Ninety-two shameless Qiu family

  Deep Palace

  It's unclear whether it's because of pregnancy or other reasons, but Qiu Shi has been like a different person lately. Not only does she look haggard, with puffy eyes and face, but her expression is also quite different from before. Although there is still a serious look between her eyebrows, her speech is no longer as overbearing as it used to be.

  The palace maids of Shuǐ Yuè Gōng were initially not accustomed to her silent and low-key demeanor in the early days, each carrying anxiety and being cautious in their actions. It was said that pregnant women had the worst temper, and Xiǎn Fēi was strict and critical before. Now that she's pregnant, it's feared that her temper would only increase, not decrease. But who knew that Xiǎn Fēi now not only had fewer outbursts of anger but also became more pleasant to talk to, no longer punishing the palace maids at every turn.

  Qiu's change delighted everyone in the palace, who all thought that her little prince was bringing them good luck.

  For Qiu Shi herself, nowadays she doesn't have any extra thoughts to care about what others think, her mind is fully occupied with the child in her belly. Unfortunately, the Emperor seems to see through her thoughts, not only can't she leave the palace, but also the Emperor sends people to come to Shui Yue Palace, ostensibly to serve her, but actually to monitor her and get rid of the child in her belly.

  It is also her current identity that protects her, making the emperor dare not to take away her children openly. However, several times, she discovered that the maidservants sent to serve her were tampering with her medicine, and she knew that the emperor had lost his patience, seeing that she had not taken action for a long time, so he started taking action.

  These days, she was being confined in the palace, unable to eat or sleep, and many nights were spent lying awake till dawn. With no way out of the palace, she couldn't get in touch with Sheng Ziyang at all. Now, she was isolated and helpless, not to mention that even if she was familiar with other concubines in the palace, they would still wish that there was no "dragon seed" in her belly. So naturally, it was impossible for her to seek help from other concubines.

  She wanted to keep the child, but she simply didn't have the ability to make it stay. There was no way out, and with no one to turn to, even if she didn't want to accept it, she had to face the fact that her child would definitely not be saved!

  She had also thought of going to the emperor to ask him to let her take the child and leave, considering she had taken care of Cheng Wang for so many years, she knew the emperor would definitely agree to her request.

  But if she really left, then her future...

  No identity, no status, and still having to bring a child, such days she almost negated once every time she thought about it. More than 20 years ago, since she made up her mind to do that thing, she didn't want to take any other path again. She just wanted to keep walking on this road of wealth and glory...

  Stroking the fox-fur quilt, Qiu Shi's eyes, which had been dull for many days, suddenly regained their luster. However, even though her spirit had recovered its radiance, it was still filled with a gloomy and melancholic light.

  How could her life be changed because of an unborn child? Although she was not crowned empress by Xia Gaoli, with her status as a virtuous concubine and having Cheng Wang as a 'son', even the current empress would have to show some respect when meeting her.

  Such glory and dignity, how could she just give it up? How could she bear to have put in so much effort only to end up with nothing?!

  The girl can forget about it, anyway Sheng Ziyang doesn't know that she's pregnant with his child. Then there's nothing more for her to think about, since she's made up her mind, she'll just do it!

  She just wants her to lose this child and find someone to take the blame!

  So she had Madame White summoned into the palace...

  ……

  The horse carriage of the Wang Fu went all the way to the palace gate, and after Bai Xincheng handed over the reins to the charioteer at the palace gate, he took Bie Ying into the palace.

  She originally planned to find her husband and go see the Qiu family together, but as a result of inquiring, there were palace staff who said that Cheng Wang had left the palace just a moment ago.

  Such a mistake left Bai Xinzhen speechless and helpless. He had no choice but to bring the Blood Shadow to the Qi family's residence, Shuiguetang.

