Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 950: Chapter 861: Unwilling to Be a Slave 81

If you don’t move into Yingyue Palace, there’s always the possibility of various accidents happening outside. If Cheng Mei Ren’s child meets any mishap, it’ll be easy to shirk responsibility. But if she moves into Yingyue Palace, where Lady Jing has absolute control, then Nangong Shuangshuang will have to ensure the safety of Cheng Mei Ren’s child.

If anything happens to Cheng Mei Ren’s child in Yingyue Palace, Lady Jing would be unable to defend herself even with ten mouths. That’s why Lady Jing asked Nangong Shuangshuang if she could guarantee the safety of Cheng Mei Ren’s child.

Nangong Shuangshuang pondered this. Given her control over Yingyue Palace, she’s confident she can protect Cheng Mei Ren’s child from harm, as long as Cheng Mei Ren obediently stays within Yingyue Palace and doesn’t wander outside.

After careful consideration, Nangong Shuangshuang nodded and said to Lady Jing, ”If Cheng Mei Ren moves to our Yingyue Palace, I am confident in protecting her child.”

The day for Cheng Mei Ren’s peace-of-mind pulse check arrived quickly, and her pregnancy was naturally discovered. At that time, the Emperor was visiting Yang Pin at Fangcao Pavilion. Upon receiving this news, he rushed to Cheng Mei Ren’s side room.

However, before the Emperor could express his joy and reward the Imperial Physician, the Imperial Physician nervously but clearly stated that the chances of keeping the child were slim because Cheng Mei Ren’s body was too frail, unfavorable for the fetus’s growth.

The physician’s words made the Emperor experience a rollercoaster of emotions upon learning of Cheng Mei Ren’s pregnancy.

The Emperor felt both heartache and guilt regarding Cheng Mei Ren’s child because he thought Cheng Mei Ren’s frail health was causing the possibility of the child not surviving. He blamed himself for forcing Cheng Mei Ren to kneel on the cold bluestone ground on a freezing day.

To mask his guilt, the Emperor elevated Cheng Mei Ren to Noble Lady Cheng as recognition of her merits for being pregnant, and then he rewarded her with a heap of valuable items. Additionally, he summoned Nangong Shuangshuang, as expected, entrusting the care of Noble Lady Cheng’s fetus to her.

Lady Jing seized the opportunity to suggest to the Emperor that it might be better for Noble Lady Cheng to reside in her Yingyue Palace. Firstly, Fangcao Pavilion already has a pregnant concubine, making it inconvenient for another pregnant woman to be there. Furthermore, having Cheng Mei Ren move into Yingyue Palace would allow Nangong Shuangshuang to better care for Noble Lady Cheng’s Dragon Embryo nearby.

The Emperor recalled the child in Yang Pin’s womb, already doomed to deformity, leaving him slightly irked. Moreover, he was displeased with Yang Pin due to her maid Lian’er falsely accusing Noble Lady Cheng, which led to Noble Lady Cheng’s punishment.

Loyalty derives from the master, especially from close servants. The servant’s mindset reflects the master’s. Just like how Song Lin’s intentions mirror his own, if not for Yang Pin’s ill intentions toward Noble Lady Cheng, Lian’er wouldn’t have falsely accused her on purpose.

If Yang Pin harbors hostility toward Noble Lady Cheng, she would undoubtedly be more envious and malicious upon discovering Cheng Mei Ren’s pregnancy. Compared to Yang Pin, Lady Jing earned the Emperor’s trust.

Firstly, Nangong Shuangshuang, as Lady Jing’s confidante, was highly regarded by the Emperor. Yet, she never mentioned Lady Jing once in front of him, diligently managing both Yang Pin’s and Noble Lady Cheng’s health.

Nangong Shuangshuang’s behavior convinced the Emperor that Lady Jing never intended to leverage Nangong Shuangshuang, his favorite aide, for personal gain.

Thus, the Emperor’s satisfaction with Nangong Shuangshuang extended to trust and a hint of respect toward Lady Jing’s character for the first time, making it evident that placing Noble Lady Cheng beside Lady Jing eased the Emperor’s worries compared to Yang Pin.

After consideration, the Emperor agreed to Lady Jing’s request, moving Noble Lady Cheng to reside in the side hall of Yingyue Palace. As a sign of his approval of Lady Jing, he rewarded her generously.

Once Noble Lady Cheng moved into Yingyue Palace, Nangong Shuangshuang immediately decided to seal the palace for two months to stabilize the child in Noble Lady Cheng’s womb. Luckily, during this period, it was nearly time for the peach blossoms in Yingyue Palace to bloom, making it a delightful time for flower viewing and brewing peach blossom wine.

To ensure the child in Noble Lady Cheng’s belly survived the crisis, the Emperor strictly ordered the harem concubines not to disturb Lady Jing and Noble Lady Cheng. Even the Emperor himself visited Yingyue Palace every two days, refraining from interruptions at other times.

Assisting Noble Lady Cheng’s pregnancy stabilization was simple for Nangong Shuangshuang, allowing her to focus on Bi Ying and Song Lin. During Nangong Shuangshuang’s time with Lady Jing, she continually favored the harem palace maids, even regularly visiting the Violence Room.

Coincidentally, a little palace maid beside Du Zhaoyi, who had benefited from Nangong Shuangshuang’s kindness, informed her of surprising news: Du Zhaoyi had bribed many workers at the Imperial Awakening Temple.

This news deeply concerned Nangong Shuangshuang, and she spent several days investigating who Du Zhaoyi had bribed. Nangong Shuangshuang’s medical expertise acted as a tool to recruit enough informants.

Even those not on Nangong Shuangshuang’s payroll were willing to show her respect, hoping she would remember their aid if they ever needed her life-saving skills.

Thanks to this fact, Nangong Shuangshuang quickly gathered the information she required. From this, she gleaned an audacious plan by Du Zhaoyi that startled her.

Nangong Shuangshuang was both amazed and intrigued by Du Zhaoyi’s daring strategy. Without a doubt, if successful, it could reap unimaginable rewards, even potentially reaching the Empress’s position, though the success rate was low.

Firstly, the Emperor is extremely cautious. Even if Du Zhaoyi’s strategy succeeds temporarily, gaining the Emperor’s affection, his prudence ensures he would investigate the matter. Once investigated, Du Zhaoyi’s intentions could be uncovered even by me, a mere schemer less cunning than the Emperor. How could it escape the Emperor’s scrutiny?

If the Emperor were like the late Emperor, an ignorant ruler, Du Zhaoyi’s plan might be foolproof, as he could be easily duped. Regardless of Du Zhaoyi’s weaknesses, Nangong Shuangshuang could utilize her plan, risk-free, to benefit Lady Jing.

Nangong Shuangshuang presented her findings to Lady Jing, laying the materials before her and explaining her analysis. Staring into Lady Jing’s eyes, she shared her thoughts, then said to her, ”Empress, I know making this decision is challenging, but whatever you choose, I support you. I will not inquire about your decision; take your time to think it over.”

With these words, Nangong Shuangshuang departed, leaving everything to Lady Jing’s discretion. As previously stated by Nangong Shuangshuang, this plan was too audacious, even more so than Du Zhaoyi’s original, and if Lady Jing refused to proceed, Nangong Shuangshuang would completely understand.