Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

Chapter 832: Chapter 832: Things to be Done_1

Seeing Jin Man looking fatigued, Li Yuanyuan stood up and said, “You should rest a bit. It’s late and I’m about to leave. If anything comes up, have Juxiang inform me. Thankfully, the Princess Consort holds me in good regard, my words carry some weight in the East Palace.”

Jin Man looked at her enviously, “You have been with the Crown Prince for a long time, your relationship is naturally different from others.”

Li Yuanyuan smiled gracefully and did not say more.@@novelbin@@

As she watched Li Yuanyuan step lightly towards the doorway, Jin Man suddenly asked, “You’ve been with the Crown Prince for many years, why haven’t you had any children?”

Li Yuanyuan paused, turned back, smiled, and said, “Having or not having children, it doesn’t really matter.”

“How can it not matter?” Jin Man was astounded, “The Crown Prince will become the ruler of a nation in the future. Isn’t continuing his lineage a major matter?”

“It is a major matter, but we have the Princess Consort, don’t we?”

“You’d want as many royal children as possible. Because, who knows what the future holds? I understand the importance of the first-born, but our Crown Prince is also the product of a side concubine.”

“Jin Liangyuan, you should not discuss such matters in the future. It would not be good if it gets out.” Li Yuanyuan said with a slight smile, “There are women in this world who want to be mothers and there are those who do not, not everything is set in stone. For instance, Jin Liangyuan, didn’t you sever your own lineage?”

Listening to this, Jin Man’s face fell.

She, being a woman, has the innate instinct of a woman. Seeing the lively and lovely children in the Princess Consort’s room, how could she not want her own?

However, she also deeply understood that she didn’t have that fortune.

Hence, she may as well simply seek what’s best for herself.

What she didn’t understand was why Li Yuanyuan, despite not being high-born, was still a pure-blooded Great Sheng, and after so many years with the Crown Prince, she still hadn’t given birth to a child.

If one were to argue that it was to allow the Crown Prince to first have a legitimate heir, that heir is now already three years old.

Yet Li Yuanyuan, who was a side concubine, didn’t show signs of pregnancy.

Jin Man believed, not just her, but many in the harem were puzzled, wondering whether Concubine Li was sterile.

Facing rumors and gossip, Li Yuanyuan never offered an explanation.

Looking at Jin Man’s darkened face, she said, “They say you should not hit a person when he’s down. I didn’t mean to open your wounds. Since we both belong to the Crown Prince, let’s get along. Life has to have some hope to make it worthwhile.”

Jin Man forced a smile and said, “I was out of line and asked inappropriate questions, I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

…

Jiang Ning thought she had angered Li Hongyuan and he would not come tonight.

Unexpectedly, he still visited.

“Aren’t you angry anymore?” Jiang Ning looked at him with a teasing smile. His skin under the lamplight had a faint pearlescent glow, his beautiful daytime face, within the blurred outlines, was innocent yet mesmerizing.

“Being angry or not, doesn’t affect the things that need to be done.”

Li Hongyuan shrugged off his robes and tossed them carelessly to the ground, then climbed into the bed.

…

The following day, on 14th of March, the weather was fine and clear. It was the official day for the selection of beauties, and the Emperor and Empress were both in attendance.

The fifty women Jiang Ning personally selected were now ready to be paraded. Each of them was dressed in their most fitting and splendid clothes.

For a while, the Elegant Heir Palace was filled with the scent of cosmetics, chirping of girls, and a confusion of noise.

The Emperor and Empress arrived punctually, joined by Concubine Xian, Concubine Shu, Concubine Yu and other high-ranking concubines. However, Jiang Ning, who was one of those in charge, was late.