  This magnificent palace, Bai Xinyue didn't come often. As the daughter-in-law of Empress Dowager, she should have visited Shuiguo Palace every day to pay her respects to Empress Dowager. However, Yan Moyu had already told outsiders that she was chronically ill and not suitable for going out, lest she bring the illness into the palace.

  This time coming to the Water Moon Palace, it was still her first time alone. If she said that there wasn't a little bit of apprehension in her heart, then that would definitely be false. After all, this was someone else's territory, and from the moment she arrived here, she had already been in a passive state.

  Fortunately, with Blood Shadow following closely behind her, she felt much less suffocated.

  Bedchamber

  When Bai Xinzhen saw the somewhat 'deformed' Qiu Shi, she almost couldn't recognize her. The usual Qiu Shi in front of her was a proud and arrogant evil mother-in-law figure. Even in moments of disarray, she was still full of pride and confidence.

  At this moment, the noblewoman in front of me still has a dignified and elegant demeanor, but her expression is completely different from before. She looks somewhat negative and defeated, like an old hen that has lost a fight, and even her whole person seems to have changed in flavor. Especially the dark circles under her eyes, although she used a lot of powder to cover them up, at a glance, they still look like two panda eyes.

  Watching this scene, Bai Xincheng's mouth twitched violently, but since there were palace people standing all around, she didn't dare to laugh out loud and could only secretly lower her head and walk in front of Qiu Shi to pay her respects.

  "Dye son visits his mother."

  When she saw her coming, Qiu's expression was relieved and delighted, and he hastily beckoned to her: "Dye has arrived? Hurry up and come over to Mother."

  She then turned to the palace maid beside her and instructed: "The princess has arrived, why don't you hurry up and prepare a seat for the princess?"

  Bai Xin smiled and glanced around, then walked to Qiu Shi's side and sat down beside her on the same fur couch. She affectionately took Qiu Shi's arm and said with a gentle smile: "Mother doesn't have to be so polite, we're not outsiders, why be so formal? If others see this, they might say that our mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship is distant."

  As she sat down casually beside him, a flash of disgust flickered across Qiu's eyes. But when he looked up, the loving expression on his face was enviable to others.

  "Has Dyer's body been better lately? My son always says that your body is not good, and he's afraid you'll bring illness to Mother. He's really being overly cautious, Mother has always had a strong constitution, why does he need to be so careful? Besides, Mother misses Dyer dearly, how could she have those common concerns?"

  Her mind went blank. Alright, she admitted that this woman was indeed a master of acting. The acting skills could make her skin crawl with goosebumps all over and itch all over but couldn't scratch.

  Showing a bright and happy smile: "Mother said it, everything is just the king being too cautious, causing us to not see each other for a long time. I, Yan, have been thinking about you until death, every night I couldn't sleep because I missed you so much. Recently, since you're pregnant, the king didn't allow me to come to the palace to see you, fearing that I might bring some illness to you. I know that mother is pregnant and her body is precious, but it's precisely because of this that I miss you even more, worrying that you can't take good care of yourself. So when you summoned me to enter the palace, I hurriedly set off."

  She paused, looking at Qiu Shi's face with a worried expression. "I didn't expect to see Mother's complexion so poor today, it pains my heart. From now on, I will definitely come to the palace more often and keep you company, Mother."

  It's not just Qiu Shi who can be disgusting, Bai Xiner can also be disgusting!

  If she wants to pretend to be a kind mother, why can't she also pretend to be a filial daughter-in-law?

  Inside the palace, many palace maids were waiting in all directions, looking at the happy and warm scene between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. They were all surprised and amazed. Unexpectedly, Xianfei still had such a gentle and kind side, unexpectedly, the rumored monster, Wangfei, was actually so considerate, filial, and understanding...

  Qiu's expression was somewhat stiff, making the smile at the corner of her mouth seem a bit awkward, but since she had been emotionally unstable lately and looked haggard, no one could see through the falseness on her face.

