"Alright." Xue Lian considerately covered her master with the quilt and then quietly slipped out.

  The master is not resting well now. Later, there will be no way to rest. When those concubines return from playing in West Lake and learn that the master is pregnant, they will surely rush here from all directions.

  Xue Lian sat down under the corridor at the 'door' entrance. Quietly guarding at the 'door' entrance.

  Yan Xijun closed her eyes again after Xue Lian left, gently stroking her abdomen with both hands, where a small life was growing inside at this moment.

  A crystal tear rolled out from the corner of her eye. Although she had long been prepared to accept it, the sudden result still gave her a considerable shock.

  After that night, she regretted it. She shouldn't have agreed to Chu Yixuan's request. If her freedom was exchanged for her own child, she...she would rather not have it.

  At this moment she is deeply felt. The little life in her belly is what she nurtures. Even if she doesn't like being pregnant with his child, after all, it's still her flesh and blood.

  It seems she really needs to think carefully about it. In the future, she doesn't want to be anyone's pawn.

  She was well aware that this pregnancy was a 'plot' caused by Chu Yixuan alone. As for what the 'plot' was, she had no way of knowing for the time being.

  It's been a month since that night when she promised to give birth to his heir, and he hasn't touched her again ever since.

  She was relieved that he didn't touch her, but she felt uneasy in her heart. Every few nights, he would come to stay overnight. Although the two of them did nothing, the false impression he created was clearly conveying something to outsiders.

  Some things she doesn't say, but that doesn't mean she doesn't understand. These days, she sees with her eyes and remembers in her heart.

  She keenly guessed Chu Yixuan's purpose, on the surface giving her infinite favor, successfully molding her into a generation of favored concubines, his actual goal was to make her the target of the harem 'women', then diverting others' attention, in order to achieve his 'scheming'.

  She guessed it right. The following short month made her fall from heaven to hell. Then rose from hell to heaven...

  Her existence is just for being a stepping stone for others, paving the way for others.

  In the study

  Luo Zhong saw the back of Zhang Taizhen disappear at the door, then opened his mouth to ask the master sitting in the soft chair: "Your Majesty, what should we do about this matter?"

  Zhang Taizhen reported a shocking piece of news, saying that Yan Zhaorong is pregnant. This was the first time a concubine had become pregnant with an imperial son. What a monumental event!

  The first good thing in twelve years. Although he knew that this was all directed by the emperor, he still couldn't hold back his inner 'excitement'.

  He's an old man now, having served the emperor for so many years, he has come to regard the emperor as his own son, and being able to see his grandson born would also be a very anticipated event.

  Chu Yixuan leaned back in the large soft chair, his sharp eyes lightly closed as he pondered, digesting the information from just now and thinking of a countermeasure.

  He's just an ordinary man. His wife didn't get pregnant before. It was because of his secret doings that she got pregnant. It's also expected.

  This is just following one's own arrangement of trend. Unfortunately, she was not worthy to give birth to his children. So it's also a pity for the first imperial son.

  Chu Yixuan suddenly opened his eyes and said: "Luo Zhong, prepare the writing instruments. I want to issue an imperial edict."

  "Yes." Luo Zhong placed the brush, ink and paper in front of him. Chu Yixuan picked up the 'Mao' brush and with a few swift strokes, a imperial edict was written.

  "Your Majesty, you want to promote Yan Zhaoyi to the rank of De Fei." Luo Zhong's sharp eyes caught sight of the two large characters on the imperial edict. He was startled and took a big fright. The master had directly promoted her to the rank of fei, skipping ranks. It was truly unprecedented.

  It's known that in our dynasty, after so many years, only one of the four consorts was promoted to a high rank, and that was Xianfei Zhang, who was the youngest among them. But now she has also been demoted to a palace maid.

  "What's wrong?" Chu Yixuan raised an eyebrow and looked at this most trusted old servant. He wanted to make her a virtuous concubine, De Fei. He had his own plans.

  "Nothing... nothing." Luo Zhong replied with his head bowed respectfully. With Yan Zhaorong's upbringing and virtues, she was suitable to be a imperial consort.

  The master attaches so much importance to her. Could it be that he really has a liking for her?

  "Do you think she can bear the title of De Fei?" Chu Yixuan's eyes were fixed on the imperial edict on the table, but he asked Luo Zhong beside him.

  Lu Zhong couldn't see through his words, shook the duster in his hand, and ambiguously said: "Yan Zhaorong is now pregnant with our dynasty's first dragon son. With her contributions to our dynasty, she can indeed take on this role."

  Chu Yixuan gave him a sideways glance, his expression arrogant and disbelieving. "Do you think she's truly worthy of giving birth to the emperor's son?"

  Lu Zhong stared at his master in utter astonishment.

  What does this mean, Your Majesty?

  "Having followed me for many years, you should understand my thoughts." Chu Yixuan said.

  Lu Zhong looked at him with trepidation, seeing his cold and arrogant expression, he already understood a little in his heart. Oh, there is another extremely beautiful woman beside the Emperor, and the Emperor has deep feelings for that woman.

  Chu Yixuan's expression was solemn as he said: "The only one who can give birth to the emperor's child is her, and I have already promised her."

  Lu Zhong didn't need to think about it and knew who she was. He also hoped that the emperor could have a good relationship with her.

  But her identity is too sensitive. It's a bit difficult for the emperor to welcome her into the palace.

  Luo Zhong suddenly realized that the emperor had been favoring Yan Zhaoren all these days. It turned out that the emperor had long regarded her as a stepping stone for others, a springboard for others to enter the palace.

  "Your Majesty, when do you plan to let Snow Master enter the palace?"

  Chu Yixuan sank into thought for a moment. "At the latest by the end of next month. No matter what, I must get her to my side."

  "Then how about arranging for Yan Zhaorong's affairs? She is now pregnant and needs to be secretly protected, lest any unnecessary accidents occur."

  "Don't worry." Chu Yixuan said calmly, "She also has a 'wise' empress by her side who is as cunning as an old fox. Doesn't the empress want a child? I guarantee she will go to great lengths to protect the child in her fourth sister's belly."

  "That's what the Emperor means, isn't it? The imperial son in Yan Zhaorong's belly can be kept safe. Is the Emperor allowing her to give birth?" Luo Zhong said excitedly. In that case, won't he get to see a lively and mischievous prince this year?

  "I didn't say let her give birth." Chu Yixuan hooked his lips into an evil smile. "Whether she has the ability to give birth is still a question."

  Lu Zhong Shen's face was puzzled and he looked at his master with a very evil smile, suddenly he felt a chill down his spine.

  "I will issue this imperial decree soon. I believe those 'women' in the harem will try every means to stop her. They will do everything possible to prevent her from giving birth to a prince. At that time, I can sit back and watch the fight between them. Moreover, without exerting any effort, I can get rid of several 'treacherous' consorts."

  He is the real 'schemer'.

  Luo Zhongyi was just slandering in his heart. Even if he had ten times more courage, he would not dare to say this out loud.

  He is indeed an unfeeling emperor. Being his concubine would be a miserable fate.

  He felt sorry for Yan Zhaoge. She was also a poor 'daughter'.