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Shen Chuwei lifted the ginger sugar water to her lips and took a sip, "Appointing a Crown Princess is an inevitable matter, beyond our control."

"That may be true," Concubine Xu said resentfully, "but Lady Chang’s maternal family goes to war and kills enemy soldiers, my father and brothers also go to war and kill enemy soldiers. All the good fortune seems to befall her household only."

Shen Chuwei looked at Concubine Xu’s indignant expression, because Lady Chang had the Empress’s support!

She had seen two or three palace struggle dramas like this before; in them, the Empress always supported her own family to become the Crown Princess or the Empress.

Moreover, the Empress had always wanted Lady Chang to become the Crown Princess.

Concubine Xu was extremely upset and seeing Shen Chuwei calmly drinking tea, she said, "Aren’t you worried at all? If Lady Chang becomes the Crown Princess, she’ll wield great power, and our good days will come to an end."

Shen Chuwei replied indifferently, "Whether Lady Chang can become the Crown Princess is not for us to decide, so why worry about it?"

"You say that, but if Lady Chang becomes the Crown Princess, how am I supposed to face her after that? Just thinking about it depresses me." The more Concubine Xu thought about it, the angrier she became.

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuwei couldn’t help but laugh; she quite enjoyed watching Concubine Xu confront people.

"You’re laughing?" Concubine Xu stared hard at her stomach.

Realizing where Concubine Xu’s gaze was directed, Shen Chuwei subconsciously covered her belly and asked her, "Hey! What are you looking at my stomach for?"

Concubine Xu’s frustration was evident, "Look at you! You’ve been attending the bed for so long, how come there’s no sign of pregnancy? If you were with a Dragon Descendant, even without maternal family support, you would still stand a chance to compete."

Shen Chuwei felt a bit awkward. She had only recently started attending the bed; how could she be expected to get pregnant so quickly?

This month’s menstrual cycle had already begun.

Speaking of her menstrual cycle, she rubbed her belly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

Before leaving, Concubine Xu dropped a piece of advice, "Show some spirit, and if it doesn’t work out, go see the Imperial Doctor. We can’t allow Lady Chang to have all the advantages."

Chun Xi came over with some snacks and overheard Concubine Xu’s words. She used to dislike Concubine Xu a lot, but now it seemed that even though Concubine Xu had a temper and loved to quarrel, she was not overly scheming.

"Miss," Chun Xi said with a giggle, "Concubine Xu seems as worried as if she were the one unable to conceive."

Thinking back to how Concubine Xu seemed as if she wanted to stuff a baby into her womb, Shen Chuwei laughed.

"Speaking of which, Miss, everything at Xiyun Pavilion is fine. The chickens and ducks are well-fed and have grown fat; we just discovered yesterday that they’ve already laid an egg," Chun Xi said cheerfully.

On hearing that, Shen Chuwei could barely contain her excitement, "Really? If they’ve started laying eggs, it will be possible to hatch chicks after two more are laid."

"Yes, prepare a nesting box with cotton and place the eggs in, then put the hen inside."

"I understand," Chun Xi said as she finished up her tasks at hand and headed to Xiyun Pavilion to oversee the hatching process.

On her return, she carried fabric to the Garment Bureau.

As soon as she reached the entrance, she saw Huai Xiang from Xinlan Hall heading toward the Garment Bureau.

Chun Xi knew that Lady Chang, relying on the Empress, was set to become the Crown Princess, and the two women did not regard each other kindly.

She walked straight in to find Supervisor Hua and explained her purpose.

"The weather is getting hotter. I’ve brought some lighter material to have two garments made for my Miss," she said.

In the palace, as long as you have money, gossip is especially vibrant; who is favored and who is not—it’s as clear as a mirror to everyone.

Chun Xi was from Hehuan Hall where His Highness visited every two to three days, naturally granting her mistress favor.