  Others may not understand, but that doesn't mean Bai Xinzhen can't either. Catching the dark and disgusted look in Qiu's eyes, she deliberately raised her voice with concern: "Mother, you look so haggard, is it because pregnancy is too hard on you? Or did they not take good care of you?"

  Upon hearing this, the palace maids' faces changed greatly. They dared to swear to heaven that they had not been remiss in their service in the slightest. The Empress was carrying a dragon's seed, and even if they had ten lives, they did not dare to provoke her displeasure!

  She took a glance around, still frowning with concern. "Mother, you must take good care of yourself and be careful to nurture the child in your belly. We're all waiting for you to give us a plump and white little brother."

  These words came out, Bai Xindian himself felt nauseous, let alone Qiu Shi. Others didn't know Bai Xindian's true nature, did she still not know?

  But in front of others, she didn't dare to expose Bai Xinzhu's hypocrisy. She could only stiffly put on a smile and force herself to appear very pleased and happy.

  This scene of maternal kindness and filial piety was maintained until noon.

  It's time for dinner, so Baixin naturally can't say she wants to leave.

  Qiu's family had the palace staff prepare a table of mountain delicacies and seafood, all of which were Bai Xin's favorite dishes.

  At this, Bai Xinzhu felt a deep sense of disgust and admiration. She didn't even know what she liked to eat herself, yet there was someone who understood her taste better than she did. It seemed like they hadn't eaten together much before?

  Loving mother-in-law, gentle and amiable daughter-in-law, when Bai Xinzhai helped Qiu Shi to the table, this warm and happy scene once again dazzled everyone's eyes.

  Even the blood shadow that had been following Bai Xiner's body couldn't help but twitch at the corner of its mouth. Had the princess gone too deep into character?

  The food on the table is fragrant and colorful, making people's mouths water.

  A palace maid stepped forward to serve the dishes, but Bai Xin raised her hand and dismissed her to one side. She then picked up a delicate bowl and personally served a bowl of soup to Qiu Shi.

  "Mother, now you are precious, be sure to pay attention to supplementing your nutrition..."

  She had only spoken halfway when she suddenly stopped, furrowed her brow and looked at the bowl of fresh soup on the table with a complex gaze, secretly startled for a moment.

  Safflower?

  This soup actually has the flavor of saffron!

  Although she is not a student of traditional Chinese medicine, she is a forensic doctor after all, and has some understanding of pharmacology.

  Safflower is perhaps a good thing for ordinary women, it is said that it can detoxify and nourish the face, expel toxins from the female uterus, but for pregnant women, this is an abortion drug. Because safflower has the effect of clearing the palace, it is easy to expel the fetus in the uterus, especially when the embryo is just attached to the uterine wall.

  In modern times, saffron is expensive and she didn't have the spare money to buy it. On one occasion, a colleague went on a trip to Tibet and brought back some saffron, giving her a few strands. She made tea with it once and remembered its flavor.

  Besides, her sense of smell has always been keen, and she couldn't possibly have smelled it wrong.

  Just as Bai Xinduan was surprised, Qiu Shi suddenly stretched out her hand to take over the delicate bowl in Bai Xinduan's hand and said with a smile: "Xie'er, let the palace maid do these things, why bother yourself? Don't exhaust yourself for your mother, or else I'll be worried again."

  Bai Xin's eyes quickly flashed with a complex look as he turned his head to look at her.

  As she watched Qiu's elegant spoon about to bring the delicious soup into her own mouth, she suddenly narrowed her eyes and quickly snatched the delicate bowl from Qiu's hand.

  "Ran Er, you..." Qiu Shi's hand was empty, and she looked over with a sudden look of confusion.

  Bai Xin suppressed the anger in her heart and immediately piled on a smile: "Mother, this soup has just been served, you can't drink it too hastily, or else you'll get scalded, what would be good about that?"

