Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 498 Extra Story 4: Waiting to Rebuild the Old Mountains and Rivers, Facing the Heavenly Palace (4)

Chapter 498: Chapter 498 Extra Story 4: Waiting to Rebuild the Old Mountains and Rivers, Facing the Heavenly Palace (4)

"Moreover, your character is resilient, even if there are storms in the future, both the Emperor and I believe you can endure through them."

The Empress had said these words many times.

The eldest daughter of the Zhang Family, who was the Crown Princess Consort, naturally understood.

Thus, she responded with poise and humility.

"Father Emperor and Mother Empress are blessed with great fortunes, the Crown Prince treats the people with benevolence, and surely Da Wei will prosper for thousands of years."

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed through the Empress’s eyes.

But there was also a deep sense of pity.

Once, she had adored that bright, delicate little girl.

That’s why she had been chosen at first sight when she came to the palace with Old Madam Zhang for an audience.

She was kept by her side for personal tutelage.

Firstly, it relieved her of the pain of losing a daughter.

Secondly, she hoped to cultivate a loyal and stable future family for the Crown Prince.

Otherwise, given the nature of the Crown Prince.

It would be difficult for him to achieve greatness in the future.

However, the Imperial City trapped the girl she once was.

And honed her into a Crown Princess Consort who adhered to rules, was resilient in character yet as cold as ice.

The Crown Prince loved delicate beauties in his arms the most.

Rather than the evergreen presence of the Crown Princess Consort.

But the Empress saw this and didn’t know how to advise her.

Feeling quite anxious inside.

She could only feign anger and say.

"I know you dislike it, but you must understand, it’s good to have a Prince by your side, otherwise, in the future, this kingdom, this world, and your Zhang Family, where would they head to?"

Hearing this, the Crown Princess Consort was slightly affected.

With her eyes lowered, she bowed to her fate.

"Mother Empress’s teachings are right, I know what to do."

"That’s good. If you give birth to a Prince, Da Wei will have a successor."

Because she believed.

With the disposition and ability of the Crown Princess Consort, the child she raises is sure to be an enlightened monarch.

This way, their painstaking efforts would not be in vain.

After the Empress left, Wen Lan approached.

Took the sleeping Princess Hui Xian and handed her to the nanny.

Before leaving, she heard the Crown Princess Consort instruct Sister Zhongxia.

"Make arrangements, ensure the Crown Prince comes over tonight."

"Yes."

When Wen Lan left, she was unsure if she really heard the sigh.

She just felt that someone like the Crown Princess Consort.

Should not languish in the palace.

But the path the Crown Princess Consort would take wasn’t something a mere maid could comment on.

What she could do was to take care of the Crown Princess Consort’s daily life.

A month later, the Crown Princess Consort was pregnant again.

This time, the pregnancy didn’t seem well.

From the start, she had significant reactions.

Vomiting whatever she ate, her whole body became drastically thinner.

Sometimes, even though she was asleep.

She would still be woken up by the slightest oddity.

Followed by bouts of relentless nausea.

The four chief palace maids took turns watching over her, each struggling due to exhaustion.

Wen Lan, being younger, was more enduring.

Therefore, seeing the other sisters weary later on.

She volunteered to take more watches.

One night.

Wen Lan almost fell asleep leaning against the couch in the outer room.

But suddenly she heard the Crown Princess Consort coughing violently.

Frightened, she immediately got up to check.

"Crown Princess Consort, are you alright?"

The Crown Princess Consort felt extremely uncomfortable, unable to suppress the urge to vomit.

But she had hardly eaten anything, so nothing came out.

After struggling for a while, she finally stopped.

A sip of warm water eased the discomfort a little.

In the moonlight, Wen Lan looked at the Crown Princess Consort’s pale face.

Feeling a sense of compassion.

So she quietly said.

"Crown Princess Consort, this pregnancy is so harmful to your health, perhaps we shouldn’t keep it. Once you’ve recovered in a couple of years, surely both mother and child will be healthy."

Such words, if overheard by others.

Wen Lan’s life would be forfeit.

The Crown Princess Consort weakly smiled, then had Wen Lan use a cushion to support her back.

Subsequently, with calm eyes, she said.

"Father Emperor’s health isn’t good, so the Crown Prince’s ascension is likely within these two years. With the little affection between him and me, without Father Emperor and Mother Empress’s restraint, we would only appear as a couple on the surface. Therefore, this child is probably my last child."

For the Empress Dowager.

Giving birth for a man she disliked was exhausting with each additional child.

Thus, she hoped.

This child would be a Prince.

So her suffering could end.

And she wouldn’t let down the expectations of Father Emperor and Mother Empress.

Everyone could be happy.

Perhaps her demeanor was too composed, calming Wen Lan as well.

With some apologetic words, she said.

"It’s just my foolishness, Crown Princess Consort, please forgive me."

"It’s alright."

The Crown Princess Consort smiled, then seemed to recall something.

She asked.

"Wen Lan, you’re fourteen or fifteen now, aren’t you?"

"Almost sixteen after the new year."

The Crown Princess Consort was somewhat surprised by this.

But quickly came to terms with it.

"Yes, I’ve been the Crown Princess Consort for many years now."

The voice was filled with a deep sense of fatigue.

Wen Lan massaged the Crown Princess Consort’s arms and shoulders while chatting with her.

Gradually, their bond grew slightly deeper than before.

Perhaps due to Wen Lan’s good skills, under her soothing touch, the Crown Princess Consort slowly drifted into sleep.

Once the sound of steady breathing came from the bed, Wen Lan’s eyes deepened.

The Crown Princess Consort had always been in good health, and her first pregnancy went smoothly.

Even if there was some discomfort, it was quickly overcome.

But now, nearly four months in, she was still vomiting constantly.

If she continued like this, it was uncertain she would endure until childbirth.

Wen Lan had seen her mother wither away after giving birth to her younger sister due to weakness.

She didn’t want the only person she trusted and admired to follow the same path.

Hence, she was determined to investigate!

Who knew what two-faced people lurked in this palace.

Especially Meng Dong!

Claiming that the Crown Prince had violated her when drunk.

But in reality, Wen Lan had seen her sneaking away that night.

If even those close plotted like this.

Let alone others.

After all, with the Crown Princess Consort’s position in the palace.

If she gave birth to a Prince, the future would be decided decades earlier.

If it weren’t against the imperial decree, the current Emperor might even wish to skip over the Crown Prince, directly bestowing the title on the Imperial Grandson.

Thinking of this, Wen Lan decided secretly in her heart.

If it was just the Crown Princess Consort’s discomfort, that was manageable.

But if someone was deliberately framing her, she would make sure that person paid the price!

A hint of determination flashed in her eyes.

In the following months, she began meticulously investigating.

From personal items to food and drink.

From plants and trees to the people in service.

She overlooked nothing.

Eventually, after some time, she did find something suspicious.