Supervisor Hua greeted her with a beaming smile, "Miss Chun Xi, no problem at all. Do you need it urgently? I can have it made immediately."

Chun Xi replied with a smile, "Please make them as soon as possible; my Miss will need to wear them in a few days."

His smile still in place, Supervisor Hua assured her, "No problem, I guarantee to have the seamstresses complete them within five days."

Huai Xiang came over with several rolls of fabric, elbowing Chun Xi as she passed.

Caught off guard, Chun Xi took two steps back and looked up to see Huai Xiang strut in front of her, chin lifted imperiously.

"Supervisor Hua, my Miss also needs several garments made and worn urgently," Huai Xiang declared.

Supervisor Hua, having heard about Lady Chang’s impending ascendancy to Crown Princess, immediately smiled obsequiously, "Of course, of course. Don’t worry, Miss Huai Xiang, we’ll have them done in the next few days."

Chun Xi stepped forward, deliberately elbowing Huai Xiang in return, and snorted.

Incensed, Huai Xiang fumed.

Chun Xi looked toward Supervisor Hua, "Supervisor Hua, make sure to embroider peach blossoms. My Master loves peach blossoms."

Supervisor Hua chuckled, "Miss Chun Xi, the Garment Bureau has been busy making garments for various palace residents these days. Can yours be delayed by a couple of days?"

Dissatisfied, Chun Xi demanded, "Why? I came here first, so why should I wait?"

Huai Xiang gloated, "What’s the point of coming first? Can your Miss even compare with mine?"

Grinding her teeth, Chun Xi stopped just short of cursing. With Lady Chang possibly becoming the Crown Princess, it would be bad if she took revenge for personal grudges.

With an ingratiating smile, Supervisor Hua placated her, "Miss Chun Xi, please wait just two days. Once they’re made, I’ll send them over personally."

"Please make it as quick as possible, my Miss is in a hurry to wear them." Chun Xi said and then turned to leave.

Huai Xiang smirked triumphantly and followed her, disdainfully glancing at Chun Xi, "My Miss will soon become the Crown Princess. Everything must prioritize her needs, understand?"

"So what if she becomes the Crown Princess? If she’s so important, let His Highness go to Xinlan Hall!" Chun Xi retorted, then huffed and walked away with her head held high.

The ignored Huai Xiang stamped her foot in anger, "What nerve, wait until my Miss becomes the Crown Princess, then we’ll see how smug you are."

Chun Xi returned to Hehuan Hall feeling downcast, but she didn’t mention it to Shen Chuwei, not wanting to upset her.

Shen Chuwei finished her evening meal early and, with nothing else to do, took out her paper and pens, arranging them on the desk.

It had been a while since she last painted; she decided to practice now.

After sharpening her pencil, she began to draw earnestly.

Sketching required patience and was a good distraction.

Shen Chuwei’s patience was typically excellent, but there were days when she couldn’t sit still for even a moment.

The room was filled with calming incense, aiding in concentration.

As she drew, she became engrossed, losing track of time.

When Chun Xi came in to remind her, "Miss, I don’t think His Highness will visit tonight. You should rest early."

Without looking up, Shen Chuwei replied, "I know, I’ll rest soon."

After Chun Xi left, she saw the Crown Prince arrive and a flash of joy crossed her eyes as she bowed to him.

Xiao Jinyan signaled her to leave.

Delighted to be dismissed, Chun Xi backed out. She took pride in her heart, thinking that while the Crown Princess’s title might not belong to her Miss, with His Highness’s affections, her Miss wouldn’t be easily bullied.

Xiao Jinyan entered and saw Shen Chuwei sitting at the desk. He walked over slowly, lowering his gaze to the paper, where a half-finished sketch lay.

On the paper was a man whose eyes and brows were exquisitely detailed, despite the rough strokes elsewhere. Yet, his slender figure was evident, reclining in a horse carriage, engrossed in a book.

The man’s features felt strangely familiar.

"Xiaojiu, who are you drawing?"