  After she finished speaking, she didn't wait for the Qiu family's reaction and suddenly turned her face to scold the palace maid standing beside her: "Are you people usually serving the virtuous imperial concubine like this? You dare to put such hot things on the table, aren't you afraid of burning the virtuous imperial concubine?" After she finished speaking, she looked at Xue Ying behind her and instructed: "Xue Ying, take away these scalding soups, go and make a nutritious ginseng soup for the virtuous imperial concubine."

  "Yes, Princess." Blood Shadow's eyes gazed deeply at something on the table, nodding in response to Bai Xincheng.

  Several palace maids standing nearby were scolded by Bai Xin, and they were so frightened that they saw Xue Ying cleaning up the things on the table and hurried over to help.

  The dishes on the table were all taken away, and Bai Xinzhen sat down beside Qiu Shi, looking at her with great concern: "Mother, the people here are really careless, if this continues, how can it be? You're pregnant with a dragon son now, everything should be more careful than before. Tomorrow, I'll go to Father's place and ask him for a few more people, preferably those who have experience serving pregnant women, so we can rest assured."

  In his heart, Bai Xin was so angry he almost threw up and died.

  This wicked dead woman actually dares to secretly harm her!

  It seems she has made up her mind and is going to give up the child in her belly.

  She didn't want children in the first place, but he still had to drag her into it.

  Today she is a guest at Shuǐ Yuè Gōng, if her child has any problems, can she avoid responsibility?

  This dead woman, even in death she doesn't forget to pull others down with her!

  She thought she was clever, but in fact they were just playing along with her. Not to mention that she wouldn't let herself be outsmarted, even if this dead woman succeeded in her scheme, the Emperor would only secretly praise her for her merits and absolutely not say she was wrong.

  She really thought she was pregnant with a dragon?

  Ridiculous!

  Qiu's face changed again and again. Especially after hearing what Bai Xiner said, her hands in her sleeves clenched involuntarily. But on the surface, she couldn't show anger, so she continued to force an unnatural smile: "Xiner is sensible, mother is deeply gratified. The people of Shuiguetang are already enough, no need to add more people. Mother has been liking quietness lately and doesn't want too many people in front of her eyes, Xiner's kindness mother understands."

  You're secretly delighted. You've always liked to cause trouble for others, and now if I don't give you a few slaps, it would be unfair to you.

  "Mother, don't say that. Now you're pregnant and can't be careless at all. Moreover, with the way things are now, I'm not reassured about you and the king. Don't worry about this matter, I'll go back and discuss it with the king, then we'll ask the emperor for some reliable people to send to your palace. This is my and the king's filial piety, you can't refuse."

  Qiu's pale face was even more haggard. A thread of anger rolled at the bottom of his eyes, but he didn't dare to express it.

  The emperor has already sent someone to monitor her, and this woman actually still wants to get close to her... It's really infuriating!

  Seeing her repressed appearance, Bai Xinzhi couldn't help but find it amusing. Immediately after, she became somewhat worried that she shouldn't provoke her too much, in case this woman got angry and caused some trouble, which would ultimately be blamed on her.

  Those rumors about her had just passed, and if another rumor of 'unfilial piety' were to be added, she would truly have no way out.

  After Blood Shadow brought some food back to the table, Bai Xintong accompanied Qiu Shi to finish a meal.

  She thought of leaving the Water Moon Palace as soon as possible, lest Qiu Shi came up with another bad idea. As a result, Qiu Shi suddenly said to her: "Ran'er has come to the palace for the first time, and since she's here, let's stay in the palace for a while today. Now that it's spring, I saw that the scenery in the Imperial Garden was quite good a few days ago, why don't Ran'er accompany Mother to the Imperial Garden for a walk and digest the food?"

  Upon hearing this, Bai Xin's face darkened and she furrowed her brow. She glanced at the palace maids around her, forced a smile, and nodded: "Since Mother is going, I will naturally accompany you."

  Dead woman, keeping so many palace maids by her side, it's clear that she did it on purpose!

