Chapter 696 Hope Or Fear

Yun Shang stood up at once when she heard the empress. She said with a smile, "My grandpa has brought some stuffs from the State of Ning. There is a pair of red coral bracelets which are very suitable for Your Majesty. So I bring them into the palace to see if Your Majesty like them." Yun Shang took the box on the table and presented it to the Empress.

"Really?" The empress opened the box with a smile and took out the coral bracelet. The bracelet was as wide as a thumb, with exquisite pattern of phoenix carved on it. The corals were red and vivid. The empress looked at the bracelet for a moment, and she seemed joyful. "The red coral looks good."

Seeing that the Empress liked it, the other concubines around tried their best to praise her. "Yes, this is the first time I've seen such beautiful coral bracelets. Besides, I've heard that this red coral can exorcise evil. They will bring good luck to Your Majesty."

"Yes, The bracelet flatters Your Majesty's delicate skin, and the color of the coral matches Your Majesty's fingernails for today."

The Empress was pleased to hear these comments. She smiled and wore the coral bracelet in front of everyone. Her smiled brighter as she said, "The size is also perfect." Then she turned around and gave Yun Shang a rare smile. "You are so considerate, Lady Rui."

Yun Shang noticed that they all talked and laughed as usual as if nothing had happened to Ning Qian. She could not help but feel confused.

The empress stared at the bracelet for a long time before putting it down, and her eyes fell on Yun Shang. "Well, I just saw a maid following you. How could she disappear in a twinkling of an eye?"

Yun Shang didn't expect the empress to notice Qin Yi. The more sh

rom the empress, but she still felt worried. "Why didn't Ning Qian tell me about it?"

Qin Yi replied quickly, "She said she herself hadn't know about it until today."

"How long has she been pregnant?" Yun Shang frowned and asked.

"Less than a month." Qin Yi replied softly.

In less than a month, no wonder Ning Qian didn't notice it. Yun Shang sighed slightly. Ning Qian's beauty had attracted much attention in the imperial household, and the promotion of her rank had come a little fast. It's been only one year since she was sent to the imperial by the Eldest Princess. It would definitely not be a good thing for Ning Qian, who had no support at all in the imperial household. And now she was pregnant, she must be a thorn in the flesh of others.

Yun Shang bit her lip. She knew Xia Huanyu must have some purpose by promoting her, but she couldn't figure out why he did that. She only knew that Ning Qian was not in a good condition now.

"Your Highness?" Noticing that Yun Shang lost in her thought, Qin Yi called her promptly.

Yun Shang came to her senses. After a moment of silence, she said, "Let's go to the Xiang Zhu Palace."