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Just now at Fengyi Palace, the Empress asked her to leave, not knowing whether there was some confidential matter she wasn’t supposed to hear.

Xiao Jinyan lifted his eyes to Shen Chuwei, those bright, star-like eyes staring intently at her without blinking. He opened his mouth but said nothing.

This matter was fundamentally his own, and speaking of it would only add pressure to Xiaojiu.

Seeing Xiao Jinyan’s hesitation, Shen Chuwei knew it must be a state secret, and not to be disclosed.

"Your Highness need not speak if you prefer; this concubine does not insist on knowing."

Xiao Jinyan stared at Shen Chuwei for a while, his gaze shifting down to rest upon her stomach, where the fabric of her light green dress was flat and unaltered.

The most effective method would be to have Xiaojiu fall pregnant in a short period of time, to silence the endless gossip.

Feeling the weight of those limpid phoenix eyes upon her, Shen Chuwei inexplicably felt an immense pressure; they met every day, was there really a need for such intense scrutiny?

"Your Highness, would you like more tea?"

"No more tea," Xiao Jinyan said, placing his teacup back on the short table and noticing the joined lotus flowers upon it, which still appeared as if blooming.

For the past half a month, the petals of the lotus flower remained lustrous without a sign of wilting.

He lifted his gaze to Shen Chuwei, "The lotus is well-cared for."

Shen Chuwei looked proudly at the joined lotuses, thinking they could flourish for many more months.

Xiao Jinyan spoke indifferently, "No matter how long or well it is kept, it will eventually wither."

Shen Chuwei leaned on the short table, her slender fingers gently touching the water splashed upon the petals, "This concubine has a method that could preserve the lotus in a perpetually blooming state."

Surprise flickered in Xiao Jinyan’s eyes, "Is that so? What method does Xiaojiu have?"

Shen Chuwei continued, "But this concubine would not use such a method to preserve the lotus indefinitely."

Xiao Jinyan, "Why not?"

"It’s nature’s law, which humans are powerless to stop. The lotus being in bloom for so long is a delightful matter already," Shen Chuwei paused, then added, "Blossoming leads to fruiting; the flower must wilt before it can bear fruit."

Xiao Jinyan was taken aback at first, then came to a realization, "This palace understands now, Xiaojiu’s comprehension is impressively high."

Shen Chuwei stared at the water lily and chuckled twice; after all, only with fruiting could you enjoy lotus seeds!

Xiao Jinyan looked at Shen Chuwei approvingly, watching as her eyes curved merrily at the view of the water lily, recalling how she looked last year gathering lotus pods.

He suddenly wondered whether her epiphany was for the so-called natural laws, or for the taste of those lotus seeds?

Word of Shen Chuwei’s difficulty becoming pregnant gradually spread throughout the East Palace.

Everyone in the East Palace knew that Lady Shen was the most favored, yet she had not conceived for a long time.

This time, the Imperial Doctor’s diagnosis that she would have difficulties in becoming pregnant became the subject of conversations over tea and meals.

Xueyan was the happiest upon hearing this news, her mouth beaming with joy.

"What’s the point of serving in the chambers just the other day? No matter how many times you serve, it’s all in vain if you cannot conceive."

Shuiyao’s face showed delight, "Princess can now rest easy and recuperate. After your face heals, you can serve again."

Xueyan examined her reflection in the bronze mirror for a while, feeling it had improved since the previous day, and ordered, "Fetch some warm water for me, I need to wash my face and apply some ointment so I can recover quickly and serve in the chambers."

"This servant will go at once," Shuiyao said happily as she went to fetch water.

Ever since Xueyan entered the East Palace, Lady Chang had been feeling unbearably stifled these days because she knew that, barring any mishaps, Xueyan was likely to be the future Crown Princess.

"Young mistress, it’s said that Lady Shen has a weak body and has trouble getting pregnant," Huai Xiang couldn’t wait to share the gossip she had heard with Lady Chang.