  Intentionally making it impossible for her to turn the tables.

  Once she turns her face, her image is ruined. In this era, a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law turning against each other is no trivial matter.

  With a suppressed anger, she accompanied Qiu Shi to the Imperial Garden at a slow pace.

  Today the weather is fine, sunny and warm, with a gentle spring breeze... Bai Xin couldn't help but praise it repeatedly. Otherwise, why would there be so many people coming to the Imperial Garden?

  The Empress Dowager led her niece, Jin Ziya, walking from the west.

  Formerly Hui Bin, now Empress Xiao led a strange-looking woman who didn't seem to be from the palace walking over from the east.

  Three people and a horse, with palace maids from her own palace following behind her.

  White heart stained speechless.

  When the three parties' horses reached a place, the sound of courtesy was heard in pieces.

  Three noble ladies, among whom Xiao Huanghou was the most majestic, wearing a phoenix robe and a cloud-patterned cloak, elegant and dignified, her image particularly striking.

  In terms of beauty, none can surpass the loveliness of Consort Jin.

  Facing these two 'special' characters, Qiu's momentum was obviously lower by more than one level at this moment.

  "Xian Fei's sister, but her body is not suitable, how can her complexion be so poor?" The first to speak was Jin Gui Fei.

  "Xian Fei is now pregnant, it must be extremely hard for her." Xiao Huang Hou also echoed immediately, only with a hint of concern on her face compared to Jin Gui Fei.

  Qiu Shi's bones were originally strong, and in front of two noble women, although his expression was somewhat haggard, his momentum was still not inferior to others. Catching the envy flashing in Jin Guifei's eyes, she raised her hand and stroked her own abdomen, her waist straightened, and smiled: "I didn't expect that at this age, I could still be pregnant with a dragon son. Recently, I've been tormented by this child, and I'm not eating well or sleeping well. This child hasn't even been born yet, and it's already tormenting people like this. I worry that in the future, he will definitely be a mischievous and troublesome one."

  The smile on Jin Gui Fei's face was somewhat stiff.

  Empress Xiao was no exception.

  Bai Xin's eyes twitched at the corner of her mouth. Was Qiu Shuiyan addicted to acting? Wasn't she just telling others how much she was favored?

  Look at Jin Guifei and Xiao Huanghou, although they don't show it openly, but still can't hide their envy, jealousy and hatred.

  "Xian Fei's sister is so hardworking, tomorrow I'll persuade the Emperor to spare some time and come to Shui Yue Palace to accompany you more often. It's really too lonely for you to be pregnant and alone in Shui Yue Palace." Jin Gui Fei wore a smile that was full of understanding and consideration for Qiu Shi.

  As soon as she said this, Qiu's face immediately turned white, while Xiao Huanghou slightly pursed her thin lips and hooked a smile.

  Everyone in the palace knows that the emperor rarely goes to the Water Moon Palace. This means something, and everyone is clear in their hearts. Some people have even privately discussed whether the child in Xianfei's belly is really the emperor's. But this was just a private whisper, after all, the emperor did not deny this child.

  Qiu Shi quickly regained her composure, touched her belly again, and smiled nonchalantly: "Not to deceive the Golden Imperial Concubine and the Empress Dowager, I have long known that my body is pregnant and cannot serve in bed, so I begged the Emperor to come less often to the Water Moon Palace. Unexpectedly, the Emperor was angry about this and actually sulked and didn't come to the Water Moon Palace. I am also very helpless, thinking about how to please the Emperor. Can the Golden Imperial Concubine and the Empress Dowager help me come up with a plan?"

  As soon as she spoke, Jin Guifei and Xiao Huanghou immediately changed their faces again.

  Behind Qiu Shi's back, Bai Xincheng felt like vomiting.

  This Qiu is simply a master of pretending to be cool, and it's hard not to admire him!

  Can you be even more shameless?!

