by the imperial concubine as a foot mat; the exquisite jade flower bangle on the imperial concubines wrist seemed to be carved by order of Emperor Sima for his beloved empress four generations ago, using up thousands of precious jade stones.

  This time, the beauties came to pay their respects and had not yet entered the door when they saw the pearl curtain hanging at the entrance of the Furuong Hall. They were all people with some insight and vision, and when they saw that this extraordinary and precious pearl curtain was actually used as a door curtain, they couldnt help but gasp in surprise.

  One of the beauties looked unwell and touched the pearl hairpin on her head, which was a rare top-grade Dongzhu pearl. She had often taken it out to show off and wore it every day, treasuring it dearly. But now that she saw each pearl on the pearl curtain was more beautiful than the one on her head, and the imperial concubine used it as a door curtain, she felt a burning sensation on her face.

  After several months of peaceful days, many beauties had begun to have some small thoughts in private, and now they couldnt help but feel envious when they saw the imperial concubine being so favored. The Furuong Hall was full of rare and precious objects, and all kinds of treasures were given to the imperial concubine by the emperor to dispose of as she pleased.

  Who says they wont have the chance to be pampered?

  As peoples minds fluctuated, Liao Tingyan found that the opportunity to meet beautiful women around her had increased a lot. After finishing her meal, she went to the garden to digest, and in such a large garden, she used to never meet anyone, but now she could see blushing beauties nearby every time.

  Even she felt something was off and asked Gu Ye: "Ladies, is there something on your minds? Ive noticed youve all been quite active lately."

  Gui Yes expression turned solemn, "Theyre probably jealous that the Imperial Concubine is currently the only one receiving Your Majestys favor. The Imperial Concubine needs to be careful of them competing for favor!"

  Liao Tingyan: "......"

  The palace drama is finally online? But isnt their way of competing for favor a bit too unusual? If its about competing for favor, why didnt any beauties appear when Sima Jiao accompanied her to stroll in the garden, but only she came out with a few palace attendants and happened to meet many beauties, and these beauties seemed to be deliberately trying to please her?

  "Your Majestys power is too great, I dare not imagine Your Majestys grace, but only wish to serve the noble concubine..." The beauty spoke with a hint of reserve, and even trembled slightly when mentioning Sima Jiao. It was true that they didnt dare to flirt with Emperor Sima, after all, the experiences of their predecessors were too tragic, and the beauties in the palace still couldnt forget the dark days before Liao Gui Fei entered the palace. So, changing their train of thought, since they couldnt get the emperors favor, getting the concubines favor was also good, it could also improve their treatment and status, and there wasnt such a great risk to their lives, it was much more feasible!

  Liao Tingyan: If I didnt mishear, these beauties seem to want to hug my thighs?

  After some time of observation, Liao Tingyan discovered that the beauties were indeed vying for favor, but not for Sima Jiaos favor, but for hers. Everyone wanted to get ahead in front of her, but no one dared to contend with Sima Jiao, even if they occasionally met Sima Jiao on the scene, these beauties all honestly shrank to one side, watching with their eyes and noses.

  Liao Tingyan didnt know what Sima Jiao had done before, which made these beauties so afraid, resulting in such a bizarre scene of competing for favor. She only knew that she had been surrounded by beauties recently, and when she saw Sima Jiao, she felt a faint sense of guilt. Whats more, her sexual orientation was normal, and she hadnt even thought about Sima Jiaos little wives, even though some of those beauties were really lovely, gentle, and heart-moving!

  "Have you been going to the Imperial Garden recently?" Sima Jiao asked her.

  Liao Tingyan nodded honestly: "Yes, but the imperial garden is too big, and we havent even walked half of it yet."

  "Also, Ive heard that many beauties often accidentally meet you in the garden?" Sima Jiao asked.

  Liao Tingyan chuckled: "Ahahaha - I guess so."

  Simmering with anger, he pulled her into his side. "Dont mind them, dont think theyre weak just because they look it. Anyone whos survived in my harem till now isnt a simple person. If you trust them, youll be used. Theyre experts at deceiving people with their appearance and lies. You know nothing, so its best to stay away from them, lest you be swayed by their sweet words."