At the news, Lady Chang grabbed Huai Xiang’s hand and demanded, "Are you certain you heard right?"

Huai Xiang, "Young mistress, this servant did not hear wrong; the information came from the Empress’ palace, it can’t be mistaken."

A smile began to form on the corners of Lady Chang’s lips, feeling a release from her pent-up frustrations, "What of Lady Shen’s favor if she can’t conceive? In the palace, if a woman cannot get pregnant, all the favor in the world is useless."

Huai Xiang nodded in agreement, "As you say, young mistress. This servant sees that Concubine Xue isn’t much favored either. She had just entered the East Palace and fell ill, unable to serve in the chambers."

Whenever Concubine Xue was mentioned, Lady Chang recalled the day she lost the competition to her, which was a blow to her dignity.

She instructed Huai Xiang, "Come closer."

Leaning in, Huai Xiang listened as Lady Chang whispered several instructions.

Huai Xiang nodded, "This servant understands."

In the western garden of the East Palace, flowers bloomed in clusters amidst the shade of green trees.

"We clearly walked this path today, how come it can’t be found now?"

"If the young mistress learns of this, she will certainly scold this servant."

With her head hung low, Huai Xiang stood on the path, looking as though she was on the verge of tears.

Shuiyao, passing by, heard voices and halted, approaching to see Huai Xiang and another maid as if searching for something.

Huai Xiang looked at the maid accompanying her, "You haven’t found it yet?"

"Sister Huai Xiang, it’s not here." The maid continued to search while querying, "Sister Huai Xiang, what is so important?"

"It’s a fertility charm, Master had it specially blessed at the Guanyin Temple outside the palace; it’s effective when placed beside the pillow at night. Keep looking; losing it will get us scolded."

"Sister Huai Xiang, could it have been left in Xinlan Hall?"

"You make a good point, let’s go back and search there."

With that, the two hurried off.

Shuiyao watched the two depart, then her eyes fell upon a red charm bag beneath the flower bushes. She advanced a few steps, bent down to pick it up, and examined it closely in her palm.

A red charm bag, embroidered with the golden words "Seek Child" on it.

Shuiyao happily took the charm bag back to Qimeng Hall and recounted what she had witnessed to Xueyan.

Xueyan asked, "Where is the charm bag? Bring it here for me to see."

Shuiyao, unable to wait, took out the charm bag from within her clothing and handed it to Xueyan, "Princess, this is it."

Xueyan took the charm bag from her, scrutinized it back and forth for a while, her eyes filled with doubt, "Does this bag really work?"

"According to Huai Xiang, it is very reliable. If it wasn’t, Huai Xiang wouldn’t be in such a panic," said Shuiyao.

Looking at the charm bag in her hands, Xueyan was still somewhat skeptical; could it truly help in conceiving a child?

At the time of lighting the lamps,

Cries and sobs could be heard coming from Xinlan Hall.

"You can’t even handle such a small matter, what use are you to me?"

"Young mistress, this servant didn’t lose it on purpose."

Recognizing the voices of Lady Chang and Huai Xiang, Shuiyao turned and trotted back to relay what she had seen and heard to Xueyan.

"Princess, this servant believes it really is effective," Shuiyao reported.

Convinced by Shuiyao’s words, Xueyan decided, "Then at night when I sleep, I’ll place it beside my pillow, and in a few days, once my face is healed, I’ll invite His Highness over for dinner."

Shuiyao offered, "This servant will help the Princess wash up, then apply the ointment again, to restore your beauty sooner."

At Hehuan Hall,

After finishing the evening meal, Shen Chuwei took out her drawing board, intending to paint.

Having promised Xiao Jinyan to incorporate both of them into a painting, she had yet to begin, lacking inspiration.

Xiao Jinyan, having completed his review of the petitions early, came to Hehuan Hall, determined to make an effort to get Xiaojiu pregnant as soon as possible.