OBS Chapter 1681 Only daughters can truly guarantee the continuation of the bloodline.
Chapter 1681 Only daughters can truly guarantee the continuation of the bloodline.
At this point, Consort Xuan paused, then said slyly, "Sister Imperial Noble Consort, your pregnancy was really timed perfectly!"
"The auspicious news is spreading like wildfire outside. Now that you've announced this good news, wow, everyone's saying it's a sign that the auspicious omen has come true, a blessing from heaven!"
"His Majesty must be overjoyed!"
Shen Zhinian smiled, tacitly agreeing.
Some things are best left unsaid.
Seeing her expression, Consort Xuan knew that she had guessed correctly, and was even happier for her sister, the Imperial Noble Consort.
As a mother herself, she knew all too well the importance of children to the concubines in the harem.
The pregnancy of the Imperial Noble Consort was especially given such special significance.
"Sister is blessed with good fortune; this child will surely be a healthy, intelligent, and adorable little prince or princess!"
Consort Xuan offered her sincere blessings and kept nagging about what to pay attention to and what foods were good.
It seems that in her eyes, Shen Zhinian is pregnant for the first time and needs to be careful about everything.
Shen Zhinian listened with a smile, occasionally responding with a few words.
Xuanfei's frankness and enthusiasm in front of her were like a bright ray of sunshine, shining into Shen Zhinian's heart.
Soon, Consort Xuan shifted her tone to the most auspicious words: "...If you ask me, Imperial Noble Consort's next pregnancy will definitely be a healthy and intelligent little prince!"
"Ideally, someone like the Fourth Prince would be as handsome and adorable, as well as clever and sensible."
"His Majesty's offspring are not plentiful. If you, sister, could give birth to another prince, that would be the icing on the cake. Your position would become even more secure, and no one could shake it!"
Consort Xuan spoke these words sincerely.
After all, all the concubines in the palace regarded the princes as the most important.
Having a prince means having the possibility of inheriting the throne, and concubines can also gain status through their sons, which is a guarantee for the future.
Especially for a high-ranking imperial concubine who already has a son, having another prince would undoubtedly make her position even more secure!
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhinian remained silent for a moment.
Seeing that she did not respond immediately, Consort Xuan softened her voice and tentatively asked, "Imperial Noble Consort, did I say something wrong?"
Shen Zhinian shook her head and looked up at Consort Xuan: "In front of my sister, I won't say any of those empty platitudes."
"Privately, I... hope it's a daughter."
"daughter?"
Consort Xuan was clearly taken aback, her eyes widening as if she hadn't expected to hear such an answer.
Who in the palace doesn't long to give birth to a prince? Especially the high-ranking concubines.
She gave birth to the sixth prince, and I don't know how many incense sticks she burned for good fortune.
"Yes, daughter."
Shen Zhinian nodded affirmatively, a smile spreading across her lips: "My sister doesn't know, but when I saw Sister Zhao's daughter Xue Tuan last time, such a beautiful little girl, I thought to myself, how wonderful it would be if I could have a daughter like that."
Consort Xuan laughed upon hearing this: "So, it turns out that you like young girls, sister!"
Shen Zhinian smiled but didn't say anything.
This is just one of the reasons.
And then... the recent turmoil in the palace made Shen Zhinian realize something.
In the eyes of the world, men are indeed the hope for passing on the surname and continuing the family line, but how fragile is this inheritance?
Even if a family has hundreds of sons and thousands of grandsons, if a woman's fidelity is compromised, the bloodline she bears will only benefit others.
The daughter, however, was different.
A child born to a daughter, regardless of whose surname it takes, will always carry the mother's blood and bones.
This connection of blood was destined from the very beginning of conception, and no external force can alter or deprive it.
Daughters seem to be the more constant and unalterable link in the bloodline inheritance.
In one's own field, other men may have sown seeds. But the fruit borne by a daughter will inevitably bear the mark of her bloodline.
But... this idea is too shocking!
This is completely contrary to the upbringing Shen Zhinian received since childhood and the common rules of the world.
Procreation and the continuation of the family line have always been the domain of men, while women's duties have been limited to pregnancy and raising children.
But now... Shen Zhinian actually feels that perhaps her daughter is the one who can truly guarantee the continuation of the bloodline.
This idea is too bold and too unconventional.
If said aloud, it would probably be seen as heresy, and might even bring trouble upon oneself.
Therefore, Shen Zhinian harbored a secret expectation, which she never uttered even to her close friend, Consort Xuan.
But this cold, detached thought, like a deeply buried seed, quietly took root in Shen Zhinian's heart.
Perhaps it will never sprout from the ground or be spoken of. But it has already quietly changed Shen Zhinian's perspective on herself, her children, and even the power within the palace.
She withdrew her wandering gaze and focused it back on Consort Xuan's face, saying gently, "Whether one has a son or a daughter is all a matter of fate. It's just that I really like Xue Tuan very much."
Consort Xuan was unaware of the turbulent thoughts swirling in Shen Zhinian's heart. She simply assumed that Shen genuinely liked the young girl, and went along with the conversation, smiling as she said, "Your Highness is very fortunate; perhaps your wish will truly come true!"
"Whether it's a prince or a princess, they are all my sister's darlings, and His Majesty will surely love them too!"
Shen Zhinian nodded with a smile.
The two were having a private conversation.
The fourth prince, along with the sixth prince, played with the nine-linked rings at Shen Zhinian and Consort Xuan's feet. The two children occasionally giggled, filling the inner room with a warm atmosphere.
However... both Shen Zhinian and Xuanfei knew that this was just the calm before the storm.
Behind the mountains of congratulatory gifts piled up at Yongshou Palace are countless eyes filled with envy, jealousy, or scheming.
Consort Xuan's sincere congratulations were certainly valuable, but the news of her pregnancy served as a touchstone, revealing the true nature of the women in the palace.
This also pushed Shen Zhinian into a more conspicuous and dangerous position.
……
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.
Nangong Xuanyu had just finished reviewing the detailed regulations submitted by the Ministry of Rites regarding the follow-up inspection and celebration of the auspicious boulder.
At the morning court session, the ministers offered a chorus of congratulations and sang praises to the imperial concubine, citing the auspicious omens and her pregnancy.
Nangong Xuanyu showed appropriate joy at the time, but only he knew that when he heard those eulogies about the imperial heir, there was still some gloom in his heart.
There was a time when he also hoped that the country would have successors.
The birth of Ah-xu brought him immense joy.
He was also gratified when Consort Xuan gave birth to the sixth prince.
She was thinking that once Ah Xu grew up and his position was secure, she would add more princes and princesses to the harem. After all, the more royal blood, the better.
But all of this changed completely after Xingchen's filthy conspiracy was exposed.
Now, whenever Nangong Xuanyu closes his eyes, he sees the filthy thoughts hidden beneath Xingchen's sanctimonious exterior!
If he hadn't exposed these matters with swift and decisive action, how many other "imperial heirs" of dubious origin would have remained in the harem? Perhaps they would have even begun to covet that supreme position in the future…
The emperor now looks at the concubines in the harem, whether they are beautiful, gentle, aloof, or timid...