  Liao Tingyan: "......" Is the image of me in Sima Jiaos heart that of a mentally challenged person?

  That "cant do anything" is describing her? Even if she really only showed the ability to eat and sleep after entering the palace, cant underestimate her like that, at least in her original world, she also experienced workplace struggles.

  Moreover, previously warning her that the ministers were not good people and forbidding her from speaking in court, now warning her that the beauties in the harem were not good people and forbidding her from making friends in the harem, is this person suffering from paranoid delusions thinking that no one in the world can be trusted? Or is this a common disease among emperors?

  Simar Fiao looked at her for a while, seemingly giving up on the idea of educating her, and said: "Looking at your bewildered face, I suppose you wouldnt understand even if I explained. Never mind, just do as you please. If you dont like anyone, just tell me, and Ill have them killed."

  Ignore what he said later, Liao Tingyan suddenly realized that in the hearts of these two people, each others image was like a mentally handicapped person.

  After Sima Jiaos words, Liao Tingyan felt a bit subtle when she accidentally met those beautiful people again, and always thought that those weak and vulnerable little sheep-like beauties were all wolves in sheeps clothing.

  "Your Highness, look! Its snowing!" A smiling maid from the Fucheng Palace brought in a branch of red plum blossoms, "This years snowfall is scarce, it has taken so long into winter to have the first snow. However, the red plum blossoms have bloomed early. I passed by the Plum Garden and saw that the flowers were blooming beautifully, so I cut two branches to bring back."

  Another maid said: "I heard that the red plum blossoms in Mei Garden are particularly good this year, but red plum blossoms are most beautiful when theyre in the snow. Cutting them and putting them in the hall like this makes them seem a bit dull."

  Liao Tingyan had nothing to do, saw the red plum blossoms, and heard the two maidservants talking about it, so she became interested in going to see the red plum blossoms. The two maidservants who were holding flowers exchanged a glance, smiled, and escorted her out of the house.

  The snow wasnt heavy, just some light flakes floating down. Liao Tingyan didnt take a sedan chair, instead she changed into a pair of leather boots and wrapped herself in a thick cloak, holding a small hand warmer as she prepared to walk over. Gui Ye was still by her side, along with the two flower-bearing maid servants and a team of palace attendants who were responsible for holding umbrellas for her.

  The plum garden is indeed in full bloom, but because of the cold weather, it seems that only they are there. The ground has just a thin layer of snow, and the plum branches are covered with a sheet of crystal white.

  Liao Tingyan wandered around Mei Garden for a while, feeling that there was actually nothing special to see, and she began to think about leaving. At this moment, her eyes caught a glimpse of a white shadow flashing by in the distance. Turning her head to look over, she only saw a small white animal darting into the woods, leaving behind several footprints on the ground.

  "Whats that?" asked Liao Tingyan curiously.

  "It seems like a white fox?" said a maid.

  "White Fox?" Liao Tingyan was interested, and with a turn of her foot, she led several people in that direction, "Lets go take a look."

  They walked through the woods and saw a long corridor and a six-sided pavilion, which was used for viewing in Meiyuan on winter days. One side was built with walls and flower windows, while the other side was open. Liao Tingyan saw a row of plum blossom footprints on the ground tiles and walked up to them. She couldnt find that white-haired animal, but when she reached the edge of the flower window, she heard two people talking from the other side.

  She looked out through the flower window and found that under the plum tree outside the flower window, two maidservants were cutting plum branches with their backs to her. One of them said: "It is said that the imperial concubine is pregnant, I dont know if its true or not, what do you think, sister?"

  "If its true, then its really pitiful. Who knows what kind of strange child will be born?" Another older female attendant sighed: "After all, Your Majestys bloodline is taboo..."

  Liao Tingyan: Wait a minute, isnt this plot typical of stirring up trouble? Next, these two will definitely expose a shocking secret for her to hear.

  At this thought, Liao Tingyan turned around and left without hesitation.

  The more you know, the faster you die, hurry up and leave!