  Even 'serving in bed' was brought up, and it was said with such a natural tone, with a face full of pride and intoxication, that even she couldn't help but wonder if the emperor had really slept with her.

  If such a person could be handled by the Emperor himself, she thought that the one she admired most was not Qiu Shi, but rather the Emperor.

  I wonder what the emperor would think if he heard these conversations between women?

  "Huh? How come the Crown Princess has time to enter the palace today?" It seemed that she couldn't get any benefits from the Qiu family, so Empress Jing suddenly looked at Bai Xinduan with surprise, as if she had just discovered her presence.

  She glanced at Jin Yu, who was standing behind her with a cold expression, staring at herself, and bowed to Empress Dowager Jin, saying: "Mother is pregnant now, I'm afraid she's bored, so I came to the palace to accompany Mother." Look how filial she is!

  The imperial concubine nodded slightly, which was taken as a response.

  However, Empress Xiao said to Qiu Shi with envy: "Xian Fei is really lucky, not only did she marry a king who has both virtue and talent, but also has such a considerate daughter-in-law like the Crown Princess, it's really making us envious."

  As soon as she heard this, Bai Xincheng's whole body felt a bit prickly. With her current image, others didn't scold her for being a freak or abnormal, but instead praised her, showing how insincere these words were. The main reason was that she really disliked it when others praised her Mo Yu. She always felt like her Mo Yu was being remembered by people all the time.

  Her gaze shifted over, and she couldn't help but seriously size up this new empress.

  Before, when the queen was still Hui Bin, she had hardly heard of her name. That night after the emperor issued an edict, she inquired about her information and learned that she was extremely low-key in the harem, with a style of doing things that was not showy at all. However, through today's brief contact, she felt that those messages seemed unreliable.

  Not to mention how she was chosen by the emperor as the first of the harem, just this new empress's impression on her made her feel uncomfortable.

  So fake.

  But still can't quite put my finger on where it is.

  Her words and deeds seem even more low-key than those of Jin Guifei, but the things she suddenly says can always make people unable to ignore her existence.

  Such a woman, really can't be underestimated. This is her intuition!

  Xiao Huanghou turned to Qiu Shi and praised her, then suddenly turned around and looked at a young girl beside her, saying seriously: "Yun'er, look at Cheng Wangfei who is capable and filial, you should learn from her, do you understand?"

  "Sister, Yun'er knows. Another day, Ling'er will definitely go to pay respects to Princess Cheng." The girl first glanced at Bai Xiner, then lowered her head and obediently responded.

  Upon hearing this, Bai Xincheng couldn't help but furrow his brow.

  "Since both sisters are here today, why don't we find a place to sit and chat?" Qiu suddenly suggested.

  They all came together, and Jin Guifei and Xiao Huanghou couldn't refuse either. Both of them nodded in agreement.

  Three noble consorts walked in front with dignified steps, and from a distance, the three magnificent figures seemed to add three brilliant colors to the imperial garden.

  Bai Xin didn't want to be with these people, especially Qiu Shi. She had already sensed that Qiu Shi intended to get rid of the child in her womb. Now she was eager to stay as far away from them as possible. Otherwise, she would become a scapegoat, and there were so many witnesses. Even if the emperor protected her, it wouldn't be easy for her. After all, public opinion is formidable!

  As for whether Qiu would take it into her head to hit someone else, she didn't know. Anyway, the people in this palace seemed not to have a single one that made her feel comfortable. She only cared about others' lives after she was full.

  Just as Bai Xin was hesitating about whether to follow, a clear and beautiful voice suddenly entered her ears.

  "I am Xiangyun, younger sister of the Empress. I have long heard of your esteemed reputation, Consort Wang. It is an honor to finally meet you here today."

  Bai Xin's eyes widened as she regained her composure, furrowing her brow to take a closer look. She hadn't gotten a good look earlier, but now that they were closer, she couldn't help but feel astonished - what a stunning beauty!