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The Crown Prince favored Lady Shen exclusively and was unwilling to share his affections evenly, leading to more than a year without an heir, for which Long Yan was furious.

Lady Shen was confined to the Cold Palace, and still, the Crown Prince had no heir.

This matter had long been the gossip of the harem during leisurely tea times and meals.

Upon learning that the Empress had gone to the East Palace, Concubine Yun deliberately waited on her path, using Yinyin to provoke the Empress intentionally.

It made it difficult for the Empress to even catch a glimpse of the Emperor these days, let alone monopolizing His Majesty’s time.

From afar, upon seeing the Empress approaching, Concubine Yun, holding Yinyin’s hand, walked over and greeted her, "Empress."

Yinyin bowed respectfully, imitating the gesture to perfection.

"Yinyin greets grandmother Empress."

Yinyin was already three and a half years old, and his enunciation was much clearer than last year; his voice was still babyish and endearing to the listeners.

Concubine Yun looked at her grandson with pure joy, "Empress, don’t you think Yinyin is very clever? At only three and a half, his salutations and courtesies are so proper. However, all the Crown Prince’s future princes will surely be just as bright."

Between the lines, she was reminding everyone that the Crown Prince still had no heir – what a failure~

In the past, the Empress would’ve been soured and vexed by Yun Xianbai’s words.

Now?

Her grandson would soon be on the way, it was merely a matter of time.

Her grandson would be the smartest and most adorable!

As for Yun Xianbai’s pretentiousness, the Empress didn’t give it a second thought.

"Concubine Yun really speaks her mind. How excellent is the Crown Prince? Naturally, his children will be excellent too. Yinyin still needs to work hard; if he gets surpassed by a younger brother, that wouldn’t look good, would it? What do you think, Concubine Yun?"

Facing Yun Xianbai, the Empress never minced her words—Yun Xianbai gloated, and she retorted.

Concubine Yun’s face took on an unpleasant color, "What is the Empress saying? Yinyin is already three and a half years old, while the Crown Prince still has no children of his own. It would take at least a few more years."

Inside, she snorted; was the Crown Prince impotent? It might take several years before he could father a child.

The Empress clearly understood Concubine Yun’s insinuations, but what was going to disappoint her was that her grandson would be arriving soon.

"That’s why Yinyin has to work hard because if the age gap is big but he falls short compared to his younger brother, wouldn’t that be even more embarrassing?"

Concubine Yun’s face turned an angry shade of green, "The Empress worries too much. Yinyin will have teachers to instruct him. You should focus on ensuring the Crown Prince has heirs sooner, to put the Emperor at ease."

The Empress glanced at Yinyin; what was the big deal about a three-year-old being able to bow and perform courtesies? Her two sons could recite poetry fluently at that age. As for Yinyin, his talents weren’t high, yet Concubine Yun held him in high esteem.

"No matter how good the teacher, if the student is not bright, it’s all in vain. As for the Crown Prince’s heirs, I needn’t worry, as I shall soon be holding my grandchild."

Concubine Yun’s face turned extremely unpleasant.

"In such hot weather, Concubine Yun might not feel the heat, but Yinyin is still a child and shouldn’t bear the brunt of the sun’s rays. If he suffers from heatstroke, it won’t be a laughing matter."

After finishing her words, the Empress left with a posture of dignified elegance.

Concubine Yun was nearly struck down by heatstroke herself from anger. Wasn’t it due to her family’s support that she became the Empress?

If she weren’t the Empress, let’s see if you still dare to be so arrogant.

Concubine Yun, in her anger, failed to notice Yinyin’s face turning red and his eyes showing signs of abnormality.

It wasn’t until Yinyin fainted that she finally reacted, her legs turning to jelly with fear.

After the Imperial Doctor’s examination, it turned out to be heatstroke.

When the Empress learned of this, she was furious and punished Concubine Yun with a month of house arrest.

*

The Blood Glutinous Corn and Sweet Glutinous Corn in the backyard were ripe, and Chun Xi picked a few to steam in the pot.

Shen Chuwei, looking at her bulging belly, specifically asked Chun Xi to make a loose-fitting dress, essentially a modified version of the Traditional Chinese Dress, with a high waistline that was both attractive and cool, and crucially disguised the pregnancy.

When Xu Concubine and Tao Lady arrived, the corn was ready. Chun Xi cooled it down with cold water before serving.

The color of the Blood Glutinous Corn was very dark, almost akin to the shade of Mulberry Purple Rice.

Xu Concubine was shocked at the sight of the Blood Glutinous Corn. If Shen Chuwei hadn’t assured her it was edible, she would have suspected it was poisoned—so black~

Shen Chuwei had already started eating the corn.

"This is the Blood Glutinous Corn, it really is unique." Tao Lady, curious, took one and bit into it; it was indeed somewhat sticky, different from the taste of yellow corn.

Xu Concubine didn’t hesitate, taking one to eat, "Lady Shen, where did you find such an exotic thing?"

Shen Chuwei replied coolly and calmly, "I lived in the countryside; I’ve seen plenty of novel things."

Xu Concubine believed her because she had been born and raised in the Capital, spoiled from a young age.

"That’s true; I’ve never seen what the countryside is like."