Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1677 Renewing Goodwill and Repairing Relationship (Bonus Chapter for 274 Million Donation Po

"To offer any congratulations at this moment would not be adding flowers to brocade, but rather gilding the lily. It would only make us a laughingstock and bring shame upon ourselves."

Consort Mei asked unwillingly, "Then... then we'll just leave it at that?"

"We've put in so much effort, and Father has secretly made many arrangements. Are we just going to let the Imperial Noble Consort get away with this so easily?"

Consort Zhuang retorted, "What good will it do if we don't count it?"

"Are you going to rush up to His Majesty now and say that the auspicious omen is actually meant for you? Or are you going to let the magpies that have been attracted compete with the 'lucky star' in the Imperial Concubine's womb?"

Consort Mei was speechless when asked the question, her face turning red and then white.

Of course she knew she couldn't.

His Majesty is in high spirits.

The Imperial Noble Consort is currently enjoying great popularity.

At this moment, any action that contradicts Yongshou Palace is like throwing an egg against a rock.

With reddened eyes, Consort Mei said, "But... cousin, I'm not reconciled!"

"It's not easy to have such an opportunity..."

Consort Zhuang said, "The harem is never short of opportunities, but only those that can be seized can be called opportunities."

"This time we were a step too slow, and the Imperial Noble Consort beat us to it. Complaining and blaming others will do no good."

Seeing the resentment written all over Consort Mei's beautiful face, she paused and softened her tone: "Sister, you must remember, in the palace, temporary gains and losses mean nothing. The one who laughs last laughs best!"

Consort Mei raised her tearful eyes and looked at Consort Zhuang: "My cousin means..."

Consort Zhuang's eyes narrowed dangerously: "The child in the Imperial Noble Consort's womb is said to be blessed with good fortune. She has carried the child for ten months, faced the perilousities of childbirth, and the infant is extremely delicate..."

Whether this "lucky star" can be born safely and raised smoothly to adulthood is still uncertain.

The chill in those words sent a shiver down Consort Mei's spine.

"Take a long-term view."

Consort Zhuang had regained her dignified and composed demeanor: "Right now, the congratulatory gifts to be sent to Yongshou Palace must be presented in the best of their ability, and they must be presented beautifully. The words of congratulations must be uttered without fail. Do not let anyone find fault with you and say that you are narrow-minded and lack a sense of propriety."

"As for the future... there's still a long way to go. What's meant to be yours will eventually come to you; what's not meant to be yours, you can't force it."

"But at the very least, we must always keep ourselves in a position where we can potentially achieve our goals, and remain calm."

Consort Mei took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to process Consort Zhuang's words.

Although she still felt frustrated and upset, she understood that what her cousin said was true.

There is absolutely no chance of winning if we confront the Imperial Noble Consort head-on.

By remaining patient and biding their time, perhaps there will be a future.

"Yes... I understand..."

Consort Mei finally lowered her head and said in a muffled voice, "I will go back and have someone prepare a generous gift to send to Yongshou Palace to offer my congratulations first thing tomorrow morning."

"Ah."

Consort Zhuang nodded slightly: "The etiquette must be impeccable. Now that the six palaces are celebrating together, our Zhuang family's daughters must not lag behind."

"I obey my orders."

Consort Mei rose, bowed, and turned to walk away, her back view carrying a hint of melancholy.

Consort Zhuang watched her leave and sighed softly.

By appeasing Consort Mei, the Zhuang family's foothold in the palace was stabilized.

Consort Zhuang's ability to remain in the harem for so many years was never due to luck or chance.

It is patience, and the ability to assess the situation.

It's the ruthless determination to tear a path to survival, even in the most desperate situations!

Ten months of pregnancy are full of uncertainties.

The dangers of childbirth, the difficulties of raising children, the illness and death of children...

How many lucky stars in the deep palace failed to truly enjoy lasting blessings?

Furthermore...

Consort Zhuang's gaze deepened.

Is the Imperial Noble Consort's pregnancy destined to be a lucky one?

What if the lucky star's fortune is too great, to the point of harming others, or is too heavy for the star to bear?

There were quite a few people in the palace who believed in these mystical doctrines.

……

Chuxiu Palace.

Consort Kang is still ill.

Caiju told her the news.

Consort Kang felt a pang of sorrow.

Master Xingchen's body is barely cold, yet His Majesty has already conceived another imperial heir...

Consort Kang also understood that, for various reasons, the Imperial Noble Consort had become estranged from her.

Now that the Imperial Noble Consort is pregnant with the auspicious imperial heir, her position will be even more secure!

She was ill, and the Fifth Prince was frail; they were alone in the palace, unable to support each other. Perhaps… this was an opportunity. A chance to regain favor with the Imperial Noble Consort and repair their relationship.

Thinking of this, Consort Kang forced herself to cheer up and instructed, "Caiju, go to the storeroom and carefully select a few congratulatory gifts."

"What good things hasn't Her Highness the Imperial Noble Consort seen? It needs to show sincerity without being too flashy. The important thing is the sentiment, understand?"

Caiju nodded quickly: "This servant understands!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will prepare carefully and select items with auspicious meanings and of excellent quality."

Seeing Consort Kang forcing herself to stay awake, she felt both heartbroken and hopeful.

Perhaps by congratulating the Imperial Noble Consort on her pregnancy, the Consort might be able to cheer up a little and make some plans for the Fifth Prince.

……

Jingren Palace.

Consort Tong has always been relatively low-profile, and after raising the Third Prince, she became even more so, and the place remained as quiet as ever.

At this moment, she was sitting under the lamp, holding a newly sewn little garment in her hand, carefully checking the stitches on the edges.

After hearing the news from outside during Shuangjiang, Consort Tong paused, her face showing no particular expression, and simply instructed, "Prepare a congratulatory gift as usual, and send it to Yongshou Palace tomorrow. Make sure it's done properly, and don't let anything go wrong."

"Yes."

The frost has fallen, so I went out to prepare.

Consort Tong looked at the clothes in her hands, her fingers gently tracing the fine stitches.

The fact that the Imperial Noble Consort is pregnant is naturally a joyous occasion.

In the palace, the greatest blessing is for a child to grow up safely and healthily.

She only hoped that things would go smoothly for the Third Prince.

The reactions of the other houses varied.

But whatever they were thinking, the concubines all wore happy expressions and had gifts prepared.

Consort Xuan was the one who showed her emotions most openly.

"……What?!"

"Is the Imperial Noble Consort pregnant?!"

"The baby is almost four months old?!"

Consort Xuan's beautiful eyes widened in surprise, and her face instantly blossomed into a smile of immense joy: "Heavens! Heavens! Such a joyous occasion, and Imperial Noble Consort Sister has kept it a secret all this time?!"

"I've been kept in the dark for so long!"

Despite saying that, Consort Xuan's excitement was palpable.

She was of commoner origin, and the only one in the harem who truly treated her well, supported her, and shared her temperament was her elder sister, the Imperial Noble Consort.

She was genuinely happy that her elder sister, the Imperial Noble Consort, was pregnant.

"Jewel!"

Consort Xuan called out loudly, "Quickly go to the storeroom and find all our best things!"

"I remember there's a Guanyin statue that grants children, made of jade of the finest quality. And those latest and most exquisite silks, those soft velvets that are good for a child's skin... bring them all out!"

"I'm going to Yongshou Palace to see my Imperial Noble Consort first thing tomorrow morning, no, I'm going right now!"

Zhu'er quickly smiled and dissuaded her, "Your Highness, it's getting late, and the Imperial Noble Consort must be resting now."

"Besides, His Majesty is still there."