OBS Chapter 1751 Shen Zhinian's energy is not as good as before
Chapter 1751 Shen Zhinian's energy is not as good as before
Consort Qin gazed at the shimmering palace lanterns reflected in the water, her mind clear and lucid.
An emperor's favor is like a lamp's reflection in water—seemingly warm and bright, but actually illusory and fragile. A gust of wind will shatter it...
Only what you actually hold in your hands is reliable!
For example, rank and real power within the palace.
For example... a healthy and intelligent prince!
"What are you thinking about, my beloved? You seem so lost in thought."
Nangong Xuanyu's voice rang out beside her, interrupting Consort Qin's thoughts.
Consort Qin snapped out of her daze, turned to the Emperor with a charming smile, and said readily, "It's nothing."
"Your Majesty, I simply find the night breeze refreshing and the lotus fragrance delicate, which is truly delightful."
"Thank you for your company tonight, Your Majesty."
Some thoughts are best kept to oneself; there's no need to voice them.
Especially in front of emperors.
Looking at Consort Qin's bright smile, Nangong Xuanyu nodded and didn't mention the matter again.
The two walked along the waterside pavilion for a while longer, chatting idly.
Qin Pin mostly talked about the local customs and culture of Qi and Lu, and Nangong Xuanyu would occasionally ask a question or two, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, Nangong Xuanyu noticed that Consort Qin was dressed in thin clothes and said, "It's getting late, let's go back."
"Yes."
Consort Qin smiled slightly and followed behind him.
……
Yongshou Palace.
Shen Zhinian's body felt increasingly heavy.
Her rounded belly, like carrying a heavy little watermelon, made her waist ache, and she had to be extra careful when walking, sitting or lying down.
My once slender ankles are now slightly swollen. My calves ache and feel sore when I stand or sit for a while during the day.
Tang Luochuan would take the baby's pulse every day and always said that the pregnancy was stable and the fetus was healthy. He told the baby to rest quietly and wait for the baby to be born.
That being said, the hardships of pregnancy cannot be eliminated by any medicine or comfort.
Shen Zhinian often felt tired in the afternoon, and her thoughts were not as clear as usual.
She leaned against the window seat, which was covered with thick cushions.
Qiuyue sat on a small stool beside the soft couch, gently massaging Shen Zhinian's swollen calves with just the right amount of pressure.
Shen Zhinian closed her eyes as she listened to Handan and Fuqu report on some trivial matters that had recently occurred in the six palaces.
Which palace needs repair?
Which solar term's allowance, and how should it be distributed?
The dispatching of palace servants.
A minor quarrel between lower-ranking concubines...
Each and every single thing, though seemingly small, is actually complex and trivial. It requires constant attention and proper handling.
Although Consort Xian and Consort Xuan helped her, Shen Zhinian still had a lot to deal with every day.
In the early stages of pregnancy, or a few months ago, these things would have been easy for her to handle.
She was an Imperial Noble Consort, holding a rank equivalent to that of a secondary empress, and acting as the Empress's representative in charge of the Phoenix Seal. Managing the six palaces was simply her duty.
Shen Zhinian was also used to arranging everything in an orderly manner, which not only demonstrated her majesty but also maintained the balance of the harem.
But now...
Shen Zhinian frowned slightly.
She felt the little one in her belly kick in dissatisfaction. She raised her hand and gently stroked it, sighing helplessly in her heart.
Her health simply doesn't allow her to overexert herself.
Physician Tang and Granny Lin repeatedly advised that pregnant women should avoid worry and overexertion. They must concentrate their minds, calm their nerves, and conserve their energy to ensure a safe delivery.
Shen Zhinian herself could also feel that her energy was not as good as before.
Sometimes, listening to lengthy reports, her thoughts would drift away involuntarily, or waves of weariness would wash over her.
Being the head of the harem is not an easy job.
Having power also means having responsibility.
She could not allow palace affairs to fall into disarray and cause trouble simply because of her physical limitations.
Especially now, with the previous dynasty purging traitors and the atmosphere tense, the inner palace may appear calm on the surface, but there may be undercurrents surging beneath.
The repercussions of the Chiang Kai-shek affair are still lingering.
Consort Mei has been making a series of subtle moves since her ban was lifted.
Consort Zhuang's side is even more unfathomable...
At times like these, it's even more important to have someone keep a close eye on things and stabilize the situation.
But Shen Zhinian is indeed finding it difficult to keep up...
"Miss."
Qiuyue gently pressed Shen Zhinian's Zusanli acupoint and advised, "...In my humble opinion, you don't need to worry about these trivial matters."
"Physician Tang said that your most important task right now is to recover your strength. Perhaps... perhaps you could put aside some less urgent matters for now?"
"Or should we entrust it to someone we trust?"
Shen Zhinian remained silent for a moment, having already made up her mind: "It is indeed not advisable for me to worry too much right now."
"Go and invite Consort Xian and Consort Xuan over. Tell them that I have some palace matters to discuss with them."
Xiao Mingzi replied, "Yes."
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Consort Xian and Consort Xuan arrived at Yongshou Palace one after the other.
Consort Xian was still dressed in a simple, moon-white palace gown, with only a single jade hairpin in her hair. Her demeanor was aloof and serene, like a plum blossom in the snow.
Consort Xuan wore a lotus-colored dress, her eyebrows and eyes gentle and graceful.
Although she came from a humble background, she had cultivated a certain air about her after many years in the palace.
The two bowed to Shen Zhinian.
Shen Zhinian offered him a seat and had tea served.
She looked gently at Consort Xian and Consort Xuan and said slowly, "...Both of you are veterans in the palace, so I will not speak falsely."
"My body is growing increasingly heavy. The imperial physicians have been urging me to rest every day, but I am truly exhausted. However, the affairs of the six palaces are numerous and cannot be delayed even for a day."
“My two younger sisters used to help me a lot, but now I’m afraid I’ll have to take on more responsibility.”
Upon receiving a signal from Shen Zhinian, Granny Xiao came over carrying a tray.
A stack of account books and several gilded plaques were neatly arranged on top.
"These are the details of the daily expenses of the six palaces, the repair of utensils, and the monthly allowances for palace staff. In addition, there are some pending matters reported by each palace."
Shen Zhinian gestured to Granny Xiao to place the tray on the tea table between Consort Xian and Consort Xuan: "From now on, I will trouble you two sisters to review and handle such matters first."
"The rules and precedents are all in place. My two sisters are always meticulous, so just follow the rules."
"If there is anything you are unsure about, or if it involves high-ranking concubines or matters of great importance that affect the dignity of the court, then report it to me for a decision."
The virtuous concubine's gaze fell on the stack of account books and matching cards, and her cool eyes flickered slightly.
The Imperial Noble Consort has handed over more real power in the palace to them.
These matters may seem trivial, but they are crucial for maintaining the operation of the harem, affecting the actual interests of each palace, and are most likely to cause trouble.
The Imperial Noble Consort's actions demonstrate a deep level of trust.
Consort Xuan felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at the pair of tiles that shimmered with a dark gold luster.
She naturally recognized that these were credentials for the Imperial Household Department and various warehouses to withdraw goods and dispatch personnel.
Now it's been placed right in front of them.
Consort Xian raised her eyes to look at Shen Zhinian and said solemnly, "Your Highness, Consort Xuan and I are so trusted by Your Highness that we dare not fail to do our utmost."
"However, this matter is of great importance, and we fear that we are not knowledgeable enough and may make mistakes in handling the matter, thus failing Your Majesty's trust."