Lin Dai let the servants send off Zhuang Shi and Shi Shi, looked at the sky and saw that it was still early, so she went to the warehouse again to pick out some medicinal materials and rewards, called over Ye Gonggong, and instructed him: "The wife of the Crown Prince of Yueguo is pregnant, you go on behalf of this palace to visit the Crown Prince's wife at the Yueguo Gongfu."

  She thought for a moment and said, "Take Li Taiyi from the Imperial Hospital with you to see if the Crown Prince's wife is pregnant. Tell her to take good care of herself during pregnancy, and after the child is born, let her bring the child to me."

  Yeh Gong smiled and said yes, then left.

  Lin Xuan was somewhat excited, and turned to ask Mu Qing: "You say that newborn babies need to wear what size small clothes and shoes? I'll let the Shang Gong Bureau make some small clothes and shoes for the child of the Crown Prince's wife of Yue Guo and the little brother in her belly."

  Mu Qing smiled and said: "It's still early, the child of the Crown Prince of Yueguo will be born in December, and the child of Lin San's wife will also be born in October."

  Lin Xiao thought for a moment and couldn't help but laugh: "That's also true."

  Her mother was pregnant, and although she was delighted, she wasn't surprised. It was the news of Hua Niang's pregnancy that left her feeling unexpected and astonished. The girl who had been so close to her, with her tomboyishness and lovable nature, would soon be a mother herself. She couldn't help but feel that the times they spent whispering secrets together were just like yesterday.

  "Your Highness is indeed very fond of the Crown Prince's wife of Yue State," said Mu Ye with a smile.

  Mu Lan turned her head to look at her, raised her chin and said: "Of course, in the Guo Gong Fu, except for the sixth young lady, Your Majesty was closest to the wife of the Crown Prince of Yue."

  Mo Ye's lips curled up into a smile, but she didn't say anything.

  Compared to Mu Ye and Mu Zhi, she was the one who followed the princess into the palace, so naturally, she didn't know about the princess's life in her own home. Whether it was the princess's relationship with Mu Zhi and Mu Lan or Mu Zhi and Mu Lan's relationship with each other, this newcomer couldn't compare. And because of this, Mu Lan had a bit of rejection towards her.

  Lin Xiang smiled and didn't care about the little thoughts among the palace maids. She looked at the sky again and instructed Mu Zhi: "The emperor will be back soon, go and see if dinner is ready in the imperial kitchen."

  Mu Zhi bowed his head and kneeled down, said "yes" and left.

  However, before dinner was served, the people beside the Emperor arrived. They came in and paid their respects to Lin Yu, saying: "The Emperor has ordered me to tell Your Highness that His Majesty will not be returning to Chang Kun Palace for dinner with you today. Please enjoy your meal."

  Lin Yan was stunned for a moment, after the grand wedding, the emperor came to Chang Kun Palace every night to have dinner with her and stayed overnight in Chang Kun Palace, never interrupted. She had even gotten used to it, every night someone accompanied her to eat, at night sleep would add one more embrace.

  It wasn't until today that the emperor's words made her realize that there was more than one place in the palace besides Changkun Palace.

  After the grand wedding, the emperor stayed in Changkun Palace for two consecutive months to give face to this new empress. However, the emperor would eventually return to other places in the harem, and it was only right that imperial grace should be bestowed evenly, like rain and dew moistening all things equally.

  Lin Xiao's mood can't be said to be heartbroken, but somewhat disappointed.

  She nodded at the newcomer and said, "This palace understands."

  Mu Qing glanced at Lin Xiao, then smiled and said to the old man who was standing up and bowing to leave: "Old man, I'll see you out." As he spoke, he warmly approached him, took his hand, and accompanied him out while smiling.

  When Mu Qing came back, he glanced at Lin Xiao and then said: "It's Hu Zhaorong."

  He paused for a moment, then continued: "The Emperor met the Grand Princess in the Imperial Garden. The Grand Princess complained that the Emperor hadn't visited her for a long time. Then the Emperor went to Huayang Palace with the Grand Princess and Hu Zhaorong."

  Lin Di nodded, no matter what method Hu Zhaorong used, she was able to invite the emperor to her Huayang Palace, that's her skill.

  Since the Emperor intended to have dinner at Huayang Palace, he would naturally stay overnight at Huayang Palace that night.

  Lin Daiyu didn't have much of an appetite for dinner, and after eating, she took a stroll in the courtyard, practiced her calligraphy for a while, and then went to bed early.

  She was taking off the hairpin on her head when Mu Qing walked in. She looked up at her and asked, "Aunt Mu, do you have something to say to me?"

  Mu Qing nodded and walked over, taking Mu Zhi and Mu Lan's arms, making a gesture with her eyes to let them leave. Then, while personally helping Lin Xiang remove the hairpins from her head, she said: "Your Majesty, after all, the Emperor is the Emperor. He has stayed in Changkun Palace for two consecutive months, already giving enough face to Changkun Palace. With so many beauties in the harem, if you don't keep him here, there will be other palace consorts who will attract the Emperor's attention."

  Lin Xiao had already somewhat understood what Mu Qing was going to say next.

  As expected, she continued: "You should consummate your marriage with His Majesty as soon as possible."

  Lin Xiang lowered her eyes, she and the emperor slept together every night, but there was nothing out of bounds. This matter might be able to deceive outsiders, but it couldn't deceive those around her.

  Mu Qing let out a soft sigh, the empress may still not be able to accept the change in identity of the emperor from her uncle to her husband, and perhaps there are some who think that if she really becomes the emperor's wife, it would be like stealing her aunt's man, and would also owe an apology to the deceased emperors.

  But she had to understand that this man was now her husband, no longer her uncle, and he was still the Emperor.

  Even the emperor and empress's relationship with each other is problematic. The emperor dotes on the empress, but this doting is more like that of a parent towards a child who is pleasing to them, rather than a man's affection for a woman. And the empress also goes along with it, acting as if she relies on and depends on the emperor like an elder.

  If things go on like this, it will be extremely dangerous.

  A husband and wife should be like a husband and wife, mutually dependent on each other, loving and protecting each other, in order to go on forever. If the empress cannot occupy the emperor's heart, then someone else will come to occupy the emperor's heart.

  Mu Qing thought for a moment, then gave her another ruthless needle. "The emperor has been on the throne for eight years. Due to the instability of the court and his previous illnesses, the first two selections were not held. This year's grand selection will be carried out no matter what. Because of your majesty's wedding, the selection has been delayed for two months. The list of initial selections from the Ministry of Rites will soon be presented to the palace. Your Majesty, the harem will soon have more beautiful and charming beauties."

  The Lin family and the empress may be able to take advantage of the emperor's sympathy for the late empress now, but what about in the future? The beauty has passed away, and new beauties will emerge; who can guarantee that the emperor won't fall in love with a new beauty in the future?

  Lin Dai pinched the hairpin in her hand and gazed at the woman's face in the rhombus mirror.

  The woman was dressed up, but her face still looked childish.

  After a long, long time, Lin Xiao finally let out a long sigh and said, "Auntie, I understand now."