Chapter 18: The Palace Cold That Prevents Childbearing

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But as Feng Yu listened to these words, his face darkened like the bottom of a pot. Even the other concubines were utterly shocked—how could the Empress dare speak so boldly? Was she courting death?

“Guards! Consort Xin is corrupt in heart and lacking in virtue. Take her out and administer twenty strokes of the cane. She is hereby demoted to a servant and confined to Huayin Hall for life, never to leave!”

At these words, Feng Yu’s eyes grew colder, mercilessly delivering her sentence.

“Your Majesty—this is a grave injustice—” Consort Xin wept as she was dragged away.

She never understood how things had come to this.

The palace maid Xiangyun knelt trembling beside her, her face as pale as paper.

The other consorts held their breath in silence, unable to discern Consort Xin’s true schemes.

Framing and deception were common tricks in the harem.

Yet they were all curious—how had the Empress broken the plot? Her demeanor did not suggest she had foreseen Consort Xin’s ruse.

Even Jiang Daiyin remained puzzled.

“Enough. This matter ends here. No further discussion is permitted!” Feng Yu rose, his voice sharp and commanding.

“Your servant obeys,” all the consorts bowed in unison, and Feng Yu swept his sleeve and left Huayin Hall.

“Your servant respectfully sees His Majesty off.”

Originally, Consort Shu had thought Consort Xin would deliver a heavy blow to the Empress; unexpectedly, not only was the Empress unscathed, but Consort Xin had ruined herself completely.

How utterly foolish!

Jiang Daiyin only breathed a sigh of relief after returning to Fengyi Palace.

“Your Highness, today was truly a blessing from heaven. Had that item been found in our quarters, there would have been no way to explain it away,” Chunyu said, her heart finally settling from its earlier anxiety.

“This is truly strange. Consort Xin would never make such a careless mistake,” Jiang Daiyin said, perplexed.

“Mother, I heard Father questioned you today. How are you?” Feng Wuchen hurried in from outside, standing beside Jiang Daiyin with a worried expression.

“Wuchen, rest assured. Mother is fine.” Jiang Daiyin’s heart warmed as she gently ruffled his hair.

Feng Wuchen grinned mischievously, a sly glint flashing in his dark eyes.

“Mother, after you left today, I saw someone from Consort Xin’s quarters sneak into ours and place a package inside.”

“I took it upon myself to return it.”

Jiang Daiyin’s face lit up with joy. “So it was you who helped me! You’re wonderful!”

“Tenth Prince, thanks to you swapping the items, the lady would have been in serious trouble otherwise!” Chunyu said sincerely.

“It seems Wuchen had no ill intentions,” Feng Wuchen scratched the back of his head bashfully when praised.

“You’ve done me a great favor! Tell me what reward you want, and I will grant it!”

This child was not only smart but clever enough not to raise suspicion, swapping medicine with flour.

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She truly was a treasure.

Feng Wuchen’s eyes gleamed. “Then give me a day off tomorrow to play hide-and-seek with me, please?”

“No problem!” Jiang Daiyin replied promptly.

“That’s great!” Feng Wuchen jumped up happily.

Back in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Feng Yu grew increasingly angry, unable to focus on the memorial in his hands.

He had devoted these years to matters of state, yet he could not guarantee the consorts would not suspect him in this respect—it was a matter of dignity.

He glanced at the sky outside and tapped the table.

“Your Majesty, the bath is prepared,” Fulin Hai bowed as he stepped forward.

“Fulin Hai, summon the Imperial Household Department to bring me the green token!” Feng Yu’s voice was deep and stern.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Fulin Hai was stunned.

Five years had passed—had His Majesty finally come to his senses?

“Hurry, have the Imperial Household Department bring the green token to the Emperor!” Fulin Hai beamed with delight.

The Imperial Household Department was nearly thrown into chaos upon receiving the order.

It had been five years since such a request was made, and many young ladies’ green tokens were nowhere to be found.

Soon, the news spread throughout the harem.

“Hey, I heard His Majesty is going to favor a consort tonight!”

“Five years! The Emperor is finally aroused again!”

“I wonder which young lady will be the first to receive his favor tonight.”

“Did His Majesty suffer some kind of shock today that made him want to prove himself?”

“Prepare the bath quickly. I want to bathe and change.”

...

When Jiang Daiyin heard the news, she smiled mysteriously.

“That damn man and his pride.”

“Your Highness, I wish His Majesty would come here,” Chunyu said dreamily.

It would be best if he never remembered Jiang Daiyin again in this lifetime.

“Your Highness, this is a remedy from my hometown. It’s said to be very effective!” Xia Mo stealthily slipped something into Jiang Daiyin’s arms.

“What kind of remedy?” Jiang Daiyin laughed and opened it, but only glanced before quickly closing it.

It was a spring palace illustration!

The explicitness was beyond description.

“Are you sure this is a remedy?”

Is it a proper remedy? What illness does it cure?

Jiang Daiyin stared blankly at Xia Mo, who blushed deeply under her gaze.

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Xia Mo stammered, “I heard these positions can guarantee a male heir.”

“No way. I can’t bear children. With my palace coldness, I’m afraid I’d freeze the baby,” Jiang Daiyin waved her hand.

Chunyu: ??

Xia Mo: ?

“Your Highness, I can try to treat your palace coldness,” Xia Mo persisted.

“Let the man bear the child then. Aren’t they called ‘sir’?”

The two maids exchanged glances, speechless.

“But if you have no prince to support you, what will you do when you grow old?” Xia Mo thought for a moment and finally came up with a fitting reason.

“Are you saying I need to have children to prolong my life?” Jiang Daiyin had heard this many times at New Year’s celebrations.

She had memorized her responses and instinctively shot them back.

Xia Mo finally gave up, her mouth moving for a while without words.

“Besides, I have Wuchen as my son. He’s smart, handsome, brave, and upright. Even if I had another, none would be as outstanding.”

Hidden in the corner, Feng Wuchen’s lips curled wildly.

So, in Mother’s heart, he was so extraordinary.

He must work twice as hard from now on!

[Affection Level with Feng Wuchen +10]

Jiang Daiyin’s smile grew even brighter, victory waving at her.

“Empress, His Majesty has arrived.”

Jiang Daiyin’s smile instantly faltered.

Why was he here again?

“That’s wonderful. His Majesty clearly still cares for Your Highness!” Chunyu and Xia Mo giggled uncontrollably.

Jiang Daiyin frowned, then smiled slyly.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“Where is your ladyship?” Feng Yu looked around, puzzled not to see Jiang Daiyin.

“Your Majesty, Ladyship has been ill since returning from Huayin Hall,” Xia Mo sighed deeply.

Her heart was breaking—why did Ladyship have to miss such a good opportunity?

“Ill?” Feng Yu strode inside quickly.

Sure enough, he saw Jiang Daiyin lying on the bed, pale-faced.

“Ladyship’s constitution was never fully restored. After being falsely accused and severely shocked, she fell ill,” Chunyu added from beside her.